DUKE 

UNIVERSITY 


LIBRARY 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2015 


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HISTORY  OF 


Dakota  and 
Goodhue  Counties 

MINNESOTA 


I llusiraied 

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 

FRANKLYN  CURTISS -WEDGE 

CONTRIBUTORS  AND  REVISERS 

Hon.  Francis  M.  Crosby;  Prof.  C.  W.  Meyer;  Rev.  Patrick 
Cunningham;  Thomas  C.  Hodgson;  James  D.  Hoskins;  Rev. 
William  Eversman;  Rev.  Robert  Schlinkert;  General  W.  G. 
Le  Due;  Warren  Upham,  Ph.  D.;  W.  M.  Svveney,  M.  D.; 
Jens  K.  Grondahl  ; C.  A.  Rasmussen;  Julius  Boraas,  M.L.; 
F.  W.  Kalfahs;  Edward  W.  Schmidt,  M.  A.;  Mrs.  Julia  B. 
Nelson;  E.  Norelius,  D.  D.;  George  C.  Wellner,  M.  D.; 
John  C.  Applegate;  Ralph  W.  Holmes;  Dwight  C.  Pierce; 
Henry  Halvorson;  Rev.  James  H.  Gaughan ; Henry  R. 
Cobb;  Edgar  F.  Davis;  Mrs.  James  Duff,  and  many  others 


VOLUME  II 


CHICAGO 

H.  C.  COOPER,  JR.,  & CO. 


1910 


TO  THE 

STURDY  PIONEERS  OF  DAKOTA  AND  GOODHUE 
COUNTIES 

WHO,  AMID  INNUMERABLE  HARDSHIPS,  BLAZED  THE  WAY  FOR 
THE  PRESENT  GENERATIONS, 

AND  TO  THEIR 

DESCENDANTS  AND  SUCCESSORS 
THIS  WORK  IS  DEDICATED 
BY  ALL  WHO  HAVE  ASSISTED  IN  ITS  CONSTRUCTION. 


PREFACE 


It  is  with  a feeling  of  considerable  pride  and  pleasure  that  the 
publishers  present  this  history  for  the  approval  of  the  people  of 
Dakota  and  Goodhue  counties.  The  undertaking  has  not  been  an 
easy  one  and  the  difficulties  have  been  many,  so  many  indeed  that 
this  work  would  not  have  been  possible  without  the  liberal  assist- 
ance of  the  citizens  of  the  counties.  The  chief  contributors  have 
given  freely  of  their  time  and  talent ; business  men,  church 
officials,  fraternity  and  association  officers,  manufacturers,  pro- 
fessional men  and  bankers,  often  at  great  personal  sacrifice,  have 
laid  aside  their  regular  duties  to  write  of  their  communities  and 
special  interests ; educators  have  written  of  the  schools,  and  men 
and  women  of  all  walks  of  life  have  willingly  given  all  the  in- 
formation at  their  command  regarding  themselves,  their  families, 
their  interests  and  their  localities.  To  all  of  these  tlxe  readers  of 
this  work  owe  a lasting  debt  of  gratitude  and  to  each  and  every 
one  the  publishers  extend  their  heartfelt  thanks. 

In  planning  for  this  work  the  publishers  hoped  to  prepare  a 
narrative  which  should  tell  the  story  of  this  rich  and  prosperous 
vicinity  from  the  time  when  it  first  became  a geologic  reality, 
through  the  years  when  the  first  explorers  pushed  their  way  up 
the  river  and  into  the  wilderness,  down  to  the  present  time  when 
cities  and  villages  dot  the  landscape  and  comfortable  homes  and 
fertile  farms  are  seen  on  nearly  every  quarter  section. 

In  handling  the  vast  amount  of  material  gathered  for  this 
work  it  has  been  the  aim  of  the  entire  staff  to  select  such  matter 
as  is  authentic,  reliable  and  interesting.  Doubtless  facts  have 
been  included  that  many  will  deem  of  little  moment,  but  these 
same  facts  to  others  may  be  of  the  deepest  import.  It  may  be, 
also,  that  some  facts  have  been  omitted  that  many  of  the  readers 
would  like  to  see  included.  To  such  readers  we  can  only  say  that 
to  publish  every  incident  of  the  life  of  the  counties  would  be  to 
issue  a work  of  many  volumes,  and  in  choosing  such  material  as 
would  come  within  the  limits  of  two  volumes,  we  believe  that  the 
matter  selected  is  that  which  will  prove  of  greatest  interest  to  the 
greatest  number  of  readers,  and  also  that  which  is  most  worthy 


v 


VI 


PREFACE 


olr  being  handed  down  to  future  generations,  who  in  these  volumes 
in  far  distant  years  may  read  of  their  large-souled,  rugged-bodied 
ancestors  and  predecessors  who  gave  up  the  settled  peace  of  older 
communities  to  brave  the  rigors  of  pioneer  endeavor. 

A few  omissions  may  be  due  to  the  dereliction  of  some  of  the 
people  of  these  counties  themselves,  as  in  many  instances  repeated 
requests  for  information  have  met  with  no  response.-  In  such  cases, 
information  gathered  from  other  sources,  though  authentic,  may 
have  lacked  copious  detail. 

Before  passing  hasty  judgment  on  apparent  errors,  one  should 
consider  carefully,  not  relying  on  tradition  or  memory.  In  many 
cases  we  have  found  that  person’s  memories  are  faulty  and 
tradition  erroneous,  when  measured  by  the  standard  of  official 
records;  even  in  the  case  of  comparatively  recent  events,  while 
in  many  instances  families  are  under  the  impression  that  their 
forebears  arrived  in  the  country  long  before  it  was  possible  for 
them  to  do  so.  In  such  cases,  we  have  found  it  advisable  to  follow 
the  records. 

Among  the  books  which  have  been  consulted  and  in  many  in- 
stances quoted  are:  The  History  of  Goodhue  County,  published 
in  1879:  J.  W.  Hancock’s  History  of  Goodhue  County;  W.  IT. 
Mitchell's  Geographical  and  Statistical  Sketch  of  the  Past  and 
Present  of  Goodhue  County ; History  of  St.  Paul  and  Ramsey 
County  by  J.  Fletcher  Williams;  the  various  publications  of  the 
Minnesota  Historical  Society ; the  Legislative  Manual  of  the  State 
of  Minnesota;  The  History  of  Minnesota,  by  Edward  W.  Neill; 
Minnesota  in  Three  Centuries;  The  History  of  Scandinavians  in 
the  United  States,  by  0.  N.  Nelson;  The  Geological  and  Natural 
History  Survey  of  Minnesota,  by  N.  II.  Winchell,  assisted  by  War- 
ren Upbam ; The  Memoirs  of  Explorations  in  the  Basin  of  the 
Mississippi,  by  J.  V.  Brower;  the  Norsemen  in  America,  by  Mar- 
tin Ulvestad;  The  History  of  Dakota  County  published  in  1881; 
the  volumes  containing  the  Acts  of  Congress;  and  the  volumes 
containing  the  Acts  of  the  Minnesota  Territorial  and.  State  Legis- 
latures; also  various  other  standard  historical,  reference  and  bio- 
graphical works,  as  well  as  many,  original  manuscripts. 

The  biographies  have  all  been  gathered  with  care  from  those 
most  interested,  and  with  a few  exceptions  have,  been  revised  and 
corrected  by  the  subject  of  the  biography  or  by  a relative  or 
friends.  This,  however,  refers  to  the  dates,  and  sequence  of 
events,  all  personal  estimates  being  the  work  of  the  editors  and 
inserted  in  biographies  only  after  consultation  with  other  mem- 
bers of  the  staff. 

That  this  history  is  faultless  we  do  not  presume ;,  it  is  prob- 
ably not  within  the  power  of  man  to  arrange  a work  of  this 


kind  without  mistakes  of  one  sort  or  another ; that  it  will  meet 
with  the  unqualified  approval  of  all,  we  dare  not  expect,  but  we 
trust  that  the  merits  of  the  history  will  overbalance  any  short- 
comings that  may  be  discovered. 

Our  association  with  the  people  of  Dakota  and  Goodhue  coun- 
ties has  been  a most  pleasant  one.  We  have  conscientiously  per- 
formed our  task  and  in  placing  the  history  in  the  hands  of  those 
whom  it  most  concerns  our  hope  is  that  we  have  done  our  work 
well.  H.  C.  COOPER.  JR.,  & CO. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  I. 

NATURAL  PHENOMENA.  pauk 

Location — Area — Water  Courses — Surface  Features — Ancient  River  Beds — 
Elevations — Soil — Forest  Trees — Artesian  Wells — Sources  of  Wealth — 
Native  Animals 1 

CHAPTER  II. 

GEOLOGIC  AGES. 

Formation  of  the  Earth — Cooling  of  the  Crust — The  Various  Periods  as 
Outlined  by  Scholars — Appearance  of  Vegetation — First  Animal  Life 
— Geologic  Formations  of  Goodhue  County — Influence  of  These  Dis- 
tance Periods  on  Modern  Existence 11 

CHAPTER  III. 

EVIDENCE  OF  THE  MOUNDS. 

The  First  Human  Inhabitants  of  Goodhue  County — Indications  That  They 
Were  Indians — Location  and  Shape  of  the  Mounds — Their  Purpose — 
What  Excavation  Has  Revealed — Fort  Sweney — Stone  Cairns — The 
Lowland  Mounds — Reign  of  the  Sioux — By  Edward  W.  Schmidt 18 

CHAPTER  IV. 

EARLY  DAYS. 

Possession  by  Indians — The  Dakotas — Traditions  and  Opinions — Col.  Col- 
vill’s  Views — Origin  of  Lame  ‘‘  R-M  vViuj  — The  Raidsson- 
Groseillers  Allegations — No  Proof  That  These  Men  Ever  Saw  Goodhue 
County — Hennepin  Lands  at  Red  Wing’s  Village — Duluth  Passes  the 
Village — LeSueur  at  Prairie  Island — Fort  Beauharnois  and  Its  Suc- 
cessors— Carver  Passes  Through  Wisconsin  Channel — Pike  and  His 
Narrative — Meets  Red  Wing  and  Calls  Him  by  His  English  Name — 
Leavenworth — First  Steamers — Denton  and  Gavin — Aiton  and  Han- 
cock— Tribute  to  Rev.  Hancock — Early  Schooling — The  Pioneers 
Arrive — By  Dr.  W.  M.  Sweney 33 

CHAPTER  AT 

FORTS  AT  FRONTENAC. 

Landing  of  Count  Frontenae — Building  of  Fort  Beauharnois  by  Du 
Boucher  in  1727 — Work  of  the  Jesuits — Disastrous  Freshets — Capture 
of  Father  Guingas — Linctot ’s  Stockade — St.  Pierre  and  His  Meeting 
With  Washington — Abandonment  of  Stockade — Marin’s  Fort  in  1750 
- — Final  Evacuation  by  the  French — Modern  Evidences 62 

CHAPTER  VI. 

UNDER  EUROPEAN  KINGS. 

French  and  English  Claims — Spanish  Rule — The  Louisiana  Purchase — A 
Part  of  Louisiana  Territory — Under  Successive  Jurisdiction  of  Mis- 
souri. Michigan,  Wisconsin  and  Iowa — No  Man’s  Land — General 
Sibley’s  Duties — Minnesota  a Territory — In  Statehood  Days — A Full- 
Fledged  County 71 


XI 


CONTEXTS 


xii 


CHAPTER  VII. 


INDIAN  TREATIES.  page 

rie  du  Chien  in  1825 — Second  Treaty  in  1830 — Treaty  of  1837 — Doty 
Treaty  in  1841 — Treaty  of  Mendota  in  1851 — Land  Open  to  Settle- 
ment— Prairie  Island  Indians 74 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

INDIAN  TROUBLES. 

Half-Breed  Tract — The  Location  and  Purpose — Issue  of  Scrip — Difficulties 
Which  Ensued — Threats  and  Recourse  to  Washington  Finally  Settle 
the  Matter — Spirit  Lake  Massacre — Investigation  by  Red  Wing  Men — 
Uprising  of  1862 90 


CHAPTER  IX. 

BEGINNING  OP  THE  COUNTY. 

Boundary  Lines  Given — First  Election — "Judge”  Young  and  His  Ballot 
Box — Imported  Voters — County  Officers  Appointed — First  Session  of 
Board — Court  House  Resolution — School  Districts — A Few  Early  Ses- 
sions—Court  House  Contract — 1849-1858 97 

CHAPTER  X. 

TOWNSHIP  SYSTEM. 

An  Experiment  in  County  Government — Members  of  First  Board  of  Super- 
visors— Two  Chairmen — Party  Feeling  High — Sheriff  Preserves  Order 
— Another  Version — Court  House  Trouble — Meeting  of  Second  Board 
— Resumption  of  County  Commissioner  System — History  of  Court 
House — County  Poor  Farm — Political  History 110 


CHAPTER  XI. 

DR.  SWENEY’S  NARRATIVE. 

Denton  and  Gavin — Aiton  and  Hancock — Bush,  Bullard,  Post,  Snow  and 
Gould — Potter,  Young  and  Day — Sweney,  Freeborn  and  McGinnis — 
Friendliness  of  the  Indians — First  Winter — Arrival  of  the  Scandi- 
navians— Digging  Potatoes — Fishing  in  Stream  and  River — A Sporting 
Clergyman — Some  of  the  Indian  Braves — Farming  in  the  Old  Indian 
Cornfield — Squaws  as  Farmhands ; , . . 120 


CHAPTER  XII. 

TOWNSHIPS  AND  VILLAGES. 

Organization  and  Original  Names — Belle  Creek — Belvidere — Burnside — 

Cherry  Grove — Central  Point — Early  Settlement 142 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

CANNON  FALLS. 

First  Settlement — Platting  the  Village — Village  and  City  Incorporated — 
Water  Power  and  Mills — Fraternities — Hotels — Newspaper — Modern 
Cannon  Falls — Industries  — Business  Houses  — Schools  — Commercial 
Club — Banks — Cannon  Falls  Township — Early  History — Veterans  of 
the  War 159 


CONTENTS  xiii 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

TOWNSHIPS  AND  VILLAGES.  page 

Featherstone  — Florence  — Frontenac  — Goodhue  Township  and  Village  — 
Advantages  and  Growth — Holden — Kenyon  Township  and  Village — 
Modern  Progress — Leon — Minneola 169 


CHAPTER  XV. 

TOWNSHIPS  AND  VILLAGES. 

Pine  Island  Township  and  Village — Progressive  and  Prosperous — Roseoe — 
Stanton  — Vasa  — Wacoota  — Wanamingo  — Wanamingo  Village  ■ — 
Warsaw — Dennison  Village — Welch 206 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

ZUMBROTA. 

Zumbrota  Village — Its  Situation  and  Advantages — Modern  Zumbrota — 
Water,  Sewer  and  Public  Halls — Fire  Department — Industries — Banks 
' — Hotels — Mills  and  Elevators — Creamery — Fraternities — Village  His- 
tory and  Officers — T.  P.  Kellett ’s  Speech — Military  Company — -Village 


Schools  — Public  Library  — Zumbrota  Township  — Township  Officers 
Since  Early  Days — Soldiers  from  This  Township 234 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

COUNTY  SCHOOLS. 

First  School  Taught — First  District  Organized — Anecdotes  of  the  Early 
Days  — Statistics  — Summer  Schools  — Library  Association  • — High 
Schools  — Church  Schools  — City  Superintendents  — County  Superin- 
■-  tendents  — Sunday  School  Work  — Hamline  University  — Red  Wing 
Seminary — Villa  Marie — Lutheran  Ladies’  Seminary — Orphans’  Home 
— State  Training  School — Business  Colleges — By  Prof.  Julius  Boraas.  271 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

POSTAL  HISTORY. 

Red  Wing — First  Post  Master — Stage  Coach  Days — Growth  and  Progress — 
Other  County  Officers — Discontinued  County  Officers — New  Federal 
Building — Statistics  298 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

THE  PHYSICIAN. 

His  Proud  Achievements— His  Solemn  Oath — His  Ethics — The  True  Physi- 
cian— His  Reward — His  Delicate  Relation  to  the  Human  Family — His 
Inventions  and  Discoveries  Free  Gifts — The  Pioneer  Doctor — His 
Character — His  Services — His  Limitations — The  March  of  Medicine — 
Biographies — A Roll  of  Honor — The  Goodhue  County  Medical  Society 
— The  Twentieth  Century — Preventive  Medicine — The  Physician  as  an 
Educator — By  George  C.  Wellner,  M.  D 315 


CHAPTER  XX. 

SONS  OF  THE  VIKINGS. 

Discovery  of  America — Modern  Norwegian  Immigration— Mathias  Peder- 
sen Ringdahl — Early  Settlers — Anecdotes — Officeholders — Newspapers 
— Norwegians  as  Pioneers — Their  Present  Status 333 


XIV 


CONTEXTS 


CHAPTER  XNI. 


SWEDISH  SETTLEMENT.  page 

Early  Colonies — Coming  to  Minnesota — Mattson,  Willard  and  Norelius — 
Story  of  the  Early  Swedes  Told  by  Dr.  Norelius — The  Churches  at 
Red  Wing  and  Vasa — Reminiscences  by  Early  Settlers — Character- 
istics of  the  Swedes 340 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

THE  GERMANS. 

Origin  of  Race — Colonial  Germans — Prominent  Teutons — Germans  in  Good- 
hue  County — Early  Settlers  in  Various  Townships — German  Soldiers — 
German  Officeholders — St.  John’s  Hospital  and  Training  School — 
German  Industries — German  Churches — Written  by  Prof.  E.  W. 
Kalfahs  365 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

LAND  OFFICE  RECORDS. 

Government  Records  of  Those  Who  Took  Claims  in  Goodhue  County  Be- 
fore 1858 — A List  of  Hardy  Pioneers,  Nearly  All  of  Whom  Are  Now 
Dead — The  Year  and  Month  in  Which  They  Came  and  the  Section, 
Township  and  Range  in  Which  They  Settled — Many  of  Their  Claims 
Still  in  the  Possession  of  Their  Families 384 

CHAPTER  XXIY. 

GOODHUE  COUNTY  CHURCHES. 

Religious  Influence  — Norwegian  Lutheran  — Norwegian  Methodist  — 
Swedish  Luthera  n — English  Lutheran  — Swedish  Mission  — German 
Churches — German  Methodism — Swedish  Methodists — Roman  Catholic 
— Congregational — Presbyterian — Episcopal  Baptis:— Swedish  Baptist.  404 

CHAPTER  XX Y. 

ANECDOTES  AND  ADVENTURES. 

Address  by  Judge  Wilder — Office  Experiences — A New  Setting  to  an  Old 
Tale — Pleasures  of  the  Early  Days — On  Thin  Ice — C.  J.  F.  Smith ’s 
Adventures — His  Arrival — An  Early  Journey — Writings  of  the  Rev. 

J.  W.  Hancock — Indians  and  Whisky — Difficulties  of  Travel — A Canoe 
Trip  on  Land — The  Mysterious  Wild  Girl — Oil  Wells  in  Red  Wing — 

Coal  and  Gold  Also  Found 458 

CHAPTER  XXYI. 

OFFICERS  AND  POPULATION. 

List  of  Men  Who  Have  Represented  Goodhue  County  at  St.  Paul  Since 
Territorial  Days — List  of  County  Officers — Men  From  This  County 
Who  Have  Occupied  Positions  of  Higher  Trust  and  Honor — Popula- 
tion of  the  County  by  Nationality  and  Occupation,  With  List  of 
Growth  Since  the  Earliest  Census 478 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

CALAMITIES. 

Terrible  Cyclone — Vasa  the  Greatest  Sufferer — “Sea  Wing’’  Disaster — 

List  of  Those  Who  Perished — The  Survivors — Terrible  Blow  to  the 
Whole  Countv — ‘ ‘ Galena  ’ ’ Burned  at  the  Levee  in  Red  Wing — 
Shooting  of  Chief  Daily  and  Officer  Peterson — Red  Wing  Fires  in  By- 
gone Days 490 


CONTEXTS 


xv 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

MILITARY  HISTORY.  page 

Hirst  War  Meeting — Colonel  Colvill  First  Man  to  Enlist — Mustering  in  of 
First  Companies — First,  Second,  Third,  Fourth,  Fifth,  Sixth,  Seventh, 
Eighth,  Ninth  and  Tenth  Volunteer  Infantry — First,  Second,  Brackett’s 
and  Independent  Cavalry — Heavy  Artillery — Light  Artillery — Colonel 
Hubbard’s  Bravery — Colonel  Colvill ’s  Charge — Spanish- American  War 
— History  of  Local  Company— Complete  Roster  of  Soldiers  and  Offi- 
cers from  Goodhue  County  in  the  Philippines 507 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

REW  WING  AS  A HAMLET. 

Origin  of  the  Village — First  Settlement — Rev.  Hancock’s  Arrival — The 
Early  Settlers — Claim  Hunters — Incidents  of  Village  Life — Great 
Events  of  Those  Days — Burning  the  Indian  Tepees — First  Farming — 
First  Stores — First  Churches — Pioneer  Politics — Principal  Events  from 
1852  to  1859 — Business  Directory  Published  in  1869 — Poem  by  Julia 
B.  Nelson 529 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

THROUGH  FIFTY-TWO  YEARS. 

Principal  Events  in  the  Government,  of  Red  Wing  Since  Its  Incorpora- 
tion— List  of  Mayors,  Aldermen  and  Other  Officers — Railroads,  Tele- 
graph, Street  Car  and  Other  Franchises — Sewerage  System — Water 
Works — Fire  Department — Public  Buildings — Bonds  and  Improve- 
ments— Memorials — Red  Wing  Township — Veterans 550 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 

“THE  DESIRABLE  CITY.’’ 

Its  Many  Advantages — Desirability  as  a Home  City — The  Carnegie- 
Lawther  Library — T.  B.  Sheldon  Memorial  Auditorium — Red  Wing 
Civic  League  — Fire  Department  - — Water  Works  — Ferries  — Wagon 
Bridge — Associations  and  Clubs — Banks  and  Banking — Business  and 
Professional — Red  Wing  Fraternities 579 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

RED  WING  INDUSTRIES. 

Busy  Manufacturing  Plants  That  Furnish  the  Foundation  for  Red  Wing’s 
Prosperity — Pottery  and  Sewer  Pipe  Making — Malting  Houses — Shoes 
and  Shoe  Pacs — Hats — Furniture — Iron  Works — Advertising  Novelties 
— Lighting  Facilities  — Milling  Concerns  — Lime  Burning  — Linseed 
Products — Sand — Telephones — Job  Printing — Utilizing  the  Forests — 
Brick  Making — Other  Concerns — Edited  by  Jens  K.  Grondahl 616 

CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

MODERN  RED  WING. 

Its  Advantages,  Opportunities  and  Wealth — Some  of  the  Things  Which 
Have  Made  It  Famous — History  of  the  Various  Newspapers  Which 
Have  Been  Published  Here — Associations  and  Societies- — Miscel- 
laneous   645 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

LIVES  OF  LEADING  MEN. 

Principal  Events  in  the  Careers  of  Pioneers  Who  Have  Now  Passed 
Away — Biographies  of  Men  Who  Are  Still  Active  in  Business,  Pro- 
fessional and  Commercial  Interests — Gathered  with  Care  from  Various 
Sources,  Carefully  Compiled  and  Submitted  for  Approval 


666 


\ 


J 


HISTORY  OF 

GOODHUE  COUNTY 


CHAPTER  I. 

NATURAL  PHENOMENA. 

Location— Area — Water  Courses — Surface  Features — Ancient 

River  Beds — Elevations — Soil — Forest  Trees — Artesian  Wells 
— Sources  of  Wealth — Native  Animals. 

On  its  splendid  course  from  Itasca  to  the  Gulf,  the  mighty 
Mississippi  passes  no  fairer  land  than  that  which  it  touches  from 
Prairie  Island  to  Central  Point,  where,  guarded  on  the  north  by 
towering  bluffs  and  broken  here  and  there  by  picturesque  valleys, 
Goodhue  county  stretches  to  the  southward  in  undulating  prairies. 
Unusually  blessed  by  nature  with  deep  soil  find  abundant  natural 
resources,  and  endowed  with  a wealth  of  prehistoric  and  historic 
lore,  it  is  a fitting  home  for  the  sturdy  people  who  have  here 
made  their  dwelling  place.  Hard-working,  progressive  and  pros- 
perous, they  have  appreciated  the  gifts  which  nature  has  spread 
for  them,  and  have  added  their  own  toil  to  the  work  of  the  ele- 
ments, making  the  county  one  of  the  garden  spots  of  the  earth. 
On  the  hills  graze  cattle  and  sheep,  while  the  level  lands  respond 
to  the  efforts  of  the  spring-time  sower  and  planter  with  a wealth 
of  harvest  in  the  summer  and  autumn.  On  nearly  every  quarter 
section  is  reared  a comfortable  home  and  commodious  barns, 
while  from  every  hill  top  are  visable  the  churches  and  schools 
wherein  the  people  worship  the  Giver  of  all  Gifts  and  educate 
their  children.  The  county  seat  city  is  known  for  its  progres- 
siveness in  all  parts  of  the  world,  and  the  busy  villages  and 
hamlets  have  had  their  share  in  the  growth  of  the  county  by 
furnishing  a shipping  and  trading  point  for  the  product  of  the 
farms.  Thus  blessed  by  God  and  beloved  by  man,  the  county 


2 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


today  stands  for  all  that  is  ideal  in  American  life,  and  from  year 
to  year  is  forging  ahead  to  still  wider  influence  and  more  extended 
opportunity. 

Goodhue  county  is  situated  on  the  Mississippi  river  and  Lake 
Pepin,  and  is  bounded  on  the  northwest  by  Dakota  county,  on  the 
west  hv  Rice  county,  on  the  south  by  Dodge  county  and  a small 
portion  of  Olmsted  county,  and  on  the  east  and  southeast  by 
Wabasha,  county.  Its  AYisconsin  neighbor  is  Pierce  county.  The 
population  in  1905  was  31,628,  and  this  has  probably  been 
increased  by  several  thousand  since  that  date.  It  is  a large  and 
important  county,  ranking  among  the  first  in  the  state  in  wealth, 
size,  population,  education,  progressiveness  and  prosperity.  It 
contains  twenty-three  townships  and  Red  Wing,  which  is  outside 
of  any  township  jurisdiction.  Its  total  area  is  78-1.79  square 
miles,  or  502,265.62  acres ; the  water  area  being  only  20.21  square 
miles,  or  12,936.06  acres.  . 

The  surface  waters  of  the  county  all  reach  the  Mississippi 
river  in  an  easterly  or  northeasterly  course,  descending  from  the 
height  of  1,250  feet  above  the  sea  in  Kenyon,  to  665  feet  in  Lake 
Pepin,  a drop  of  nearly  600  feet.  The  chief  of  these  tributary 
streams  are  the  Cannon,  with  its  southern  arm,  the  Little  Cannon, 
and  the  north  and  north-middle  branches  of  the  Zumbro.  Belle 
creek,  another  branch  of  the  Cannon  river,  occupies  an  important 
valley,  running  northward  from  near  the  center  of  the  county. 
Spring  creek.  Hay  creek  and  AVells  creek,  though  not  large 
streams,  are  important  agents  in  defining  the  topography  of  the 
county,  and  have  subterranean  sources  of  supply  which  keep 
them  at  a nearly  uniform  stage  of  water  and  afford  valuable 
water  powers.  Thesd  water  powers  have  in  the  past  been  utilized 
to  a greater  or  less  extent,  and  at  the  present  time  afford  the 
motive  power  for  many  mills.  Their  use  in  generating  electricity 
has  also  been  considered. 

The  county  has  no  lakes.  There  are  a great  many  large 
springs  issuing  from  the  banks  of  the  streams,  giving  clear,  pure 
water,  which  are  dependent  on  the  impervious  nature  of  the  rocky 
strata.  Some  of  the  tributaries  of  Belle  and  of  Wells  creeks  issue 
from  the  rock  walls  of  the  valley,  having  size  sufficient,  in  some 
instances,  to  afford  available  water  power  for  machinery. 

The  topography  of  the  county  has  from  time  to  time  been 
made  the  subject  of  careful  study.  The  high  prairies  in  the  cen- 
tral and  southwestern  portions  present  a strong  contrast  with  the 
hilly  tracts  in  the  northern  and  eastern.  The  former  are  broad, 
undulating,  and  somewhat  monotonous.  The  winds  find  no  nat- 
ural obstacles,  and  the  exposed  traveler  can  retire  to  no  sheltered 
nooks  for  protection.  The  latter  are  broken  by  frequent  and 
abrupt  hills,  which  rise,  with  some  sheltering  timber,  from  two  to 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COLUX TY 


3 


five  hundred  feet  above  the  adjoining  valleys.  The  transition 
between  these  extremes  is  gradual,  and  is  due  to  a variety  of 
causes.  Some  of  the  deep  valleys  of  the  northeastern  part  of  the 
county  penetrate,  in  their  uppermost  sources,  far  within  the  flat 
and  monotonous  areas  of  the  county.  Such  are  the  valleys  of  the 
Little  Cannon  and  of  Belle  Creek.  The  north  fork  of  the  Zumbro, 
which  entirely  crosses  the  county  from  west  to  east,  in  its  southern 
portion,  introduces  an  agreeable  diversity  of  surface  westward 
from  Zumbrota,  which  otherwise  would  be  one  of  mere  open  and 
nearly  level  prairie.  The  north  middle  fork  has  the  same  effect 
near  the  southern  border  of  the  county,  about  six  miles  further 
south.  The  townships  of  Pine  Island,  Roscoe,  Cherry  Grove, 
Kenyon,  the  central  portion  of  Holden,  the  northern  half  of 
Wanamingo  and  Minneola,  and  much  of  the  area  of  Warsaw, 
Leon  and  Belle  Creek,  also  some  of  Yasa.  Featherston  and  Good- 
hue,  are  included  in  this  higher  portion  of  undulating  prairie. 
The  uplands  of  the  most  elevated  portions  of  the  county  are  from 
1,150  to  1,250  feet  above  the'sea.  The  streams  in  those,  portions 
are  but  little  below  that  area.  They  gradually  work  to  lower  and 
lower  levels,  becoming  larger  by  springs  and  territories,  until 
they  reach  the  level  of  Lake  Pepin,  which  is  662  feet  above  the 
sea.  At  the  same  time  the  uplands  that  immediately  adjoin  these 
streams,  even  the  Mississippi  valley  itself,  do  not  partake  of  this 
gradual  slope  toward  the  Mississippi.  The  Mississippi  bluffs  are 
from  1,000  to  1.100  feet  above  the  sea,  or  only  about  150  feet 
lower  than  the  average  elevation  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the 
county. 

In  Stanton.  Cannon  Falls  and  Yasa,  rounded  or  elongated 
knobs  and  ridges  rise  abruptly  from  the  plains  to  the  height  of 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet,  and  to  a certain  extent  the 
same  features  may  be  seen  in  Welch,  Burnside,  Red  Wing, 
Featherston,  Hay  Creek  and  Florence.  But  in  the  latter  town- 
ships the  knolls  are  larger  and  higher. 

In  those  vastly  remote  ages,  so  remote  that  the  passage  of 
time  since  then  can  only  be  vaguely  estimated  and  expressed  in 
terms  of  thousands  of  years,  when  nature,  by  the  exertion  of  her 
forces,  Avas  preparing  the  earth  for  the  habitation  of  humankind, 
occurred  a period  known  as  the  glacial  epoch,  by  reason  that  a 
large  part  of  the  earth  Avas  covered  with  vast  fields  of  solid  ice* 
many  hundreds  of  feet  deep.  With  the  melting  of  this  ice  were 
formed  vast  seas  and  streams  in  Avhich  floated  huge  icebergs, 
composed  both  of  stone  and  ice,  Avhicli  plowed  out  the  Amlleys 
which  are  noAV  dry  land,  and  Avrote  their  evidences  in  scratches 
upon  the  rocks,  and  gradually  melting,  left  various  deposits  of 
mud  and  graAml  in  the  turbulent  Avaters.  On  the  shrinkage  of  the 
high  waters  of  the  glacial  epoch,  numerous  streams  Avere  dried, 


4 


HI  ST  OK  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


old  channels  were  abandoned,  and  the  hastening  currents  made 
deeper  cuts  in  the  gravel  and  loam,  which  they  themselves  had 
previously  deposited  there.  The  location  of  these  old  streams, 
some  of  which  were  dried  up,  or  changed  their  courses  thousands 
of  years  ago,  forms  an  interesting  subject  for  conjecture.  Colonel 
William  Colvill  during  his  lifetime,  after  long  stucl.f,  suggested 
the  course  of  some  of  these  old  streams  in  the  following  words : 
“Hay  creek,  going  upstream,  carried  one  of  these  currents.  The 
Trout  brook,  whose  branches  came  down  through  those  mag- 
nificent gorges,  now  followed  by  the  roads  leading  up  to  Feath- 
erston,  came  at  the  old  tannery,  on  to  the  ground  now  held  by 
Hay  creek.  The  bluffs  below  the  tannery,  on  that  side,  are  a con- 
tinuation of  the  Trout  brook  bluffs,  and  beyond  the  range  of  Hay 
creek  at  any  time.  At  the  then  mouth  of  Trout  brook,  on  the 
river,  struck  in  the  current,  and  soon  broke  across  the  narrow 
and  low  divide,  into  Hay  creek,  followed  along  its  valley  to  the 
mill.  Section  12,  Featherston,  near  its  then  head,  and  broke  over 
into  the  wide  and  deep  valley  which  there  comes  down  from 
Featherstone — pointing  directly  to  the  great  bend  of  Hay  creek. 
This  bend  was  then  a part  of  the  main  valley  of  Wells  creek,  and 
the  current  then  flowed  down  that,  now  dry,  valley  to  Wells 
creek  mill,  on  the  present  stream.  With  what  eloquent  tongues 
do  the  acrid  cliffs  and  isolated  peaks  of  that  old  dry  valley  speak. 
They  seem  to  echo  the  thundering  floods  which  in  those  days  bat- 
tered their  faces,  and,  like  the  gigantic  bones  of  an  old  creation, 
to  tell  us  the  history  of  the  past.” 

Colonel  Colvill  conjectured,  further,  that  the  water  of  Wells 
creek  was  not  then  able  to  reach  the  Mississippi  freely,  but 
passed  through  some  of  the  valleys  now  tributatory  to  it,  south- 
ward into  some  of  those  that  are  tributatory  to  the  Zumbro, 
mainly  through  the  valley  of  Skillman’s  brook,  uniting  with  the 
Zumbro  at  Mazeppa.  The  disproportion  between  the  size  of  the 
Zumbro  valley  and  the  drainage  area  which  it  now  serves  has 
been  noted  by  geologists,  and  this  hypothesis  serves  to  account, 
possibly,  for  this  irregularity.  There  is  still  observable  by  one 
passing  southwesterly,  a perceptible  valley,  running  soutlieast- 
warclly,  outlined  on  the  west  by  the  Trenton  bluffs  all  the  way 
from  northeastern  Vasa  to  southwestern  Zumbrota. 

Another  probable  water  course  which  is  now  abandoned  was 
from  Cannon  Falls,  northeastwardly.  The  observer  is  struck 
with  the  narrowness  of  the  Cannon  valley  at  once  on  passing 
Cannon  Falls,  as  compared  with  the  width  of  the  low,  flat  valley, 
lying  next  north.  It  is  probable  that  much  of  the  water  of  the 
Cannon,  in  glacial  times,  passed  north  of  the  bluffs  that  lie  next 
north  of  the  village.  Some  of  it  re-entered  the  Cannon  valley 
again  about  at  the  mouth  of  Belle  creek,  by  way  of  Trout  brook, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


5 


and  some  of  it  passed  northeastward  to  the  Mississippi  at  Etter, 
the  same  place,  where  the  Vermilion  waters  entered  it.  The 
descent  of  this  northeastern  flat  to  Etter  is  about  one  hundred 
feet  for  the  uplands,  but  three  or  four  hundred  feet  for  the  valley- 
in  which  the  waters  were  collected. 

The  greatest  recorded  elevation  in  Goodhue  county  is  on  the 
line  of  the  Chicago  and  Great  Western,  on  Section  23,  Kenyon, 
being  1,250  feet  above  the  sea  level;  but  large  areas  of  several 
other  townships,  notably  Cherry  Grove,  Roscoe,  Holden,  AVana- 
mingo,  Leon  and  Belle  Creek,  would  doubtless,  if  subjected  to 
careful  measurement,  prove  to  have  nearly,  if  not  quite,  the  same 
elevation. 

The  average  elevation  of  the  county,  estimated  from  contour 
lines,  taken  by  railroad  officials,  would  be  as  follows : Central 
point,  725  feet  above  the  sea;  Florence,  975;  Wacouta,  925;  Red 
Wing,  800;  Hay  Creek,  975;  Belvidere,  1,100;  Burnside,  825; 
Featherstone,  1,000;  Goodhue,  1.100;  Zumbrota,  1,075;  Pine  Is! - 
land,  1,075;  Welch,  925;  Vasa,  975;  Belle  Creek,  1,050;  Minneola, 
1,075;  Roscoe,  1,125;  Cannon  Falls,  925;  Leon,  1,080;  AArana- 
mingo,  1,150;  Cherry  Grove,  1,200;  Stanton,  925;  Warsaw,  1,050; 
Holden,  1,150;  Kenyon,  1,210.  Florence  and  Central  Point  in 
these  estimates  are  considered  equal  to  one  town,  their  areas  being 
as  7 to  1 ; Wacouta,  Red  Wing  and  Burnside  make  another,  their 
areas  being  as  the  figures  1,  2,  8;  Welch  and  Stanton  together 
make  two  towns.  The  figures  give  an  estimated  average  eleva- 
tion for  the  county  of  about  1,045  feet  above  the  sea. 

The  soil  of  Goodhue  county  is  based  on  a clayey  sub-soil,  in 
all  places  except  on  the  terrace  plains  that  skirt  the  main 
streams.  This  clay  is  generally  fine  and  loamy;  but  in  the  high 
prairies  of  the  western  towns  it  is  mingled  with  some  pebbles,  and 
even  foreign  boulders  of  a foot  or  more  in  diameter.  Aret,  how- 
ever frequent  the  stones  on  the  surface,  or  in  the  immediate  sub- 
soil, the  real  soil,  which  sustains  the  crops  of  the  farmer,  is 
invariably  of  a fine  grain,  and  usually  of  a black  color,  with  a 
thickness  from  a few  inches  to  several  feet.  The  stones  in  the 
sub-soil,  which  appear  in  the  western  part  of  the  county,  gradu- 
ally disappear  toward  the  east,  and  are  wholly  wanting  in  the 
extreme  eastern  part  of  the  county.  The  sub-soil  in  the  rolling 
towns  of  the  eastern  tiers  is  a fine  yellowish  loam,  in  some  cases 
a compact  clay. 

Goodhue  county  abounds  in  lumber  along  the  rivers,  and  also 
in  several  other  portions.  The  following  list  has  been  compiled, 
giving  the  trees  native  to  this  county,  together  with  a short 
description  of  each  variety.  In  addition  to  those  found  in  the 
list  there  are  a few  smaller  trees,  like  the  plum,  crab  apple  and 
thorn  apple,  which  are  of  little  consequence.  Among  the  culti- 


6 


. HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY- 


vated  shade  trees  which  have  been  induced  to  grow  here  are  the 
Balm  of  Gilead,  White  Poplar,  Scotch  Pine,  Mountain  Ash,  White 
Spruce,  Balsam,  or  Fir,  and  Arbor  Vitae.  The  native  trees  are 
as  follows : 

Rock  Maple — Not  abundant;  it  is  very  valuable  for  fuel,  and 
fine  for  shade,  but  of  rather  slow  growth.  Soft,  or  Red  Maple — 
A good  shade  tree,  but  easily  broken  by  storms.  Box  Elder — 
Common  in  rich  woods;  a hardy  shade  tree.  Sugar  is  made  from 
this  tree  in  some  parts  of  the  state.  Basswood — Abundant  in  rich 
woods.  One  of  the  most  beautiful  trees  for  shade.  Its  lumber  is 
excellent  for  furniture.  Black  Cherry — Very  valuable  for  lum- 
ber. Some  trees  are  found  here  which  grow  to  be  quite  large. 
White  Ash — AY  ell  known  as  a large  and  valuable  forest  tree.  It 
is  used  much  for  shade.  Red  Ash — Not  common.  Grows  in  low 
grounds.  A small  tree  which  resembles  the  white  ash.  Green 
Ash — Grows  near  river  banks.  Upper  half  of  leaves  have  sharp 
teeth.  Black  Ash — Not  abundant.  It  grows  in  swamps  and  wet 
banks  along  streams.  A small  tree  with  tough  wood.  Red  Elm, 
or  Slippery  Elm — Well  known,  and  ranks  with  the  better  grade 
of  soft  wood  for  fuel.  White  Elm — Abundant  in  rich  soil  along 
rivers.  An  elegant  shade  tree.  Rock  Elm — Very  scarce.  Wood 
very  hard  and  timber  valuable.  Sugar  Berry,  or  Hack  Berry — 
A small  tree  bearing  sweet  fruit,  the  size  of  wild  cherries.  Not 
abundant.  Grows  by  river  banks.  Black  Walnut — A beautiful 
and  valuable  tree  found  along  streams.  Butternut — Grows  in 
damp,  rich  soil,  with  wood  softer  and  lighter  than  the  walnut. 
Butternut-Hickory — Abundant  on  moist  land.  Bark  smooth.  The 
nut  is  small  and  bitter.  Very  valuable  for  fuel. 

Paper,  or  Canoe  Birch — Grows  sparingly  on  river  banks.  The 
Indians  use  the  bark  of  this  species  for  making  canoes.  Black 
Alder — Found  at  the  Big  Falls.  It  resembles  the  black  cherry. 
Ironwood,  or  Hopliorn  Bean — Common  in  rich  woods,  and  is 
excellent  for  fuel.  Has  hop-like  fruit.  Blue,  or  AVhite  Beech — 
Grows  along  streams.  Its  wood  is  very  hard.  Burr.  Oak — Pin 
oak;  abundant.  It  varies  much  in  size  and  appearance.  Very 
valuable  for  timber  and  fuel.  AVhite  Oak — Not  common.  Trunk 
more  smooth  and  bark  lighter  colored  than  burr  oak.  Black 
Oak,  or  Scrub  Oak,  or  Jack  Oak — Grows  in  dry  soil  and  has  deep- 
cut  leaves,  shining  on  the  upper  surface ; has  a small  acorn  with 
a deep  cup.  Red  Oak — Abundant  on  rich  soil  on  elevated  ground 
in  this  vicinity.  It  resembles  the  black  oak,  but  the  trunk  is 
smoother  and  more  slender  and  light  colored.  The  leaves  are 
larger,  not  deeply  cut  nor  shining  above.  Acorn  large  and  oblong, 
with  shallow  cup.  It  is  often  mistaken  for  the  black  oak.  Com- 
mon Poplar,  or  Popple — AVell  known;  grows  further  north  than 


HI  STUB Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


7 


any  other  deciduous  tree.  Large  Tooth  Poplar — Bark  darker. 
Colored  leaves  with  large  teeth.  Less  common  than  common  pop- 
lar. The  wood  is  harder  and  more  valuable  for  fuel.  Cotton- 
wood— Largely  used  as  a shade  tree.  A rapid  grower.  White 
Pine — Found  in  several  places  along  the  banks  of  rivers  and  small 
streams,  but  now  largely  cut  off.  Red  Cedar — A beautiful  tree 
found  in  small  quantities  along  the  banks  of  streams. 

To  do  justice  to  the  detailed  description  of  the  geological 
structure  of  the  county  would  be  to  use  more  space  than  the  lim- 
its of  this  volume  would  justify.  The  thoughtful  reader  will  find 
much  valuable  information  on  this  subject  in  the  second  volume 
of  a publication  entitled  “The  Geology  of  Minnesota,”  dated  1885, 
edited  by  N.  LI.  Winchell,  upon  whose  statements  much  of  the 
information  in  this  chapter  is  based. 

The  first  deep  well  drilled  in  the  county  is  at  the  station  of  the 
Chicago,  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul  Railroad,  beginning  at  the  grade 
line  of  the  road,  687  feet  above  the  sea.  The  work  was  done  by 
W.  E.  Swan,  of  McGregor,  la.,  who  estimated  the  discharge  at 
800  gallons  per  minute.  The  water  could  rise  seventy-five  feet 
above  the  surface  when  confined  in  a pipe.  The  water  began  to 
flow  at  190  feet  from  the  surface,  and  kept  on  increasing  to  the 
end.  Another  deep  well  situated  about  eighty  rods  west  of  the 
Milwaukee  station,  three  rods  south  of  the  track  and  thirty  feet 
above  it,  spouted  three  hundred  barrels  per  day,  rising  thirty 
feet  above  the  surface.  This  well  passed  through  160  feet  of 
drift  materials  and  entered  the  sandstone  one  hundred  feet. 
Following  is  the  record  of  the  Avell  at  the  Milwaukee  depot,  as 
given  by  Mr.  Swan : Sand  and  gravel,  10  feet ; sandy  shale,  10 
feet;  blue  shale,  50  feet;  sand  rock,  10  feet;  blue  shale,  30  feet; 
mixture  of  sand,  quartz  and  limestone,  45  feet;  soft  sandrock,  265 
feet.  Total  depth,  450  feet. 

In  the  early  part  of  1887  August  Peterson  obtained  another 
artesian  flow  at  the  extreme  northwest  corner  of  section  26. 
township  113,  range  15,  in  the  valley  of  Spring  creek.  The 
surface  of  the  ground  where  this  well  begins  is  about  fifty  feet 
higher  than  at  the  well  above  mentioned,  and  the  water  rises 
freely  through  a pipe  that  stands  twenty  feet  above  the  surface. 
On  striking  the  yellow,  green  and  brown  sandrock,  the  water 
rose  to  within  twenty-five  feet  of  the  surface,  and  increased 
constantly  in  volume  and  force  as  the  well  went  deeper.  The 
bottom  of  this  well  is  146  feet  short  of  the  bottom  of  the  well 
at  the  depot.  The  water  is  soft  and  pure.  The  record  of  this 
well  was  taken  by  the  late  Colonel  William  Colvill  as  follows : 
Sand  and  gravel,  112  feet ; compact  sandrock,  4 feet ; blue  sand- 
rock, 30  feet;  green  slaty  shale,  90  feet;  yellow,  green  and  brown 
sandrock,  15  feet;  white  sandrock.  104  feet;  total  depth,  355 


8 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


feet.  Since  these  first  three,  numerous  others  have  been  success- 
fully sunk,  aucl  the  city  of  Red  Wing  is  soon  to  receive  its  water 
supply  from  artesian  sources.  With  the  increase  in  the  number 
of  wells,  the  force  of  the  water  has  been  somewhat  diminished. 

While  Goodhue  county  is  pre-eminently  an  agricultural  one, 
outside  of  the  cities  and  villages,  yet  it  has  several  other  sources, 
of  material  wealth.  The  county  is  abundantly  supplied  with 
building  stone,  and  from  some  of  the  quarries  a large  amount 
of  stone  has  been  sent  to  various  parts  of  the  Northwest.  There 
are  quarries  at  Front.enac  and  Red  Wing,  from  which  stone  has 
been  obtained  for  buildings  in  Red  AVing,  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis 
and  elsewhere.  There  are  other  quarries  of  lesser  importance  at 
Belvidere,  Hay  Creek,  Featherstone  and  Vasa.  Another  product 
produced  in  large  quantities  is  quicklime,  and  sand  for  mortar 
is  abundant  whenever  access  can  be  had  to  the  gravel  terraces, 
or  the  plains,  along  the  principal  streams ; but  in  the  absence  of 
that,  resort  can  be  had  to  the  sandstone,  which  can  easily  be 
excavated  for  that  purpose.  Such  use  of  this  rock  has  been 
made  on  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  23,  Goodhue  township. 
There  are  some  townships,  however,  in  the  southwestern  part 
of  the  county,  in  which  sand  for  mortar  has  to  be  hauled  a great 
distance,  the  whole  county  being  uniformly  covered  with  a 
clayey  loam. 

Brick  of  excellent  quality  is  made  at  various  points.  The 
old  capitol  at  St.  Paul  was  made  of  red  pressed  brick  from  Red 
A\7ing,  and  the  Red  Wing  product  in  this  line  is  known  far  and 
wide  for  its  excellence.  The  clay  found  in  Goodhue  township 
has  caused  the  making  of  stoneware  to  become  practically  the 
leading  industry  of  Red  AVing.  From  this  clay  are  manufactured 
the  finest  kinds  of  white  and  yellow  stoneware,  and  also  the 
sewer  pipe  which  has  a national  reputation.  A fine  quality 
of  sand  is  also  shipped  for  filtering  purposes.  There  is  but  little 
peat  in  the  county  at  large.  Along  the  old  valleys  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  county  are  found  some  peat  beds,  but  as  yet  little 
has  been  done  in  the  line  of  making  it  a commercial  product 
by  its  successful  use  as  fuel. 

The  animals  native  to  Goodhue  county  are  deer,  elk,  bear, 
fisher,  beaver,  otter,  mink,  muskrat,  coon,  squirrel  (black,  fox, 
red  and  chipmunk),  fox,  wolf  (cayote  and  lumber),  weasel, 
skunk,  gopher  (pocket  and  striped),  wild  cat,  lynx,  badger,  wood- 
chuck, porcupine  and  a very  few  buffalo,  though  these  were 
stragglers  from  the  south.  The  buffalo,  badger,  porcupine,  otter, 
beaver,  fisher,  bear,  elk  and  deer  are  now  practically  extinct. 

Elijah  Haskell  Blodgett,  deceased,  will  always  be  remembered 
as  one  of  the  most  kindly  and  best  beloved  of  Red  Wing’s  most 
prominent  citizens.  His  period  of  activity  in  this  city  began  in 


* 


I 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


'J 


the  early  days  and  extended  until  the  day  of  his  lamented  death, 
June  6,  1909,  although  he  retired  from  the  more  strenuous  duties 
of  his  career  several  years  before.  Mr.  Blodgett  came  of  sturdy 
old  New  England  stock,  the  name  of  Blodgett  being  an  honored 
one  in  the  Colonial  annals  of  that  section.  His  father,  Ashley 
Blodgett,  a native  of  Massachusetts,  married  Orill  Haskell,  the 
daughter  of  an  old  Vermont  family,  and  together  they  estab- 
lished their  rooftree  on  a large  farm  in  Weathersfield,  in  the 
Green  Mountain  State.  In  1835  they  moved  to  Middlesex,  Ver- 
mont, and  there  continued  farming  until  1854,  when  they  retired 
from  active  life  and  took  up  their  residence  in  Norwich  in  the 
same  state,  where  the  mother  ended  her  days  in  1867  and  the 
father  in  1894,  the  latter  having  reached  the  honored  old  age 
of  ninety-nine  years.  Elijah  was  born  in  Weathersfield,  Vt., 
February  16,  1832,  took  advantage  of  such  education  as  the 
primitive  district  schools  of  his  time  afforded,  and  supplemented 
this  with  a course  in  an  academy  at  Montpelier,  Vt.,  later  learn- 
ing the  carpenter’s  trade,  which  he  followed  at  Windsor,  Vt., 
from  1848  to  1855,  in  the  meantime  acquiring  a knowledge  of 
wood  pattern  making,  which  he  made  his  occupation  in  the  same 
village  from  1855  to  1866,  with  the  exception  of  the  year  1857, 
which  he  spent  at  Newark,  N.  J.  Like  many  other  young  men 
of  his  day,  he  then  determined  to  try  his  fortunes  amid  the 
wider  opportunities  of  the  great  Northwest.  .Arriving  in  Red 
Wing  May  31,  1866,  he  first  entered  the  employ  of  the  late  T.  B. 
Sheldon,  who  at  that  time  conducted  a large  grain  elevator. 
After  several  years  of  faithful  and  efficient  service,  Mr.  Blodgett 
was  admitted  as  a partner,  the  firm  being  known  as  T.  B. 
Sheldon  & Co.  In  this  enterprise  Mr.  Blodgett  continued  until 
1902,  when  he  sold  the  business  and  retired.  During  his  more 
active  days  he  served  as  mayor  and  alderman,  as  president  of 
the  Red  Wing  & Trenton  Transit  Company,  and  as  president  of 
the  board  of  education.  He  had  extensive  interests  in  the  manu- 
facturing industries  of  Red  Wing,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
was  a director  in  the  Red  Wing  Union  Stoneware  Company,  the 
Red  Wing  Sewer  Pipe  Company,  and  the  LaGrange  mills.  Mr. 
Blodgett  was  married  September  17,  1855,  at  Ilartland,  Vt.,  to 
Sarah  P.  Sturtevant,  of  that  place,  a daughter  of  Thomas  F. 
and  Rosaline  (Taylor)  Sturtevant,  the  former  of  whom  was  an 
extensive  wool  manufacturer.  Mrs.  Blodgett  died  March  28, 
1906,  and  is  laid  at  rest  in  Oakwood  cemetery,  as  is  her  husband. 
At  the  entrance  of  this  cemetery  is  a beautiful  arch,  erected  by 
Mr.  Blodgett  in  loving  memory  of  his  wife. 

Hon.  Joshua  C.  Pierce,  one  of  the  sturdy  pioneers  who  laid 
the  foundations  for  the  future  financial  integrity  of  Red  AVing, 
was  born  near  Nashua,  N.  H.,  December  8,  1830.  AA7lien  young 


10 


HISTORY  OF  GOODIi'UE  COUNTY 


he  went  to  Boston  and  started  in  life  for  himself  as  a news- 
boy. By  dint  of  much  saving,  he  managed  to  secure  funds  suffi- 
cient to  pursue  a course  iu  surveying  in  the  Academy  of  New 
Hampshire.  It  was  in  1855  that  he  came  to  Red  Wing  and 
entered  the  land  business  as  a member  of  the  firm  of  Smith, 
Towne  & Co.  He  followed  that  business  until  October,  1868, 
when,  in  company  with  T.  K.  Simmons  and  A.  W.  Pratt,  he 
started  the  bank  of  Pierce,  Simmons  & Co.  When  the  bank  was 
incorporated  Mr.  Pierce  became  president  of  the  institution,  and 
retained  that  position  until  the  time  of  his  death.  He  also 
served  several  terms  in  the  Minnesota  legislature,  being  elected 
on  the  Democratic  ticket.  Mr.  Pierce  was  twice  married.  During 
his  lifetime  he  was  an  enthusiastic  supporter  of  all  enterprises 
tending  toward  civic  growth  and  improvement.  The  name  is 
perpetuated  in  Red  Wing  by  a nephew,  A.  P.  Pierce,  for  many 
years  mayor  of  the  city.  J.  C.  Pierce  died  June  13,  1904. 


CHAPTER  II. 


GEOLOGIC  AGES. 

Formation  of  the  Earth — Cooling’  of  the  Crust — The  Various 
Periods  as  Outlined  by  Scholars — Appearance  of  Vegeta- 
tion— First  Animal  Life — Geologic  Formations  of  Goodhue 
County — Influence  of  These  Distance  Periods  on  Modern 
Existence. 

It  was  necessary  for  the  earth  to  undergo  many  changes 
before  it  became  suited  for  the  habitation  of  man.  According 
to  the  students,  the  globe  was  originally  a mass  of  molten  rock. 
The  cooling  process  was  undoubtedly  a slow  one,  and  the  crust 
just  under  our  feet  did  not  become  hard  enough  and  cool  enough 
to  rest  any  superstructure  on  for  perhaps  many  thousands  of 
years.  Probably  many  ages  passed  while  it  was  a rough,  ragged, 
irregular  mass  of  granite — the  skeleton  of  tlie  future  earth. 
Abrasion  and  erosion  ground  the  surfaces  of  the  mass  into 
powder.  Oceans  swept  over  it.  Chemical  changes  operated  upon 
it.  Next  the  sandstone  was  laid  up.  Then  came  the  magnesian 
limestone  of  which  our  bluffs  are  composed.  At  this  period 
fossil  life  begins.  The  reptilian  age  came  on.  The  icthyosaurus, 
the  pterodactyl,  the  iguanodon  and  plesiosaurus  and  other  huge 
monsters  wallowed  and  splashed  in  the  muddy  water.  Then 
came  the  glacial  period.  The  edges  of  the  bluffs  were  polished 
and  seamed  by  huge  icebergs  on  their  way  down  from  the  North. 
The  Mississippi  at  that  time  covered  a vast  area.  What  are 
now  towering  peaks  were  then  islands,  scarcely  reaching  above 
the  water.  But  the  glacial  period  passed.  ARgetation  appeared. 
The  earth  rejoiced  in  scenes  of  beauty.  Mammals  came.  Man, 
rude  and  uncouth,  the  contemporary  of  the  mammoth  and  the 
cave  bear,  appeared  on  the  scene,  and  the  era  of  humankind 
commenced  in  primitive  barbarity. 


Some  years  ago  Prof.  E.  AAT.  Schmidt,  M.  A.,  of  the  Red  AVing 
Seminary,  was  induced  to  write  a short  article  on  the  geology  of 
Red  Wing  and  the  surrounding  environs  of  Goodhue  county. 

11 


12 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Later  he  amplified  the  article,  but  the  managers  of  this  publica- 
tion present  the  former  paper  as  the  one  whic-li  comes  within 
the  scope  of  this  work,  and  one  well  suited  to  popular  reading 
by  those  not  familiar  with  the  story  of  the  formation  of  this 
county  from  the  time  when  the  earth  was  a mass  of  liquid  fire 
down  to  the  age  when  it  was  suited  to  the  occupation  of  man. 
The  paper  follows: 

“It  is  with  considerable  reluctance  that  I assented  to  discuss 
this  subject,  because  my  pursuit  of  knowledge  in  this  realm  has 
been  prompted  by  a love  of  nature  and  recreation,  by  a desire 
for  relief  from  the  wearisome  routine  of  the  daily  vocation,  by 
a wish  for  increase  of  culture  and  the  pleasures  that  spring* 
from  contact  with  nature,  rather  than  from  a desire  to  perfect 
myself  in  any  particular  study.  These  investigations  are  a 
splendid  field  for  training  the  powers  of  observation  and  judg- 
ment, and  a lesson  in  patience  in  slowly  spelling  out  the  silent 
pages  of  nature’s  book,  wherein  is  imprinted  the  geologic  history 
of  prehistoric  Goodhue  county. 

“The  subject  is  so  vast  and  the  material  that  can  be  com- 
manded so  abundant  that  the  greatest  difficulty  in  discussing 
it  lies  in  knowing  what  to  omit,  rather  than  in  finding  sufficient 
material.  The  object  in  the  following  is  an  attempt  to  present 
the  broad  outlines  of  our  natural  environment.  Let  us  endeavor 
first  to  read  the  story  of  the  rocks  and  hills,  of  the  uplands  and 
the  valleys,  of  the  artesian  wells  and  the  gravel  terraces,  of  the 
fossils  and  of  the  rocks,  and  see  how  nature  fashioned  our  present 
abode  upon  the  ancient  sea  floor  and  turned  it  from  a barren 
sea  of  waste  waters  into  the  picturesque  spot  that  makes  Red 
Wing  famous  for  its  beauty,  cheers  us  with  its  never  wearying 
aspect,  and  makes  it  a suitable  location  for  industrial  and  educa- 
tional enterprises.  If  we  ascend  Barn  bluff  near  Webster’s  Way, 
we  pass  over  strata  of  various  materials.  Some  layers  are  com- 
posed of  quite  pure  quartzoze  sand,  others  of  sand  mixed  more 
or  less  with  earthy  impurities.  Other  layers  present  shaly  lime- 
stone, others  more  massive  and  finer  grained  lime.  Nodules  of 
chert  and  cavities  filled  with  crystals  can  be  seen  at  various 
elevations.  Some  of  the  strata  also  contain  fossils.  The  lime- 
stone that  caps  the  bluff  can  be  traced  up  Cannon  river,  where, 
in  the  vicinity  of  Welch,  it  is  surmounted  by  a hardened  layer 
that  seems  to  be  a mixture  of  sand  and  the  limestone  that  can 
be  seen  still  further  up  the  valley  as  distinct  strata.  At  Cannon 
Falls  Mr.  Scofield  will  gladly  take  you  to  the  top  of  the  bluffs, 
where  an  outcrop  of  different  limestone  reveals  a cemetery  of 
ancient  creatures,  lying  exposed  on  one  of  the  farms.  It  might 
here  be  noted  that  our  sandstones  are  composed  of  more  or 
less  angular  fragments,  worn  smooth  with  a tendency  to  round- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


13 


ness.  Their  size  is  fairly  uniform  in  the  same  layer.  The  lower 
layers  contain  coarser  grains  ancl  the  succeeding  higher  ones 
finer  grains. 

“At  Clayhank  can  be  seen  the  clay  pits.  At  Wanamingo 
the  limestone  quarries  are  filled  with  mummies  of  coimtless  crea- 
tures, while  on  the  fields  are  boulders  of  volcanic  rock,  covered 
everywhere  in  our  county,  as  with  a mantle,  by  till  and  loam. 
Along  our  rivers  lie  the  terraces  and  gravel  bars  which  add  so 
much  to  the  beauty  of  our  deeply-eroded  valleys.  The  above 
features  constitute  the  main  geologic  formations  of  Goodhue 
county.  The  story  of  these  formations  is  believed  by  geologists 
to  be  about  as  follows : The  hard  archaen  rocks  revealed  by 

borings  represent  the  ancient  sea  bottom  when  the  earth  had 
cooled  sufficiently  to  form  an  outer  crust  and  the  vapor  of  the 
atmosphere  had  become  sufficiently  chilled  to  form  the  sea,  which 
covered  the  outer  crust.  Then  the  nucleus  of  America  appeared 
at  the  north.  The  sea  had  a powerful  sweep  against  the  newborn 
land.  The  absence  of  vegetation  favored  swift  drainage.  The 
high  rate  of  the  earth’s  revolution  favored  the  formation  of 
rapid  ocean  currents.  The  tides  produced  by  such  a rapid  motion 
hurled  themselves  with  fury  in  quick  succession  upon  the  beach. 
The  higher  temperature  of  the  atmosphere  favored  torrential 
rains  and  produced  most  violent  storms.  The  presence  of  many 
gases  and  acids  and  the  barrenness  of  the  land  all  favored  the 
rapid  disintegration  of  the  rocks  under  the  attacks  of  the  atmos- 
phere, while  the  heaving  of  the  sea  washed  the  debris  back, 
scattei’ing  it  over  the  floor  of  the  sea.  The  finest  parts  were 
carried  furthest,  so  that  the  sand  in  our  county  is  a testimony 
of  the  comparative  shallowness  of  the  former  sea.  The  grains 
of  sand  were  sifted,  soi’ted  and  smoothed  in  their  journey.  This 
explains  also  the  fact  that  the  grains  in  any  one  layer  are  fairly 
uniform  in  size.  The  difference  in  color  is  due  to  storms  or 
later  infiltrations ; coarser  or  finer  grains  determine  greater  or 
less  distance  transfei’red.  The  succession  of  sandstone,  shales 
and  limestones  is  due  to  the  successive  rising  and  sinking  of  the 
ocean  surface.  The  shales  were  formed  by  the  stirring  up  and 
blending  of  the  sand  with  the  new  material  coming  in  above  it. 
The  limestones  were  deposited  in  quiet,  deep  waters,  but  the 
succeeding  elevation  permitted  the  waves  to  stir  them  up  in 
places  into  dome-shaped  structures  and  knolls  of  varying  thick- 
ness. Wherever  the  sea  encroached  on  the  northern  land,  the 
sand  was  left  further  north,  and  we  received  the  finer  materials. 
When  the  sea  receded  it  washed  backward  the  sand  upon  the 
deeper  formation.  That  our  rocks  are  sea  deposits  is  shown  by 
several  clearly  read  proofs.  1 — The  nature  of  the  material  and 
character  of  the  grains  of  sand  and  lime.  2 — Their  horizontal 


14 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


position  and  also  the  oblique  ebb  and  flow  structure.  3 — The 
presence  of  only  marine  fossils,  of  shales,  mud  cracks  and  ripple 
marks.  The  absence  of  tilting  and  of  the  influence  of  heat 
shows  that  they  were  never  disturbed  by  volcanic  eruptions  in 
this  quarter.  The  enormous  amount  of  material  deposited  shows 
that  long  periods  of  ceaseless  activity  Avere  consumed  to  perform 
such  a tremendous  amount  of  erosion.  Our  limestone  formation, 
for  instance,  extends  from  New  York  to  the  Rockies.  The  large 
quantities  of  carbon  dioxide  in  the  limestones  is  thought  to  have 
been  derived  from  the  cooling  atmosphere.  The  sediments  were 
hardened  by  their  own  cohesion  and  the  infiltration  of  cements. 
The  wide  extent  of  country  over  which  some  of  the  formations 
spread  indicates  that  when  submerged  it  formed  a wide,  shallow 
sea  bottom.  The  mud  cracks  and  ripple  marks  speak  of  the 
beach.  The  compacted  layers  of  sediments  have  received  dif- 
ferent names.  The  lowest  is  the  Potsdam  sandstone,  also  called 
St.  Croix,  from  the  St.  Croix  valley,  where  it  outcrops.  Over 
this  are  spread  in  succession : 1,  2,  the  St.  Lawrence  and  Jordan 
sandstones,  by  some  included  in  the  St.  Croix,  which  can  be  seen 
in  outcrop  in  Barn  bluff,  College  hill  and  Twin  bluff;  3,  lower 
magnesian  limestone,  capping  our  bluffs;  4,  New  Richmond 
sandstone  at  Cannon  falls;  5,  Shakope  limestone,  seen  at  Cannon 
falls  and  Northfield;  6,  St.  Peter  sandstone,  seen  at  White  rock, 
Castle  rock  and  the  falls  of  the  Cannon ; 7,  Trenton  limestone, 
seen  at  Wanamingo  and  Cannon  falls. 

“At  some  period  life  appeared.  Some  geologists  place  this 
event  back  as  far  as  200,000,000  years,  so  we  have  a wide  range 
of  time  to  choose  from.  The  arcfiaean  rocks  contain  no  clear 
traces  of  life,  so  that  the  rocks  in  our  immediate  neighborhood 
are  of  special  interest,  as  they  introduce  us  to  some  of  the 
earliest  known  animals.  Other  living  things,  such  as  lichens  and 
mosses,  may  have  preceded  them,  but  owing  to  their  delicate 
structure,  the  physical  conditions  under  which  they  lived  and 
the  long  period  of  time  that  has  elapsed,  no  definite  traces  have 
been  left.  The  St.  Croix  formation  contains  traces  of  plants 
regarded  as  sea  weeds.  There  is  no  evidence  of  land  plants. 
In  the  geologic  foundations  of  the  county  are  evidences  of  all 
the  types  known  to  the  animal  kingdom  except  the  vertebrates. 
The  combined  contribution  of  animal  life  to  the  rock  structure 
of  our  present  home  was  great.  The  successive  generations  were 
piled  up  on  the  tombs  of  their  ancestors,  while  those  Avliose 
shells  were  reduced  to  powder — and  their  number  was  undoubt- 
edly far  greater  than  those  Avhose  remains  are  unearthed  today — 
furnished  the  material  for  the  encasing  rock.  In  general  it  is 
an  accepted  proposition  that  limestones  deposited  by  marine 
agencies  Avere  produced  by  the  calcareous  remains  of  animals 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


15 


having  the  power  to  abstract  lime  held  in  suspension  in  the 
water. 

‘‘Then  came  the  interval  between  the  Trenton  and  the  glacial 
periods.  The  struggle  between  the  ocean  and  the  archman  con- 
tinent ceased.  Minnesota  and  adjoining  areas  were  raised  above 
the  sea,  and  our  county  began  giving  up  instead  of  receiving 
more.  Erosion  set  in  and  the  debris  went  elsewhere  to  build  up 
other  states,  the  arcliman  rocks  in  the  meantime  being  completely 
worn  down.  The  result  is  in  good  part  embodied  in  the  topog- 
raphy we  have  today.  The  Mississippi  carved  out  its  present 
channel  but  flowed  about  100  feet  lower  than  it  does  today.  As 
the  former  periods  were  useful  in  building  up  the  material  for 
Red  Wing’s  industries,  so  this  period  was  useful  in  exposing 
and  making  them  easy  of  access. 

“Then  came  the  glacial  period.  Geologists  are  very  happy 
because  of  the  fact  that  an  area  of  10.000  square  miles  in  Minne- 
sota, Wisconsin  and  Illinois  was  left  uncovered  by  the  ice  fields. 
Of  the  driftless  area,  3,000  square  miles  lie  in  Minnesota,  and  we 
are  just  about  at  the  upper  end  of  it.  Maps  of  this  period  show 
that  glaciers  bearing  down  on  this  region  from  the  northeast 
seem  to  have  spent  their  force  and  died  away  before  they  reached 
the  lower  clriftless  area.  The  glaciers  from  the  Lake  Superior 
and  Michigan  regions  encircled  it  on  the  south,  but  did  not  cover 
it,  hence,  as  Prof.  Chamberlain  said,  the  driftless  area  remains  an 
unmarred  monument  of  erosion  from  the  earliest  ages  to  the 
present  time.  The  driftless  area  is  clearly  distinguished  from  the 
drifted  area  in  that  it  is  free  from  lakes,  sloughs,  or  obstructed 
drainage'.  Gravel  mounds,  like  those  spread  over  the  country 
from  Hastings  northward,  are  absent.  No  gravel  is  found 
beneath  the  soil  except  where  running  water  lodged  it.  The 
valleys  look  old.  The  rivers  that  run  from  the  glaciated  to  the  drift- 
less area  are  lined  by  high  terraces  showing  the  height  of  the  river 
bottom  during  the  melting  period  of  the  glaciers,  while  the  rivers 
lying  wholly  within  the  driftless  area  lack  them.  During  the  last 
glacial  epoch,  when  the  melting  glaciers  made  a larger  part  of 
this  county  a great  sea  of  icy  water,  gravel  and  sand  were 
disengaged  from  the  ice  and  carried  forward  to  lower  levels  by 
turbulent  waters.  ‘ The  valley  of  the  Cannon  river  was  flooded  per- 
manently during  the  continuance  of  this  Avhole  epoch  with  waters 
that  came  directly  from  the  ice  fields  of  Dakota  and  Rice  counties, 
and  which  bore  along  great  quantities  of  floating  ice  and  of 
mingled  sand,  mud  and  gravel.  The  Mississippi  also  was  at 
flood  stage.  These  valleys  were  filled  with  alluvial  detritus  to 
the  height  of  their  highest  terrace,  and  flowed  at  a permanent 
level  of  about  125  to  150  feet  higher  than  iioav,  the  bottom  of 
the  Avater  being  determined  by  this  terrace.  On  the  withdrawal 


16 


III  ST  OB  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


of  the  ice  field  further  north,  and  the  cessation  of  the  supply  of 
such  detritus,  these  streams  began  to  excavate  their  present 
channels  in  the  loose  materials  over  which  they  had  been  flowing. 
This  excavation  was  a process  of  short  duration  and  continued 
as  long  as  any  glacial  condition  of  the  preceding  cold  epoch 
lingered  in  the  state.  When  the  rivers  were  reduced  to  more 
nearly  their  present  stage,  by  the  cutting  off  of  the  supply  from 
the  melting  glaciers,  a slow  process  of  refilling  seems  to  have 
been  begun,  which  we  see  going  on  at  present.  This  refilling 
is  most  evident  in  the  lower  portions  of  the  river  valleys,  and 
in  those  parts  where  the  valley  is  much  larger  than  is  now 
required  by  the  stream  flowing  there.’ 

“Such,  then,  is  the  geological  story  in  brief,  telling  us  how 
our  environments  Avere  formed.  They  are  of  interest  because  the 
industries  of  Bed  Wing  are  directly  dependent  upon  them.  The 
porous  sandstones,  containing  gallons  of  water  per  cubic  yard, 
furnish  us  with  an  inexhaustible  supply  of  water  for  our  mills 
and  other  establishments.  The  limestones  furnish  us  lime  for 
mortar  and  rocks  for  architectural  purposes.  We  draw  upon 
the-  gravel  bars  to  grade  our  roads  and  our  railroads.  The  soil 
of  our  farms  is  splendidly  mixed,  by  the  ploAving,  grinding  and 
crushing  of  the  glacial  mill.  The  trees  of  the  North  and  the 
grasses  of  the  South  came  in,  and  furnish  us  with  fuel  and  with 
opportunities  for  dairying.  Clay  for  making  bricks  is  handy 
in  many  places,  and  furnishes  material  for  the  pottery  industries. 
The  woods  keep  our  saAV  mills  humming  and  supply  our  furni- 
ture factories  with  materials  for  various  products.  The  yield 
of  the  soil  employs  many  at  the  malt  houses  and  the  mills, 
Avhile  the  beauty  and  the  facilities  of  the  place  draw  to  it  seats 
of  learning  and  of  training.” 

Thor  K.  Simmons,  noAv  deceased,  was  for  thirty-three  years 
one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Red  AVing,  and  his  name  is  still 
perpetuated  in  the  title  of  one  of  the  county’s  leading  financial 
institutions.  He  served  as  alderman  and  as  county  commissioner, 
and  in  other  Avays  shoAved  his  public  spirited  interest  in  the 
welfare  of  the  city  and  county.  Born  in  Kragers,  Norway, 
August  12,  1832,  he  received  his  education  in  the  excellent  public 
schools  of  that  city,  and  became  a school  teacher.  At  the  age 
of  twenty-one,  in  1853,  he  left  his  native  land  and  came  to 
America,  locating  for  a time  at  Janesville,  Wis.,  Avhere  some 
felloAv  countrymen  had  preAdously  settled.  In  1856  he  followed 
the  influx  of  immigration  to  Goodhue  county,  and  homesteaded 
160  acres  near  what  is  noAV  knoAvn  as  Clay  bank,  in  Goodhue 
toAvnsliip.  A year  later  he -decided  to  enter  business  life,  and  as 
a preliminary  training  in  American  commercial  methods,  clerked 
a year  in  the  store  of  C.  J.  F.  Smith,  then  one  of  the  leading 


T.  K.  Simmons 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


17 


stores  in  the  city.  Thus  equipped,  Mr.  Simmons  started  a mer- 
cantile establishment  of  his  own,  and  continued  in  business  many 
years,  being  also  a wholesale  grain  dealer  on  a large  scale,  his 
elevators  being  located  throughout  the  country.  During  this 
time  the  need  of  a financial  institution  was  felt,  and  the  Pierce- 
Simmons  bank  was  organized,  with  Mr.  Simmons  as  one  of  the 
chief  promoters.  In  1887,  he  retired  from  active  business,  and 
lived  a retired  life  until  his  death,  May  7,  1890.  He  was  a 
Republican  in  politics,  and  a member  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran 
church.  Thor  K.  Simmons  was  married  June  25,  1858,  at  Cannon 
Falls,  Minn.,  to  Hannah  S.  Hawkins,  of  that  city,  daughter  of 
Nels  and  Eva  (Carlstrom)  Hawkins,  natives  of  Sweden,  who 
came  to  America,  located  in  Indiana  for  three  years  and  then 
settled  at  Cannon  Falls,  where  they  resided  until  the  time  of 
their  deaths,  the  father  dying  May  10,  1889,  and  the  mother 
May  26,  the  same  year.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Simmons  were  born 
nine  children.  Emma  is  now  Mrs.  W.  C.  Krise,  of  Red  AYing. 
N.  K.  Simmons,  the  second  child,  lives  in  this  city  also,  as  does 
Eleda,  now  Mrs.  (Rev.)  0.  S.  Meland.  Eva,  married  to  FI.  J. 
Brown,  lives  in  Portland,  Me.  T.  N.  Simmons  lives  in  Red  Wing. 
Frances  is  Mrs.  J.  L.  Keenan,  of  ITammond,  La.  Marie,  now 
Mrs.  H.  Van  Smith,  lives  in  Oklahoma.  Elvira  is  at  home,  and 
T.  K.  Simmons  also  lives  in  Oklahoma.  The  family  is  universally 
respected,  and  enjoys  the  heritage  of  honor  left  by  the  father. 


CHAPTER  III. 


EVIDENCE  OF  THE  MOUNDS. 

The  First  Human  Inhabitants  of  Goodhue  County — -Indications 
that  They  Were  Indians — Location  and  Shape  of  the  Mounds 
— their  Purpose — What  Excavation  Has  Revealed — Fort 
Sweney — Stone  Cairns — The  Lowland  Mounds — Reign  of 
the  Sioux— By  Edward  W.  Schmidt. 

At  what  period  of  the  earth’s  existence  the  eye  of  humankind 
first  beheld  the  beauties  of  Goodhue  county  and  surrounding 
territory  is  a problem  which  will  probably  never  be  absolutely 
solved.  The  theory  that  a prehistoric  race,  superior  in  intelli- 
gence to  the  Indians,  once  possessed  this  locality  is  not  accepted 
by  scholars  in  general,  and  it  Is  doubtless  true  that  the  first 
human  occupants  of  this  county  were  the  ancestors  of  the  Sioux 
Indians ; though  from  whence  they  came  is  one  of  the  great 
unanswered  questions.  Evidences  thus  far  discovered  indicate 
that  the  Mound  Builders,  famous  in  song  and  romance,  who  left 
so  many  indications  of  their  work  in  this  locality,  were  prehis- 
toric Sioux,  or  at  least  a race  of  Indians  (possibly  the  lowas) 
closely  resembling  them,  and  not  an  entirely  different  people,, 
as  has  sometimes  been  maintained  by  scholars  of  others  days. 


The  mounds!  The  mounds!  Who  does  not  love  to  spend  a 
day  among  the  silent  monuments  of  a vanished  race?  Who  is 
not  charmed  while  strolling  among  these  tombs,  either  when  the 
green  of  spring  covers  them  as  with  a carpet,  while  all  around 
you  the  hills,  lakes,  rivers,  ponds  and  woods  contribute  their 
beauty  to  complete  the  picture  of  a glorious  day  in  June,  or 
while  the  dreamy  haze  of  an  autumnal  day  tinges  the  gorgeous 
panorama  of  the  many-colored  landscape  with  delicate  tint  of 
blue?  To  the  charms  of  such  a scene  the  lover  of  mounds  is 
not  a stranger,  nor  to  the  pleasant  feeling  of  mystery  that  steals 
upon  his  mind  as  he  gazes  at  the  sepulchres  that  dot  the  terrace 
or  stand  out  boldly  on  the  promontory  of  a steep  and  rugged 
bluff. 


18 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


19 


One  of  the  places  to  see  the  mounds  on  a magnificent  scale 
is  Goodhue  county.  Parts  of  the  county  are  so  rich  in  mounds 
that  she  need  not  take  a back  seat  in  archaeology,  by  any  means. 
Archaeologists  will  be  taxed  for  many  years  to  come  before  the 
perplexing  problems  presented  by  the  relics  shall  be  unraveled 
into  clear  and  continuous  history. 

What  is  the  meaning  of  the  mounds?  Who  made  them?' 
Whence  did  the  mound  builders  come?  When  did  they  live  here? 
What  sort  of  life  did  they  lead?  What  was  their  state  of 
culture?  Who  were  the  first  inhabitants  of  Goodhue  county? 
These  are  some  of  the  questions  which  archaeology  is  busy  trying 
to  solve. 

While  Goodhue  county  cannot  boast  of  mounds  having  such 
gigantic  proportions  as  some  other  parts  of  the  United  States 
can,  nor  of  such  grotesque  mounds  as  the  serpent  mound  of  Ohio, 
yet  the  mounds  of  our  county  are  so  striking  in  number,  kind 
and  distribution  that  they  present  a rich  field  for  archaeological 
inquiry.  Our  late  state  archaeologist,  <J.  Y.  Brower,  had  in  mind 
the  publication  of  another  book  whose  main  contents  were  to 
be  the  presentation  of  all  known  facts  relative  to  the  mounds 
and  Indian  relics  of  Red  Wing  and  vicinity.  As  it  is,  the 
mounds  of  Goodhue  county  will  make  no  small  showing  in  the 
forthcoming  volume  which  is  now  in  preparation  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Prof.  N.  Winehell,  former  state  geologist.  The  number 
of  mounds  in  Goodhue  county  is  considerable.  The  largest 
number  is  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Red  Wing  along  the  banks 
of  the  Mississippi,  Spring  creek  and  the  lower  course  of  the 
Cannon.  Here  they  frequently  occur  in  groups  of  no  mean  pro- 
portions, while  smaller  clusters,  sprinkled  over  the  spaces  inter- 
vening between  the  larger  ones,  help  to  make  a long,  continuous 
series  of  mounds,  extending  many  miles  in  length.  Isolated 
mounds  are  not  uncommon.  The  larger  groups  are  invariably 
situated  near  the  water  courses  and  usually  on  the  lofty  terraces 
that  give  a commanding  view  of  the  magnificent  valleys.  Such 
a distribution  of  the  mounds  finds  its  explanation  in  the  fact 
that  the  rivers  offered  beautiful  sites  for  habitations  and  routes 
of  travel  in  times  of  peace  and  war,  and  above  all,  two  sub- 
stances absolutely  necessary  to  the  maintenance  of  life,  namely, 
water  and  food.  The  mound  builder  was  not  slow  in  picking 
out  picturesque  places  as  a location  for  his  village  sites.  The 
distribution  of  the  mounds  bears  ample  proof  of  this.  Anyone 
who  visits  the  following  groups  cannot  fail  to  be  convinced 
that  the  mound  builders  were  certainly  guided  in  the  selection 
of  the  location  for  their  mounds  by  an  unerring  sense  of  beautiful 
scenery  and  a high  appreciation  and  instinctive  love  of  nature 
as  well  as  by  other  factors.  At  Red  Wing  there  used  to  be  some 


20 


HI  ST OK Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


fifty  mounds.  Many  of  these  have  been  destroyed  by  building 
operations  of  the  white  man,  but  some  still  remain.  On  the 
extreme  northwest  spur  of  the  fair  grounds  a few  nice  mounds 
overlook  the  Hay  creek  and  Mississippi  valleys.  The  city  of 
Red  Wing  ought  to  make  it  a special  object  to  preserve  these 
and  keep  them  intact  as  an  object  lesson  for  coming  genera- 
tions. There  will  always  be  in  each  generation  a certain  number 
of  people  to  whom  the  mounds  will  be  of  special  interest,  while 
a much  larger  number  will  always  derive  pleasure  and  recreation 
by  an  occasional  visit  to  these  historical  remains.  On  Seminary 
hill,  only  two,  almost  obliterated  knolls,  remain  on  the  extreme 
eastern  spur  of  the  bluff.  These,  together  with  the  mound  in 
front  of  the  City  hospital  and  the  one  on  the  wooded  knoll  in 
front  of  the  ladies  ’ seminary,  are  all  located  in  places  from 
whence  a magnificent  view  of  the  valley,  river,  lake  and  wooded 
bluff  can  be  had.  The  same  practically  holds  true  of  the  200 
mounds  near  Cannon  Junction,  some  of  which  are  located  on 
the  high  brow  of  one  of  the  finest  glacial  terraces  in  the  country. 
From  there  the  chain  of  mound  groups  extends  with  few  inter- 
ruptions to  Welch,  and  all  of  them  are  situated  on  the  imposing 
remains  which  mark  the  former  bottom  of  the  glacial  river 
whose  raging  flood  in  the  long  ago  rushed  through  this  valley, 
carrying  with  it  untold  quantities  of  sand,  cobble  stones  aud 
rocks,  filling  up  the  valleys  in  places  to  the  height  of  eighty 
feet.  During  postglacial  times,  large  portions  of  this  deposit 
have  been  swept  out  by  the  Cannon  river,  and  it  is  chiefly  on 
the  remnants  of  the  glacial  terraces  that  the  mounds  are  located. 

A beautiful  illustration  of  this  is  seen  at  Fort  Sweney. 
Directly  south  of  the  Great  Western  station  at  Welch  is  a small 
area  about  an  acre  in  extent  which  erosion  has  almost  detached 
from  the  rest  of  the  terrace.  A long  neck  of  land  serves  as  an 
isthmus  to  unite  this  area  with  the  rest  of  the  terrace  towards 
the  south  and  thus  prevents  it  from  being  an  isolated  knoll.  On 
this  unique  elevation  is  the  only  prehistoric  fort  known  in 
Goodhue  county,  but  it  is  one  of  the  nicest  in  Minnesota.  It 
was  discovered  in  the  following  manner : In  the  spring  of 

1902  the  state  archaeologist,  J.  Y.  Brower,  asked  the  writer  to 
examine  the  region  between  Cannon  Falls  and  Welch.  On  May 
1st  I walked  from  Cannon  Falls  to  Welch  without  finding  a 
single  mound.  Having  half  an  hour  left  before  the  evening 
train  arrived,  I climbed  the  terrace  to  see  how  the  valley  looked. 
This  brought  the  mounds  on  the  hill  into  view,  and  a rapid 
inspection  of  the  place  revealed  all  the  evidences  of  a strong 
fortification.  Six  mounds  crowned  the  inclosed  area,  while  a 
well  pronounced  embankment  skirts  the  southern  edge  facing 
the  terrace,  which  is  separated  from  the  fort  by  a deep,  wide 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


21 


gully.  The  following  week  Mr.  Brower,  Dr.  AY.  M.  Sweney  and 
myself  visited  the  place  and  made  a careful  examination  of  it. 
A detailed  drawing  of  the  fort  appears  in  Yol.  VI,  plate  Nil, 
“Minnesota  Memoirs.”  The  number  of  pits,  mounds,  and  other 
earthworks  in  this  locality  is  forty-one.  At  Mr.  Brower’s  urgent 
request  that  the  discoverer  give  the  place  a name,  I deemed  it 
proper  to  call  it  Fort  Sweney,  in  honor  of  Dr.  AY.  M.  Sweney 
and  his  father,  Dr.  AY.  AY,  Sweney,  for  the  very  valuable  services 
rendered  by  them  to  the  study  of  Minnesota  archaeology.  AYhat 
the  former  history  of  Fort  Sweney  is  can  at  present  only  be 
conjectured.  Mr.  Brower  pronounced  it  the  finest  fortification 
he  had  seen  in  Minnesota.  This  is  saying  a good  deal,  because 
he  has  examined  a great  number.  The  absence  of  other  fortifi- 
cations in  Goodhue  county  seems  to  tell  us  that  the  aborigines, 
who  inhabited  this  region  held  undisputed  sway  over  this  part 
of  the  state.  Fort  Sweney  may  therefore  only  indicate  a sporadic 
but  powerful  attack  upon  the  inhabitants  of  this  region  by  some' 
roving  band  or  tribe.  It  may  also  mark  the  place  where  the 
last  possessors  of  the  land,  the  Sioux,  besieged  the  previous 
owners,  the  Iowas.  At  present  there  are  not  sufficient  data  at 
hand  to  determine  what  the  exact  truth  is.  Repeated  careful 
observation  and  searches  at  the  place  have  so  far  failed  to 
reveal  any  implements  of  war  of  any  kind.  The  place  has 
never  been  plowed  and  the  mounds  have  never  been  explored. 
Further  research  may  throw  more  light  on  the  obscure  problem 
as  to  who  the  warring  parties  were,  and  whether  the  conflict 
was  a sanguinary  one  or  not.  At  any  rate,  the  place  chosen  was 
one  well  calculated  to  enable  a small  party  to  make  a stubborn 
defense.  The  sides  of  the  hill  are  as  steep  as  gravel  can  lie  on 
an  incline.  The  approach  from  the  neck  of  land  where  only 
a few  men  could  approach  simultaneously  was  fortified  by  pits, 
an  embankment  and  by  a stockade.  Traces  of  the  latter  are 
seen  in  the  dent  or  depression  that  runs  across  the  approach  at 
right  angles  to  its  length.  The  valley  side  towards  AYelch  was 
undoubtedly  fortified  by  the  river,  which  at  an  earlier  period 
skirted  the  base  of  the  hill,  as  is  shown  by  the  depression  in 
the  plane  of  the  valley  at  this  particular  point.  A portion  of 
the  ancient  bed  is  still  filled  with  water  and  forms  a pond. 
If  this  be  true,  then  the  construction  of  the  fort  must  be  placed 
at  a considerably  remote  period  of  the  past  to  allow  time  for 
the  subsequent  changes  made  by  the  river,  which  now  flows  on 
the  other  side  of  the  valley.  A party  besieged  in  the  fort  could 
easily  render  an  approach  up  the  hillside  exceedingly  dangerous, 
while  the  river  gave  an  unfailing  supply  of  water.  Some  of  the 
pits  at  Fort  Sweney  could  accommodate  from  twelve  to  twenty- 
five  men.  The  pottery  and  other  relics  which  we  have  found 


22 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


on  t lie  flats  below  are  of  the  ordinary  Sioux  type.  That  the 
fort  was  built  before  the  introduction  of  firearms  seems  very 
probable  from  the  fact  that  rifle  bullets  can  be  dropped  into 
it  from  surrounding  hills,  but  in  times  when  only  bows,  arrows 
and  war  clubs  were  in  use  the  hill  was  almost  impregnable.  If 
the  fort  marks  the  site  where  the  Iowas  made  a determined 
stand  against  the  new  invaders  and  later  possessors  of  Goodhue 
county,  then  the  spot  is  full  of  interest  to  the  student  of  arch- 
aeology, not  only  from  the  interesting  fort  that  is  there,  but  also 
for  the  historical  interest  associated  with  the  fact  that  here  the 
proud  and  dominant  Sioux  made  a fight  to  gain  possession  of 
Minnesota  territory.  This,  however,  is  conjecture,  and  the  real 
•history  of  the  fortification  may  be  far  different.  It  is  not  always 
easy  to  read  the  story  of  silent  stones  and  heaps  of  earth. 

The  extreme  northern  part  of  Goodhue  county,  composed  of 
Prairie  Island  in  the  town  of  Welch  and  Burnside,  is  also  full 
of  archaeological  interest.  The  number  of  mounds  and  earth- 
works along  Indian  slough,  Sturgeon  lake,  Buffalo  slough  and 
Cedar  lake  amounts  to  260.  One  of  the  mounds  near  Indian 
slough  is  all  of  300  feet  long  and  has  projections  on  it  which 
look  as  though  they  were  intended  to  represent  the  legs  of  some 
animal.  The  whole  earthwork  has  a tadpole-like  appearance. 
If  this  is  an  effigy  mound,  then  Goodhue  cpunty  possesses  at  least 
one  of  the  remarkable  class  of  mounds  of  which  many  beautiful 
illustrations  can  be  seen  in  various  parts  of  Wisconsin,  for 
example,  at  Madison,  where  large  bird,  fox,  bear  and  squirrel 
mounds  can  be  seen  along  the  lake  shores.  Across  the  river 
from  Prairie  Island  are  two  more  effigy  mounds.  They  are  two 
of  a very  remarkable  group  of  300  mounds,  the  Mero  group. 
To  see  a more  imposing  group  of  mounds  than  is  presented  here 
in  the  short  distance  of  a mile  one  would  have  to  travel  far. 
The  land  is  fairly  billowy  with  mounds  and  in  many  parts  there 
would  scarcely  be  room  enough  to  build  others  of  a size  equal 
to  the  existing  ones.  Baby  mounds  and  large  mounds  dot  the 
surface  everywhere.  Those  not  familiar  with  the  various  kinds 
of  mounds  may  gain  an  idea  of  their  size  from  the  following 
figures:  An  effigy  mound  lying  in  the  open  field  was  intended 

to  picture  some  such  animal  as  the  wolf  or  lynx.  The  head  is 
thirty-nine  feet  wide,  the  neck  twenty-four  feet,  the  body  thirty- 
seven  feet.  The  tail  is  forty-six  feet  long  and  twenty-two  feet 
wide  at  the  base.  The  height  of  the  body  above  the  ground  is 
four  feet.  The  annual  plowing  and  harrowing  of  the  field 
undoubtedly  decreased  the  height  of  this  and  other  mounds. 
The  beaver  mound,  which  occurs  on  the  northwest  corner  of  the 
Mero  group,  lies  close  to  the  edge  of  the  terrace  facing  the 
river.  It  is  190  feet  long  and  is  even  more  imposing  than  the 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


23 


one  just  described.  It  may  be  true  that  this  mound  represents 
a beaver  emerging  from  a pond.  The  dam  terminates  in  a mound 
sis  feet  high  and  forty-two  feet  across.  The  best  time  to  view 
these  or  any  other  mounds  is  in  the  spring  before  the  grass  and 
weeds  get  a good  start. 

At  the  Adams  farm,  near  Hager,  is  a group  of  seventy-four 
mounds.  One  of  the  largest  is  located  in  an  adjoining  cemetery 
and  is  so  large  that  no  less  than  twenty-three  gravestones, 
marking  intrusive  burials  by  white  people,  can  be  counted  upon 
it.  About  two  miles  east  of  Hager  is  a boulder  outline  or  picto- 
graph  representing  a large  bow  and  arrow.  It  is  situated  on 
the  talus  slope  of  one  of  the  bluffs  on  Mr.  Shaver's  farm  and 
is  made  up  of  limestones  laid  in  such  a way  as  to  represent  a 
bent  bow  with  the  arrow  pointing  towards  Lake  Pepin.  The 
bow  is  185  feet  long  and  under  favorable  conditions  can  be 
seen  at  a distance  of  four  or  five  miles.  Near  Bay  City  are  a 
few  more  mounds.  Prof.  Hill  and  I dug  trenches  through  some 
of  these,  but  failed  to  find  any  relics.  In  Trenton  slough  there 
is  a long  bar  jutting  out  into  the  water.  Here  a considerable 
number  of  pits  dent  the  ground.  In  digging  into  one  of  these 
I found  a tomahawk,  ashes  and  pottery.  The  pits  probably 
mark  the  site  of  dwelling  places  where  the  lodges  were  partially 
built  below  the  surface  as  a protection  against  the  cold  of  winter. 
While  the  prehistoric  remains  located  at  Diamond  Bluff.  Bay 
City  and  at  the  Adams  farm  near  Ilager  do  not  lie  within  Good- 
hue  county,  they  cannot  be  omitted  in  this  connection,  because 
they  form  one  harmonious  whole  with  the  mounds  on  the  Min- 
nesota side  of  the  river  and  help  to  swell  the  testimony  that 
this  region  was  long  occupied  by  a race  that  lived  in  considerable 
numbers  on  both  sides  of  the  river  and  were  undisputed  masters 
of  the'  whole  region.  Where  hostile  territories  in  our  state  touched 
each  other,  there  the  boundary  line  can  be  roughly  traced  by 
the  forts  and  ramparts.  Forts  are,  however,  absent  in  this 
region,  except  the  fort  at  Welch.  The  similarity,  and  we  may 
say,  identity,  of  many  articles,  such  as  arrows  and  war  clubs, 
and  the  similarity  of  decorations  on  pottery  found  at  the  places 
mentioned  point  to  the  same  conclusion.  Hay  creek  and  Spring 
creek  also  furnish  their  contingent  of  150  or  more  mounds,  so 
that  the  total  number  of  tumuli,  earthworks,  embankments,  etc., 
that  occur  along  the  numberless  water  courses  within  eleven 
miles  of  Red  Wing  runs  up,  by  actual  count,  close  to  2,000. 
Such  an  array  of  earthworks  may  be  expected  to  present  con- 
siderable variety  of  size,  shape  and  purpose  in  construction. 
By  far  the  larger  number  are  of  the  round  kind  so  typical  of  this 
part  of  the  United  States.  Others  are  oblong.  A few,  as  already 
stated,  are  of  the  singular  bind  called  effigy  mounds  and  repre- 


24 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


sent  wild  animals.  In  height  the  mounds  usually  vary  from  a 
swell  of  land  to  four  feet.  Some  are  considerably  higher.  On 
the  terrace  opposite  the  mouth  of  Belle  creek  is  a mound  sixty- 
five  feet  long,  thirty  feet  wide  and  three  feet  high.  Another 
mound  in  the  same  group  is  eighty-six  feet  long,  fifty  feet  wide 
from  base  to  base  across  the  top,  and  six  feet  high  at  one  end. 
One  of  the  mounds  on  the  brow  of  Diamond  bluff  was  originally 
twelve  feet  high.  This  mound  was  selected  by  four  of  us  as  a 
favorable  specimen  for  exploration.  We  were,  however,  ill  repaid 
for  our  labor  as  far  as  finding  any  relics  Avas  concerned.  The 
round-topped  mounds  measure  from  ten  to  forty  feet  or  more  in 
diameter.  Their  circumference  is  usually  circular.  Departures 
from  this  shape  are  due  to  weather  erosion  or  to  some  other 
degrading  agency.  Occasionally  walls  of  earth  many  feet  in 
length  but  low  in  elevation  are  found.  A portion  of  such  a wall 
was  removed  in  grading  a street  on  the  fair  grounds  at  Red 
Wing,  and  thirteen  skeletons  were  brought  to  light.  It  would 
seem  as  though  these  earthenwork  Avails  were  formed  by  burying 
a large  number  of  dead  in  a row.  The  burials  may  have  occurred 
at  different  intervals,  and  in  course  of  time  a long  earthwork 
Avas  the  result.  The  arrangement  of  mounds  in  the  various 
groups  does  not  seem  to  depend  on  any  definite  rule  of  order, 
but  seems  to  result  from  a process  of  mound  building  extending 
over  a considerable  period  of  time,  each  site  for  a mound  being 
selected  by  the  builders  according  to  the  space,  material  or 
topography  of  the  locality.  Undoubtedly  each  mound  was  placed 
for  some  definite  purpose  in  the  spot  where  it  is  found  today, 
but  what  the  purpose  of  any  mound  was  may  be  difficult  to  say. 
The  spade  often  partially  tells  us  Avhat  we  want  to  know,  but 
sometimes  it  leaves  us  as  much  as  ever  in  the  dark.  When  the 
interior  of  a mound  reveals  human  bones,  then  the  inference  is 
that  the  mound  served  as  a tomb,  but  intrusive  burials  may,  of 
course,  complicate  the  problem.  But  AAdien  a mound  can  be 
opened  without  revealing  any  trace  of  human  remains  or  of 
artificial  articles,  it  seems  safe  to  conclude  that  not  all  the 
mounds  Avere  built  for  burial  purposes.  The  erection  of  such 
a large  number  of  mounds  must  have  required  an  enormous 
expenditure  of  time  and  energy.  If  all  the  mounds  in  Goodhue 
county  were  placed  in  a row  they  would  form  a line  of  earth- 
Avorks  many  miles  in  length.  The  tools  Avith  which  all  the  work 
Avas  done  were  probably  Avooden  spades,  stone  hoes  and  similar 
implements  that  indicate  a Ioav  degree  of  culture.  Where  the 
whole  Adllage  population  turned  out  for  a holiday  or  a funeral 
a large  mound  could  be  built  in  a much  shorter  time  than  if  the 
work  was  performed  by  only  a few  individuals.  The  surface  of 
the  land  adjoining  the  mound  frequently  shows  plain  evidences 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


25 


of  where  the  material  was  obtained  for  the  construction  of  the 
mound.  All  in  all,  the  regularity,  symmetry  and  even  mathe- 
matical exactness  with  which  the  mounds  are  built  show  con- 
siderable skill  and  taste.  The  reader  can  picture  to  himself  the 
funeral  scenes,  the  wailing  of  the  sorrowing  survivors  and  the 
flames  of  funeral  pyres  which  were  sometimes  built. 

Another  interesting  class  of  aboriginal  remains  in  Goodhue 
county  are  the  so-called  “stone  cairns”  found,  with  few  excep- 
tions, on  the  bluff's  between  Hay  creek  and  Spring  creek.  A 
baker’s  dozen  of  these  have  been  located.  They  are  conical 
idles  of  stones,  now  much  mutilated,  measuring  up  to  twelve  feet 
in  diameter  at  the  base.  They  are  about  as  unique  archaeological 
structures  as  any  found  in  the  state,  because  no  others  are  found, 
if  memory  serves  me  right,  nearer  than  in  Illinois  and  Kansas. 
There  is  little  reason  to  doubt  that  they  are  old  stone  graves, 
so  old  that  all  positive  traces  of  human  bodies  buried  in  them 
have  been  obliterated.  Therefore  they  are  hundreds  of  years 
old,  and  may  have  been  built  by  a tribe  of  Indians  who  lived 
here  before  the  Sioux  arrived.  If  they  were  built  by  the  Sioux, 
then  it  is  strange  that  the  number  of  cairns  is  so  small  and 
confined  to  such  a limited  area. 

In  regard  to  the  origin  of  the  mounds  it  may  be  said  in 
brief  that  they  are  of  Indian  origin.  The  idea  of  a prehistoric 
race  of  mound  builders  distinct  from  the  Indian  has  been 
exploded  by  archaeological  research,  but  it  is  very  common  to 
find  this  idea  expressed  in  books  of  the  last-  generation  and  in 
the  minds  of  those  who  in  early  childhood  had  the  “mound 
builder”  theory  instilled  into  them.  The  real  mound  builder 
was.  a genuine  Indian  and  not  a member  of  some  other  race. 
The  evidences  of  this  are  many.  Indians  are  known  to  have 
built  mounds.  The  articles  found  in  the  mounds  are  the  same 
in  kind  and  make  as  those  found  on  the  nearby  village  site. 
Invariably  a large  mound  group  has  a village  site  close  by.  The 
articles  found  on  the  sites  and  in  the  mounds  are  such  as  the 
Indians  used.  Space  forbids  a discussion  of  this  subject,  but 
here  is  a partial  list  of  the  objects  that  have  been  found  in 
Goodhue  county : Arrows,  of  various  sizes  and  shapes,  made 

of  chert,  quartz,  quartzite,  gunflint  and  other  varieties  of  rock; 
spearheads,  knives,  awls,  needles,  hammerstones,  millstones, 
clubs,  sinkers,  bone  implements,  fragments  of  pipes,  scrapers  in 
profusion,  ice-axes,  spuds,  chungee  stones,  paint  pots,  paint  cups, 
hammers  of  hematite  and  other  kinds  of  rocks,  fleshers,  polishing 
stones,  drills,  hairpins,  a decorated  buffalo-rib  knife,  mauls,  stone 
balls,  flakes,  chisels,  lances,  mullers,  mortars,  whetstones,  deco- 
rated pieces  of  clam  shells,  also  vast  numbers  of  spalls,  chips, 
rejects  and  fragmentary  implements  in  various  stages  of  com- 


26 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


pletion,  a slate  charm,  pieces  of  lead  probably  brought  up  from 
Missouri,  bones  of  many  kinds  of  animals,  rough  tools,  etc.  Vast 
numbers  of  pottery  fragments  and  a few  entire  vessels  have  also 
been  found.  Also  a copper  spear  at  Spring  creek,  two  large  copper 
spuds  near  Diamond  bluff,  a small  hoe  made  from  a piece  of 
rifle  barrel  deposited  in  one  of  the  Indian  graves  where  the  Red 
Wing  Seminary  main  building  stands,  and  shell  beads  from  the 
same  locality.  Space  forbids  a detailed  description  of  these 
relics.  However,  a few  thoughts  suggested  by  them  relative  to 
the  state  of  culture,  habits,  modes  of  life  and  occupations  of  our 
predecessors  may  be  mentioned.  Fortified  hills,  tomahawks,  bat- 
tle clubs,  spearheads,  etc.,  mean  war.  Arrows  signify  Avar  and 
the  chase.  We  do  not  know  what  human  beings  first  beheld  the 
beautiful  hills  and  valleys  of  Goodhue  county  and  claimed  them 
as  their  home.  We  may  never  be  able  to  look  beyond  the  veil 
or  penetrate  the  mists  that  enshroud  the  history  of  the  past, 
yet  we  are  not  left  in  utter  darkness.  The  relics  mentioned  tell 
us  many  interesting  stories.  The  absence  of  great  architectural 
ruins  show  that  the  mound  builders  lived  in  frail  homes.  The 
dearth  of  agricultural  implements  does  not  spell  waving  fields  of 
golden  grain.  The  ashpits  and  fireplaces  mark  the  bare  ground 
as  the  aboriginal  stove.  Net-sinkers  imply  the  use  of  nets;  ice- 
axes  the  chopping  of  holes  in  the  ice  to  procure  water,  stone 
axes  a clumsy  device  for  splitting  Avood;  stone  knives  for  scalp- 
ing, cutting  meat,  leather  and  twigs;  countless  flakes  mark  the 
ancient  arroAv  maker’s  workshop;  cracked  bones  show  the 
Indian’s  love  for  marrow;  shell  beads,  charms  and  ornaments  in 
the  shape  of  fish  and  other  designs  reveal  a primitive  desire  for 
ornamentation ; chisels  and  gouges  recall  the  making  of  canoes ; 
sun-driecl  pottery  made  of  clay  mixed  with  -coarse  sand,  clam 
shells  or  powdered  granite  and  marked  with  rows  of  dots  made 
with  a stick,  thumbnail  or  other  objects,  or  else  marked  with 
lines,  Y-shaped  figures  or  chevrons,  all  are  an  index  of  a rather 
crude  state  of  pottery  making.  The  hand  supplied  the  lathe 
and  the  wheel.  Inasmuch  as  some  of  the  most  ancient  remains 
show  great  similarity  to  the  more  recent,  we  feel  certain  that 
no  great  progress  AAras  made  by  these  early  inhabitants.  A copper 
spear  of  recent  date  shoAvs  no  more  signs  of  smelting  than  does 
the  copper  blade  that  has  been  much  corroded  by  a great  lapse 
of  time.  Trees  hundreds  of  years  old  give  us  at  least  some 
measure  of  estimating  the  age  of  the  contents  of  the  mounds 
on  which  they  stand,  and  it  also  means  that  the  mound  builder 
lived  there  several  hundred  years,  if  not  longer.  By  such  proc- 
esses of  reasoning  Ave  can  learn  a good  deal  of  the  social,  indi- 
vidual and  family  life  of  the  savage  mound  builder. 

Besides  the  mounds  previously  mentioned,  Avhich  occur  on 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


27 


elevated  terraces,  knolls  and  bluffs,  there  is  another  type  of 
mound  found  in  Goodhue  county,  which  differs  in  several  impor- 
tant respects  from  the  former.  The  first  group  of  mounds  may 
be  named  highland  mounds  and  the  others  lowland  mounds. 
Lowland  mounds  occur  in  the  town  of  Stanton,  Warsaw  and 
Kenyon.  They  are  far  more  numerous  in  Dakota  and  Rice 
counties,  where,  in  the  summer  of  1907,  I located  some  1,700. 
For  some  reason  these  mounds  have  hitherto  escaped  observa- 
tion. Possibly  the  mound  hunter,  accustomed  to  look  for  mounds 
on  highlands,  would  not  expect  to  find  mounds  in  such  localities 
where  the  lowland  mounds  occur. 

The  following  is  a brief  resume  of  a paper  read  before  the 
Minnesota  State  Historical  Society  at  the  December  meeting  in 
1908.  The  subject  of  the  paper,  “Lowland  Mounds  in  Dakota, 
Rice  and  Goodhue  Counties,”  reveals  where  these  mounds  are 
found  and  implies  that  they  all  belong  to  the  same  class  and 
are  related  to  each  other : 

“In  the  southern  part  of  Dakota  county,  particularly  in  the 
town  of  Greenvale  and  the  western  part  of  Waterford,  is  found 
a large  number  of  mounds  which,  to  all  outward  appearance,  are 
Indian  mounds.  They  differ,  however,  from  the  Avell  known 
Indian  mounds  that  abound  in  the  Mississippi  valley  and  interior 
parts  of  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota  in  this  respect,  that  they 
are  usually  situated  on  low,  level,  and  often  wet  ground.  Mounds 
are  usually  situated  on  land  that  is  rather  high  relative  to  the 
surrounding  topography.  For  example,  the  mounds  in  the 
vicinity  of  Red  Wing,  Cannon  Junction,  Welch  and  Diamond 
bluff  are,  as  a rule,  situated  on  terraces  that  skirt  the  river,  or 
on  the  brows  of  prominent  bluffs.  The  mounds  found  near  our 
inland  lakes  are  almost  invariably  placed  well  beyond  the  reach 
of  water.  The  mounds  under  consideration  are  located  on  low, 
often  marshy  ground.  For  this  reason  a person  accustomed  to 
mound  hunting  along  the  Mississippi  would  easily  pass  by  these 
lowland  mounds  without  paying  much  attention  to  them.  He 
might  think  they  were  curious  freaks,  chance  formations  of 
nature.  Mounds  of  this  type  are  also  found  south  of  Northfield, 
Rice  county;  also  near  Dundas  and  south  of  there  along  the  east 
side  of  Cannon  river.  Near  Dennison  is  a large  number,  par- 
ticularly about  one  mile  west  of  the  town  along  Prairie  creek. 
All  these  locations  are  immature  water  courses  that  lie  on  glacial 
outwash  plains  or  along  the  Cannon  river.  The  Stanton  flats 
contain  hundreds  of  these  mounds.  On  the  flats  near  Farming- 
ton  and  Castle  Rock  are  found  numbers  of  mounds  in  similar 
locations.  The  total  number  observed  and  recorded  is  over 
1,500.  The  western  paid  of  Dakota  and.  Rice  counties  is  strik- 
ingly poor  in  mounds.  One  might  expect  to  find  a large  number 


28 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


on  the  shore  of  the  chain  of  lakes  that  occurs  there.  The  absence 
of  mounds  in  this  locality  is  probably  due  to  the  fact  that  this 
is  a morainic  country  made  rough  and  hilly  by  the  ice  lobe  which 
stood  there  in  times  long  ago.  A few  such  mounds  are  also  found 
in  the  town  of  Warsaw,  Goodhue  county.  They  occur  in  lowland 
tributary  to  the  Stanton  fiats.  The  peculiar  problem  presented 
by  these  mounds  is  this:  No  positive  evidence  lias  been  found 

by  digging  into  them  or  by  searching  the  surface  of  adjacent 
fields  that  would  establish  the  origin  of  the  mounds  as  being 
Indian  mounds.  Hence  the  quest  ion  arises : What  reasons 

have  we  to  think  that  these  mounds  were  built  by  man,  and  that 
by  the  prehistoric  inhabitants,  the  Indians? 

“The  mounds  are  either  artificial  or  else  they  are  not  artifi- 
cial. If'  natural  forces  made  them,  then  geologists  ought  to 
explain  them,  since  the  mounds  are  an  interesting  feature  in 
the  topography  of  the  country.  If  these  mounds  are  of  a natural 
origin,  then  many  other  tumuli  jotted  down  as  mounds  may  be 
called  in  question.  However,  geology  and  physical  geography 
fail  to  account  for  them.  The  only  forces  which  one  might  con- 
cieve  of  as  able  to  make  some  of  the  mounds  in  the  location 
under  consideration  would  be  springs,  the  wind,  and  floods,  but 
a knowledge  of  the  distribution  of  these  mounds  sets  these 
agencies  aside  as  inadequate  to  form  all  these  mounds  in  all  the 
places  where  they  occur.  There  are  innumerable  places  where 
mounds  ought  to  have  been  formed  just  as  easily  by  nature,  but 
no  mounds  are  to  be  found. 

“The  mounds  are  invariably  round;  they  measure  from  twenty 
to  forty  feet  across,  and  are  from  half  a foot  to  three  feet  high. 
Occasional  specimens  may  be  higher,  hence  they  may  form  very 
conspicuous  objects  in  the  landscape ; for  example,  in  the  spring 
when  the  grass  has  been  burned  off. 

“People  living  near  the  mounds  often  have  various  ideas 
as  to  the  origin  of  the  mounds.  Some  think  they  are  the  remains 
of  hay  stacks ; others  think  they  are  gopher  hills  or  ant  hills. 
However,  hay,  when  rotting,  does  not  leave  a residue  of  soil, 
sand  and  stones.  The  mounds  occur  in  places  where  no  hay  ever 
was  stacked,  for  example,  in  woods,  or  where  water  stands  the 
year  round,  making  the  place  wet  and  soggy.  Gophers  are  occa- 
sionally found  burrowing  in  the  mounds,  but  gophers  do  not 
live  in  woods  nor  in  marshes,  and  where  they  are  found  burrow- 
ing in  mounds  on  high  land  they  usually  spoil  the  smooth  convex 
outline  of  the  mound  with  little  dirt  heaps,  giving  the  mound  a 
warty  appearance.  If  gophers  build  mounds,  why  did  not  the 
legions  of  gophers  in  Goodhue  county  build  mounds  of  all  sizes 
up  to  forty  feet  across  and  up  to  four  feet  high  in  other  parts 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


29 


of  the  county?  Similar  reasons  might  be  brought  up  against 
the  idea  of  these  earth  heaps  being  ant  hills. 

“In  no  ease  were  ants  found  to  inhabit  these  mounds,  nor 
do  such  mounds  occur  where  ants  are  very  numerous.  A zoolo- 
gist or  botanist  would  have  a hard  time  to  account  for  the  origin 
of  these  mounds  by  referring  them  to  the  work  of  animals  or 
plants. 

“These  are  only  a few  of  the  reasons  which  seem  to  warrant 
the  conclusion  that  these  mounds  are  not  the  accumulations  of 
geological  nor  of  botanical  agencies,  and  since  it  is  very  certain 
that  the  white  man  did  not  build  them,  there  seems  to  be  but 
one  other  reasonable  conclusion  to  draw,  namely,  that  the 
mounds  Avere  built  by  prehistoric  men  ayIio  for  some  reason  lived 
there  either  temporarily  in  the  course  of  years  or  for  longer 
periods  of  time. 

“The  creeks,  sloughs  and  ponds  furnished  an  abundance  of 
water.  Fuel  in  great  abundance  was  near  at  hand.  The  sloughs 
contained  beavers,  mink,  muskrats  and  other  game.  In  the 
nearby  forests  lived  the  deer  in  great  abundance.  Moose  and  elk 
Avere  also  here.  Farmers  tell  of  having  ploAved  up  bones  belong- 
ing to  these  animals.  Of  buffalos  there  is  scarcely  a trace,  if  any, 
of  their  former  presence.  The  only  buffalo  relic  observed  was 
a partially  decayed  horn  which  I found  near  the  mounds  in  the 
Greenvale  slough. 

“If  closer  study  should  prove  the  mounds  to  be  burial  places, 
then  they  are  witnesses  both  of  the  large  number  of  Indians 
buried  here  as  Avell  as  the  much  larger  population  which  was 
not  honored  by  a monument  of  earth.  The  groups  in  the  vicinity 
of  Dennison  probably  indicate  that  someAvhere  betAveen  North- 
field  and  Faribault  a trail  passed  from  Cannon  river  to  Prairie 
creek,  while  the  southern  end  of  the  Stanton  flats  served  as  a 
halting  place  or  station.  Traces  of  such  trails  still  exist. 

“The  distribution  of  the  mounds  seems  to  be  governed  by 
the  river  courses  and  their  tributaries,  and  by  large  flats  which 
were  either  quite  free  from  timber  of  else  full  of  game.  The 
absence  of  long  mounds  and  the  inability  to  find  any  traces  of 
village  sites  or  Indian  relics  of  any  kind  seem  to  point  to  the 
great  antiquity  of  these  mounds,  or  else  to  warrant  the  vieAv 
that  with  Red  Wing,  Spring  Creek,  Cannon  Junction,  Welch  and 
other  places  along  the  Mississippi  as  headquarters,  the  Indians 
followed  the  water  courses  in  temporary  quest  of  game.  They 
Avent  along  the  Cannon  to  Faribault,  Cannon  lake,  and  very  likely 
from  there  south  into  Steele,  MoAver  and  Freeborn  counties.  At 
least  some  mounds  are  found  here  and  there  in  these  counties, 
but,  next  to  the  Mississippi,  the  valley  of  the  Cannon  seems  to 


30 


HI  ST OB Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


have  been  the  most  favored  of  valleys  as  a route  of  travel,  but 
Red  Wing  and  vicinity  for  permanent  villages. 

“In  the  absence  of  any  better  explanation,  we  may  tentatively 
accept  the  hypothesis  that  these  mounds  belong  to  the  province 
of  archaeology,  and  that  the  larger  valleys  and  their  water 
courses  have  played  a large  role  in  the  distribution  of  the  mounds. 
The  distribution  of  the  mounds  along  these  water  courses  is 
such  that  the  law  of  arrangement  governing  them  is  in  perfect 
harmony  with  the  law  governing  the  general  arrangement  of 
mounds  along  waterways  in  other  parts  of  the  county,  where  we 
know  that  Indians  lived  and  built  mounds. 

“If  these  deductions  are  true,  then  the  seemingly  unsolved 
problem  of  this  singular  type  of  mound  finds  its  solution  in  the 
conclusion  that  these  mounds  are  the  products  of  human  activity 
in  prehistoric  times.  Thus  they  will  form  another  link  in  Min- 
nesota archaeology  that  will  undoubtedly  reward  further  study 
and  possibly  help  to  lift  the  veil  that  hangs  over  the  past  history 
of  our  state’s  aboriginal  inhabitants  and  their  mode  of  life.  It 
unexpectedly  shows  that  Indians  built  mounds  in  low  lands  as 
well  as  on  higher  lands. 

“But  if  it  should  ever  be  shown  that  these  mounds  are  not 
the  tombs  or  camping  places  of  a departed  race,  then  they  ought 
to  be  accorded  a place  in  that  science  whose  province  it  will  be 
to  explain  them.” 

Warren  Upham,  secretary  of  the  society,  and  well  known  for 
his  writings  on  glacial  questions,  suggests  that  these  mounds  are 
of  very  ancient  origin,  dating  back  to  the  time  of  the  glacier’s 
recession  or  a little  later.  The  lapse  of  so  long  a time  would 
account  for  the  disappearance  of  all  human  remains.  In  Septem- 
ber, 1908,  Prof.  N.  Winchell  hired  men  and  had  a number  of  these, 
mounds  trenched.  Despite  the  very  careful  work  and  search,  our 
hopes  of  establishing  beyond  a doubt  the  artificial  origin  of  the 
mounds  by  means  of  exhumed  relics  were  frustrated.  We  spent 
three  days  at  this  work. 

The  southern  part  of  the  county  still  requires  careful  explora- 
tion. In  the  following  townships  the  writer  was  unable  to  find 
any  mounds:  Vasa,  Cannon  Falls,  Leon,  Wanamingo,  and  Min- 
neola.  Very  likely  some  mounds  will  be  found  along  the  forks 
of  the  Zumbro.  A few  were  seen  near  Kenyon.  Warsaw  has 
ten  on  section  8,  and  others  near  Dennison.  Florence  has  a nice 
group  on  the  terrace  near  the  mouth  of  Wells  creek.  The  inability 
to  report  fully  on  all  townships  is  pardonable  when  it  is  remem- 
bered that  it  requires  much  time  and  thousands  of  miles  of  travel 
to  visit  and  carefully  examine  a large  county  and  do  it  at  one’s 
own  expense. — Edward  William  Schmidt. 


v /3(  otd~y^- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


31 


Theodore  B.  Sheldon  is  a name  that  will  always  be  remem- 
bered in  Red  Wing  for  wbat  he  accomplished  during  his  long 
life  here,  as  well  as  for  the  beautiful  T.  B.  Sheldon  Auditorium, 
which  was  built  with  the  money  which  he  left  to  be  expended 
for  the  good  of  Red  Wing.  He  was  born  January  31,  1820,  at 
Bernardston,  Franklin  county,  Massachusetts,  not  far  from  the 
village  of  Northfield,  made  famous  by  the  evangelist,  D.  L. 
Moody.  He  received  a common  school  education  in  the  schools 
of  his  neighborhood,  and  at  the  age  of  twelve  began  work  in  a 
woolen  mill  in  Greenfield,  Mass.,  where  he  remained  until  1840, 
when  he  entered  the  employ  of  a cutlery  manufacturer.  In  this 
business  he  remained  three  years  and  then  went  to  Springfield, 
Mass,,  where  he  obtained  a situation  with  a tool  and  lock  manu- 
facturing company.  Two  years  later  he  removed  to  Whitney- 
ville,  Conn.,  where  he  worked  in  a gun  and  rifle  factory  two 
years,  later  taking  up  similar  work  for  a similar  period  in 
Windsor,  Art.  He  arrived  in  Red  Wing  in  the  autumn  of  1856 
and  went  into  partnership  with  Jesse  Mclntire  in  the  mercantile 
business.  In  1860  he  sold  out  to  his  partner  and  in  the  fall  of 
that  year  built  a warehouse  and  went  into  the  grain  business. 
Shortly  afterward  he  took  his  clerk,  E.  IT.  Blodgett,  as  a partner, 
this  arrangement  continuing  until  Air.  Sheldon’s  death.  Air. 
Sheldon  was  identified  with  most  of  the  leading  enterprises 
of  Red  Wing.  In  the  early  days  he  represented  the  steamboat 
lines  and  express  companies  doing  business  here,  and  was  also 
agent  for  the  Milwaukee  road  until  the  line  was  completed  from 
St.  Paul  to  La  Crosse.  He  was  largely  interested  in  the  First 
National  and  Goodhue  County  banks,  being  president  of  the 
former  and  vice  president  of  the  latter.  He  was  president  of 
the  Goodhue  County  Savings  bank,  conducted  in  connection 
with  the  latter  institution.  He  was  also  president  of  the  Red 
AVing  & Trenton  Transit  Company  when  that  company  was 
organized  for  the  purpose  of  operating  a ferry  across  the  river 
and  a road  over  the  island.  In  this  capacity  he  continued  until 
within  a short  time  of  his  death.  Air.  Sheldon  was  one  of  the 
prime  movers  in  the  Minnesota  Stoneware  Company,  and  also 
in  the  Red  Wing  Gas,  Light  & Power  Company,  the  Red  AVing 
Furniture  Company,  and  the  Duluth.  Reel  Wing  & Southern 
Railway  Company.  IHs  business  capacity  was  recognized  by  his 
election  as  president  of  all  these  companies.  He  was  vice  presi- 
dent of  the  La  Grange  mills,  and  the  Red  AVing.  Duluth  & Sioux 
City  Construction  Company.  lie  was  also  associated  with  various 
other  enterprises  as  stockholder  or  director.  He  served  as  one 
of  the  supervisors  of  Red  Wing  while  the  township  organization 
was  still  in  force,  and  after  the  organization  of  the  city  was  a 
member  of  the  council.  In  politics  he  Avas  a Democrat,  and  his 


32 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


church  affiliations  were  with  the  Episcopal  faith.  Of  him  it  has 
well  been  said,  “He  was  a striking  type  of  the  practical  self- 
made  man,  and  his  success  in  life  was  due  to  his  energy,  honesty, 
foresight  and  fine  business  ability.  His  death  was  lamented  by 
a community  in  which  every  man,  woman  and  child  was  his 
friend.”  Mr.  Sheldon  died  April  3,  1900,  at  the  age  of  eighty 
years.  T.  B.  Sheldon  was  married  in  1848  to  Mary  T.  Sturtevant, 
of  Hartland,  Vt.  Five  children  were  born  to  them,  all  of  whom 
died.  Mrs.  Mary  Sheldon  died  in  November,  1891.  In  June,  1893, 
Mr.  Sheldon  married,  at  Milwaukee,  AVis.,  to  Annie  L.  Langton, 
who  recently  died.  She  was  one  of  the  committee  with  E.  H. 
Blodgett  and  F.  Busch  named  in  the  will  to  determine  how  the 
bequest  of  her  husband  should  be  spent  to  best  benefit  the.  city, 
and  many  of  the  artistic  features  of  the  Auditorium  are  the  fruits 
of  her  suggestions. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


EARLY  DAYS. 

Possession  by  Indians — The  Dakotas — Traditions  and  Opinions — 
Col.  Colville’s  Views — Origin  of  Name  “Red  Wing’’ — The 
Raidsson-Groseillers  Allegations — No  Proof  that  These  Men 
Ever  Saw  Goodhue  County — Hennepin  Lands  at  Red  Wing’s 
Village — Duluth  Passes  the  Village — LeSueur  at  Prairie 
Island — Fort  Beauharnois  and  Its  Successors — Carver  Passes 
Through  Wisconsin  Channel — Pike  and  His  Narrative — 
Meets  Red  Wing  and  Calls  Him  by  His  English  Name — 
Leavenworth — First  Steamers — Denton  and  Gavin — Aiton 
and  Hancock — Tribute  to  Rev.  Hancock — Early  Schooling — • 
The  Pioneers  Arrive — By  Dr.  W.  M.  Sweney. 

Through  how  many  ages  the  Indians  flourished  in  this  county 
is  a question  that  will  never  be  satisfactorily  settled.  At  any 
event,  the  white  men  found  here  a band  of  Indians  whose  ances- 
tors, according  to  their  tribal  traditions,  had  occupied  the  land 
for  ages,  and  had  for  headquarters,  “Hem-minne-cha,  ” which  is 
now  known  as  Cannon  Junction,  with  straggling  villages  extend- 
ing in  every  direction  within  a radius  of  six  miles.  The  villages 
of  the  Sioux  Indians  were  usually  found  situated  near  a collec- 
tion of  earth  mounds;  but  there  are  no  well  authenticated  ac- 
counts of  the  Indians  found  there  by  the  early  explorer,  having 
practiced  to  any  great  extent  mound  burial,  but  they  did  follow 
the  custom  of  scaffold  burial,  as  was  noticed  by  Hennepin  at 
Prescott  Point,  at  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Croix  in  1680.  This  prac- 
tice I have  myself  seen  in  Red  Wing  a great  many  times.  Such 
flint,  stone,  bone  and  copper  implements,  and  rude  pottery,  as 
were  found  to  be  in  general  use  in  the  hands  of  the  Indians,  when 
first  visited  by  the  whites,  are  usually  found  at  the  bottom  of  a 
mound  when  excavated,  yet  the  natives  had  no  traditions  as  to 
who  were  the  makers  of  the  artifacts,  or  whQ  were  the  builders 
of  the  mounds.  Within  a radius  of  six  miles  from  Cannon  Junc- 
tion I have  located,  mapped  and  charted  over  four  thousand  In- 
dian burial  mounds,  earthworks,  stone  cairns,  etc.,  showing  con- 
clusively that  this  region  must  have  been  inhabited  for  many 
ages.  I can  show  today  an  oak  stump  standing  on  top  of  a burial 

33 


3 4 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


mound  that  has  in  evidence  250  concentric  rings,  indicating  that 
it  was  250  years  ago  when  the  acorn  which  grew  into  the  tree 
was  planted  in  the  mound.  How  long  had  the  mound  been  built? 
The  prevailing  opinion  of  writers  of  recent  date,  who  have  made 
Indian  mounds  of  this  region  a study,  is  that  the  ancestors  of  the 
Indians  found  inhabiting  these  parts  at  the  time  it  was  first  vis- 
ited by  Europeans,  were  the  creators  of  these  earthworks.  From 
time  immemorial  this  locality  has  been  known  as  Hem-minne-cha 
(Hill,  water,  wood).  Franqueline  published  in  Paris,  in  1664, 
a map  of  this  country,  and  located  an  Indian  village  at  what  is 
now  known  as  Cannon  Junction,  and  called  it  by  the  name  of 
“Remnica.  ” Franqueline  received  his  information  probably  from 
He  mnepin,  as  that  explorer  had  returned  to  France  and  published 
his  book  about,  that  time.  While  I have  not  been  asked  to  con- 
tribute an  article  on  archaeology,  yet  it  may  not  be  out  of  place 
for  me  to  add  a few  words  ou  the  very  interestiug  subject.  My 
father,  some  years  ago,  writing  on  the  subject,  stated  that  the 
builders  of  the  mounds,  or  the  people  who  inhabited  this  country 
before  the  Dakotas,  must  have  been  a more  civilized  and  peaceful 
race  than  the  Sioux,  as  no  warlike  implements  were  found.  Since 
the  above  was  written  by  my  father  I have  found  in  this  im- 
mediate vicinity  thousands  of  flint  and  stone  arrows  and  spear 
heads,  stone  axes,  and  clubs,  without  number.  The  general  opin- 
ion, I think,  prevails,  that  the  art  of  chipping  flint  and  stone  im- 
plements is  a lost  one ; but  as  there  are  a number  of  descriptions 
in  print,  written  by  persons  who  have  witnessed  the  operation, 
I will  give  a description  or  two.  Catlin’s  description  of  Apache 
mode  of  making  flint  arrow  points:  “This  operation  is  very 

curious,  both  the  holder  and  the  striker  singing,  and  the  strokes 
of  the  mallet,  given  exactly  in  time  with  the  music,  and  with  a 
short  and  rebounding  blow,  in  which,  the  Indians  tell  us,  is  the 
great  medicine  of  the  operation.”  Admiral  L.  E.  Belcher  gives  an 
account  of  flint  arrow  head  making  by  western  Eskimo  tribes. 
Schoolcraft  describes  the  mode  of  making  flint  arrow  heads  by 
North  American  Indians.  John  Smith  describes  the  making  of 
arrow  points  by  Virginia  Indians.  “His  arrow  head  he  quickly 
maketh  with  a little  bone,  which  he  ever  weareth  at  his  brace,  of 
a splint  of  a stone  or  glass,  in  the  form  of  a heart  and  these  they 
glue  to  the  end  of  their  arrows.” 

I have  made  the  statement  at  the  beginning  of  this  article 
that  it  could  never  be  known  how  many  ages  the  Indians  had 
flourished  in  this  country,  and  now  add  the  opinions  of  others. 
Many  writers  in  the  past,  and  a few  at  the  present  time,  speak 
of  the  Mound  Builders  as  a vanished  race  and  declare  that  the 
skeletons  found  buried  in  the  mounds  denote  that  they  were 
giants  in  stature.  Marquis  De  Nadaillac,  in  “Prehistoric  Amer- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


35 


ica,”  pages  113-154,  says:  “The  new  school,  with  such  scholars 
at  its  head  as  Brinton,  Cyrus  Thomas,  Powell  and  Carr,  hold 
that  the  present  Indians  are  the  descendants  of  the  Mound  Build- 
ers.” John  Gmeiner,  pastor  of  the  Church  of  St.  Raphael, 
Springfield,  Minn.,  January  10,  1908,  in  “Acta  et  Dicta,”  pub- 
lished by  the  St.  Paul  Catholics’  Historical  Society,  July,  1908, 
page  221-222,  says:  “The  Dakota  confederation  consisted  of  a. 

number  of  tribes  whose  ancestors  must  have  been  originally 
united  in  one  tribe,  for  they  spoke  dialects  of  the  same  language.” 
About  800  years  ago  seven  tribes,  the  Omaha,  Ooehenonpa,  Minn- 
ikannazo,  Ttazipco,  Licanga,  Hunkpapa,  and  Yanktonnen,  united 
to  form  the  Dakota  confederation.  The  very  name  implies  this. 
It  means  “allied  nations.”  The  name  Sioux  was  unknown  to 
them;  it  is  a corruption  of  an  Ojibwa  word,  meaning  enemies,  as 
the  Dakotas  and  Ojibwas  were  continually  at  war.  The  Dakota 
confederation  gradually  increased  until  it  included  forty-two 
tribes  and  extended  far  beyond  the  limits  of  our  present  state. 

The  Dakotas  entered  Minnesota  and  Wisconsin  about  the  be- 
ginning of  their  confederation.  Father  Craft  writes:  “It  is 

quite  certain  they  were  near  Lake  Michigan  800  years  ago,  as  they 
met  there  Eric  Upsi,  Bishop  of  Greenland,  who  had  come  there 
from  Yineland  about  1121.”  It  is  certainly  a most  interesting; 
and  surprising  fact  to  find  the  long-lost,  zealous  Norse  bishop 
finally  reappear  in  the  ancient  traditions  of  the  Dakotas.  Any 
one  desirous  of  reading  more  about  Bishop  Erie  Upsi,  or  Gnup- 
son,  may  consult  P.  De  Roo,  “History  of  America  Before  Colum- 
bus,” Philadelphia  and  London,  1900,  vol.  88,  pp.  174-282.  No 
doubt  Eric  Upsi  came  to  the  Avestern  shores  of  Lake  Michigan 
by  Avay  of  the  St.  LaAvrence  river  and  the  Great  Lakes.  Accord- 
ing to  Humboldt,  the  Norsemen  had  some  of  their  principal  set- 
tlements at  the  mouth  of  the  St.  LaAArrence  river,  and  it  was 
quite  natural  for  them  to  folloAv  that  great  waterAvay  to  its 
sources,  as  the  French  did  at  a later  period.  The  following  ap- 
peared in  the  St.  Paul  Pioneer  Press  September  7.  1909: 

“ ‘Eight  SAvedes  and  tAventy-tAvo  Norwegians  upon  a journey 
of  discovery  from  Yineland,  Nova  Scotia,  westward.  We  had  a 
camp  of  tAvo  skerries  (rocks  in  water)  one  day’s  journey  from 
this  stone.  We  Avere  out  fishing  one  day.  When  Ave  returned  home 
Ave  found  ten  men  red  with  blood  and  dead.  Ave  Maria.  Save  us 
from  evil.  We  have  ten  men  by  the  sea  to  look  after  our  vessel, 
forty-one  (?)  days’  journey  from  this  island.  Year  1362.’  This 
legend,  cut  in  Runic  characters  on  the  Kensington  stone  iioav  on 
exhibition  at  the  Swedish  village  at  the  fair  grounds,  the  genuine- 
ness of  which  seems  to  have  invoUed  in  dispute  many  of  the  pio- 
neer Scandinavians  in  Minnesota  and  parts  of  Wisconsin.  Some 


36 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


doubt  the  story  of  the  finding  of  the  stone.  According  to  affidavits 
in  possession  of  H.  R.  H.  Holand,  curator  of  the  Sons  of  Norway, 
Ephrain,  Wis.,  the  stone  was  found  under  a gigantic  tree  at 
Kensington,  Minn.,  by  Pehr  Oman  while  he  was  grubbing  stumps. 
However,  it  was  at  one  time  on  exhibition  at  Chicago  and  was 
declared  to  be  a fake.  At  the  exposition  at  Stockholm,  Sweden, 
where  the  Runic  lettering  was  translated  by  some  of  the  best 
scholars  in  Sweden,  it  was  claimed  that  there  can  be  no  doubt 
as  to  its  authenticity.  Arthur  G.  Thomas,  of  Chicago,  manager 
of  the  Swedish  village,  said  yesterday  that  in  his  opinion  the 
proof  of  the  finding  of  the  stone  is  conclusive.”  The  above  may, 
as  some  claim,  be  a fake;  but  investigate,  and  if  in  time  to  come 
it  is  entitled  to  credence,  it  may  perhaps  be  the  means  of  shedding 
light  on  some  of  our  ancient  history  that  is  very  confusing.  On 
the  other  hand,  if  it  proves  to  be  spurious,  brand  it  as  such,  in 
a manner  so  as  to  cause  the  perpetrators  of  fakes  of  this  nature, 
to  be  more  careful  in  the  future.  The  finding  of  this  stone  is  not 
more  remarkable  or  singular  than  the  finding  of  tne  Rosetta 
stone  in  1799,  by  some  Egyptian  fishermen,  who  in  drawing  a 
seine  in  the  river  Nile  brought  to  shore  in  their  nets  a curiously 
engraved  stone,  which  on  investigation  by  students  proved  to  be 
the  key  by  which  the  import  of  the  hieroglyphics  and  writings 
carved  within  the  great  Pyramids  of  Sheops  was  made  known 
to  the  world.  Some  of  the  information  given  td  the  world  through 
the  assistance  of  this  remarkable  relic,  is,  that  these  pyramids  in 
question  were  begun  by  the  builders  2170  years  before  the  Chris- 
tian era,  and  they  stand  today  the  greatest  structure  ever  reared 
by  the  hand  of  man. 

Following  is  an  article  written  by  Lueien  Carr,  entitled  ‘ ‘ The 
Mounds  of  the  Mississippi  Valley  Historically  Considered,”  Avhich 
appeared  in  “Memoirs  of  the  Kentucky  Geological  Survey,”  Vol. 
11,  1183;  N.  S.  Shaler,  Director.  In  a paper  upon  the  “Prehis- 
toric Remains  of  Kentucky,”  published  in  the  first  volume  of 
these  memoirs,  I have  expressed  the  opinion  that  it  was  impossible 
to  distinguish  between  a series  of  stone  implements  taken  from 
the  Mounds  in  the  Mississippi  valley  and  a similar  series  made 
and  used  by  the  Modern  Indians.  In  fact,  so  alike  are  these  ob- 
jects in  conception  and  execution  that  any  attempt  to  distinguish 
them,  based  upon  form  or  finish,  must  be  but  the  merest  guess- 
work. From  the  rude  knife  to  the  carved  and  polished  “Groget,” 
they  may,  one  and  all,  have  been  taken  from  the  inmost  recesses 
of  a mound  or  picked  \ipon  the  surface  amid  the  debris  of  a 
recent  Indian  village,  and  the  most  experienced  archaeologist, 
if  called  upon  to  decide  as  to  their  origin,  would  have  to  acknowl- 
edge himself  at  fault.  Nor  does  the  similarity  stop  with  objects 
made  of  stone.  On  the  contrary,  it  is  believed  to  extend  to  all 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


37 


articles,  of  every  kind  whatsoever,  that  have  thus  far  been  taken 
from  the  mounds.  Indeed,  I might  even  go  further,  and  as  the 
result  of  some  years  of  work,  as  well  in  the  field  as  in  the  library, 
venture  the  assertion  that  not  only  has  there  not  as  yet  been  any- 
thing  taken  from  the  mounds  indicating  a higher  stage  of  de- 
velopment than  the  red  Indian  of  the  United  States  is  known  to 
have  reached,  but  that  even  the  mounds  themselves,  and  under 
this  head  are  included  all  the  earthworks  of  the  Mississippi  val- 
ley, were  quite  within  the  limits  of  his  efforts.  All  that  I intend 
to  assert  is,  that,  admitting  everything  that  can  be  reasonably 
claimed  by  the  most  enthusiastic  advocate  of  the  superior  civiliza- 
tion of  the  Mound  Builders,  there  is  no  reason  why  the  red  In- 
dians, of  the  Mississippi  valley,  judging  from  what  we  know, 
historically,  of  their  development,  could  not  have  thrown  up  these 
works.  This  proposition  is  not  as  complete  as  could  be  desired, 
and  yet  it  probably  embodies  all  that  can  ever  be  proven  on  this 
subject.  ’ ’ 

I quote  from  Marquis  de  Nadaillac’s  article,  “The  Unity  of 
the  Human  Species,”  pp.  1-2.  The  arrow  heads  of  the  Dakota, 
Apache,  and  Comanche  Indians  show  curious  resemblance  to  those 
discovered  on  the  borders  of  the  Seine  and  Thames ; the  nuclei 
of  Scandinavia  compare  well  with  those  of  Mexico,  and  if  one 
exchange  the  hatchets  or  the  knives  of  flint  from  Europe  with 
similar  objects  from  America  it  is  difficult  for  even  experts  to 
separate  them,  however  well  they  may  be  versed  in  petrograph 
and  prehistoric  archaeology,  and  it  will  be  extremely  difficult  to 
distinguish  the  races  to  which  they  belong.  Pottery  from  widely 
separated  regions  is  made  in  the  same  form  and  by  the  same 
processes  of  fabrication,  and  even  with  the  same  ornamentation. 
The  spindle  whorls  in  stone,  bone  and  pottery,  found  in  settle- 
ments succeeding  each  other  on  the  hills  of  Hissarlik,  recall  those 
of  the  Swiss  lake  dwellings.  Those  of  Peru,  Mexico,  and  even 
those  in  present  use  among  the  Navajos,  are  the  same  as  in  our 
museums,  whether  they  come  from  Italy,  Germany,  the  south  of 
France,  or  the  north  of  Scandinavia.” 

Thomas  La  Blanc,  a half-breed  Sioux,  has  told  of  the  separa- 
tion of  the  bands  of  Wacoota,  Red  Wing  and  Wabasha,  in  the 
vivid  terms  of  Indian  tradition.  While  this  narrative,  containing 
a story  of  the  forceful  removal  of  a mountain,  must  be  regarded 
as  fanciful,  it  is  doubtless  as  near  the  truth  as  anything  else,  in 
which  we  have  only  tradition  to  rely  upon.  After  telling  of  a 
general  war,  after  which  Wacoota,  whom  he  describes  as  a young 
libertine,  was  made  chief,  La  Blanc  says,  in  “Bunnell’s  History 
of  Winona  County  ’ ’ : 

“Wah-cou-ta  was  left  at  his  newly-selected  camp-ground 
at  Kaposia,  while  an  older  chief,  afterward  called  Rem-na-chee, 


38 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


from  the  place  where  he  settled,  went  on  down  to  the  site  of  the 
modern  city  of  Red  'Wing,  where  game  of  all  kinds,  fish  included, 
were  found  in  great  abundance.  Here  there  seemed  nothing  lack- 
ing to  their  perfect  happiness,  and  they  lived  for  a great  length 
of  time,  intermarrying  like  some  families  in  Europe,  until  another 
chief,  who  might  be  styled  the  first  of  the  name  of  Wah-pa-sha 
or  his  progenitor,  drew  attention  to  the  efficiency  of  some  of  the 
warriors  who  could  not  complete  the  trail,  of  the  sun  dance  and 
bear  dance  and  had  been  compelled  to  assume  the  garb  and  occu- 
pation of  women,  as  was  the  custom  among  the  Sioux.  He  also 
referred  to  the  increasing  number  of  skeletons  they  were  com- 
pelled to  place  in  their  ossuaries  on  Barn  and  other  bluffs  in  the 
neighborhood  and  ended  by  declaring  that  new  alliances  should 
be  made  with  more  vigorous  tribes,  and  the  customs  of  other  In- 
dians, now  extinct,  should  be  strictly  enforced. 

“It  so  happened  that  one  of  his  own  daughters  was  in  ex- 
pectation of  an  alliance  with  Chaska,  a brave  of  great  repute, 
eldest  son  of  a chief,  but  the  talk  of  Wah-pa-sha  had  so  impressed 
him  that  without  saying  anything  of  his  purpose,  he  had  started 
off  as  if  for  a hunt,  but  in  reality  to  see  and  espouse  the  daughter 
of  Yellow  Thunder,  a noted  Winnebago  chief,  who,  though  of 
Dah-ko-tah  origin,  was  very  far  removed  from  the  original  stock. 
Chaska ’s  absence  was  first  noticed  by  his  charming  bride,  who, 
jealous  of  his  absence,  complained  to  her  father.  Upon  inquiry, 
it  was  found  that  the  teachings  of  Wah-pa-sha  had  driven  the 
young  man  away,  but  not  to  be  baffled,  the  young  girl,  proving  to 
the  high  priest  her  virginity,  he  was  at  once  able  to  call  good 
spirits  to  her  aid.  At  first  Rem-ne-chee  and  Wah-pa-sha  had 
taken  sides,  one  for  the  son,  the  other  for  the  daughter.  Neither 
chief  desired  bloodshed,  but  old-time  prejudices  and  customs  are 
stronger  than  the  authority  of  any  chief,  unless  he  has  well- 
tested  personal  bravery  to  enforce  his  commands.  This  seemed 
lacking  in  the  older  chief,  Rem-ne-chee,  and  bows  were  being 
strung  and  spears  pointed,  when  the  power  of  the  secret  incanta- 
tions of  the  priest  burst  forth  in  vivid  flashes  of  lightning,  the 
earth  trembled  and  then  all  was  enveloped  in  darkness  most 
profound;  while  the  Indians  in  affright  cast  themselves  upon 
the  ground,  where  they  remained  chanting  their  death-songs  in 
expectation  of  destruction.  But  lo ! light  again  appeared,  and 
those  at  Red  Wing  found  that  a part  of  their  possessions,  includ- 
ing the  dome-shaped  peak  and  part  of  the  Barn  bluff  ossuary, 
had  disappeared,  and  during  the  seismic  strife,  Wah-pa-sha  the 
elder,  and  part  of  his  band,  had  also  been  torn  from  Remnecliee’s 
turbulent  followers.  Witeh-e-ain,  the  virgin,  had  been  left  behind, 
but  calling  to  the  spokesman  of  the  band  for  aid,  she  soon  assem- 
bled a few  young  braves,  who,  in  devotion  to  her  father,  and  in 


II 1 ST  OK  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


39 


admiration  of  her  purpose,  declared  that  they  would  not  only  find 
the  truant  lover,  but  they  would  also  recover  their  lost  territory, 
which  they  naturally  supposed  must  have  been  transported,  with 
the  'direction  of  the  wind,  down  the  Mississippi.  Believing  this, 
they  started  down  in  a canoe.  With  the  keen  sight  of  Indians, 
they  discovered  fragments  of  their  lost  possessions  at  the  present 
site  of  Wabasha;  but  it  would  not  be  possible  to  explain  their 
reasons  for  believing  this,  without  a faith  in  their  medicine 
charms,  so  we  will  pass  on. 

“At  the  site  of  AYinona  they  were  overjoyed  to  see,  as  they 
approached  the  landing,  the  exact  counterpart  of  their  sacred 
dome  at  Red  Wing.  It  had  been  rent  in  twain,  it  is  true,  but  the 
attrition  of  transportation  had  modeled  it  into  a beautiful  cap, 
not  unlike  the  Scotch  or  Canadian  cap  of  old,  and  standing  in 
front  as  though  in  a mirage,  his  tall  form  outstretching  almost 
to  top  of  cliff,  was  the  lost  chief  once  more  in  possession  of  the 
lost  cliff,  which  he  declared  should  be  his  cap  for  all  future 
time.  Its  beautiful  form,  garlanded  with  cedar,  would  have  re- 
mained the  admiration  of  all  beholders  until  this  time,  but  for 
Mammon,  a most  powerful  modern  god.  more  powerful  by  far 
than  any  known  to  the  Dakotas. 

“Leaving  the  chief  to  recover  from  his  dazed  condition,  and 
assemble  his  scattered  family  on  a site  he  selected  for  himself 
on  what  became  known  as  Burn’s  creek,  the  anxious  maiden 
with  her  young  braves  pursued  her  way  down  the  river.  They 
soon  came  in  sight  of  one  of  their  lost  mountains,  which  became 
known  to  the  whole  Dakota  tribe,  when  they  had  heard  of  the 
wonder,  as  Pah-ha-dah  (the  moving  mountain),  but  to  the  Winne- 
bagoes,  who,  in  approaching  it  in  canoes  on  the  east  side,  found 
it  surrounded  by  water,  it  was  known  as  Hay-nee-ah-cliah,  or 
Soaking  Mountain.  The  pursuing  party  stopped  but  a moment 
at  Pah-ha-dah,  or  Trempeauleau,  for  just  below  they  saw  a short 
range  of  isolated  bluffs,  which  they  felt  sure  were  taken  from 
the  upper  portion  of  the  range  of  what  is  modernly  known  as 
Barn  bluff.  The  vacant  space  below  Red  Wing,  they  argued, 
justified  their  conclusion.  Bivt  they  were  about  to  land  for  exam- 
ination, and  perhaps  for  some  slight  refreshment,  when  their  ears 
were  assailed  by  the  most  persistent  rattling  of  numerous  rattle- 
snakes, of  sin-tah-dah,  they  -had  ever  heard.  Upon  inquiry  they 
found  that  the  bluffs  were  really  a part  of  their  old  possessions, 
but  that  the  remains  of  their  ancestors  should  not  again  be  dis- 
turbed from  the  mounds  and  ossuaries  on  the  ridge,  but  be  held 
sacred  for  all  time.  The  snakes  were  magically  sent  by  the  good 
high  priest,  with  the  bluffs,  to  protect  the  remains  from  desecra- 
tion.” 

The  Omahas  and  Iowas  were  driven  out  of  this  state  and  beyond 


40 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


the  Missouri,  mainly  in  one  campaign  led  by  Red  Wing  and 
Wapasha.  The  Menominees  were  privy  to  the  plans  of  the  Sioux, 
but  took  no  part  in  the  war ; perhaps  furnished  canoes  and  horses. 
The  Sioux  marched  by  the  headwaters  of  the  St.  Croix  and  Chip- 
pewas,  down  the  Wisconsin,  beginning  the  attack  at  McGregor. 
The  Y-hanktons  reinforced  them  on  the  upper  course  of  the 
Minnesota.  The  Sioux  undertook  this  war  for  the  purpose  of  set- 
tlement in  the  country  which  they  had  always  claimed  to  own 
since  the  expulsion  of  the  Assinniboines.  It  was  after  Wapasha 
had  received  his  red  cap  and  commission  as  head  chief  of  the 
British. 

Colonel  William  Colville  once  wrote:  “ Wapasha ’s  title  as 

head  chief  not  being  allowed  by  Red  Wing,  Wapasha  removed 
with  the  greater  part  of  his  band  to  Winona.  Red  Wing’s 
titular  name  was  Wacouta — ‘The  Shooter.’  This  was  always 
the  head  chief’s  title — the  same  as  that  of  the  chief  who  captured 
Hennepin.  He  had  the  name  of  Red  Wing,  Koo-poo-hoo-sha,  from 
the  swan’s  wing,  which  he  dyed  scarlet  and  carried.  Wapahasha 
had  his  name  from  his  red  “coupe  stick,”  which  was  wound  with 
scarlet  ribbons  and  surmounted  by  a white  horse  tail,  dyed  a bril- 
liant red.  This  he  used  to  signal  and  direct  his  warriors  in 
battle,  sometimes  as  a standard  to  rally  them. 

“Red  Wing  and  his  contemporaries  here  retained  their  old 
custom  of  mound  burial,  such  as  is  described  by  Carver  in  his 
account  of  the  cave  at  St.  Paul.  His  spring  and  summer  camp 
was  along  the  west  bank  of  Jordan  stream  in  this  place.  The 
Indians  called  the  stream  Cold  Water  creek.  The  upper  end  of 
the  camp  was  a little  above  Main  street.  There  was  an  oak  grove 
a short  distance  behind  the  camp  on  slightly  higher  ground,  and 
commanding  a broad  view  of  the  river  scenery.  In  this  grove 
were  a number  of  mounds  when  I came  here — 1854 — mostly  of 
small  size,  one  conspicuous,  over  twenty  feet  across  and  three  feet 
high.  It  was  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Main  and  Broadway 
crossing.  In  grading  the  street  this  was  leveled,  and  along  with 
very  badly  decayed  bones  was  found  a Jefferson  medal  of  the 
year  1801.  After  Red  Wing’s  time  the  Indians  coffined  and 
buried  the  dead  same  as  the  whites. 

Big  Buffalo,  his  successor,  was  so  coffined  and  buried,  about 
1820.  Now  Lieutenant  Pike,  on  his  return  from  the  source  of  the 
Mississippi  in  1806,  stopped  two  days  with  Red  Wing  at  this 
camp,  and  was  very  hospitably  entertained.  On  his  way  down 
he  had  been  reminded  by  Little  Crow,  at  the  mouth  of  the  St. 
Croix,  of  his  promised  medals,  promised  at  the  treaty  of  the  fall 
before  at  Pike  Island.  One  of  the  head  men  of  Red  Wing’s  band 
signed  that  treaty;  Red  Wing,  from  old  age,  was  not  present. 
Red  Wing  was  friendly  to  the  Americans;  Wapahasha  had  his 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


41 


commission  from  the  British.  This  was  talked  over.  Altogether, 
if  anyone  was  entitled,  Red  Wing  was,  to  one  of  the  medals.  Of 
course,  Pike’s  promises  were  sacredly  kept.  It  is  no  objection 
that  the  date  is  1801,  as  it  was  the  custom  to  strike  the  medal  the 
first  year  of  the  new  administration  and  the  die  was  preserved 
until  another  president  took  his  seat.  Big  Buffalo ’s  was  a Madi- 
son medal  of  the  year  1809,  but  which  he  could  not  have  received 
until  1816,  for  he  fought  with  the  British  in  1812-15,  and  sur- 
rendered his  old  medal,  if  he  had  one,  to  them  on  receiving  their 
flag.  Big  Buffalo  was  originally  buried  at  the  corner  of  Main 
aud  Plum  streets,  and  when  the  town  was  laid  out  was  removed 
to  College  Bluff,  and  about  1870  his  medal  was  stolen  from  the- 
grave  and  fell  into  the  hands  of  a stranger,  to  whom  it  is  worth- 
less, and  is  lost  to  us. 

“The  Jefferson  medal  is  now  held  by  Mrs.  Frank  Sterritt,  of' 
Merriam  Park,  in  trust  for  our  Red  Wing  Library  Association.  I 
think  the  above  facts  make  a good  case  for  it,  as  having  in  very 
deed  been  worn  by  Red  Wing.” 

The  titles  Iloo-pa-hoo-doo-ta  (AYing  of  Scarlet),  now  rendered 
Red  Wing;  Wap  ash  aw  (Red  War  Banner),  now  rendered  Wa- 
basha . and  Wa-eoo-tay  (Leaf  Shooter),  rendered  in  French  Ocha- 
gach  and  now  called  Wacoota,  probably  have  a common  origin, 
and  were  evidently  used  interchangably  by  the  early  writers  to 
describe  whatever  chief  they  found  at  the  head  of  the  bands  in 
this  vicinity.  The  particular  chief  of  the  Goodhue  county  band 
of  whom  we  know  the  most,  with  the  exception  of  Wacoota,  whom 
the  white  settlers  of  1848-53  found  here,  is  the  Aile  Rouge 
described  by  Pike  and  Hennepin.  The  Dakota  Indians  who  now 
reside  on  Prairie  Island  still  speak  of  Red  Wing  as  Ilupa-hu-sha, 
meaning  wing  of  red. 

The  question  as  to  the  first  white  man  who  ever  set  foot  on  the 
soil  of  this  county  is  no  less  a ‘matter  of  conjecture.  Traders  or- 
soldiers  of  fortune  may  have  wandered  to  this  locality,  but  the 
first  white  man  of  whom  we  have  any  reliable  record  as  to  his 
presence  here  is  Father  Louis  Hennepin,  an  explorer  and  Fran- 
ciscan monk,  in  1680. 

This  statement  is  made  with  a full  knowledge  of  the  allega- 
tions advanced  by  Warren  Upham,  of  the  State  Historical  Society, 
that  Radisson  and  Groseilliers  wintered  on  Prairie  Island  in 
1654-55  and  were  consequently  the  first  white  men  in  Minnesota. 
In  this  contention,  Mr.  Upham  is  unsupported  by  any  reliable 
historian,  and  his  own  earlier  writings  successfully  refute  his 
present  arguments.  Peter  (or  Pierre)  Esprit  Radisson  and  Me- 
dard  Chouart,  better  known  as  Sieur  de  Groseilliers  (The  Goose- 
berry), were  early  explorers  around  the  Great  Lakes,  and  the 
former,  after  being  discredited  by  France,  wrote  an  extensive 


42 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


account,  largely  fictitious,  of  his  adventures,  for  the  purpose  of 
interesting  English  parties  to  join  in  forming  what  later  became 
the  Hudson  Bay  Company,  for  the  exploitation  of  America.  This 
manuscript,  long  forgotten,  was  rescued  in  part  (some  of  it  hav- 
ing been  sold  for  wrapping  paper)  and  published  by  the  Prince 
Society  in  1885.  In  this  narrative  Radisson  claims  to  have  visited 
nearly  every  portion  of  America  and  to  have  discovered  a pas- 
sage way  to  the  Pacific  ocean.  If  the  remainder  of  the  manu- 
script could  have  been  procured  I have  no  doubt  that  it  would  be 
learned  that  Radisson  built  an  air  ship  and  ascended  to  Mars,  and 
even  reached -the  North  Pole,  thereby  robbing  those  two  distin- 
guished Americans,  Cook  and  Peary,  of  the  honor  of  being  the 
first  to  actually  discover  the  Great  Nail.  Mr.  Upham  himself 
acknowledges  that  the  manuscript  is  largely  fictitious,  but  picks 
out  the  part  which  he  claims  to  refer  to  Prairie  Island  and  stamps 
that  with  the  approval  of  truth  while  the  other  parts  are  charac- 
terized by  the  same  authority  as  apparent  fiction,  vaguely  and 
blunderingly  told.  The  part  of  the  manuscript  which  is  alleged 
to  refer  to  Minnesota,  and  the  contention  that  Radisson  and  Gro- 
seilliers  were  the  first  white  men  in  Minnesota,  is  best  described 
in  Mr.  Upham ’s  own  words. 

He  says:  “When  we  come  to  his  (Radisson ’s)  account  of  that 
next  year  (1855),  following  the  apparent  fiction  so  vaguely  and 
blunderingly  told,  he  resumes  his  accustomed  definiteness  of 
details,  telling  us  that  in  the  early  spring,  before  the  snow  and 
ice  were  gone,  which  forbade  the  use  of  canoes,  these  two  French- 
men. with  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  and  women  of  the 
native  tribes,  traveled  almost  fifty  leagues  on  snow  shoes,  coming 
to  a river  side  where  they  spent  three  weeks  in  making  boats. 
This  journey  Avas.  if  I rightly  identify  it,  from  the  vicinity  of 
Green  bay,  in  eastern  Wisconsin,  across  that  state  to  the  Missis- 
sippi, reaching  this  river  near  the  southeast  corner  of  Minnesota, 
or  somewhat  further  south,  perhaps  coming  by  a route  not  far 
from  the  canoe  route  of  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  rivers.  Thence 
they  voyaged  eight  days  up  the  river  on  which  their  boats  had 
been  made,  to  villages  of  two  tribes,  probably  in  the  vicinity  of 
Winona,  where  they  obtained  meal  and  corn,  which  supplied  this 
large  company  until  they  ‘came  to  the  first  landing  isle.’ 

“The  description  indicates  that  the  voyagers  passed  along 
Lake  Pepin  and  upward  to  the  large  Isle  Pelee  (or  Bald  Island), 
now  called  Prairie  Island,  on  the  Minnesota  side  of  the  main  river 
channel  above  Red  Wing.  On  this  island,  which  derived  its 
names,  both  in  French  and  English,  from  its  being  mostly  a 
prairie,  a large  number  of  Hurons  and  Ottawas,  fleeing  from  their 
enemies,  the  Iroquois,  had  recently  taken  refuge,  and  had  begun 
the  cultivation  of  corn.  Their  harvest  the  preceding  year,  in 


HISTOEY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


43 


newly  worked  land,  was  small;  but' much  corn  would  be  needed 
for  food  during  the  long  journey  thence  to  Quebec  with  beaver 
skins-  which  canoe  voyage,  requiring  a month  or  more,  Groseil- 
liers  and  Radisson  wished  to  begin  soon  after  their  arrival  on  the 
island.  They  were  obliged  to  remain  till  the  next  year,  and  Gro- 
seilliers  spent  the  summer  on  Prairie  Island  and  in  its  vicinity, 
one  of  his  chief  objects  being  to  provide  a large  supply  of  corn 
for  the  return  journey.  Meanwhile  Radisson  went  with  hunting 
parties,  and  traveled  four  months  ‘without  doing  anything  but  go 
from  river  to  river.’  He  was  enamored  of  the  beauty  and  fer- 
tility of  the  country  and  was  astonished  at  its  herds  of  buffaloes 
and  antelopes,  flocks  of  pelicans  and  the  shovel-nosed  sturgeon, 
all  of  which  he  particularly  described.  Such  was  the  first  year, 
1655,  of  observations  and  exploration  by  white  men  in  Minnesota 
and  their  earliest  navigation  of  the  upper  part  of  the  Mississippi 
river.  Accompanied  by  several  hundred  Hurons  and  other  Algon- 
quins,  and  carrying  a most  welcome  freight  of  furs,  Groseilliers  • 
and  Radisson  returned  to  Montreal  and  Quebec  in  August,  1656. 
Their  stay  on  Prairie  Island  covered  the  period  from  April  or 
May,' 1655,  to  June,  1656,  about  fourteen  months.” 

Such  is  the  new  page  which  Mr.  Upham  would  write  on  the 
pages  of  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota  history,  and  in  honor  of  which 
he  would  erect  a monument  on  Prairie  Island.  While  I person- 
ally would  be  very  much  pleased  to  have  this  region  honored  with 
a marble  shaft  as  being  the  spot  upon  which  the  first  white  men 
in  the  state  first  set  foot,  in  view  of  the  uncertainty  and  grave 
doubts  I do  not  feel  as  though  one  should  be  erected  to  perpetu- 
ate a scarcely  probable  incident,  when  there  are  so  many  well 
authenticated  and  important  events  which  actually  happened 
within  the  borders  of  this  county  in  the  early  days  that  could  be 
so  honored.  To  my  mind  there  are  several  facts  which  preclude 
the  possibility  of  this  early  settlement  by  two  Frenchmen  and  a 
party  of  Hurons  on  Prairie  Island  for  a long  period  of  fourteen 
months.  Briefly,  the  objections  are  as  follows: 

The  reputation  given  Radisson  for  veracity  by  such  a distin- 
guished investigater  as  Mr.  Upham  is  sufficient  to  cause  us  to 
view  the  writer’s  narrative  with  suspicion.  I quote  Mr.  Upham 
in  ‘‘First  White  Men  in  Minnesota”  (page  2).  Speaking  of 
Radisson  he  says:  ‘‘His  narration,  besides  being  very  uncouth 

in  style,  is  exceedingly  deficient  in  dates,  sometimes  negligent  as 
to  the  sequence  of  events,  and  even  here  and  there  discordant  and 
demonstrably  untruthful.”  Mr.  Upham ’s  opinion  of  Radisson ’s 
descriptive  powers,  as  found  on  page  11  of  the  above  work,  is 
this:  ‘‘Lake  Michigan,  with  its  surrounding  forests  and  prairies 
and  Indian  tribes,  appeared  even  more  fascinating  to  Radisson ’s 
enraptured  vision.  He  wrote  of  it  in  an  ecstasy.”  Radisson  must 


44 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


have  lost  power  of  his  “enraptured  vision”  before  he  reached  this 
locality,  for  there  is  no  description  in  the  entire  narrative  that  in 
any  way  describes  the  scenery  along  the  Mississippi  from  the 
mouth  of  the  Wisconsin  to  Prairie  Island.  I do  not  know  of  a 
single  early  voyager  avIio  has  left  any  written  record  of  his  travel 
in  this  region  that  has  not  gone  into  ecstasies  over  the  beautiful 
panoramic  views  ever  presenting  to  his  vision  as  he  was  paddled 
up  the  river  in  the  vicinity  of  Lake  Pepin.  If  Radisson  had 
remained  on  Prairie  Island  fourteen  months  lie  surely  would  have 
seen  Barn  Bluff  many  times,  and  if  he  did  see  it  and  not  mention 
it  be  cannot  hope  for  forgiveness. 

In  March,  1660,  Radisson  did  not  understand  the  Dakota  lan- 
guage. On  page  45  of  his  work,  Mr.  Upham  says:  “The  next 

morning,  in  March,  1660,  they  were  called  by  an  interpreter.  We 
understood  not  a word  of  their  language,  being  quite  contrary  to 
those  that  we  were  with.”  Jean  Nicollet  discovered  Green  Bay, 
Wisconsin,  in  the  year  1634,  and  reported  a wild  tribe  of  Indians 
in  this  region  which  he  calls  the  Nanclusin  (Sioux).  Hennepin 
found  the  Sioux  here  in  1680.  Le  Sueur  lived  with  them  on 
Prairie  Island  1695,  and,  from  Indian  tradition,  their  ancestors 
had  made  Prairie  Island  their  home  for  ages  before  Radisson 
was  born.  Now  we  are  asked  to  accept  as  an  historical  fact  that 
Radisson  spent  fourteen  months  on  Prairie  Island  and  never 
heard  the  Dakota  tongue  spoken,  and  that  the  first  time  he  did 
hear  it  was  in  March,  1660,  in  the  northern  part  of  the  state. 

I do  not  intend  to  burden  the  reader  with  my  views  on  this 
Radisson  matter  at  this  time,  for  in  my  opinion  the  facts  are  not 
sufficiently  historical  to  warrant  the  great  publicity  already  given 
by  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society  to  what  some  of  our  most 
able  writers  on  early  explorations  consider  as  “pure  romance.” 
The  claims  made  by  Mr.  Upham  are  being  so  persistently  forced 
onto  the  citizens  of  this  state  that  they  will  soon  be  accepted  as 
an  historical  fact,  without  someone  call  a halt  and  ask  for  a more 
thorough  investigation,  and  I regret  very  much  that  someone 
more  competent  than  myself  has  not  felt  it  his  duty  to  ask  for 
more  light  on  this  very  important  subject.  As  this  Radisson  mat- 
ter is  a subject  of  local  interest  to  the  people  of  Goodhue  county, 
and  as  I have  been  asked  to  contribute  a chapter  on  early  times, 
I will  take  the  opportunity  to  present  some  evidence  to  show  that 
Mr.  Upham ’s  position  is  not  well  taken.  In  doing  so  I will  quote 
from  Mr.  Upham ’s  own  work,  “First  White  Men  in  Minnesota.” 

William  Kingsford.  The  History  of  Canada.  (Toronto,  1887- 
98;  ten  volumes.)  Pages  1-12  and  45-49,  in  volume  III,  1889, 
notice  the  relation  of  Groseilliers  and  Radisson  to  the  beginnings 
of  English  commerce  with  the  region  of  Hudson  bay.  The  author 
ignores  the  narratives  of  the  four  land  expeditions,  ascribed  to 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


45 


Radisson ’s  authorship,  in  the  volume  published  by  the  Prince 
Society,  declaring  that  part  to  be  “without  value”  and  appar- 
ently “the  work  of  a writer  of  fiction.” 

Fie  says:  “It  is  difficult  to  find  authority  for  the  statement 

put  forth  of  the  original  discovery  of  Hudson’s  Bay  by  des  Gro- 
seilliers  and  Radisson,  on  which  so  much  stress  has  been  laid” 
(page  5);  and  again:  “The  names  of  two  commonplace  adven- 
turers have  obtained  mention  in  the  chronicles  of  those  days,  to 
which  they  are  in  no  way  entitled,  from  the  circumstances  that 
they  were  brought  forward  by  the  French,  for  want  of  a better 
argument  to  sustain  their  pretensions  to  early  discovery” 
(page  12). 

Legler,  Henry  E.  “Leading  Events  of  Wisconsin  History.” 
(Milwaukee,  1898;  pages  322.)  The  travels  of  Groseilliers  and 
Radisson  are  noticed  in  pages  24,  47-51  and  137.  Although  chap- 
ter II  details  somewhat  fully  “The  Strange  Adventures  of  Radis- 
son,” the  routes  and  dates  of  the  expeditions  are  not  exactly 
stated.  Concerning  their  supposed  journeying  to  the  Mississippi 
river,  the  author  thinks  that  “evidence  is  lacking  to  prove  the 
surmise.  ’ ’ 

Ogg,  Frederic  Austin.  “The  Opening  of  the  Mississippi;  a 
Struggle  for  Supremacy  in  the  American  Interior.”  (New  York, 
1904;  pages  670.)  The  far  western  travels  of  Groseilliers  and 
Radisson  are  considered  in  pages  53-56.  Their  first  expedition  is 
conjectured  to  have  been  in  1654-56,  they  being  the  unnamed 
French  traders  who  are  mentioned  in  the  Jusuit  relation.  A sec- 
ond expedition  is  thought  to  have  been  made  by  Groseilliers  in 
1658-59,  “trading  and  exploring  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Superior,” 
with  return  to  the  St.  Lawrence  “in  the  spring  of  1659.”  Next, 
“within  a few  weeks,”  Groseilliers  and  Radisson  traveled  again 
to  Lake  Superior,  this  time  exploring  the  south  shore  to  La  Pointe 
and  Chequamegon  bay,  spending  the  winter  in  “many  excursions 
among  the  surrounding  tribes,”  and  returning  to  lower  Canada  in 
the  summer  of  1660.  Groseilliers  and  other  traders  are  said  to 
have  made  a later  expedition  to  Lake  Superior,  going  in  August, 
1660,  and  returning  in  1663.  It  is  thought  that  they  did  not  reach 
the  Mississippi  river  . in  any  of  these  expeditions,  though  coming 
to  some  of  its  eastern  tributaries.  This  author  makes  no  refer- 
encedo  Radisson ’s  assertions  that  they  went  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico 
and  to  Hudson  bay. 

Neill,  Edward  D.  “Groseilliers  and  Radisson,  the  First  Ex- 
plorers of  Lake  Superior  and  the  State  of  Minnesota.”  (Maga- 
zine of  Western  History,  volume  VII,  pages  412-421,  February, 
1888.)  The  following  footnote,  on  page  413.  explains  why  so  little 
care  was  taken  to  follow  the  narratives  of  Radisson  in  this  con- 
fused and  unwarrantable  account  of  the  expeditions  to  the  region 


46 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


of  Minnesota:  "The  journals  of  Radisson,  published  by  the 

Prince  Society  of  Boston,  in  1885,  cannot  be  trusted  for  dates,  but 
are  correct  in  the  description  of  the  customs  of  the  tribes  he 
visited.  Neill,  Edward  D.  Wisconsin  Historical  Society  Col- 
lections, volume  X,  188,  pages  292-297.  Accepting  the  supposed 
chronology  of  the  Prince  Society’s  volume,  the  first  western  expe- 
dition is  referred  to  the  years  1658-60  and  the  second  to  1662-63 
or  1664.  Neill,  Edward  D.  Macalaster  College  Contributions, 
first  series,  1890;  pages  86-94,  223-224.  The  expedition  to  Lake 
Superior,  narrated  by  Radisson,  is  restricted  to  about  one  year, 
in  1659-60;  and  two  later  expeditions  by  Groseilliers  are  noted, 
with  return  from  the  last  August  5,  1663.  Perrot’s  account  of  the 
wanderings  of  the  Hurons  and  Ottawas  is  translated;  but  no  sug- 
gestion appears  that  Radisson ’s  “first  landing  isle,”  not  here 
mentioned,  was  their  place  of  refuge,  “Prairie  Island”  (Pelee) 
on  the  Mississippi. 

McCormick,  lion.  Robert  Laird.  A short  letter,  dated  Decem- 
ber 26,  1902,  is  published  by  Hon.  J.  Y.  Brower  in  volume  VI  of 
his  “Memoirs  of  Explorations  in  the  Basin  of  the  Mississippi,” 
1903,  page  72.  In  this  letter  Mr.  McCormick  writes:  “Histor- 

ical students  would  welcome  further  information  regarding  the 
travels  of  these  two  explorers  who  doubtless  saw  the  upper  Mis- 
sissippi years  before  Joliet  and  Marquette,  but  in  the  absence  of 
documentary  testimony  it  is  presumption  to  seriously  claim  that 
Radisson  crossed  Wisconsin  on  snowshoes  from  Green  Bay  to  the 
Mississippi  river  in  1654-55.” 

Moore,  Charles.  “The  Discovers  of  Lake  Superior.”  (Publi- 
cations of  the  Michigan  Political  Science  Association,  volume  II, 
pages  199-211.  Ann  Arbor,  January,  1897.)  The  two  western 
journeys  of  Groseilliers  and  Radisson  are  referred  to  1658-60  and 
1661-63.  It  is  doubted  that  they  saw  the  Mississippi,  but  the 
claim  of  an  overland  trip  to  Hudson  bay  is  accepted.  The  chro- 
nology carefully  studied  out  a year  before  by  Campbell  is  con- 
sidered and  rejected. 

I quote  the  following  from  “Memoirs  of  Exploration  in  the 
Basin  of  the  Mississippi,”  volume  VI.  Minnesota.  By  J.  V. 
Brower:  “At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Minnesota  Historical 

Society  held  at  St.  Paul,  January  13,  1902,  Warren  Upham  deliv- 
ered an  address  containing  expressions  of  opinion  concerning  the 
original  discovery  of  the  area  of  Minnesota  by  Peter  Esprit  Rad- 
isson and  Medard  Chouart  in  the  spring  months  of  1655.  Those 
opinions  were  placed  in  writing,  ordered  printed  and  were  about 
to  be  adopted  as  adequate  history.  Indeed,  Mr.  Upham  was  so 
positive  concerning  the  results  of  his  study  of  Radisson ’s  narra- 
tives that  at  page  83,  Kathio,  announcement  was  made  that  Radis- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


47 


son  ‘must  be  accredited  as  the  discoverer  of  Minnesota  first  at 
Prairie  Island  in  1655,’  etc. 

“That  statement  is  erroneous  and  I now  expunge  it  from  my 
volume  IV,  above  mentioned.  After  a careful  investigation  of  the 
historic  record  so  far  as  the  same  is  available  at  St.  Paul.  I have 
reached  what  is  to  me  sufficient  conclusion  that  Mr.  Upham’s 
opinions  concerning  Radisson’s  explorations  cannot  be  safely 
accepted  or  adopted  as  a part  and  portion  of  the  history  of  the 
discovery  of  Minnesota.  Before  I proceeded  to  Prairie  Island, 
where  I fully  expected  to  discover  an  extensive  Huron  Indian  vil- 
lage site,  Mr.  Upham  was  requested  to  contribute  for  the  pages 
of  this  volume  on  account  of  the  results  of  his  studies  concerning 
the  original  discovery  of  the  area  of  Minnesota.  As  soon  as  it 
was  ascertained  that  no  adequate  Huron  village  site  comparable 
with  the  descriptions  given  by  Mr.  Upham  could  be  found  on 
Prairie  Island,  he  Avas  requested  to  correct  his  manuscript  to  con- 
form to  such  actual  proofs  as  might  be  surely  ascertained,  thereby 
protecting  the  credibility  and  accuracy  of  Minnesota  history.  Mr. 
Upham  has  repeatedly  and  positively  refused  to  comply  with  that 
reasonable  request,  incidentally  urging  that  his  statement  be  pub- 
lished herein  as  originally  written.  I comply  with  that  request  in 
order  to  review  for  the  benefit  of  Minnesota  history  the  fallacies 
and  inaccuracies  which  his  article  contains,  similar  to  the  review 
which  he  has  himself  extended  against  the  published  treatise  on 
the  same  subject  by  the  late  Captain  Russell  Blakely.  That  man- 
ner of  procedure  is  by  me  deemed  to  be  the  only  substantial  way 
to  guard  against  some  egregious  errors  which  are  about  to  be 
precipitated  against  the  integrity  and  stability  of  our  state 
history. 

“I  have  failed  to  discover  any  substantial  declaration,  written 
or  printed,  definitely  indicating  that  Peter  Esprit  Radisson,  who 
Avas  in  Europe  in  the  early  part  of  1654,  arrived  at  or  near  Pox 
river,  Wisconsin,  the  same  year.  His  movements  during  the  years 
1654  and  1655,  after  he  arrived  in  New  France  from  Europe,  are 
unknown,  unaccounted  for  and  developed  in  uncertainty  and 
obscurity.  Any  statement  declaring  that  he  certainly  proceeded 
direct  from  Europe  to  Prairie  Island  betAAmen  the  late  spring 
months  of  1654  and  the  early  spring  of  1655  (conducting  a suoav- 
shoe  voyage  across  the  present  area  of  Wisconsin  as  an  incidental 
necessity),  unsupported  by  any  definite  corroborative  evidence 
except  the  vague  falsifications  contained  in  the  book  entitled 
‘Radisson’s  Narratives,’  is  insufficient  historical  data  upon  which 
to  base  the  history  of  the  discovery  of  Minnesota.  The  fact  that 
tAvo  nameless  persons  proceeded  westward  from  Quebec  in  1654 
is  not  definite  corroborative  evidence. 

“Does  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society  propose  to  force  upon 


48 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


its  sister  society  at  Madison,  Wis.,  as  a part  of  the  history  of  that 
state,  an  alleged  snowshoe  voyage  urged  in  the  foregoing  paper 
as  certainly  having  been  made  by  Radisson  and  Chouart  in  1655 
from  Green  Bay  to  the  Mississippi?  The  historians  of  that  state 
have  rejected  the  proposition  and  it  has  been  declared  to  be  a 
presumption  to  force  upon  them  an  unwelcome  page  in  their  his- 
tory which  lacks  any  confirmation  whatsoever  of  a reliable  char- 
acter. The  opinion  of  one  writer  unsupported  by  sufficient  con- 
firmatory evidence  cannot  and  ought  not  to  unduly  influence  the 
history  of  the  discovery  of  the  area  of  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota, 
■especially  so  in  the  event  that  all  the  facts  concerning  Radisson 
have  not  become  fully  known  so  that  we  can  advisedly  and  dis- 
cretely complete  our  history  harmoniously  with  a neighboring 
■society.” 

From  these  opinions  Mr.  Upham  reaches  the  following  conclu- 
sion : “In  view  of  the  very  diverse  opinions  expressed  by  the 

many  writers  .cited  in  the  foregoing  bibliography,  concerning  the 
routes  and  dates  of  the  western  expeditions  of  Groseilliers  and 
Radisson,  it  would  certainly  be  unreasonable  for  the  present 
writer  to  expect  his  studies  and  conclusions,  stated  in  this  paper, 
to  be  accepted  without  challenge  and  adverse  discussions.  It  will 
require  probably  many  years  for  historians  to  reach  a general 
agreement  as  to  the  interpretation  of  Radisson ’s  uncouth  but 
•exceedingly  interesting  narratives  of  these  earliest  expeditions  to 
the  upper  Mississippi  river  (if,  indeed,  he  came  there,  which  some 
deny)  and  to  the  area  which  is  now  Minnesota. 

“Careful  studies  of  this  subject  during  seven  years  have  led 
me  to  believe,  with  full  confidence,  that  the  arguments  and  results 
here  presented  are  true,  and  that  they  will  ultimately  be  so 
received  by  all  students  of  our  Northwestern  history.”  This 
appears  on  the  last  page  of  the  book  entitled  “First,  White  Men 
in  Minnesota,”  by  Mr.  Upham,  and  appears  to  me  to  be  in  the 
nature  of  an  apology  to  the  readers  by  the  author  for  having 
asked  the  public  to  consider  in  a serious  manner  the  proposition 
that  these  two  French  adventurers  were  ever  within  two  hundred 
miles  of  Prairie  Island. 

The  first,  European  to  explore  the  Mississippi  above  the  mouth 
of  the  Wisconsin,  the  first,  to  set  foot  on  the  soil  of  Goodhue 
county,  was  undoubtedly  Father  Louis  Hennepin,  a Franciscan 
priest  of  the  Recollect  Order.  LaSalle,  in  February,  1680,  had 
erected  a fort  on  an  eminence  near  Lake  Peoria,  in  Illinois,  and 
from  this  point  he  determined  to  send  an  expedition  up  the  Mis- 
sissippi. For  this  task  he  selected  three  of  his  faithful  followers. 
Accordingly,  on  February  29,  Father  Hennepin,  with  two  compan- 
ions named  Picard  du  Gay  and  Michael  Accault,  set  out  in  a canoe 
for  the  upper  Minnesota.  On  the  way  they  fell  in  with  a band  of 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


49 


Sioux  on  the  warpath  against  the  Illinois  and  the  Miami  nations. 
This  party  accompanied  the  Frenchmen  up  the  river,  evidently  in 
doubt  as  to  whether  they  should  scalp  them  or  treat  them  as 
friends.  On  their  way  up  the  party  slept  one  night  in  April  or 
May,  1680,  at  the  head  of  Lake  Pepin,  near  Point  La  Saub.  A 
few  leagues  up  the  river,  probably  about  where  Red  Wing  is  now 
located,  Hennepin  and  his  party  landed.  A chief,  probably  Red 
Wing,  went  down  to  the  shore,  and  telling  the  party  to  leave 
their  canoes,  pulled  up  three  piles  of  grass  for  seats.  Then  taking 
a piece  of  cedar  full  of  little  holes  he  placed  a stick  into  one  and 
revolved  it  between  the  palms  of  his  hands  until  he  kindled  a fire. 
During  the  meeting  the  chief  informed  the  Frenchmen  that  they 
would  be  at  Mille  Lacs  in  six  days.  According  to  Hennepin  the 
whites  were  held  in  captivity;  according  to  Aecault  they  Avere 
not.  At  any  rate,  they  Avent  northward  AATitli  the  Indians  and 
went  to  the  region  of  Mille  Lacs,  where  they  arrived  early  in 
May,  Permission  Avas  then  given  to  Hennepin  and  Auguelle 
(Pickard)  to  return  in  a canoe  doAvn  the  Mississippi  to  the  mouth 
of  the  Wisconsin,  Avhere  they  hoped  to  find  a reinforcement  of 
Frenchmen  as  Avell  as  goods  and  ammunition.  Meantime  Accault 
was  left  with  the  Indians,  possibly  as  a hostage.  On  this  voyage 
down  the  river,  Hennepin  and  Pickard  again  passed  the  bluffs  of 
Goodhue  county.  Further  doAvn  the  river  they  AATere  again  cap- 
tured, according  to  Hennepin,  and  finding  no  Frenchmen  at  the 
spot  Avhere  they  hoped,  late  in  July  the  party  of  Indians  and 
Frenchmen  made  their  Avay  up  the  Mississippi  and  met  DuLuth 
and  several  French  soldiers  who  had  come  from  Lake  Superior 
hv  the  canoe  route  of  the  Brule  and  St.  Croix  rivers.  They  all 
then  Avent  back  to  the  Isanti  villages  near  Mille  Lacs,  Avhere 
DuLuth  the  preAuous  year  had  met  the  Indians  in  council  and 
endeavored  to  sIaoav  them  Avliat  benefits  they  Avould  I’eceive  from 
trading  with  the  French.  DuLuth  sharply  reprimanded  the  sav- 
ages for  their  attitude  toward  Hennepin  and  his  companions,  aaTlo 
henceforth  had  no  reason  to  complain  of  their  treatment.  In  the 
autumn  (1681),  on  pretense  of  bringing  goods  to  establish  a trad- 
ing post,  DuLuth,  Hennepin  and  other  Frenchmen  were  allowed 
to  depart.  On  their  journey  down  the  Mississippi  they  again  passed 
Goodhue  county,  this  time  with  DuLuth  and  his  companions. 
According  to  Sieur  DuLuth.  the  Indians  near  the  source  of  Run 
river,  this  state,  near  the  latter  end  of  September,  1681,  held  a 
great  council,  at  Avhich  Ousicoude  (Wacoota),  the  head  chief, 
prepared  for  them  a chart  of  the  route,  by  the  way  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi and  Wisconsin,  to  Green  Bay.  “Minnesota  Historical 
Collections,  volume  1,  page  316  (note).  The  name  of  the  chief  in 
Dakota  was  Wazikute  (Wah-zee-koo-tay),  or  the  ‘Shooter  of  the 
Pines.’  Long’s  expedition  in  1823  met  a Dakota  at  Red  AYing 


50 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


who  bore  the  same  name  as  the  chief  alluded  to  in  the  travels  of 
Hennepin.” 

Le  Sueur  had  visited  Prairie  Island  and  established  a trading 
post  in  1695,  after  having  prevailed  upon  the  Dakota  and  Chip- 
pewa Indians  to  recognize  the  island  as  neutral  ground,  bury  the 
hatchet,  and  live  together  in  friendly  intercourse,  for  the  purpose 
of  amusement  and  trade. 

Of  this  post.  La  TIarpe,  in  the  introduction  of  his  narrative  of 
Le  Sueur’s  mining  expedition  in  1700,  wrote  as  follows,  according 
to  Shea’s  translation:  “M.  Le  Sueur,  by  order  of  the  Coimt  de 
Frontenac,  Governor  General  of  Canada,  built  a fort  on  an  island 
in  the  Mississippi,  more  than  200  leagues  above  the  Illinois,  in 
order  to  effect  a peace  between  the  Sauteurs  nations  (Ojibways), 
who  dwell  on  the  shores  of  a lake  of  five  hundred  leagues  circum- 
ference (Lake  Superior),  one  hundred  leagues  east  of  the  river, 
and  the  Sioux,  posted  on  the  upper  Mississippi.  The  same  year, 
according  to  his  orders,  he  went  down  to  Montreal  in  Canada  with 
a Sauteur  chief  named  Chingouabe  and  a Sioux  named  Cioscate 
(Tioscate),  who  was  the  first  of  his  nation  who  had  seen  Canada.” 

Penicaut  wrote  of  Prairie  Island,  as  translated  by  Hill:  “At 
the  end  of  the  lake  (Pepin)  you  come  to  Bald  Island,  so  called 
because  there  are  no  trees  on  it.  It  is  on  this  island  that  the 
French  from  Canada  established  their  fort  and  storehouse  when 
they  come  to  trade  for  furs  and  other  merchandise,  and  they  also 
winter  here  because  game  is  very  abundant  in  the  prairies  on 
both  shores  of  the  river.  In  the  month  of  September  they  bring 
their  store  of  meat  there  procured  by  hunting,  and  after  having 
skinned  and  cleaned  it,  place  it  upon  a sort  of  raised  scaffold  near 
the  cabin,  in  order  that  the  extreme  cold,  which  lasts  from  the 
month  of  September  to  the  end  of  March,  may  hinder  it  from  cor- 
rupting during  the  winter,  which  is  very  severe  in  that  country. 
During  the  whole  winter  they  do  not  go  out  except  for  water, 
when  they  have  to  break  the  ice  every  day;  and  the  cabin  is  gen- 
erally built  on  the  bank,  so  as  not  to  have  to  go  far.  When  spring 
arrives  the  savages  come  to  the  island,  bringing  their  merchan- 
dise, which  consists  of  all  kinds  of  furs,  as  beaver,  otter,  marten, 
lynx  and  many  others — the  bear  skins  are  generally  used  to  cover 
the  canoes  of  the  savages  and  Canadians.  There  are  often  savages 
who  pillage  the  French  Canadian  traders,  among  others  the  sav- 
ages of  a village  composed  of  the  five  different  nations,  and  which 
have  each  their  own  name ; that  is,  the  Sioux,  the  people  of  the 
big  village ; the  Mententons,  the  Mencouacantons,  the  Ouyates- 
pony  and  other  Sioux  of  the  plains.  Three  leagues  higher  up, 
after  leaving  this  island,  you  meet  on  the  right  the  river  St. 
Croix.” 

From  Charlevoix,  in  the  third  volume  of  this  history  of  New 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


51 


France,  published  in  1744,  the  following  brief  description  of  this 
island  is  translated:  “On  going  above  the  lake  (Pepin)  one 

comes  to  Isle  Pelee,  so  named  because  it  has  not  a single  tree,  but 
is  a very  beautiful  prairie.  The  French  of  Canada  have  often 
made  it  the  center  of  their  trade  in  these  western  districts,  and 
many  have  also  wintered  there,  because  all  this  country  is  excel- 
lent for  hunting.  ’ ’ 

There  have  been  found  on  Prairie  Island  in  modern  times  such 
articles  as  iron  axes  of  very  ancient  make,  “ strike-a-light  ” flint- 
lock guns,  pistols,  etc.,  indicating  an  early  occupation  by  whites 
long  previous  to  the  settlement  in  1837-53. 

The  next  occupancy  of  this  county  by  Europeans  was  in  1727, 
when  Fort  Beauharnois  was  erected. 

Rev.  Neill  says:  “In  June,  1727,  an  expedition  left  Montreal 
under  Rene  Boucher,  Sieur  de  la  Perriere,  to  establish  a post  on 
Lake  Pepin.  His  party,  arriving  there  on  September  17  follow- 
ing, built  a post,  according  to  Father  Guignas,  upon  the  western 
shore  of  Lake  Pepin,  about  the  middle  of  the  north  side,  on  a Ioav 
point  where  the  soil  is  excellent.  Fe  are  here  on  the  parallel  of 
43  degrees  and  41  minutes.”  Again  Neill  says:  “Frontenac,  in 
Goodhue  county,  occupied  the  site  of  this  old  fort,  and  recently  a 
four  and  a six-pound  cannon  ball  were  found  at  the  railway  sta- 
tion five  feet  below  the  surface.  It  is  noteworthy  that  Sieur  La 
Perriere  Boucher,  the  officer  in  command  of  the  Indians  who  sur- 
prised Haverhill.  Mass.,  killed  the  minister  of  the  town,  scalped 
his  wife  and  broke  the  skull  of  his  child  against  a rock,  and  shot 
one  Samuel  Sibley,  said  to  be  a relative  of  Hon.  II.  H.  Sibley,  of 
St.  Paul,  was  the  person  who  established  this  post  at  Point  an 
Sable  of  Lake  Pepin.  A connection  of  the  leader  of  the  expedi- 
tion was  the  wife  of  a person  named  Pepin  (Jean  Pepin),  and 
this  may  account  for  the  name  of  the  lake.  The  post  was  located 
at  the  Sandy  Point,  which  extends  into  Lake  Pepin  opposite 
Maiden’s  Rock.  Boucher  built  a stockade  of  pickets  twelve  feet 
high,  forming  a square  of  100  feet,  with  two  bastions,  and  called 
the  post  Fort  Beauharnois,  in  compliment  to  the  governor  of 
Canada.  On  April  15,  1728,  the  water  in  the  lake  was  unusually 
high  and  overflowed  the  point,  so  that  the  log  buildings  within 
the  enclosure  were  full  of  water  and  it  was  necessary,  for  two 
weeks,  to  dwell  upon  higher  ground.  The  principal  trader  at  the 
post  at  this  time  was  the  Sieur  de  Mont  Brun  Boucher,  a brother 
of  the  commandant ; and  the  armorer  and  blacksmith  was  Francis 
Campau,  a brother  of  him  who  settled  at  Detroit,  and  whose 
descendants  are  so  numerous  in  Michigan. 

“Owing  to  the  hostility  of  the  Renarcls,  or  Fox  Indians,  early 
in  October,  1728,  the  post  was  left  in  charge  of  a young  man,  the 
Sieur  Dutrost  Jemeraye,  and  a few  voyagers,  while  the  rest  placed 


52 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


the  goods  in  canoes,  retreated  down  the  Mississippi  toward  the 
Illinois  river  and  were  captured  by  allies  of  the  Renards.  The 
Sieur  Jemeraye,  early  in  1729,  abandoned  the  post,  and  nothing 
was  done  toward  its  re-establishment.  In  March,  1730,  the  Sieur 
Marin,  a bold  officer,  moved  against  and  had  an  engagement  of 
the  ‘warmest  character’  with  the  Renards  in  Wisconsin;  and  in 
September  of  the  same  year  another  French  force  attacked  them, 
killed  many  of  their  warriors  and  compelled  them  to  escape. 

“After  this  defeat  of  the  Foxes  it  was  determined  to  build  a 
new  post  on  higher  ground,  yet  in  the  vicinity  of  the  first  stock- 
ade, which  had  been  destroyed.  The  new  commandant  was 
Sieur  Portneuf.  Linctot ’s  son,  Campau  and  several  others  were 
licensed  to  trade  with  the  Sioux.  Linctot  passed  the  winter  of 
1731-32  at  ‘ Mantagne  Quitrempe  Dans  L’eau,’  now  corrupted  to 
Trempealeau,  and  early  in  the  spring  of  1732  proceeded  to  the 
vicinity  of  Sandy  Point,  Lake  Pepin,  and  found  at  the  site  of  the 
old  stockade  a large  number  of  Sioux  aAvaiting  his  arrival.  Select- 
ing a better  position,  he  erected  a larger  post,  the  pickets  enclos- 
ing 120  feet  square,  and  there  were  four  bastions.  The  Sieur 
Linctot,  in  1733,  asked  to  be  relieved,  and  the  able  officer,  Sieur 
Legardeur  St.  Pierre,  Avas  sent  to  command.  Upon  the  6th  of 
May,  1736,  St.  Pierre  was  informed  by  letters  from  Lake  Superior 
of  the  dreadful  massacre  of  tAventy-one  Frenchmen  on  an  island 
in  the  Lake  of  the  Woods  by  .a  party  of  Sioux.  The  16th  of  Sep- 
tember there  came  to  the  Lake  Pepin  post  a party  of  Sioux  with 
some  beaver  skins  as  a pledge  of  friendship,  and  the  next  day 
another  party,  one  of  whom  Avore  in  his  ear  a silver  pendant. 
When  asked  by  St.  Pierre  how  he  obtained  the  ornament  he 
refused  to  ansAver,  and  the  captain  tore  it  from  his  ear  and  found 
that  it  Avas  similar  in  Avorkmanship  to  those  sold  by  the  .traders, 
and  then  placed  him  under  guard.  The  Sioux,  in  December,  Avere 
unruly,  and  burned  the  pickets  around  the  garden  of  Guignas, 
chaplain  of  the  post.  In  the  spring  of  1737  a war  party  of 
OjibAvays  appeared  from  the  St.  Louis  river  of  Lake  Superior, 
and  wished  to  attack  the  Sioux,  and  threatened  St.  Pierre ; and 
after  conferring  with  the  son  of  Linctot,  the  second  officer,  in 
May,  1737,  lie  set  fire  to  the  post  and  descended  the  Mississippi. 

“After  a few  years  the  Sioux  begged  that  the  French  Avould 
return  to  Lake  Pepin,  and  in  1750  the  governor  of  Canada  sent 
the  great  Indian  fighter  and  stern  officer,  Pierre  Paul  Marin,  to 
take  command  there,  and  Marin’s  son  was  stationed  at  Chagaua- 
migon,  on  Lake. Superior.  In  1752  Marin  the  elder  was  relieved 
at  Lake  Pepin  and  his  son  became  his  successor.  The  war  betAveen 
the  French  and  English,  which  continued  several  years,  led  to  the 
abandonment  of  the  post  at  Lake  Pepin.  Captain  Jonathan  Car- 
ver,  the  first  British  traveler  in  Minnesota,  mentioned  in  his  book 


- HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Ou 


of'  travels  in  1766  he  observed  the  ruins  of  a French  factory 
(trading  post),  where,  it  is  said,  Captain  St.  Pierre  resided,  and 
carried  on  a very  great  trade  with  the  Naudowessies  before  the 
reduction  of  Canada. 

“Lieutenant  Pike,  the  first  officer  of  the  United  States  army, 
to  pass  through  Lake  Pepin,  writing  in  1805  of  Point  au  Sable, 
or  Sandy  Point,  which  he  reached  on  the  same  day  of  the  same 
month  as  La  Perriere  in  1727.  observes:  "The  French,  under  the 
government  of  M.  Frontenac,  drove  the  Renards,  or  Otaguainies, 
from  the  Ouisconsing,  and  pursued  them  up  the  Mississippi ; and 
as  a barrier  built  a stockade  on  Lake  Pepin  on  the  west  shore 
just  below  Point  au  Sable ; and,  as  was  generally  the  case  with 
that  nation,  blended  the  military  and  mercantile  professions  by- 
making  their  fort  a factory  for  the  Sioux.’ 

“A  short  distance  from  the  extreme  end  of  the  point,  near  the 
mouth  of  what  Pike,  on  his  map,  calls  Sandy  Point,  there  is  an 
eminence  from  which  there  is  an  extensive  view  of  Lake  Pepin 
below  and  above  the  sandy  peninsula.” 

There  is  evidence  that  there  had  been  once  a clearing  there, 
and  it  is  the  most  suitable  spot  in  the  vicinity  for  a stockade,  and 
visible  to  anyone  coming  up  in  a boat  from  the  bend  near  where 
Lake  City  is  now  situated.  By  the  valley  of  the  creek  the  Sioux 
of  the  prairies  could  readily  bring  their  peltries  to  the  post.  The 
cannon  balls  found  in  the  ground  at  Frontenac  station  may  have 
been  discharged  in  some  engagement  with  hostile  Indians,  or  they 
may  have  been  taken  from  the  fort,  after  its  abandonment,  and 
placed  in  a cache. 

In  the  meantime,  there  were  probably  many  explorers  and 
traders  who  passed  Goodhue  county  ; but  the  next  one  of  whom 
we  have  an  authentic  record  is  Jonathan  Carver,  the  first  native 
white  American  to  explore  the  Mississippi.  He  did  not,  however, 
land  at  Red  Wing,  but  passed  by  on  the  other  side  of  the  island, 
through  what  is  known  as  the  back  channel. 

Then  came  the  sturdy  sailor,  Zebulon  M.  Pike,  who  carried 
the  American  flag,  and  informed  the  Indians  that  the  President 
of  the  United  States,  and  not  a European  monarch,  was  now 
their  great  father.  Pike  passed  Red  AYing  on  September  18. 1805. 
on  his  way  up  the  river.  Of  Pike’s  visit  to  Red  Wing  he  himself 
wrote:  “Embarked  after  breakfast.  Mr.  Cameron  with  his  boats 
came  on  with  me,  crossed  the  lake,  rounded  it,  and  took  an  obser- 
vation at  the  upper  end.  I embarked  in  one  of  his  canoes,  and  we 
came  up  Canoe  river  (Cannon  river),  where  there  was  a small 
band  of  Sioux,  under  the  command  of  Red  Wing,  the  second  war- 
chief  of  the  nation.  He  made  me  a speech  and  presented  a pipe, 
punch  and  a buffalo  skin.  He  appeared  a man  of  sense,  and  prom- 
ised to  accompany  me  to  St.  Peters.”  I think  that  on  September 


54 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


18,  1805,  Lieutenant  Pike,  for  the  first  time  in  history,  spoke  the 
English  name  of  the  Sioux  chieftain  Reel  Wing.  On  his  return 
trip  he  calls  him  by  his  French  name,  Aile  Rouge.  Continuing  his 
narrative  of  the  trip  up  the  river,  Pike  says:  “We  encamped  on 
the  end  of  the  island,  and  although  not  more  than  11  o’clock,  were 
obliged  to  stay  all  night;  distance  eighteen  miles.” 

Lieutenant  Pike  writes  after  that,  leaving  his  camp  on  the 
island,  he  proceeded  to  the  mouth  of  the  Minnesota  river,  then 
known  as  St.  Peter,  when  on  the  23rd  of  September,  1805,  he  held 
a council  with  some  of  the  Dakota  chiefs,  and  purchased  from  the 
Dakota  Indians  a large  portion  of  land  now  known  as  Fort  Snell- 
ing.  Somewhere  above  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Croix  and  below  the 
mouth  of  the  Minnesota  rivers,  Pike  notes  the  following:  “I  ob- 
served a white  flag  on  shore  today,  and  on  landing  observed  it  to 
be  white  silk;  it  was  suspended  over  a scaffold,  on  which  were 
laid  four  dead  bodies,  tAvo  enclosed  in  boards  and  two*in  bark. 
They  Avere  the  bodies,  I Avas  informed,  of  two  Sioux  women  who 
had  lived  Avith  tAvo  Frenchmen,  one  of  their  children  and  some 
other  relative,  two  of  whom  died  at  St.  Peter  and  tAvo  at  St.  Croix. 
This  is  the  manner  of  the  Sioux  burial,  Avlien  persons  die  a natural 
death ; but  Avhen  they  are  killed  they  suffer  them  to  remain  un- 
buried. This  circumstance  brought  to  my  recollection  the  bones 
of  a man  I found  on  the  hills  beloAv  the  St.  Croix.  The  jawkone 
I brought  on  board.  He  must  haAn  been  killed  on  the  spot. 
Distance  twenty-four  miles.” 

The  names  of  some  of  the  chiefs  that  signed  the  treaty  grant- 
ing the  United  States  the  land  spoken  of  above  are  familiar  to 
our  people.  I quote  from  the  “St.  Paul  Daily  Democrat”  of  May 
24,  1854,  aii  article  by  Dr.  Thomas  Foster:  “LeBoccasse  should 
be  written  ‘Bras  Casse, ’ or  ‘Broken  Arm.’  His  Indian  name  was, 
I believe,  Wa-kan-tah-pay,  and  as  late  as  1825  he  Avas  still  living 
at  his  small  village,  AYahpaykootans,  on  a lake  near  the  Minne- 
sota, some  five  or  six  miles  beloAv  Prairie  La  Flech,  noAV  LeSueur. 
The  last  named  on  the  list  is  Le  Bouef  que  Marche,  the  ‘Walking 
Buffalo,’  or  Tah-taw-kah-mah-me.  He  Avas  a kind  of  sub-chief 
of  old  Wabasha,  avIio  Avas  not  present,  being  also  called  Red  Wing, 
and  it  is  from  him  that  the  name  of  the  Adllage  at  the  head  of  Lake 
Pepin  derives  its  name.  He  Avas  the  father  of  Wah-koo-tay,  the 
present  old  chieftain  of  the  Red  AA7ing  band.”  After  Pike  had 
concluded  the  treaty  at  the  mouth  of  the  Minnesota,  he  continued 
on  up  the  river,  for,  as  he  states,  a distance  of  two  hundred  and 
thirty  miles,  and  Avent  into  camp  for  some  time.  In  the  spring  of 
1806  he  revisited  Red  AA7ing  again;  but  I shall  let  him  tell  the 
story  himself. 

“April  13,  Sunday. — AVe  embarked  after  breakfast  Messrs. 
Frazer  and  AArood  accompanied  me.  Wind  strong  ahead.  They 


HISTORY  OR  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


55 


■outrowed  us ; the  first  boat  or  canoe  we  met  with  on  the  voyage 
able  to  do  it,  but  then  they  were  double  manned  and  light.  Ar- 
rived at  the  band  of  the  Aile  Rouge  (Red  Whig)  at  two  o’clock, 
where  we  were  saluted  as  usual.  AVe  had  a council,  when  he 
spoke  with  more  than  detestation  of  the  rascals  at  the  mouth  of 
the  St.  Peter’s  than  any  man  I had  yet  heard.  He  assured  me, 
speaking  of  the  fellow  who  had  fired  on  my  sentinel  and  threat- 
ened to  kill  me,  that  if  I thought  it  requisite,  he  should  be  killed ; 
but  that,  as  there  were  many  chiefs  above  with  whom  he  wished 
to  speak,  he  hoped  I-  would  remain  one  day,  when  all  the  Sioux 
would  be  down,  and  I might  have  the  command  of  a thousand 
men  of  them,  that  I would  probably  think  it  no  honor ; but  that 
the  British  used  to  flatter  them ; they  were  proud  of  having  them 
for.  soldiers.  I replied  in  general  terms,  and  assured  him  it  was 
not  for  the  conduct  of  two  or  three  rascals  that  I meant  to  pass 
over  all  the  good  treatment  I had  received  from  the  Sioux  nation, 
but  that  in  general  council  I would  explain  myself.  That  as  to 
the  scoundrel  who  fired  at  my  sentinel,  had  I been  at  home  the 
Sioux  nation  would  never  have  been  troubled  with  him,  for  I 
would  have  killed  him  on  the  spot.  But  that  my  young  men  did 
not  do  it,  apprehensive  that  I would  be  displeased.  I then  gave 
him  the  news  of  the  Sauteurs;  that  as  to  remaining  one  day  it 
would  be  of  no  service ; that  I was  much  pressed  to  arrive  below, 
as  my  general  expected  me,  my  duty  called  me,  and  that  the  state 
of  my  provision  demanded  the  utmost  expedition ; that  I would  be 
happy  to  oblige  him,  but  that  my  men  must  eat.  He  replied  that 
Lake  Pepin,  being  yet  shut  with  ice,  if  I Avent  on  and  encamped 
on  the  ice  it  would  not  get  me  provision.  That  he  would  send 
out  all  his  young  men  the  next  day,  and  that  if  the  other  bands 
did  not  arrive  he  Avould  depart  the  day  after  Avith  me.  In  short, 
after  much  talk,  I agreed  to  remain  one  day,  knowing  that  the 
lake  Avas  closed,  and  that  Ave  could  proceed  only  nine  miles  if  we 
Avent;  this  appeared  to  give  general  satisfaction.  I was  invited 
to  different  feasts,  and  entertained  at  one  by  a person  whose' 
father  Avas  enacted  a chief  by  the  Spaniards.  At  this  feast  I sa\v 
a man  (called  by  the  French  the  Roman  Nose,  and  by  the  Indians 
the  Wind  that  AValks)  who  was  formerly  the  second  chief  of  the 
Sioux,  but  being  the  cause  of  the  death  of  one  of  the  traders, 
seven  years  since,  he  Amluntarily  relinquished  the  dignity  and 
has  frequently  requested  to  be  given  up  to  the  Avliites.  But  he 
was  now  determined  to  go  to  St.  Louis  and  deliver  himself  up 
where  he  said  they  might  put  him  to  death.  His  long  repentance, 
the  great  confidence  of  the  nation  in  him,  Avould  perhaps  protect 
him  from  a punishment  which  the  crime  merited.  But  as  the 
crime  was  committed  long  before  the  United  States  assumed  its 
authority,  and  as  no  Iuav  of  theirs  could  affect  it,  unless  it  Avas 


56 


H1ST0EY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


ex-post  facto,  and  had  a retrospective  effect,  I conceived  it  would 
certainly  be  dispunishable  now.  I did  not  think  it  proper,  how- 
ever, to  inform,  him  so.  I here  received  a letter  from  Mr.  Rollet, 
partner  of  Mr.  Cameron,  with  a present  . of  some  brandy,  coffee, 
and  sugar.  I hesitated  about  receiving  those  articles  from  the 
partner  of  the  man  I intended  to  prosecute;  their  amount  being 
trifling,  however,  I accepted  of  them,  offering  him  pay.  I assured 
him  that  the  prosecution  arose  from  a sense  of  duty  and  not  from 
any  personal  prejudice.  My  canoe  did  not  come  up  in  conse- 
quence of  the  head  wind.  Sent  out  two  men  in  a canoe  to  set 
fishing  lines ; the  canoe  overset,  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  timely 
assistance  of  the  savages,  who  carried  them  into  their  lodges,  un- 
dressed them,  and  treated  them  with  the  greatest  humanity  and 
kindness,  they  must  inevitably  have  perished.  At  this  place  I was 
informed  that  the  rascal  spoken  of  as  having  threatened  my  life 
had  actually  cocked  his  gun  to  shoot  me  from  behind  the  hills, 
but  was  prevented  by  the  others. 

“April  Id.  Monday. — Was  invited  to  a feast  by  the  Roman 
Nose.  His  conversation  was  interesting,  and  shall  be  detailed 
hereafter.  The  other  Indians  had  not  yet  arrived.  Messrs.  Wood, 
Frazer,  and  myself,  ascended  a high  hill  called  the  Barn,  from 
which  we  had  a view  of  Lake  Pepin,  the  valley  through  which  the 
Mississippi  by  numerous  channels  wound  itself  to  the  St.  Croix; 
the  Cannon  river,  and  the  lofty  hills  on  each  side. 

“April  15,  Tuesday. — Arose  very  early  and  embarked  about 
sunrise,  much  to  the  astonishment  of  the  Indians,  who  were  en- 
tirely prepared  for  the  council  when  they  heard  I had  put  it  off ; 
however,  after  some  conversation  with  Mr.  Frazer,  they  acknowl- 
edged that  it  was  agreeable  to  what  I had  said,  that  I would  sail 
early,  and  that  they  could  not  blame  me.  I was  very  positive  in 
my  word,  for  I found  it  by  far  the  best  way  to  treat  the  Indians. 
The  Aile  Rouge  had  a beaver  robe  and  pipe  prepared  to  present, 
but  was  obliged  for  the  present  to  retain  it.” 

From  this  time  onward  all  the  early  celebrities  of  Minnesota 
passed  this  way  on  their  journey  to  Fort  Snelling  and  other  set- 
tlements that  were  afterward  made.  That  many  of  them  stopped 
with  the  Indians  at  Red  Wing  occasionally  is  not  unlikely.  In 
1823  the  first  steamboat,  the  “Virginia,”  from  St.  Louis,  came  up 
the  river,  and  up  to  May  26,  1826,  fifteen  steamers  had  passed 
Barn  Bluff.  After  that  they  became  more  frequent. 

Major  Long  was  ordered  by  the  War  Department  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1817  to  proceed  west  and  examine  sites  on  the  Wisconsin 
and  Mississippi  rivers  suitable  for  the  location  of  fortifications. 
“Minnesota  in  Three  Centuries,”  on  page  363,  Vol.  I,  gives  an 
account  of  Major  Long’s  visit  at  Red  Wing:  “The  next  day,  on 
July  18,  Long  similarly  examined  the  country  adjoining  the 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


57 


month  of  the  St.  Croix,  in  relation  to  its  advantages  for  a military 
post.  His  stock  of  provisions  was  already  nearly  exhausted,  and 
therefore  a delay  through  the  afternoon  was  allowed  at  the  vil- 
lage of  the  old  Sioux  chief  Red  Wing,  for  catching  fish,  and  Long 
ascended  the  Barn  Bluff,  called  by  its  French  name  of  the  Grange 
in  his  journal.  He  wrote:  ‘From  the  summit  of  the  Grange  the 
view  of  the  surrounding  scenery  is  surpassed,  perhaps,  by  very 
few,  if  any,  of  a similar  character  that  the  country  and  probably 
the  world  can  afford.  The  sublime  and  beautiful  are  here  blended 
in  the  most  enchanting  manner,  while  the  prospect  has  very  little 
to  terrify  or  shock  the  imagination.’  ” 

I cpiote  from  “Minnesota  in  Three  Centuries,”  Yol.  II,  pages 
37-38,  that  portion  of  Major  Forsyth’s  journal  that  pertains  to 
Red  Wing  : “At  Prairie  du  Chien  Colonel  Leavenworth  (1819)  was 
joined  by  Major  Thomas  Forsyth,  a special  Indian  agent,  who 
had  been  sent  up  from  St.  Louis  in  charge  of  the  provisions,  etc., 
for  the  troops  to  be  stationed  at  the  St.  Peter’s,  and  ‘a  quantity 
of  goods,  say  $2,000  worth,’  to  be  delivered  to  the  Sioux  in  pay- 
ment for  the  lands  ceded  by  them  to  the  United  States  under  the 
Pike  treaty  of  1806.  As  stated,  he  joined  Colonel  Leavenworth 
at  Fort  Crawford  and  accompanied  the  expedition  to  the  St. 
Peter’s.  Major  Forsyth  kept  a daily  journal  of  his  trip  from  St. 
Louis  to  the  St.  Peter’s  and  return.  This  important  manuscript 
was  secured  from  his  son,  Colonel  Robert  Forsyth,  of  St.  Louis, 
in  1871,  by  Dr.  Lyman  C.  Draper,  and  published  in  the  Wisconsin 
Historical  collections,  of  which  he  (Dr.  Draper)  was  editor,  and 
was  reprinted  in  Volume  III  of  the  Minnesota  Society  Collections. 
From  this  jouimal  the  incidents  of  the  voyage  of  Colonel  Leaven- 
worth to  Minnesota  have,  in  the  main,  been  obtained. 

“The  Sioux  had  somehow  learned  that  an  agent  of  their  Amer- 
ican Father  was  on  his  way  with  presents  for  them,  and  on  the 
arrival  of  Major  Forsyth. at  Prairie  du  Chien,  July  5,  he  found 
the  son  of  Chief  Red  Wing,  with  a considerable  band,  awaiting 
him.  Young  Red  WTing  at  once  began  begging  for  goods.  He 
said  a member  of  his  band  had  recently  been  killed  by  the  Chip- 
pewas,  and  on  this  account  the  hearts  of  himself  and  companions 
were  very  sad,  and  therefore  the  major  should  at  once  give  them 
goods  to  assuage  their  grief  and  lighten  the  gloom  of  their 
bereavement.  ‘But  all  this,’  writes  Major  Forsyth,  ‘was  a mere 
begging  speech.  I told  him  that  I meant  to  go  up  with  the  troops 
to  the  River  St.  Peter’s,  and  on  my  way  up  I would  stop  at  their 
different  villages,  where  I would  speak  to  them  and  give  them  a 
few  goods,  but  that  I would  not  give  any  goods  at  this  place. 
Yet  he  is  such  a beggar  that  he  would  not  take  any  refusal.  I 
got  up  in  an  abrupt  manner  and  left  him  and  his  band  to  study 
awhile.’  A week  later  the  major  writes:  ‘The  Red  Wing’s  son 


58 


HI  ST  OB  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


is  still  begging.  ’ And  not  until  the  15th,  after  a stay  of  ten  days, 
did  he  leave  for  home,  to  Forsyth’s  great  relief.  But  in  the  mean- 
time old  Wabash,  he  of  one  eye,  whose  big  village  was  near  the 
present  site  of  Winona,  had  arrived,  and  a week  later  old  Red 
Wing  himself,  with  twenty  followers,  from  their  village,  where 
the  city  of  Red  Wing  now  stands,  had  come.  ‘This  is  another 
begging  expedition,’  writes  Major  Forsyth.  Lake  Pepin  was 
‘crossed  with  ease’  on  the  18th,  and  the  next  morning  Major 
Forsyth  had  ‘a  little  talk’  with  Chief  Red  Wing  at  his  village. 
‘I  gave  him  some  goods.  He  was  much  pleased  with  his  pres- 
ents. His  son  (whom  the  major  encountered  at.  Prairie  du  Chien) 
is  exactly  what  I took  him  to  be — a trifling,  begging,  discontented 
fellow.’  This  day,  after  making  twenty-four  miles,  the  expedi- 
tion encamped  at  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Croix,  which  is  described 
as  a ‘large  river.’  On  the  evening  of  the  20th  a landing  was  made 
at  Medicine  Wood,  probably  near  Gray  Cloud  Island.  Medicine 
Wood  takes  its  name  from  a large  beech  tree,  which  kind  of  wood 
the  Sioux  are  unacquainted  with,  supposing  that  the  Great  Spirit 
placed  it  there  as  a genius  to  protect  or  punish  them  according 
to  their  deserts.  This  is  the  first  and  perhaps  the  only  recorded 
instance  of  the  existence  of  a beech  tree  in  Minnesota,  and  it 
might  therefore  properly  have  a ‘medicine’  character,  that  term 
being  Sioux  for  supernatural  or  deeply  mysterious.” 

Henry  R.  Schoolcraft  in  1820  accompanied  the  Cass  expedi- 
tion as  mineralogist  and  historian,  and  that  part  of  the  journey 
relating  to  Red  Wing  will  be  found  in  the  work  entitled  Minne- 
sota in  Three  Centuries,  Yol.  I,  page  353:  “The  next  day  they 
passed  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Croix,  and  at  noon  arrived  at  the 
village  of  Talangamane  (for  Tatankamani,  his  Dakota  name, 
meaning  Walking  Buffalo),  or  the  Red  Wing,  consisting  of  four 
large  lodges  and  several  other  smaller,  built  of  logs  like  those  of 
Little  Crows.  Of  this  chief,  Red  Wing,  and  his  band,  Schoolcraft 
wrote:  ‘Talangamane  is  now  considered  the  first  of  his  nation, 
which  honor,  it  is  said,  he  enjoys  both  on  account  of  his  superior 
age  and  sagacity.  He  appears  to  be  about  sixty,  and  bears  all 
the  marks  of  that  age.  Very  few  of  his  people  were  at  home, 
being  engaged  in  hunting  and  fishing.  We  observed  several  fine 
cornfields  near  the  village,  but  they  subsist  chiefly  by  taking  stur- 
geon in  the  neighboring  lake,  and  by  hunting  deer.  The  buffalo 
is  also  occasionally  killed,  but  they  are  obliged  to  go  two  days’ 
journey  west  of  the  Mississippi  before  this  animal  is  found  in 
plenty.’  ” 

Major  Long  Again,  in  1823,  called  at  Red  Wing,  and  I quote 
from  the  same  authority  as  above:  “On  the  evening  of  June  30, 
Major  Long  arrived  at  the  village  of  the  chief  Red  Wing,  then 
called  Shakea;  and  in  the  next  forenoon  the  boat  party  arrived 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


59 


there.  By  invitation  of  Shakea  a ceremonious  council  was  held 
in  his  cabin,  over  which  he  hoisted  the  United  States  flag.  Being 
shown  the  map  of  the  upper  Mississippi  region  used  for  the  expe- 
dition, the  Indians  readily  understood  it,  traced  and  named  its 
rivers,  and  one  of  them  laid  his  finger  upon  the  Falls  of  St. 
Anthony,  which  he  called  Hahawotepa.” 

The  first  men  to  locate  on  what  is  now  the  site  of  Red  Wing 
were  Revs.  Daniel  Gavin  and  Samuel  Denton,  sent  out  by  a mis- 
sionary society  of  Basle,  Switzerland.  After  arriving  in  this 
region,  Mr.  Denton  married  Persis  Skinner  and  later  Mr.  Gavin 
married  Lucy  C.  Stevens,  of  Lake  Harriet.  Their  first  mission  was 
located  at  Trempeleau,  on  the  Mississippi,  near  the  present  site 
of  Winona,  and  its  field  of  work  was  near  Wabasha’s  Prairie. 
However,  the  Sioux  of  that  region  had  become  degenerated 
through  intermarriage,  and  the  missionaries  in  1837  decided  to 
come  to  Red  Wing’s  village,  where  the  Indians  were  of  a higher 
degree  of  intelligence  and  morality.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Denton  came 
first  and  were  soon  joined  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gavin.  They  built 
two  mission  houses  of  logs  on  a spot  which  is  now  about  a third 
of  the  way  along  the  east  side  of  Bush  street,  between  Third  and 
Main  streets.  One  of  the  houses  extended  into  what  is  now  the 
•street.  It  is  unfortunate  that  we  have  not  a more  complete  ac- 
count of  the  work  done  by  these  devoted  souls.  To  them  belongs 
more  credit  than  has  ever  been  accorded  them.  The  Indians  were 
taught  to  read  and  write  and  many  of  them  learned  farming  and 
gardening.  In  July,  1838,  Mrs.  Denton,  writing  to  Governor 
Sibly,  said : 

“The  Indians  have  planted  something  more  than  thirty  acres 
of  corn,  also  some  vegetables,  all  of  which  are  growing  finely. 
They  are  now  in  excellent  humor,  and  have  about  given  up  the 
practice  of  begging  from  us.  Many  thanks  for  your  prompt  at- 
tention to  our  call  for  seeds.  Could  you  see  how  finely  they  are 
growing  in  our  beautiful  garden  I am  sure  that  you  would  be 
glad  with  us.  Indeed  you  can  hardly  imagine  what  won- 
derful improvements  have  been  made  at  our  village  since  you 
were  here.  You  must  know  also  that  among  many  other  mercies 
which  I enjoy  I have  at  length  a friend  with  me,  a Miss  Blakesly, 
from  the  vicinity  of  Cooperstown.  N.  Y.  I know  that  you  will 
rejoice  at  this,  as  you  know  how  much  I needed  assistance.” 

This  letter  would  indicate  that  the  Dentons  and  Gavin  fam: 
ilies  were  in  the  habit  of  entertaining  the  people  at  Fort  Snelling 
as  well  as  other  guests  from  time  to  time.  The  Gavins  left  Red 
Wing  in  1845  on  account  of  the  ill  health  of  Mrs.  Gavin,  and  a 
year  later  the  Dentons  also  left  on  account  of  the  ill  health  of 
Mr.  Denton.  The  respect  in  which  these  missionaries  were  held 
J>y  the  Indians  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  the  mission  houses  re- 


6U 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  CO l'  NT  Y 


mained  unmolested  for  two  years,  until  the  arrival  of  the  Rev. 
•J.  F.  Ait  on  in  1848.  J.  AY.  Hancock  came  the  foW  owing  year. 
Revs.  Aiton  and  Hancock  were  sent  out  by  the  American  Board 
of  Foreign  Missions  and  moved  into  the  houses  abandoned  by 
their  predecessors,  the  Messrs.  Denton  and  Gavin.  Mr.  Aiton 
soon  afterward  departed,  having,  however,  rendered  future  gen- 
erations the  great  service  of  having  closely  examined  the  few 
stone  cairns  in  this  vicinity  and  established  their  identity  as 
burial  places. 

The  above  are  the  cold  historical  facts  as  we  find  them,  and 
as  I am  supposed  to  write  only  of  those  things  that  transpired 
previous  to  1853;  and  while  our  old  friend,  the  Rev.  J.  AAr.  Han- 
cock, will  receive  full  mention  in  this  work  by  persons  delegated 
to  that  duty,  yet  I cannot  drop  my  pen  without  adding  a few 
words  out  of  respect  to  the  man  whose  memory  all  the  old  pioneers 
delight  in  honoring. 

In  1852-53  1 was  a member  of  Rev.  J.  AY.  Hancock’s  Sunday 
school,  when  it  was  held  in  the  little  log  cabin  that  stood  in  what 
is  now  Bush  street.  There  were  perhaps  six  or  eight  of  we  small 
white  children  and  fifteen  or  twenty  little  red  brethren  and  sis- 
ters. AVhile  Julia  Bevans  instructed  the  white  children  (in  the 
English  language)  how  to  walk  in  the  straight  and  narrow  way, 
so  that  when  we  had  passed  over  to  that  “bourne  from  whence 
none  return”  we  might  be  worthy  to  wear  a crown  of  glory,  Air. 
Hancock  was  laboring  hard  with  the  little  Indians  (in  the  Sioux 
language),  endeavoring  to  impress  the  same  lesson  upon  their 
minds.  I do  not  think  the  lesson  indelibly  impressed  on  my  mem- 
ory the  first  day  of  my  attendance  at  a house  of  divine  worship 
will  ever  be  forgotten.  The  plan  of  instruction  at  the  Sunday 
schools  in  those  early  days  Ava,s  different  from  the  course  now 
pursued;  not  so  much  of  love  or  mercy  but  more  of  his  Satanic 
majesty,  lakes  of  fire  and  everlasting  torment,  if  you  departed 
from  the  path  of  rectitude. 

AAUble  it  is  true  that  Mr.  Hancock  served  only  for  two  or  three 
years  as  a missionary  to  the  Indians,  yet  he  remained  for  over 
sixty  years  in  administering  spiritual  grace  and  comfort  to  a 
class  of  whites,  who  were  as  much  in  need  of  a saving  grace  as  the 
wild  Indians,  and  by  his  everyday  life  and  example  caused  men 
to  stop  and  consider,  thereby  making  them  better  men.  I know 
that  Air.  Hancock  had  many  trials  and  disappointments  in  his 
early  life  here  in  those  pioneer  days,  but  you  will  not  find  them 
mentioned  in  any  of  his  early  writings ; neither  did  he  go  to  his 
neighbors  and  friends  with  a tale  of  woe.  but  always  with  a smile, 
a good  word  to  all,  satisfied  that  he  had  a mission  to  fulfill ; and 
by  the  everyday  life  he  led  in  our  midst  and  for  all  those  years  of 
trouble  and  privations  I am  firm  in  the  belief  that  he  is  now 


Wm.  M.  Sweney,  M.  D. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


61 


enjoying  the  reward,  in  the  fullest  extent,  that  he  so  justly  merits. 
Charles  Gould,  Snow  the  trader,  Calvin  Potter,  James  McGinnis, 
"William  Freeborn  and  my  father,  Dr.  W.  W.  Sweney,  thus  begin- 

Following  Mr.  Hancock,  or  possibly  in  one  or  two  cases  pre- 
ceding him,  came  John  Bush,  Benjamin  Young,  James  Wells, 
Charles  Gould,  Snow  the  trader,  Calvin  Potter,  James  McGinnis, 
William  Freeborn  and  my  father,  Dr.  W.  W.  Sweney,  thus  begin- 
ning the  influx  of  modern  settlement. 

William  Montgomery  Sweney,  whose  studious  article  appears 
above,  was  born  in  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  November  6,  1849,  son 
of  William  Wilson  and  Maria  M.  Sweney,  and  was  brought  to 
this  village  with  his  parents  as  an  infant.  He  attended  Rev.  J.  W. 
Hancock’s  mission  school  and  later  took  a course  in  Hamline 
University,  at  that  time  located  in  Red  Wing.  Having  spent  the 
early  part  of  his  life  amid  pioneer  conditions,  he  early  acquired 
a love  of  nature,  which  has  since  resulted  in  exhaustive  studies  in 
archaeology,  and  geology,  in  both  of  which  he  was  a thorough 
student  and  able  writer.  In  1876  he  graduated  from  Bellevue 
Hospital  Medical  College,  in  New  York  City,  and  took  up  the 
practice  of  medicine  in  Red  Wing.  Yielding  to  the  solicitation  of 
his  friends,  he  has  served  the  city  as  alderman,  and  in  this  capac- 
ity has  been  an  earnest  advocate  of  purer  water  for  general  use 
in  the  city,  his  efforts  resulting  in  the  now  projected  municipal 
artesian  well  water  supply.  Dr.  Sweney  was  married  in  1880  to 
Delia  M.  Drew,  by  whom  he  has  four  children — William  M.,  born 
February  8,  1882;  James  H.,  born  November  2.  1884;  Marjorie 
M.,  born  May  11,  1893,  and  Edward  B.,  born  February  23;  1898. 


CHAPTER  Y. 


FORTS  AT  FRONTENAC. 

Landing  of  Count  Frontenac — Building  of  Fort  Beauharnois  by 
Du  Boucher  in  1727 — Work  of  the  Jesuits — Disastrous 
Freshets — Capture  of  Father  Guingas — Linctot’s  Stockade 
— St.  Pierre  and  His  Meeting  With  Washington — Abandon- 
ment of  Stockade — Marin’s  Fort  in  1750 — Final  Evacuation 
by  the  French — Modern  Evidences. 

Goodhue  county  boasts  of  four  of  the  early  French  forts. 
The  one  built  in  3695  by  LeSueur  has  already  been  mentioned. 
The  three  at  Frontenac  are  worthy  of  extended  historical 
research. 

Tradition  declares  that  Count  Frontenac,  in  conducting  his 
explorations  along  the  upper  Mississippi,  landed  at  practically 
the  present  site  of  Frontenac  in  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth 
century.  In  the  late  twenties  of  the  eighteenth  century,  the 
French,  who  had  some  twenty  years  previous,  abandoned  the 
forts  at  Prairie  Island  and  Wabasha,  saw  the  necessity  of  again 
establishing  some  sort  of  a sovereignty  over  the  territory  drained 
by  the  waters  of  the  upper  Mississippi,  the  French  government 
having  been  awakened  to  activity  in  the  matter  by  the  following 
communication  sent  from  the  governor  of  Canada. 

“It  is  more  than  obvious  that  the  English  are  endeavoring 
to  interlope  among  the  Indian  nations  and  attach  them  unto 
themselves.  They  entertain  constantly  the  idea  of  becoming 
masters  of  North  America,  and  are  persuaded  that  the  Euro- 
pean nation  which  shall  be  in  possession  of  the  territory  of  the 
Sioux  and  Chippewas  will  in  the  course  of  time  be  also  masters 
of  all  of  the  North  American  continent,  because  it  is  there  that 
men  live  in  health  and  produce  strong  and  robust  children.” 

Accordingly,  peace  having  been  concluded  by  the  French 
with  several  tribes  at  Green  Bay,  another  occupancy  of  the 
country  by  the  French  was  determined  upon,  and  Sieur  cle  la 
Pierriere  (also  known  as  La  Perriere,  or  Pierrie,  du  Bouche  and 
Rene,  or  Reni,  Boucher),  with  a company  which  included  two 
Jesuits,  Louis  Ignatius  Guignas  and  a companion.  De  Ganor,  left 


62 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


63 

Montreal  June  16,  1727,  and  reached  the  enlargement  of  the 
Mississippi,  now  known  as  Lake  Pepin,  September  17  of  the 
same  year.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  name  Pepin  is  first 
given  to  this  lake  in  the  journal  of  Le  Sueur  in  the  year  1700, 
and  was  probably  applied  in  honor  of  Stephen  Pepin,  who  was 
with  Le  Sueur  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Superior  as  early  as  1679. 
In  the  latter  part  of  September,  1727,  Boucher  arrived  at  Sand 
Point,  which  extends  into  Lake  Pepin  opposite  Maiden  Kock. 
Here  he  erected  a stockade  one  hundred  feet  square,  within 
which  were  three  buildings,  subserving  probably  the  uses  of 
store,  chapel  and  living  quarters.  One  of  the  log  huts  was 
31  x 16,  one  30  x 16  and  the  last  26  x 16.  There  were  two 
bastions,  with  pickets  all  around,  twelve  feet  high.  The  fort 
was  named  in  honor  of  Charles  de  Beauharnois,  then  governor 
of  Canada.  The  Jesuits  called  their  mission  from  St.  Michael, 
the  Archangel.  Father  Guignas,  in  writing  from  the  new  fort, 
gave  the  following  description  of  a celebration  held  there.  He 
says:  “On  the  morning  of  November  4 [1727]  we  did  not  forget 
that  it  was  the  General’s  birthday.  In  the  morning,  mass  was 
said  for  him,  and  in  the  evening  some  very  fine  rockets  were 
displayed,  while  we  shouted  ‘Vive  le  Roy’  and  ‘Vive  Charles  de 
Beauharnois.’  What  contributed  much  to  the  amusement  was 
the  terror  which  the  rockets  caused  to  some  lodges  of  Indians, 
at  that  time  near  the  fort.  When  these  poor  people  saw  the 
fireworks  in  the  air,  and  the  stars  apparently  falling  down  from 
the  heavens,  the  women  and  the  children  began  to  flee,  and  even 
the  most  courageous  of  the  men  to  cry  for  mercy,  begging 
earnestly  that  we  would  stop  the  astonishing  display  of  ‘fire 
medicine’.” 

During  the  following  spring,  in  the  month  of  April.  1728, 
the  water  rose  so  high  in  the  lake  that  the  floors  of  the  log 
buildings  were  submerged,  and  for  two  weeks  the  Frenchmen 
had  to  live  in  the  woods.  In  dispatches  sent  to  France  in  Octo- 
ber, 1729,  by  the  Canadian  government,  the  following  reference 
is  made  to  Fort  Beauharnois:  “They  report  that  the  fort  built 
among  the  Sioux,  on  the  border  of  Lake  Pepin,  is  badly  situated 
on  account  of  the  freshets,  but  the  Indians  assure  them  that  the 
water  in  the  spring  of  1728  rose  higher  than  ever  before,  and 
this  is  credible,  inasmuch  as  it  did  not  so  much  as  reach  the 
fort  this  year.”  Owing  to  the  hostility  of  the  Foxes  during  that 
summer,  traders  were  afraid  to  settle  at  the  post,  and  in  the  fall 
of  that  year  it  was  practically  abandoned.  In  the  spring  the 
abandonment  became  actual,  and  the  place  was  without 
occupants  for  several  years. 

In  going  to  Illinois,  during  the  month  of  October,  probably 
1728  or  1729,  the  zealous  Father  Guignas  attempted  to  visit  the 


64 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


place,  but  found  the  Sioux  unfriendly.  Continuing  his  Avay 
down  the  river  to  Illinois,  he  was  captured  by  some  allies  of  the 
Foxes,  and  was  only  saved  from  being  burned  by  the  friendly 
interposition  of  an  aged  Indian,  who  is  supposed  to  have  been 
one  of  his  converts  at  the  Frontenac  mission.  After  five  months 
of  bondage  he  was  set  free. 

In  the  early  thirties  of  the  eighteenth  century,  Sieur  Linctot 
selected  a better  position  on  higher  ground  in  the  rear  of  the 
first  post,  a few  hundred  feet  from  the  shore,  beyond  the  reach 
of  high  water,  on  and  near  the  bluff  edge  of  a wide  plateaux, 
from  which  was  an  extensive  view,  both  above  and  below  the 
sandy  peninsula,  or  point.  Sieur  Linctot  was  appointed  com- 
mandant, and  Sieur  Portneuf  ranked  second.  The  new  stockade 
ordered  to  be  constructed  was  120  feet  square,  with  four 
bastions  and  accommodations  within  for  the  commandant. 
Linctot  passed  the  following  winter  at  Perrot’s  first  establish- 
ment, “Montague  qui  Trempe  dans  l’eau,”  now  corrupted  to 
“ Trempeauleau ; ' ’ and  early  in  the  spring  he  ascended  to  the 
site  of  the  old  stockade  on  Sandy  Point,  where  he  found  a large 
number  of  Sioux  awaiting  his  arrival. 

The  elder  Linctot ’s  request  to  be  relieved  of  the  command 
was  granted,  and  in  1735  the  able  officer,  Legardeur  (Captain 
de)  St.  Pierre,  was  made  his  substitute.  Upon  the  sixth  day  of 
May,  the  following  year  (1736),  Sionx  to  the  number  of  140 
arrived  at  the  fort  and  said  that  they  were  taking  back  to  the 
Puans  a slave  who  had  fled  to  them.  St.  Pierre  told  them  that 
he  thought  it  a large  guard  for  one  woman,  and  then  they 
alleged  that  they  Avere  going  to  hunt  turkeys  to  obtain  feathers 
for  their  arrows.  Continuing  their  journey  down  the  Missis- 
sippi, they  met  and  scalped  two  Frenchmen.  When  St.  Pierre 
was  on  a visit  up  the  river,  still  searching  for  the  supposed  out- 
let to  the  Pacific,  and  to  build  another  post,  the  lawless  party 
returned,  and  for  four  days  danced  the  scalp  dance  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  fort. 

In  August  of  this  year  (1736)  St.  Pierre  was  informed  by 
letters  from  Lake  Superior  of  the  massacre  of  twenty-one 
Frenchmen  on  an  island  in  the  Lake  of  the  Woods  by  a party  of 
Sioux.  Among  the  massacred  was  the  Jesuit  chaplain,  Anneau, 
who  was  found  with  an  arrow  in  his  brain,  and  the  son  of  Sieur 
Verendyre  lying  upon  his  back,  his  flesh  hacked  by  tomahawks, 
and  whose  head  had  been  removed,  and  was  ornamented  with 
garters  and  bracelets  of  porcupine  quills.  On  the  sixteenth  of 
September  five  Indians,  three  chiefs  and  two  young  braves, 
delivered  a quantity  of  beaver  skins  to  St.  Pierre  as  a pledge  of 
friendship,  and  declared  that  they  had  no  part  in  the  attack  at 
the  Lake  of  the  Woods.  They  were  then  asked  as  to  their 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


65 


knowledge  of  the  killing  of  the  two  Frenchmen  on  the  Missis- 
sippi. The  next  day  a chief  came  with  three  young  men,  one 
of  whom  wore  in  his  ear  a silver  pendant.  When  asked  how  he 
obtained  the  ornament,  he  smiled  but  would  not  answer.  St. 
Piei're  then  tore  it  from  his  ear,  and  found  it  was  similar  in 
workmanship  to  those  sold  by  the  traders,  and  placed  him  under 
guard.  Ouakantape,  an  insolent  Sioux  chief,  and  a party  of 
thirty-six  men  and  their  families,  arrived  and  passed  the  fort, 
and  visited  some  Puans,  who  were  encamped  in  the  vicinity. 
Some  of  his  party  burned  the  pickets  around  Father  Guignas’ 
garden.  In  May  of  1737  a war  party  of  O.jibways  appeared 
from  the  St.  Louis  river  and  Lake  Superior  and  wished  the 
Puans  to  unite  with  them  against  the  Sioux,  and  threatened  St. 
Pierre.  Thus  encircled  by  menacing  foes,  St.  Pierre  found  pru- 
dence the  better  part  of  valor,  and  conferred  with  Sieur  Linctot, 
the  second  in  command  (and  son  of  the  elder  Linctot),  Father 
Guignas,  and  some  others,  in  regard  to  an  abandonment.  This 
consultation  resulted  in  a conclusion  to  burn  the  fort,  which  was 
done,  and  on  May  13,  the  French  made  their  second  abandon- 
ment and  sailed  down  the  river. 

St.  Pierre  did  not,  however,  pass  out  of  history,  he  being,  it 
is  believed,  the  commandant  at  Fort  Duquesne.  in  western  Penn- 
sylvania, who  is  known  to  every  schoolboy  in  America,  England 
and  France  .as  having  been  the  officer  to  whom  George  Washing- 
ton, as  a young  man,  bore  the  historic  demand  for  French  with- 
drawal from  the  Ohio  valley.  St.  Pierre  was  in  Montreal,  in 
October,  1753.  November  3,  of  that  year,  the  Marquis  Duquesne 
wrote  to  the  minister  of  war  in  France  that  he  had  sent  the 
Sieur  de  St.  Pierre  to  succeed  Marin  in  command  of  the  army 
of  the  Ohio.  St.  Pierre  reached  the  place,  near  where  Pittsburg 
now  stands,  and  where  Fort  Duquesne  was  built,  the  first  week 
in  December.  Seven  days  after  his  arrival  there,  young  George 
Washington  came,  bearing  a letter  from  Governor  Dinwiddle, 
of  Virginia,  to  the  commander  of  the  fort.  After  courteous 
treatment  by  St.  Pierre  for  several  days,  Washington  was  sent 
back  with  the  following  note  to  Governor  Dinwiddie : 

Sir: — I have  the  honor  to  be  here  the  commander-in-chief. 
M.  Washington  delivered  to  me  the  letter  which  you  wrote  to 
the  commander  of  the  French  troops.  I should  have  been  pleased 
had  you  given  him  the  order,  or  that  he  has  been  disposed  to  go 
to  Canada  to  see  our  general,  to  whom  it  better  belongs  than  to 
me,  to  set  forth  the  evidence  of  the  incontestable  rights  of  the 
king,  my  master,  to  the  lands  along  the  Ohio;  and  to  refute  the 
pretentions  of  the  king  of  Great  Britain  thereto.  I shall  transmit 
your  letter  to  M.  le  Marquis  Duquesne.  ITis  reply  will  be  law  to 
me,  and  if  he  shall  order  me  to  communicate  with  you,  you  may 


66 


HISTORY  OR  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


be  assured  that  I shall  not  fail  to  act  promptly.  As  to  the  sum- 
mons you  sent  me  to  retire,  I do  not  think  I am  obliged  to  obey. 
Whatever  may  be  your  instructions,  I am  here  by  order  of  my 
general,  and  I beg  yon  not  to  doubt  for  a moment  but  that  I am 
determined  to  conform  with  the  exactness  and  resolution  that 
becomes  a good  officer.  I do  not  know  that  in  the  progress  of 
this  campaign  anything  has  passed  which  can  be  regarded  as  an 
act  of  hostility  or  contrary  to  the  treaties  between  the  two 
crowns,  the  continuation  of  which  pleases  us  as  much  as' it  does 
the  English.  If  you  had  been  pleased  to  enter  into  particulars 
as  to  the  facts  which  caused  your  complaint,  I should  have  been 
honored  to  give  you  as  full  and  satisfactory  reply  as  possible. 
I have  made  it  a duty  to  receive  M.  Washington  with  distinction 
on  account  of  your  dignity  and  his  personal  worth.  I have  the 
honor  to  be,  Monsieur,  your  very  humble  and  very  obedient 
servant.  “L.  DE  ST.  PIERRE. 

“At  the  Fort,  December  15,  1753.” 

How  little  did  these  two  men,  who  so  thoroughly  appreciated 
the  personal  qualities  of  the  other,  realize  that  the  far-away 
wilderness,  in  which  St.  Pierre  had  built  a fort  among  the  Sioux, 
was  one  day  to  be  a rich  and  populous  part  of  a great  nation, 
whose  sons  would  be  proud  to  honor  the  other  as  their  greatest 
hero.  In  the  French  and  Indian  war,  after  the  defeat  of  Brad- 
dock,  who  was  sent  against  Fort  Duquesne,  this  same  St.  Pierre, 
a most  gallant  soldier  and  accomplished  gentleman,  was  fatally 
wounded  in  a battle  near  Lake  George,  while  leading  the  Indian 
allies  of  the  French  army.  His  last  words  were:  “Fight  on, 
boys;  this  is  Johnson,  not  Braddock.”  From  this  circumstance 
it  is  believed  that  St.  Pierre  had  the  distinction  of  meeting  AVash- 
ington  on  the  field  of  battle,  Avhen  the  latter  was  serving  under 
.General  Bi’addock  in  his  unsuccessful  expedition  against  Fort 
Duquesne. 

In  1750  the  Sioux  begged  to  have  the  post  on  Lake  Pepin 
re-established,  and  the  governor  of  Canada  sent  Marin,  the 
Indian  fighter  whom  St.  Pierre  succeeded  in  the  valley  of  the 
Ohio,  to  take  command.  Later,  Marin  was  ordered  east,  leaving 
his  son,  the  chevalier,  in  command.  The  war  between  the  Eng- 
lish and  the  French  made  a concentration  of  forces  advisable, 
and  the  fort  at  Lake  Pepin  was  abandoned.  This  time  it  was 
not  destroyed,  and  was  used  by  traders  for  a year  or  so  after- 
ward. The  last  occupancy  of  which  anything  is  known  was 
in  1754. 

The  above  narrative  of  the  early  days  of  Frontenac  has  been 
written  after  a study  of  authorities,  ancient  and  modern,  and  the 
consultation  of  various  manuscripts,  taken  together  with  a con- 
sideration of  probabilities.  It  is  doubtless  as  correct  an  account 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


67 


as  ever  will  be  written,  and  is  substantiated  by  considerable 
evidence.  That  tbe  Captain  St.  Pierre,  who  had  command  of  the 
Lake  Pepin  fort,  is  the  same  as  the  Legardeur  St.  Pierre  who 
received  Washington,  is  proven  in  as  satisfactory  a manner  as 
has  been  a large  part  of  what  we  now  consider  authentic  history 
of  early  America.  Some  authorities  place  St.  Pierre  as  the  last 
commandant  of  the  third  fort  at  Frontenac,  and  declare  that  he 
was  there  (probably  with  the  son'  of  Marin)  in  1753,  and  that 
he  went  directly  from  there  to  Montreal,  thence  at  once  to  Fort 
Duquesne.  The  more  probable  statement  is  that  he  was  the 
commandant  of  the  second  fort  at  Frontenac,  and  that  it  was 
he,  who,  with  the  son  of  Linctot,  burned  and  abandoned  the 
second-built  fort  in  1737.  In  this  connection  the  thoughtful 
reader  will  consider  the  fact  that  the  commandant  of  the  fort 
in  western  Pennsylvania,  who  received  Washington,  was  an  aged 
man,  while  this  St.  Pierre  of  Lake  Pepin  fame  was  a man  of 
middle  age.  This  would  be  better  accounted  for  by  a lapse  of 
sixteen  years,  allowed  by  those  who  place  him  as  the  com- 
mandant of  the  second  fort  at  Frontenac,  rather  than  by  the 
lapse  of  a few  months,  allowed  by  those  who  place  him  as  the 
last  commandant  of  the  third  and  last  fort  built  at  Frontenac. 
The  building  of  this  third  fort  is  variously  placed  as  from  1747 
to  1750.  Whether  Marin  Avas  called  frtmi  the  fort  to  take  charge 
of  the  army  in  the  Ohio  valley  in  the  early  fifties  of  the  eight- 
eenth century,  or  whether  he  did  not  leave  the  fort  at  Frontenac 
until  after  the  outbreak  of  the  French  and  English  hostilities, 
is  another  question  that  has  never  been  solved,  although,  if  St. 
Pierre  succeeded  him  at  Fort  Duquesne,  the  former  is  probable. 

In  regard  to  the  early  exploration  of  the  French  in  this 
locality,  much  confusion  has  arisen  from  the  fact  that  the  early 
investigators  evidently  took  “LaSieur”  to  be  a name,  whereas 
it  is  only  a complimentary  title,  prefixed  to  names,  as  our  “Esq.” 
is  affixed  to  English  names,  and  the  result  is  much  the  same  as 
the  result  might  be  five  hundred  years  from  now,  should  investi- 
gators then  consider  “Esq.”  a name,  and  try  to  identify  with 
each  other  from  records  of  the  present  day  all  names  ending 
in  that  manner.  It  is  with  considerable  hesitancy  that  the  edi- 
tor advances  the  theory,  so  firmly  believed  by  the  earlier  his- 
torians, that  Le  Sieur  de  la  Pierriere  du  Bouehe.  of  Frontenac 
fame,  is  the  de  la  Perriere  Boucher  known  in  history  as  the  one 
who  led  the  Indians  in  their  attack  on  Haverhill,  Mass.,  when 
they  killed  the  Puritan  minister  of  the  village,  scalped  his  wife, 
and  then  dashed  out  his  infant’s  brains  against  the  rocks. 

In  1766,  scarcely  more  than  a decade  after  the  supposed  final 
abandonment  of  the  third  fort  at  Frontenac,  Captain  Jonathan 
Carver,  probably  the  first  English  traveler  to  the  Falls  of  St. 


G8 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Anthony,  in  1766,  describing  Lake  Pepin,  says:  “I  observed  the 
ruins  of  a French  factory,  where  it  is  said  Captain  St.  Pierre 
resided  and  carried  on  a great  trade  with  the  Naudowessies 
before  the  reduction  of  Canada.” 

In  1805,  Lieutenant  Pike,  United  States  army,  passed  through 
Lake  Pepin,  and  described  the  position  of  the  ruined  post  as  it 
would  appear  to  him  going  up  the  lake,  and  in  view  before 
reaching  Point  no  Point,  as  being  on  the  west  shore  behind  the 
point. 

In  1887,  in  digging  for  a foundation  for  a cistern,  two  can- 
non balls  were  found  near  Frontenac  Station  at  a depth  of  about 
tive  feet.  One  was  a four-pound  and  the  other  a six-pound  ball. 
These  were  doubtless  buried  by  the  Indians,  shortly  after  the 
abandonment  of  the  fort,  as  being  useless  to  them,  and  possibly 
“bad  medicine.” 

In  the  rear  of  the  low  lands  of  the  Point  is  an  eminence  of 
some  sixty  feet,  which  is  the  bluff  edge  of  a wide  plateau,  from 
which  there  is  an  extensive  view  below  and  above  the  sandy 
peninsula.  It  is  the  most  suitable  spot  in  the  vicinity  for  a 
stockade,  and  there  is  evidence,  in  the  absence  of  very  aged 
trees,  that  there  had  once  been  a clearing  there.  The  old  Indian 
trail  up  and  down  the  valley  crossed  this  plateau  and  the  valley 
of  the  Sandy  Point  creek,  now  Well’s  creek,  affording  easy 
routes  for  the  Sioux  of  the  prairie  to  the  post.  Frontenac  Sta- 
tion is  overlooked  by  this  plateau,  and  an  enemy  approaching 
the  post  would  probably  be  met  at  that  point  by  the  artillery 
fire  of  the  defenders,  moving  out  a short  distance  from  the 
stockade. 

The  Graham  Family  lias,  since  the  earliest  days,  occupied  an 
important  place  in  the  life  of  the  county,  and  the  name  will  be 
remembered  so  long  as  the  county  exists.  Hon.  Christopher  C. 
Graham  was  one  of  the  best-known  citizens  of  the  state.  He 
was  born  in  Augusta  county,  Virginia,  in  October,  1806,  and 
removed  with  his  parents,  when  three  months  old,  to  Lincoln 
county,  Kentucky.  In  1816  the  family  removed  to  Booneville, 
Ind.  During  his  boyhood  he  attended  such  schools  as  were  pro- 
vided in  his  neighborhood,  and  later  went  to  the  academy  at 
Montgomery,  Ohio,  where  he  completed  his  school  education. 
Mr.  Graham  was  elected  to  the  Indiana  legislature  in  1835,  and 
served  until  1841.  The  following  year  he  was  elected  to  the 
senate,  which  position  he  occupied  until  1846.  At  the  outbreak 
of  the  Mexican  war  he  was  appointed  by  President  Polk  as  com- 
missary of  subsistence  for  the  Second  Indiana  Infantry,  but  later 
resigned  after  one  year’s  service.  He  was  also  a member  of  the 
convention  which  framed  the  constitution  of  Indiana.  During 
the  campaign  preceding  the  election  of  President  Pierce,  Mr. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


69 


Graham  was  a prominent  candidate  for  the  nomination  to 
Congress,  but  gave  way  to  another  prominent  candidate.  Hi 
1854  he  was  appointed  to  the  land  office  as  receiver  at  Red  Wing, 
and  at  once  removed  to  that  place,  his  family  following  a year 
later,  the  register  being  W.  AY.  Phelps,  also  a prominent  old- 
timer.  In  1858  the  land  office,  having  been  removed  to  Hender- 
son, Minn.,  Mr.  Graham  went  to  that  place,  and  remained  three 
years,  afterward  returning  to  Red  AYing,  where  he  remained 
until  his  death,  in  the  middle  of  May,  1891.  A newspaper  obitu- 
ary of  his  life  said:  “In  politics,  Mr.  Graham  was  an  unswerv- 

ing Democrat,  and  yet  he  was  liberal  in  his  political  views,  as  in 
everything  else.  He  served  as  mayor  of  Red  AYing  for  one  year, 
and  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  in  1869,  since  which  he  was 
almost  unanimously  re-elected  every  two  years.  In  1872  he  was 
a candidate  for  Congress  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  but  was 
defeated  by  a small  majority.  He  was  a member  of  the  Episco- 
pal church  of  Red  Wing,  and  for  a number  of  years  was  one  of 
the  vestrymen.  He  was  also  a member  of  Red  Wing  Lodge, 
No.  8,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  Air.  Graham  was  a man  of  the  strictest 
integrity,  a Christian  in  the  highest  Sense  of  the  term,  of  superior 
talent,  and  one  of  the  best  public  speakers  in  the  state.  He  was 
very  domestic  in  all  his  tastes,  and  no  father  was  ever  happier 
than  he  when  surrounded  by  his  children.  He  was  phenomenally 
quick  at  repartee,  and  no  one  ever  enjoyed  a joke  better  than  he 
or  could  see  the  ridiculous  side  of  a proposition  quicker  than  he, 
and  his  sayings  became  common  property  throughout  this  com- 
munity. He  did  not  have  an  enemy  in  the  world,  and  though  a 
man  of  strong  convictions,  yet  he  never  interfered  in  the  belief 
of  any  one.”  Mr.  Graham  was  married  July  7,  1837,  to  Louise 
II.  Hargrave;  born  February  14.  1814.  and  died  in  January,  1895. 

Florence,  the  oldest  child  of  Christopher  C.  Graham,  now 
lives  at  Red  AYing.  In  her  honor  the  township  of  Florence,  this 
county,  was  named.  She  was  married  January  8.  1872.  to  David 
AI.  Taber;  born  June  26,  1840.  in  Massachusetts.  Air.  Taber  was 
a lawyer,  served  as  city  and  county  attorney,  and  had  a promis- 
ing career  ahead  of  him  when  cut  off  by  death  in  the  prime  of 
life,  April  1,  1880,  pneumonia  being  the  cause  of  his  decease. 
To  this  union  was  born  one  child,  Christopher  G.  Airs.  Florence 
Taber  has  taken  up  the  work  left  by  her  father,  and  is  known 
for  her  interest  in  all  matters  which  tend  toward  the  betterment 
of  the  city  and  county.  Ralph  G.,  son  of  Air.  Taber  by  a former 
marriage,  married  Henrietta  S.  Pratt.  He  has  been  manager  of 
the  T.  B.  Sheldon  Auditorium,  and  has  met  with  much  success 
as  a magazine  writer.  Isabella,  the  second  child  died  at  the  age 
of  three  years. 

John  A.  Graham,  deceased,  the  third  child  of  the  Graham 


70 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


family,  was  born  in  Boonville,  Ind.,  and  came  to  Red  Wing  with 
his  parents  in  1854  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years.  A printer  by 
trade,  he  established  here  a printing  establishment,  and  was  on 
the  high  road  of  success  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  He 
enlisted  in  the  Union  army  October  10,  1861,  was  mustered-in 
November  7,  1861;  served  three  years;  was  discharged  for  pro- 
motion; re-enlisted  February  4,  1864;  was  promoted  to  sergeant; 
discharged  for  promotion  September  17,  1864;  promoted  to  lieu- 
tenant and  honorably  discharged  at  the  close  of  the  conflict. 
Returning  to  Red  Wing,  he  entered  the  Avholesale  store  of  Fred- 
rich,  Kempe  & Co.,  and  also  served  as  postal  clerk.  He  died  in 
1903  at  the  hospital  in  Minnehaha.  His  wife,  Amelia  Lunenburg, 
whom  he  married  at  Galesburg,  111.,  in  November,  1872,  now 
lives  in  Red  Wing. 

Mary,  the  fourth  child  of  Christopher  Graham,  is  deceased. 
She  married  Charles  L.  Davis,  formerly  editor  of  the  “Argus,” 
who  served  as  captain  in  the  Union  army,  and  is  now  postmaster 
at  the  capital. 

William,  the  fifth  child,  worked  as  a bank  clerk  in  St.  Paul 
and  Red  Wing.  He  died  in  1879. 

Helen  0.,  the  sixth  child,  occupies  an  important  place  in  this 
community,  and  lives  in  the  old  homestead  at  625  Fifth  street. 
A musician  of  no  little  ability,  she  serves  as  organist  in  St. 
Joseph’s  Roman  Catholic  Church,  and  her  philanthropic  and 
religious  work  is  widely  known. 

Mattie  Graham,  the  seventh  child,  is  Mrs.  J.  S.  Coughlin,  a 
well-known  resident  of  Minneapolis. 

Jennie  is  Mrs.  John  Maginuis,  of  Portland,  Ore.,  and  Emma, 
the  youngest,  was  a singer  of  considerable  note,  and  received 
her  musical  education  in  Boston  and  in  Europe.  She  is  now 
Mrs.  E.  W.  White,  also  of  Portland,  Ore. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


UNDER  EUROPEAN  KINGS. 

French  and  English  Claims — Spanish  Rule — The  Louisiana  Pur- 
chase— A Part  of  Louisiana  Territory — Under  Successive 
Jurisdiction  of  Missouri,  Michigan,  Wisconsin  and  Iowa — No 
Man’s  Land — General  Sibley’s  Duties — Minnesota  a Terri- 
tory— In  Statehood  Days — A Full-Fledged  County. 

To  trace  the  early  political  history  of  Goodhue  county,  from 
the  time  of  the  undisputed  possession  by  the  Indians,  is  a some- 
what difficult  task,  owing  to  the  fact  that  in  the  early  days  boun- 
daries, as  given  in  treaties,  and  sometimes  even  in  territorial 
acts,  were  rather  indefinite,  and  sometimes  obviously  incorrect. 
The  French  and  the  English,  who  for  so  long,  and  for  so  many 
varied  reasons,  had  caused  Europe  to  flow  with  the  blood  of 
their  rivalries,  early  became  contestants  for  supremacy  on  the 
newly  explored  continent.  By  reason  of  the  early  explorations 
of  De  Soto,  La  Salle  and  others,  both  from  the  Gulf  up  the  Mis- 
sissippi, and  from  the  St.  Lawrence  down  the  Great  Lakes,  and 
thence  overland,  the  French  claimed  as  their  possession  the 
entire  Mississippi  valley,  extending  as  far  east  as  the  Alleghany 
mountains,  and  westward  indefinitely.  The  British  claims  to 
sovereignty  was  based  on  the  fact  that  the  early  English 
explorers  along  the  Atlantic  coast  had,  in  planting  the  English 
standard,  laid  claim  to  the  country  “from  sea.  to  sea,”  as  was 
the  recognized  custom  among  the  explorers  sent  out  by  the  civi- 
lized nations  of  that  day.  This  claim  was  further  strengthened 
by  the  activities  in  the  disputed  territory  of  the  Hudson  Bay 
and  Northwest  Fur  companies,  more  or  less  connected  with  the 
English  government,  who  had  established  outposts  to  their  Cana- 
dian trading  stations,  extending  well  into  the  .Mississippi  valley. 
These  rival  claims  were  the  cause  of  the  early  French  and  Indian 
wars  of  the  New  England  colonies,  and  it  will  be  remembered 
were  the  cause  of  Braddock’s  memorable  trip  to  Fort  Duquesne,  in 
which  is  now  western  Pennsylvania,  upon  which  occasion  Washing- 
ton took  a part,  and  which  has  now  become  a portion  of  the  annals 
of  early  United  States  history.  At  the  close  of  these  wars,  1763, 

71 


72 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


the  Mississippi  became  the  dividing  line,  and  France  ceded  the 
entire  tract  west  of  the  river  to  Spain.  By  the  treaty  follow- 
ing the  American  Revolution,  practically  all  of  what  is  now  that 
portion  of  the  United  States  lying  east  of  the  Mississippi,  with 
the  exception  of  Florida,  which  was  later  purchased  from  Spain, 
was  virtually  acknowledged  as  a part  of  the  new  American 
republic,  Spain  retaining  her  claim  to  the  territory  west  of  the 
Mississippi.  In  1800,  Spain  restored  the  territory  to  France,  and 
in  1803  Napoleon  ceded  it  to  the  United  States.  This  tenure  of 
nearly  forty  years  by  Spain  made  no  impress  upon  what  is  now 
Minnesota.  The  precarious  grip  of  the  French  kings  left  no- 
political or  racial  influence,  but  the  brave  and  courageous  French 
explorers  have  bequeathed  their  names,  written  in  fearless  char- 
acters in  the  cognomens  applied  to  cities  and  rivers ; and  their 
deeds,  set  forth  in  manuscripts  still  preserved,  will  form  a 
romantic  page  in  the  history  of  the  state  for  all  time  to  come. 
During  these  changes  of  possession,  which  were  but  moves  in 
the  game  played  on  the  checkerboards  of  European  politics,  the 
territory  now  known  as  Goodhue  county  remained  in  the  prac- 
tical possession  of  the  Indians,  and  untrod  by  white  men,  save 
as  here  and  there  an  adventurer  or  trader  landed  upon  the  Mis- 
sissippi shore ; or  a band  of  hardy  soldiers  established  for  a time 
their  stockades.  The  task  of  dividing  the  great  Louisiana  pur- 
chase, of  which  the  present  Goodhue  county  was  a part,  became 
an  important  one.  In  1812,  Louisiana  was  admitted  as  a 
state,  and  the  rest  of  the  purchase  was  reorganized  as  Missouri 
territory.  In  1819,  Missouri  framed  a state  constitution,  and  in 
1834  the  district  north  of  Missouri  and  west  of  the  Mississippi 
river  was  a part  of  the  land  placed  under  the  jurisdiction  of 
Michigan  territory.  When  Wisconsin  territory  was  organized, 
from  the  western  part  of  Michigan,  in  1836,  the  present  states 
of  Iowa  and  Minnesota  were  a part  of  it,  and  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment was  fixed  a.t  Burlington.  June  12,  1838,  Congress  passed 
in  act  separating  Iowa  from  Wisconsin,  what  is  now  Minnesota, 
west  of  the  Mississippi,  being  included  in  the  territory  of  Iowa. 
In  Iowa  territorial  days  the  greater  part  of  southern  and  south- 
eastern Minnesota  was  within  the  jurisdiction  of  Clayton  county. 
Henry  H.  Sibley  was  a justice  of  the  peace  in  that  county.  The 
minify  seat  was  250  miles  distant,  and  his  jurisdiction  extended 
over  a region  of  country,  which,  as  lie  expressed  it,  was  “as 
large  as  the  empire  of  France.”  General  Sibley  lived  in  Men- 
dota,  from  1835  to  1862,  and  in  that  time,  without  leaving  home, 
he  had  lived  in  the  territories  of  Michigan,  Wisconsin,  Iowa  and 
Minnesota,  and  in  the  state  of  Minnesota.  From  1846  until 
March  3,  1849,  when  Minnesota  was  admitted  as  a territory,  the 
state  was  practically  a no-man’s  land,  being  in  a vague  way 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


attached  to  Prairie  du  Chien,  of  Crawford  county,  Wisconsin, 
for  judicial  purposes,  and  having  such  law  and  order  as  could 
be  enforced  from  Fort  Snelling.  Various  bills  were  presented  to 
Congress  calling  for  the  organization  of  the  territory,  all  of 
which  failed  until  1849.  Goodhue  county,  being  in  the  posses- 
sion of  the  Sioux  Indians,  was  little  affected  by  the  various 
changes  in  state  and  territorial  ownership.  With  the  inaugura- 
tion of  President  Zachary  Taylor,  March  5,  1849,  the  land  now 
known  as  Goodhue  county,  having  successively  passed  under  the 
rule  of  France,  Spain — and  then  France  again — Louisiana,  Mis- 
souri, Michigan,  Wisconsin  and  Iowa,  became  a part  of  the  terri- 
tory of  Minnesota,  of  which  political  division  it  was  designed 
later,  'in  statehood  days,  to  become  so  important  a part.  Mention 
of  the  fact  that  in  the  earliest  days  of  Minnesota  territory,  Good- 
hue  county  wras  a part  of  the  county  of  Wabasha,  completes  the 
territorial  claim  of  title. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


INDIAN  TREATIES. 

Prairie  dii  Chien  in  1825 — Second  Treaty  in  1830 — Treaty  of 
1837 — Doty  Treaty  in  1841 — Treaty  of  Mendota  in  1851 — 
Land  Open  to  Settlement — Prairie  Island  Indians. 

While  the  whites,  at  their  own  inclination,  were  shifting  the 
sovereignty  of  the. vast  tract  including  within  its  scope  what  is 
now  Goodhue  county,  the  Indians,  nevertheless,  had  claims  which 
the  nations  had,  in  a measure  at  least,  to  acknowledge.  The 
Sioux  were  not  only  in  practical,  but  in  actual  possession,  and  it 
was  only  after  long  negotiations  that  the  country  was  opened  for 
permanent  white  settlement. 

The  treaty  of  Prairie  du  Chien,  signed  in  1825,  was  important 
to  the  Sioux  living  in  this  vicinity,  in  that  it  fixed  certain  boun- 
daries. The  eastern  boundary  of  the  Sioux  territory  was  to  com- 
mence on  the  east  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  opposite  the  mouth  of 
the  “Ioway”  river,  running  back  to  the  bluffs,  and  along  the 
bluffs  to  the  Bad  Ax  river;  thence  to  the  mouth  of  Black  river, 
and  thence  to  “half  a day’s  march”  below  the  falls  of  the  Chip- 
pewa. The  boundary  lines  were  certainly,  in  some  respects,  quite 
indefinite,  and  whether  this  was  the  trouble  or  not,  at  any  event, 
it  was  but  a few  months  after  the  treaty  when  it  was  evident  that 
neither  the  Dakotas  nor  Ojibways  were  willing  to  be  governed 
by  the  lines  established — and  hardly  by  any  others.  The  first 
article  of  the  treaty  provided;  “There  shall  be  a firm  and  per- 
petual peace  between  the  Sioux  and  the  Chippewas ; between  the 
Sioux  and  the  confederated  tribes  of  Sacs  and  Foxes;  and 
between  the  loways  and  the  Sioux.”  But  this  provision  was 
more  honored  in  the  breach  than  the  observance,  and  in  a little 
time  the  tribes  named  were  flying  at  one  another’s  throats  and 
engaged  in  their  old-time  hostilities.  On  the  part  of  the  Sioux 
this  treaty  was  signed  by  Chiefs  Wabasha,  Little  Crow,  Standing 
Buffalo,  Sleepy  Eye,  Two  Faces,  Tah-sah-ghee,  or  “His  Cane;” 
Black  Dog,  Wah-ah-na-tah,  or  “The  Charger;”  Red  Wing, 
Shakopee,  Penishon  and  Eagle  Head,  and  also  by  a number  of 
head  soldiers  and  “principal  men.”  The  Chippewa  signers  were 

74 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


75 

Shingauba  Wassa,  Gitclie  Gaubow,  Wis  Coup,  or  “Sugar,”  and  a 
number  of  sub-chiefs  and  principal  men. 

In  1830,  a second  treaty  with  the  Northwest  Indian  tribes 
was  held  at  Prairie  du  Chien.  Delegates  were  present  from  four 
bands  of  the  Sioux,  the  Medawakantons,  the  Wapakootas,  the 
Wahpatons  and  the  Sissetons,  and  also  from  the  Sacs,  the  Foxes 
and  Iowas,  and  even  from  the  Omahas,  Otoes  and  Missouris,  the 
homes  of  the  last  three  tribes  being  on  the  Missouri  river.  At 
this  treaty  the  Indian  tribes  represented  ceded  all  of  their  claims 
to  the  land  in  western  Iowa,  northwestern  Missouri,  and 
especially  the  country  of  the  Des  Moines  river  valley.  The  lower 
bands  had  a special  article  inserted  in  the  treaty  for  the  benefit 
of  their  half-blood  relatives: 

“The  Sioux  bands  in  council  have  earnestly  solicited  that  they 
might  have  permission  to  bestow  upon  the  half-breeds  of  their 
nation  the  tract  of  land  within  the  following  limits,  to-wit  : 
Beginning  at  a place  called  the  Barn,  below  and  near  the  village  of 
the  Red  Wing  chief,  and  running  back  fifteen  miles;  thence,  in  a 
parallel  line,  with  Lake  Pepin  and  the  Mississippi  river  about 
thirty-two  miles,  to  a point  opposite  Beef,  or  O’Boeuf,  river, 
thence  fifteen  miles  to  the  Grand  Encampment,  opposite  the  river 
aforesaid,  the  United  States  agree  to  suffer  said  half  breeds  to 
occupy  said  tract  of  country,  they  holding  by  the  same  title,  and 
in  the  same  manner  that  other  Indian  titles  are  held.” 

Certificates,  or  “script,”  were  issued  to  many  half-breeds,  and 
there  was  much  speculation  in  them,  and  litigation  over  them, 
in  subsequent  years,  a matter  of  which  will  be  treated  later  in 
this  history.  The  Sioux  also  ceded  a tract  of  land  twenty  miles 
wide  along  the  northern  boundary  of  Iowa  from  the  Mississippi 
to  the  Des  Moines,  the  consideration  for  which  was  $2,000  in  cash 
and  $12,000  in  merchandise.  Iron  Cloud,  of  the  Red  Wing 
village,  was  among  the  signers  of  this  treaty. 

In  the  spring  of  1837,  Agent  Taliaferro,  who  had  in  charge 
much  of  the  early  negotiation  between  the  Indians  and  the 
United  States,  was  instructed  to  organize  an  authoritative  and 
reliable  delegation  of  the  lower  bands  of  Sioux,  to  proceed  to 
Washington  and  make  a treaty  ceding  the  lands  claimed  by  them 
in  what  are  now  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota.  These  lands  were 
the  islands  in  the  Mississippi  and  a strip  of  land  of  a few  miles, 
varying  in  width  from  the  mouth  of  the  Broad  Axe  to  the  mouth 
of  the  Watab.  The  expedition  as  it  started  from  Fort  Snelling 
consisted  of  a number  of  Indian  chiefs  and  head  men,  and  several 
whites.  At  Red  Wing  the  boat  stopped  to  take  on  Wacoota  and 
his  head  soldier;  and  at  Winona,  Wabasha  and  Thin  Face  joined 
the  expedition.  The  treaty  was  concluded  and  signed  Septem- 
ber 29  by  Joel  R.  Poinsett,  then  secretary  of  war.  For  some 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


76 


reason,  which  at  the  present  time  is  not  known,  none  of  the  rep- 
resentatives of  Wabasha’s  and  Wacoota’s  bands,  as  shown  by  the 
record,  signed  the  treaty,  although  both  chiefs  were  present,  and 
Wabasha  was  head  chief  of  the  Medawakanton  band.  A consid- 
erable portion  of  the  country  ceded  along  the  Wisconsin  shore 
of  the  Mississippi  was  only  across  the  river  from  their  own  lands, 
and  they  certainly  had  an  interest  in  its  disposition;  but  in  the 
printed  copies  of  the  United  States  treaties  their  signatures  do 
not  appear. 

The  Doty  treaty,  made  at  Traverse  des  Sioux,  in  July,  1841, 
failed  to  be  ratified  by  the  United  States  Senate.  This  treaty 
embodied  a Utopian  dream  that  a territory  of  Indians  could  be 
established,  in  which  the  redmen  would  reside  on  farms  and  in 
villages,  living  their  lives  after  the  style  of  the  whites,  having  a 
constitutional  form  of  government,  with  a legislature  of  their 
own  people  elected  by  themselves,  the  governor  to  be  appointed 
by  the  president  of  the  United  States,  much  along  the  plan  still 
followed  in  the  Indian  Territory,  except  that  it  embodied  for  the 
Indians  a much  higher  type  of  citizenship  than  is  found  in  the 
Indian  Territory.  The  Indians  were  to  be  taught  the  arts  of 
peace,  to  be  paid  annuities,  and  to  be  protected  by  the  armies  of 
the  United  States  from  their  Indian  enemies  on  the  west.  In 
return  for  these  benefits  to  be  conferred  upon  the  Indians,  the 
United  States  was  to  receive  all  the  lands  in  what  is  now  Minne- 
sota, the  Dakotas  and  northwestern  Iowa,  except  small  portions, 
which  were  to  be  reserved  for  the  redmen.  This  ceded  land  was 
for  the  most  part  to  lie  opened  to  the  settlement  of  the  whites, 
although  the  plan  was  to  have  some  of  it  reserved  for  Indian 
tribes  from  other  parts  of  the  country  who  should  sell  their  lands 
to  the  United  States,  and  who,  in  being  moved  here,  were  to 
enjoy  all  the  privileges  which  had  been  so  beautifully  planned 
for  the  native  Indians.  But  no  one  can  tell  what  would  have  been 
the  result  of  this  experiment,  for  the  Senate,  for  political  rea- 
sons, refused  to  ratify  the  treaty,  and  it  failed  of  going  into 
effect. 

Prior  to  1851,  only  the  land  on  the  east  of  the  Mississippi,  with 
a few  islands  in  that  river,  wore  open  to  white  settlement.  The 
agitation  started  in  the  late  forties  resulted  in  the  treaties  which 
opened  what  is  now  Goodhue  county  and  surrounding  territory 
to  settlement.  July  22,  the  treaty  of  Traverse  des  Sioux  was 
signed,  and  on  July  29,  1851,  the  deliberations  preceding  the 
treaty  at  Mendota  with  the  Wah-pa-koota  and  Medawakanton 
bands  of  Sioux  were  started.  The  chiefs  and  head  men  of  these 
two  bands  were  thoroughly  conversant  with  the  proceedings  of 
the  Indians  and  the  representatives  of  the  United  States  at  Tra- 
verse des  Sioux,  and  all  were  on  hand,  ready  for  the  negotiations 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


77 


at  Mendota.  The  first  session  was  held  in  the  warehouse  of  the 
Fur  Company  at  that  place,  but  the  Indians  found  the  atmos- 
phere stifling,  and  not  in  accord  with  their  usual  method  of 
outdoor  councils,  so  the  consideration  of  the  treaty  was  taken  up 
under  a large  brush  arbor,  erected  by  Alexis  Badly,  on  an  ele- 
vated plain  near  the  high  prominence  known  as  Pilot  Knob.  Dr. 
Thomas  Foster  was  secretary  for  Commissioners  Lea  and  Ram- 
sey ; the  interpreters  were  Alexander  Faribault,  Philander 
Prescott  and  Rev.  G.  H.  Pond ; the  white  witnesses  were  David 
Olmsted,  AY.  C.  Henderson,  Alexis  Bailly,  Richard  Chute,  Henry 
Jackson.  A.  L.  Carpenter,  AAr.  H.  Randall.  A.  S.  H.  White.  Id.  L. 
Dousman,  Fred  C.  Sibley,  Alartin  AIcLeod.  George  X.  Faribault 
and  Joseph  A.  AYheelock.  On  the  opening  of  the  first  day’s 
session  the  object  of  the  gathering  was  fully  explained  to  the 
assembled  Indians  by  the  white  commissioners.  For  the  Indians, 
Wabasha,  of  the  Medawakantons,  replied  as  follows : 

The  chiefs  and  braves  who  sit  here  have  heard  what  you 
have  said  from  our  Great  Father.  I have  but  one  thing  to  say  to 
you,  fathers,  and  then  we  will  separate  for  the  day.  I was  among 
those  who  went  to  Washington  and  brought  home  the  words  of 
our  Great  Father.  Some  of  those  here  were  there  also,  and  some 
who  went  are  now  dead.  According  to  what  our  Great  Father 
then  said,  we  have  some  funds  lying  back  in  his  hands.  We 
spoke  of  these  funds  to  our  fathers,  the  commissioners,  who  were 
here  fall  before  last.  These  men  you  see  around  you  are  anxious 
to  get  that  which  is  due  them  before  they  do  anything.  That  is 
all  I have  to  say  now.” 

The  Leaf  Shooter  (AYacoota),  of  the  Red  AYing  band,  rose 
and  displayed  the  medal  formerly  worn  by  Chief  AYambde  Yah 
Kapi  '(AYar  Eagle  That  May  Be  Seen),  who  was  killed  by  the 
Sacs  and  Foxes  on  the  Des  Moines  river  in  July.  1849.  He  said: 
“My  race  had  four  chiefs,  but  they  have  passed  away  from  us. 
The  last  one  (AYar  Eagle  That  May  Be  Seen)  was  made  chief  by 
my  father,  Governor  Ramsey,  who  placed  this  medal  about  his 
neck.  Father,  I wish  to  have  those  who  have  killed  the  owner 
of  this  medal,  pay  for  it.  The  fall  before  last,  you  spoke  of  this: 
the  medal  Avas  then  all  bloody,  and  if  you  will  look  at  it  yo\i  will 
see  that  it  is  still  so.  I wish  you  to  wash  that  blood  off.  I return 
it  to  you.  and  if  you  will  wipe  off  the  blood,  I will  be  glad.  ” 

The  commissioners  reminded  the  Indians  that  in  regard  to 
the  money  which  was  due  them  under  the  treaty  of  1837,  a por- 
tion of  which  was  being  withheld,  the  treaty  provided  that  it  was 
to  be  paid  to  them  at  the  direction  and  pleasure  of  the  Great 
Father,  the  president;  that  the  Indians  had  agreed  to  this  when 
they  signed  the  treaty,  twelve  years  previous,  and  had  never  com- 
plained before.  But  Colonel  Lea  said  that  if  the  Indians  would 


78 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


come  to  an  agreement  in  regard  to  the  treaty,  there  would  be  no 
trouble  about  the  back  money.  In  regard  to  the  medal,  which  is 
known  in  history  as  the  bloody  medal,  owing  to  the  Leaf  Shoot- 
er’s poetic  and  figurative  allusion  to  its  ensanguined  condition, 
Governor  Ramsey  said  that  he  had  demanded  from  the  president 
that  $1,000  should  be  taken  from  the  annuities  of  the  Sacs  and 
Foxes  and  used  as  an  emollient  to  cleanse  the  blood  from  the 
medal;  and  that  $1,000  should  be  taken  from  the  Sac  and  Fox 
fund  for  every  Sioux  killed  by  them,  and  the  amount  turned  over 
to  the  relatives  of  the  victims.  He  further  said  that  in  the  exer- 
cise of  his  discretion,  the  president  had  concluded  that  the  money 
he  was  keeping  ought  to  be  expended  in  the  education  of  the 
Indian  children,  but  that  the  matter  could  be  settled  amicably  if 
the  treaty  were  speedily  signed.  The  next  day  a brief  council 
was  held  under  Alexis  Bailly’s  large  brush  arbor,  which  had  been 
well  appointed  with  stands,  tables  and  seats  for  the  chiefs.  At 
this  session,  Wabasha,  without  comment,  returned  a draft  of  the 
treaty  which  on  the  previous  day  had  been  presented  to  the 
Indians  for  their  consideration.  There  was  an  embarrassing 
silence  for  a time,  and  Colonel  Lea  said  he  hoped  the  treaty  would 
soon  be  concluded,  for  he  was  at  a great  distance  from  his  home, 
and  having  been  a long  time  away,  was  most  anxious  to  return. 
Chief  Wacoota  replied:  “Our  habits  are  different  from  those 

of  the  whites,  and  when  we  have  anything  important  to  consider 
it  takes  us  a long  time.  To  this  diplomatic  remark,  Colonel  Lea 
rejoined:  “That  is  true;  but  this  subject  lias  been  before  you  a 
long  time.  You  are  chiefs,  not  women  and  children;  you  can 
certainly  give  us  an  answer  tomorrow.”  The  council  then 
adjourned  for  the  day. 

The  next  day,  at  the  opening  of  the  council,  Wabasha  arose 
and  said  he  had  listened  to  the  words  sent  them  by  the  Great 
Father  and  which  the  commissioners  had  delivered;  “but,”  con- 
tinued he,  “these  other  chiefs  around  me  may  have  something  to 
say  also.  I will  sit  and  listen  to  what  is  said.”  After  a long, 
constrained,  and  doubtless  uncomfortable  silence,  Little  Crow, 
graceful  and  deliberate,  arose,  and  addressed  the  council.  Little 
Crow,  chief  of  the  Kaposia  band,  was,  without  doubt,  according 
to  the  evidence  of  his  contemporaries,  the  brainiest,  shrewdest 
and  most  influential  Indian  then  west  of  the  Mississippi.  Dressed 
elaborately  for  the  occasion,  with  a white  shirt  and  collar,  a 
gaudy  neckchief,  his  tastefully  embroidered  medicine  bag  sus- 
pended from  his  neck,  a red  belt,  with  a silver  buckle,  about  his 
waist,  and  wearing  a pair  of  elaborately  beaded  trousers  and 
moccasins,  his  long,  black,  curling  hair,  soft  and  almost  as  silken 
as  a white  woman’s,  flowing  over  his  shoulders,  and  with  his  keen 
black  eyes  alight — he  Avas  indeed  a striking  and  attractive  fig- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


70 


lire.  His  voice,  attuned  to  the  forests  and  the  waterfalls,  had 
nature’s  own  musical  intonations,  and  when  he  began  to  speak 
even  the  little  Indian  children,  playing  about  the  outskirts  of  the 
council,  were  silent.  As  reported  by  Alexander  Faribault,1  the 
chieftain  said : 

“Fathers:  These  chiefs  and  soldiers,  and  others  who  sit  here, 
have  something  they  wish  said  to  you,  and  I am  going  to  speak 
it  for  them.  There  are  chiefs  here  who  are  older  than  myself, 
and  I would  rather  they  had  spoken;  but  they  have  put  it  upon 
me  to  speak,  although  I feel  as  if  my  mouth  was  tied.  These 
chiefs  went  to  Washington  long  ago  and  brought  back  a good 
report  concerning  the  settlement  of  our  affairs  in  the  treaty 
made  there,  and  they  and  we  were  glad.  But  things  that  were 
promised  in  that  treaty  have  not  taken  place.  This  is  why  these 
men  sit  still  and  say  nothing.  You  perhaps  are  ashamed  (or  dis- 
graced; “ishtenya”  in  Sioux)  of  us ; but  you,  fathers,  are  the 
cause  of  it’s  being  so.  They  speak  of  money  that  is  due  them;  it 
was  mentioned  the  other  day  to  Governor  Ramsey,  and  we  spoke 
.about  it  last  fall,  but  we  have  not  yet  seen  the  money.  We  desire 
to  have  it  laid  down  to  us.  It  is  money  due  on  the  old  treaty, 
.and  I think  it  should  be  paid;  we  do  not  want  to  talk  about  a 
new  treaty  until  it  is  all  paid.” 

The  commissioners  again  declared  that  under  the  treaty  the 
money  which  had  been  withheld  was  to  be  expended  by  the  direc- 
tion of  the  president,  and  he  had  decided  to  apply  it  to  the  edu- 
cation of  the  Indian  children.-  Perhaps,  they  said,  there  has  been 
a misunderstanding  as  to  what  the  other  treaty  meant.  They 
desired  now  to  make  a treaty  that  would  be  so  plain  that  there 
could,  and  would  be-no  doubt,  as  to  its  meaning.  Governor  Ram- 
sey then  said:  “If  this  treaty  can  be  arranged,  as  much  money 
will  be  paid  down  to  you  as  will  be  equal  to  your  usual  cash 
annuities  for  three  years.”  The  governor  then  thought  to  bring 
matters  to  an  immediate  conclusion.  “Do  you  wish,”  he  asked, 
“that  this  amount  be  paid  to  you  as  your  other  annuities  have 
been?”  The  chiefs  made  a murmur  of  apparent  assent,  and  the 
governor  continued:  “Do  all  the  people  want  it  paid  in  that 
way?”  Little  Crow  replied  that  if  it  were  divided  for  the 
Indians  by  the  whites  it  would  probably  be  best;  if  the  Indians 
undertook  to  divide  it  there  might  be  some  difficulty.  Governor 
Ramsey  replied  that  the  money  was  in  “money  boxes,”  and  a 
long  time  would  be  required  to  count  the  money  and  get  it  ready, 
and  in  the  meanwhile  they  would  go  ahead  with  the  treaty.  But 
Tittle  Crow  said:  “We  will  talk  of  nothing  else  but  that  money, 
if  it  is  until  next  spring.  That  lies  in  the  way  of  a treaty.  I 
speak  for  others,  and  not  for  myself.” 

After  some  protests  against  further  delay  on  the  part  of  the 


so 


HI  ST  OB  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


commissioners,  the  Indians  saying  nothing,  the  council  adjourned 
until  it  should  be  called  by  the  Indians.  The  next  day  the  Indi- 
ans remained  in  their  quarters  until  late  in  the  afternoon,  when 
messengers  came  saying  that  the  chiefs  were  all  assembled  at  the 
council  house  and  Avished  their  white  fathers  to  attend.  Very 
soon  the  council  was  in  session,  but  after  the  opening  there  was 
a long  silence.  Finally  Anah-ga-nahzhee  (Stands  Astride),  the 
second  chief,  or  head  soldier  of  the  band  of  his  brother,  Shako- 
pee,  remarked  that  it  had  been  decided  in  council,  the  Indian 
council,  that  Wacoota  should  speak  to  the  Indians.  But  Wacoota 
asked  to  be  excused,  and  that  some  other  Indian  should  speak. 
“I  am  of  the  same  mind  with  my  friend  here,  Wabasha,  and  will 
sit  and  listen,”  said  Wacoota.  There  was  no  response.  After 
a long  wait  the  commissioners  went  oyer  the  whole  subject 
a.gaiu,  and  the  Indians  yet  remaining  silent,  Colonel  Lea  at  last 
said : ‘ ‘ It  is  plain  that  the  Medawakantons  do  not  wish  to  sell 
their  lands.  I hope  they  will  not  regret  it.  This  grieves  my 
heart,  and  I know  it  will  make  the  heart  of  your  Great  Father 
sad.  Say  to  the  chiefs  and  head  men  that  we  are  all  ready  to 
meet  them  here  tomorrow,  or  at  any  other  time  and  place  they 
desire.”  The  commissioners  now  hastily  adjourned,  apparently 
in  great  ill  humor,  leaving  the  chiefs  still  oft  the  benches, 
astounded  at  the  conduct  of  their  white  brothers.  There  was  air 
interregnum  in  the  proceedings  for  four  days.  The  time  was 
spent  by  the  whites  in  privately  preparing  a treaty  which  would 
be  acceptable  to  the  Indians.  The  Medawakantons  had  become 
partially  reconciled.  The  head  chief,  Wabasha,  was  still  opposed 
to  any  treaty  as  it  had  been  proposed,  but  Little  Crow  and  other 
sub-chiefs  were  in  favor  of  one  if  the  terms  were  fairly  liberal 
and  the  assent  of  their  bands  could  be  obtained.  Little  Crow 
was  particularly  for  a treaty  and  the  sale  of  the  big  expanse  of 
land  to  the  westward,  which,  he  said,  did  his  people  no  good, 
which  but  very  few  of  his  band  had  ever  visited,  and  which  he 
himself  had  never  seen.  Lie  disliked  to  abandon  his  old  Kaposia 
home,  because  of  its  associations.  Here  were  the  graves  of  his 
father  and  mother  and  other  kinspeople ; here  was  the  site  of  his 
birthplace  and  of  his  boyhood,  and  here  he  had  been  chief  of  the 
old  and  noted  band  of  his  ancestoi’s  for  more  than  four  yeai’s. 
But  Little  Crow  was  shrewd  and  intelligent,  and  knew  that  the 
whites  were  pressing  upon  his  people  as  they  had  pressed  upon 
the  other  red  people,  and  that  the  result  would  be  the  same  as  it 
had  been — the  Indians  would  be  compelled  to  leave  their  country 
and  move  on.  The  wise  course,  therefore,  it  seemed  to  him,  was 
to  obtain  the  best  terms  possible — to  get  all  of  the  money  and 
other  supplies  and  the  best  permanent  reservation  to  be  had.  It 
was  asserted  that  Little  Crow  had  been  Avell  bribed  by  the 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


81 


traders,  and  by  the  commissioners,  too,  and  that  his  opinions 
were  the  result  of  substantial  considerations.  If  the  charge  were 
true,  the  conduct  of  Little  Crow  was  somewhat  strange.  He 
spoke  against  considering  the  treaty  until  the  money  that  was 
being  held  back  should  be  paid  in  hand.  He  demanded  a reserva- 
tion that  should  come  down  the  Minnesota  to  Traverse  des  Sioux, 
and  he  wanted  all  the  money  and  goods,  and  the  most  favorable 
terms  generally  that  could  be  had.  He  was  in  frequent  consulta- 
tion with  the  commissioners  during  the  days  of  waiting,  and  at 
the  last  announced  that  he  was  ready  to  sign  the  treaty,  although 
some  of  the  Indians  had  sworn  that  they  would  shoot  the  first 
man  of  their  tribe  who  put  his  hand  to  the  goose  quill  prepara- 
tory  to  subscribing  to  the  hated  contract. 

Monday,  August  5,  was  an  eventful  day  in  the  deliberations. 
The  council  met  at  11  o’clock  in  the  morning,  and  Chief  Good 
Road,  of  one  of  the  bands  about  Fort  Snelling,  was  the  first 
speaker.  He  said:  “We  have  several  things  to  say  about  the 
various  matters  before  we  sign  this  treaty.”  Colonel  Lea  replied: 
“The  treaty  has  been  prepared  after  we  have  all  agreed  as  to  its 
terms,  and  it  is  best  not  to  delay  any  further.  We  will  have  the 
treaty  read  in  English  and  explained  in  the  Dakotali  language, 
so  that  all  can  see  that  it  is  a good  treaty.”  Rev.  S.  R.  Riggs, 
the  missionary,  read  the  treaty  slowly,  and  explained  it  in  Sioux 
very  fully.  Governor  Ramsey  then  said:  “The  chiefs  and  head 
men  have  heard  the  treaty  in  their  own  language.  Who  will 
sign  first?”  There  was  a silence  of  some  minutes,  when  Colonel 
Lea  indicated  that  Little  Crow  should  be  the  first  to  sign,  but  the 
chief  smiled  and  shook  his  head.  At  last  Wabasha  arose  and 
said : 

“You  have  requested  us  to  sign  this  paper,  and  you  have  told 
these  people  standing  around  that  it  is  for  their  benefit;  but  I do 
not  think  so.  In  the  treaty  you  have  read  you  mention  a lot 
about  farmers,  schools,  physicians,  traders  and  half-breeds,  who 
are  to  be  paid  out  of  the  money.  To  all  of  these  I am  opposed. 
You  see  these  chiefs  sitting  around  here.  They  and  some  others, 
who  are  dead,  went  to  Washington  twelve  years  ago  and  made 
a treaty  in  which  sonie  things  were  said;  but  we  were  not  bene- 
fited by  them,  and  I want  them  struck  out  of  this  one.  We  want 
nothing  but  cash  for  our  lands.  Another  thing : You  have 

named  a place  for  our  home,  but  it  is  a prairie  country.  I am  a 
man  used  to  the  woods,  and  do  not  like  the  prairies ; perhaps 
some  of  these  who  are  here  will  name  a place  we  would  all  like 
better.  Another  thing;  when  I went  to  Washington  to  see  our 
Great  Father,  he  asked  us  for  our  land,  and  we  gave  it  to  him, 
and  he  agreed  to  furnish  us  with  provisions  and  goods  for  twenty 
years.  I wish  to  remain  in  this  country  until  that  time  expires. 


82 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Colonel  Lea  made  an  indignant  and  severe  reply  to  Wabasha, 
although  as  a matter  of  fact  Wabasha’s  request  was  not  perhaps 
so  very  unreasonable.  The  colonel  declared  that  the  chief  had  a 
forked  tongue,  and  was  neither  the  friend  of  the  white  man  or 
the  Indians.  “We  know  that  the  treaty  does  not  meet  his  views, 
and  we  do  not  expect  to  be  able  to  make  one  that  will  suit  him,” 
said  Colonel  Lea,  “We  know  that  he  tried  to  deceive  the  Indi- 
ans and  us.  lie  wanted  to  have  the  Medawakantons  and  Wah- 
pakootas  make  a treaty  by  themselves — a separate  treaty — and 
leave  out  the  upper  bands  altogether.  He  did  not  want  them  to 
have  a good  treaty  unless  he  could  dictate  just  how  it  should  be. 
He  advised  you  to  ask  $6,000,000  for  the  land,  which  he  knew 
was  a foolish  proposition.  We  are  surprised  to  find  a chief  like 
him,  whose  father  and  grandfather  were  great  chiefs.  We  have 
talked  much  about  this  treaty,  and  we  have  written  and  signed 
it,  and  now  it  is  too  late  to  talk  of  changing  it.”  After  Colonel 
Lea  had  finished  this  stinging  rebuke,  which  must  have  gone  deep 
to  the  heart  of  the  proud  old  chief,  there  was  evident  dissatis- 
faction among  the  Indians.  Governor  Ramsey  quickly  asked: 
“Will  either  of  the  principal  chiefs  sign?  Do  they  say  yes  or 
no?”  But  they  said  neither.  They  were  silent  for  a time,  and 
•evidently  displeased.  For  a while  it  looked  as  though  the  papers 
would  not  receive  a single  Indian  signature.  At  last  Bad  Hail, 
the  second  chief  of  Gray  Iron’s  band,  arose  and  said  that  if 
two  claims  against  the  whites  could  be  settled,  he  and  others 
would  sign.  Chief  Shakopee  then  came  forward  and  laid  before 
the  commissioners  a written  deed,  made  and  signed  by  the 
Indians  in  1837,  and  conveying  to  their  kinswoman,  Mrs.  Lucy 
Bailly  (nee  Faribault),  the  wife  of  Alexis  Bailly,  three  sec- 
tions of  land,  including  the  present  site  of  the  town  of  Shakopee. 
The  chief  said  the  Indians  desired  that  this  land  be  secured  to 
Mrs.  Bailly  by  the  treaty,  or  that,  instead,  the  sum  of  $10,000  in 
cash  be  paid  her.  Bad  Hail  presented  another  paper,  providing 
that  a provision  be  made  in  the  treaty  for  the  reservation  of  sev- 
eral hundred  acres  for  the  heirs  of  Scott  Campbell,  the  noted  old 
interpreter  at  Fort  Snelling.  Stands  Astride,  the  second  chief 
of  Shakopee ’s  band,  demanded  that  the  request  made  in  both 
papers  be  complied  with.  But  Colonel  Lea  replied:  “Our  Great 
Father  will  not  allow  us  to  write  such  things  in  treaties.  If  you 
wish  to  pay  Mrs.  Bailly  $10,000  you  can  do  so  out  of  your  own 
money  when  the  treaty  is  ratified,  and  you  can  pay  Scott  Camp- 
bell’s heirs  as  much  as  you  please;  the  money  will  be  yours.” 
Little  Crow  again  spoke,  and  was,  as  before,  listened  to  with  the 
deepest  attention.  He  said  he  had  been  raised  in  a country 
where  there  were  plenty  of  trees  and  extensive  woods,  in  which 
wild  game  could  be  found.  If  the  Indian  reservations  were  made 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


83 


to  extend  eastward  to  Traverse  des  Sioux,  there  would  be  plenty 
of  woods,  and  he  would  be  satisfied.  The  land  provided  for  the 
future  home  of  his  band  was  too  much  prairie.  Shakopee’s 
brother  now  came  forward,  and  speaking  very  loudly  and  earn- 
estly, and  to  the  point,  said  he  represented  the  Indian  soldiers, 
or  braves,  and  was  one  of  the  owners  of  the  land.  ‘‘The  chiefs 
don’t  seem  to  do  anything,”  he  said,  “and  we  must  be  heard.” 
Like  Little  Crow,  he  thought  the  east  line  of  the  proposed  reser- 
vation was  too  high  up  in  the  prairies,  and  he  indicated  Lake 
Minnetonka  and  Minnehaha  creek  as  the  locality  where  he 
thought  the  Medawakantons  Avould,  in  the  future,  be  Avilling  to 
live  and  die,  to  make  it  the  perpetual  home  of  the  band.  He  said 
the  soldiers  were  satisfied  with  the  other  parts  of  the  treaty. 
Governor  Kamsey  saAv  a A’aluable  opportunity.  He  began  flatter- 
ing not  only  the  warrior  Avho  had  spoken,  but  also  the  other 
Indian  soldiers,  saying  they  had  spoken  out  boldly  and  like  men. 
The  commissioners,  he  said,  have  been  Avaiting  to  hear  AA’hat  the 
warriors  Avanted.  “Now,”  said  the  governor,  ‘Gve  Avill  come 
doAvn  with  the  reservation  to  the  Little  Lock  river,  A\rhere  it 
empties  into  the  Minnesota;  this  line  Avill  certainly  ghTe  you 
timber  enough.”  Another  soldier  arose  ancl  demanded  that  the 
treaty  with  the  ChippeAvas  be  abrogated  so  that  he  and  the  other 
Sioux  could  go  to  Avar  against  them  AAdienever  they  pleased.  No 
attention  Avas  paid  to  this  speech  except  to  laugh  at  it.  Then 
Chief  AVacoota,  the  mild  mannered,  gentle  hearted  head  of  the 
Red  AATing  band,  arose,  and  speaking  someAvhat  sloAvly  and  delib- 
erately, made  a somewhat  lengthy  speech,  in  which  he  said  that 
the  treaty  was  all  right  upon  its  face,  but  the  Indians,  and  he 
among  them,  feared  that  when  it  Avas  taken  to  AYaskington  it 
Avould  be  changed  to  their  great  injury,  just  as  the  treaty  of 
1837  had  been  changed.  “I  say  it  in  good  feeling,”  declared 
AVacoota,  “but  I think  you  yourselves  believe  it  will  be  changed 
without  our  consent,  as  the  other  treaty  Avas.”  He  said  as 
to  future  reservation,  he  Avanted  it  south  of  where  he  and  his 
band  then  lived  (in  the  Cannon  river  country),  or  he  would  like 
his  particular  reserA’ation  to  be  at  Pine  Island  or  on  the  Mis- 
sissippi, Avliich  locality,  he  asserted,  was  a good  place  for  the 
Indians.  He  Avanted  this  condition  put  in  the  treaty  if  it  was 
right  and  just,  but  if  not,  then  “say  no  more  about  it.”  He 
declared  he  Avas  pleased  Avith  the  treaty  generally,  but  hoped  that 
the  farming  for  the  Indians  would  be  better  done  than  it  had 
been.  Governor  Ramsey  complimented  AVacoota  “as  a man  I 
aUvays  listen  to  AA’ith  great  respect.”  AVacoota,  it  will  thus 
be  seen,  Avanted  the  reserAration  in  the  south  part  of  AA’hat  is  uoav 
Minnesota,  practically  in  Avhat  is  now  Goodhue  county,  others 
wanted  it  in  other  places,  in  fact  there  was  so  Avide  a diversity 


84 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


of  opinion  that  the  red  men  would  probably  never  have  agreed 
among  themselves,  even  if  the  matter  had  been  left  entirely  to 
them.  The  commissioners  honestly  considered  that  they  had 
selected  a good  place  for  the  Indian  reservation.  There  would 
be  plenty  of  wood  and  water,  and  the  Indians  could  continue  to 
hunt  in  the  big  woods  and  elsewhere  in  their  former  hunting 
grounds  as  usual  until  the  whites  should  come  in  and  settle 
upon  the  lands. 

Wabasha  now  arose  and  asked  whether  or  not  is  was  designed 
to  distinguish  the  chiefs  and  second  chiefs  by  marks  of  distinc- 
tion, and  to  allow  them  more  money  than  the  common  Indians 
should  receive.  Colonel  Lea  answered:  “Wabasha  now  talks 

like  a man.’’  The  colonel  said  that  it  was  clue  to  the  station  and 
responsibility  of  the  chiefs  that  they  should  be  distinguished 
from  the  other  Indians.  He  said  that  each  chief  ought  to  have  a 
medal  and  a good  house  to  live  in,  so  that  when  his  friends  came 
to  see  him  they  could  be  accommodated  properly.  Wabasha  again 
arose.  This  time  he  turned  his  back  upon  the  commissioners 
and  spoke  to  his  warriors  somewhat  vehemently,  but  with  dignity. 
“Young  men,”  he  said,  “you  have  declared  that  the  chief  who 
got  up  first  to  sign  the  treaty,  you  would  like  killed ; it  is  this 
talk  that  has  caused  all  the  difficulty.  It  seems  that  you  have 
agreed  among  yourselves  that  you  will  sell  the  land,  and  you 
have  done  it  in  the  dark.  I want  you  to  say  now  outright,  before 
all  the  people  here,  whether  you  are  willing  to  sell  the  land.” 
Shakopee’s  brother,  the  speaker  for  the  warriors,  sprang  to  his 
feet  and  called  out  excitedly:  “Wabasha  has  accused  us  of 

something  we  never  thought  of.  The  warriors  heard  that  the 
chiefs  were  making  a treaty  and  they  did  not  like  it,  for  the 
land  really  belongs  to  the  warriors  and  not  to  the  chiefs ; but  they 
never  spoke  of  killing  the  chiefs.  It  was  true  that  the  soldiers 
have  got  together  and  agreed  to  sell  the  land;  they  have  told 
him  so,  and  now  I have  said  so.”  Governor  Ramsey,  seeing  his 
opportunity,  quickly  said:  “This,  then,  being  the  understand- 

ing, let  the  soldiers  tell  us  what  chief  shall  sign  first.”  Medicine 
Bottle,  the  head  soldier  of  Little  Crow’s  Kaposia  band,  arose 
and  said:  “To  the  people  who  did  not  go  to  Washington  and 

make  the  treaty — to  them  belongs  the  land  on  this  side  of  the  river. 
There  is  one  chief  among  us  who  did  not  go  to  Washington  at 
that  time,  and  the  soldiers  want  him  to  sign  first.  He  has  been 
a great  war  chief,  and  he  has  been  our  leader  against  the  Chip- 
pewas.  It  is  Little  Crow.  AVe  want  him  to  sign  first.”  Little 
Crow  promptly  arose.  Without  a tremor  he  faced  the  scowling 
warriors  who  had  opposed  the  treaty,  and  in  his  well  known 
clarion  voice,  keyed  to  a high  pitch,  he  thus  addressed  them : 
“Soldiers,  it  has  been  said  by  some  of  you  that  the  first  that 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUXTY 


85 


signs  this  treaty  you  will  kill.  Now  I am  willing  to  be  first, 
but  I am  not  afraid  you  will  kill  me.  If  you  do,  it  will  be  all 
right.  A man  has  to  die  sometime,  and  he  can  die  but  once. 
It  matters  little  to  me  when  my  time  comes,  nor  do  I care  much 
how  it  comes,  though  I would  rather  die  fighting  our  enemies. 
I believe  this  treaty  will  be  best  for  the  Dakotas,  and  I will 
sign  it,  even  if  a dog  kills  me  before  I lay  down  the  goose  quill.” 
Then  turning  to  the  commissioners,  he  said:  “Fathers,  I hope 

you  will  be  willing  to  let  our  new  reservation  come  down  to  the 
Traverse  des  Sioux,  so  that'  our  people  can  be  comfortable  and 
not  crowded,  and  have  plenty  of  good  hunting  and  fishing 
grounds.  The  Swan  lake  and  other  lakes  have  plenty  of  fish 
and  wild  rice  and  there  is  plenty  of  wood.  Rock  creek  is  not 
far  enough  down  for  us.  I am  glad  that  we  can  hunt  in  the  big 
woods  as  heretofore,  but  I hope  you  will  bring  our  new  home 
down  to  Traverse  des  Sioux.”  If  Little  Crow’s  request  had  been 
granted,  the  eastern  boundary  of  the  new  reservation  would  have 
extended  about  forty  miles  below  Rock  creek,  or  two  miles  east 
of  St.  Peter,  and  would  have  included  the  present  sites  of  that 
city,  New  Ulm  and  Mankato.  The  commissioners  declined  the 
request.  Colonel  Lea  said:  “The  reservation  is  all  right  as  it 

is.”  Governor  Ramsey  said:  “We  have  marked  out  a large 

piece  of  land  for  your  home ; the  soldiers  asked  us  for  more  and 
we  gave  it.  It  is  all  that  we  can  do.”  Colonel  Lea  added:  “No 
man  puts  any  food  in  his  mouth  by  much  talk,  but  often  gets 
hungry  if  he  talks  too  long.  Let  the  Little  Crow  and  the  other 
chiefs  step  forward  and  sign.”  Finding  the  commissioners  firm, 
Little  Crow  now  stepped  to  the  table  and,  being  handed  a chair, 
sat  down  and  signed  each  of  the  duplicate  copies  of  the  treaty. 
It  has  been  said  that  Little  Crow  was  taught  to  write  by  the  Rev. 
Briggs  at  Lac  qui  Parle,  and  another  account  declares  with 
equal  assurance  that  his  teacher  was  the  Rev.  Dr.  Williamson, 
at  Ivaposia.  To  the  treaty  Little  Crow  signed  his  original  name, 
Tali  O-ya-te  Duta,  meaning  His  Red  Nation.  Wabasha  was  the 
next  to  sign,  making  his  mark.  Then  the  other  chiefs,  head 
soldiers  and  principal  warriors  crowded  around  to  affix  their 
marks.  In  all  there  were  sixty-five  Indian  signatures.  Of  Wa- 
coota’s  band,  the  following  affixed  their  signatures:  Chief  Wah- 
koo-tay,  the  Shooter ; his  head  soldier.  Iron  Cloud ; and  his 
principal  warriors,  Good  Iron  Voice,  Stands  on  the  Ground, 
Stands  Above,  Sacred  Fire,  Red  Stones,  Sacred  Blaze  and  Iron 
Cane. 

At  Mendota,  as  at  Traverse  des  Sioux,  when  the  treaty  was 
concluded,  each  Indian  signer  stepped  to  another  table  where 
lay  another  paper  which  he  signed.  This  was  called  the  traders’ 
paper,  and  was  an  agreement  to  pay  the  “just  debts,”  so  called. 


86 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


of  the  Indians,  including  those  present  and  absent,  alive  and 
dead,  owing  to  the  traders  and  the  trading  company.  Some  of 
the  accounts  were  nearly  thirty  years  old,  and  the  Indians  avIio 
had  contracted  them  were  dead;  but  the  bands  willingly  assumed 
the  indebtedness  and  agreed  that  it  might  be  discharged  out  of 
the  first  money  paid  them.  The  territory  ceded  by  the  two 
treaties  was  declared  to  be:  “All  their  lands  in  the  state  of 

Iowa,  and  also  all  their  lands  in  the  territory  of  Minnesota  lying 
east  of  the  following  line,  to-wit : Beginning  at  the  junction  of 
Buffalo  river  with  the  Red  River  of  the  North  (about  twelve 
miles  north  of  Morehead,  at  Georgetown  station,  in  Clay  county), 
thence  along  the  western  bank  of  said  Red  River  of  the  North, 
to  the  mouth  of  the  Sioux  AYood  river;  thence  along  the  western 
bank  of  said  Sioux  Wood  river  to  Lake  Traverse;  thence  along 
the  western  shore  of  said  lake  to  the  southern  extremity  thereof ; 
thence,  in  a direct  line,  to  the  juncture  of  Kampeska  lake  with 
the  Tehan-Ka-Sna-Duka,  or  Sioux  river ; thence  along  the  western 
bank  of  said  river  to  its  point  of  intersection  with  the  northern 
line  of  the. state  of  Iowa,  including  all  islands  in  said  rivers  and 
lakes.” 

The  lower  bands,  in  which  designation  were  included  Wa- 
coota’s  and  Wabasha’s  bands,  were  to  receive  $1,410,000,  to  be 
paid  in  the  manner  and  form  following : For  settling  debts  and 
removing  themselves  to  the  new  reservation,  $220,000,  one-half  to 
the  Medawakanton  bands,  and  one-half  to  the  single  Wahpa- 
koota  band ; for  schools,  mills,  and  opening  farms,  $30,000.  Of 
the  principal  of  $1,410,000,  the  sum  of  $30,000  in  cash  was  to  be 
distributed  among  the  two  bands  as  soon  as  the  treaty  was 
ratified,  and  $28,000  was  to  be  expended  annually  under  the 
president’s  direction  as  follows:  To  a civilization  fund,  $12,000; 
to  an  educational  fund,  $6,000;  for  goods  and  provisions,  $10,000. 
The  balance  of  the  principal,  or  $1,160,000,  was  to  remain  in  trust 
with  the  United  States ‘at  five  per  cent  interest,  to  be  paid 
annually  to  the  Indians  for  fifty  years,  commencing  July  1, 
1852.  The  $58,000  annuity  interest  was  to  be  expended  as  the 
first  installment — $30,000  in  cash,  $12,000  for  civilization,  $6,000 
for  education,  and  $10,000  for  goods  and  provisions.  The  back 
annuities  under  the  treaty  of  1837  remaining  unexpired  were 
also  to  be  paid  annually.  Their  reservation  was  to  extend  from 
the  mouth  of  the  Yellow  Medicine  and  Hawk  creek  southeasterly 
to  the  mouth  of  Rock  creek,  a tract  twenty  miles  wide  and  about 
forty-five  miles  in  length.  The  half-breeds  of  the  Sioux  were 
to  receive  in  cash  $150,000  in  lieu  of  the  lands  allowed  them 
under  the  Prairie  du  Chien  treaty  of  1830,  but  which  they  had 
failed  to  claim. 

The  written  copies  of  the  Traverse  des  Sioux  and  the  Men- 


HISTOBY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


87 


dota  treaties,  duly  signed  and  attested,  were  forwarded  to  Wash- 
ington to  be  acted  upon  by  the  senate  at  the  ensuing  session  of 
Congress.  An  unreasonably  long  delay  resulted.  Final  action 
was  not  had  until  the  following  summer,  when,  on  July  23, 
the  senate  ratified  both  treaties  with  important  amendments. 
The  provisions  for  reservations  for  both  the  upper  and  lower 
bands  were  stricken  out,  and  substitutes  adopted,  agreeing  to 
pay  ten  cents  an  acre  for  both  reservations,  and  authorizing  the 
president,  with  the  assent  of  the  Indians,  to  cause  to  be  set  apart 
other  reservations,  which  were  to  be  within  the  limits  of  the 
original  great  session.  The  provision  to  pay  $150,000  to  the 
half-bloods  of  the  lower  bands  was  also  stricken  out.  The- 
treaties,  with  the  changes,  came  back  to  the  Indians  for  final 
ratification  and  agreement  t'o  the  alterations.  The  chiefs  of  the 
lower  bands  at  first  objected  very  strenuously,  but  finally,  on 
Saturday,  September  4,  1852,  at  Governor  Ramsey’s  residence 
in  St.  Paul,  they  signed  the  amended  articles,  and  the  following 
Monday  the  chiefs  and  head  men  of  the  upper  bands  affixed 
their  marks.  As  amended,  the  treaties  were  proclaimed  by 
President  Fillmore  February  24,  1853.  The  Indians  were  allowed 
to  remain  in  their  old  villages,  or  if  they  preferred,  to  occupy 
their  reservations  as  originally  designated,  until  the  president 
selected  their  new  homes.  That  selection  was  never  made,  and 
the  original  reservations  were  finally  allowed  them.  The  removal 
of  the  lower  Indians  to  their  designated  reservation  began  in 
1853,  but  was  intermittent,  interrupted,  and  extended  over  a 
period  of  several  years.  The  Indians  went  up  in  detachments, 
as  they  felt  inclined.  After  living  on  the  reservation  for  a time, 
some  of  them  returned  to  their  old  hunting  grounds  about  Men- 
dota,  Kaposia,  Wabasha,  Red  Wing  and  the  Cannon  river 
country,  where  they  lived  continuously  for  some  time,  visiting 
their  reservation  and  agency  only  at  the  time  of  the  payment 
of  their  annuities.  Finally,  by  the  offer  of  cabins  to  live  in,  or 
other  substantial  inducements,  nearly  all  of  them  were  induced 
to  settle  on  the  Redwood  Reserve,  so  that  in  1862,  at  the  time 
of  the  outbreak,  less  than  twenty  families  of  the  Medawakantons 
and  Wahpakootas  were  living  off  their  reservation.  With  the 
subsequent  history  of,  these  Indians  this  volume  will  not  deal  in 
detail ; the  purpose  of  dealing  with  the  Indians  thus  far  in  this 
chapter  having  been  to  show  the  various  negotiations  by  which 
Goodhue  county  and  the  surrounding  territory  came  into  the 
possession  of  the  whites  and  was  thus  opened  for  settlement  and 
development. 

A few  of  the  descendants  of  the  original  Goodhue  county 
Sioux  now  live  at  Prairie  Island,  where  they  have  a settlement 
of  their  own  and  a small  Episcopal  chapel.  It  will  be  recalled 


88 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


that  after  the  signing  of  the  treaty  ceding  this  and  other  counties 
to  the  whites  the  Indians  moved  to  the  designated  reservation. 
After  the  Indian  outbreak  of  1862  they  were  removed  to  the 
Santee  reservation  in  Nebraska.  For  several  years  after  the  out- 
break an  Indian’s  life  was  not  safe  in  this  county, . among  the 
indignant  whites.  The  intense  feeling  after  a time  died  away, 
and  a few  Indians  wandered  back.  Their  hearts  longed  for 
the  scenes  of  their  youth,  and  one  by  one  they  located  on 
Prairie  Island.  Finally  several  families  relinquished  their  rights 
in  the  Santee  country,  and  in  return  the  government  built  them 
houses  and  made  them  as  comfortable  as  possible  at  Prairie 
Island.  The  annuities  have  now  expired,  and  these  descendants 
of  the  original  owners  earn  their  living  on  their  little  farms  and 
do  various  work  for  the  farmers  of  the  county.  Their  children 
attend  the  public  schools,  and  the  families  evidently  live  in  con- 
tentment and  happiness,  although  in  their  hearts  they  still  long 
for  the  old  days  of  hunting  and  fishing  and  the  free,  wild  out- 
door life,  when  the  country  was  all  theirs  and  the  demands  of 
conventionality  unknown. 

Hon.  William  C.  Williston,  now  deceased,  was  one  of  the  most 
eminent  of  Minnesota  jurists,  occupying  the  bench  of  the  First 
Judicial  district  from  1891  until  the  time  of  his  death,  June  22, 
1909.  He  was  born  at  Cheraw,  Chesterfield  county,  South  Caro- 
lina, June  22,  1830,  son  of  William  Iv.  and  Annis  (Chapman) 
Williston,  the  former  of  whom  was  a native  of  Simsbury,  Conn., 
and  the  latter  of  South  Hampton,  Mass.  The  parents  went  to 
South  Carolina  in  the  late  twenties,  and  there  the  father  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business.  In  1834  the  family  removed  to  Char- 
don,  Geauga  county,  Ohio.  There  the  mother  died  in  1863,  and 
the  father  came  to  Red  AVing,  where  he  ended  his  days.  During 
his  boyhood,  William  was  an  apt  pupil  in  the  schools  of  his  neigh- 
borhood, and  early  entertained  the  idea  of  studying  for  the  legale 
profession.  Such  an  opportunity  later  presented  itself,  and  after 
several  years  of  training  in  the  office  of  Riddle  & Thrasher,  of 
Chardon,  Ohio,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1854.  His  first 
practice  was  as  a junior  partner  in  the  office  of  his  preceptors, 
the  firm  name  being  Riddle,  Thrasher  & AVilliston.  Two  years 
later  Air.  Williston  left  Chardon  and  came  to  Red  Wing,  becom- 
ing a partner  in  the  firm  of  Wilder  & Williston  in  1859.  In  1862 
the  Civil  War  had  broken  out,  and  repeated  calls  for  volunteers 
were  being  sent  to  the  northern  states.  Desiring  to  be  of  service 
to  his  country,  Mr.  Williston  raised  a company  of  volunteers,  of 
which  he  was  elected  captain.  This  company  was  organized  in 
August,  1862,  with  the  expectation  of  doing  service  in  the  South, 
but  the  outbreaking  of  the  Indian  outrages  caused  a demand  for 
fighting  nearer  home.  Going  into  service  as  Company  G,  Seventh 


HISTORY  OS  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


89 


Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry,  Captain  Williston ’s  command  was 
ordered  with  the  rest  of  the  regiment  on  an  expedition  against 
the  Indians.  The  regiment  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Wood  Lake, 
September  22,  1862,  and  was  stationed  at  frontier  posts  until 
May,  1863,  when  again  ordered  on  an  Indian  expedition,  engaging 
the  Reds  in  battle  July  24,  26  and  28,  1863.  Company  G was  then 
ordered  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  October  7,  1863,  where  Captain  Willis- 
ton  remained  till  the  spring  of  ’64,  when  he  tendered  his  resigna- 
tion and  after  its  acceptance  returned  to  Red  Wing,  where  he 
resumed  his  practice  with  Judge  Wilder.  In  1872  he  entered  into 
partnership  with  0.  M.  Hall,  this  arrangement  continuing  for 
several  years.  His  first  appointment  as  district  judge  came  in 
1891  from  Governor  William  R.  Merriam.  He  was  elected  to  the 
position  in  1892,  and  then  successively  re-elected  until  his  death. 
His  associate  on  the  bench  was  the  Hon.  F.  M.  Crosby,  of  Hast- 
ings. Judge  Williston  represented  the  county  in  the  legislature 
in  1873-74,  served  in  the  senate  in  1876-77,  was  clerk  of  the  city 
schools  seventeep  years,  and  city  attorney  several  terms  at  vari- 
ous times.  He  was  an  independent  voter,  a communicant  of  the 
Episcopal  Church  for  fifty  years,  and  a member  of  the  Masons. 
William  .C.  Williston  was  married  in  1854.  at  Chardon,  Ohio,  to 
Mary  E.  Canfield,  of  that  place,  daughter  of  Austin  and  Lodemia 
(Benton)  Canfield.  To  this  union  were  born  two  sons  and  two 
daughters.  William  F.  C.  is  deceased.  Julia  W.  is  the  wife  of 
John  H.  Rich  of  Red  Wing.  Annie  C.  is  the  wife  of  Louis  Phelps, 
now  of  Wyoming.  Eugene,  the  youngest  son,  died  in  infancy. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


INDIAN  TROUBLES. 

* 

Half-Breed  Tract — The  Location  and  Purpose — Issue  of  Scrip — 
Difficulties  Which  Ensued — Threats  and  Recourse  to  Wash- 
ington Finally  Settle  the  Matter — Spirit  Lake  Massacre 
— Investigation  by  Red  Wing  Men — Uprising  of  1862. 

The  difficulty  in  regard  to  the  “Half-breed  tract,”  so  called, 
was  a source  of  much  inconvenience  to  the  early  settlers  in 
Goodhue  county.  As  has  previously  been  mentioned,  the  lower 
bands  of  Sioux  had  succeeded  in  having  set  off  a certain  tract 
of  land,  lying  largely  in  the  present  Goodhue  county, "for  the 
benefit  of  their  half-bloods.  There  is  little  doubt  that  the  Indian 
traders  and  those  in  their  employ  Avere  the  chief  instruments 
in  having  such  a reservation  made.  The  persons  who  would  be 
entitled  to  share  in  the  tract  were  at  that  time  chiefly  children 
under  age.  This'  land  was  not  laid  off  into  townships  and 
sections  by  the  surveyors  until  about  a year  after  the  other  parts 
of  the  county  had  been  surveyed.  A few  settlers,  however,  had, 
by  permission  of  some  of  the  relatives  of  the  Indians,  settled 
within  the  tract.  Some  had  purchased  rights  of  some  mixed 
bloods  and  had  made  a claim  accordingly.  When  the  United 
States  survey  was  finally  made,  no  attention  was  paid  to  previous 
boundaries,  the  townships  and  sections  being  laid  down  in  the 
usual  order,  and  in  conformity  with  the  adjacent  lands.  Soon 
after  the  land  office  was  opened  in  Red  Wing,  a list  of  the 
names  of  all  persons  entitled  to  a share  in  the  reserved  tract 
was  made  out  and  sent  to  the  general  land  office  in  Washington. 
Scrip  was  immediately  issued  to  each  name,  designating  the 
number  of  acres  the  person  named  was  entitled  to.  General 
Shields  brought  the  scrip  to  Minnesota  for  distribution.  A great 
portion  of  this  scrip  passed  into  the  hands  of  parents  or  guard- 
ians of  children,  and  from  them  it  passed  into  the  hands  of 
speculators.  About  this  time  there  were  probably  two  hundred 
families  of  whites  settled  upon  this  tract.  Many  of  them  held 
quit  claims  from  individual  half-breeds  for  a certain  number  of 
acres.  But  the  land  office  could  not  recognize  the  quit  claims, 

90 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


91 


for  obvious  reasons.  Nothing  but  the  scrip  from  the  general 
land  office  would  avail  in  filing  an  entry  upon  any  portion  of  this 
land.  Speculators  saw  their  opportunity  and  began  to  take  up 
the  land  by  “laying  the  scrip,”  as  the  act  was  called,  in  the 
land  office.  The  choicest  locations  were  already  occupied  by 
settlers,  and  those  who  held  scrip  could  enter  the  lands  these 
settlers  had  chosen,  in  many  cases  where  extensive  improvements 
had  been  made,  the  soil  broken,  crops  raised,  and  buildings  and 
fences  erected.  The  actual  settlers  had  the  sympathy  of  all  the 
surrounding  population,  but  holders  of  the  scrip  had  the  legal 
advantage  of  the  situation,  and  commenced  to  obtain  titles  to 
farms  already  improved.  This  caused  the  settlers  to  rally  in 
self-defense.  Red  Wing,  in  particular,  was  a scene  of  excite- 
ment, for  here  was  located  the  land  office,  and  the  eastern  part 
of  the  township  was  included  in  this  troublesome  tract.  Meetings 
were  held  by  the  actual  settlers  and  counsel  taken  as  to  methods 
of  procedure.  They  assessed  upon  themselves  a tax,  raised 
money,  and  sent  one  man  to  Washington  to  demand  justice,  as 
they  called  it,  in  their  behalf.  They"  secured  from  the  land 
office  correct  copies  of  plats  of  all  the  townships  and  fractional 
townships  included  within  the  tract,  and  upon  whatever  quarter- 
section  a settler  had  made  his  improvements,  that  quarter-section 
was  definitely  marked.  Holders  of  scrip  were  publicly  warned 
against  filing  upon  such  land.  At  a meeting  of  those  interested 
in  the  cause  of  the  settlers,  which  was  held  at  the  Kelleys  House 
rn  Red  Wing.  March  17,  1856,  a vigilance  committee  was  chosen 
to  prevent  any  more  scrip  being  laid  upon  land  already  occu- 
pied. This  committee  was  empowered  to  demand  that  in  every 
case  where  scrip  had  been  laid  on  the  land  of  actual  settlers 
said  scrip  should  immediately  be  raised.  This  committee  was 
composed  of  twenty-one  members.  They  were  men  of  dauntless 
courage  and  muscular  power,  and  devoted  their  whole  time  and 
energy  to  the  tvork  appointed  until  it  was  accomplished.  Two 
of  them  stood  as  sentinels  at  the  land  office,  armed  with  loaded 
revolvers,  constantly  watching  everyr  transaction  therein,  being 
relieved  byr  another  two  at  stated  times.  In  the  meantime  the 
majority  of  the  committee  were  acting  as  detectives,  arresting 
and  bringing  to  trial  those  who  had  offended,  the  trial  not  being 
before  a court  of  justice,  but  before  the  committee.  There  was 
at  that  time  no  court  house  and  no  jail,  and  the  lawyers  knew 
that  the  scrip  holders  were  acting  within  their  legal  rights.  The 
kind  of  justice  meted  out  is  shown  by  the  following  case,  related 
by  the  Rev.  J.  AY.  Hancock: 

“A  former  Indian  trader  lived  on  Lake  Pepin.  He  had  been 
a member  of  the  territorial  legislature,  was  a man  of  some 
notoriety,  whose  well  known  character  has  procured  for  him  the 


92 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


title  of  ‘Bully.’  He  had  succeeded  in  ‘laying’  some  half-breed 
scrip  upon  land  occupied  by  a settler.  The  committee  watched 
his  movements,  knowing  that  his  family  was  entitled  to  a large 
amount  of  scrip,  and  waited  for  his  next  visit  to  the  land  office, 
which  was  not  many  days  after.  He  came  as  far  as  the  door 
of  the  land  office,  when  he  was  taken  into  the  custody  of  a 
strong  guard  of  armed  men,  whose  leader  commanded  him  to 
march  into  the  office  forthwith  and  raise  the  entry  he  had  made 
upon  a settler’s  land  by  scrip.  He  utterly  refused  to  comply  with 
this  demand  and  defied  the  committee  to  compel  him  to  do  so. 
Meantime  preparations  were  made  for  his  trial  and  its  conse- 
quences. Witnesses  were  summoned  and  he  was  convicted  of 
refusing  to  obey  the  mandate  of  the  committee.  He  was  then 
escorted  down  to  the  river,  which  was  still  covered  with  ice, 
although  it  was  near  the  close  of  March.  Very  near  the  middle 
of  the  stream  a hole  had  been  cut  big  enough  to  put  a good 
sized  man  into.  He  was  there  told  to  take  his  choice  either 
to  go  immediately  to  the  land  office,  and  in  the  presence  of  the 
members  of  the  committee,  raise  that  entry  of  scrip  or  be  put 
down  through  the  ice.  He  looked  into  the  faces  of  those 
determined  men  a moment,  and  made  up  his  mind  to  go  and  do 
as  they  had  ordered  in  relation  to  the  scrip.” 

There  were  several  eases  of  this  kind,  disposed  of  by  threats, 
but  it  is  said  that  no  personal  injury  was  inflicted  on  anyone** 
A few  weeks  later  a decision  from  the  land  office  at  Washington 
obviated  the  need  of  such  a committee.  By  this  decision,  those 
who  had  settled  upon  a tract  and  made  improvements  thereon 
had  the  preemption  and  homestead  rights,  the  same  as  on  other 
government  lands.  The  same  decision  granted  to  the  holders 
of  half-breed  scrip  the  privilege  of  laying  the  same  upon  any 
other  government  land  not  previously  claimed  by  an  actual 
settler.  All  the  vacant  land  on  the  half-breed  tract  was  taken 
very  soon  after  this  decision,  the  situation  near  the  river  enhanc- 
ing its  value.  The  disadvantage  of  a distance  of  a few  miles  from 
market  was  considered  a great  drawback  in  those  days,  before 
the  advent  of  the  railroads.  Few  or  none  of  the  mixed  bloods 
ever  cared  to  settle  on  the  land  thus  set  apart  for  them.  Occa- 
sionally, a decade  or  so  afterward,  there  was  an  echo  of  this 
half-breed  affair,  when  some  half-blood  whose  guardian  had  sold 
his  (the  half-breed’s)  scrip  rights  would,  upon  attaining  his 
majority,  demand  of  the  settler  on  the  property  that  he,  too,  he 
paid.  In  most  cases  these  demands  were  complied  with,  the 
farmers,  whose  land  had  greatly  enhanced  in  value,  deeming  it 
wiser  to  pay  a small  sum  than  to  undergo  the  expense  of  a 
lawsuit. 

Thus  passed  the  last  vestige  of  Indian  title  to  the  rich  valleys 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


93 


and  plains  of  this  county,  which  was  once,  ancl  for  countless 
generations,  a camping’  and  hunting  ground  of  the  red  men. 

Any  account  of  the  relations  between  the  Indians  and  Good- 
hue  county  whites  would  be  incomplete  without  mention  of  the 
Spirit  Lake  massacre.  The  Sioux  of  Red  Wing’s  village  used  to 
boast  that  although  they  had  killed  the  Chippewas  whenever 
they  had  found  any,  they  nor  any  of  their  tribe  had  ever  killed 
a white  person.  But  this  was  in  1850  that  they  so  proudly  made 
their  boast  of  their  peaceable  inclination  toward  the  whites. 
In  the  spring  of  1856  Red  Wing  enterprise  fitted  out  a company 
of  men  consisting  of  G.  W.  Granger,  Barton  Snyder  and  Isaac 
Harriett,  and  sent  them  down  to  Spirit  lake  to  select  land  claims 
and  found  a town.  In  the  fall  of  1856  there  were  seven  cabins 
around  the  lake,  all  of  which  were  occupied.  The  occupants 
were  a man  named  Thatcher  and  family.  Marble  and  family, 
Judge  HoAve  and  family,  Mattox  and  family,  and  Isaac  Harriett, 
Barton  Snyder  and  G.  W,  Granger,  the  three  last  named  occupy- 
ing one  cabin  and  keeping  “bachelor’s  hall.” 

For  some  years  previous  to  this,  a few  Dakota  Indians  and 
outlaAvs,  under  the  lead  of  an  excommunicated  Dakota  Indian 
named  Inkpadootah,  had  been  roving  through  that  part  of  Iowa. 
They  had  been  driven  away  from  their  oaa'u  people  and  were  a 
band  unto  themselves — insolent,  devilish,  murderous  Avretches; 
and  on  Sunday,  March  8,  1856,  they  came  to  Spirit  Lake,  and 
almost  immediately  commenced  their  hellish  Avork.  Mr.  Neill 
says  they  proceeded  to  a cabin  occupied  only  by  men,  and  asked 
for  beef.  Understanding,  as  they  afterward  asserted,  that  they 
received  permission  to  kill  one  of  the  cattle,  they  did  so,  and  com- 
menced cutting  it  up,  when  one  of  the  Avhite  men  AArent  out  and 
knocked  the  Dakota  doAA'n.  In  retaliation  the  white  man  Avas 
shot  ancl  killed,  and,  surrounding  the  house,  the  Indians  set  fire 
to  the  thatched  roof  and  killed  the  occupants  as  they  attempted 
to  escape  from  the  burning  building — eleA^en  in  all. 

•Other  authorities  say  there  Avas  no  beef  demanded  by  the 
Indians,  no  beef  killed,  and  that  Inkpadootah  Avas  not  assaulted 
by  any  of  the  white  men,  but  that  the  attack  Avas  instigated  solely 
and  simply  by  Indian  treachery  and  thirst  for  blood.  This  ver- 
sion of  the  affair  is  maintained  by  Isaac  Lauver,  W.  AY.  DeKay, 
George  Huntington  and  a Mr.  Patten,  who  Avent  down  to  Spirit 
Lake  from  Red  Wing  about  the  31st  of  March,  as  soon  as  they 
heard  of  the  massacre,  to  bury  the  remains  of  the  murdered 
victims  and  look  after  the  claim  interests. 

At  about  the  same  time  the  murdering  wretches  went  to  a 
cabin  occupied  by  a man  named  Gardner  and  his  family,  and 
asked  for  something  to  eat.  Everything  in  the  house  was  given 
Them.  While  they  were  disposing  of  Gardner’s  hospitality,  his 


94 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


son-in-law  and  another  man  who  was  there  went  out  to  see 
if  everything  was  right  at  the  neighboring  cabin— the  one  just 
mentioned  as  being  set  on  fire.  It  was  their  last  mission,  for 
some  of  the  Indians  were  in  ambush,  and  shot  and  killed  them 
also.  The  Indians  left  Gardner’s  after  securing  all  the  food 
the  cabin  contained,  but  returned  in  the  latter  part  of  the  after- 
noon and  killed  Gardner,  his  wife,  two  daughters  and  his  grand- 
children, and  carried  away  as  a prisoner  one  other,  named  Abbey. 
That  night  or  the  next  morning  they  visited  the  homes  of  Noble 
and  Thatcher,  avIio  had  settled  there,  and  carried  Mrs.  Noble  and 
Mrs.  Thatcher  prisoners  to  their  camp.  On  Monday  a man 
named  Markham  went  to  Gardner’s  on  some  errand,  and  found 
the  murdered  bodies  of  the  entire  family.  Markham  hid  himself 
until  darkness  came  on,  and  then  went  to  Springfield  and 
reported  the  murder. 

The  following  Thursday,  March  12,  an  Indian  called  at 
Marble’s  cabin,  three  miles  above  Thatcher’s,  and  told  her  that 
the  white  people  down  the  lake  had  been  nipped  (killed)  a day 
or  two  before.  This  intelligence  alarmed  the  Marbles,  the  more 
so  as  the  great  depth  of  snow  then  on  the  ground  had  prevented 
communication  with  the  settlement  below  for  some  days;  but, 
fearing  the  worst,  it  was  impossible  for  the  Marble  family  to 
inaugurate  any  measures  for  flight,  or  other  means  of  safety. 
The  next  morning,  Friday,  the  13th,  four  Indians,  with  friendly 
bearing,  came  to  Marble’s  and  bantered  him  to  trade  rifles. 
The  trade  was  made,  after  which  they  prevailed  on  Marble  to  go 
out  on  the  lake  and  shoot  at  a mark.  After  a few  shots  they 
turned  in  the  direction  of  the  house,  and  managing  to  get  Marble 
in  advance  of  them,  the  Indians  shot  him,  and  he  fell 
dead  in  his  tracks.  Mrs.  Marble,  who  had  been  watching  the 
maneuvering  of  the  fiends,  saw  her  husband  fall,  and  ran  to  him, 
when  the  bloody  wretches  seized  her  and  told  her  they  would  not 
kill  her,  but  that  they  would  take  her  with  them,  and  she  was 
carried  to  the  camp,  where  they  had  previously  taken  Mrs.  Noble 
and  Mrs.  Thatcher  and  Miss  Gardner. 

Inkpadootali  and  his  followers  next  went  to  Springfield, 
where,  a week  or  two  later,  they  butchered  the  entire  settlement. 
The  alarm  was  sent  to  Fort  Ridgely,  and  a detachment  of  soldiers 
was  sent  out  in  pursuit.  They  found  and  buried  two  bodies,  and 
the  Iowans,  avIio  had  volunteered  and  started  out  to  avenge  the 
murders  and  outrages  as  soon  as  they  heard  of  their  perpetration, 
found  and  buried  twenty-nine  others.  Besides  these  thirty-one 
bodies  that  were  found  and  buried,  others  were  still  missing. 

Learning  that  soldiers  were  in  pursuit  of  them,  the  outlaAvs 
made  haste  to  leave  the  vicinity  of  their  depredations,  carrying 
the  four  women  along  with  them.  They  were  forced  to  carry 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


95 


heavy  burdens  by  day,  and  to  cut  wood,  build  fires  and  do  other 
camp  duty  when  night  came.  In  consequence  of  poor  health 
and  recent  childbirth,  Mrs.  Thatcher  became  burdensome,  and  at 
Big  Sioux  river,  when  attempting  to  cross  on  the  trunks  of 
trees  fallen  from  the  opposite  banks,  she  was  pushed  off  into  the 
deep,  cold  water  by  one  of  the  Indians.  She  swam  to  the  shore, 
when  they  pushed  her  back  into  the  current,  and  then  shot  at 
her,  as  if  she  were  a target,  until  life  was  extinct. 

In  May  two  men  from  Lac  qui  Parle,  who  had  been  taught 
to  read  and  write,  while  on  their  spring  hunt  found  themselves 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Inkpadootah  and  his  party.  Having 
heard  that  they  held  some  American  women  in  captivity,  the 
two  brothers  visited  the  camp,  though  this  was  at  some  risk  of 
their  own  lives,  since  Inkpadootah  ’s  hand  was  now  against  every 
man,  and  found  the  outlaws  and  succeeded  in  bargaining  for 
Mrs.  Marble,  whom  they  conveyed  to  their  mother’s  mission 
and  reclothed  in  civilized  costume.  From  thence  she  was  con- 
veyed to  St.  Paul,  where  the  citizens  welcomed  her  and  made 
up  a purse  of  $1,000,  with  which  she  was  presented. 

The  rescue  of  the  other  two  women  was  now  resolved  upon, 
and  Flandrau,  the  Dakota  agent,  commissioned  a “good  Indian” 
named  Paul  by  the  whites  to  accomplish  their  redemption.  He 
was  fitted  out  with  a wagon,  two  horses  and  some  valuable 
presents,  and  started  on  his  mission.  He  found  Inkpadootah 
and  his  iniquitous  cut-throats  with  a band  of  Yanktons  on  the 
James  river.  Only  Miss  Gardner  was  living.  Mrs.  Noble  had 
been  murdered  a few  nights  before.  She  had  been  ordered 
to  go  out  and  be  subject  to  the  wishes  of  the  party,  and  refusing 
to  go,  a son  of  Inkpadootah  dragged  her  out  by  the  hair  of 
her  head  and  killed  her.  The  next  morning  a Dakota-  woman 
took  Miss  Gardner  out  to  see  the  corpse,  which  had  been  horribly 
treated  after  death.  By  perseverance  and  large  presents,  Paul 
succeeded  in  redeeming  Miss  Gardner,  and  she  was  taken  to  the 
mission  house.  From  there  she  was  taken  to  St.  Paul,  from 
whence  she  was  sent  to  her  sister  in  Iowa. 

The  same  year,  about  the  last  of  June  or  first  of  July,  Ink- 
padootah’s  son,  said  to  have  been  the  murderer  of  Mrs.  Noble, 
was  killed  while  seeking  to  escape  arrest  for  that  cruel  butchery. 
Reports  became  current  that  he  was  in  camp  on  Yellow  Medicine 
river.  Flandrau  and  a detachment  of  soldiers  from  Fort  Ridgely, 
acompanied  by  some  Indian  guides,  started  for  the  camp  to  arrest 
him.  As  they  approached  the  camp  the  alarm  was  given  and 
the  murderer  ran  from  his  lodge  and  concealed  himself  in  the 
brush  near  the  river,  but  was  soon  uncovered  and  shot  by  United 
States  soldiers.  The  rest  of  the  gang  managed  to  escape,  and 
are  said  to  have  taken  refuge  beyond  the  Missouri  river. 


96 


III  STORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 

The  Red  Wing  party  who  went  down  to  Spirit  Lake  to  bury 
the  dead,  etc.,  as  already  mentioned,  found  the  remains  of 
Granger  by  the  side  of  the  cabin  he  occupied  in  common  with 
Snyder  and  Harriett.  Granger  had  first  been  shot,  and  then 
his  head  cut  off  from  above  the  mouth  and  ears  with  a broadaxe. 
The  remains  of  Harriett  and  Snyder  were  found  about  forty  rods 
distant,  with  several  bullet  holes  through  their  bodies.  The 
presumption  was  they  had  started  out  to  defend  one  of  the  other 
cabins  and  that  they  were  shot  and  killed  where  their  bodies 
were  found. 

Aside  from  the  scare,  which  was  general  up  and  down  the 
•state,  the  people  of  Goodhue  county  did  not  suffer  during  the 
outbreak  of  1862,  although  a number  of  men  from  the  county 
participated  in  General  Sibley’s  expedition  against  the  murderers. 

Judge  Eli  T.  Wilder,  whose  name  will  always  stand  for  that 
which  was  sturdy  and  g'ood  in  pioneer  life,  was  born  in  Hart- 
land,  Conn.,  November  27.  1813.  There  he  spent  his  early  boy- 
hood, and  attended  the  district  schools.  In  1837,  at  the  age  of 
nineteen,  he  moved  to  Ashtabula,  Ohio,  later  going  to.  Paynes- 
ville,  in  the  same  state,  where  he  commenced  the  practice  of  law. 
In  the  early  fifties  he  was  elected  judge  of  the  court  of  common 
pleas  of  that  district,  a position  he  filled  faithfully  and  honor- 
ably. In  1855  he  started  a real  estate  office  in  Dubuque,  Iowa, 
with  offices  in  several  adjoining  villages  and  town.  It  was 
in  1856  that  he  took  up  his  home  in  Red  Wing.  Arriving 
here,  he  continued  the  land  business  and  again  took  up  the  prac- 
tice of  law.  In  this  profession  he  associated  himself  with  Judge 
W.  A.  Williston,  the  firm  name  being  Wilder  and  Williston.  He 
was  one  of  the  first  members  of  Christ  church,  of  Red  Wing, 
presented  that  church  with  a beautiful  altar,  and  devoted  the 
latter  years  of  his  life  largely  to  church  work.  He  was  one  of 
the  first  wardens  and  continued  in  that  position  until  the  time  of 
his  death.  At  one  time  Judge  Wilder  was  persuaded  to  run  for 
congress  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  to  which  party  he  paid  his 
political  allegiance.  He  died  at  his  home  here,  June  3,  1904. 
Judge  Wilder  was  first,  married  to  Julia  W.  Wakefield,  of  Con- 
necticut, who  died  in  1866.  In  1868,  at  Waterloo,  N.  Y.,  he  was 
married  to  Larissa  Kendig,  who  survived  him.  At  the  time  of 
his  death  it  was  said  of  him:  “Judge  Wilder  was  an  ideal  citi- 
zen, honest  and  upright  in  all  his  dealings,  and  always  taking  a 
deep  interest  in  the  welfare  and  progress  of  the  city.” 


Hon.  E.  T.  Wilder 


Goodhue  County  Court  House 


CHAPTER  IX. 


BEGINNING  OF  THE  COUNTY. 

Boundary  Lines  Given — First  Election — “Judge”  Young  and  His 
Ballot  Box — Imported  Voters — County  Officers  Appointed — 
First  Session  of  Board — Court  House  Resolution — School 
Districts — A Few  Early  Sessions — Court  House  Contract — 
1849-1858. 

The  first  legislature  of  the  new  territory  met  at  St.  Paul, 
September  3,  1849,  and  adjourned  November  1 of  the  same  year. 
This  legislature  at  once  set  about  performing  the  highly  impor- 
tant work  of  dividing  the  territory  into  counties.  Those  created 
at  that  time  were  Washington,  Ramsey,  Benton,  Itaska,  Wabasha, 
Dakota,  Cass  and  Pembina.  The  land  designated  as  comprising 
the  first  three  counties  named  had  been  ceded  to  the  United 
States  by  the  Indians,  who  still  remained  in  practical  possession 
of  the  rest  of  the  territory.  It  was  therefore  declared  in  the 
act  that  the  other  named  counties  were  organized  for  the  purpose 
of  the  appointment  of  justices  of  the  peace,  constables,  and  such 
other  judicial  officers  as  might  be  specially  provided  for.  The 
county  of  Wabasha,  as  defined  by  that  legislature,  included  all 
that  part  of  the  territory  lying  east  of  a line  running  due  south 
from  Pine  Bend,  on  the  Mississippi  river,  to  the  Iowa  line,  which 
tract  has  since  been  divided  into  eight  counties,  namely,  Wa- 
basha, Winona,  Olmsted.  Fillmore,  Houston,  Mower,  Dodge  and 
Goodhue.  March  5,  1853,  when  the  present  counties  of  Dakota 
and  Goodhue  were  set  off.  the  boundaries  Avere  rather  vaguely 
and  indefinitely  outlined,  on  account  of  the  absence  of  United 
States  surveys.  Goodhue  county  was  then  bounded  as  follows: 
Beginning  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Dakota  county,  thence  due 
southeast  on  a line  twenty-five  miles,  thence  on  a due  line  to 
Lake  Pepin,  at  a point  on  said  lake  seven  miles  below  Sand 
Point,  thence  up  the  middle  of  said  lake  and  the  Mississippi 
river  to  the  boundary  line  of  Dakota  county,  thence  along  the 
line  of  said  county  to  the  place  of  beginning.  These  boundaries 
were  modified  by  subsequent  legislation,  February  23,  1854,  and 
made  to  conform  with  the  United  States  survey.  The  county  of 

97 


100 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


presented,  as  follows : W.  S.  Combs,  blank  books,  .$23.85 ; Leman 
Bates,  assessor,  $6;  John  Day,  assessor,  $16;  total,  $45.85.  The 
returns  made  by  the  assessors  showed  the  assessed  valuation 
of  taxable  property  in  the  first  and  second  districts  to  be  $63,305. 
The  estimated  expenses  of  the  county  for  the  year  1854  were 
$554.09,  and  it  was  ordered  that  a tax  of  one  per  cent  be  raised 
on  the  assessment  to  meet  the  same.  Charles  Spates  was  ap- 
pointed road  supervisor  of  road  district  No.  1,  which  extended 
east  to  the  west  side  of  Hay  creek  and  embraced  all  the  north- 
western portion  of  the  county  from  that  line.  T.  J.  Smith  was 
appointed  supervisor  of  road  district  No.  2,  which  extended  from 
the  west  side  of  Hay  creek  to  Bullard’s  creek,  .embracing  the 
middle  portion  of  the  county.  Charles  Reed  was  appointed  super- 
visor of  road  district  No.  3,  embracing  all  the  southern  portion 
of  the  county  from  the  line  of  Bullard’s  creek.  ‘William  Free- 
born, P.  Sandford  and  Leman  Bates  were  appointed  judges  of 
election  in  the  Red  WTing  precinct,  and  Alexis  Bailey,  Charles 
Reed  and  F.  S.  Richardson  in  the  Wabasha  precinct,  Wabasha 
having  attached  to  this  county  for  judicial  purposes. 

The  following  resolution  was  passed : Resolved,  To  raise  $600 
toward  the  erection  of  county  buildings  next  year;  Provided, 
that  the  legal  voters  of  the  county,  by  a majority  of  votes  con- 
sent to  the  same.  The  location  of  the  court  house  was  discussed 
at  some  length,  and  the  subject  finally  laid  over  until  the  fol- 
lowing meeting.  At  the  next  meeting,  held  July  22,  the  following 
resolution  was  passed : Resolved,  That  the  court  house  for  Good- 
hue  county  be  located  on  the  block  marked  and  known  as  “Court 
Llouse  Block”  on  the  town  plat  of  Red  Wing,  according  to  the 
survey  of  the  same  made  by  J.  Knauer,  June  23,  1853.  The 
next  meeting  was  held  November  18,  and  the  consideration  of 
bills  against  the  county  was  taken  up.  Bills  were  alloAved  to  the 
amount  of  $84.60,  and  sheriff  and  justice  fees  to  the  amount  of 
$84.60  were  ordered  paid.  At  the  closing  session,  in  December, 
the  amount  of  $61  additional  was  allowed,  making  the  total 
expenses  of  the  county  for  the  year  $336.90. 

On  the  second  Tuesday  in  October,  1854,  the  people  elected 
a full  board  of  county  officers : Commissioners,  Rezin  Spates, 

A.  W.  Post,  P.  S.  Fish ; sheriff,  Harry  C.  Hoffman ; treasurer,  M. 
Sorin ; district  attorney,  P.  Sandford ; judge  of  probate,  A.  D. 
Shaw;  county  surveyor,  S.  A.  Hart;  clerk  of  the  court,  P.  San- 
ford ; register  of  deeds,  J.  AY.  Hancock.  The  first  meeting  of  the 
regularly  elected  board  of  county  commissioners  was  held  Jam 
uary  1,  1855.  No  business  was  transacted  at  this  meeting.  The 
members  simply  subscribed  to  the  oath  of  office  and  elected  P. 
S.  Fish  as  chairman.  At  their  second  meeting,  held  January  8, 
the  board  examined  and  approved  the  following  accounts : 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


101 


Charles  Spates,  for  services  as  supervisor,  $5 ; H.  S.  Simmons, 
burial  expenses  of  a German  pauper,  $6 ; total,  $11.  At  this 
session  of  the  board  the  first  grand  and  petit  juries  Avere  selected, 
the  former  consisting  of  fifty  members  and  the  latter  of  seventy- 
tAvo  members.  The  jurors  Avere  divided  betAveen  Goodhue  and 
Wabasha  counties  according  to  population,  the  tAAro  counties,  as 
previously  noted,  being  attached  together  for  judicial  purposes. 

A readjustment  of  the  assessment  districts  Avas  also  agreed 
upon.  The  first  district  included  that  portion  of  the  county 
betAveen  Hay  creek  and  the  nortliAvestern  line  of  the  county;  the 
second  district  included  that  portion  betAveen  Hay  creek  and 
Potter’s  creek;  the  third  district  Avas  composed  of  the  remaining 
portion  of  the  county.  A vacancy  Avas  declared  to  exist  in  the 
second  district,  Avhich  Avas  filled  by  the  appointment  of  P.  Van- 
denberg.  Wacoota  precinct  Avas  established.  It  embraced  the 
southeastern  portion  of  the  county  and  Avas  separated  from  Red 
Wing  precinct  by  a line  commencing  at  the  mouth  of  Potter’s 
creek,  thence  along  that  creek  to  its  head,  and  thence  on  a line 
due  south  to  the  county  line.  J.  0.  Weatherby  Avas  appointed 
justice  of  the  peace  for  Red  Wing,  and  W.  R.  Culbertson  and 
Joseph  Middaugh  Avere  named  as  constables  in  the  Red  AYing 
precinct.  The  clerk  of  the  court  and  the  register  of  deeds  Avere 
directed  to  procure  a case  for  each  of  their  offices  suitable  for 
filing  papers.  The  register  of  deeds  Avas  also  directed  to  procure 
blank  books  for  the  use  of  the  county,  one  for  his  oavu  office 
and  one  for  the  clerk  of  the  court.  Provisions  Avere  made  to 
secure  permanent  offices  for  the  use  of  the  county  officials.  In 
the  months  of  May  and  June  P.  Sandford  erected  a small  frame 
building  next  Avest  of  his  residence  on  Main  street  in  the  present 
city  of  Red  Wing,  for  a laAv  office,  this  being'  the  first  laAV  office 
erected  in  the  city.  This  building  Avas  used  by  Mr.  Sandford 
himself,  as  clerk  of  the  court,  and  by  the  register  of  deeds,  the 
treasurer  Avhen  he  had  official  business  to  transact,  and  by  the 
board  of  county  commissioners  Avhen  they  held  their  meetings. 
The  sheriff  and  the  treasurer  for  the  most  part  “carried  their 
offices  in  their  hats.”  This  pioneer  laAvyer’s  office  Avas  also  used 
as  a court  house  for  the  first  term  of  court  held  in  the  county 
in  1854.  It  Avas  also  occupied  by  the  United  States  land  office 
in  the  spring  of  1855,  and  until  more  commodious  quarters  could 
be  secured.  It  Avas  in  this  building  that  the  first  government 
sale  of  lands  Avas  made  in  the  county. 

The  next  meeting  of  the  board  of  county  commissioners  Avas 
held  on  the  second  day  of  April,  Avhen  Florence  precinct  Avas 
established,  bounded  as  folloAvs : “Commencing  at  the  mouth 

of  Wells  creek,  on  Lake  Pepin,  and  running  up  that  creek  to  the 
main  bluff;  thence  south  to  the  county  line;  thence  along  the 


102 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


county  line  to  Lake  Pepin ; thence  up  the  lake  to  the  place  of 
beginning.”  John  Kelley  was  appointed  justice  of  the  peace, 
and  Samuel  Corey,  R.  S.  Phillips  and  Hamilton  Dudley  were 
named  as  judges  of  election.  Vermillion  precinct  was  also  estab- 
lished: “Commencing  where  the  line  between  sections  12  and 

13  strikes  the  Mississippi  river,  and  running  thence  west  until 
it  strikes  the  Dakota  county  line ; thence  along  said  line  to  the 
river,  thence  down  the  river  to  the  place  of  beginning.”  Eli 
Preble,  Silas  Harper  and  J.  R.  Niles  Avere  appointed  to  be  judges 
of  elections.  The  clerk  of  the  district  court  Avas  allowed  $12 
per  quarter  for  furnishing  his  oavu  office. 

The  establishment  of  schools  districts  was  next  considered. 
District  No.  1 included  that  portion  of  the  county  between  the 
valley  of  Hay  creek  and  Potter’s  creek,  bordering  on  the  Mis- 
sissippi river  and  extending  back  from  the  same  six  miles. 
District  No.  2 included  that  portion  of  the  county  within  the 
following  bounds:  Commencing  at  the  mouth  of  Potter’s  creek 

on  the  Mississippi  river ; thence  down  the  river  and  Lake  Pepin 
to  Point  No-Point;  thence  due  south  to  Wells’  creek;  thence 
up  the  valley  of  the  same  to  the  mouth  of  Rock  creek;  thence 
Avest  to  the  precinct  line;  thence  along  said  line  to  the  place  of 
beginning.  District  No.  3 included  that  portion  of  the  county 
within  the  following  bounds : Commencing  at  the  Cannon  river 

bridge ; thence  due  south  three  miles ; thence  east  to  Hay  creek 
valley;  thence  down  said  valley  to  the  Mississippi;  thence  up 
the  Mississippi  to  the  mouth  of  the  Cannon  river;  thence  up 
the  Cannon  river  to  the  place  of  beginning.  It  was  also  resolved 
that  the  clerk  of  the  board  be  instructed  to  obtain  the  opinion 
of  Rice,  Hollingshead  and  Becker,  of  St.  Paul,  in  relation  to  the 
legality  of  the  jurisdiction  of  Goodhue  county  over  Wabasha 
county,  particularly  in  regard  to  taxes.  The  board  then 
adjourned  until  May  12. 

A special  session  was  held  April  14,  with  R.  Spates  and  P. 
S.  Fish  in  attendance,  but  these  tAvo  seemed  to  have  managed  to 
transact  as  much  business  as  a much  larger  board  would  be 
expected  to. 

At  this  session  school  district  No.  4 Avas  .established,  as  fol- 
Ioavs  : “Commencing  on  the  Avest  between  Sillman  Harrison’s 

and  John  Kelley’s;  thence  southwest  to  the  Sugar  Loaf,  includ- 
ing the  valley  south  and  west  of  the  Sugar  Loaf;  thence  Avest 
to  Lake  Pepin;  thence  up  the  lake  to  the  place  of  beginning. 
R.  L.  Phillips  was  appointed  a justice  of  the  peace,  and  Abner 
Dwelly  a judge  of  election  in  Florence  precinct. 

May  12  R.  Spates  and  A.  W.  Post  Avere  present.  The  first 
road  petition  of  Avhich  any  record  is  found  Avas  considered  at 
tips  session,  and  L.  Bates  and  Charles  Spates  Avere  appointed 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


103 


viewers  or  examiners.  The  petition  was  presented  by  Hans 
Mattson  and  others.  School  district  No.  5 was  established,  with 
the  following  boundaries : Beginning  at  Poplar  Grove  on  the 

Camion  Falls  road,  about  ten  miles  from  Red  "Wing,  and  running 
southwest  to  the  south  fork  of  the  Cannon,  so  as  to  include  the 
claim  of  Ross  and  Champe ; thence  down  the  south  fork  to  its 
mouth,  thence  down  the  Cannon  river  two  miles;  thence  in  a 
southeasterly  direction  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

A special  session  was  called  June  9,  with  the  full  board  in 
attendance.  A petition  signed  by  E.  Westervelt  and  others  was 
presented,  asking  for  the  erection  of  a new  election  precinct, 
which  after  some  consideration  was  dismissed.  The  residents  of 
W estervelt  also  presented  a petition  asking  for  a new  school 
district.  This  was  granted  and  the  district  established  as  school 
district  No.  6.  Its  boundaries  were  given  as  follows:  Commenc- 
ing at  a point  on  Lake  Pepin  above  Westervelt ’s,  running  in  a 
southwesterly  direction  to  the  divide  of  the  creek  near  Maham- 
mon  Drum’s  claim;  thence  in  a southeasterly  direction  along 
the  range  of  bluffs  to  the  district  below ; thence  east  to  the  lake ; 
and  thence  up  the  river  to  the  place  of  beginning.  Two  other 
districts  were  also  established.  District  No.  7 was  outlined  as 
follows:  Commencing  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Ingram’s  claim 
on  Wells’  creek,  thence  north  to  the  top  and  center  of  the  bluff 
dividing  the  valley  of  Wells’  creek  from  the  military  road  valley; 
thence  to  the  head  of  Rock  creek;  thence  embracing  the  Rock 
creek  settlement  to  Wells’  creek  and  the  Wells’  creek  settlement 
to  the  place  of  beginning.  A study  of  these  boundaries  will  show 
that  a part  of  this  district  was  taken  from  the  original  No.  2. 
District  No.  8,  as  established,  had  the  following  boundaries: 
Commencing  in  the  middle  of  section  10,  township  113,  range 
.15  west,  and  running  south  to  the  district  line  of  district  No.  5 ; 
thence  along  said  line  west  three  miles ; thence  north  to  the  north- 
west side  of  Brownson’s  claim;  thence  east  to  the  place  of 
beginning.  This  district  was  taken  in  part  from  district  No.  3. 

At  the  session  of  the  board  held  June  25  Cannon  Falls 
precinct  was  established.  In  the  language  of  the  resolution 
passed  it  “comprised  the  whole  of  township  No.  112,  range  17 
west,  and  so  much  of- township  No.  112,  range  18  west,  as  lies 
within  the  county  of  Goodhue,  being  formed  out  of  a portion  of 
Red  Wing  precinct.  The  voting  place  was  established  at  Du- 
rand’s hotel.  The  board  then  agreed  to  raise  a tax  of  one  per 
cent  on  the  total  valuation  of  property,  for  territorial,  school  and 
county  purposes,  for  the  year  1855.  The  total  valuation  of  tax- 
able property  was  $114,521 ; the  whole  amount  to  be  raised  being 
$1,455.21 . The  increase  of  taxable  property  in  one  year  was 


104 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


$79,216.  The  increase  in  expenses,  including  territorial  and 
school  tax,  was  $901.12. 

The  full  board  was  present  at  the  special  session  held  August 
4.  A petition  was  presented  from  the  citizens  of  the  Florence 
precinct,  asking  that  the  boundaries  of  that  precinct  be  changed. 
After  some  discussion  this  matter  was  laid  on  the  table,  and  at 
a subsequent  meeting  dismissed.  A new  precinct,  called  Sackton, 
was  established,  including  three  townships — No.  109  in  ranges 
15,  16  and  17  west.  Abram  Pierce  was  appointed  justice  of  the 
peace;  Simon  Sackett,  constable;  and  Joseph  P.  Rutherford, 
James  Haggard  and  Robert  T.  Freeman  were  named  as  judges 
of  elections.  The  resignations  of  J.  Middaugh,  constable,  and 
F.  D.  Clark,  justice  of  the  peace,  Red  Wing,  were  received  and 
accepted.  The  clerk  of  the  board  wras  directed  to  obtain,  if 
possible,  printed  blanks  for  county  orders  and  poll  books.  Pre- 
vious to  this  time  printed  blanks  were  not  used,  and  all  forms 
were  written  out  with  the  pen.  The  county  surveyor  was 
directed  to  procure  a proper  book  and  to  copy  into  the  same 
the  field  notes  of  the  United  States  survey  of  the  county. 

At  the  September  meeting  the  precinct  of  Dunkirk  was  estab- 
lished, embracing  townships  No.  110  in  ranges  17  and  18  west, 
and  township  No.  119,  range  18  west.  There  was  also  established 
the  precinct  of  Belle  Creek,  embracing  townships  111  in  ranges 
15  and  16  west,  and  township  No.  112,  range  16  west.  Anders 
Knutson,  Ole  Oleson  and  Gunder  Oleson  were  appointed  to  be 
judges  of  election  in  Dunkirk  precinct,  and  the  election  was 
ordered  to  be  held  at  the  home  of  Anders  Knutson.  Walter 
Doyle,  Hans  Mattson  and  S.  P.  Chandler  were  appointed  judges 
of  election  in  Belle  Creek,  and  the  election  was  ordered  to  be 
held  at  the  house  of  Walter  Doyle.  Townships  No.  Ill,  in  ranges 
17  and  18,  were  added  to  Cannon  Falls  precinct,  and  townships 
110  in  ranges  15  and  16  to  Sackton  precinct.  The  consideration 
of  road  petitions,  appointment  of  viewers  and  the  perfecting  of 
arrangements  for  the  October  election,  together  with  the  exam- 
ination of  sundry  accounts,  occupied  the  remainder  of  the 
session. 

A session  of  one  day  was  held  October  1,  being  devoted 
mainly  to  the  examination  and  allowance  of  accounts.  The 
Spring  Creek  Valley  and  White  Rock  road  was  declared  to  be 
established  and  the  clerk  was  directed  to  notify  the  supervisors 
of  the  same.  The  Wacoota  and  AA7ells’  Creek,  and  the  Wells r 
Creek  and  Florence  roads  were  also  declared  to  be  established, 
and  a like  order  directed  to  be  issued  to  the  supervisors  of  the 
several  districts  through  which  the  roads  were  located.  The  last 
session  of  the  year  was  held  December  5,  when  school  district 
No.  9 was  established  with  boundaries  as  follows:  Commencing 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


105 


at  the  southwest  corner  of  section  31,  toVnship  109,  range  15 
east ; thence  east  three  miles ; thence  north  two  and  a half  miles ; 
thence  west  three  miles ; thence  south  two  and  a half  miles  to 
the  place  of  beginning.  It  appears  that  the  people  did  not  vote 
in  favor  of  raising  money  for  county  buildings,  and  nothing 
further  was  done  by  the  board  of  commissioners  toward  that 
object  until  1857,  except  to  discuss  the  matter. 

The  first  session  of  the  board  in  1856  was  held  January  7. 
The  time  of  that  and  the  immediate  subsequent  session  was 
devoted  to  roads,  auditing  accounts,  revising  and  re-establishing 
the  assessors’  districts  and  doing  like  business.  At  a session 
commencing  April  8,  1856,  the  following  named  citizens  were 
appointed  judges  of  elections:  Red  Wing — Seth  Washburn,  R. 

C.  Todd,  T.  J.  Smith;  Wacoota — H.  F.  Simmons,  George  Post, 
Abner  W.  Post;  Belle  Creek — Hans  Mattson,  Walter  Doyle,  S. 
P.  Chandler;  Florence — Samuel  Corey,  Henry  Phillips,  J.  L. 
Dixon ; Sackton — Simon  Sackett,  D.  F.  Stevens,  P.  G.  Wilson ; 
Cannon  Falls — Andrus  Durand,  E.  N.  Sumner,  Alonzo  Dibble ; 
Dunkirk — Ole  Oleson,  Samuel  Knutson,  Gunder  Oleson.  School 
districts  numbered  10,  11,  12,  13  and  14  were  established,  the 
rapid  influx  of  immigration  making  the  re-establishment  of  the 
districts  necessary.  The  total  valuation  returned  by  the  assessors 
was  $630,227.  Previous  to  this  taxes  had  been  laid  on  personal 
property  alone.  This  year  real  estate  became  also  taxable.  The 
business  transacted  this  year  was  practically  the  same  as  that 
of  the  previous  year,  and  a detailed  description  would  prove 
too  lengthy  for  the  confines  of  this  history.  Those  interested 
in  any  particular  detail  can  find  the  minutes  of  these  early 
meetings  still  on  record  among  the  county  archives.  In  the 
year  1857  action  was  taken  in  earnest  to  provide  county  build- 
ings. The  county  board  consisted  of  S.  P.  Chandler,  S.  J.  Hasler 
and  A.  AY.  Post.  S.  J.  Hasler  was  elected  chairman.  At  a meet- 
ing held  April  10  the  following  action  was  taken:  AVliereas,  It 
■is  the  duty  of  the  board  of  county  commissioners  to  provide  for 
the  erecting  and  repairing  of  court  houses,  jails,  and  other  neces- 
sary public  buildings  for  the  use  of  the  county;  and  whereas, 
this  county  has  no  court  house  or  jail ; Resolved,  That  this  board 
provide  for  the  erection  of  suitable  buildings  for  the  use  of  the 
county. 

Several  resolutions  followed  in  regard  to  the  issue  of  bonds, 
their  negotiation,  etc.  Then  they  resolved  to  receive  plans  and 
specifications  for  a court  house,  to  be  furnished  on  or  before 
the  first  of  May,  at  the  register  of  deeds’  office,  and  directed  the 
clerk  to  have  these  resolutions  printed  three  successive  weeks 
in  the  “Red  Wing  Gazette.”  It  was  the  opinion  of  this  board 
that  the  court  house  block  was  too  far  from  the  river,  and  they 


106 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


resolved  that  the  block  now  occupied  by  the  Episcopal  church 
should  be  the  site  of  the  county  buildings,  provided  a good  title 
could  be  obtained.  But  nothing  came  of  the  above  resolves  of 
the  commissioners,  probably  on  account  of  the  great  stringency 
in  money  matters  which  prevailed  throughout  the  country  that 
year. 

The  next  reference  to  the  building  of  the  court  house  found 
in  the  minutes  of  the  board  is  under  date  of  February  2,  1858, 
when,  upon  motion  of  petition  of  T.  J.  Smith,  it  was  voted  to 
erect  county  buildings  according  to  plans  and  specifications  pre- 
sented by  the  Messrs.  Chaffee,  provided  that  sufficient  county 
bonds  could  be  negotiated  at  a sum  not  less  than  ninety  cents  on 
the  dollar,  the  cost  of  said  building  not  to  exceed  $30,000.  S. 
P.  Chandler  and  S.  J.  ITasler  voted  in  favor  of  this,  and  M.  S. 
Chandler  voted  in  the  negative.  It  will  be  remembered  that  at 
that  time  Goodhue  county  bonds  were  Avorth  from  sixty  to 
seventy-five  cents  on  the  dollar.  On  the  third  Monday  in  May 
the  bids  Avere  opened  and  the  contract  awarded  to  Messrs.  Sim- 
mons, Hill  and  Stevens,  at  $24,000,  that  being  the  lowest  and 
best  offer  and  included  the  entire  completion  of  the  building. 
Monday,  May  17,  the  board  voted  to  notify  the  contractors  that 
the  court  house  and  jail  Avere  to  be  erected  on  the  block  known 
and  designated  as  “court  house  block”  square,  in  the  city  of 
Red  Wing.  Tuesday,  June  8,  the  board  voted  to  accept  the 
sureties  given  by  Daniel  C.  Hill  and  others  for  the  completion 
of  the  contract  for  building  the  court  house  and  jail,  and  ordered 
that  bonds  be  placed  on  file  in  the  county  clerk’s  office.  It  was 
also  voted,  to  quote  the  minutes,  “that  the  contract  entered  into 
by  the  county  commissioners  of  said  county  of  Goodhue  county, 
Minn.,  parties  of  the  first  part,  and  Daniel  C.  Hill  and  others, 
parties  of  the  second  part,  to  build  the  county  buildings,  and  to 
receive  in  pay  therefor  the  bonds  of  the  said  county  of  Goodhue,, 
Minn.,  to  the  amount  of  twenty-six  thousand,  six  hundred  and 
sixty-six  dollars  ($26,666.00)  be  placed  on  file.”  Old  settlers, 
interviewed  are  unable  to  account  for  this  difference  in  $2,666 
above  the  original  contract  price,  but  it  may  have  been  due  to 
the  fact  that  the  pay  Avas  to  be  accepted  in  bonds  which  Avere  not 
at  par  value. 

Jesse  M.  Hodgman,  deceased,  for  several  years  mayor  of  Reel 
Wing,  and  one  of  the  early  merchants  of  the  city,  was  born  in 
Hartland,  Windsor  county,  Vermont,  February  17,  1818.  As  a 
boy  he  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  native 
county,  in  a seminary  at  Meriden,  N.  H.,  and  in  a state  military 
school  at  Norwich,  Vt.,  remaining  on  the  farm  until  1854.  In 
the  fall  of  that  year  he  arrived  in  Red  Wing  for  the  first  time. 
Although  there  was  little  here  at  that  time  to  indicate  the  future 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


107 

prosperity  -of  the  city,  he  became  fired  with  the-  enthusiasm  of 
the  other  pioneers  of  those  days,  and  returning  east,  he  settled 
up  his  business  affairs  there,  again  coming  to  Red  Wing  in  the 
spring  of  1856.  Here  he  remained  from  that  date  rintil  the  time 
of  his  death,  with  the  exception  of  some  trips  he  made  for 
the  benefit  of  his  health.  He  first  became  engaged  in  the  mer- 
cantile business,  which  he  continued  for  some  time,  working  also 
in  the  store  of  Mclntire  & Sheldon.  In  1860  he  became  a partner 
with  T.  B.  Sheldon  in  the  forwarding  and  commission  business, 
in  which  he  remained  until  1867,  when  failing  health  necessi- 
tated his  partial  retirement.  He  became  a director  in  the  First 
National  bank  and  continued  in  this  capacity  until  1880.  In 
1887,  with  B.  B.  Herbert  and  others,  he  started  the  Red  Wing 
Building  Association,  of  which  he  was  secretary.  First  elected 
mayor  of  Red  Wing  in  1868,  he  was  several  times  re-elected,  and 
filled  the  position  with  dignity  and  ability.  Aside  from  his 
other  interests  he  was  a stockholder  in  the  local  potteries.  In 
1880  he  went  to  California  in  search  of  health,  and  three  years 
later  returned  somewhat  benefited.  His  death,  April  11.  1887, 
at  his  home  in  Red  Wing,  was  the  occasion  of  the  following 
obituary  notice,  which  expresses  the  feelings  of  those  with  whom 
he  was  associated:  “Until  compelled  by  failing  health  to  retire, 
he  was  actively  employed  in  some  department  of  practical  busi- 
ness in  which  the  prosperity  of  the  city  was  more  or  less  directly 
identified.  Never  a strong  man,  he  had  the  time  and  the  energy 
and  the  pluck  to  devote  to  the  public  as  well  as  to  his  private 
interests,  when  that  public — as  on  more  than  one  occasion  it 
did — demanded  his  services.  As  mayor  of  the  city  for  successive 
terms,  and  in  the  discharge  of  other  public  trusts,  his  labors  are 
remembered  with  gratitude.  They  were  uniformly  in  the  direc- 
tion of  public  interests,  intelligently  understood  and  appreciated, 
and  from  that  line  of  action  nothing  could  swerve  him.  In 
public,  as  in  private,  those  who  knew  him  best  esteemed  him 
best.  In  the  family  and  home  circle  he  was  ever  the  kind,  con- 
siderate husband,  father  and  friend,  thoughtful  for  others  to  the 
last.  A true  and  noble  and  manly  man  has  gone  from  among  us. 
The  world  is  better  for  such  as  he.”  Mr.  Hoclgman  was  married 
May  13,  1862,  at  Red  Wing,  to  Harriet  Kellogg,  one  of  the  first 
music  teachers  of  Red  Wing,  a musician  of  much  ability  and  a 
graduate  of  the  Young  Ladies’  Seminary  of  Music,  at  Coopers- 
town,  N.  Y.  She  Avas  the  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Harriet 
(Kingsley),  Kellogg.  natives  of  New  York  state.  Her  father,  a 
harness  maker  by  trade,  died  in  his  native  state  in  1850.  and  his 
widow  came  to  St.  Paul  with  her  family  in  1853.  In  1856  they 
came  to  Red  Wing,  where  she  died  in  May.  1865.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hodgman  was  born  one  son,  Leonard  W.,  July  13.  1863,  at 


108 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Red  Wing.  He  married  Ellen  Graves,  of  St.  Paul,  November  7, 
1908.  For  many  years  lie  lias  been  treasurer  of  the  State  Asso- 
ciation for  the  Deaf. 

James  Cox,  a pioneer  resident  of  this  county,  now  many  years 
deceased,  is  a native  of  Long  Island,  born  April  30,  1812,  son  of 
Oliver  and  Zipporah  Cox,  natives  of  New  England,  avIio  crossed 
the  sound  and  settled  on' one  of  the  productive  Long  Island  farms 
in  the  early  days.  Here  James  was  reared,  living  the  life  of 
the  other  boys  of  his  period,  and  receiving  such  education  as  the 
schools  of  his  neighborhood  afforded.  He  went  to  Ohio  as  a 
young  man,  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  until  failing 
health  made  it  advisable  for  him  to  seek  employment  which 
would  allow  him  to  be  out-of-doors  more.  At  Burlington,  Iowa, 
he  conducted  a real  estate  office,  and  here  his  health  so  greatly 
improved  that  he  was  enabled  to  open  a hardware  establishment 
in  St.  Paul.  During  the  year  1856,  when  the  wonderful  possi- 
bilities of  Goodhue  county,  then  recently  opened  to  settlement, 
were  being  discussed  on  every  street  corner  in  St.  Paul,  he  be- 
came enthused  with  the  prospects,  and  coming  to  Lean  township, 
secured  a farm  and  carried  on  agricultural  operations  for  ten 
years.  In  1865  he  located  in  Red  AALng,  remaining  until  his 
death,  January  6,  1888.  He  was  a man  of  acute  business  judg- 
ment and  staunch  New  England  integrity,  handicapped  how- 
ever, through  life,  by  a lack  of  robust  health.  The  family  still 
resides  in  the  house  he  occupied  when  first  locating  in  Red  Wing. 
This  building  is  one  of  the  earlier  residences  of  the  city,  and 
within  its  Avails  much  of  the  early  court  business  of  the  county 
Avas  transacted.  The  old  farm-house  at  Leon,  with  its  surround- 
ing acres,  also  remains  in  the  possession  of  the  family  even  to 
the  present  day.  Mr.  Cox  was  married  in  1842,  at  Picpia,  Miami 
county,  Ohio,  to  Anna  E.  Caldwell,  daughter  of  Matthew  and 
Harriet  V.  (Kemper)  CaldAvell,  natives  of  KanaAvha,  W.  Ya.,  at 
that  time  a part  of  Virginia.  The  father  Avas  a large  land  OAvner 
and  possessed  the  acres  upon  which  the  flourishing  city  of  Piqua, 
Ohio,  is  noAv  located.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cox  Avere  born  six  chil- 
dren : EdAvin  was  born  at  Piqua,  served  as  corporal  in  Company 
F,  First  Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  Avas  killed  in  the 
battle  of  Antietam;  Oliver  C.,  deceased;  Alice  C.,  born  at  Piqua, 
is  also  deceased ; Eleanor  Z.,  also  born  at  Piqua,  married  Fred- 
erick C.  Boynton,  head  miller  of  the  Cataract  mills,  and  fourth 
owner  of  the  Goodhue  mills  at  Cannon  Falls.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Boynton  have  three  children : Gertrude,  norv  Mrs.  G.  C.  Ansley, 
and  has  one  child,  Jeanette;  James  C.,  married  Myrle  Morowitz; 
Bessie  is  deceased.  Harriet,  the  fourth  child  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Cox,  Avas  born  at  Burlington-,  Iorva,  married  II.  T.  Eames,  lives 
at  Fergus  Falls,  Minn.,  and  has  three  children,  Maude  E.  and 


James  Cox 


? 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COURT Y 


109 


Ray  T.,  living-,  and  Jessie,  deceased.  Anna  Belle,  the  fifth  child 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cox,  was  born  at  St.  Panl,  May  11,  1856,  mar- 
ried W.  H.  Brink,  a St.  Panl  contractor,  and  has  four  children : 
Harry  LeRoy  married  Mabel  Wallace  and  has  two  children,  Dor- 
othy E.  and  Barbara.  Nellie  C.  married  Louis  Nienaber,  of  St. 
Paul.  Charlotte  M.  married  George  K.  Fargo,  of  Oregon,  by 
whom  she  has  one  child,  Stevens.  Drake  is  the  youngest  son. 
Nina  F.,  born  in  Red  Wing,  youngest  child  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cox, 
resides  at  home.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church. 


CHAPTER  X. 


TOWNSHIP  SYSTEM. 

An  Experiment  in  County  Government — Members  of  First  Board 
of  Supervisors — Two  Chairmen — Party  Feeling  High — 
Sheriff  Preserves  Order — Another  Version — Court  House 
Trouble — Meeting  of  Second  Board— Resumption  of  County 
Commissioner  System — History  of  Court  House — County 
Poor  Farm — Political  History. 

In  1858  began  an  era  which  in  this  state  continued  but  a 
short  time,  that  of  county  government  by  a board  of  supervisors 
consisting  of  the  chairmen  of  the  different  townships.  This 
change  came  near  discontinuing  the  work  of  the  contractors  on 
the  new  county  buildings  for  a time.  The  new  law  was  passed 
by  the  legislature  on  March  20,  to  go  into  effect  July  12.  The 
county  was  thus  divided  into  twenty-one  townships,  an  account 
of  which  will  be  found  elsewhere.  The  board  of  supervisors, 
which  held  its  first  meeting  on  the  second  Monday  in  July,  1858, 
consisted  of  the  following  members:  Belle  Creek,  S.  P.  Chandler; 
York  (now  Belvidere),  Cyrus  Crouch;  Zumbrota,  Isaac  C. 
Stearns;  Union  (now  Burnside),  W.  S.  Grow;  Featherstone, 
William  Freyberger;  Red  AVing,  A.  B.  Miller  and  P.  Vandenberg, 
Orrin  Densmore ; Wanamingo,  J.  G.  Brown;  Pine  Island,  C.  R. 
White;  Holden,  Knut  Knutson;  Roscoe,  Oliver  Webb;  Central 
Point,  Robert  L.  Phillips;  Warsaw,  N.  L.  Townsend;  Stanton, - 
John  Thomas;  Hay  Creek,  S.  A.  Wise;  Wacoota,  Leonard  Gould; 
Cannon  Falls,  C.  W.  Gillett;  Kenyon,  Addison  Hilton;  Cherry 
Grove,  D.  M.  Haggard  (vice  Woodward,  resigned)  ; Florence, 
Dr.  J.  Kelly;  Affisa,  Charles  Iiimmelman ; Leon,  E.  Stone.  Of 
the  opening  session  of  this  board  tivo  accounts  are  given.  An 
historian  of  the  late  seventies  relates  the  incidents  as  follows: 
“In  those  days  the  Democratic  party  held  the  balance  of  power 
in  Goodhue  county.  The  Republican  party  Avas  just  beginning 
to  assume  strength  and  power.  In  the  selecting  of  a.  presiding 
officer  for  the  board,  both  parties  sought  to  gain  advantage  and 
secure  the  chairmanship.  S.  P.  Chandler  was  the  Democratic 
candidate  for  chairman,  and  I.  C.  Stearns  was  the  Republican 

110 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


111 


•candidate.  There  was  a tie  vote,  both  men  claimed  the  right  to 
the  chair  and  both  assumed  to  preside.  One  of  them  sat  upon 
one  side  of  the  table  and  the  other  one  sat  upon  the  other  side. 
When  a motion  was  submitted — and  any  number  of  motions  were 
made — both  men  would  ‘put  the  question.’  Party  feeling  ran 
high,  and  extended  outside  of  the  hall  in  which  the  board  held 
its  sessions.  A fight  was  expected  and  ‘Deacon’  DeKay,  who  was 
deputy  sheriff  at  the  time,  was  directed  by  his  superior  officer 
to  ‘take  up  a position’  in  the  supervisors’  room  and  preserve 
order  at  all  hazards,  even  if  it  took  the  last  man  and  the  last 
dollar  in  the  baliwick.  He  obeyed  orders,  and  for  two  or  three 
days  maintained  a position  between  the  two  chairmen ; but  the 
fight  didn’t  ‘come  off.’  The  troubled  waters  were  finally  quieted 
by  the  giving  way  of  J.  G.  Brown,  of  Wanamingo,  who  came 
over  to  the  support  of  Mr.  Chandler,  making  a rousing  speech 
in  explanation  of  his  action.  A record  of  those  turhulous  days, 
with  the  motions,  explanations,  etc.,  covers  several  pages  of  the 
journal  and  makes  rather  humorous  reading.” 

Of  these  same  days,  another  writer,  who  was  present  at  this 
meeting  says:  “The  facts,  briefly,  are  these:  At  the  first  meet- 
ing of  the  county  board  in  July,  referred  to,  S.  P.  Chandler  was 
chosen  chairman  and  acted  as  such,  without  any  sign  of  opposi- 
tion from  any  one.  The  annual  meeting  of  the  board  was  fixed 
by  law  on  the  second  Monday  in  September,  and  the  board 
adjourned  to  meet  at  that  time.  The  board  so  met,  and  it  was 
the  understanding  of  the  entire  board  that  at  this  annual  meeting 
a :iew  election  of  officers  should  take  place.  Accordingly  the 
board  proceeded  to  the  election  of  a chairman,  and  I.  C.  Stearns 
was  elected  by  nearly,  if  not  quite,  a two-thirds  majority.  He 
took  the  chair  without  any  opposition,  and  a large  amount  of 
business  was  transacted  at.  that  forenoon  session.  During  the 
adjournment  of  two  hours  for  the  afternoon  session  the  matter 
was  taken  up  in  town,  and  it  was  the  opinion  of  the  lawyers 
that  the  new  election  of  officers  was  illegal,  and  that  the  officers 
elected  at  the  first  meeting  held  over  for  the  ensuing  year.  S. 
P.  Chandler  was  advised  by  them  to  again  assume  the  chair  and 
claim  his  right  as  chairman.  So  at  the  commencement  of  the 
afternoon  session  both  officers  called  the  meeting  to  order  simul- 
taneously and  both  put  motions  as  they  were  made  and  seconded. 
This,  however,  continued  but  a short  time,  for  as  the  voice  of 
the  new  chairman  was  stronger  and  the  board  paid  attention 
to  him  rather  than  to  the  other,  the  old  chairman  subsided,  and 
said  he  appointed  the  other  to  act  for  him  until  the  matter  was 
settled.  The  board  then  proceeded  to  discuss  the  question  at 
length.  The  house  was  crowded  with  the  talent  of  Red  "Wing 
and  the  excitement  was  at  a high  pitch;  for  it  was  understood 


112 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


that  the  validity  of  the  bonds  issued  for  the  building  of  the 
court  house  would  be  affected  by  this  decision,  as  the  chairman 
of  the  board  must  sign  the  bonds.  Hon.  W.  W.  Phelps  Avas 
invited  to  address  the  board  on  the  subject,  and  he  made  a 
lengthy  argument  in  favor  of  the  continuance  of  the  old  officers. 
This  discussion  occupied  nearly  the  entire  afternoon.  It  was 
finally  decided  by  the  board  that  the  old  officers  held  over,  and 
Mr.  Chandler  was  alloAA'ed  quietly  to  resume  his  seat  as 
chairman.” 

The  first  meeting  of  this  board  Avas  held  in  the  office  of  the 
register  of  deeds,  but  almost  equal  in  number  to  the  territorial 
legislature,  the  room  Avas  found  to  be  too  small,  and  a committee 
consisting  of  Messrs.  Crouch,  Stearns  and  BroAvn  was  appointed 
to  secure  a suitable  room,  which  Avas  found  and  obtained  in  Todd 
and  Hasler’s  block  on  Main  street,  the  hail  being  then  designated 
as  ‘‘Ilasler’s  Hall.”  AAGien  the  board  was  full  organized,  cre- 
dentials examined  and  passed  upon,  etc.,  the  folloAving  commit- 
tees Avere  appointed : Equalization,  C.  R.  White,  0.  Densmore, 

I.  C.  Stearns,  R.  S.  Phillips,  C.  W.  Gillett;  claims,  W.  S.  Grow, 

J.  G.  Brown,  S.  A.  Wise;  ways  and  means,  A.  B.  Miller,  C.  R. 
White,  L.  N.  Gould;  roads  and  bridges,  0.  Webb,  J.  Kelley, 
C.  Crouch;  appropriations,  P.  Vandenberg,  I.  C.  Stearns,  C.  AAR 
Gillett;  justices  and  constables,  R.  L.  Phillips,  C.  R.  AVhite, 
W.  S.  Grow;  sheriff  and  jailer,  I.  C.  Stearns,  C.  W.  Gillett,  John 
Thomas;  to  settle  with  treasurer,  E.  Stone,  P.  Vandenberg,  R.  L. 
Phillips;  printing,  A.  B.  Miller,  P.  Vanderbergh,  O.  Densmore; 
Poor,  Robert  L.  Phillips,  Knut  Knutson,  D.  M.  Haggard;  per 
diem  and  mileage,  J.  Thomas,  A.  Hilton,  N.  D.  Townsend;  public 
buildings,  0.  Densmore,  I.  C.  Stearns,  W.  S.  Grow,  C.  W.  Gillett, 
R.  L.  Phillips.  This  committee'  was  elected  by  the  board  by 
acclamation.  James  T.  Chamberlain,  deputy  register  of  deeds, 
Avas  elected  clerk  of  the  board,  and  the  supervisors  proceeded  to 
business. 

AVednesday  morning,  July  14,  a resolution  regarding  the 
court  house  Avas  offered  by  A.  B.  Miller,  and  after  some  discussion 
the  folloAving  Avas  adopted:  “Whereas,  There  exists  a diversity 
of  opinion  in  reference  to  the  binding  force  upon  Goodhue  county, 
of  a certain  contract  entered  into  by  the  county  commissioners 
of  Goodhue  county,  with  certain  other  parties  for  the  erection 
of  courthouse  and  jail,  and  Whereas,  Any  action  pending  the 
uncertainty  which  now  exists  would  be  very  imprudent  and 
hazardous ; therefore,  Resolved,  That  this  board  by  a committee 
of  three  of  its  members,  to  be  elected  by  the  board,  proceed  at 
once  to  ascertain  our  liability  under  said  contract,  by  presenting 
the  case,  without  delay,  to  the  judge  of  the  Fifth  Judicial  Dis- 
trict of  this  state  for  his  decision  upon  the  validity  of  said  con- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUYTY 


113 


tract,  or  to  obtain  the  best  possible  legal  advice  on  the  matter. 
The  resolution  was  especially  considered  at  a meeting  held  at 
2 o’clock  that  afternoon. 

A communication  having  been  received  from  the  senator  and 
representatives  in  the  state  legislature  in  regard  to  the  passage 
of  a bill,  authorizing  the  board  of  supervisors  to  issue  bonds  for 
the  erection  of  county  buildings,  Mr.  Grow  offered  the  following- 
resolution  : Resolved,  By  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Goodhue 
county,  that  our  senator  and  our  representatives  be  requested  to 
secure  the  passage  of  a bill  introduced  by  Senator  Hudson, 
July  9,  1858,  entitled  “An  act  to  authorize  the  board* of  super- 
visors of  Goodhue  county  to  issue  county  bonds  for  the  erection 
of  county  buildings.”  This  was  passed  with  an  amendment  to 
the  effect  that  in  making  this  request  the  board  expressed  no 
opinion  as  to  the  issuing  of  the  bonds  or  the  erecting  of  the 
buildings.  It  might  here  be  explained  that  there  was  some  oppo- 
sition to  the  erection  of  these  buildings,  but  the  outlying  town- 
ships, who  believed  that  the  new  buildings  would  give  Red  Wing 
an  undue  advantage  over  the  other  villages.  Orrin  Densmore 
and  J.  C.  Stearns  were  appointed  on  the  committee  to  secure 
legal  opinion,  and  a statement  was  secured  from  Judge  D.  Cooper, 
of  St.  Paul,  in  which  he  declared  that  in  his  opinion,  the  contract 
made  by  the  previous  board  of  county  officers  was  binding  upon 
the  county.  Efforts  were  then  made  to  persuade  the  Messrs. 
Hill,  Simmons  & Co.  to  relinquish  their  contract.  This  they 
refused  to  do,  saying  that  they  had  sub-let  much  of  the  work,  had 
ordered  materials,  and  been  to  other  expense.  They  offered,  how- 
ever, to  accept  for  consideration  a written  proposition  of  the 
terms  of  a compromise. 

In  the  meantime,  on  July  15,  the  board  found  that  a still  more 
commodious  room  was  necessary,  and  Harmony  Hall,  at  the 
corner  of  Main  and  Fulton  streets,  was  secured.  This  hall  the 
board  occupied  Jrdy  16,  and  at  subsequent  meetings.  In  after 
years  this  building  was  destroyed  by  fire.  Efforts  at  a compro- 
mise with  the  contractors  failed,  and  it  was  finally  voted  to 
assume  the  obligation  laid  on  the  county  by  the  previous  board, 
and  proceed  with  the  work  on  the  courthouse.  In  passing  this 
vote,  the  supervisors  strongly  censured  the  previous  board  for  so 
heavily  loading  the  county  in  debt,  and  expressed  its  regret  that 
the  county  should  be  bound  by  such  an  act,  and  the  same  time 
declaring  that  there  seemed  no  way  in  which  the  present  super- 
visors could  legally  cancel  the  contract  of  the  previous  county 
board. 

The  second  county  board  of  supervisors  was  elected  in  April, 
1859,  and  met  in  the  office  of  the  county  auditor,  April  18,  of  that 
year.  J.  A.  Thacker,  of  Zumbrota,  was  elected  chairman  of  the 


114 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


board.  April  21,  it  was  voted  that  the  committee  on  public 
buildings  accept  in  behalf  of  the  county,  the  courthouse  when 
completely  finished  according  to  contract,  and  that  when  so 
finished  the  county  officers  who  were  to  occupy  it  were  instructed 
to  move  into  it. 

The  courthouse  was  completed  and  turned  over  by  the  con- 
tractors in  August,  1859.  The  excavation,  the  stone  work  and 
the  carpenter  work  was  done  by  Hill,  Simmons  & Co.,  the  con- 
tractors. The  brick  was  made  by  John  Carter,  and  laid  in  the 
wall  by  Messrs.  Brink,  Todd  & Co.  The  plastering  work  was 
done  by  Hie  same  firm.  Some  of  the  bonds  issued  to  pay  for  the 
erection  of  the  courthouse  were  sold  to  individuals  in  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.,  some  to  people  in  New  York  and  Ohio,  and  a larger 
part  were  taken  by  Red  Wing  parties.  They  were  sold  at  various 
prices,  ranging  from  fifty  to  ninety  cents  on  the  dollar.  They 
were  all  taken  up  later,  and  the  expense  of  the  courthouse, 
improvement  and  enclosure  of  the  square  were  all  paid  for  within 
about  two  decades  of  the  time  the  bills  were  contracted. 

Pending  the  efforts  of  the  board  of  supervisors  to  secure 
a cancellation  of  the  contract  for  the  erection  of  the  courthouse, 
and  before  the  bonds  were  issued,  the  contractors  had  been 
advised  that  the  bonds  could  be  sold  in  the  New  York  market  for 
nearly  their  face  value.  An  agent  was  sent  on  there  to  investi- 
gate the  matter,  but  before  negotiations  were  perfected  a cir- 
cumstance occurred  which  completely  destroyed  the  value  of 
Minnesota  county  bonds  in  that  market.  Hennepin  county  had 
issued  bonds  and  built  a courthouse.  AYhen  the  bonds  became 
due  they  were  not  paid,  a fact  that  threw  discredit  upon  all 
county  bonds,  and  rendered  them  worthless  among  commercial 
men  and  capitalists.  The  taxpayers  outside  of  Red  Wing  and  its 
immediate  vicinity  Avere  fighting  the  courthouse  enterprise,  and 
using  every  possible  means  to  induce  the  contractors  to  throw  up 
the  contract,  even  offering  them  as  much  as  $10,000  cash  to  do  so. 
The  business  men  and  friends  of  Red  Wing  were  as  anxious  the 
other  way,  and  when  they  found  the  bonds  could  not  be  sold  for 
ready  money,  they  promised  to  render  all  necessary  material 
assistance  to  the  contractors — to  take  the  bonds,  advance  the 
money,  etc.  When  the  money  was  needed,  however,  it  was  not 
forthcoming.  When  any  of  them  did  advance  money  to  aid  the 
contractors,  they  required  a deposit  of  two  dollars  in  bonds  for 
one  dollar  in  money  advanced,  and  three  per  cent  a month  in 
money  besides.  At  least  this  was  the  statement  made  by  Mr. 
Hill  many  years  after  these  events  transpired.  Sometimes  bonds 
could  be  traded  for  lumber  and  other  building  materials,  but  only 
at  heavy  discounts.  Through  the  influence  of  Mr.  Phelps,  the 
member  of  Congress  from  Minnesota,  and  Mr.  Gebliort,  member 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


115 


■of  Congress  from  Ohio,  some  of  the  bonds  were  sold  for  seventy 
cents  cash,  both  of  these  men,  themselves,  taking  small  amounts. 
Red  Wing  men,  when  the  pinch  came,  were  for  the  most  part 
very  reluctant  to  invest  their  money  in  these  bonds ; and  when 
they  did  so,  asked  very  large  discounts. 

The  building  of  the  courthouse  was  undertaken  at  the  instance 
of  Red  Wing  interests.  The  taxpayers  in  the  interior  were 
opposed  to  the  enterprise,  hoping  in  time  to  secure  a division  of 
the  county,  or  the  location  of  the  public  buildings  at  a more  cen- 
tral point.  When  the  board  of  supervisors  succeeded  the  county 
commissioners,  the  county  townships  had  a larger  representa- 
tion, and  acting  in  accordance  with  the  will  of  their  constituents, 
they  sought  to  avoid  for  the  county  the  responsibility  of  tlie  con- 
tract made  by  their  predecessors  in  office.  As  already  mentioned, 
however,  the  legal  advice  satisfied  the  board  that  the  contract 
was  legal  and  binding,  and  rather  than  risk  involving  the  county 
in  heavy  damages,  the  contract  was  allowed  to  proceed,  and  the 
courthouse  was  completed  within  the  time  specified  in  the  agree- 
ment. For  countless  decades  the  building  will  remain  as  a monu- 
ment to  those  early  commissioners,  who  had  the  broadness  of 
mind  and  strength  of  purpose  to  look  ahead,  and  to  plan  for  what 
the  county  was  to  become,  regardless  of  the  opposition  and  petty 
jealousies  which  surrounded  them  in  their  day  and  generation. 

During  the  time  the  courthouse  was  building  a feeling  of  dis- 
satisfaction with  the  township  system  became  general  throughout 
the  state,  and  in  1860  an  act  was  passed  by  tire  legislature  pro- 
viding that  each  and  every  county  should  have  a board  of  county 
commissioners,  and  that  in  those  counties  in  which  at  the  last  gen- 
eral election  there  were  cast  eight  hundred  votes  or  over,  the  said 
board  should  consist  of  five  members,  and  in  all  other  counties 
of  three  members,  who  should  hold  their  offices  for  one  year,  or 
until  their  successors  were  elected  and  qualified.  This  law  went 
into  effect  April  1,  i860.  The  last  board  of  supervisors  adjourned 
January  10,  1860,  and  the  first  board  session  of  the  board  of  com- 
missioners commenced  June  4,  following.  The  board  was  com- 
posed of  J.  A.  Thac-her,  II.  L.  Bevans,  J.  A.  Jackson,  A.  Hilton 
and  E.  A.  Sergeant.  Mr.  Thatcher  was  chosen  chairman  of  the 
board. 

Before  completing  the  mention  of  the  courthouse,  it  might  be 
well  to  state  that,  with  some  alterations,  the  same  building  is 
still  doing  good  service.  Another  building,  upon  the  same  block, 
was  erected  in  1887  for  a sheriff’s  residence  and  a jail.  In  1864 
a large  farm  was  purchased  by  the  county  commissioners  at  a 
cost  of  $3,000.  for  the  purpose  of  providing  a home  for  the  poor. 
Necessary  buildings  were  erected  thereon  at  a cost  of  $5,737.18. 
These  buildings  were  completed  and  ready  for  occupancy  in  1867. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


116 

In  October,  1889,  the  main  building  was  accidentally  destroyed 
by  fire.  The  inmates,  about  thirty  in  number,  all  escaped  injury, 
and  temporary  accommodations  were  provided  for  them  until  .a 
new  house  was  erected.  The  new  building  was  completed  during 
the  following  year  at  a cost  of  $20,000.  It  is  situated  on  Spring 
creek,  in  the  town  of  Burnside,  and  presents  a very  fine  appear- 
ance. There  is  an  artesian  well  on  the  premises,  and  the  whole 
surroundings  are  such  as  to  make  it  a pleasant  home.  The  farm 
is  under  as  good  cultivation  as  any  in  the  neighborhood.  The 
whole  is  managed  by  an  overseer,  who  is  appointed  by  the  board 
of  commissioners. 

As  has  been  noted  earlier  in  this  history,  there  was  little  cause 
for  political  rivalry  in  the  earliest  days.  The  first  political  move- 
ment having  a tendency  to  shape  the  future  complexion  of  the 
parties  in  Goodhue  county  was  a meeting  held  October  8,  1856, 
on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Bush  streets,  Red  Wing.  Franklin 
Pierce,  a Democrat,  was  then  president  of  the  United  States.  As 
a matter  of  course,  all  appointive  officers  of  the  territory  were 
Democrats.  Of  the  United  States  land  office,  which  was  located 
here,  C.  Graham  Avas  receiver  and  W.  W.  Phelps  register.  The 
chief  justice  of  the  territory,  W.  IT.  AVelcli,  also  resided  here. 
Henry  C.  Hoffman  was  postmaster;  Neliemiah  Bennett,  editor  of 
the  “Sentinel,”  later  the  “Argus,”  was  justice  of  the  peace.  The 
elective  offices  for  the  county  were  then  filled  with  those  who 
were  adherents  of  the  party  dominant  at  that  time.  While  no 
vote  for  president  could  be  taken  here,  party  interest  ran  high, 
and  consequently,  on  October  8,  1856,  a grand  demonstra- 
tion rally  took  place.  After  a large  pile  of  empty  boxes,  and 
other  combustible  materials,  had  been  fired  and  allowed  to  burn 
for  some  time  for  the  amusement  of  the  boys  and  to  gather  a 
crowd,  an  organization  was  effected  by  the  selection  of  Dr.  F.  F. 
Hoyt  as  chairman  and  N.  Y.  Bennett  as  secretary.  AY.  AY.  Phelps 
mounted  a dry  goods  box  directly  in  front  of  the  Teepeetonka 
Hotel,  and  for  an  hour  expounded  the  Democratic  side  of  the 
compromise  measures  of  1850,  and  the  Kansas  and  Nebraska  bill 
of  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  commonly  known  as  popular,  or  squatter, 
sovereignty.  Mr.  Graham  followed  in  the  same  strain.  The  meet- 
ing closed  after  Air.  Graham’s  speech,  but  the  people  did  not 
seem  disposed  to  leave  hastily.  They  gathered  into  small  groups, 
discussing  the  matter  for  themselves.  Many  young  men,  and 
some  older  ones,  had  recently  come  into  the  territory,  expecting 
to  make  their  homes  here.  Among  them  was  the  Hon.  Charles 
McClure,  from  Illinois,  who  had  been  an  anti-slavery  man  for 
some  years,  and  who  had  been  acquainted  with  such  men  as 
Abraham  Lincoln,  Lyman  Trumball,  Owen  Lovejoy,  and  others. 
Naturally,  to  men  of  the  opinion  of  Mr.  McClure,  the  Democratic 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


117 


meeting  which  had  just  been  held  was  not  exactly  of  the  most 
agreeable  nature.  Consequently,  there  was  a hurried  conference 
among  the  Republican  leaders,  and  they  decided  to  hold  a meet- 
ing then  and  there.  Dr.  Hoyt  was  found,  and,  as  a matter  of 
courtesy,  was  asked  if  lie  had  any  objections  to  the  Republicans 
speaking  to  the  crowd.  lie  replied  that  the  Democrats  were 
through,  and  it  was  immaterial  to  him  how  many  other  meetings 
held  by  those  of  different  belief  might  follow.  H.  L.  Bevans, 
John  Going  and  Manville  Comstock,  who  were  recognized  as  a 
committee  without  having  been  appointed,  called  upon  Mr. 
McClure,  who  had  been  sitting  at  his  office  window  listening  to 
the  Democratic  speeches,  and  thus  became  filled  to  overflowing 
with  Republican  arguments  with  which  to  refute  the  sentiments 
which  had  been  uttered.  Before  Mr.  McClure  had  talked  very 
long  it  was  apparent  that  he  was  a bitter  opponent  of  the  doc- 
trine of  state  sovereignty,  and  he  was  not  allowed  to  proceed 
very  far.  Some  men  and  boys  had  secured  a small  wagon,  and 
upon  this  had  laid  some  sheets  of  iron  in  such  a manner  as  to  flap 
together  when  the  wagon  Avas  moved.  With  this  wagon  in  toAv, 
and  with  fish-horns  and  coAv-bells,  the  men  and  boys  rushed  about 
the  streets,  attempting  to  drown  the  Amice  of  the  speaker.  At  last 
C.  C.  Yandenberg,  Louis  Bennett  and  others,  who  appeared  to 
have,  some  influence  Avith  the  noisemakers,  were  appealed  to,  and 
they  soon  restored  order,  after  which  Mr.  McClure  proceeded 
Avith  his  speech.  The  folloAving  spring  Charles  McClure  Avas  a 
candidate  for  delegate  to  the  constitutional  convention  to  form 
a state  constitution,  and  after  a very  hard  contest,  Avas  elected  by 
a majority  of  three  over  his  opponent.  Since  that  time  the  county 
has  remained  a Republican  county,  and  has,  as  a rule,  retiumed 
a Republican  majority  for  state  and  national  nominees,  although 
there  liaAre  been  sevreral  exceptions. 

In  September,  1857,  party  lines  began  to  be  clraAvn  more  dis- 
tinctly; the  Red  Wing  “Republican,”  Avhich  appeared  at  that 
time  with  Lucius  F.  Hubbard  as  editor,  taking  the  Republican 
vieAv,  while  the  Red  AVing  “Sentinel”  Avas  the  organ  of  the 
Democratic  party.  In  that  year  the  first  county  conventions  of 
the  tAvo  parties  Avere  held.  A full  Republican  ticket  Avas  elected. 
The  political  campaign  in  the  fall  of  1860  in  this  county  Avas  a 
very  interesting  one,  as  Avell  before  as  after  the  nominating  con- 
ventions. This  Avas  especially  the  case  Avith  the  Republicans. 

Of  this  campaign,  the  ReA^.  J.  AY  Hancock  writes  as  follows : 
“The  main  contest  in  the  Republican  convention  Avas  for  the 
office  of  register  of  deeds,  and  the  principal  candidates  for  the 
office  were  Matthew  Sorin  and  T.  B.  McCord,  of  Red  AVing; 
Aaron  G.  Hundson,  of  Florence,  and  C.  C.  Webster,  of  Zumbrota. 
The  convention  Avas  held  at  the  courthouse  October  11,  I860.  The 


118 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUYTY 


feeling  among  the  friends  of  the  different  candidates  was  at  fever 
heat,  and  at  one  time  during  the  convention  a personal  encounter 
took  place.  After  several  ballots  had  been  taken,  Mr.  Webster 
was  nominated,  a result  brought  about  by  a combination  of 
friends  of  the  nominee  and  those  of  Hudson  and  McCord.  Mr. 
Sorin  and  his  friends  were  terribly  chagrined  at  the  result,  and 
in  order  to  give  public  expressions  to  their  feelings,  an  “indigna- 
tion meeting”  was  arranged  for,  to  be  held  at  the  courthouse  a 
few  evenings  later,  at  which  Mr.  Sorin  was  to  be  the  principal 
speaker.  His  well-known  eloquence  and  ability  as  an  orator  could 
not  but  attract  a crowd,  and  the  courtroom  was  filled  to  its  utmost 
capacity  to  see  and  hear  what  might  take  place.  The  speaker 
was  at  his  best,  and  those  in  the  audience,  whether  friend  or  foe, 
were  richly  entertained.  He  took  up  the  case  of  one  of  his  rivals 
for  the  nomination,  who  had  (it  was  alleged)  sold  out  his  delegates 
to  Mr.  Webster,  and  who  happened  at  that  time  to  be  a young 
man.  In  sarcastic  language  and  manner  he  referred  to  him  as  a 
mere  cipher  in  the  community,  and  concluded  by  asking:  ‘Who 
is  he?  And  what  has  he  ever  done  for  Goodhue  county?  He  has 
not  done  as  much  as  build  a hen  coop.  A man  without  a home, 
without  a wife,  and,  perhaps,  even  without  a child.’  Afterward 
he  referred  to  another  young  man  who  had  been  somewhat  con- 
spicuous in  bringing  about  his  defeat,  as  he  expressed  it.  A 
young  man  called  Captain  Smithers,  then  a well-known  resident 
of  Red  Wing,  supposing  himself  to  be  the  person  alluded  to,  rose 
in  his  seat  and  asked:  ‘Mr.  Sorin,  do  you  mean  me?’  The 

speaker  stopped,  straightened  himself  to  Ids  full  height,  and  look- 
ing steadily  at  the  captain,  till  every  eye  in  the  room  was  turned 
upon  him,  and  perfect  silence  prevailed,  he  answered:  ‘You,  sir; 
no!  I am  on  the  descending  grade,  but  haven’t  got  down  to  you 
yet-.’  Of  course  every  one  shouted  at  the  reply,  but  it  is  doubtful 
if  the  answer  was  nearly  as  mortifying  to  the  captain  as  was  the 
fact  that  the  speaker  did  not  reach  him  during  the  remainder  of 
the  speech.  It  was  admitted  by  all  present  that  Mr.  Sorin  thor- 
oughly vindicated  himself  and  discomfited  his  enemies  on  the 
occasion.  He  was  afterward  appointed  postmaster  at  Red  Wing 
by  the  incoming  administration.  Some  other  defeated  candidates 
have  not  fared  as  well.  This  county  has  been  fortunate  enough 
to  secure  men  of  ability  and  honesty  to  conduct  its  affairs  with 
prudence  and  economy,  to  whatever  political  party  they  may  have 
been  attached  for  the  time  being. 

Daniel  C.  Hill  is  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Red  Wing  whose 
privilege  it  has  been  to  live  to  see  a flourishing  city  grow  on  a 
location  where  he  found  a primitive  village.  A fine  type  of  the 
old  pioneer,  he  has  the  honor  and  respect  of  the  entire  population 
of  Red  Wing.  In'  company  with  the  Messrs.  Simmons  and 


D.  C.  Hill 


HI  ST  OK  Y OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


119 


Stephens,  lie  was  the  contractor  for  the  local  county  courthouse, 
still  standing  as  a testimony  to  the  fidelity  with  which  the  con- 
tractors labored.  He  also  built  the  Presbyterian  church,  and 
many  other  edifices  which  were  erected  in  the  early  days.  Mr. 
Hill  was  born  at  Hudson,  N.  H.,  May  7,  1830,  son  of  Ruben  and 
Mary  C.  (Chase)  Hill,  both  natives  of  the  Granite  state.  He 
attended  the  district  school  of  his  neighborhood,  assisted  his 
parents  on  the  farm,  and  learned  the  trade  of  carpentering.  Pos- 
sessed of  vigor  and  strength,  he  determined  to  build  up  his  for- 
tunes in  a newer  country,  where,  he  had  been  fold,  the  opportu- 
nities for  one  of  his  trade  were  very  great.  As  a preliminary  to 
this  venture,  he  worked  in  a piano-key  factory  in  Winchester, 
Mass.,  from  1853  to  1856,  and  then  came  with  his  parents  to  Red 
Wing.  Upon  their  arrival  here  both  father  and  son  took  up  car- 
penter work,  the  latter  also  owning  a farm.  In  the  building  and 
carpenter  business  Ruben  Hill  continued,  dying  at  Red  Wing  in 
May,  1886.  His  wife  died  the  following  June.  Daniel,  in  1859, 
started  a sash,  blind  and  planing  factory,  a business  which 
at  that  time  was  one  of  the  leading  industries  of  Red  Wing, 
and  at  which  Mr.  Hill  made  a most  pronounced  success.  In  1882 
came  a flattering  offer  to  take  the  superintendency  of  a large*fac- 
tory  of  a similar  nature  at  Anoka,  and  this  Mr.  Hill  accepted, 
remaining  in  that  place  until  1898.  He  then  bought  a 110-acre 
farm  in  Red  Wing  township,  which  is  now  within  the  city  limits, 
and  upon  this  farm  he  still  makes  his  home.  Mr.  Hill  is  a Repub- 
lican in  politics  and  a prominent  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  He  has  for  many  years  been  a member  of  the  Odd 
Fellows.  The  respect  in  which  he  is  held  after  over  half  a cen- 
tury’s residence  in  this  city  is  a tribute  to  his  staunch  character 
and  unswerving  honesty,  as  well  as  to*  his  genial  personality. 
Daniel  C.  Hill  was  married  the  first  time  in  1858  at  Zumbrota, 
Minn.,-  to  Anna  S.  Hall,  a native  of  Clairemont,  N.  II.,  to  whom 
were  born  four  children:  Elmer  F.  is  an  architect  in  New  York 
City;  Mary  married  Prof.  L.  W.  Chaney,  who  was  professor  at 
Carleton  College  for  twenty-five  years,  and  is  now  in  the  employ 
of  the  government- ; Elizabeth  is  a school  teacher  at  Seattle, 
Wash.;  Arthur  D.  is  a ranchman  at  Victor,  Mont.  Mrs.  Anna 
Hill  died  at  Red  Wing  in  August,  1882,  and  Mr.  Hill  was  married 
the  second  time  at  Zumbrota  January  22,  1884,  to  Clara  Sander- 
son, daughter  of  George  and  Abbey  (Richardson)  Sanderson,  who 
settled  in  Zumbrota  in  the  early  days  and  farmed  all  their  lives. 
The  father  died  in  January,  1902,  and  the  mother  is  also  deceased. 
To  Mr.  Hill  and  Mrs.  Clara  Hill  has  been  born  one  son,  G.  EarL 
February  20,  1888,  who  is  still  at  home. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


DR.  SWENEY’S  NARRATIVE. 

Denton  and  Gavin — Alton  and  Hancock — Bush,  Bullard,  Post, 
Snow  and  Gould — Potter,  Young’  and  Day — Sweney,  Free- 
born and  McGinnis — Friendliness  of  the  Indians — First  Win- 
ter— Arrival  of  the  Scandinavians — Digging-  Potatoes — Fish- 
ing in  Stream  and  River — A Sporting  Clergyman — Some  of 
the  Indian  Braves — Farming  in  the  Old  Indian  Cornfield- 
Squaws  as  Farmhands. 

The  modern  settlement  of  Goodhue  county  dates  from  1837, 
when  Samuel  Denton  and  Daniel  Gavin  located  in  Red  AA’ing’s 
village  and  commenced  their  missionary  efforts  among  the  Sioux 
at  this  point. 

In  1848,  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  of  Foreign 
Missions,  more  commonly  known  as  the  American  board, 
appointed  Revs.  J.  AAr.  Hancock  and  John  Aiton  to  continue  the 
work  started  by  Messrs.  Denton  and  Gavin.  Mr.  Aiton  came  to 
what  is  now  Red  Wing  in  1848,  and  moved  into  the  mission  houses 
previously  erected.  He  and  his  wife  at  once  set  to  work  teaching 
the  Indians,  but  found  the  place  so  lonely  that  they  spent  a part 
of  the  winter  at  Kaposia,  fifty  miles  to  the  north.  Mr.  Hancock 
arrived  June  13,  1849. 

In  the  meantime,  the  exact  date  of  which  it  is  impossible  to 
obtain.  James  AVells  had  settled  at  Frontenac  and  John  Bush  in 
Red  Wing.  At  the  time  when  Mr.  Hancock,  came,  AVells  was  liv- 
ing at  Frontenac,  in  two  unfinished  stone  buildings,  with  his  wife, 
a half-breed  daughter  of  Duncan  Graham,  the  old-time  trader. 
Grouped  about  these  houses  were  the  skin  lodges  of  the  Indians. 
John  Bush  was  also  married  to  a half-breed.  He  lived  in  Red 
Wing’s  village  when  Mr.  Hancock  first  landed  here,  but  whether 
he  antedated  Aiton  is  not  known.  Air.  Aiton  had  some  disagree- 
ment with  Mr.  Hancock  on  matters  of  method,  and  moved  away 
in  1850.  Bush  went  with  the  Indians  in  1853.  AVells  moved 
away  in  1854,  and  was  killed  by  the  Indians.  Mr.  Hancock 
remained. 

In  1850,  George  Bullard  settled  at  Wacoota,  bringing  his 

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HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


121 


family  and  an  Indian  trader  named  Abner  AY.  Post.  In  the  same 
year  an  Indian  trader  named  Snow  came  to  Red  Wing.  In  1851, 
Calvin  Potter  became  associated  with  Snow  in  the  trading  post, 
and  after  the  death  of  Snow  continued  the  business  until  the 
removal  of  the  Indians:  At  about  this  time,  possibly  earlier, 

Charles  Gould  settled  near  the  mouth  of  Wells  creek.  The  arrival 
of  Benjamin  Young,  a French  half-breed,  in  Red  Wing’s  village 
probably  bears  about  the  same  date.  In  April,  1852,  John  Day 
came  over  from  Diamond  Bluff,  Wis.,  and  selected  a claim  in  what 
is  now  the  southeast  corner  of  Section  25,  Township  113,  Range  15. 
He  had  considerable  difficulty  with  the  Indians,  and  also  with 
Young.  His  cabin  Avas  repeatedly  torn  down,  but  after  the  treaty 
he  firmly  established  himself.  Then  came  that  sturdy  old  pioneer 
physician,  Dr.  W.  AY.  Sweney,  whose  name  will  ever  be  revered  in 
this  county.  AATith  him  the  history  of  the  county  really  begins. 

It  will  therefore  be  seen  that  previous  to  his  coming  the  actual 
white  settlers  were  as  follows : Samuel  Denton  and  wife,  Reel 

Wing,  1837  ; Daniel  Gavin  and  wife,  Red  Wing,  1837 ; James  AYells 
and  half-breed  wife,  Frontenac,  1847  (?);  Rev.  John  Aiton  and 
wife,  Red  Wing,  1848;  John  Bush  and  half-breed  wife,  Red  Wing, 
1848  (?)  ; Rev.  J.  AY.  Hancock  and  wife,  Red  Wing,  1849;  George 
Bullard  and  family,  Wacoota,  1850;  Abner  AA7.  Post,  AYacoota, 
1850;  Snow,  Red  Wing,  1851  (?)  ; Charles  Gould  and  family,  near 
mouth  of  AVells  creek,  1851  (?)  ; Calvin  Potter,  Red  AYing,  1851; 
Benjamin' Young  (half-breed),  Red  AYing,  1851  (?);  John  Day 
and  family,  Red  AYing,  1852.  Of  his  early  experiences.  Dr.  Sweney 
once  wrote : 

“In  the  spring  of  1852,  Calvin  Potter,  with  whom  I had  pre- 
viously been  acquainted,  called  at  my  office  in  St.  Paul,  and  in  the 
course  of  our  conversation  informed  me  that  he  lias  bought  out 
Mr.  Snow,  the  licensed  Indian  trader  at  Red  Wing ; and  in  view  of 
the  treaty  then  in  process  of  consummation,  he  thought  that  point 
a good  location  for  a town  site ; also,  that  he  would  like  to  interest 
someone  with  him  in  a claim  he  had  there.  AVilliam  Freeborn, 
being  one  of  the  old  residents  of  St.  Paul,  and  having  a large 
acquaintance.  Air.  Potter  thought  he  would  be  a desirable  man. 
From  my  opinion  of  the  country,  acquired  in  various  conversa- 
tions with  an  old  French  voyager,  and  also  from  an  Englishman 
by  birth — but  in  language  and  habits  a compound  of  English, 
French  and  Indian — who  had  been  in  the  country  for  thirty  years, 
I was  more  than  anxious  to  take  part  in  the  enterprise,  and 
brought  about  a speedy  meeting  between  Air.  Potter  and  Mr. 
Freeborn. 

“In  our  council,  Air.  Freeborn  demurred  at  first,  urging  his 
inability  to  remove  to  the  new  Eldorado  immediately.  I proposed 
to  remove  that  objection  by  coming  myself,  to  which  he  acceded. 


122 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


The  result  was  that  we  three  took  the  return  boat,  and  landed  in 
Red  Wing  in  the  early  part  of  May.  AVhile  there  I purchased  a 
claimright  from  a half-breed  named  Benjamin  Young,  of  that  part 
of  the  city  known  as  ‘Sweney’s  Addition;’  also  that  old  weather- 
beaten, two-story  log  house,  well  known  to  old  settlers. 

Note. — This  house  stood  where  the  old  Sheldon  elevator,  owned 
by  the  La  Grange  mills,  is  now  located. 

“This  done,  I returned  to  St.  Paul,  put  my  business  in  proper 
shape,  and  came  back  to  Red  AVing  with  James  McGinnis,  who 
concluded  to  try  his  fortune  in  this  then  unexplored  country.  We 
made  our  headquarters  in  the  venerable  tenement  before  men- 
tioned, and  kept  our  own  house,  or,  as  some  graphically  describe 
it,  “kept  bach.”  This  was  in  the  latter  part  of  May  or  beginning 
of  June. 

“As  it  was  not  deemed  advisable  to  go  into  farming  or  build- 
ing operations  until  the  treaty  was  ratified,  we  had  plenty  of  idle 
time  on  our  hands,  and  the  grand  difficulty  was  to  know  how  to 
dispose  of  it.  The  families  here  then  were  the  Rev.  J.  AY. 
Hancock,  of  the  Presbyterian  mission,  and  John  Bush,  Indian 
farmer.  John  Day  was  not  far  oft,  however.  The  old  ‘Excel- 
sior’ never  made  a trip  up  from  below  that  John  did  not  board 
her,  to  hear  ‘about  the  treaty.’  There  were  several  transient  per- 
sons here,  but  their  later  whereabouts  is  not  known.  The  only 
actual  residents  of  the  county,  previous  to  my  coming,  besides 
those  above  mentioned,  were  George  Bullard  and  family,  at 
Wacoota;  James  Wells,  who  was  later  killed  by  the  Indians  in  the 
southwestern  part  of  the  state,  who  then  had  a trading  post  at 
what  is  now  the  village  of  Frontenac,  and  Charles  Gould  and  fam- 
ily, who  resided  near  the  mouth  of  AVells  creek.  This  comprised 
the  white  population  of  the  county. 

“Of  the  country  back  of  us,  even  for  four  miles,  I could  learn 
nothing.  Air.  Knauer,  the  engineer  of  the  old  military  road  up  the 
river,  said  he  has  rode  out  to  the  source  of  Hay  creek,  and  that  it 
originated  in  a fine  tamarack  marsh.  It  occurred  to  AlcGinnis 
and  myself  that  a good  tamarack  swamp,  in  a prairie  country, 
would  be  a fine  thing  to  possess,  and,  being  like  the  caged  starling, 
anxious  to  ‘get  out,’  we  ‘just  went’  for  Hay  creek,  and  to  our 
intense  disgust,  didn’t  find  any  tamarack.  In  an  after  conversa- 
tion with  Air.  Knauer,  I am  persuaded  that,  not  following  the 
creek  valley  all  the  way,  he  mistook  the  poplar  grove,  known  in 
early  times  as  ‘Albert’s  grove,’  for  the  swamp  aforesaid. 

“After  our  little  disappointment  about  the  source  of  Hay 
creek,  our  trips  were  mainly  confined  to  the  river  side  of  the 
county,  between  the  divide  of  the  waters  of  the  Zumbro  and  the 
Mississippi — even  Belle  creek  was  not  known — its  locality  and 
•course,  however,  was  traced  for  us  by  Hapah,  the  old  chief  ’s  son- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


123 


in-law.  It  was  not  deemed  advisable  to  go  far  from  tlie  river,  as 
many  of  the  Indians  were  decidedly  hostile  to  ceding  their  lands, 
and  the  Zumbro  country  Avas  the  common  hunting  ground  for  sev- 
eral bands  of  the  M ’dewakantonwan  Dakotalis,  besides  being  in 
the  route  of  the  traveling  Indians  from  the  upper  Minnesota,  to 
Wabasha,  the  residence  of  the  acknowledged  head  chief  of  the 
seven  bands. 

“Having  become  acquainted  with  the  principal  men  among  the 
Indians,  I thought  it  safe  to  bring  my  family  from  St.  Paul,  which 
I did  in  July,  1852,  as  did  also  Mr.  McGinnis.  I have  a very  lively 
recollection  of  getting  our  household  stock  from  the  landing  to 
our  residence.  A winding,  rugged  path  up  the  bank  was  the 
course  by  which  Ave  conveyed  it,  and  ‘Me’  and  I transformed  our- 
selves  into  pack-mules,  until  stoAres,  bureaus,  provisions,  and  vari- 
ous etceteras,  of  the  tAvo  households  Avere  placed  under  shelter, 
and  Ave  Avere  at  home.  Within  the  next  twenty-four  hours,  ninety- 
nine  hundredths  of  the  Indian  population  had  called  in  through 
curiosity,  and  their  various  comments  would  doubtless  haA'e  been 
edifying  had  Ave  been  able  to  understand  them.  Friendly  rela- 
tions Avere  established,  hoAveArer,  and  Ave  never  could  complain  of 
lack  of  company,  so  long  as  they  remained  in  the  village.  I must 
also  say  in  justice  to  the  memory  of  those  original  settlers  and 
occupants  of  the  soil,  that  I was  never  more  kindly  treated  by  any 
people,  nor  did  I eA^er  enjoy  myself  better.  To  be  sure,  they  Avere 
importunate  beggars,  as  a community,  and  the  Avomen,  as  a rule, 
Avere  chronic  thieves.  In  fact  they  Avere  kleptomaniacs,  i.  e..  they 
could  not  help  their  stealing  proclivities.  But,  .making  all  alloAv- 
ances  for  these  little  peculiarities  of  their  manners  and  morals, 
which  were  a part  of  their  natures,  they  Avere  not  a bad  people 
to  live  among.  By  a little  liberality,  Avhen  their  begging  seemed 
justifiable,  and  by  firmly  refusing  Avhen  necessary,  the  beggars 
Avere  disposed  of  and  kept  in  good  humor.  And  by  watchfulness 
and  the  aid  of  bolts  and  bars,  their  thieving  propensities  Avere  held 
in  check  and  rendered  measurably  harmless. 

“The  treaty  being  ratified  by  the  senate  of  the  United  States, 
Avitli  some  alterations  from  the  original,  as  framed  by  the  Dako- 
tahs  and  the  commissioners,  it  became  necessary  to  convene  the 
different  bands  interested  therein  to  get  their  consent.  Notice 
was  accordingly  given  to  them  to  meet  at  Fort  Snelling  early  in 
the  fall,  in  consequence  of  Avhieh  a peiffect  exodus  of  the  aborigi- 
nes took  place,  and  nothing  more  Avas  seen  of  them  here  until  late 
in  November,  after  the  close  of  naArigation.  When  they  did  return 
a more  squalid,  wretched  looking  set  I never  saAV.  Bitter  Avere 
the  complaints  against  the  government  officials.  Their  annuities 
Avere  spent  in  Avaiting  at  the  fort,  the  best  of  the  hunting  season 
bad  passed,  their  canoes  Avere  frozen  in  the  ice  away  from  home. 


124 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


and  would  be  mainly  lost.  I remember  well  when  the  first 
installment  that  came  home — three  families — pitched  their  tents 
in  the  evening  near  the  mission  house.  They  were  worn  out,  cold 
and  hungry.  The  children  were  emaciated,  and  sick  from  want 
and  exposure.  They  were  supplied  by  the  whites  with  food  until 
the  men  could  obtain  game  for  their  sustenance.  In  the  morning 
two  of  the  men  went  out  hunting,  and  as  I came  home  in  the 
evening,  unsuccessful  from  a similar  expedition  on  Hay  creek,  I 
struck  their  trail,  and  in  a short  time  overtook  them  near  what 
is  now  the  corner  of  Main  and  Minnesota  streets,  each  of  them 
slowly  toiling  through  the  deep  snow,  under  the  burden  of  a deer. 
The  men  seemed  exhausted,  and  requested  me  to  stop  at  their 
tepees  and  tell  the  women  where  they  were — that  they  had  got 
tado — and  wanted  them  to  come  to  their  assistance.  I hurried 
home  to  communicate  this  joyful  intelligence  to  the  inmates  of 
the  three  lodges.  Upon  reaching  them  I told  one  of  the  women 
the  good  news.  She  immediately  shouted  forth  a peculiar  cry, 
which  was  echoed  by  all  in  the  tent,  down  to  a three-year-old 
boy  dressed  in  purus  naturalibis.  This  brought  out  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  other  lodges.  Upon  being  told  the  cause  of  the  com- 
motion, the  same  shout  went  up  from  all  present.  Women  and 
children  acted  as  if  demented.  The  women  rushed  about  for 
straps,  knives  and  blankets,  and  the  children  jumped  up  and 
down  for  joy.  After  giving  them  the  proper  directions  where  to 
go,  three  women  started  out  on  a dog  trot,  and  were  soon  lost  to 
view ; but  some  time  after  dark  I called  at  the  lodges  and  found 
them  busily  engaged  in  masticating  large  mouthfuls  of  venison. 
In  three  days  those  little,  half-starved,  copper-colored  specimens 
of  the  genus  homo  had  acquired  a very  perceptible  rotundity, 
and  were  as  sleek  and  frisky  as  a litter  of  young  pups.  The  cry, 
or  shout,  mentioned  I have  heard  frequently,  and  is  made  on  the 
occasion  of  the  intelligence  of  a successful  hunt ; not  always  the 
same,  different  intonations  indicating  the  kind  of  game  killed, 
as  deer,  bear,  elk,  etc. 

“The  additions  to  our  population,  besides  those  mentioned, 
were  John  Day  and  family,  E.  C.  Stevens,  David  Pucket,  Jack 
Sanders  and  Ben  Hill,  in  the  summer,  and  Charles  Parks,  in 
November,  1852. 

“The  proprietors  of  the  town  site  had  procured  lumber  late 
in  the  fall  for  the  erection  of  a hotel  early  in  the  spring,  and  it 
was  necessary  to  engage  carpenters  to  prepare  such  of  the 
material  in  winter  as  could  be  done  within  the  shop.  H.  B.  and 
Joseph  Middaugh  were  obtained,  and  became  residents  of  the 
town  in  December,  1852.  About  this  time,  also,  the  first  of  our 
Scandinavian  population  arrived  here — Mathias  Peterson,  a 
Norwegian  by  birth.  Soon  after  came  Nels  Nelson,  a Swede,  who 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


125 


for  a long  time  lived  with  me.  These  two  men  were  the  pioneers 
•of  that  nationality  in  Goodhue  county,  where  the  descendants  of 
that  race  have  since  occupied  so  important  a place.  Both  of  these 
men  formerly  resided  in  St.  Paul.  In  the  spring  following, 
Albert,  a Norwegian,  an  acquaintance  of  Mr.  Peterson,  settled 
here  and  made  a claim  at  Poplar  grove,  or  Albert’s  grove,  in  what 
is  now  Featherstone  township. 

‘‘The  winter  of  1852-53  was  passed  very  pleasantly  by  our 
little  isolated  community.  The  natives  soon  left  on  their  win- 
ter’s hunt  after  their  return  from  the  treaty  ratification  at  the 
fort,  and  we  saw  but  little  of  them  until  some  time  in  January; 
in  fact  we  saw  nobody  but  our  own  residents.  Communication 
between  us  and  the  civilized  world  was  only  resumed  when  the 
post  had  rendered  traveling  safe  on  the  Mississippi  river.  The 
mail  was  carried  from  Prairie  du  Cliien,  through  Wisconsin, 
crossing  the  Chippewa  near  the  Menominee  river,  thence  through 
a wooded  wilderness  to  the  very  source  of  Rush  river  at  Baker’s 
station,  thence  to  Stillwater  and  St.  Paul.  A trip  from  Prairie 
du  Cliien  in  the  winter  required  nerve,  endurance,  and  a Avilling- 
ness  to  perform  any  amount  of  manual  labor  that  the  emergency 
of  the  case  might  require.  We  here  got  our  mail  from  St.  Paul, 
when  we  had  a chance  to  send  for  it.  When  the  ice  was  safe, 
trains  arrived  frequently  from  below,  principally  laden  with  pork 
and  flour.  Our  isolation  was  from  about  the  miclde  of  November 
to  some  time  in  January.  Such  supplies  as  ran  short  were 
obtained  of  Mr.  Potter,  whose  establishment  contained  those 
articles  more  especially  demanded  by  the  Indian  trade,  and  from 
George  W.  Bullard,  at  Wacoota,  whose  situation  at  the  head  of 
the  lake  rendered  it  necessary  for  him  to  keep  a more  extensive 
assortment  of  goods,  to  supply  the  wants  of  the  lumbering  inter- 
ests ; or  if  these  stores  were  deficient  in  articles,  then  St.  Paul  was 
the  last  resort  for  the  winter.  . 

“As  it  is  impossible  to  relate  all  that  I wish  to  say  in  chrono- 
logical order,  I may  as  well  give  a few  of  the  incidents  connected 
with  our  county  history,  even  though  out  of  their  proper  era. 

“On  the  Wisconsin  side  of  the  river,  previous  to  the  settle- 
ment here,  in  1852,  the  land  was  ceded,  surveyed  and  opened  to 
settlement.  At  Diamond  Bluff  lived  John  Day,  Allen  AYilson, 
Jack  Payne  and  George  Day.  At  the  mouth  of  the  Trim  Belle, 
‘Old  Hawley’  and  Jake  Meade.  At  Thing’s  Landing,  now  Tren- 
ton, lived  Wilson  Thing,  E.  C.  Stevens  and  Dexter,  all  more  or 
less  engaged  in  getting  out  wood  for  the  use  of  steamboats. 

“ ‘Old  Hawley’  was  rather  a hard  case.  By  his  sale  of  whisky 
our  community  was  frequently  disturbed  by  the  whooping  and 
yelling  of  drunken  Indians.  About  all  the  population  of  natives 
not  engaged  in  the  spree  would  flee  to  the  houses  of  the  whites 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


126 

for  protection,  and  there  remain  until  the  ‘Minne  Wakan’  gave 
out,  and  the  legitimate  results  of  a ‘high  old  time’  had  overtaken 
the  carousers.  Nothing  is  known  of  Hawley’s  fate,  but  from  a 
knowledge  of  his  character  I would  infer  that  he  is  at  some  ‘side 
station’  or  ‘switch-off’  in  that  ‘undiscovered  country  from  whence 
no  traveler  returns.’ 

‘‘‘In  justice  to  truth  and  history,  1 must  say  something  of 
Wilson  Thing,  a very  eccentric  man.  a strict  vegetarian,  a man 
of  strong  prejudices,  but  moral  and  upright — a good  neighbor 
and  an  honest  man.  He  Avas  the  only  justice  of  the  peace  for 
many  miles  around,  and  consequently  had  a little  legal  business 
to  perform.  Previous  to  my  coming  here,  as  related  by  an  old 
settler,  a fair  widow  of  this  place  had  entered  into  a marriage 
contract  with  a gentleman  of  St.  Paul,  and  the  time  was  fixed  for 
the  consummation  of  the  happy  event.  When  the  time  arrived, 
and  the  parties  to  the  contract  were  present,  a grand  difficulty 
arose.  Rev.  Mr.  Hancock,  the  only  one  authorized  to  solemnize 
marriages,  was  absent.  The  bridegroom  was  impatient  and  the 
bride  annoyed.  Friends  suggested  a canoe  ride  to  Trenton  and 
the  services  of  ‘Squire  Thing’  as  the  only  solution  of  the  evils 
complained  of.  Of  course,  under  the  circumstances,  both  bride 
and  bridegroom  eagerly  acceded  to  the  proposition,  and  in  a 
short  time  the  bridal  party  was  under  way  for  the  residence  of 
the  justice.  They  found  that  worthy  representative  of  the  law, 
as  enacted  and  promulgated  by  the  great  and  sovereign  state  of 
Wisconsin,  busily  engaged  in  the  rather  feminine  occupation  of 
washing  a two  months’  accumulation  of  soiled  shirts,  he  being  at 
that  time  a bachelor,  and  he  was  somewhat  embarrassed  at  the 
sudden  eruption  into  his  sanctum.  The  bride,  however,  was 
plucky,  and  to  relieve  the  justice,  and  to  give  him  time  to  make 
himself  presentable  and  con  over  the  marriage  ceremony,  she 
proposed  that  herself  and  mother  would  finish  the  laundry  opera- 
tions, while  he  got  ready  for  his  part  of  the  proceedings.  This 
pfoposition  was  accepted,  and  in  due  time  both  the  shirt  washing 
and  the  marriage  ceremony  were  completed,  to  the  satisfaction 
of  all  concerned. 

“As  winter  approached  it  became  necessary  for  us  to  look 
about  for  a supply  of  vegetables  for  winter  use,  as  there  were 
none  to  be  had  on  this  side  of  the  river.  Upon*  inquiry,  I found 
that  Mr.  Thing  had  planted  four  or  five  acres  of  potatoes,  besides 
some  beets  and  cabbages,  which  latter  we  were  able  to  purchase. 
The  potatoes,  however,  were  not  to  be  obtained  by  the  regular 
business  transaction  of  cash  down.  In  the  first  place,  they  were 
‘planted  on  the  sod;’  that  is,  two  rounds  were  plowed,  the  pota- 
toes dropped  in  the  last  furrow,  and  covered  by  the  sod  of  the 
next  round,  and  so  on.  The  ‘Squire’s’  field  was  in  the  prairie, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


127 


between  Trenton  and  the  bluffs.  The  season  was  not  favorable 
for  rotting  the  sod,  and  the  tubers  were  hard  to  excavate.  He 
wanted  help,  which  was  hard  to  get.  We  wanted  potatoes,  and 
money  wouldn’t  buy  them.  Consequently  it  was  ‘root,  hog  or 
die’  with  us,  and  we’  went  to  rooting.  A hard  day’s  work 
unearthed  ten  bushels  to  the  man,  for  which  one  bushel  was  given 
as  wages.  I have  to  this  day  a very  acute  appreciation  of  the 
pleasant  occupation  I was  then  engaged  in.  Just  fancy  my  get- 
ting up  at  4 o’clock  in  the  morning,  breaking  my  fast  as  soon  as 
possible,  getting  into  a canoe,  with  hoe,  basket  and  sack,  and 
paddling  up  to  Trenton,  thence  to  the  field.  Now  commences  the 
dissection  of  that  gutta  percha  sod,  with  a plantation  hoe.  A 
little  experience  in  another  line  of  business  enabled  me  to  get 
the  hang  of  the  thing.  In  getting  honey  out  of  a hollow  tree,  the 
best  way  is  to  cut  two  carfs  into  the  cavity,  then  split  off  the 
block  of  timber  between.  The  same  rule  held  good  in  the  present 
instance,  but  I must  say  I never  saw  sod  so  tough,  potatoes  so 
hard  to  get  at,  and  so  small  when  I got  them.  But  as  an  offset, 
I have  never  eaten  potatoes  of  an  equal  excellence.  And  I was 
prouder  of  the  ten  bushel  I thus  acquired  than  the  biggest  buck 
I ever  arrested  in  his  wild  career  through  the  woods,  or  the 
largest  trout  I ever  landed  from  the  clear,  rushing  waters  of  his 
native  brook.  Just  think  of  it,  ten  bushels  all  my  own ; no  gift ; 
not  begged,  but  earned.  One  hundred  bushels  torn  from  the 
rugged  earth,  ninety  given  as  a peace  offering,  but  ten  my  own, 
for  use  aud  dissipation.  I think  I didn’t  dissipate.  On  my  back 
I nightly  bore  my  wages  down  to  my  gondola,  and  sailed  away 
for  home.  But  I have  dwelt  too  long  on  this  subject,  time  has 
mellowed  down  all  of  pain  that  was  associated  with  the  circum- 
stance, and  the  recollection  is  now  pleasurable,  and  full  of  inter- 
est to  me  in  my  musings  and  speculations. 

“Leaving  this  portion  of  my  subject,  I must  now  refer  to  one 
full  of  interest  to  me,  but  probably  not  so  acceptable  to  the 
majority  of  my  audience.  Among  the  first  items  of  information 
I obtained  from  the  Indians  was  that  the  small  spring  brooks 
contained  an  abundance  of  trout,  and  the  equally  gratifying 
intelligence  that  they  never  used  them  as  an  article  of  food ; in 
fact  their  religious  notions  tabooed  their  use.  From  the  name 
they  gave  the  speckled  beauties,  I would  infer  they  considered 
them  too  bad  to  eat.  Hogal-wichasta-sni,  literally  wicked  man 
fish,  is  not  suggestive  of  high  appreciation  among  the  Indian 
community.  They  believed  some  malign  influence  resided  in  the 
fish,  and  that  to  eat  them  would  be  to  invite  disease,  and  the 
anger  of  the  gods.  This  feeling  was  very  prevalent  among  them, 
and  Wacoota,  the  chief,  being  invited  to  take  dinner  with  me,  at 
which  meal  I informed  him  there  would  be  a dish  of  trout,  he 


128 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


consented  to  be  present,  provided  we  would  lock  the  doors,  eat 
dinner  upstairs,  hang  a curtain  before  the  windows,  and  say 
nothing  of  what  he  had  eaten.  This  was  done,  and  old'Shooter’ 
made  a very  hearty  meal,  as  Indians  are  likely  to  do,  but  I 
thought,  during  the  trout  course,  that  he  acted  as  though  the 
morsels  were  hard  to  swallow,  like  a bpy  bolting  his  first  oyster, 
and  that  qualms  of  conscience  interfered  with  deglutitation.  He 
ate  frequently  with  me  afterwards,  but  I cannot  say  that  trout 
ever  appeared  to  be  a favorite  dish  with  him. 

“All  the  streams  within  the  limits  of  our  county  abounded 
with  trout,  with  the  exception  of  Prairie  creek,  the  Pine  Island 
branch  of  the  Zumbro,  and  the  Little  Cannon.  The  latter  stream 
has  since  been  stocked,  and  now  affords  very  fair  sport,  the  run 
of  trout  being  large.  I only  fished  in  four  of  these  streams  the 
first  two  years  of  my  residence  here,  to-wit : Trout  brook,  the 

little  stream  emptying  into  Hay  creek;  Spring  creek  and  Bul- 
lard’s creek.  The  first  of  these,  however,  being  adjacent  to  town, 
was  where  I got  my  supply  for  home  use.  An  hour  or  two  in  the 
evening  would  net  me  eight  or  ten  pounds  of  fish. 

“In  my  various  tramps  through  the  country,  when  I struck  a 
stream  at  a ford  or  ripple  it  was  no  uncommon  thing  to  see 
dozens  of  trout  rushing  and  tumbling  over  each  other  in  their 
haste  to  reach  their  hiding  places  in  deep  water.  On  Hay  creek 
I have  thus  frightened  from  a shallow  ripple  more  than  fifty 
pounds  of  fish  at  one  time,  and  though  I always  carry  an  ample 
supply  of  fishing  tackle  with  me,  I never  wet  a line  in  that  stream 
until  1854.  This,  I consider,  the  greatest  instance  of  self-denial 
and  resistance  to  temptation  on  record.  I could  cite  many 
instances  where  better  men  probably  have  signally  failed,  and 
where  the  restraining  influence  would  haye  been  much  stronger. 
The  reason  why  I did  not  gratify  my  natural  instincts  was  the 
opposing  one — and  true  sportsman  maxim — never  to  kill  what 
you  cannot  make  use  of ; and  also,  I am  too  great  a lover  of  the 
gentle  art  to  hasten  the  extinction,  through  a mere  wantonness, 
of  a creature  that  has  so  largely  contributed  to  my  pleasure  and 
happiness. 

“With  your  permission,  I will  relate  one  of  these  instances, 
although  properly  not  occurring  in  the  early  settlement  of  the 
county,  premising  my  recital  with  the  explanation  that  the  cause 
of  the  temptation  was  a large,  beautifully  colored  specimen  of 
the  gamest  of  all  game  fish — the  trout. 

“A  party  from  below,  accredited  to  our  fishing  club  as  being 
‘all  right,’  arrived  here  and  requested  information  as  to  where 
they  could  enjoy  a couple  of  weeks’  good  sporting  during  the 
hot  month  of  July.  The  very  paradise  of  fishing  grounds  was 
selected  for  them,  and  the  next  day  their  camp  was  pitched  on  a 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


129 


beautiful  spot  on  Rush  river  in  the  state  of  Wisconsin.  A few 
rods  of  open  priarie  stretched  down  to  the  river  from  the  camp, 
and* the  small,  orchard-like  trees  surrounding  offered  an  inviting 
shade.  In  front  loomed  up  big’  bluffs,  covered  with  tall  timber; 
back  of  the  camp  the  ground  rose  in  a succession  of  plateaus, 
until  the  general  level  of  the  country  was  attained.  Taking  it 
all  in  all,  it  was  one  of  the  loveliest  situations  for  the  purposes 
of  a sportsman’s  camp  that  1 ever  beheld.  An  invitation  to  call 
and  break  bread  with  them  was  accepted,  and  in  a few  days  John 
Webster,  Billy  B.,  Sam  Stevens  and  myself,  were  on  the  ‘old 
battle  ground’  with  rod,  reel,  line  and  various  other  appliances 
deemed  necessary  on  such  occasions.  We  found  our  friends  en- 
joying themselves  admirably.  They  had  established  friendly 
relations  with  the  neighboring  settlers  and  could  not  be  better 
situated.  One  of  the  party  was  a minister  of  the  gospel  of  the 
Methodist  denomination,  a Pennsylvanian  by  birth,  brought  up 
among  the  mountains  of  Sinnemahoning,  as  pure  and  unsophis- 
ticated as  regards  evil,  as  the  mountain  brooks  of  his  native  home. 
From  his  surroundings  in  childhood  he  could  not  have  been  less 
than  a keen  sportsman  and  be  a man. 

“The  country  in  the  locality  had  been  sparsely  inhabited  for 
a number  of  years.  Young  men  with  young  families  had  settled 
there,  and  for  a time  had  not  felt  the  necessity  of  education  or 
religious  instruction.  As  their  families  grew  up,  however,  several 
had  expressed  a determination  to  leave  on  account  of  their  fam- 
ilies growing  up  ignorant  in  these  particulars  and  devoid  of  a 
knowledge  of  the  amenities  and  conventionalities  of  social  life. 
A slight  impetus  of  immigration  has  raised  their  drooping  spirits, 
and  by  an  effort  they  had  just  completed  a school  house,  which,  on 
the  Sabbath,  they  used  as  a church  when  a wandering  minister 
traveled  that  way.  This  being  the  situation,  word  was  given  out 
that  our  reverend  sportsman,  Brother  Shaffer,  would,  with  divine 
permission,  give  them  a discourse  on  the  ensuing  Sabbath,  at  such 
an  hour  as  might  suit  their  convenience.  Nature  had  been  lavish 
of  gifts  to  our  friend  of  herculean  proportions.  He  Avas  deep 
chested,  strong  limbed,  and  with  a Aroice  as  clear  as  the  clarion’s 
notes,  combined  Avitli  the  resonance  of  distant  artillery,  yet  he 
could  modulate  it  to  the  murmur  of  a mountain  rill,  under  the 
controllings  of  genial  influences.  His  invariable  practice,  after  the 
evening  meal,  as  the  shades  of  night  drew  on,  was  to  retire  a short 
distance  from  the  camp,  and  I presume  offer  up  his  devotions,  and 
then  break  forth  in  evening  hymn,  which  caused  all  camp  avoca- 
tions to  be  suspended.  The  very  birds  ceased  their  songs ; the 
gambolings  of  the  little  denizens  of  the  forest  and  the  busy  hum 
of  insect  life  seemed  hushed.  Naught  of  earth  was  heard  but  the 
woice  of  praise  and  the  gentle  murmur  of  the  passing  stream,  in 


130 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


fitting  unison.  We  were  not  the  only  auditors.  The  powerful  voice 
of  the  singer  had  penetrated  far  into  the  surrounding  woods. 
Hearers  had  learned  when  to  enjoy  the  pleasure  and  would  silently 
approach  the  camp  without  their  presence  being  known,  that  they 
might  more  clearly  appreciate  the  beauty  of  the  song.  A religious 
feeling  was  aroused,  and  the  hearts  of  the  community  were  in 
sympathy  with  Brother  Shaffer.  On  Sunday  morning  all  the 
inmates  of  the  camp  were  on  their  way  to  the  place  of  meeting, 
and  it  appeared  that  the  entire  population  was  in  motion.  By  the 
roads,  footpaths,  and  through  the  woods  they  came,  until  the 
house  was  full  and  groups  standing  on  the  outside.  The  speaker 
gave  them  a discourse  suited  to  their  wants.  The  grand  old  woods 
and  the  crystal  waters  came  in  as  blessings  which  should  be 
thankfully  acknowledged  in  their  devotions  to  God,  together 
with  the  sustenance  and  pleasure  derived  therefrom.  The  re- 
marks were  appreciated,  and  I will  venture  that  seed  was  sown 
there  that  time  will  not  smother,  nor  the  germinal  principal  decay, 
without  bringing  forth  much  fruit. 

“After  the  sermon  all  the  fishing  party  returned  to  camp, 
with  the  exception  of  our  clerical  friend,  who  was  requested  to 
stay  and  conduct  the  exercises  of  the  class  and  Sunday  school. 
In  course  of  the  afternoon,  Webster  and  myself  took  a stroll  on 
the  hillside  back  of  our  camp,  where  the  river,  running  a few 
yards  from  the  path,  at  the  base  of  the  hill,  was  plainly  visible  in 
the  interval  between  the  trees.  The  pools  of  Avater  were  as  calm 
as  the  sleep  of  an  infant.  The  quieting  influence  of  the  day  ap- 
peared to  have  affected  the  inmates  of  the  Avaters,  and  their 
usual  lively  demonstrations  Avere  sobered  down  to  a gentle  motion 
of  their  fins  to  keep  them  in  suspension  in  their  liquid  element. 
A cosy  shelf  on  the  hillside  invited  a rest  and  we  sat  down  to 
enjoy  the  scene.  Anon  a ripple-  in  the  stream  attracted  attention. 
’Twas  not  larger  than  that  caused  by  a drop  of  rain.  Nothing 
Avas  said,  but  my  eyes  Avere  riveted  on  the  spot.  ’Twas  repeated 
and  in  the  same  place.  I saAV  that  I should  fall  into  temptation, 
to  avoid  which  I ingloriously  fled.  What  Webster  saAV,  I know 
not,  but  when  he  returned  to  camp  his  eyes  had  a prominence 
and  convexity  that  indicated  having  ‘seen  sights,’  and  his  manner 
that  of  a high  state  of  nervous  excitement.  I said  he  returned. 
He  did,  but  he  disappeared  again,  in  a state  of  mind  that  caused 
serious  apprehension  on  the  part  of  his  friends.  In  a short  time 
Shaffer  arrived,  and  selecting  a tufty,  shady  spot,  threw  himself 
prone  on  the  ground,  discoursing  pleasantly  of  the  happiness  he 
felt  in  having  been  allowed  to  minister  to  the  Avants  of  a people 
so  much  in  need  of  gospel  teaching  and  so  willing  to  receive  it. 
I heard  him,  and  cordially  was  with  him  in  spirit,  but  my  eyes 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


131 


were  on  the  path,  over  the  shingle  and  up  the  river,  where  our 
absent  friend  evidently  had  gone.  After  a time  my  apprehensions 
were  almost  quieted  in  regard  to  Webster,  and  I was  watching 
the  countenance  of  the  speaker  as  it  swayed  under  the  various 
emotions  called  up  by  the  incidents  of  the  day.  when  a noise 
startled  me.  Turning  around  I saw  Webster  approaching  a few 
yards  away,  evidently  in  a more  easy  state  of  mind.  On  he  came, 
and  I was  hopeful  that  none  of  the  proprieties  of  the  clay  or  occa- 
sion had  been  violated,  but  when  within  ten  feet  of  me  he  sud- 
denly extended  his  right  arm,  softly  exclaiming  ‘Look  there.’  I 
sprang  to  my  feet  and  beheld  the  very  incarnation  of  piscatorial 
beauty,  his  colors  unfaded  and  the  light  of  life  still  in  his  eye. 
My  exclamation  brought  Brother  Shaffer  to  a sitting  position. 
His  eyes  had  an  imperfect  vision,  and  he  sternly  exclaimed,  ‘Oh„ 
you  wicked,  wicked  man.’  Webster  skilfully  displayed  the  full- 
length  broadside  to  view.  Brother  Shaffer  was  on  his  feet  in  a 
twinkling,  fondling  the  fish,  and  the  words.  ‘Oh.  isn’t  he  a 
beauty ! ’ burst  involuntarily  from  his  lips,  his  admiration  obliter- 
ating all  thought  of  the  crime.  A rebuke  was  now  powerless,  as 
he  himself,  by  his  involuntary  exclamation  and  action,  was  not 
above  the  temptation,  but  in  fact  participated  in  the  fault. 

“The  human  countenance,  as  a reflex  mirror  of  impressions  on 
the  mental  organization,  is  a pleasing  and  instructive  study,  from 
the  -very  inception  of  the  stimuli  on  the  infant  brain  up  to  its 
maximum  in  mature  manhood,  thence  following  on  the  waning 
side  of  life  to  those  changes  which  shadow  forth  the  coming  of 
second  childhood.  Friend  Shaffer’s  physiognomy  for  a brief 
season  well  repaid  study  and  analyzation.  First  were  traces  of 
sorrow  and  rebuke,  then  surprise  and  wonder,  followed  quickly 
by  signs  of  extravagant  admiration,  thence  down  the  grade  to' 
shame  and  humiliation.  The  thought  waves  were  electrical  in 
velocity — each  ripple  expressing  a sentiment  or  emotion  which 
the  most  rapid  symbolism  could  not  trace  on  paper.  A single 
character  would  have  to  represent  the  emotional  name ; to  eluci- 
date it  would  require  pages,  yet  it  was  plainly  written,  and  in  as 
legible  characters  as  though  carved  in  ‘monumental  marble. 7 
With  a sigh  he  subsided  into  his  former  position,  realizing,  doubt- 
less, the  weakness  and  imperfection  of  human  nature,  and  that 
even  the  best  of  men  are  as  ‘prone  to  do  evil  as  the  sparks  are 
to  fly  upward.’ 

“I  think  all  those  who  saw  that  little  episode  will  never  for- 
get it.  It  was  one  of  the  incidents  that  language  cannot  com- 
municate or  the  artist’s  pencil  portray;  the  finer  features  of  the 
picture  would  be  inevitably  lost.  My  thoughts  called  up  Uncle 
Toby’s  violation  of  the  third  commandment,  in  his  anxiety  to 
relieve  the  poor  lieutenant,  and  I would  adopt  the  author’s  views 


132 


HISTORY  OR  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


as  to  the  criminality  in  the  ease,  with  a very  slight  alteration : 
That  the  accusing  spirit  which  flew  up  to  Heaven’s  chancery  with 
the  fault  blushed  as  he  gave  it  in;  and  the  recording  angel,  as  he 
wrote  it  down,  dropped  a tear  upon  the  word,  blotting  it  out 
forever. 

“In  the  fall  of  1852,  having  a fishing-seine  in  our  possession, 
we  organized  a fishing  party,  and  built  the  necessary  craft  for 
running  a fishery.  We  began  the  enterprise  for  the  purpose  of 
supplying  our  own  wants.  Meeting  with  great  success,  and 
having  nothing  else  to  do,  salt  and  barrels  were  procured,  aud  in 
a short  time  we  supplied  St.  Paul  with  forty  barrels  of  good  fish, 
at  the  remarkably  low  price  of  $6  per  barrel.  Our  fishing  ground 
was  the  ‘Bay,’  on  the  Wisconsin  side,  about  a mile  above  Bay 
City.  Large  quantities  were  caught,  of  all  the  kinds  inhabiting 
the  river,  but  we  only  preserved  the  best  fish,  rejecting  pike, 
pickerel,  bass,  sturgeon,  dog-fish,  sheep-head  and  gars,  while  the 
rich,  fat  and  luscious  cat,  buffalo  and  carp  were  carefully  cleaned 
and  salted,  Avell  repaying  us  for  our  labor.  At  one  haul  of  our 
seine,  in  the  lake  referred  to,  we  took  out  over  eight  barrels  of 
fish,  when  cleaned  and  packed,  besides  an  innumerable  quantity 
of  the  ‘baser  sort’  as  before  indicated. 

“These  remarks  may  provoke  satirical  comments  from  the 
members  of  that  class  of  fisherman  who  think  that  the  mantle  of 
old  Izaak  Walton  has  fallen  on  them  individually,  and  that  their 
palates  and  peculiar  notions  should  form  the  standard  of  true 
sport  and  gustatory  excellence.  But  to  these  I would  say,  we 
only  wanted  such  fish  as  would  repay  us  in  nutriment  and  feed 
for  the  animal  economy,  when  the  mercury  ranged  from  zero  to 
forty  below.  This  Avas  supplied  by  our  selection,  some  of  the  fish 
yielding  over  a pint  of  good  oil.  Pike,  pickerel,  bass  and  trout, 
as  salted  fish,  are  about  as  nutrient  as  floating  islands,  puffs, 
pastry  and  gimcracks,  and  all  are  measurably  AArorthless  as  food 
to  strong,  hearty  working  men. 

“A  short  description  of  three  or  four  of  the  Indian  celebrities 
of  the  village  may  not  be  out  of  place.  I Avill  commence  Avith 
‘Wacoota’ — literally  the  ‘Shooter,’  chief  of  the  band. 

“Wacoota  stood  about  six  feet  in  his  moccasins,  was  Avell  pro- 
portioned, and,  I judge,  about  sixty-five  years  of  age  A\dien  I 
kneAV  him.  He  was  the  most  intelligent  man  in  the  band,  with  the 
exception  of  Wa-kon-toppy.  He  Avas  friendly  to  the  whites,  and 
much  disposed  to  adopt  the  habits  and  customs  of  civilized  life, 
and  consequently  without  much  authority  among  the  reckless 
young  men  of  the  village.  His  schemes  for  promoting  the  well- 
being of  his  people  Avere  thwarted  by  Mahpiya-maza,  or  Iron 
'Cloud,  second  in  rank,  but  first  in  real  power. 

Mahpiya-maza  Avas  a crafty,  intriguing  politician,  favoring 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


133 


all  the  raiding  propensities  of  the  young  men,  stimulating  opposi- 
tion to  any  advancement  in  civilization;  begging  when  it  would 
accomplish  his  object;  threatening  when  he  thought  he  had  the 
power  to  do  injury — a base,  bad  man,  and  a thorough  savage, 
whom  no  kindness  could  bind  in  the  bonds  of  friendship,  nor 
reason  influence  to  adopt  views  salutatory  to  the  welfare  of  his 
band.  His  only  redeeming  trait  of  character  was  his  advocacy 
of  the  cause  of  temperance.  Ilis  death,  in  the  latter  part  of  the 
summer  of  1852,  freed  the  whites  of  the  annoyance  of  his  presence 
and  counsels.  Being  indisposed  with  symptoms  of  biliousness 
indicating  cholera,  which  was  then  prevalent  along  the  river,  he 
called  at  Mr.  Potter’s  trading  house,  and  espying  a demijohn,  he 
asked  if  it  contained  minne-wakon  (whiskey).  Mr.  Potter  told 
him  it  did  not,  that  it  was  cha-han-ti-cha  (molasses  or  tree  sap). 
The  old  fellow  immediately  asked  for  a donation,  but  was  in- 
formed that  it  belonged  to  Paska,  as  E.  C.  Stevens  was  called  by 
the  Sioux.  Iron  Cloud  then  left  on  a hunt  for  Mr.  Stevens,  first 
stopping  at  his  own  tepee  and  getting  a good-sized  coffee  pot,  as 
though  sure  of  his  object.  After  finding  Mr.  Stevens  he  succeeded 
in  getting  the  molasses.  In  a day  or  two  this  medicine  was  dis- 
posed of,  but  the  patient  was  not  much  benefited  by  its  use,  and 
importunate  for  more.  Mr.  Stevens  came  to  me  and  inquired 
what  would  be  the  result  if  old  Mahpiya  repeated  the  dose.  My 
reply  was  that  it  would  kill  him  as  dead  as  Julius  Caesar.  But 
importunity  finally  obtained  the  coveted  sweets,  and  in  a few 
hours  a messenger  arrived  from  a lodge  in  the  Indian  corn-field, 
win)  told  me  that  Iron  Cloud  was  very  sick  and  wanted  to  see  me. 
I accompanied  the  messenger  and  on  entering  the  tent  found  it 
occupied  by  the  sick  man  stretched  on  a robe.  His  wife  had 
ranged  in  a semi-circle  six  of  the  most  popular  medicine-men, 
dressed  in  very  unprofessional  costume,  or  rather  in  undress,  for 
the  united  apparel  of  the  whole  conclave  would  not  have  afforded 
material  enough  for  a pair  of  leggins.  The  doctors  looked  very 
sullen  at  my  intrusion,  but  the  patient  told  me  that  they  had 
done  him  no  good,  and  wanted  me  to  do  what  I could  for  him. 
Upon  examination  I found  him  past  all  remedies,  so  I left.  In  an 
hour  a Avail  told  me  of  the  departure  of  Maphiya-maza  to  the 
happy  hunting  ground  of  the  Indian  spirit  Avorld. 

“T’maza-washta,  or  Good  Iron,  Avas  the  next  man  of  import- 
ance in  the  village.  Taller  than  Wacoota,  always  smiling,  a 
rebuff  neAmr  ruffled  his  equanimity.  A friend  of  both  the  Wacoota 
and  Iron  Cloud  factions,  he  successfully  performed  the  difficult 
feat  of  carrying  Avater  on  both  shoulders,  as  the  phrase  is.  On 
the  death  of  the  second  chief,  Good  Iron  was  excessively  amiable, 
making  feasts  and  otherwise  doing  those  things  which  Ave  in 


134 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


civilized  life  see  so  frequently  performed  by  aspiring  men  thirst- 
ing for  political  distinction.  The  old  fellow  being  so  good- 
natured,  I frequently  gave  more  heed  to  his  requests  than  was 
proper  or  necessary,  and  he  had  reached  the  conclusion  that  he 
had  only  to  ask  and  he  would  receive  the  favor.  He  wanted  to 
be  the  second  chief.  A delegation  of  Indians  from  Wabasha 
stopped  at  our  village,  and  Good  Iron  concluded  a big  feast  would 
bring  him  the  desired  elevation.  1 had  a fat  cow  and  a good  one, 
and  an  equally  fat  dog,  but  in  no  other  particular  did  the  dog 
resemble  the  cow.  Now  these  two  animals,  in  old  T’maza’s  esti- 
mation, would  just  about  furnish  the  necessary  amount  of  influ- 
ence to  place  him  in  possession  of  the  object  of  his  aspirations. 
Accordingly,  all  smiles,  he  preferred  his  request,  and,  of  course 
was  refused.  He  was  a little  crestfallen  at  first,  but  he  soon 
laughed  and  said:  ‘My  friend,  you  always  gave  me  what  I asked 
for.  Now,  when  I have  friends  come  to  see  me  and  I want  to 
feast  them  you  refuse  me  your  cow  and  your  dog.  It  is  not  good.’ 
I couldn’t  see  the  logic.  The  old  beggar  got  to  be  second  chief, 
however.  . , 

“Maca-tiniza,  meaning  Standing  Earth,  more  generally  known 
among  the  whites  as  ‘Old  Scolder,’  was  a regular  old  masculine 
termagant.  Nothing  suited  him.  His  only  luxury  was  gambling, 
and  he  enjoyed  that  to  an  unlimited  extent.  He  was,  however, 
a strict  Good  Templar,  and  not  a bad  Indian;  but  his  unfortunate 
peculiarity  rendered  him  anything  but  a favorite  among  his 
people.  He  attended  church  frequently  and  behaved  very  well, 
except  on  one  occasion.  I had  made  Wacoota  a one-horse  tra-in, 
or  sled,  the  first  winter  of  my  residence  here.  The  ‘Scolder’  knew 
of  this,  and  one  Sabbath  when  we  were  all  at  church  and  Mr. 
Hancock  was  in  the  midst  of  his  discourse,  the  old  man  and  his 
wife  entered.  Giving  a succession  of  grunts,  he  said:  ‘I  have 

come  to  church  to  learn  to  be  good,  and  maybe  the  Good  Spirit 
will  smile  on  me,  so  that  Pezutawichasta  (my  Indian  name)  will 
make  me  a sled.’  The  old  fellow  grinned  at  his  interruption  of 
the  service,  and  I concluded  that  his  religion  was  not  of  a serious 
nature,  or  likely  to  become  chronic.  I never  saw  him  sleigh- 
riding, but  I am  informed  that  he  was  one  of  those  unfortunates 
who  perished  on  the  scaffold  at  Mankato  at  the  close  of  the  Indian 
war  in  our  state. 

“Wakon-toppy  (Esteemed  Sacred)  was  my  friend,  and  with 
him  I will  conclude  my  list.  He  was  honest,  honorable  and  intel- 
ligent, a true  man  whether  judged  by  the  savage  or  civilized 
standard.  This  man  was  the  only  Indian  I ever  knew  Avliose  word 
and  character  were  above  reproach.  The  traders  gave  him  credit 
whenever  he  desired,  sure  that  they  would  receive  prompt  pay- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


135 


ment.  Whatever  he  stated  to  be  a fact  could  be  relied  on.  He 
frequently  camped  with  me,  and  it  was  my  especial  delight  to  till 
our  camp-kettle  with  eatables  enough  for  a dozen  men,  and  in 
addition  thereto  make  a corresponding  amount  of  pezuta-saps 
(black  medicine  or  coffee)  and  then  drawl  over  the  meal,  eating 
slowly,  constantly  replenishing  Wakon-toppy ’s  plate  and  cup. 
which  he  made  a point  of  honor  to  empty  as  soon  as  possible,  until 
the  old  fellow  would  heave  a deep  sigh  and  cry  out  ‘ Ozhuta ! ’ 
(full).  Whenever  this  was  accomplished,  look  out  for  yarns.  I 
have  lain  in  the  tent  and  listened  for  five  long  hours  at  a stretch 
to  the  tales,  traditions,  history  of  the  feats  in  war  and  hunting. 
He  had  never  gone  on  a raid  against  the  Chippewas,  but  he  had 
followed  the  warpath  south  and  west  against  the  Saukies  and 
Omahas.  His  father  was  adopted  into  a Dakota  family,  having 
been  taken  prisoner  when  he  was  very  young  in  one  of  the  Dakota 
forays  against  the  Sauks  and  Foxes,  and  finally  married  a sister 
of  Ti-tan-ka  Monia,  or  Walking  Buffalo,  a very  influential  chief, 
and  father  of  Wacoota.  Wakon-toppy  was  very  anxious  to  adopt 
civilized  habits,  and  I wrote  several  letters,  at  his  dictation,  to  the 
Indian  Agent,  in  which  he  desired  the  government  to  give  him 
eighty  acres  of  land,  and  he  would  release  all  claims  to  annuities. 
He  even  went  so  far  as  to  stake  out  his  claim,  which  was  where 
the  village  of  Mazeppa  now  is,  and  was  where  he  made  his  winter 
hunting  ground  for  a long  period  of  years,  and  where  he  wished 
his  bones  to  rest  when  the  Master  of  Life  should  summon  him 
hence  to  a residence  in  the  spirit  world.  His  letters  were  unan- 
swered and  he  was  not  allowed  to  hold  his  claim  when  the  whites 
came,  but  was  driven  off  with  threats  of  violence.  He  stayed 
around  here  until  after  the  Spirit  Lake  massacre.  Finally,  con- 
cluding to  go  up  to  Red  Wood,  the  then  place  of  residence  of  our 
old  band,  he  gave  me  a history  of  Ink-pa-duta  and  his  followers, 
and  told  me  if  he  could  get  permission  he  would  lead  his  party 
against  them.  In  the  fall  an  Indian  messenger  on  his  way  to 
Wabasha  stopped  at  my  house,  at  the  old  man’s  request,  and  gave 
me  an  account  of  the  expedition.  Wakon-toppy  had  kept  his 
word.  Nearly  all  the  inmates  of  the  three  lodges  perished  by  the 
hands  of  their  own  kindred.  This  man,  so  prompt  to  avenge  the 
wrongs  of  the  whites,  perished  miserably  in  confinement  at  Daven- 
port, for  no  other  crime  than  that  of  not  being  able  to  control  the 
young  men  of  his  family  in  the  Indian  difficulties  on  the  frontier. 
From  his  imprisonment  at  Mankato  he  sent  me  word,  by  Lieu- 
tenant Comstock,  that  his  fault  was  in  letting  his  son  have  a 
horse,  not  knowing  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  to  be  used.  If 
previous  good  character  in  any  man  is  to  be  relied  on.  then  was 
Wakon-toppy  an  innocent  victim. 


136 


HISTOEY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


“In  the  spring  of  1853  I farmed  the  old  Indian  cornfield. 
The  crop  was  oats,  corn,  seven  acres  of  potatoes,  six  of  rutabagas, 
turnips,  pumpkins,  cabbages,  beans,  etc.,  all  of  which  yielded 
largely.  In  the  fall  I needed  help  to  secure  the  corn  and  potatoes, 
and  there  was  no  other  resource  than  to  hire  native  laborers,  the 
white  population  of  the  county  not  exceeding  one  hundred  souls. 
The  Indian  camp  was  situated  on  the  Mississippi  river,  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Cannon  river.  I dug  a few  rows  across  the  potato 
patch  in  order  to  ascertain  what  a day’s  work  might  be,  and 
found  that  six  rows  were  a moderate  day’s  labor,  but  knowing 
the  Indians  pretty  well  I decided  to  make  four  the  standard. 
This  done,  I sent  word  to  the  camp  that  twenty  women  were 
wanted  to  help  me,  who  should  receive  a barrel  of  potatoes  for 
every  four  times  they  dug  across  the  field.  The  next  morning 
found  me  at  the  patch,  but  9 o’clock  arrived  before  they  came. 
At  last  thirteen  women  hove  in  sight,  accompanied  by  about  two 
dozen  dogs,  a like  number  of  children,  several  camp  kettles,  sack 
straps  and  hoes.  In  a short  time  the  business  preliminaries  were 
adjusted  by  the  high  contracting  parties.  Among  the  operatives 
were  the  Princess  Royal  Lucy  and  her  niece,  Weenona. 

“About  11  o’clock,  after  working  about  an  hour  and  a half, 
the  workers  stopped  work  and  held  a short  council,  and  I was 
soon  informed  of  the  result  of  their  deliberations,  which  was 
nothing  less  than  that  I should  get  dinner  for  them.  I refused 
to  cook  for  such  a crowd,  but  we  finally  compromised  by  my 
furnishing  pork  and  bread.  Vegetables  were  close  at  hand.  A 
note  was  written  to  my  wife  on  a white  basswood  chip,  desiring 
her  to  let  the  bearer  have  eight  pounds  of  pork  and-all  the  bread 
she  could  spare.  The  messenger  rata  off  on  the  errand  like  a deer, 
while  an  old  squaw  rigged  three  tripods  for  camp  kettles,  washed 
potatoes  and  turnips,  and  cut  up  cabbages  and  pumpkins ; then 
when  the  pork  arrived  it  was  all  dumped  into  the  kettles  together. 
When  it  was  cooked  it  was  sufficient  for  a company  of  infantry 
who  had  been  on  a short  allowance  of  hard  tack,  but  it  all  dis- 
appeared under  the  united  efforts  of  women,  children  and  dogs. 
At  the  close  of  the  day  all  received  their  wages — two  women 
having  accomplished  eight  rows  each,  each  of  them  receiving  two 
barrels,  which  they  all  took  home  with  them,  promising  to  return 
the  next  day. 

“The  next  morning  thirty-two  squaws  appeared,  with  the 
usual  accompaniment,  and  the  same  number  continued  until  the 
field  was  finished.  When  the  last  round  was  dug  we  were  all 
grouped  together  on  a slope  between  Main  and  Third  streets,  and 
women  talking  and  joking.  Lucy  stepped  up  to  me  and  said : 
‘Pezuta-wichasta,  do  you  know  the  reason  why  you  have  not 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


137 


worked  any  in  the  field?’  I thought  I saw  mischief  in  her  eye, 
and  looking  around  observed  the  same  sign  among  the  dusky 
crowd ; but  not  to  be  beat  by  squaws  I replied : ‘Yes,  it  is  because 
there  are  so  many  women  to  work  for  me,  there  is  no  need  of  my 
working.’  She  said:  ‘No,  no,  that  is  not  it;  you  are  little  and 
not  strong,  and  cannot  work,’  tossing  her  blanket  off  as  she 
made  the  remark.  I saw  the  point  at  once,  and  felt  relieved,  as 
that  was  one  of  my  best  holds.  I told  her  I was  strong  enough 
for  any  in  that  crowd.  No  sooner  were  the  words  out  of  my 
mouth  than  Lucy  pitched  in,  and  was  thrown  a double  somersault 
the  first  time.  Another  essay  was  made,  with  like  result.  A little 
whispered  parley  took  place,  and  a challenge  for  a third  trial 
was  given.  We  squared  ourselves  shoulder  to  shoulder,  Lucy 
gripping  like  a vice.  Just  as  the  struggle  commenced  I felt 
myself  grasped  from  behind,  and  knew  I had  got  into  difficulty. 
The  outside  pressure  was  heavy  against  me — tripping,  yelling  and 
laughter.  The  best  I could  do  was.  to  make  of  it  Avhat  in  my 
youth  was  called  a ‘dog  fall’;  that  is  a tumble  into  a promiscuous 

• "9 

heap,  without  anyone  being  uppermost  enough  to  speak  of,  and 
this  was  accomplished.  I extricated  myself  from  the  confused 
mass,  and  concluded  not  to  engage  any  further  in  this  undignified 
pastime,  knowing  very  well  that  fair  play  couldn’t  be  had  in  that 
crowd.  Then  they  dispersed,  having  gathered  for  me  over  1,000 
bushels  of  potatoes,  exclusive  of  their  own  wages.  From  this 
crop  I never  realized  a dollar,  as  there  was  no  market,  but  it 
answered  very  well  for  gratuitous  distribution  in  the  spring 
of  1854. 

“Having  such  success  in  operating  with  native  labor,  I con- 
cluded to  put  up  eight  acres  of  corn,  so  as  to  secure  the  fodder 
for  my  stock,  it  being,  as  yet,  but  little  injured  by  the  frost.  The 
services  of  a married  woman  and  her  sister  were  secured,  beside 
two  boys  of  ten  or  twelve  years  of  age.  The  girl  was  sixteen  or 
seventeen  years  old,  and  the  most  mischievous  imp  I ever  saw. 
She  appeared  to  have  grown  too  fast  for  the  apparel  she  had  on, 
for  I noticed  that  her  upper  garments  refused  to  form  a junction 
at  the  waist  with  that  portion  designed  as  a protection  for  the 
lower  parts  of  the  body..  Myself  and  the  women  cut  up  the  corn ; 
the  duty  of  the  boys  was  to  place  it  in  the  shock.  After  work- 
ing pretty  hard,  the  day  being  warm,  I called  a rest  and  we  all 
sat  down,  I fanning  myself  with  a large  straw  hat.  When  it  was 
time  to  resume  labor  the  women  were  told  to  go  to  work.  The 
girl  laughingly  refused,  telling  me  to  work  myself.  After  a little 
parley  she  finally  got  up  and  advanced  close  to  where  I was 
sitting.  Making  a remark  to  attract  my  attention  away  from 
her,  she  dexterously  seized  my  hat  by  the  rim  and  sent  it  sailing 


138 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


over  the  cornfield,  and  then  bounded  like  a deer  to  get  out  of  my 
reach ; but  she  was  too  late.  Without  rising,  I threw  myself 
forward  in  the  direction  she  was.  going,  grasping  desperately  at 
the  same  time.  I caught  the  hem  of  her  garment  and  something 
gave  away.  When  I recovered  an  upright  position  and  my  equa- 
nimity, I saw  a dark  piece  of  feminine  apparel  lying  on  the 
ground,  and  what  to  my  astonished  gaze  appeared  to  be  a pair  of 
preambulating  tongs  scudding  through  the  corn.  The  girl  hid 
herself  behind  a shock  and  commenced  pleading  for  her  clothes. 
After  tormenting  her  enough.  I exacted  a promise  that  she  would 
behave  herself  and  go  to  work,  and  then  sent  one  of  the  boys  with 
the  desired  garment.  When  she  rejoined  the  company  her  coun- 
tenance had  a very  decided  vermilion  tinge,  and  I thus  discov- 
ered that  a squaw  could  blush.” 

Joseph  W.  Hancock  was  born  in  Orford,  N.  IT,  April  4,  1816. 
He  attended  the  public  schools  at  that  place  and  followed  this  by 
a course  at  the  academy  located  in  Bradford,  Yt.  As  a young 
man  he  taught  in  various  places  in  New  England,  and  in  1841 
started  out  for  the  West.  He  journeyed  down  the  Ohio  river  to 
the  Mississippi,  and  then  came  north  as  far  as  Quincy,  111.  .Here 
he  taught  school  for  a while  and  soon  afterward  had  a class 
among  the  Winnebago  Indians  in  Iowa.  Later  he  taught  a private 
school  in  Prairie  du  Chien,  Wis.  He  found,  however,  that  although 
he  had  come  west  for  the  sake  of  his  health,  the  change  of  climate 
had  not  worked  the  desired  change  and  consequently  he  returned 
to  the  East  and  spent  some  time  at  Saratoga,  N.  YT.  where  he 
found  the  water  from  the  springs  to  be  of  great  benefit.  In  1846 
lie  was  united  in  marriage  with  Martha  Maria  Houghton,  a sister 
of  H.  0.  Houghton,  the  noted  Boston  publisher.  In  1848  Mr. 
Hancock  received  a commission  from  the  American  Board  of 
Foreign  Missions  to  become  a missionary  to  the  Sioux  Indians, 
west  of  the  Mississippi,  and  was  sent  to  the  Indian  village  of  Red 
Wing,  in  the  Northwest  territory,  where  a band  of  Indians  had 
long  been  located,  and  where  missionary  efforts  had  previously 
been  conducted.  The  first  white  person  known  to  have  been 
buried  within  the  limits  of  Goodhue  county  was  the  wife  of  Mr. 
Hancock.  After  two  years  of  service  among  the  Sioux  her  health 
gave  away  and  she  died  March  21,  1851.  To  this  union  were  born 
two  children.  William  died  in  infancy,  the  other  is  Mrs.  William 
Holliday.  In  1852  he  was  married  to  Sarah  Rankin,  who  died  in 
March,  1859,  leaving  two  children,  Stella  and  James  Otis.  In 
October,  1860,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Juliet  Thompson, 
who  died  in  1897.  Mr.  Hancock  began  preaching  to  the  early 
settlers  in  1852,  and  in  January,  1855,  organized  the  First  Presby- 
terian Church  of  Red  Wing,  of  which  he  was  pastor  for  seven 
years.  During  the  remainder  of  his  life  he  was  connected  with 


Rev.  Joseph  \V.  Hancock, 


I- 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


139' 


that  church.  He  helped  to  organize  the  Winona  presbytery  in 
1855,  being  one  of  the  three  clergymen  who  founded  it.  In  addi- 
tion to -his  religious  work,  Mr.  Hancock  was  in  various  capacities 
connected  with  the  civic  life  of  the  community.  He  was  first 
postmaster  in  Bed  Wing,  and  was  appointed  by  Governor  Ram- 
sey, territorial  governor  of  Minnesota,  as  register  of  deeds  in 
1855.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  he  was  elected  to  the  office  by  the 
people.  He  was  deeply  interested  in  educational  affairs  and  in 
the  early  history  of  the  community  had  much  to  do  in  shaping 
the  school  interests.  From  1862  to  1865  he  was  superintendent  of 
schools  in  Goodhue  county,  and  from  1870  to  1880  again  served 
in  the  same  capacity.  His  latter  years  Avere  spent  practically  in 
retirement.  He  published  a short  history  of  the  county  in  1893, 
and  to  his  writings  the  managers  of  the  present  publication  are 
greatly  indebted. 

William  B.  Hancock,  deceased,  was  one  of  those  heroes  Avho 
ga\re  the  best  of  the  young  manhood  to  the  cause  of  their  country, 
having  come  out  of  the  nation’s  great  civil  struggle  badly 
crippled,  and  doomed  to  suffer  more  or  less  pain  for  the  remain- 
der of  his  natural  days.  He  Avas  born  at  Orforcl,  N.  H..  January 
26,  1832,  son  of  Joseph  and  Dvdia  (Peck)  Hancock,  both  natUes 
of  NeAV  England.  The  father  Avas  a farmer  and  blacksmith  all 
his  life.  He  went  to  Vermont  in  early  manhood,  but  in  his  declin- 
ing years  returned  to  NeAV  Hampshire,  Avhere  he  died  in  1876. 
His  Avife  died  many  years  before,  in  1832.  William  B.  receWed 
his  education  in  Vermont,  and  after  leaving  school  farmed  Avith 
his  father.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  C'Dil  AVar,  Avhen  the  Green 
Mountain -boys  Avere  rallying  to  the  support  of  the  Union  and  the 
flag  which  the  sons  of  that  state  loA^e  so  AAT.ell,  he  enlisted,  in 
August,  1861.  at  Montpelier,  ATt.,  seiwing  in  Company  H.  6th  AYr- 
mont  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was  Avounded  at  Lee’s  Mills,  in 
April,  1862,  in  both  limbs,  as  the  result  of  Avhich  he  Avas  -left 
crippled  for  the  rest  of  his  life.  In  the  early  days  he  came  to 
Featherstone  toAAmship.  this  county,  bringing  Avith  him  his  family, 
ready  to  establish  a home-tree  in  this  neAA"  and  rich  country.  He 
first  bought  eighty  acres,  to  which  he  added  from  time  to  time 
until  he.  owned  200  acres,  on  Avhich  he  carried  on  general  farming 
Avith  much  success.  In  1899  he  retired  and  moA’ed  to  Red  Wing, 
where  he  died,  November  24,  1907.  He  Avas  a Republican  in 
politics,  and  a belieA^er  in  the  religious  doctrines  set  forth  by  the 
Universalist  denomination.  Air.  Hancock  Avas  married,  December 
13,  1855,  at  Berlin,  Vt.,  to  Laura  B.  Smith,  a daughter  of  Abner 
and  Rebecca  (Carr)  Smith,  natives  of  the  Green  Mountain  state. 
Her  father  Avas  a carpenter  and  joiner,  a Arocation  he  folloAved 
until  the  beginning  of  the  Avar.  He  joined  the  Union  army,  see- 
ing in  Company  B,  1st  Vermont  Volunteer  Infantry.  At  the 


140 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  June  1,  1864,  when  the  New  England  regi- 
ments were  being  mowed  down  like  grass,  he  gave  up  his  life  in 
defense  of  his  country  and  the  principles  in  which  he  so  thor- 
oughly believed.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hancock  were  born  four 
children.  Eugene  A.  is  the  capable  manager  of  the  family  estate 
at  Featherstone,  having  taken  charge  of  the  home  farm  in  1899. 
He  lives  at  1208  Twelfth  street,  in  Red  Wing,  with  his  mother, 
driving  to  and  fro  to  attend  to  his  duties  on  the  farm.  Fred  L., 
the  second  son,  died  in  infancy  at  Worcester,  Yt.  Arabella  R. 
married  Hiram  Watson,  of  Red  Wing.  The  youngest  child,  N. 
Maude,  married  Gustave  Kunze,  an  insurance  agent,  of  St.  Paul. 

William  W.  Sweney,  M.  D.,  was  the  second  physician  who  set- 
tled in  Minnesota  for  the  purpose  of  practicing  his  profession. 
He  located  in  St.  Paul  in  April,  1850.  Dr.  Murphy  had  settled 
there  the  year  before.  Dr.  Sweney  was  the  son  of  Alexander  M. 
and  Mary  M.  Ivelir  Sweney,  and  was  born  in  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  the  year  1818.  His  father  was  of  Scotch- 
Irish,  and  his  mother  of  Pieclmontese-Huguenot  descent.  When 
William  was  eighteen  years  old  he  moved  to  Fulton  county, 
Illinois,  having  previously  obtained  an  academic  education  in 
his  native  town.  He  read  medicine  with  Dr.  Abram  Hull,  of 
Marietta,  111.,  practiced  in  connection  with  him  in  1848-9,  and 
graduated  at  Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago,  after  settling  in 
Minnesota.  In  May,  1852,  he  came  to  Red  Wing,  which  was  at 
that  time  an  Indian  town,  on  the  Mississippi,  having  an  Indian 
farmer,  John  Bush,  and  an  Indian  missionary,  Rev.  Joseph  W. 
Hancock.  The  doctor  gave  his  services  to  the  Indians,  whenever 
called  upon,  freely,  and  was  highly  esteemed  by  them.  After 
the  Indians  were  removed,  as  settlers  multiplied.  Dr.  Sweney ’s 
professional  business  increased,  and  for  a quarter  of  a century 
he  had  as  many  and  as  long  rides  as  any  one  man  could  reason- 
ably desire.  He  always  had  the  confidence  of  the  people  up  to 
the  time  he  was  unable  to  practice  longer.  He  was  a member 
of  the  Goodhue  County  and  of  the  State  Medical  Society;  Avas 
president  of  the  former  in  1872,  and  of  the  latter  in  1873.  He 
wrote  several  essays  on  the  “Climatology  and  Diseases  of  Min- 
nesota,” a prize  essay  on  the  “Epidemics  and  Endemics  of  Min- 
nesota,” a prize  essay  on  “ Cerebro-Spinal  Meningitis”;  also  on 
a feAv  other  subjects.  He  Avas  elected  to  the  territorial  legisla- 
ture in  1857,  serving  in  the  last  session  before  Minnesota  became 
a state.  He  also  held  office  several  terms  in  the  municipality  of 
Red  Wing.  In  politics  he  Avas  a state’s  rights  Democrat,  but  no 
disunionist;  not  an  active  politician  in  his  latter  years.  Dr. 
Sweney  AA^as  married  in  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  in  1841,  to  Maria 
Freeborn,  daughter  of  Richard  Freeborn,  of  that  place,  who  emi- 
grated to  Minnesota  early  in  the  fifties  and  died  in  Red  Wing 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNT Y 


141 


about  1870,  in  a good  old  age.  Dr.  Sweney’s  favorite  pastime 
was  trout  fishing,  though  he  often  indulged  in  the  pursuit  of  other 
game  in  the  early  days.  He  was  a good  physician,  cautious  of 
giving  medicine  when  he  was  convinced  that  none  was  needed, 
ever  ready  to  attend  the  calls  of  the  suffering,  whether  poor  or 
rich.  He  was  a quiet  and  unassuming  man,  yet  always  consid- 
ered a prominent  citizen  in  Red  Wing.  His  death  occurred  iu 
August,  1882.  His  funeral  was  attended,  at  the  Episcopal  church, 
by  the  largest  number  of  all  classes  of  citizens  ever  assembled  on 
a like  occasion  in  the  previous  history  of  the  place.  The  church 
was  crowded  and  its  entrances  thronged.  The  procession  which 
followed  his  remains  to  their  final  rest  in  Oakwood  consisted  of 
the  various  orders  of  secret  societies,  the  firemen  and  all  the 
various  benevolent  associations  of  the  city. 


i 


CHAPTER  XII 


TOWNSHIPS  AND  VILLAGES. 

Organization  and  Original  Names — Belle  Creek— Belvidere — 
Burnside— Cherry  Grove — Central  Point — Early  Settlement. 

Goodhue  county  received  its  name  in  honor  of  James  M. 
Goodhue,  the  pioneer  editor  and  printer  of  the  state,  who  at  the 
time  of  his  early  death,  in  1852,  had  already  won  for  himself 
name  and  fame  as  well  as  influence  in  the  new  territory.  It  con- 
sists of  twenty-three  townships,  all  of  which  are  practically  the 
same  in  area  and  name  as  when  first  constituted  in  1858.  They 
are:  Welch,  Burnside,  Wacoota,  Stanton,  Cannon  Falls,  Vasa, 

Featherstone,  Hay  Creek,  Florence,  Central  Point,  Warsaw, 
Leon,  Belle  Creek,  Goodhue,  Belvidere,  Holden,  Wanamingo, 
Minneola,  Zumbrota,  Kenyon,  Cherry  Grove,  Roscoe  and  Pine 
Island.  Red  AVing  formerly  had  a township  organization.  Pre- 
vious to  1858  precincts  had  been  established,  but  townships  were 
not  laid  out  as  regularly  organized  political  divisions  until  that 
year,  when,  under  a new  act  passed  by  the  legislature,  Martin  S.' 
Chandler,  William  P.  Tanner  and  Jesse  Mclntire,  the  three  gen- 
tlemen selected,  defined  and  named  the  townships  in  Goodhue 
county  as  follows.  (Where  no  note  is  made  of  subsequent 
changes,  the  township  at  present  remains  as  at  that  time  con- 
stituted.) 

Belle  Creek,  all  of  township  111,  range  16. 

Cherry  Grove,  all  of  township  109,  range  17. 

Central  Point,  all  of  that  part  of  township  112,  range  12, 
lying  in  Goodhue  county. 

Cannon  Falls,  all  of  township  112,  range  17. 

Featherstone,  all  of  township  112,  range  15. 

Florence,  all  of  that,  part  of  township  112,  range  13,  lying  in 
Goodhue  county. 

Holden,  all  of  township  110,  range  18. 

Hay  Creek,  all  of  township  112,  range  14. 

Kenyon,  all  of  township  112,  range  18. 

Leon,  all  of  township  111,  range  17. 

Pine  Island,  all  of  township  109,  range  15. 

Roscoe,  all  of  township  109,  range  16. 

1 


142 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


143 


Red  Wing  (now  city),  the  west  half  of  township  113,  range  14, 
fractional,  and  sections  13,  24,  25  and  36,  township  113,  range  15. 
Two  of  the  sections  originally  placed  in  Red  Wing  were  after- 
ward set  off  and  attached  to  Burnside. 

Stanton,  all  of  township  113,  range  13,  lying  in  Goodhue 
county. 

Union,  all  of  township  113,  range  16,  north  of  Cannon  river. 
All  of  township  113,  range  15,  except  sections  13,  24,  25  and  36, 
and  all  of  township  114,  ranges  15  and  16,  fractional.  This 
was  afterward  changed  to  Milton  and  then  with  some  additions 
to  Burnside. 

Vasa,  all  of  township  112,  range  16,  and  all  of  township  113, 
range  16,  south  of  the  Cannon  river. 

Wanamingo,  all  of  township  110,  range  17. 

Warsaw,  all  of  township  111,  range  18. 

AVaeoota,  all  of  township  113,  range  13,  in  Goodhue  county, 
and  the  east  half  of  township  113,  range  14,  fractional. 

York,  all  of  township  111,  ranges  14  and  15.  This  was 
changed  first  to  Elmira,  then  to  Belvidere,  and  a half  of  the 
latter  was  later  set  off  as  Lime,  later  known  as  Goodhue. 

Zumbrota,  all  of  township  110,  ranges  15  and  16.  This  was 
afterward  divided  and  a part  set  off  as  Minneola. 

The  board  was  notified  that  three  of  the  names,  those  of 
Stanton,  York  and  Union,  would  have  to  be  changed.  The  board 
then  changed  Union  to  Milton,  Stanton  to  Lillian,  and  York  to 
Elmira.  Stanton  later  assumed  its  original  name.  Later  the 
committee  was  notified  that  the  name  of  Elmira  would  have  to 
be  changed.  A committee  of  three,  Messrs.  Stearns,  White  and 
Stone,  to  whom  this  matter  was  referred,  reported  in  favor  of 
substituting  Belvidere  for  Elmira,  and  the  change  was  accord- 
ingly made. 

Goodhue  organized  September  13,  1859,  in  answer  to  a peti- 
tion, when  township  111,  range  15,  was  erected  into  a separate 
township  called  Lime,  the  latter  name  being  changed  to  Goodhue 
in  January,  1860.  The  township  was  originally  a part  of 
Belvidere. 

Burnside  was  the  name  applied  to  Milton,  at  the  request  of 
the  state  auditor,  March  25,  1862.  In  March,  1864,  when  the 
legislature  amended  the  city  charter  of  Red  Wing,  sections  13 
and  24,  township  113,  range  15,  were  set  off  from  Red  Wing  and 
attached  to  Burnside. 

Welch  was  organized  March  23,  1864,  when  the  board  of 
commissioners  divided  Burnside  by  setting  off  the  east  fractional 
half  of  township  114,  north,  range  16,  west,  and  all  of  township 
113,  north,  range  16,  west,  lying  north  of  Cannon  river,  into  a 
separate  township,  and  called  it  Grant,  which  on  January  3, 


144 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1872,  was  changed  to. Welch,  in  honor  of  the  late  Major  Abram 
Edwards  Welch,  of  Red  Wing. 

BELLE  CREEK  TOWNSHIP. 

Belle  Creek  township  lies  in  practically  the  geographical 
center  of  the  county,  and  constitutes  one  entire  government 
township,  its  number  being  111  north,  range  16  Avest.  Its  area 
has  remained  unchanged  since  the  township  Avas  first  constituted 
in  accordance  with  the  township  act  of  the  legislature  in  1858. 
Belle  creek  waters  the  western  part  of  this  township,  and  affords 
fair  water  poAver.  It.  is  bordered  by  fine  stretches  of  hay  meadows 
and  an  occasional  ledge  of  limestone.  Near  the  creek  are  also 
scattering  groves  of  oaks,  white  birch  and  poplar.  The  surface, 
which  is  largely  a rich,  undulating,  high  prairie,  except  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  creek,  is  in  general  about  150  feet  higher  than  its 
neighboring  township  of  Yasa.  Its  other  neighbors  are  Leon,  on 
the  Avest;  Minneola,  on  the  south,  and  Goodhue,  on  the  east. 

The  first  influx  of  whites  into  this  section  was  in  1853,  Avhen 
Charles  Ross  and  A.  G.  Ivempe  went  into  the  township  and  built 
a.  cabin  on  section  5,  near  the  creek.  They  spent  the  winter 
there,  but  soon  after  moved  north  into  Avhat  is  noAV  Yasa.  In 
the  spring,  or  early  summer,  of  1854,  Walter  Doyle,  with  his  five 
sturdy  sons,  Henry,  Richard,  Michael,  AYalter  and  John,  settled 
on  sections  2 and  4.  Benoni  Hill  and  his  sons,  John,  Henry  and 
Thomas,  came  in  July  and  made  their  claims  on  sections  5 and  8. 
James  O’Neill  and  family  also  came  the  same  year;  and  in  the 
fall  the  Rev.  S.  P.  Chandler  staked  out  a claim,  but  did  not  move 
on  it  until  the  following  spring.  In  1855  the  influx  was  rapid, 
and  the  toAvn  Avas  soon  thickly  settled.  A large  part  of  the 
ground  Avas  broken  up,  grain  sowed,  and  cottages  built  in  place 
of  the  original  cabins. 

It  Avas  not  long  before  children  came  to  bless  the-  homes  of 
the  pioneers.  Anna  O’Neill  Avas  born  in  March,  1855,  but  did 
not  long  live  to  enjoy  the  distinction  of  being  the  first  Avliite 
child  born  in  the  township,  having  passed  aAvay  when  still  a 
schoolgirl.  Her  father  AAras  James  O’Neill.  May  Cook  was  born 
in  August  of  the  same  year,  daughter  of  Jacob  Cook.  John 
Cavanaugh,  son  of  Patrick  Cavanaugh,  was  born  in  November. 
The  first  two  deaths  Avere  by  accident.  In  the  early  part  of  the 
winter  of  1855-56,  Dennis  Cavanaugh  started  to  go  on  foot  to  his 
brother’s,  a distance  of  about  two  and  a half  miles.  After  he 
started,  a terrible  storm  came  up,  and  he  was  frozen  to  death 
near  Hader,  having  lost  his  Avay.  His  body,  which  was  not 
located  until  the  snow  had  melted  in  the  spring,  Avas  found  three 
miles  from  his  home,  and  in  an  opposite  direction  from  the  one 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


145 

lie  should  have  kept  to  reach  his  brother’s.  His  wanderings 
through  the  wilderness  in  the  raging  storm,  until  merciful  death 
relieved  him  from  his  sufferings,  can  only  be  imagined.  In  May 
of  the  following  spring,  James  Connel  attempted  to  cross  a slough 
.with  an  axe  on  his  shoulder.  In  some  manner  he  stumbled  and 
fell,  and  the  edge  of  the  axe  struck  his  head,  causing  a fracture 
of  the  skull  which  resulted  in  death.  The  first  death  due  to 
natural  causes  was  that  of  Mrs.  S.  P.  Chandler,  June  28.  1856. 

Pioneer  discomforts  were  no  dampener  to  the  ardor  of  Cupid, 
and  in  1856.  Lewis  White  and  Emeline  Hill  took  before  the  Rev. 
S.  P.  Chandler  the  vows  which  made  them  man  and  wife. 
Although  no  school  houses  were  erected  until  1859,  as  early  as 
the  fall  of  1858  Alvin  Herbert  taught  school  in  the  basement  of  a 
stone  house  owned  by  a Mr.  Kirkpatrick,  and  the  school  was 
continued  in  session  practically  every  season,  in  some  of  the 
settlers’  houses. 

The  rich  soil  of  the  township  showed  its  possibilities  even  in 
the  earliest  days,  for  in  1856  Walter  Doyle  and  others  obtained 
fair  yields  of  wheat,  threshed  it  by  hand  with  flails  and  carried 
it  to  the  Mazeppa  mill  to  be  ground. 

In  1856  James  Allen  laid  out  a village  plat  and  christened 
the  place  Troy  City.  With  sanguine  hopes  of  the  future,  Jesse 
Johnson  built- a store  and  stocked  it  with  merchandise.  No  other 
building  was  ever  erected  on  the  village  site.  The  financial  crash 
of  1857  impaired  trade  to  such  an  extent  that  Mr.  Johnson  closed 
his  store ; and  all  further  attempts  to  build  a city  there  were 
abandoned.  A postoffiee,  called  Burr  Oak,  was  established  in 
1854.  and  PI.  M.  Doyle  was  appointed  postmaster.  This  was  on 
the  line  of  the  old  stage  route  from  St.  Paul  to  Dubuque,  and 
the  folloAving  year,  when  the  mail  route  Avas  changed,  the  office 
Avas  discontinued.  During  the  existence  of  this  office  Mr.  Doyle’s 
house  Avas  the  last  one  on  the  road  before  reaching  Oronoco, 
twenty-five  miles  to  the  south,  and  consequently  Avas  an  all-night 
stopping  place  for  the  stage,  and  Mr.  Doyle  entertained  such 
prominent  men  of  the  early  days  as  Governor  Ramsey,  General 
Sibley,  J.  C.  Burbank  and  many  others.  He  also  .entertained 
twenty-six  of  the  principal  men  and  chiefs  of  the  Chippewa 
tribe,  including  “Hole  in  the  Day,”  their  head  chief,  when  they 
Avere  on  their  way  to  Washington. 

In  1858  another  postoffice  was  established  in  the  southwest 
part  of  the  toAvn  and  named  Belle  Creek.  S.  P.  Chandler,  the 
first  postmaster,  retained  that  position  for  many  years.  There 
Avas  no  hotel,  and  Mr.  Chandler  opened  his  house  for  the  accom- 
modation of  travelers,  especially  the  farmers  of  the  western  part 
of  the  county,  avIio  had  no  other  place  to  stop  on  their  way  to 
Red  Wing  with  their  wheat.  When  the  Minnesota  Central  rail- 


146 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


road  was  completed  to  Faribault  the  tide  was  turned  toward  that 
village,  And  Chandler’s  place  was  closed  to  the  general  public. 

At  the  first  election,  held  at  the  residence  of  Walter  Doyle, 
thirty  votes  were  polled.  Among  the  early  supervisors  were 
S.  P.  Chandler,  H.  M.  Doyle  (two  terms),  Michael  Doyle,  John 
Edwards,  Francis  Malloy,  Walter  Doyle  and  James  Malloy.  The 
early  clerks  were  Patrick  Drudy  (four  terms),  H.  M.  Doyle, 
Michael  Doyle  (two  terms),  P.  J.  Sheridan  and  Michael  Doyle. 

The  township  did  its  share  in  the  Civil  War  in  a noble  way. 
The  official  list  of  those  enlisting  from  the  township  is  as  follows : 
Freeman  J.  Beers,  Truman  E.  Beers,  George  Cook,  James 
McGrath,  John  Manning,  David  Petty,  William  Gardiner,  John 
Hilger,  Jacob  Hilger,  Jacob  Cook,  Jr.,  Timothy  Cavanaugh,  Wal- 
ter W.  Doyle,  Patrick  Drudy,  Patrick  Edwards,  Martin  Edwards, 
Timothy  Foley,  Patrick  Foley,  Henry  L.  Gilbert,  Henry  M.  Craig, 
Patrick  Malloy,  Daniel  W.  Malloy,  Thomas  Bolls,  Cornelius  K, 
Bylen,  David  Switzer,  John  B.  Taylot.  James  Cassidy,  George 
Cook,  James  Sehweiger,  Ruben  Taylor,  Horace  Carpenter,  Nelson 
Cannon,  Elander  W.  Carpenter,  Francis  M.  Irish,  William  J. 
More,  Russell  E.  Snell,  George  Johnson,  Amos  Hanson,  John  Nels 
Johnson,  Robert  Smithson,  Henry  Kirkland,  Isaac  Bridell, 
Michael  Cavanaugh,  Nels  Johnson. 

The  first  religious  services  held  in  this  town  were  at  the  resi- 
dence of  Benoni  Hill,  May  25,  1855,  the  Rev.  Norris  Hobart 
officiating. 

The  Catholic  church  was  commenced  in  1865,  and  cost  over 
$3,000.  The  present  beautiful  edifice  was  erected  in  1893.  It  is  the 
largest  congregation  in  the  town,  and  has  been  a potent  influence 
in  the  upbuilding  of  the  community. 

The  Episcopal  church  was  built  in  1873  at  a cost  of  $1,600, 
mainly  through  the  exertions  of  the  Rev.  S.  P.  Chandler,  who 
was  pastor  of  the  parish  until  his  death,  in  1888. 

For  several  years  there  was  a postoffice  at  Ryan,  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  township. 

BELVIDERE  TOWNSHIP. 

Belvidere  was  given  the  name  of  York  by  the  committee 
which  had  charge  of  the  organization  of  the  Goodhue  county 
townships  in  1858.  At  the  instance  of  the  state  authorities  this 
was  changed  to  Elmira,  and  after  the  same  authorities  had  urged 
their  objections  to  this  name  it  was  changed  to  Belvidere,  which 
it  has  since  remained.  Belvidere  originally  included  what  is  now 
Goodhue.  The  township  comprises  government  township  No.  Ill 
north,  range  14  west.  Wells  creek  rises  in  the  northwestern  part 
of  the  town,  running  north  and  east.  It  is  fed  by  Clear  and  Rock 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


147 


•creeks,  and  then  crosses  the  northern  boundary  into  Hay  Creek 
township.  The  northern  part  of  Belvidere  is  somewhat  broken 
by  these  streams,  and  has  a hilly  contour.  The  southern  half, 
though  much  higher,  is  simply  undulating,  or  rolling.  On  the 
eastern  border  of  the  town  is  an  isolated  mound,  reaching  an 
elevation  of  something  like  twelve  hundred  feet  above  the  sea. 
The  soil  of  the  township  is  good,  and  the  streams  afford  excellent 
facilities  for  raising  stock.  Belvidere  is  bounded  on  the  north  by 
Hay  creek,  on  the  east  and  south  by  Wabasha  county,  and  on  the 
west  by  Goodhue. 

In  the  spring  of  1855,  N.  B.  Gaylord  and  his  brother,  George, 
located  on  Rock  creek  in  the  northern  part  of  the  township.  In 
August  of  that  year,  Joseph  S.  Thompson  settled  on  Wells  creek, 
and  a short  time  afterward  he  was  joined  by  N.  B.  Gaylord,  who 
settled  near,  preferring  that  location  to  the  place  where  he  took 
his  original  claim. 

During  the  fall  of  1855  occurred  an  event  which  was  of 
importance  to  the  future  history  of  the  county.  Claus  Holst,  and 
a number  of  other  German  families,  took  up  their  residence  near 
the  head  waters  of  Wells  creek,  and  began  opening  up  farms. 
The  part  which  the  German  pioneers  and  their  descendants  have 
taken  in  the  development  of  the  county  is  related  at  some  length 
in  another  chapter.  In  1856  there  came  an  influx  of  immigration 
to  this  township,  and  the  farms  were  soon  settled  up. 

Ida  Thompson  was  the  first  child  born  in  the  township,  June 
13,  1856.  The  first  marriage  was  that  of  George  Steele  and  Junia 
Pingrey,  a sister  of  Mrs.  J.  S.  Thompson,  at  whose  house  the  cere- 
mony was  performed,  August  14.  1855,  by  J.  B.  Smith.  Etta  Gay- 
lord. aged  two  years,  died  in  1858,  the  first  death  in  the  township. 
Rev.  John  Watson  held  religious  services  in  the  house  of  Nelson 
B.  Gaylord  as  early  as  the  summer  of  1856.  Delia  Eggleston 
taught  a school  in  the  room  of  her  father’s  house  in  1857,  this 
being  the  first  school  in  that  section  of  the  country. 

N.  B.  Gaylord,  in  1858,  having  a good  water  power,  put  in 
operation  a large  hand  coffee  mill,  and  ground  for  himself  and 
neighbors  flour,  meal  and  other  articles.  Having  used  up  two 
coffee  mills,  he  next  procured  a small  burr  millstone,  and  kept 
gradually  improving  his  primitive  enterprise  until  he  launched 
out  into  a full-grown  mill,  with  two  run  of  stone,  and  a capacity 
of  120  bushels  of  wheat  per  day.  The  Belvidere  mill  finally  took 
rank  among  the  good  mills  of  the  county. 

A cozy  log  church  was  built  by  the  German  Methodists  near 
Gaylord’s  mill  in  1862,  at  a cost  of  $300.  This  society  now  has  a 
large  frame  church.  In  1865  the  Catholics  erected  a good  frame 
church  in  the  southern  part  of  the  town.  The  Norwegian  Luther- 
ans built  a large  church  in  the  western  part  of  the  town  in  1867. 


148 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


A German  Lutheran  church  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town  was 
built  in  1872.  Another  Methodist  church  was  also  erected. 

The  first  town  board  appointed  by  the  county  board  was  as 
follows:  Supervisors,  Mason  0.  Eggleston  (chairman),  William 

Thomas,  G.  1).  Post;  town  clerk,  Hubert  Eggleston;  assessor, 
B.  F.  Chase ; tax  collector,  J.  S.  Thompson ; justice  of  the  peace, 
Marcus  Eggleston ; constables,  James  Lane  and  George  Gay. 

At  a meeting  held  July  5,  1858,  in  the  town  of  York,  composed 
of  township  No.  Ill  north,  of  range  14  and  15,  including  what  are 
now  Belvidere  and  Goodhue,  at  the  house  of  Peter  Easterly,  the 
following  officers  were  elected:  Supervisors,  Cyrus  Couch  (chair- 
man), G.  D.  Post,  Henry  Danielson;  town  clerk,  Oliver  Knutson; 
assessor,  B.  F.  Chase ; justices,  Peter  Easterly,  J.  AY.  Finch ; con- 
stables, James  Lane,  FI.  B.  Patterson ; overseer  of  the  poor,  Nelson 
Gaylord;  collector,  J.  S.  Thompson.  January  21,  1859,  the  follow- 
ing named  were  appointed  to  fill  vacancies : Supervisors,  Syl- 

vester Cranson  (chairman),  Charles  M.  Lee,  Ezra  Bennett,  town 
clerk,  John  Stowe ; justices,  Hans  FI.  Olson,  F.  Cranson. 

The  first  separate  town  meeting  of  the  voters  in  township  11, 
range  14  (Belvidere),  Avas  held  April  5,  1859,  and  the  following 
officers  elected:  Supervisors,  Horace  W.  Twitchel  (chairman), 

Marcus  Eggleston,  Mason  0.  Eggleston;  town  clerk,  Hubert 
Eggleston;  assessor,  G.  D.  Post;  collector,  J.  S.  Thompson;  over- 
seer of  the  poor,  Nelson  B.  Gaylord;  constables,  Jacob  Church, 
George  Gay;  justices,  Marcus  FIggleston,  B.  R.  Prince..  In  the 
following  list,  the  first  named  under  each  year  is  the  chairman. 
I860— Supervisors,  Horace  AY.  TAvitchell,  George  Gaylord,  Knut 
Knutson ; clerk,  Hubert  Eggleston ; assessor,  Marcus  Eggleston ; 
treasurer  and  overseer  of  the  poor,  N.  B.  Gaylord ; justices,  Mar- 
cus Eggleston,  B.  R.  Prince.  1861 — Supervisors,  Horace  W. 
Twitchell,  William  Thomas,  Maston  Eggleston;  clerk,  Reuben 
Ward ; assessor,  Marcus  Eggleston ; treasurer  and  overseer  of  the 
poor,  Nelson  B.  Gaylord;  justices,  Marcus  Eggleston,  Ben  Prince. 
1862 — Supervisors,  J.  S.  Thompson,  George  Stace,  William 
Perly ; clerk,  Halvor  Knutson ; treasurer,  FI.  W.  Twitchel ; 
assessor,  B.  FA  Chase ; justices,  Peter  J.  IJilden,  Marcus  Eggleston  ; 
constables,  John  C.  Johnson,  Frank  Lane.  1863 — Supervisors, 
J.  S.  Thompson,  William  Perly,  George  Gay;  clerk,  Oliver  Knut- 
son ; treasurer,  H.  AY.  Twitchel ; assessor,  Marcus  Eggleston ; over- 
seer of  the  poor,  J.  S.  Thompson ; justice,  Peter  J.  Flilden.  1864 — 
Supervisors,  J.  S.  Thompson,  C.  C.  Roberts,  Halvor  Knutson ; 
clerk,  Ruben  Ward;  treasurer,  II.  W.  Twitchel;  assessor,  Julius 
Munger;  constables,  Caleb  Reynolds,  AATilliam  Thomas;  justices, 
G.  H.  Gaylord,  P.  J.  Hilden.  1865 — Supervisors,  J.  S.  Thompson, 
William  Thomas,  Daniel  Malian;  clerk,  Oliver,  or  Halvor,  Knut- 
son ; assessor,  George  Stace ; treasurer,  H.  AY.  Twitchel ; justices, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


149 


Marcus  Eggleston,  John  Alley;  constables,  Ole  Knutson,  John 
Lucham.  1866 — Supervisors,  J.  S.  Thompson,  William  Thomas, 
John  Lucham;  clerk,  A.  AY.  Fountain;  treasurer,  IT.  W.  Twitchel; 
assessor,  S.  R.  Ward;  justices,  Star  Dennison,  John  Alley;  con- 
stables, B.  R.  Prince,  J.  S.  Thompson.  1867 — Supervisors,  M.  O. 
Eggleston  (failed  to  qualify,  and  J.  S.  Thompson  held  over), 
AVilliam  Thomas,  Halvor  Knutson;  clerk,  A.  AA7.  Fountain,  treas- 
urer, C.  C.  Roberts ; assessor,  Star  Dennison ; justices  of  the  peace, 
Marcus  Eggleston,  P.  J.  Hilden ; constables,  R.  AY.  Dewore,  J.  C. 
Maybe.  1868 — Supervisors,  John  Alley,  George  Stace,  E.  North- 
field  ; clerk,  Stephen  Roberts;  treasurer,  C.  C.  Roberts;  justices, 
H.  N.  Eggleston,  Edwin  Bullard ; assessor,  Star  Dennison ; con- 
stable, Albert  Pratt.  1869 — Supervisors,  John  Alley,  Walter 
Brown,  John  C.  Johnson ; clerk,  Stephen  Roberts ; treasurer,  N.  B. 
Gaylord ; assessor,  Star  Dennison ; justices,  Star  Dennison,  II.  N. 
Eggleston;  constables,  William  Kinney,  B.  R.  Prince.  1870 — All 
the  old  officers  held  over  except  John  Alley,  who  resigned  as 
chairman  of  the  board  of  supervisors  and  was  replaced  by  Mason 
0.  Eggleston.  1871 — Supervisors,  John  Alley,  Peter  J.  Hilden, 
AValter  Brown;  clerk,  B.  R.  Prince;  treasurer,  N.  B.  Gaylord; 
assessor,  II.  N.  Eggleston;  justices,  John  Alley,  B.  R.  Prince; 
constables,  William  Lane,  William  Kinney.  1872 — Supervisors, 
John  C.  Johnson,  J.  S.  Thompson.  Stephen  Redding;  clerk,  Peter 
J.  Hilden;  treasurer,  C.  C.  Roberts;  assessor,  Walter  Brown;  jus- 
tices, Walter  Brown,  George  Stace;  constables,  William  Lane, 

S.  Mageras.  1873— Supervisors,  John  C.  Johnson,  J.  S.  Thomp- 
son, S.  Redding;  clerk,  T.  J.  Hilden;  treasurer,  N.  B.  Gaylord; 
assessor,  George  Stace;  justices,  George  Stace,  AA7alter  Brown; 
constables,  James  Arden,  E.  Fountain.  1874 — The  same  board 
was  elected;  AValter  Brown  did  not  qualify,  and  A.  AY.  Fountain 
was  named  as  justice  of  the  peace  in  his  stead.  1875 — Super- 
visors, William  Thomas,  Perry  George,  Martin  Johnson ; clerk, 

T.  J.  Hilden;  assessor,  George  Stace;  treasurer,  C.  C.  Roberts; 

justice,  John  C.  Johnson;  constable,  R.  Malian.  1876 — Super- 
visors, William  Thomas,  Perry  George,  George  Stace";  clerk,  Peter 
J.  Hilden;  treasurer,  C.  C.  Roberts;  assessor,  John  C.  Johnson; 
justice,  Stephen  Redding;  constable,  John  Mageras.  1877 — 

Supervisors,  Perry  George,  Martin  Johnson,  John  Shafer;  clerk, 
T.  J.  Hilden;  assessor,  John  C.  Johnson;  treasurer,  N.  B.  Gaylord; 
justices,  John  C.  Johnson,  Peter  Krall;  constables,  C.  A.  J.  Han- 
son, Hubert  Mageras.  1878 — Supervisors,  Perry  George,  Stephen 
Redding,  Olaus  Johnson;  clerk,  P.  J.  Hilden;  assessor 
(appointed),  George  Babbitt;  treasurer,  N.  B.  Gaylord;  justices, 
John  C.  Johnson,  P.  Krall;  constables,  C.  A.  J.  Hanson,  S. 
Mageras. 

During  the  Civil  AA7ar  the  town  raised  bounties  to  the  amount 


150 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 

of  $3,500  by  private  subscription,  and  a larger  part  of  the  adult 
male  population  enlisted.  The  following  list  of  those  who  enlisted 
from  this  town  during  the  war  is  larger  than  the  official  list, 
owing  to  the  fact  that  some  of  them,  though  living  in  Belvidere, 
enlisted  from  other  places.  The  list : Hubert  Eggleston,  William 
S.  Kinney,  John  Arden,  James  Arden,  Michael  Corcoran,  T.  Erick- 
son. John  E.  Olin,  James  N.  Wood,  Peter  J.  Lotty,  F.  Snidert, 
R.  J.  Daniels,  Bent  E.  Olin,  Benjamin  Chase,  B.  R.  Prince,  Walter 
Brown,  William  Parsons,  John  Alley,  Cyrus  Klingenschmidt,  Ole 
Syverson,  Timothy  O’Regan,  Timothy  Houson,  John  Wayze, 
W.  S.  Williams,  Svenom  Hendrickson,  A.  C.  Amundson,  John 
Amundson,  John  C.  Johnson,  Jacob  Wohlers,  Peter  J.  Hilden,  John 
Bomback,  Fred  Bomback,  Joachim  Holst,  Jacob  Holst,  Claus 
Holst,  William  Buckholst,  N.  B.  Gaylord,  George  Gaylord,  John 
Arden,  Thomas  Booth,  Peter  Swetchser,  William  Suchhaa,  Fred- 
erick Luchan,  James  T.  Bowker,  William  Berley,  Ole  Nelson,  John 
Nelson,  Watson  Devore,  Frank  Lane,  Peter  Wagoner,  Nicolaus 
Lippert.  R.  Kolby,  Andrew  Baker,  Ammond  Larson  and  Samuel 
Church.  Some  of  these  died  in  the  army,  and  others  returned,  to 
become  prominent  citizens  of  the  township. 

At  one  time  there  was  a postoffice  at  Thoten,  in  this  township. 

BURNSIDE  TOWNSHIP. 

Burnside  lies  along  the  Mississippi  river,  with  Red  Wing  on 
the  east,  Featherstone  on  the  south  and  Welch  on  the  west.  It 
has  undergone  several  changes  of  area  since  its  organization ; all 
of  its  territory  in  range  16  having  been  set  off  as  Grant  (later 
Welch)  in  1864.  During  the  same  year  it  was  increased  by  the 
addition  of  sections  13  and  14,  in  township  113,  range  15,  pre- 
viously a part  of  Red  Wing.  The  surface  is  much  broken  by  hill 
and  valley,  and  there  is  a wide  belt  of  bottomland  and  terraced 
flats  along  the  Cannon  river  and  the  Mississippi,  some  of  which  is 
timbered.  One  of  the  most  beautiful  landscapes  in  the  county 
is  visable  from  the  high  point  in  sections  16,  17  and  18.  The  tim- 
bered region  in  sections  7,  8,  17  and  18  is  one  uniform  flat  sur- 
face of  loam-covered  drift.  Burnside  includes  a large  portion 
of  an  island,  known  as  Prairie  Island,  on  its  northern  border. 
The  soil  of  the  township,  notwithstanding  the  irregular  surface, 
is  for  the  most  part,  rich,  deep  and  fertile.  Cannon  river  flows 
from  west  to  east,  and  Spring  creek  through  the  southeastern 
part,  both  emptying  into  the  Mississippi.  Numerous  springs  of 
clear  water  gush  forth  from  the  base  of  the  bluffs,  affording 
abundant  water  for  stock  and  dairy  purposes. 

In  the  early  days  the  town  was  known  as  Spring  Creek,  but 
Union  was  the  name  given  by  the  committee  which,  in  1858.  had 


Ill  ST  OB  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUXTY 


151 


charge  of  designating  the  townships.  This,  at  the  request  of  the 
state  authorities,  was  changed  to  Milton,  by  reason  of  the  fact 
that  there  was  another  Union  in  the  state.  The  same  objection 
was  urged  against  the  name  of  Milton,  and  in  1862  the  name 
became  Burnside,  the  name  of  the  general  who  at  that  time  was 
winning  fame  in  the  early  campaigns  of  the  Civil  War. 

In  the  fall  of  1853  there  came  to  this  township  a clergyman, 
who  looked  over  the  land  and  decided  upon  a suitable  location 
for  a claim.  Authorities  differ  as  to  whether  this  clergyman  was 
the  Rev.  David  Wright  or  the  Rev.  Resin  Spates.  At  any  rate, 
the  three  brothers,  John,  Resin  and  Charles  Spates,  settled  here 
the  following  summer,  and  during  the  same  year  Andrew  Cottar, 
John  Reason.  Matthew  Streetor,  James  Shaw.  John  Bronson,  and 
with  the  widow  of  the  Rev.  David  Wright  and  her  family.  In 
1855  came  John  E.  Eggleston,  Joseph  Eggleston,  Willard  Wood, 
Kingsley  Wood,  Rev.  J.  C.  Johnson,  Marshall  Cutter,  and  prob- 
ably Leland  Jones,  Rev.  Norris  Hobart  and  several  others.  These 
settlers  were  scattered  over  the  township,  but  in  those  early  days 
were  considered  near  neighbors. 

The  Avife  of  DaArid  Bronson  died  in  the  spring  of  1855.  In 
July  of  the  same  year  Flora  Cutter  (or  Cora  Cutler)  was  born, 
also  John  H.  Spates.  The  first  marriage  ceremony  performed 
was  that  of  J.  P.  Enz  to  Mary  F.  Wright,  in  October,  1855. 
Another  early  marriage  Avas  that  of  William  IT.  Wright  and  Mary 
Chamberlain,  in  1859,  the  ceremony  being  performed  by  Justin 
Chamberlain,  a justice  of  the  peace.  The  first  school  in  the  toAvn 
was  taught  by  J.  E.  Eggleston,  during  the  winter  of  1756-57.  The 
first  sermon  Avas  preached  by  the  ReAr.  Resin  Spates  at  the  house 
of  John  Leason,  in  1854. 

The  Rev.  Hancock  relates  an  interesting  incident  of  the  early 
days:  “The  widoAv  of  Rev.  David  Wright,  with  six  children,  had 
removed  from  Illinois  and  settled  on  the  place  that,  previous  to 
his  death,  her  husband  had  selected  on  Spring  creek,  near  Avhere 
John  Leason  located  his  claim.  They  occupied  a log  house  which 
was. divided  into  suitable  rooms  for  sleeping  and  family  use;  the 
four  boys  sleeping  in  the  two  rooms  of  the  upper  floor.  Avhile  the 
tAvo  girls  and  the  mother  occupied  the  loAver  floor.  They  were 
comfortably  arranged  for  the  night  of  June  11,  1855,  Avhen  a 
storm  of  lightning  and  rain  came  on  Avith  such  terrific  peals  of 
thunder  as  to  awaken  the  family.  One  of  the  older  boys  Avas  so 
much  frightened  that  he  left  the  bed  and  Avent  doAvnstairs.  While 
he  Avas  being  told  that  there  Avas  no  more  danger  in  one  place 
than  another  by  his  sister,  Susan,  a sudden  crash  came,  which 
frightened  everyone  in  the  house.  Mrs.  Wright,  the  mother,  Avas 
the  first  to  regain  consciousness.  She  saw  the  flames  deA'ouring 
the  bed  Avhere  lay  her  tAvo  daughters,  still  unconscious.  Pres- 


152 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


ently  the  water  came  down  through  the  floor  above  in  such 
profusion  as  to  quench  the  fire.  Soon  one  of  the  boys  came  down- 
stairs drenched  with  rain,  bringing' in  his  arms  the  youngest  boy, 
Wilson,  dead.  The  same  stroke  of  lightning  had  killed  one  of 
the  girls,  who  were  in  the  bed  on  the  lower  floor,  immediately 
under  that  of  the  boys  ’ in  the  chamber.  The  boys  in  time  had 
become  conscious,  and  these  three— William,  Beverly  and 
James — with  their  mother,  laid  the  boy,  Wilson,  by  the  side  of 
his  two  sisters,  Mary  and  Susan,  and  began  chafing  them,  in  order 
to  restore  them,  if  possible,  to  consciousness.  After  some  time, 
Mary,  who  later  became  Mrs.  Enz,  of  Red  Wing,  was  restored  to 
health,  but  Wilson,  aged  six  years,  and  Susan,  a young  lady  of 
twenty-one  years,  had  been  instantly  summoned  to  the  world 
above  during  that  terrible  storm.” 

In  the  month  of  June,  1856,  a terrific  storm  of  wind  passed 
over  the  town,  doing  great  damage  to  the  growing  crops  and 
destroying  buildings.  One  or  two  lives  were  lost.  Matthew 
Streetor  was  at  Justin  Chamberlain’s  when  the  storm  came  up. 
Mrs.  Chamberlain,  seeing  the  storm  approaching,  ran  to  the 
cellar,  and  called  to  Streetor  to  follow  her,  but  being  old  and 
feeble,  he  failed  to  reach  safety,  and  was  taken  up  with  the  house, 
being  so  badly  injured  that  he  died  a day  or  two  after.  The 
same  storm  overtook  Sheriff  Chandler,  who  was  on  his  way  home 
with  his  horse  and  carriage,  but  seeing  its  approach,  he  sprang 
from  the  carriage  and  threw  himself  flat  on  the  ground,  and  the 
storm  passed  over  without  doing  him  injury.  After  the  tornado  had 
passed  Mr.  Chandler  looked  for  his  horse,  but  could  not  find  him. 
However,  after  diligent  search  in  the  direction  the  storm  had 
taken,  the  horse  and  carriage  was  found  about  a mile  from  where 
he  left  them,  lodged  among  the  tops  of  some  small  trees. 

A flouring  mill  was  built  in  the  south  part  of  the  town,  on 
Spring  creek,  by  Stearns  & Hobart,  in  the  year  1856.  This  mill 
was  carried  away  by  a freshet  in  June,  the  following  year.  It 
was  rebuilt  soon  after  by  the  Hon.  W.  W.  Phelps,  with  three  run 
of  stone  and  a capacity  for  grinding  65,000  bushels  annually, 
Mr.  Phelps  operated  this  mill  with  success  for  a time,  and  after- 
ward sold  it  to  William  Featherstone,  who  in  turn  sold  it  to 
M.  Herschler. 

An  early  history  says : ‘ ‘ The  first  Methodist  service  held  in 
the  township  was  by  the  Rev.  G.  W.  T.  Wright,  at  the  house  of 
his  mother,  Mrs.  Amelia  Wright,  in  May,  1855.  The  persons  that 
formed  the  class  at  that  time  were  Resin  Spates,  Margaret 
Spates,  Justin  Chamberlain,  Maria  Chamberlain,  John  Reason, 
Mary  Reason,  Amelia  Wright,  Mary  F.  Wright,  James  A.  Wright, 
William  H.  Wright,  Beverly  M.  Wright,  Samuel  F.  Hardy  and 
Mary  Hardy.” 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


153; 

At  the  first  election,  held  in  1858,  there  were  fifteen  voters : 
John  Thomas,  Justin  Chamberlain,  J.  G.  Johnson,  John  Leason, 
B.  IT.  Munroe,  S.  B.  Harding,  W.  S.  Grow,  John  Sterns,  M. 
Streetor,  Charles  Spates,  A.  O.  Moore,  J.  Eggleston,  Thomas 
Leason,  William  Thompson,  Seth  Barber  and  John  Quinnell. 
Among  the  early  supervisors  were  W.  S.  Grow,  Timothy  Jewett, 
Leland  Jones  (four  terms),  J.  G.  Johnson,  A.  Coons,  R.  H.  Knox, 
Q.  Bunch  (two  terms),  L.  Jones.  Among  the  early  town  clerks 
were  J.  G.  Johnson,  Leland  Jones,  Norris  Hobart,  S.  Barber,  T.  J. 
Leason  (two  terms),  Leland  Jones  (two  terms),  William  IT.  Ben- 
nett, Leland  Jones,  John  Leason,  J.  G.  Johnson. 

The  contribution  of  Burnside,  including  what  is  now  Welch, 
to  the  Civil  War  was  as  follows:  Joseph  S.  Abels,  William 

Brown.  Lewis  Cannon,  Harlan  P.  Eggleston,  Ira  Eggleston,  John 
S.  Hobart,  Robert  W.  Leason,  James  A.  Leason,  Thomas  J. 
Leason,  John  P.  Leason,  Charles  B.  Noble,  Lewis  Quinnell, 
Thomas  Quinnell,  John  Richards,  James  Shaw,  Ira  Tillotson, 
James  A.  Wright,  William  H.  Wright,  John  Williams,  Edward 
Coder,  Nathaniel  Brown,  Augustus  C.  Baker,  Dennis  O’Loughlin 
and  Orrin  A.  Phelps. 

To  Rev.  J.  C.  Johnson  is  accredited  the  following  narrative : 
“I  built  a claim  house,  16x20,  in  the  town  now  called  Burnside,, 
commencing  it  in  January,  .1855,  and  moving  into  it  in  the  follow- 
ing August.  I found  out  that  naked  nature  needed  more  clothing 
than  a newborn  child — first  a hen-roost,  then  a pigsty,  a stable, 
stock-yard,  corn-yard,  a forty-acre  pasture,  one  hundred  acres 
encircled  with  a wooden  fence,  breaking  costing  five  dollars  per 
acre ; school  houses  to  be  built,  cemeteries  laid  out  and  enclosed, 
bridges  everywhere  to  be  built,  highways  surveyed  and  worked. 
The  winter  of  1855-56  was  a rough  one.  As  a member  of  the 
Minnesota  Methodist  Episcopal  conference,  I was  trying  to  sup- 
ply the  work  of  preaching  at  a point  five  miles  above  Hastings 
in  the  forenoon,  at  Hastings  at  2 P.  M.,  and  at  Ravenna,  seven 
miles  below,  at  ‘candle  light.’  Late  in  the  fall,  one  of  the  darkest 
and  most  stormy  nights  known  to  men,  overtook  me  on  the  open 
prairie  below  Hastings.  The  only  way  to  find  the  path  and  keep 
it  was  to  feel  it  out  with  the  feet.  After  a Avliile  a distant  light 
appeared  in  view,  and,  thoroughly  drenched,  I soon  found  shelter 
in  a small  house  occupied  by  two  families.  But  the  poor  pony 
had  no  shelter  and  scant  food. 

“One  Monday  morning  of  that  winter,  in  trying  to  get  home 
from  my  appointment,  a blizzard  commenced  raging.  Scarcely 
any  travel  on  the  road  except  one  stage  through.  About  forty 
degrees  below  zero  of  cold  came  on.  The  wife  and  two.  little 
children  at  home  alone,  neighbors  few  and  far  between,  stern 
Necessity  says,  ‘You  must  get  home,’  but  that  open,  bleak  prairie 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


154 

in  the  town  of  Welch,  then  unoccupied,  was  a precarious  place 
for  night  to  close  in  upon  a wayfaring  man  with  a dubious  track 
to  follow.  Yet,  at  about  9 o’clock  in  the  evening,  we  were  all 
made  unusually  glad  that  the  storm  had  been  weathered  and  the 
harbor  safely  reached. 

“In  the  summer  of  1856  I raised  two  acres  of  wheat.  Thirty 
miles  away,  at  Northfield,  there  was  a mill.  With  a one-horse 
load  I reached  it  at  sundown,  to  find  the  mill  full  of  grists  and  the 
water  too  low  to  run  on  full  time.  The  only  chance  was  to 
exchange  a few  bushels  of  my  wheat  for  flour,  receiving  thirty 
pounds  for  each  bushel.  The  rest  of  my  grist  I brought  back  as 
far  as  Cannon  Falls  and  left  to  be  ground  without  bolting. 
Winter  soon  came  on,  and  no  roads  opened  on  my  route  hither. 
I found  my  wheat,  which  was  left  there,  the  next  spring,  musty. 
My  next  milling  was  done  at  Kinnickinnic,  eight  miles  beyond 
Prescott,  Wis.,  a four  days’  journey,  going  around  through 
Cannon  Falls  and  Hastings. 

“The  early  settlers  wanted  church  privileges.  A meeting 
was  held  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Moore,  near  Cannon  river  bridge,  at 
Burnside.  Moore  had  an  awful  poor  house.  He  had  also  the 
inflammatory  rheumatism.  He  lay  flat  on  his  back  on  the  loose 
boards  of  the  only  floor  except  bare  ground.  The  people  had 
brought  all  their  young  dogs  to  the  meeting.  In  the  midst  of  the 
services  the  dogs  became  unseemly  unceremonious.  Moore  evi- 
dently felt  his  responsibility  for  better  order,  and,  rising  with 
difficulty,  in  apparent  wrath,  he  took  his  own  dog  by  the  neck, 
dragged  him  to  the  door,  and,  with  a toss  and  a kick,  sent  him 
yelping  out.  At  that  all  the  dogs  rushed  out  in  sympathy,  and 
the  man  took  his  lowly  place  again.  All  reverence  and  devotion 
fled,  and  appointment  was  not  renewed  at  that  place. 

“We  had  frequent  visits  from  the  Sioux  Indians,  who  often 
killed  deer  in  the  neighborhood.  On  one  occasion  three  of  these 
animals  were  shot  by  an  Indian  without  moving  from  his  secluded 
position.  This  occurred  near  where  T.  J.  Bryan’s  house  now 
stands.  Our  women,  although  alone  generally  through  the  day, 
were  not  disturbed  in  those  early  days  by  the  visits  of  the 
redmen.  ” 

’I’lie  poorfarm,  an  institution  of  which  the  county  lias  reason 
to  be  proud,  is  located  in  this  township,  under  the  charge  of  a 
superintendent  appointed  by  the  county  commissioners.  The 
farm  is  about  three  miles  from  Red  Wing  on  the  road  to  Hastings, 
and  contains  183  acres  of  land.  The  buildings  were  erected  in 
1867  at  a cost  of  about  $6,000,  The  furnace,  heating  system  and 
furniture  cost  about  $4,000.  The  main  building  was  accidentally 
destroyed  by  fire  in  the  fall  of  1889,  and  soon  after  rebuilt.  At 
this  farm  the  worthy  poor  of  the  county,  mostly  the  very  aged 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


155 


and  a few  young  children,  are  given  shelter  and  food,  care  and 
attention,  as  wards  of  the  county. 

On  Prairie  Island  there  are  located  a number  of  Indians. 
They  have  a small  church  of  the  Episcopal  denomination,  and 
have,  in  a measure,  learned  the  arts  of  civilization. 

Eggleston,  a small  village,  is  located  on  the  edge  of  this  town- 
ship. 

CHERRY  GROVE. 

Cherry  Grove  is  one  of  the  southern  tier  of  townships  in  the 
county.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Wanamingo,  on  the  west 
by  Kenyon,  on  the  south  by  Dodge  county,  and  on  the  east  by 
Roscoe.  One  complete  government  township,  No.  109,  range  17, 
constitutes  its  area,  which  has  remained  unchanged  since  the 
township  act  of  1858.  Its  surface  is  that  of  a high  prairie,  with 
low,  broad,  undulations  of  surface.  The  drainage  is  toward  the 
north  and  south,  from  the  elevated  central  portion.  A branch  of 
the  Zumbro  winds  through  the  southern  portion  of  the  township, 
and  along  its  valley  are  some  wooded  portions,  although  for  the 
most  part  the  township  is  under  cultivation.  The  soil  is  excellent 
for  agricultural  purposes,  and  a specialty  is  made  of  dairy  farm- 
ing in  that  vicinity,  the  residents  being  a,  progressive  set  of  peo- 
ple, who  have  adopted  all  the  latest  methods  in  agricultural 
operations. 

The  territory  comprised  in  the  township  remained  practically 
an  unbroken  wilderness  until  1854,  when,  in  the  spring  of  that 
year,  Madison  Brown  located  a claim  on  section  31.  In  the  fall 
of  the  following  year,  however,  he  sold  his  claim  to  Silas  Mer- 
riman,  and  went  to  Iowa.  Of  his  subsequent  career  nothing  is  to 
be  learned,  although  it  is  supposed  that  he  was  killed  in  the 
Civil  War.  In  the  fall  of  1854,  Reading  and  Benjamin  Woodward 
selected  claims  adjoining  that  of  Brown.  Benjamin  soon  after 
went  to  Iowa,  where  he  died,  while  Reading  remained  as  a perma- 
nent settler.  In  the  following  year  came  Silas  Merriman,  already 
mentioned,  Samuel  and  William  Shields,  Joseph  Seymour,  AVilson 
Kelsey,  Thomas  Haggard,  and  John  and  Charles  Lent.  In  the 
spring  following  came  E.  G.  Comstock,  Israel  T.  and  Taft  Corn- 
stock,  Samuel  Winston,  John  Nichols,  J.  A.  Ray  and  others.  It 
will  be  noted  that  the  majority  of  the  settlers  were  eastern 
people,  and  a number  of  their  descendants  still  maintain  the  New 
England  and  New  York  traditions  of  their  ancestors.  These 
settlers,  in  the  earliest  days,  were  made  the  subject  of  consider- 
able annoyance.  Marauding  bands  of  ruffians  created  acute 
apprehension,  and  the  choicest  claims  were  constantly  being 
jumped.  In  the  winter  of  1855-56  a claim  meeting  was  called 
and  an  organization  effected  for  the  protection  of  the  settlers. 


156 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


T.  B.  Haggard  was  appointed  captain.  This  force  was  soon  after 
called  together  to  protect  the  settlers,  which  they'  did  so  effect- 
ively that  thereafter  the  residents  were  allowed  to  pursue  their 
various  callings  in  peace.  The  setlement  iu  the  northern  part 
of  the  township  was  started  in  1856,  when  Darius  Johnson  made 
a claim  on  section  6.  He  was  followed  by  Payington  Root,  and 
soon  after  by  many  others,  mostly  pioneers  from  Norway. 

In  1857  a village  was  platted  in  the  southern  part  of  the  town 
and  called  Fairpoint.  The  proprietors  were  Thomas  Haggard 
and  a man  named  Beckwith.  In  1863  several  buildings  were 
erected  in  this  village.  A postoffice  was  established  there  in 
1858.  Silas  Merriam  was  the  postmaster.  Owing  to  the  small 
amount  of  mail  received,  this  office  was  discontinued  in  1861. 
Some  years  later  it  was  re-established  and  Herman  Eastman 
named  as  postmaster.  In  1867  Herman  Eastman  and  E.  B. 
Jewitt  opened  a store  in  the  village,  and  a year  later  David 
Haggard  was  appointed  postmaster. 

A log  cabin  schoolhouse  was  built  in  1857,  at  the  edge  of  a 
cherry  grove  in  the  central  part  of  the  township,  and  the  first 
school  session  was  taught  by  E.  G.  Comstock  that  winter.  In 
1861  a stone  schoolhouse  was  erected  on  the  site  of  this  old  log 
structure.  The  first  church  organization  was  effected  in  1856, 
when  the  Christian  Disciples  met  at  the  home  of  James  Haggard 
and  listened  to  a sermon  by  David  Haggard.  The  first  service 
by  a regularly  ordained  clergyman  was  by  the  Rev.  J.  M.  Gates 
at  his  own  residence  in  the  spring  of  1857.  The  first  marriage 
in  the  township  was  between  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  T.  B.  Hag- 
gard, and  John  Hart,  in  August,  1857.  The  first  death  was  that 
of  Eliza  Jane,  daughter  of  T.  B.  Haggard,  December  16,  1857. 
The  first  town  meeting  was  held  May  11,  1858,  at  which  time 
officers  were  elected  as  follows:  Supervisors,  Benjamin  AYood- 

ward  (chairman),  Cyrus  H.  Burt  and  David  Simpson;  town  clerk, 
E.  G.  Comstock;  assessor,  Francis  A.  Crebb ; constables,  James 
Haggard  and  Peter  Stagle ; justices  of  the  peace,  John  Haggard 
and  F.  A.  Crebb ; road  overseers,  Israel  T.  Comstock  and  Reading 
Woodward.  James  Haggard  was  appointed  collector  in  May, 
1858.  There  being  a tie  vote,  no  supervisor  of  the  poor  was 
elected. 

The  official  list  of  the  men  who  enlisted  from  this  township 
during  the  Civil  War  is  as  follows:  F.  PI.  Bullock,  William 

Catlin,  Jr.,  Ryal  Gatlin,  Alva  K.  Eastman,  Edward  Hudson,  Jesse 
T.  Hamlin,  Rufus  Hart,  Me.  D.  Willoughby,  Orville  Ames,  Dan- 
fortli  W.  Cook,  Theodorick  Drum,  William  Forsyth,  Thomas  E. 
Gillett,  Thomas  B.  Haggard,  George  Hanlden,  Simeon  Steemer, 
Uriah  Hopkins,  Francis  E.  Presley,  Jonathan  Dibble,  Alvin  Davis. 
Abram  Doner,  Hans  Jordt,  Ferris  Johnson,  Charles  C.  Lent, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


157 


Henry  Nesson,  Henry  O’Kane,  Hiram  E.  Perkins,  AVilliam 
Perkins,  Herman  A.  Perkins,  Leander  Root,  Captain  A.  N.  See, 
Daniel  C'.  Smith,  Clymen  Sherwood,  Terence  Thompson,  Terence 
Thompson  2nd,  Lyman  T.  Ward,  William  F.  'Ward,  John  Wood- 
bury, B.  C.  Wait,  James  Haggard,  James  Holloran,  Hiram  Leach, 
Washington  Roster,  Frederick  Robolim,  G.  H.  Alayheigh,  Benton 
Merse,  James  Scurry,  Isaac  Wilmer,  Martin  Whalton,  Henry 
Kuhns,  Christ  Phillips,  Peter  L.  Slagle,  Charles  D.  Ward,  Her- 
bert Drake,  John  Lloyd,  Charles  Lloyd,  Davis  Johnson,  Alexander 
McKinley,  Lyman  Sackett,  Stephen  Van  Gilder,  William  William- 
son, Card  Burfrind,  A.  C.  Bennett,  Nelson  Gaylord,  Charles  Hick- 
man, George  Johnson,  Gottlieb  Persig,  Orville  Rogers,  James  E. 
Smith,  A.  D.  Thayer,  Thomas  Thompson,  Frederick  AYalters, 
Frank  Yager. 

Cherry  Grove  has  four  large  and  commodious  churches — one 
Catholic,  one  German  Lutheran  and  one  Norwegian  Lutheran. 
There  have  been  postoffices  at  Ayr.  Fairpoint  and  Spring  Creek. 

CENTRAL  POINT. 

Central  Point,  the  most  easterly  as  well  as  the  smallest  of 
Goodhue  county  townships,  lies  in  a bend  in  Lake  Pepin  directly 
above  Lake  City.  It  contains  one  complete  section  and  several 
fractional  ones  and  is  bounded  on  the  north  and  east  by  the  lake, 
south  by  Lake  City  in  Wabasha  county,  and  west  by  Florence. 
Its  surface  is  broken.  An  isolated  bluff;  rises  in  the  eastern  part, 
and  its  peculiar  shape  has  wTon  the  name  of  Sugar  Loaf.  A point 
of  land  extending  some  distance  into  the  lake  about  midway 
between  the  head  and  foot  of  same  gives  the  town  its  name. 

By  reason  of  its  excellent  landing  place  and  its  position 
midway  in  the  lake,  there  were  many  early  dreams  of  its  future 
greatness  as  a shipping  point.  Charles  Gould  settled  near  here 
in  about  1850.  In  1853  a Air.  Gridley  made  a claim  to  some  land. 
Lie  was  followed  by  R.  L.  Phillips,  H.  L.  Barrett  and  Hannibal 
Bonnell.  Soon  quite  a flourishing  neighborhood  gathered  about 
the  landing,  and  in  1855  a village  plat  was  surveyed  and  specu- 
lation in  village  lots  for  a time  became  quite  lively.  Silas  Crop 
built  a store  and  stocked  it  with  general  merchandise.  Air. 
Feary  built  a hotel,  which  was  opened  by  E.  S.  Harrison.  A 
postoffice  was  established  and  Perry  D.  Martin  was  appointed 
postmaster.'  In  1856  C.  W.  and  E.  Hackett  built  another  store, 
which  was  also  filled  with  general  merchandise.  Charles  Aloe 
built  a steam  sawmill  and  commenced  the  manufacture  of  lumber. 
At  this  time  Central  Point  was  the  only  steamboat  landing  in 
the  vicinity,  and  for  a period  it  seemed  designed  to  become  a 
lumbering  center,  where  would  be  sawed  the  logs  floated  down 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


158 


the  lake  in  rafts  from  points  on  the  Mississippi  and  the  St.  Croix. 
But  it  was  soon  found  that  Lake  City  afforded  a much  better 
landing,  and  as  a result  business  was  drawn  away  from  Central 
Point  and  toward  Lake  City.  However,  in  1857  Lewis  & Scott 
built  another  sawmill,  which  was  conducted  for  a time  by  Frank 
Sterrit  and  afterward  bought  and  conducted  by  S.  S.  and  G.  II. 
Grannis.  The  manufacture  of  sorghum  syrup  in  later  years 
became  an  important  industry.  The  first  school  was  taught  in 
1858.  In  1873  a very  fine  and  commodious  school  building  was 
erected.  The  first  house  built  in  the  town  was  a log  cabin  con- 
structed by  II.  L.  Barrett.  In  this  house  the  Rev.  M.  Sorin  con- 
ducted the  first,  religious  service  held  in  the  township.  The  first 
death  was  that  of  an  infant  child  of  C.  AY.  Hackett,  in  1856. 
Of  the  first  marriage  no  record  has  been.  left.  It  is  also  impos- 
sible to  learn  of  the  first  town  officers,  as  the  early  records  were 
destroyed  by  mice  some  years  ago,  before  any  transcription  was 
made  of  the  important  facts. 

The  contribution  from  Central  Point  to  the  ranks  of  the 
Union  army  would  seem  almost  impossible  were  it  not  a matter 
of  official  record.  According  to  these  records,  no  less  than 
twenty-one  men  enlisted  from  this  toAvn.  They  Avere : AVesley 

F.  Bailey,  Dexter  Chaddock,  James  AY.  Delong.  AVallace  AY. 
Delong,  John  R.  Graham,  Ambrose  Gardiner,  John  Gardiner, 
George  Harrison.  Edward  B.  Hawkins,  Marcus  Hills,  Baker  Har- 
rison, Clarence  Hubbard,  Charles  Lathan,  Adjutant  Perry  D. 
Martin,  Levi  M.  Phillips,  John  L.  Rice,  Charles  H.  Sibley, 
George  AYeaver,  George  S.  Harrison,  John  S.  Harrison  and  Co- 
lumbus Phillips. 

John  G.  AVooley,  the  famous  temperance  orator,  started  a 
home  for  drunkards  in  1891,  and  several  substantial  buildings 
Avere  erected,  but  the  enterprise  Avas  aftenvard  abandoned. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


CANNON  FALLS. 

First  Settlement — Platting  the  Village — Village  and  City  Incor- 
porated— Water  Power  and  Mills — Fraternities — Hotels — 
Newspaper — Modern  Cannon  Falls — Industries — Business 

Houses — Schools — Commercial  Club— Banks— Cannon  Falls 
Township — Early  History — Veterans  of  the  War. 

Cannon  Falls,  now  a city,  has  a historic  past  and  a promising 
future,  together  with  a prosperous  present.  Its  early  history  is 
closely  associated  with  that  of  Red  Wing,  the  names  of  Sweney, 
Colvill,  McGinnis  and  Freeborn  being  prominent  in  both  places. 
The  following  article  has  been  prepared  with  the  assistance  of 
John  C.  Applegate,  editor  of  the  Cannon  Falls  “Beacon,”  who 
has  edited  the  early  history  and  written  the  story  of  the  modern 
growth  and  development  of  the  city  and  its  various  interests. 

In  1855  William  Freeborn  built  a log  cabin  on  the  east  bank 
of  the  Little  Cannon  river,  near  the  falls,  on  mill  block  No.  3. 
This  was  the  beginning  of  the  present  prosperous  city  of  Cannon 
Falls.  Richard  Elton  built  the  first  store  the  same  year,  on  block 
36,  and  Eli  Ellsworth,  the  first  merchant,  kept  his  goods  in  that 
building.  The  first  physician  was  J.  E.  Tibbitts,  the  first  lawyer 
was  R.  W.  Hamilton,  and  the  first  resident  minister  of  the  gospel 
was  Rev.  J.  R.  Barnes. 

Where  a portion  of  the  city  now  stands,  James  McGinnis  pre- 
empted lots  1.  2,  5 and  6,  section  18,  in  November,  1851.  March, 
1855,  Warren  Hunt  took  a claim,  northeast  quarter  of  section  18, 
adjoining  McGinnis  on  the  east.  The  same  spring  Richard  Free- 
born, Jr.,  pre-empted  lots  3 and  4,  section  18,  west  of  the  Mc- 
Ginnis claim.  In  May,  1855,  William  Colvill  pre-empted  lots  7, 
8 and  9,  section  18,  south  of  the  McGinnis  claim.  Benjamin  St. 
Clair  took  lots  7.  8 and  12,  section  7.  north  of  the  McGinnis 
claim,  the  same  spring.  June,  1855,  William  P.  Scofield  pre- 
empted lots  9,  10  and  11,  section  7.  northwest  from  the  McGinnis 
claim.  The  same  month.  Hugh  Montgomery  took  the  southeast 
quarter  of  section  18.  east  of  the  McGinnis  claim.  June,  1855, 
Frank  Clark  entered  lots  10  and  11.  section  18,  south  of  the 


359 


160 


PI1  STORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Colvill  claim.  William  B.  Barton  pre-empted  the  southeast  quar- 
ter of  section  7,  northeast  of  the  McGinnis  claim  in  the  fall  of 
1855. 

The  village  proper  was  laid  out  August  27,  1855,  by  Richard 
and  William  Freeborn,  on  section  18,  including  a portion  of  the 
claims  of  McGinnis,  Richard  Freeborn  and  William  Colvill.  It 
was  surveyed  and  platted  by  S.  A.  Hart,  county  surveyor.  About 
October  16,  1856,  the  Cannon  Falls  city  addition  was  platted. 
This  included  all  the  Hunt  and  Barton  claims.  The  Cannon  Falls 
•central  addition  was  made  December  13,  1856,  including  a part 
of  the  Richard  Freeborn  claim.  Point  Lookout  addition  was 
made  in  the  fall  of  1856  and  included  a part  of  the  Montgomery 
claim.  Cannon  Falls  Company’s  addition  was  made  May  18, 
1858,  and  included  a part  of  the  AYilliam  P.  Scofield  claim.  St. 
•Charles  Terre  Haute  addition  was  made  soon  after,  including  a 
part  of  the  St.  Clair  claim.  Ellsworth  and  Tanner’s  addition 
followed  immediately  and  included  a part  of  the  Scofield  claim. 

The  village  was  incorporated  March  10,  1857.  The  first  elec- 
tion was  held  the  first  Wednesday  in  May,  1857.  The  first  officers 
elected  under  the  charter  were:  Charles  Parks,  president;  Will- 
iam Tanner,  recorder ; J.  E.  Chapman,  Thomas  Baker  and  George 
McKenzie,  councilmen.  Charles  Parks  built  a log  hotel,  sixteen 
by  twenty-four,  in  the  fall  of  1854,  which  was  named  the  Falls 
House.  This  was  sold  in  April,  1855,  to  Andrew  Durand,  who 
built  an  addition  of  the  same  dimensions  and  kept  the  house  for 
three  years. 

The  village  of  Cannon  Falls  was  reincorporated  as  a city  in 
February,  1905,  with  a population  of  1,460.  The  present  officers 
are:  Mayor,  F.  B.  Seager;  aldermen,  John  Kilroy,  0.  FI.  Doebler, 
George  Y.  Williams,  E.  J.  Holmes  and  G.  A.  Widholm. 

The  water  power  furnished  in  such  abundant  measure  by  the 
falls  in  the  river  at  this  point,  naturally  attracted  those  who  had 
money  to  invest  in  mills  in  the  early  days.  The  water  power  is 
still  abundant,  and  has  never  been  utilized  to  its  full  capacity. 
The  great  falls  are  on  the  main  river  a little  west  of  the  village, 
having  in  the  distance  of  a few  rods  a perpendicular  descent  of 
about  twenty  feet.  The  falls  on  the  Little  Cannon,  where  the 
stone  mill  stands,  are  twenty-five  feet.  Another  fall,  just  beloAV 
the  junction,  is  fifteen  feet. 

At  this  fall  the  first  flouring  mill  in  the  township  was  built 
by  R,  C.  Knox,  in  1867,  the  exact  location  being  block  51,  in 
Cannon  Falls  city  addition.  It  was  a frame  structure,  forty-five 
by  fifty,  containing  four  run  of  stone.  The  entire  building,  when 
completed,  cost  $14,000,  with  a capacity  of  100,000  bushels  of 
wheat  per  annum.  It  was  carried  away  by  the  flood  of  June. 
1867,  and  during  that  same  year  was  rebuilt  by  Mrs.  Cornelia 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


161 


Grosvener.  The  re-erected  building  was  fifty  by  sixty,  four  sto- 
ries, and  contained  eight  run  of  stone,  five  for  wheat  and  three 
for  middlings. 

The  Little  Cannon  mill  is  a stone  structure,  two  stories  above 
the  basement,  fifty  by  seventy,  built  in  1857.  It  was  not  used 
until  1861,  when  machinery  for  the  manufacture  of  woolen  goods 
was  put  in.  It  was  operated  as  a woolen  mill  until  1875,  when 
it  was  converted  into  a grist  mill,  with  four  run  of  stone  for 
wheat  and  two  for  feed.  This  was  known  for  years  as  the  Thomp- 
son mill.  It  is  now  the  New  Cannon  Plansifter  mill. 

The  Goodhue  Mills  are  situated  on  the  Big  Cannon,  about  a 
half  a mile  above  its  junction  with  the  Little  Cannon.  The  dam 
gives  a fall  of  fifteen  feet  and  with  an  abundant  supply  of  water 
at  all  seasons  of  the  year.  It  is  one  of  the  finest  water  powers 
in  the  locality.  The  machinery  is  propelled  by  five  Avater  wheels 
—one  American  of  ninety  horsepower,  and  four  Eclipse  wheels 
of  forty  horsepower  each.  It  has  all  the  latest  improvements 
and  appliances  in  the  way  of  machinery  and  fixtures  for  produc- 
ing the  finest  quality  of  flour.  It  is  a frame  structure  forty-five 
by  sixty,  four  stories  high.  The  mill  was  erected  in  1872  by 
Gardner  & Moore,  and  cost  $22,000.  Its  water  power  cost  $8,000 
extra.  The  brands  manufactured  are  the  Climax,  Mona,  Tele- 
phone and  Paragon.  The  company  took  first  premium  at  the 
Centennial  of  1876,  at  Philadelphia.  The  river  is  spanned  by  a 
s!  eel  arch  bridge,  the  dam  is  twelve  feet  high,  and  a new  one  is 
ODw  proposed. 

From  the  earliest  days  the  fraternal  spirit  in  the  village  has 
been  strong,  and  the  various  societies  have  contributed  in  no 
small  degree  to  the  educational  and  charitable  as  well  as  social 
progress  of  the  community. 

Oriental  Lodge  No.  31,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  was  organized  June 
26,  1860,  and  worked  under  a dispensation  until  October  24, 
1860,  at  which  time  a. charter  was  received.  In  1861  the  lodge 
purchased  two  lots  on  the  north  side  of  the  Little  Cannon  river 
and  fitted  up  a lodge  room.  The  charter  members  were  Joseph 
E.  Chapman,  John  L.  Armington,  Stephen  N.  Carey,  William  H. 
Mosier,  Samuel  Finney  and  Ralph  Tanner.  The  first  officers  were : 
John  L.  Armington,  M.  W. ; Joseph  E.  Chapman,  S.  AY. ; Stephen 
N.  Carey,  J.  AAL ; William  FI.  Mosier,  treasurer;  Samuel  Finney, 
tyler. 

Alleghany  Lodge,  No.  33,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  was  organized  January 
3,  1872,  by  M.  E.  Henderson,  J.  AAL  Newell,  George  McKenzie, 
J.  AY.  Neff  and  E.  L.  Clark.  At  the  time  of  organization  there 
were  thirteen  initiations.  The  first  officers  were : M.  E.  Hender- 
son. N.  G. ; J.  AY.  Newell,  AL  G. ; E.  L.  Clark,  secretary;  G.  W. 
NTeff,  treasurer. 


162 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Valley  Encampment,  No.  11,  was  organized  April  3,  1873,  by 

M.  E.  Henderson,  Lyman  K.  Ayrault,  Warren  Gilchrist,  George 

Manning,  G.  W.  Neff,  E.  L.  Clark  and  L.  White.  At  the  first 
meeting  there  were  five  initiations.  The  first  officers  were:  M. 

E.  Henderson,  C.  P. ; Lyman  K.  Ayrault,  H.  P. ; George  Man- 
ning, S.  W. ; Orrin  Gilchrist,  J.  W. ; E.  L.  Clark,  scribe ; G.  W. 
Neff,  treasurer. 

Mutual  Lodge,  No.  40,  A.  0.  U.  W.,  was  organized  January 
30,  1878.  The  charter  members  Avere  S.  Iligman,  G.  A.  Follet, 
G.  II.  Cross,  II.  Hanson,  William  Smith,  II.  H.  Manning,  Myron 
D.  Gibbs,  0.  T.  Jones,  W.  II.  Scofield,  C.  E.  Daniels,  J.  L.  Sco- 
field, E.  Holden  and  A.  L.  Cawley. 

Cannon  Falls  Lodge,  No.  253,  P.  of  H.,  had  a number  of  mem- 
bers during  the  time  of  the  popularity  of  the  Grange. 

Prairie  Flower  Lodge,  No.  169,  I.  0.  G.  T.,  was  organized  in 
the  interests  of  temperance,  March  2,  1875,  with  fifteen  charter 
members.  The  first  officers  Avere  M.  McKay,  Ida  Mallett,  Adelia 
St.ranahan  and  Hattie  Copeland. 

The  Ben  Socs  Scandinavian  Benevolent  Society  Avas  organized 
August  9,  1872,  Avith  seventeen  charter  members.  The  officers 
Avere  G.  Westman,  president;  Haagen  Thompson,  vice  president; 
L.  Engberg,  secretary ; John  Mattson,  treasurer;  John  Danielson, 
C.  G.  Rydell  and  P.  Flygare,  trustees. 

Other  societies  which  have  been  organized  in  the  city  are 
McKinley  Post,  No.  92,  G.  A.  R. ; Cannon  Camp,  No.  1540,  M.  W. 
of  A.;  Zion  Chapter,  No.  6,  0.  E.  S. ; Crescent  Camp.  No.  950,  R. 

N.  A.;  Cannon  Falls  Council,  No.  82,  Samaritans;  Beneficent  De- 
gree, Samaritans;  George  McKinley  Corps,  No.  80,  W.  R.  C.,  and 
Harmony  Camp,  No.  48,  W.  0.  W. 

The  “taverns”  of  a village  always  have  an  important  part 
in  its  progress,  more  especially  in  pioneer  days.  The  tAvo  earliest 
hotels  Avere  the  Falls  House  and  the  Exchange  House. 

The  Falls  House  Avas  built  by  Charles  Parks  in  the  fall  of 
1854.  At  that  time  it  Avas  a log  house  sixteen  by  twenty-four. 
The  house  Avas  sold  to  Andras  Durand  in  April,  1855,  who  at 
once  built  an  addition  as  large  as  the  original  structure.  In  the 
fall  of  1856  a building,  thirty  by  forty,  two  stories,  was  erected. 
In  the  spring  of  1858  it  was  sold  to  Edward  J.  Turner,  avIio 
rented  it.  to  Benjamin  Van  Campen  for  ten  years.  Subsequent 
proprietors  were  Colonel  Williams,  Sole  Slosson,  John  English 
and  others.  September  18,  1871.  D.  L.  DaAds  took  charge  of  the 
property,  be  having  purchased  it  sometime  previous,  September 
19,  1866.  In  the  fall  of  1873  Mr.  Davis  sold  it  to  Peter  Gravlin, 
who  kept  the  house  until  1875,  when  Mr.  Davis  again  came  into 
possession.  Mr.  Davis  refitted  the  building,  and  in  the  spring  of 
1872  made  an  addition,  fourteen  by  twenty-two  feet.  In  1890 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


163 


this  property  came  into  the  hands  of  Henry  Thompson,  who  re- 
built the  main  part  of  stone  and  greatly  improved  it. 

The  Exchange  House  was  built  in  the  fall  of  1866  by  Peter 
Gravlin  and  Christopher  Benway.  Benway  sold  his  share  the 
following  spring  to  Charles  Brown,  and  the  house  was  run  by 
Gravlin  and  Brown  as  the  “New  England”  house.  They  sold 
out  to  John  Williams  in  1874,  and  he  in  turn  to  Helstrum  and 
Riddell.  David  Platt  bought  it  in  June,  1875,  and  gave  it  the 
name  of  Platt  House. 

The  Cannon  Falls  “Beacon”  is  the  outgrowth  of  the  Cannon 
Falls  “Gazette.”  The  “Gazette”  was  started  by  R.  M.  Hamline 
in  July,  1856.  After  fifteen  months  it  was  purchased  by  Mr. 
Hatch,  who  after  a year  sold  it  to  the  Hoag  Bros.  The  Hoag 
Bros,  changed  the  name  to  Cannon  Falls  “Bulletin.”  A year 
later  the  paper  was  removed  to  Northfield.  Cannon  Falls  was. 
without  a paper  until  June,  1871,  when  Mr.  Bromwich  started 
the  “Echo.”  This  paper  lived  a year.  August  4,  1876,  John 
A.  Leonard  started  the  Cannon  Falls  “Beacon,”  and  continued 
it  until  July  6,  1877,  when  he  sold  out  to  O.  T.  Jones  ancl.C.  A. 
Cook.  April  5,  1878,  Mr.  Jones  purchased  his  partner’s  inter- 
ests, and  on  May  27,  1878,  sold  a half  interest  to  L.  C.  MeKenney. 
In  May,  1880,  S.  S.  Lewis  bought  an  interest,  with  Jones,  Mr. 
MeKenney  having  retired.  Mr.  Lewis  conducted  the  “Beacon” 
till  the  summer  of  1901,  when  he  sold  it  to  Joe  Brynildsen,  who, 
in  December,  1903,  sold  it  to  the  present  publisher,  John  C.  Apple- 
gate.  The  “Beacon”  is  Republican  in  politics  and  occupies  a 
prominent  place  in  the  state  press. 

Cannon  Falls  has  probably  never  been  more  prosperous  than 
at  present.  All  of  its  industries  are  in  operation  and  all  labor 
employed  at  good  wages,  and  the  outlook  for  its  continued  pros- 
perity is  most  flattering.  Notwithstanding  the  many  new  houses 
built  in  the  city  of  late  years,  there  are  no  vacant  houses,  and 
one  of  the  pressing  needs  is  a number  of  dwelling  houses  at  mod- 
erate rental.  The  city  is  replacing  the  old  wood  and  iron  bridge 
across  the  Big  Cannon  at  Third  street  with  a new  steel  and  con- 
crete structure  at  a cost  of  $10,000. 

The  extension  of  the  water  system  to  residence  streets  has 
encouraged  the  home-making  spirit,  and  a general  tidying  up  and 
beautifying  of  home  places  has  resulted.  The  streets  in  resident 
portions  have  been  narrowed  and  bordered  by  boulevards  and 
grass  plots.  There  are  practically  no  wooden  sidewalks  in  the 
city,  they  having  been  replaced  by  modern  cement  walks,  while 
cement  street  crossings  are  replacing  the  old  flagstone. 

The  principal  enterprises  of  Cannon  Falls  are  as  follows : 
Hardware — II.  A.  Van  Carnpen  is  the  oldest  dealer  in  implements 
and  vehicles  in  the  city,  having  been  agent  for  the  McCormick 


164 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


harvesting  machinery  for  a third  of  a century.  0.  F.  Peters  is 
another  old  dealer  in  this  class  of  goods,  having  purchased  the 
hardware  business  from  D.  E.  Yale  nearly  twenty-five  years  ago. 
Ritchie  & Lee  as  a firm  is  comparatively  new,  though  John 
Ritchie,  of  the  firm,  has  been  engaged  in  the  implement  and 
vehicle  trade  for  a number  of  years.  Blacksmithing — John  J. 
Anderson,  blacksmithing  and  machine  shop;  W.  A.  Faus,  black- 
smithing  and  horse-shoeing  and  general  repair  work;  Roy  Dan- 
iels, in  Ritchie’s  old  stand  on  Fourth  street,  is  an  up-to-date 
mechanic,  and  does  good  work  in  horse  shoeing  and  general  * 
blacksmithing.  Barbers — Frank  A.  Barlow,  John  Lynn.  Bazaar 
Five  and  ten  cent  store,  Skog  Bros.,  proprietors.  Canning  in- 
dustry— The  Cannon  Valley  Canning  Company,  canners  of  sweet 
coin;  president,  E.  B.  Seager;  secretary,  S.  Kraft;  superintend- 
ent, F.  A.  Agnew;  organized  in  the  spring  of  1904.  Creamery — 
Wastedo  Creamery  Company;  manager,  F.  S.  Stone.  This  con- 
cern came  to  Cannon  Falls  from  Wastedo  two  years  ago  and  has 
built  up  a successful  business.  Cheese— Cannon  Falls  Co-opera- 
tive cheese  factory;  George  I.  Valentine,  president;  does  a flour- 
ishing business  and  its  product  ranks  with  the  best  in  the  state. 
Clothing — Regent  Clothing  House,  John  A.  Ohnstad,  proprietor, 
carries  a full  line  of  clothing  and  gentlemen’s  furnishings.  Dry 
g’oods — The  Cannon  Falls  Dry  Goods  Company  ■ J.  L.  Erickson, 
president ; F.  C.  Carlson,  manager,  is  the  largest  store  of  its  kind 
outside  the  county  seat,  handling  a very  large  and  complete  line 
of  dry  goods,  shoes  and  groceries.  Meger  & Johns  have  done 
business  in  Cannon  Falls  for  nearly  twenty  years  and  carry  a 
large  and  well  selected  line  of  dry  goods  and  clothing.  Harry 
Freeman,  general  dry  goods  and  furnishings.  Drug  stores — Sco- 
field Bros.,  James  L.  and  F.  W.  Scofield.  This  is  the  oldest  drug 
house  in  the  county  and  has  done  a successful  business  in  drugs, 
wall  paper  and  jewelry,  for  forty-one  years.  George  V.  "Williams 
carries  a full  line  of  drugs,  wall  paper,  jewelry  and  fancy  articles, 
and  is  doing  a good  business.  Dray  line — City  dray,  Emil,  pro- 
prietor. Dentists — Lewis  L.  Conley,  1).  D.  S. ; 0.  E.  Doety,  D.  D. 

S.  Elevators — Cannon  Falls  Farmers’  Elevator  Company;  F.  I. 
Ilolinson,  president;  Nels  Mattson,  secretary;  F.  R.  Anderson, 
manager,  is  a vigorous  institution  of  great  value  to  the  local 
market.  Charles  M.  Most,  grain  elevators,  Jonas  W.  Holmes, 
manager.  Express — Wells  Fargo  Express  Company,  A.  L.  Clif- 
ford, agent.  Electric  service — Cannon  Falls  Electric  Service  Com- 
pany, L.  F.  Blinco,  superintendent,  has  a very  complete  and 
modern  plant  and  gives  first-class  service.  Furniture — C.  Daniel- 
son Furniture  Company,  Charles  Danielson,  manager,  is  an  up- 
to-date  concern  carrying  a large  stock  and  doing  a large  business. 
Has  branches  at  Goodhue  and  Zumbrota.  Fur  factory — C.  0. 
Bye,  proprietor  of  the  old  reliable  tannery  and  fur  factory,  situ- 


HISTORY  OR  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


165 


ated  on  the  north  side,  is  well  equipped  and  does  a prosperous 
business.  Groceries — Cannon  Falls  dry  goods  and  city  grocery; 
Magnus  Olson,  proprietor ; Frank  A.  Lundberg,  manager.  Falck 
Bros.,  Ole  E.  Falck  and  John  E.  Falck;  established  1891.  Lund- 
quist’s  grocery  and  feed  store,  Charles  0.  Lundquist,  proprietor. 
Westman’s  grocery,  C.  J.  AYestman,  proprietor.  North  Star- 
grocery  ; N.  C.  Olson,  proprietor ; Carl  Olson,  manager ; estab- 
lished 1886.  Hardware — 0.  F.  Peters  carries  a full  line  of 
builders’  hardware,  cutlery,  stoves,  household  utensils,  agricul- 
tural implements  and  vehicles,  and  does  a large  business.  J.  H. 
Carlson  Hardware  Company,  John  H.  Carlson,  manager.  This 
firm  carries  a complete  line  of  hardware  and  house  furnishings 
and  is  building  up  a large  and  paying  business.  Harness — Hjal- 
mar  Olson  succeeded  to  the  business  of  J.  A.  Eld  oft’  some  years 
ago  and  has  built  up  a prosperous  business  in  this  line.  Frank 
Schurch  is  one  of  the  oldest  dealers  in  harness  and  horse  sup- 
plies in  the  county  and  is  doing  a prosperous  business.  Hotels 
— The  Falls  House,  a commercial  hotel.  William  C.  Carroll,  pro- 
prietor ; the  Platt  House,  Willis  II.  Platt,  proprietor.  Ice — Tan- 
ner & Seager  Ice ; also  proprietors  of  the  Cannon  Falls  Nursery. 
Jewelry — Scofield  Bros..  Caspar  Waif ahot,  manager;  George  AC 
Williams,  John  Seagren,  manager;  Albert  Lagerstrom.  Livery — 
Riverside  livery,  Frank  B.  Lucking,  proprietor ; City  livery,  Reis- 
ner  & Sehickling.  Lumber — Ballard  Trimble  Lumber  Company, 
F.  R.  Hall,  manager;  North  Star  Lumber  Company,  E.  E.  Lee, 
manager.  Lawyers — Peter  S.  Aslakson,  Charles  P.  Hall,  Thor 

R.  Johnson,  AVillis  AY.  AYoodruff,  George  E.  AYilson.  Lands — 
Emil  J.  Holmes,  lands  and  city  property.  Monuments — Lars  C. 
Lockrem.  Meat  markets — Bremer  Bros.,  George  Bremer,  Fred 
Bremer,  established  1892;  Dibble  Bros.,  Richard  Dibble  and  Dan 

S.  Dibble,  established  1889.  Millinery — Mrs.  Carrie  Tanner.  Airs. 
Gertrude  Ohnstad.  Mills — Goodhue  mill,  operated  by  the  Can- 
non Valley  Alilling  Company,  a Alinneapolis  concern;  James  C. 
Boynton,  local  manager.  Cannon  Falls  Milling  Company,  T.  L. 
Beiseter,  president.  New  Cannon  Plansifter  Mill,  Paul  AY.  Rothe, 
manager.  This  is  the  old  stone  mill  on  the  Little  Cannon,  for 
many  years  known  as  the  Thompson  mill.  Air.  Rothe  is  very  suc- 
cessful in  its  management.  Newspapers — The  “Beacon,”  John 
C.  Applegate,  proprietor;  founded  in  1876.  The  “Beacon”  under 
its  present  management  was  the  leader  in  the  movement  for 
railroad  regulation  in  the  state,  and  was  recognized  throughout 
the  northwest  as  an  authority  on  the  railroad  question.  The  re- 
sult of  this  movement  was  radical  reforms  in  transportation 
methods,  and  reductions  in  freight  and  passenger  charges,  sav- 
ing millions  every  year  to  the  business  and  farming  interest  of 
the  state.  The  “Ledger,”  a weekly,  published  by  S.  S.  LeAvis. 


1 6 G 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Postoffice — Peter  A.  Peterson,  postmaster;  Ella  M.  Johnson, 
assistant  postmaster ; Hacler  F.  Wal'ander,  clerk.  Rural  carriers : 
John  A.  Anderson.  August  M.  Johnston,  Oscar  E.  Olson.  Harry 
F.  Iline.  John  A.  Lundberg,  John  A.  Johnson,  Alfred  G.  Swanson 
and  Edwin  Larson.  Shoes — Andrew  J.  ITagg  has  been  selling 
boots  and  shoes  to  the  people  of  Cannon  Falls  and  vicinity  for 
thirty-two  years,  and  success  has  rewarded  his  industry  and 
honorable  business  methods.  Samuel  Kraft,  business  established 
1888;  carries  a very  complete  line  of  shoes  and  gentlemen’s  fur- 
nishing goods.  Sorghum  mill — Carlson  & Wohlander,  located  on 
west  side,  a new  and  modern  mill.  Telephone  exchange — Cannon 
Falls  Telephone  Company,  established  1901.  President,  Charles 
L.  Scofield ; secretary,  J.  L.  Scofield ; treasurer,  F.  AY.  Scofield, 
who  is  also  manager,  lias  northwestern  long  distance  connec- 
tion and  a local  and  rural  service  of  1,200  subscribers.  Tailors 
— Johnson  & Swanson : John  Johnson,  John  Swanson.  These  two 
men  have  been  in  business  together  in  this'  city  for  thirty-five 
years  and  enjoy  a well  earned  reputation  for  good  workmanship. 
Charles  G.  AVahlberg,  a first  class  workman  in  his  line.  Veteri- 
narian— Albert  J.  O’Hara,  V.  S.  Well  drillers — Hartrey  Bros., 
James  Hartrey  and  Edward  Hartrey.  Martin  Holland.  Physi- 
cians— A.  T.  < Ymley,  AI.  D. ; II.  E.  Conley,  AI.  D. ; Peter  H.  Cremer, 
AI.  I).;  Alartin  L.  Golberg,  M.  D. ; A.  P.  AYoodward.  Photog- 
raphers— The  Clifford  Studio,  Paul  Engstrom,  artist  and  manager. 
Restaurants — lohnston  & Lorenson,  J.  Sigf'ricl  Johnson  and  J. 
Edwin  Lorenson.  Henry  J.  Ivulker.  Railroads — Chicago,  Mil- 
waukee & St.  Paul,  Frank  P.  Afurphy,  agent;  Chicago  Great 
Western.  Charles  B.  Tompkins,  agent. 

Public  Schools.  Board  of  education : C.  AY  Gress,  presi- 

dent; P.  S.  Aslakson.  secretary  since  1890;  P.  N.  Allen,  treasurer; 
Dr.  A.  T.  Conley,  F.  R.  Johnson,  S.  K.  Kraft.  Faculty:  S.  M. 
Pinney,  superintendent;  Emma  Williamson,  principal  of  high 
school;  Thomas  S.  Armstrong,  science  and  manual  training;  Lu- 
cretia  L.  Lewis,  assistant  principal  of  high  school;  Agnes  Swan- 
son, eighth  grade;  Lillian  Lindstrom,  seventh  grade;  Jennie  Sea- 
son, sixth  grade;  Hattie  Helmbrecht,  fifth  grade;  Ida  Anderson, 
fourth  grade;  Alice  Richardson,  third  grade;  Anna  Helmbrecht, 
primary;  Stella  A.  Reely,  music  and  assistant  in  high  school. 
Enrollment:  High  school,  87;  grades,  281;  total,  371.  The  school 
building  is  a handsome  stone  structure  of  modern  build,  well 
arranged,  steam  heated,  well  ventilated  and  equipped  with 
library,  laboratory  and  manual  training  department. 

The  Cannon  Falls  Commercial  Club  has  been  a moving  force 
in  the  city  since  its  organization  some  eight  years  ago.  Its  offi- 
cers are:  President,  F.  B.  Seager;  secretary,  C.  P.  Hall. 

The  Citizens’  State  Bank,  of  Cannon  Falls,  was  organized  in 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


167 


1878,  as  the  First  National  Bank  of  Cannon  Falls,  the  incorpora- 
tors being  L.  S.  Follett  and  Stephen  Gardner,  of  Hastings.  In 
1881  the  name  was  changed  to  Citizens’  Bank  of  Cannon  Falls, 

L.  S.  Follett,  banker.  In  1886  Mr.  Follett  sold  the  bank  to  Hiram 

A.  Seriver.  In  1893,  C.  AY.  Gress,  of  Northfield,  purchased  an 
interest  with  Mr.  Seriver;  and  the  firm  became  the  Citizens’  Bank 
of  Cannon  Falls — Seriver  & Gress,  bankers.  In  1905  the  busi- 
ness was  incorporated  as  the  Citizens’  State  Bank  of  Cannon 
.Falls,  Hiram  A.  Seriver,  president;  Cliff  AY.  Gress,  cashier.  Pres- 
ent condition : Capital,  $30,000 ; surplus,  $30,000 ; deposits, 

$547,792;  cash  on  hand  $109,000. 

The  Farmers’  and  Merchants'  National  Bank,  of  Cannon  Falls, 
was  organized  June,  1903.  Its  officers  are : President.  T.  L. 

Baiseker;  vice  president,  J.  L.  Erickson;  second  vice  president, 
Henry  Thompson;  cashier.  Edward  .Mattson ; assistant  cashier, 

M.  N.  Gergen;  teller,  F.  O.  Freeberg.  Capital  stock  paid  in, 
$25,000:  surplus  .fund,  $3,000;  assets,  $280,000. 

Cannon  Falls  Township  received  its  name  from  the  Big  Can- 
non river,  and  its  branch,  the  Little  Cannon,  whose  sudden  change 
of  level  forms  a falls  in  the  western  part  of  the  township,  at  the 
point  where  the  city  of  Cannon  Falls  is  now  located.  The  Big- 
Cannon  flows  through  the  northern  part  of  the  township,  from 
west  to  east,  and  its  valley  is  marked  by  many  changes  in  topog- 
raphy. The  outer  bluffs  of  the  river  are  frequently  more  than  a 
mile  apart  and  over  two  hundred  feet  above  the  water  in  the 
river.  In  this  valley  are  broad  terraces  and  beautiful  farms, 
and  in  addition  to  this  the  township  has  considerable  timber. 
Along  some  of  the  valleys  there  is  a sandy  lightness  to  the  soil, 
which  has  the  effect  of  making  the  roads  rather  poor  at  some 
seasons  of  the  year.  For  agricultural  purposes,  however,  the 
soil  is  excellent  and  larg-e  crops  are  raised,  although  dairying  is 
an  important  industry.  The  river  bottom,  from  one-half  to  a 
mile  in  width,  has  a gravelly  soil. 

It  is  probable  that  Dr.  AY.  AY.  Sweney  and  Richard  and  AAGll- 
iam  Freeborn,  ivho  made  the  trip  afoot  from  Red  AVing,  were 
the  first  white  men  to  behold  the  falls.  The  first  settler  was 
Edway  Stoughton,  who  came  early  in  1854.  Others  were  Charles 
Parks,  who  settled  at  the  falls,  and  Janies  H.  Payton  and  James 
McGinnis.  Airs.  Charles  Parks  was  the  first  -white  woman  at 
the  Falls. 

The  first  death  in  the  township  wax  in  August,  1855,  when 
an  infant  son  of  David  AIcKune  passed  to  the  Great  Beyond. 
The  first  child  was  Ellen  Hartry,  now  Airs.  Ellen  French,  of 
Dennison,  born  in  October,  1855.  The  first  marriage  was  that  of 
Robert  Fotherby  and  Sarah  Strange,  who  were  united  before 
Charles  Parks,  justice  of  the  peace.  E.  L.  Clark  taught  the  first 


168 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


school  in  1856-57,  the  sessions  being  held  in  a building  which  he 
had  erected  for  .the  purpose,  principally  of  basswood  logs;  and 
which,  for  this  reason,  he  named  Basswood  Seminary.  This  build- 
ing was  also  used  for  a house  of  worship,  on  Sabbath  days  for 
some  time  thereafter. 

Cannon  Falls  township  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Dakota 
county,  on  the  west  by  Dakota  county  and  Stanton,  on  the  south 
by  Leon,  and  on  the  east  by  Yasa.  It  comprises  one  entire  gov- 
ernment township,  No.  112,  range  17,  and  its  area  has  remained 
unchanged  since  the  township  act  of  1858. 

Among  the  early  supervisors  of  the  township  were:  William 
Barton,  W.  P.  Scofield,  Lewis  Engberg,  J.  D.  Wheat,  Abram  Mal- 
let, D.  II.  Knox,  George  West,  J.  D.  Jennings,  H.  A.  Tanner,  D.  L. 
Davis,  F.  Pentz,  C.  AY.  Gillet,  James  McGinnis,  E.  E.  Chase, 
AY.  P.  Tanner  and  G.  Slocum.  The  first  town  clerks  were : J.  T. 
Moss,  Eli  Ellsworth,  George  L.  Baker,  W.  H.  Scofield,  J.  D.  Jen- 
nings, A.  J.  Phelps,  John  Jennings,  Frank  Slocum.  W.  P.  Tanner 
served  as  town  treasurer  for  eleven  years,  and  Atas  then  followed 
by  Frank  Slocum.  The  early  justices  of  the  peace  Avere  J.  A. 
Wilson,  Park  Tucker,  G.  Westman,  W.  II.  Scofield  and  AY.  P. 
Tanner.  The  first  constables  Avere  James  II.  Peyton,  E.  H.  Klock, 
George  McKenzie,  E.  R.  Steel  and  George  Kinder. 

Those  who  enlisted  in  the  Civil  War  from  Cannon  Falls  Avere 
as  follows : Marion  Abbott,  Charles  J.  Anderson,  Thomas  H. 

Baker,  John  Boss,  Captain  George  L.  Baker,  E.  E.  Chase,  E.  L. 
Clark,  Daniel  E.  Cadwell,  George  W.  Doud,  Peter  Engberg,  Jona- 
than Flynn,  ’Lieutenant  William  D.  Llale,  Henry  Hamilton,  Nels 
B.  Johnson,  Luther  M.  Knox,  James  M.  Knox,  Charles  Ivloek, 
Olof  Larson,  Peter  Lindberg,  George  Lewis.  William  Morrell, 
George  AY.  Neff,  James  LI.  Payton,  William  0.  Stranahan,  Mathew 
AYillson,  Albert  G.  Leach,  Charles  M.  Scofield,  Marvin  Cary,  John 
Hoffstatter.  Harlow  VanVleit,  Captain  Ara  Barton,  George  Cook, 
Samuel  Dilly,  Samuel  Hullett,  William  Hullett,  John  J.  Hartig, 
James  F.  Kelley,  Stephen  A.  Penny,  Jacob  Rhodes,  David  Val- 
entine, Joseph  Blum,  James  A.  Wright,  Austin  Demming,  Cor- 
nelius Crown,  Thomas  Jennings,  Lester  Bancroft,  George  Park, 
Edward  Klock,  Nels  Lindenholm,  Matts  Peterson,  Cyrus  Van 
ATiet,  James  L.  Scofield,  Luther  Scofield. 

The  present  officials  of  the  township  are : Elof  Johnson, 

chairman;  Edward  Lano  and  Martin  Chelson,  supervisors;  Emil 
Bloomberg,  clerk;  Olaf  Ilaine,  treasurer;  Loins  Rapp,  assessor. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


TOWNSHIPS  AND  VILLAGES. 

Featherstone  — Florence  — Frontenac  — Goodhue  Township  and 
Village — Advantages  and  Growth — Holden — Kenyon  Town- 
ship and  Village — Modern  Progress — Leon — Minneola. 

Featherstone  comprises  one  entire  government  township.  No. 
112  north,  range  17  west,  and  tips  remained  unchanged  since  the 
tOAvnsliip  act  of  1858.  It  has  no  villages,  its  trading  and  ship- 
ping point  being  Red  Wing,  which  is  its  near  neighbor.  Burnside, 
also,  as  well  as  Red  Wing,  borders  it  on  the  north,  Hay  creek 
on  the  east,  Goodhue  on  the  south  and  Vasa  on  the  west.  It  is 
crossed  by  the  Great  Western  railroad,  the  line  through  this 
township  having  originally  been  the  Duluth  & Red  Wing.  The 
township  is  intersected  by  the  Hay  creek  valley  on  the  east  and 
by  Spring  creek  valley  on  the  west.  These  valleys  are  deep 
and  wide,  but  their  slopes  are  almost  uniformly  turfed,  while 
between  the  bluffs  that  enclose  them  are  some  of  the  finest  farms 
in  the  state,  in  a rich,  deep  loam.  The  higher  farms  on  the 
uplands  between  the  valleys  are  based  on  a yellowish  loam  for 
sub-soil,  and  are  fertile  and  reliable  for  the  usual  crops.  Some 
of  them  are  sightly  and  command  very  picturesque  landscapes, 
extending  over  the  valleys  with  which  the  township  is  nearly 
surrounded.  The  surface  is  from  undulating  to  rolling.  Beau- 
tiful residences,  surrounded  with  groves,  from  which  stretch 
rich  and  highly  cultivated  farms,  prevail  through  the  township. 
The  earliest  settlers,  who  had  come  from  countries  wooded  and 
watered,  were  not  familiar  with  the  advantages  of  prairie  land, 
and  consequently  Featherstone  was  not  settled  until  settlements 
of  considerable  size  had  sprung  up  in  some  of  the  other  localities 
* in  the  county. 

The  township  was  named  from  William  Featherstone  and  his 
extensive  family,  who  came  here  with  a number  of  farm  hands  to 
assist  him  in  breaking  the  land,  in  1856.  He  was  not,  however, 
the  actual  first  settler,  as  in  1855  John  Spencer,  Philip  Storkel 
and  the  Messrs.  Goldsmith  and  Coleman  had  staked  out  claims 
and  started  to  cultivate  the  land.  Other  early  settlers  were 


169 


170 


I-IISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


William  Freyberger,  George  Featherstone,  J.  Meacham  and  Rev. 
John  Watson. 

William  Featherstone,  in  relating  some  incidents  of  the  early 
days,  not  many  years  ago,  said  that  he  broke  a claim  in  1856, 
but  that  a portion  of  his  land  had  been  broken  the  year  before 
by  others.  He  sowed  ten  bushels  of  fife  wheat  which  he  had 
brought  from  Canada,  the  first  seed  wheat  of  that  kind  in  this 
section  of  the  country.  His  first  crop  yielded  but  eighteen 
bushels  to  the  acre.  He  sold  what  wheat  he  could  spare  for  seed, 
broke  up  170  acres  more  of  land  and  sowed  the  next  year, 
receiving  a yield  of  about  twenty-four  bushels  to  the  acre.  The 
larger  portion  of  this  crop  was  also  sold  for  seed.  This  is  claimed 
by  some  writers  to  have  been  the  origin  of  “hard  wheat”  in 
this  state,  but  the  same  honor  has  been  claimed  for  other 
localities. 

The  first  death  in  the  township  was  that  of  a Mr.  McMahon, 
who  perished  from  exposure  on  his  attempting  to  return  from 
Red  Wing  on  a cold  night  in  January,  1857.  The  first  marriage 
was  that  of  James  A.  Jones  and  Mary  Libby,  daughter  of  William 
Libby,  the  ceremony  being  performed  by  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Han- 
cock. The  first  school  was  taught  in  the  summer  of  1856  by 
Mary  Cox,  in  a claim  shanty,  the  location  of  which  later  passed 
into  the  hands  of  Henry  Featherstone. 

October  21,  1857,  William  Libby  called  a school  meeting.  F. 
N.  Leavitt  was  chosen  chairman  and  George  Featherstone  clerk. 
The  first  board  of  trustees  consisted  of  William  Freyberger, 
William  Libby  and  William  Watson.  William  Featherstone  was 
clerk,  making  a board  composed  entirely  of  Williams.  Although 
the  district  comprised  nearly  the  whole  township,  there  were 
but  seventeen  children  of  legal  school  age.  The  first  schoolhouse 
was  built  in  the  winter  of  1857-58  at  a cost  of  $250.  The  first 
church  service  was  held  at  the  home  of  William  Featherstone  in 
1856.  In  1862  the  Methodists  built  a church  edifice,  26xJ0,  at  a 
cost  of  $1,000.  Hay  Creek  mills,  on  Hay  creek,  were  built  in  the 
early  days  by  a German  pioneer  named  Kotzube,  who  afterward 
sold  out  to  Messrs.  Cogelt  and  Betcher,  of  Red  Wing.  In  1866 
Ezekiel  Burleigh  opened  a hotel,  but  failing  to  secure  a license, 
he  closed  the  place,  finding  that  the  patronage  was  too  limited 
to  support  a “dry”  hotel. 

A list  has  been  preserved  of  the  voters  at  the  first  election, 
held  July  5,  1858.  They  were:  John  Watson,  F.  N.  Leavitt, 

Philip  Rounds,  George  AYooley,  William  Libby,  Ernest  Rosa, 
Benjamin  Jones,  David  Coverdale,  Calvin  Frizzell,  John  Watson, 
William  Featherstone,  Jonathan  R.  Perkins,  Id.  B.  AYooley, 
Charles  Perkins,  C.  Rosa,  Edward  McMahon,  Samuel  P.  Snow, 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1T1 


John  Gennis,  William  Freyberger,  A.  D.  Roberts  and  Joseph  Friz- 
zell. The  election  resulted  as  follows:  Supervisors,  William 

Freyberger  (chairman),  S.  P.  Snow,  Harlow  Rogers;  assessor, 
A.  D.  Roberts;  justices  of  the  peace,  William  Libby,  L.  Snow; 
constables,  W.  H.  Featherstone,  Charles  Perkins ; town  clerk, 
John  Watson;  collector,  IT.  B.  Wooley;  overseer  of  poor,  William 

L.  Watson;  overseers  of  highways,  J.  R.  Perkins,  J.  C.  Arnold, 
George  Wooley,  Gotleib  Buholtz,  William  Featherstone. 

Among  the  early  chairmen  of  supervisors  were  William  Frey- 
berger, F.  N.  Leavitt,  William  Freyberger,  George  Feather- 
stone, F.  N.  Leavitt  (three  terms),  William  Freyberger.  The 
early  town  clerks  were  John  Watson  (two  terms),  A.  D.  Roberts, 
John  Watson ( three  terms).  George  Featherstone  (two  terms). 

Featherstone ’s  contribution  to  the  Civil  War  consisted  of  R. 
N.  Aakers,  George  Cook,  W.  PI.  Featherstone,  Edwin  A.  Fessen- 
den, August  F.  Greed,  Owen  Gallagher,  Lemuel  Herbert,  Charles 
Johnson,  Francis  McMahon,  N.  P.  Malmberg,  Thomas  Pallas, 
Frank  PI.  Peterson,  William  Edson  Rice,  John  Suiter,  Samuel 
Smith,  Benjamin  J.  Taylor,  Harvey  Van  Auken,  C.  IT.  Watson, 
Robert  Chateriek,  Robert  Callihan,  James  Cramand,  Sewell  Ells- 
worth.  Andrew  J.  Ellis,  August  L.  Green,  Isaac-  AY.  Stewart, 
Franklin  J.  Gale,  Perry  Gilmore,  John  C.  Hilt,  John  Hallivers-, 
Patrick  Ogo,  Henry  Jones,  Nathan  Levy,  John  Livingston,  D. 

M.  McDole,  John  A.  Murray,  James  Nelson,  William  Piper,  Frank 
Rayher,  Charles  Rye,  William  J.  Skinner,  John  Thompson,  AA7ill- 
iam  Maloy,  Charles  W.  Wixon.  Frank  IP.  Wright,  Alvin  H. 
AA7alter,  William  Trippe,  John  Moore,  AYatson  S.  Tilton,  AAralter 
Carter,  Redden  II.  Everett,  Anson  C.  Smith,  Joseph  R.  Scpiire, 
Ezra  Sheldon,  Thomas  T.  Kennedy.  Hiram  Niell,  Edward  Smith, 
Freeman  D.  James,  Elias  C.  McCrorey,  Daniel  H.  Robinson.  Tolak 
Oleson,  John  Arnold,  Joseph  Depp,  Joseph  Katthoff,  Anthony 
Leland,  Frederick  Schmidt,  Richard  Britton,  Jacob  Banlig,  An- 
drew Baker,  Charles  Baker,  Benjamin  Bevins,  Thomas  Carr, 
Thomas  Hope,  George  E.  Hanson,  Albert  Savage,  Nelson  Moriset, 
Ernest  Pfefferle,  Mathias  Schabert,  Horace  K.  Blake. 

At  the  present  time  agriculture  is  practically  the  only  occu- 
pation carried  on  in  the  township.  There  are  several  fine  schools, 
and  the  township  is  noted  for  the  teachers  and  professional  men 
who  have  received  their  boyhood  education  within  its  borders. 
The  town  has  a Methodist  church  and  a neat  town  hall,  well 
suited  for  public  gatherings.  On  Trout  brook,  in  the  northeast- 
ern part  of  the  town  large  mills  were  once  erected  for  the 
purposes  of  a tannery  and  sugar  mill  and  were  owned  by  J.  E. 
Porter,  but  are  now  demolished.  There  was  once  a postoffice, 
Burley,  in  this  township. 


172 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


FLORENCE  TOWNSHIP. 

Florence  constitutes  all  of  township  112,  range  13,  lying  in 
Goodhue  county.  A portion  of  W acoota  bounds  it  on  the  north, 
Lake  Pepin  forms  its  northeastern  border  for  a distance  of  many 
miles.  Central  Point  also  lies  to  the  east.  At  the  south  is 
Wabasha  county,  and  on  the  west  is  Hay  Creek.  The  township 
was  organized  under  the  general  act  of  1858,  with  its  present 
boundaries.  It  was  named  in  honor  of  Florence  Graham,  daugh- 
ter of  Judge  Chris.  Graham,  of  Red  Wing. 

The  surface  is  broken  and  hilly,  with  deep  valleys  running 
westward  from  Lake  Pepin.  In  sections  3 and  8 there  is  consider- 
able peat,  and  it  is  probable  that  this  deposit  in  various  parts 
of  the  township  is  much  more  plentiful  than  is  generally  sup- 
posed. The  soil  is  fertile,  well  watered  by  Wells’  creek,  Avhich, 
with  its  many  tributaries,  has  a general  course  from  west  to 
east.  The  farmers  of  the  township  pay  particular  attention 
to  stock  raising  and  dairying,  and  have  achieved  some  remark- 
able results  along  these  lines. 

The  early  history  is  identical  with  that  of  Frontenac,  and 
reaches  back  to  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth  century.  The 
following  is  a list  of  the  township  officers  in  the  earlier  days  of 
its  organization,  the  first  named  under  each  date  being  the  chair- 
man, the  next  two  supervisors,  and  the  last  the  clerk:  1858— L. 
II.  Garrard,  E.  Z.  K.  Munger,  L.  Utley,  Peter  Grant.  1860 — H. 
F.  Simmons,  William  Arnold,  E.  Z.  K.  Munger,  Calvin  Potter. 
1861 — II.  F.  Simmons,  E.  Z.  K.  Munger,  William  Arnold,  J.  A. 
Owens.  1862 — E.  Z.  K.  Munger,  J.  C.  Bennewitz,  John  Wear, 
W.  E.  Lowell.  1863 — J.  C.  Bennewitz,  S.  R.  Merrill,  J.  D.  Spin- 
ney, AY.  E.  Lowell.  1864 — J.  C.  Bennewitz,  J.  D.  Spinney,  Rufus 
Dennin,  W.  E.  Lowell.  1865 — G.  Terwillinger,  0.  P.  Francisco, 
L.  IT.  Garrard,  IJ.  Lorentzen.  1866 — G.  Terwilliger,  0.  P.  Fran- 
cisco, Jeptha  Garrard,  IT.  Lorentzen.  1867 — Calvin  Potter,  N. 

C.  McLean,  David  Walker,  IT.  Lorentzen.  1868 — G.  Terwilliger, 

D.  AYalker,  R.  Menzel,  H.  Lorentzen.  1869 — G.  Terwilliger, 

D.  Walker,  R.  Menzel,  II.  Lorentzen.  1870 — G.  Terwilliger, 

R.  Menzel,  J.  Holliday,  IT.  Lorentzen.  1871— Eliab  Munger, 

E.  C.  Eaton,  D.  Walker,  J.  C.  Bennewitz.  1872 — Eliab 
Munger,  E.  C.  Eaton,  John  Nute,  FI.  Lorentzen.  1873 — John 
Nute,  William  Stroup,  John  Colby,  II.  Lorentzen.  1874 — John 
Nute,  John  Colby,  D.  G.  IJeggie,  LI.  Lorentzen.  1875 — Same  as 
previous  year.  1876 — D.  G.  Heggie,  John  Sauter,  IT.  J.  Morch, 
II.  Lorentzen.  1877 — G.  Terwilliger,  John  Sauter,  John  Colby, 
IT.  Lorentzen.  1878 — G.  Terwilliger,  John  Sauter,  John  Nute,  II. 
Lorentzen. 

Those  who  enlisted  in  the  Civil  AYar  from . Florence  were: 


HISTORY.  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


173 


John  Arden,  Michael  Ackerman,  Henry  Burritt,  Oscar  II.  Free- 
man, Daniel  AY.  Floss,  Cyrus  IT.  Gould,  John  Hager,  Englebert 
Haller,  Charles  Hurcler,  Joseph  Harrison,  Casper  Koch,  Henry 
M.  Libby,  Harry  Lowell,  G.  A.  Grandsbrand,  Warren  Hunt, 
Ephraim  Harrison,  Emsley  Hamilton,  George  W.  Hall,  Asa  Howe, 
Russell  A.  Johnson,  John  A.  Jackson,  Ira  A.  Lynch,  John  Mc- 
Donald, Ole  Nelson,  Hiram  M.  Powers,  Franklin  Kelley,  Theo- 
dore E.  Freeman,  John  S.  Harrison,  Peter  Connelly,  Jefferson 
Cates,  Michael  Doyle,  Jonathan  A.  Ingham,  James  B.  Moor- 
house,  Wilson  A.  Montgomery,  William  Honk,  Joseph  E.  Mabey, 
Horace  B.  Randall,  Vulkert  Warring,  Eli  N.  Lewis,  James 
Mitchell,  James  Owens,  George  Pliinney,  Nicholas  Schierard, 
Jacob  Schneider,  J.  Iv.  Smith,  Joseph  Tapper,  Oscar  Williams, 
P.  II.  Weaver,  Ezra  B.  Andrus,  Isaac  Cate,  Justus  Chase,  Asa 
Daily,  Samuel  Davis,  Edwin  C.  Eaton,  Gustav  Sandberg,  Jona- 
than Toms,  Joseph  C.  Eldred,  Charles  H.  McCamland,  Dewitt  C. 
Smith,  Sylvester  Dunsmore,  Sylvester  T.  Bush,  John  R.  Winchell,. 
Charles  AVillson,  Orson  A.  Warren,  Jasper  M.  Woodward,  Will- 
iam Hemter,  Andrew  More,  Horace  M.  Johnson,  Newton  Williams,, 
Cornelius  AY.  Warring,  Mead  M.  Milo,  George  AY.  Colby,  Charles 
F.  Church,  William  A.  Brack,  Jomes  Coffman,  Jabez  M.  AYhitney, 
Judson  Watson,  Michael  Hanley,  John  Johnson,  Thomas  Mc- 
Govin.  William  Morgan,  Melvin  B.  Blasdell,  Josiah  Wood,  Benja- 
min F.  Covington. 

FRONTENAC.  . 

Frontenac,  rich  in  historic  traditions,  and  decorated  by  the 
hand  of  Nature  in  her  most  lavish  mood,  dates  its  settlement 
back  to  the  beginning  of  the  eighteenth  century,  when  the  sandy 
point  directly  opposite  Maiden  Rock  was  the  scene  of  much 
French  activity.  It  is  situated  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the 
town  of  Florence,  on  beautiful  terraces  rising  from  the  level  of 
Lake  Pepin.  Above  the  village  rises  the  towering  peak  of  Point 
No-Point,  so  called  from  the  fact  that  the  winding  of  the  lake 
is  such  that  the  approaching  traveler  from  down  the  river,  after 
sighting  the  point  from  six  or  seven  miles  away,  gets  apparently 
no  nearer  to  it  until  he  reaches  Frontenac  and  finds  himself  at 
its  very  base. 

Maiden  Rock,  opposite  Point  an  Sable,  has  the  common 
Indian  tradition  of  the  maiden  who,  forbidden  to  marry  her  lover, 
leaped  to  her  death  from  its  precipitous  height.  The  story,  told 
in  a breezy  manner  in  a newspaper  some  years  ago,  is  pei’haps 
more  interesting  reading  than  the  same  story  related  in  more1 
dignified  language.  The  story  alluded  to  is  as  follows:  “A 

Dakotah  maiden,  Wenona,  camped  at  the  foot  of  the  rock  with 
her  family  once  upon  a time,  as  they  say  in  the  fairy  tales. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE- COUNTY 


174 

Wenona  was  a very  beautiful  maiden.  Maidens  who  are  heroines 
of  romantic  tales  are  always  beautiful,  no  matter  what  their  color 
may  be.  Of  course  Wenona  had  lovers.  There  was  a rich  old 
chief  who  had  polecat  skins  without  number,  and  ponies  and 
whatever  else  in  the  way  of  personal  .possessions  that,  made  an 
Indian  a desirable  suitor  in  those  days.  To  be  sure,  he  was  old, 
but  that  did  not  matter — in  the  eyes  of  Wenona ’s  parents. 
Wenona  herself  had  given  her  young  heart  and  love  to  a brave 
and  handsome  warrior  named  Chaska,  who,  however,  being 
young,  had  not  yet  had  time  to  accumulate  polecat  skins,  and  so 
on.  He  was  therefore'  not  at  all  desirable  in  the  eyes  of  the 
parents,  as  is  often  the  case  with  poor  young  lovers  and  prudent 
old  folks.  The  maiden’s  parents  argued  that  love  is  an  illusion, 
and  that  wealth,  represented  by  polecats  or  any  other  commodity, 
is  a very  substantial  fact,  which  is  a very  foolish  thing  for  a 
maiden  to  ignore.  So  these  cruel  parents  forbade  their  daughter 
to  see  the  young  brave  any  more  and  insisted  that  she  marry 
the  rich  old  chief  with  the  pelts.  They  thought  that  settled  the 
question;  but  a few  evenings  later  there  came  floating  down 
from  the  summit  of  the  Rock,  nearly  a hundred  feet  higher,  the 
death  song  of  the  heart-broken  and  faithful  Wenona.  When  it 
was  finished  the  maid  leaped  out  and  fell,  a bruised  and  broken 
corpse,  on  the  jagged  rocks  below,  almost  at  the  feet  of  her 
heartless  parents.”  James  Wells,  the  Indian  trader,  and  others 
acquainted  with  Indian  character  and  ways,  were  asked  some 
fifty  years  ago  what  they  thought  of  this  tradition,  but  all  agreed 
that  it  was  unlike  the  Indian,  and  that  the  Indians  themselves 
put  little  faith  in  the  story.  Moreover,  Chaska  and  Wenona  are 
names  signifying  simply  the  oldest  born  son  and  daughter, 
respectively,  and  occurred  in  every  Dakota  family. 

Modern  Frontenac  had  a beginning  in  the  late  forties  of  the 
nineteenth  century,  when  the  old  Indian  trader,  James  Wells, 
more  familiarly  known  as  “Bully”  Wells.  Wells  sold  his  bujld- 
ing  in  1854  to  Everett  Westervelt,  and  removed  to  Fairbault, 
afterward  meeting  with  a tragic  fate  at  the  hands  of  the  Sioux 
during  the  frontier  outbreak  of  1862.  In  October  of  that  year 
Israel  Garrard  and  Louis  Garrard  spent  some  time  along  the 
shores  of  Lake  Pepin,  and  greatly  prepossessed  with  the  historic 
associations  and  beautiful  scenery,  concluded  to  secure  an  inter- 
est along  the  lake  shore.  Dr.  L.  H.  Garrard  went  to  Europe, 
where  he  remained  two  years,  while  General  Israel  Garrard, 
afterward  one  of  the  county’s  most  distinguished  citizens,  re- 
mained at  the  trading  post  with  Everett  Westervelt.  In  1857, 
when  the  half-breed  scrip  was  issued,  Frontenac  was  purchased 
by  Mr.  Westervelt  and  Israel  Garrard  and  divided  into  quarter 
interests,  Mr.  Westervelt  owning  one,  L.  H.  Garrard  one,  Israel 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


175 


Garrard  one,  and  Kennet  Garrard,  then  in  the  United  States 
army,  the  other  quarter.  General  Garrard  established  what  was 
practically  a baronial  estate  at  Frontenac,  naming  it  St.  Hubert  ’s 
lodge.  For  ages  to  come,  the  village  of  Frontenac,  on  the  lake- 
side, will  be  inseparably  connected  with  the  names  of  General 
Israel.  Dr.  L.  H.,  General  Kenner  and  Colonel  Jeptha  Garrard, 
and  with  that  of  General  McLean,  the  mother  of  the  Garrards 
having  married  his  father,  Judge  McLean.  Among  the  guests 
at  St.  Hubert’s  have  been  such  celebrities  as  General  Charles 
King,  the  popular  novelist,  and  Joseph  Jefferson,  the  great  actor, 
as  well  as  innumerable  army  officers  of  national  note. 

Frontenac  at  the  present  time  is  a popular  summer  resort. 
The  Frontenac  Inn  occupies  a point  projecting  into  the  lake, 
consisting  of  several  acres  of  ground.  About  this  hotel  are 
cottages  in  picturesque  positions,  and  in  the  neighborhood  are 
croquet  and  tennis  lawns,  boat  houses,  bathing  houses  and  stables. 
There  are  line  opportunities  for  boating,  fishing  and  hunting, 
which  have  won  for  the  place  a national  prominence.  There  are 
charming  drives  to  the  fine  points  of  view  on  the  surrounding 
bluffs  on  good  roads.  The  drive  along  the  lake  shore,  six  miles 
to  Lake  City,  affords  many  a delightful  prospect.  An  Episco- 
palian chapel  offers  opportunities  for  Sabbath  worship.  Near 
by  is  the  Villa  Maria  school  for  girls,  conducted  by  the  Ursuline 
sisters. 

Frontenac  Inn,  one  of  the  most  desirable  summer  resorts  on 
the  Mississippi  river,  is  managed  by  Celestine  M.  Schaller,  whose 
able  conduct  of  the  place  is  bringing  back  to  Frontenac  some  of 
the  prominence  which  in  former  days  it  occupied  in  the  summer 
plans  of  people  in  search  of  rest,  amusement  or  recreation.  It 
is  a comfortable  building,  with  airy  rooms,  plenty  of  sunshine 
and  with  a beautiful  view  from  every  window.  Situated  along 
a picturesque  drive  are  a number  of  roomy  and  comfortable 
cottages  which  are  used  by  the  guests  of  the  Inn.  The  Inn  and 
the  cottages  are  surrounded  by  a beautiful  park.  Fishing,  boat- 
ing, croquet,  tennis  and  dancing  are  among  the  amusements 
offered,  while  those  who  enjoy  walks  and  drives  can  find  no  more 
picturesque  surroundings.  Many  of  the  large  Mississippi  boats 
stop  at  the  Inn  and  a buss  connects  the  place  with  the  railroad 
at  Frontenac  station.  The  table  at  the  Inn  is  widely  known  for 
its  excellence.  Miss  Schaller  is  a capable  manager,  and  the  place 
is  being  improved  year  by  year  under  her  direction. 

Frontenac  Station  is  on  the  S.  M.  & St.  Paul  railway,  twelve 
miles  south  of  Red  Wing.  It  has  a German  Lutheran  church,  a 
stone  yard,  a grain  elevator,  a saloon,  general  stores  and  black- 
smiths. The  town  hall  is  also  located  in  this  village.  The  stone 
quarries  are  worthy  of  extended  note.  The  stone  is  of  a light 


176 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


cream  color  and  is  used  in  large  quantities  for  building  pur- 
poses, tombstones  and  monuments.  George  W.  Garrard  is  the 
owner. 

The  Frontenac  stone  quarry  has  been  operated  more  or  less 
since  the  early  fifties.  Its  light  cream  stone,  used  for  general 
ornamental  work,  is  noted  throughout  the  United  States,  and  is 
used  in  the  interior  of  the  Cathedral  of  St.  John  the  Divine,  the 
great  church  of  the  Episcopal  denomination  in  New  York,  and 
one  of  the  handsomest  church  edifices  in  America,  which  will 
cause  its  praises  to  be  sung  by  countless  generations  to  come. 
Among  three  hundred  samples  of  stone  submitted,  from  the  best 
quarries  in  the  world,  the  Frontenac  stone  was  selected  as  being 
the  most  suited  for  interior  work  of  the  most  exquisite  nature. 
Other  smaller  contracts  have  all  shown  the  adaptability  and 
beauty  of  this  stone.  George  Wood  Garrard,  the  owner  and 
manager  of  the  quarry,  has  taken  an  artistic  as  well  as  a busi- 
ness interest  in  the  Frontenac  product. 

General  Israel  Garrard,  for  nearly  half  a century  the  patri- 
archal sage  and  patron  of  Frontenac,  was  probably  a man  of 
wider  and  more  distinguished  fame  than  anyone  else  who  has 
resided  in  this  county.  Of  him  it  has  well  been  said:  “General 
Garrard  was  beloved  by  all  who  knew  him,  for  his  kindly  and 
courtly  manner  toward  all — for  he  was  a peer  among  the  finished 
gentlemen  of  his  age — and  by  many  he  was  regarded  with  a love 
that,  could  but  spring  from  hearts  that  had  been  soothed  in 
times  of,  tribulation  and  distress  by  his  more  than  generous 
sympathy  and  substantial  assistance.  The  extent  of  his  benevo- 
lence, touching  the  needs  of  scores  of  the  distressed  in  this  region 
and  elsewhere,  will  never  be  fully  known.  For,  though  his  lib- 
erality to  all  who  were  in  distress  is  known  to  have  been  munifi- 
cent, and  far-reaching,  he  was  one  who  never  permitted  his  loving 
kindness  to  be  noised  about.” 

Israel  Garrard  was  born  in  Lexington,  Ky.,  October  22,  1825, 
the  oldest  son  of  Jeptha  D.  Garrard  and  Sarah  Bella  Ludlow, 
his  wife.  He  was  descended  on  the  paternal  side  from  James 
Garrard,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  and  governors  of  Kentucky, 
and  on  the  maternal  side  from  Israel  Ludlow,  one  of  the  original 
proprietors  of  the  townsite  of  Cincinnati.  As  a boy  Israel  Gar- 
rard was  a pupil  of  Ormsby  M.  Mitchell,  afterward  attending 
Cary’s  Academy  and  also  Bethany  College  in  West  Virginia. 
He  read  law  with  Judge  Swayne,  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  gradu- 
ated from  the  Harvard  law  school,  at  Cambridge,  Mass.  At  the 
age  of  twenty-nine,  in  company  with  Dr.  Louis  H.  Garrard, 
General  Garrard  came  into  the  wilds  of  Minnesota  on  a hunting 
trip.  For  several  weeks  he  camped  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Pepin, 
and  being  impressed  with  its  beauties,  determined  to  make  the 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


177 


spot  his  future  home.  He  took  up  a tract  of  land  several  hundred 
acres  in  extent,  running  for  over  seven  miles  along  the  shore, 
and  over  half  as  far  back  from  the  water.  This  land  was  in 
the  famous  half-breed  tract,  and  Colonel  Garrard  obtained  it 
from  the  old  Jean  Baptiste  Faribault,  paying  for  the  half-breed 
scrip  to  the  old  French-Indian,  on  the  spot  where  the  city  of 
Faribault  now  stands.  The  original  hunting  trip  was  made  in 
the  fall  of  1854,  and  the  purchase  was  confirmed  in  1857.  After 
the  hunting  trip  in  1854  Dr.  Garrard  went  to  Europe  for  two 
years,  while  General  Gain-arc!  remained  at  Frontenac  with 
Everett  Westervelt,  the  successor  of  James  Wells,  the  Indian 
trader.  In  1857,  when  the  half-breed  scrip  was  issued  and  the 
purchase  of  Frontenac  was  made,  the  Garrard  tract  was  divided 
into  quarters,  Everett  Westervelt  owning  one,  Dr.  Garrard  one, 
Israel  Garrard  one,  and  Kenner  Garrard,  then  in  the  amy, 
another.  General  Garrard  at  once  started  the  establishment  of 
St.  Hubert’s  lodge.  The  lodge,  now  owned  by  his  son,  is  a quaint 
mansion,  built  after  the  style  of  the  old  southern  houses  of  ante- 
bellum days.  A stag’s  head  with  a cross  between  the  antlers 
is  the  coat  of  arms  of  the  residence,  after  the  patron  of  hunters, 
St.  Hubert,  who,  having  as  a roysterer  dared  to  desecrate  Good 
Friday  by  a riotous  hunt,  was  stopped  by  a spirit  stag  with  a 
crucifix  on  his  forehead,  after  which  the  knight,  awe-struck 
dropped  on  his  knees  in  the  forest,  surrounded  by  his  retainers, 
and  devoted  his  life  to  the  cause  of  religion,  the  wild  hunters 
becoming  monks,  and  Hubert  their  abbot,  the  castle  being  con- 
verted into  a monastery.  Albert  Durer,  the  father  of  etching, 
long  ago  portrayed  the  scene,  and  a lieleotype  of  the  etching, 
from  the  Gray  collection  at  Harvard,  occupies  a place  of  honor 
in  the  library  of  the  Garrard  mansion.  Around  St.  Hubert’s 
lodge  at  Frontenac  were  gradually  erected  small  cottages,  in 
which  were  domiciled  the  working  people  of  the  estate.  These 
were  brought  from  Cincinnati  by  General  Garrard  and  were, 
almost  without  exception,  Germans. 

When  the  Rebellion  broke  out,  General  Garrard,  faithful  to 
the  Union,  hurried  south.  He  raised  a troop  of  cavalry  at  Cin- 
cinnati, equipped  it  at  his  own  expense  and  then  presented  it 
to  the  governor  of  Ohio.  Of  this  regiment,  the  Seventh  Ohio 
Cavalry,  he  was  the  colonel,  having  had  some  previous  experi- 
ence during  the  siege  of  Cincinnati,  on  the  staff  of  Major 
McDowell,  commanding  the  organization  of  city  and  state  forces. 
After  the  mustering  in  of  his  regiment,  until  the  close  of  the 
Avar,  he  was  absent  from  the  field  but  eight  days,  and  then  his 
command  Avas  in  camp  recruiting.  He  commanded  a brigade 
much  of  the  time,  and  after  the  capture  of  Stoneman  on  the 
Macon  raid  before  Atlanta  he  commanded  AA'liat  remained  of  the 


178 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


division.  June  21,  1865,  he  was  promoted  to  brigadier  general 
by  brevet,  and  on  July  4 of  the  same  year  he  Avas  mustered  out. 
On  taking  leave  of  his  regiment  he  Avas  presented  Avith  a cavalry 
standard,  on  which  was  embroidered  the  following  epitome  of 
his  service : Carter  Raid,  Dutton  Hill,  Monticello,  West’s  Gap, 

Nuffington  Island,  Cumberland  Gap,  Blue  Springs,  Blountville, 
Rogersville,  Morristown,  Cheek’s  Cross  Roads,  Bean  Station, 
Dandridge,  Massy  Creek,  Fair  Garden,  Synthiana,  Atlanta,  Duck 
River,  Nashville,  Plantersville,  Selma  and  Columbus.”  On  the 
plate  on  the  staff  is  an  inscription  expressing  the  regiment’s 
confidence  in  him  as  a leader  and  its  respect  for  him  as  a patriot 
and  gentleman. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  the  general  returned  to  Frontenac, 
and  with  occasional  trips  to  the  East,  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life  on  his  estate.  He  loved  books  and  Avas  a great  reader.  His 
generosity  Avas  proverbial  among  the  people  of  southern  Min- 
nesota. He  Avas  a member  of  no  church,  but  contributed  to  all. 
He  almost  supported  the  little  Episcopalian  chapel,  and  the 
Lutherans  found  him  a willing  contributor.  He  gave  the  Ursu- 
line  sisters  100  acres  of  land  on  which  to  build  their  convent, 
and  there  are  few  rooms  in  the  building  that  do  not  contain 
some  article  presented  by  him.  The  general  Avas  a most  hospit- 
able man  and  entertained  many  well  known  people  at  St.  Hubert’s 
lodge.  General  Charles  King  Avas  a frequent  guest,  and  several 
of  his  popular  novels  Avere  Avritten  while  at  St.  Hubert’s.  General 
King  was  so  impressed  by  the  beauty  of  Frontenac  that  he  made 
the  cottages  and  hotel  the  scene  of  several  stories.  Joseph  Jeffer- 
son made  St.  Hubert’s  his  headquarters  for  many  a fishing 
excursion,  and  the  army  officers  always  found  the  latch  string 
hanging  outward.  General  Garrard  was  very  fond  of  military 
men,  liis  active  service  having  given  him  an  interest  in  them 
which  Avas  shared  by  his  two  brothers.  General  Kenner  Garrard 
and  Colonel  Jeptha  Garrard.  The  former  was  a West  Point 
graduate,  and  the  latter,  like  his  brother  Israel,  presented  a troop 
of  cavalry  to  his  governor. 

Israel  Garrard  was  married  in  May.  1856,  to  Catherine  Wood, 
the  oldest  daughter  of  George  Wood,  a distinguished  Noav  York 
lawyer.  To  this  union  were  born  two  children,  George  Wood 
Garrard  and  Margaret  Hills  Garrard.  The  general  died  Sep- 
tember 21,  1901,  as  the  result  of  injuries  received  while  extin- 
guishing a fire  caused  by  an  overturned  lamp.  He  is  laid  to  rest 
in  the  family  cemetery,  the  spot  being  one  which  he  and  his  Avife 
selected  many  years  ago.  In  his  death  the  county  lost  a dis- 
tinguished citizen,  hundreds  lost  a warm  friend,  and  his  genera- 
tion lost  a most  kindly  and  noble  soul.  Mrs.  Garrard  died 
January  12,  1867. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


179 


George  Wood  Garrard,  son  of  General  Israel  Garrard,  was 
born  in  Peekskill,  N.  Y.,  August  20,  1863.  He  was  educated  at 
Morgan  Park  Military  Academy,  Chicago  111.,  and  supplemented 
this  training  with  extensive  travels  in  Europe  and  the  Orient. 
Like  his  father,  he  has  been  a collector,  and  the  Garrard 
mansion  now  contains  many  relics  and  works  of  art  which  he  has 
added  to  the  family  heirlooms.  His  collection  of  Japanese  curios 
is  particularly  interesting.  Mr.  Garrard  has  devoted  his  life  to 
managing  the  Garrard  estates,  and  at  the  present  time  is  manager 
and  owner  of  the  Frontenac  Stone  Company,  mentioned  else- 
where. He  was  married  in  1889,  October  31,  to  Virginia  Colden 
Hoffman,  daughter  of  Lindley  Murray  Hoffman,  a prominent 
New  York  broker,  and  his  wife,  Margaret  Mott.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  George  Wood  Garrard  have  been  born  three  daughters, 
Beulah  Murray,  Evelyn  Stuart  and  Catherine  Wood,  all  at  home. 

GOODHUE  TOWNSHIP. 

Goodhue  comprises  township  No.  Ill,  range  15,  and  was 
originally  a part  of  Belvidere,  the  combined  township  having 
been  known  as  Elmira,  York  and  Belvidere,  successively,  the 
latter  name  being  retained  by  the  half  included  in  section  14 
to  the  present  day.  Goodhue  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Feather- 
stone,  on  the  east  by  Belvidere,  on  the  south  by  Zumbrota  and 
on  the  west  by  Belle  Creek.  In  the  western  part  there  is  an 
outrunning  of  Trenton  limestone,  making  a high  table  land.  The 
remainder  of  the  township  is  lower,  with  broad  valleys  and  some 
ridges.  There  are  no  big  streams,  and  the  soil  throughout  the 
township  is  of  good  quality  and  ivell  adapted  for  the  usual  crops. 

The  first,  settlement  in  the  township  was  in  1854,  when  Francis 
Yergens  and  John  Mann  came  in  and  staked  out  claims,  built 
cabins  and  started  to  establish  their  homes  in  the  wilderness. 
The  succeeding  year  these  two  were  followed  by  David  Hickock, 
John  Ingerbretson,  Harry  Danielson,  Oliver  Knutson  and  Knut 
Knutson.  David  Hickock  and  John  Mann  opened  their  houses 
for  the  accommodation  of  travelers.  Peter  Easterly  came  in 
1856  and  finding  that  Hickock  and  Mann  each  had  more  business 
than  they  could  attend  to,  opened  another  hotel,  which  also  had 
its  full  share  of  business  for  many  years.  Some  time  later 
Hickock  and  Mann  both  abandoned  the  business,  and  for  a con- 
siderable period  Easterly  kept  the  only  public  house  in  the  place. 

The  first  birth  in  Goodhue  was  in  1855,  when  a child  was 
born  to  Mrs.  Francis  Yergens,  which  was  christened  Henry. 
The  wife  of  Daniel  Hickock  died  in  1856,  this  being  the  first 
death  in  the  township.  The  Rev.  Jabez  Brooks  officiated  at  this 
service,  and  the  sermon  lie  preached  on  the  occasion  was  the 


180 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


first  religious  observance  of  a public  nature  in  the  town.  The 
first  school  was  taught  by  Georgiette  Easterly  in  the  summer  of 
1857.  In  1858  H.  H.  Oleson  opened  a blacksmith  shop,  which 
was  the  only  one  in  the  township  until  1868,  when  a man  named 
Mutz  built  a shop  near  Easterly’s  hotel.  In  the  spring  of  1867 
the  Goodhue  Seed  Association  was  organized  for  the  purpose 
of  receiving  the  advantages  of  a combination  which  would  pro- 
cure seeds  and  other  articles  at  wholesale  instead  of  retail  prices. 
The  officers  of  the  association  were : President,  Samuel  Parker ; 
secretary,  Harrison  Lowater ; treasurer,  T.  M.  Lowater. 

In  the  earlier  days  church  services  were  held  at  the  homes 
of  the  settlers ; sometimes  in  charge  of  a clergyman,  but  more 
often  conducted  by  some  of  the  pioneers  themselves.  An  early 
church  was  the  German  Lutheran  church,  organized  in  the  spring 
of  1868  by  the  Rev.  Christian  Bender.  At  that  time  it  had  but 
seven  members:  A.  Seeback,  Gotlieb  Seeback,  R.  Haas,  Charles 
Semke,  William  Betcher,  Herman  Kempe  and  Peter  Tipke.  A 
church  was  built  the  same  year  at  a cost  of  $500.  Rev.  Mr. 
Bender  preached  the  dedicatory  service  the  last  Sunday  in 
August.  Later  a new  church,  36x50,  was  erected  at  a cost  of 
about  $2,500. 

At  a meeting  held  at  the  home  of  Peter  Easterly,  April  5, 
1859,  of  the  voters  of  that  part  of  Belvidere  lying  in  section 
15,  the  matter  of  a separate  township  was  favorably  acted  upon 
and  the  following  officers  were  elected  tentatively:  Supervisors, 
P.  Easterly  (chairman),  Ezra  Bennett,  Sylvester  Cranson;  town 
clerk,  John  Stowe;  collector,  F.  Cranson;  assessor,  Sylvester 
Cranson ; overseer  of  the  poor,  II.  B.  Patterson.  At  the  same 
meeting  it  was  voted  to  call  the  neAV  town  Goodhue,  after  the 
county.  A petition  was  prepared  and  this  having  been  granted, 
September  13,  1859,  township  111,  range  14,  was  constituted  a 
separate  body,  with  the  proviso  that  the  name  be  either  Lime 
or  Goodhue.  For  a short  time  the  township  was  known  as  Lime. 
J.  Going,  then  county  clerk,  appointed  in  1859  the  following  pro- 
visional officers:  Supervisors,  Charles  LI.  Mclntire  (chairman), 

L.  C.  Burke,  II.  B.  Patterson;  town  clerk,  John  Stowe;  justices, 
Samuel  Parker,  Sylvester  Cranson ; constables,  II.  Olson  and  S. 
AY.  Carney;  assessor,  George  Spicer;  collector,  F.  Cranson;  over- 
seer of  roads,  John  Gleason;  overseer  of  the  poor,  II.  Danielson. 
The  following  year  a regular  board  was  elected.  The  name 
Goodhue,  which  from  the  beginning  had  been  the  choice  of  the 
people,  became  the  official  title  in  January,  1860.  Among  the 
early  chairmen  of  the  township  were  Charles  II.  Mclntire,  T. 

M.  Lowater,  Samuel  Parker,  A.  A.  Anderson,  David  Purdy,  F. 
Tether,  J.  Finney,  AY.  H.  H.  Bruce,  R,  Kolbe.  The  early  clerks 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


181 


were:  L.  C.  Burke,  S.  S.  Gibson,  Isaac  Gallagher,  Lewis  John- 
son and  John  McHugh. 

Goodhue’s  contribution  to  the  Civil  War  consisted  of  Captain 
Hezekiah  Bruce,  W . Harrison  Bruce,  Samuel  Budd,  Walter  E. 
Barnes,  King  II.  Bennett,  Lieutenant  James  H.  Carney,  Henry 
Danielson,  Harmon  Easterly,  David  IJickock,  Lucius  II.  Ilickock, 
Lewis  Johnson,  William  King,  Otis  Ludden,  Harry  Lowater, 
Marsell  B.  Millien,  Charles  W.  Mills,  Cecil  Miller,  Sofe  Rasmus- 
sen, Charles  E.  Bolander,  Ernest  Base,  John  Ericson,  Theodore 
Kempter,  Herman  J.  Newhouse,  Christopher  Oleson,  Aclelbert 
Reinhardt,  Andrew  Doudes,  George  E.  Bivers,  Asa  Gould,  Henry 
Brandes,  William  Gun,  George  Land. 

An  extensive  area  of  this  town  is  underlaid,  a short  distance 
below  the  surface,  by  a large  bed  of  clay  of  a superior  quality, 
which  has  been  extensively  used  by  the  stoneware  works  at  Red 
Wing. 

Clay  Bank  is  a stopping  place  on  the  Great  Western  railroad. 

Goodhue  village  is  a hustling  settlement  which  has  enjoyed 
a steady  growth,  and  is  believed  to  have  a splendid  future 
ahead  of  it. 

GOODHUE  VILLAGE. 

Situated  almost  in  the  very  center  of  the  county  of  the  same 
name  we  find  the  village  of  Goodhue,  a place  of  500  souls,  who  in 
a sense  regard  themselves  as  farmers,  in  view  of  the  fact  that 
as  you  look  out  upon  the  country  in  any  direction  the  eye  beholds 
farms,  beautiful  farms,  consisting  of  160  up  to  400  acres,  studded 
with  fine  houses  and  large  barns,  a source  of  great  comfort  and 
convenience  to  the  landlords  who  have  selected  agriculture  as 
their  occupation. 

When  the  Duluth,  Red  Wing  & Southern  railroad  from  Red 
Wing  to  Zumbrota  was  in  course  of  construction  during  the  year 
1888  it  was  then  that  the  village  of  Goodhue  came  into  existence, 
at  first  consisting  of  the  railroad  camps  which  were  here  located 
during  the  building  of  several  miles  of  the  road  up  and  down  the 
line,  the  road  being  completed  in  the  spring  and  early  summer 
of  1889.  When  there  was  no  longer  any  use  for  the  railroad 
camps  at  this  place  and  the  tents  and  so  forth  had  all  been 
removed,  there  was  still  a.  mission  for  the  little  burg  to  perform, 
and  from  that  time  the  place  has  always  been  regarded  as  an 
important  trading  point,  keeping  pace  with  the  demands  of  a 
large  and  wealthy  agricultural  community,  which  borders  on 
every  side,  until  now  there  are  fifteen  stores  of  various  kinds, 
to  say  nothing  of  the  numerous  business  houses,  including  the 
newspaper  office  of  the  “Goodhue  Enterprise.” 

The  country  tributary  to  Goodlnie  on  the  north,  south,  east 


182 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


and  west,  some  years  before  this  village  was  known,  and  before 
the  farmers  had  taken  up  diversified  farming  to  a great  degree, 
wheat  raising  being  their  principal  avocation,  had  much  to  do  in 
the  making  of  Goodhue  county  responsible  for  Red  Wing’s  repu- 
tation of  being  the  greatest  inland  wheat  market  in  the  world, 
which  at  first  sounds  boastful,  however,  is  true,  the  city  of  Red 
Wing  at  that  time  receiving  more  wheat  from  farmers’  wagons 
than  any  other  place  in  the  world.  While  very  much  of  this 
wheat  was  necessarily  brought  from  territory  as  far  away  as 
Owatonna,  ox  teams  usually  making  the  long  “caravans”  that 
brought  in  the  bread  stuff  which  was  shipped  from  this  (then) 
small  place  to  the  eastern  markets.  Therefore  it  is  not  hard  for 
the  reader  to  place  a value  upon  the  section  of  country  around  us 
which  then  figured  so  prominently  in  making  Red  Wing’s  great 
grain  market  and  which  today  borders  on  this  village  and  whose 
farmers  in  the  main  market  their  grain  at  one  of  the  three  ele- 
vators here  found  and  who  buy  their  goods  in  the  town  which 
affords  so  good  a market  place.  In  addition  to  the  elevators, 
the  village  for  a number  of  years  boasted  of  a fine,  up-to-date 
250-barrel  flouring  mill,  which,  according  to  the  way  of  mis- 
fortune, however,  about  a year  ago  was  burned  to  the  ground. 
It  is  almost  necessary  that  a point  of  this  kind  have  a mill,  and 
today  there  is  talk  of  one,  though  not  so  large  as  the  old  one, 
being  founded  by  the  Farmers’  Co-operating  Company. 

The  business  men  of  Goodhue  generally  have  made  good,  and 
their  reputation,  from  a financial  point  of  view,  is  an  enviable 
one,  although  it  is  not  possible  for  one  in  a place  no  larger  than 
this  to  accumulate  the  money  that  can  be  done  in  cities,  yet 
there  are  many  features  surrounding  this  particular  place  that 
spell  fascination  to  the  person  looking  for  a good  place  in 
which  to  locate,  the  death  rate,  in  the  first  place,  being  the 
smallest  of  any  place  in  the  country,  good  schools,  adequate  fire 
protection,  a supply  of  the  most  beautiful  city  water  that  was 
ever  drawn  into  a glass,  and  those  who  believe  that  the  religious 
sects  have  much  to  do  with  the  advancement  of  any  place  here 
have  the  opportunity  of  attending  the  Methodist,  Catholic,  or 
English  Lutheran  church,  while  only  a short  way  east  of  the 
village  there  are  found  German  Lutheran  churches  and  parochial 
schools. 

Before  passing,  it  seems  only  fitting  to  make  some  special 
mention  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Goodhue,  which  began 
business  in  a small  way  in  1900.  as  a private  institution.  Busi- 
ness increased  so  rapidly  that  a $12,000  brick  block  for  its  accom- 
modation was  soon  erected,  and  the  banking  house  was  made 
over  into  a national  bank  and  today  its  deposits  are  $190,000. 
Figures  won’t  lie,  and  figures  of  this  kind  cannot  help  but 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


183 


bespeak  the  prosperity  of  the  citizens  of  Goodhue  and  farmers 
doing  business  here.  The  officers  of  the  bank  are : President, 

H.  M.  Scovell ; vice-president,  E.  J.  Maybauer ; cashier,  C.  A. 
Arpke. 

One  of  the  best  creameries  in  the  state  (we  say  “best  in  the 
state”  because  of  its  ability  in  most  cases  to  pay  such  prices 
and  do  business  in  such  a way  as  to  make  it  apparent  to  the 
farmer  that  this  is  the  place  where  he  can  sell  the  dairy 
product  to  the  greatest  advantage)  is  the  Goodhue  Creamery. 
Thus  the  consolidated  butter  factory  of  the  city  gets  from  this 
community  only  a smattering  of  business,  while  all  who  know  the 
value  of  a home  creamery  rejoice  daily  at  the  business  tactics 
here  adopted,  making  it  possible  to  point  with  pride  to  this 
enterprise. 

Since  the  reputation  of  this  section  as  a grain  raising  country 
has  so  long  been  established,  it  would  hardly  be  fair  to  the  stock- 
men  to  pass  without  saying  that  the  horse  buyers  and  cattlemen 
of  the  cities,  when  they  want  something  choice,  find  Goodhue 
about  the  best  place  along  the  line  to  make  their  headquarters, 
where  the  owners  of  fine  horses  and  fine  cattle  can  be  seen  daily 
as  they  come  in  from  the  garden  spot  of  Goodhue  county. 

“The  Goodhue  Enterprise,”  which  is  published  on  Thursday 
of  each  week,  claims  for  its  special  aim  in  life  the  furnishing  of 
a large  grist  of  local  and  neighborhood  news  to  its  TOO  sub- 
scribers, at  the  same  time  carrying  to  the  average  farmer  of  this 
part  of  the  county,  in  the  form  of  neatly  displayed  advertise- 
ments, the  store  news  which  the  merchants  of  the  village  furnish, 
telling  the  buyers  what  they  have  for  sale  and  urging  them  to 
come  here  whenever  it  is  possible  for  them  to  do  so.  “The  Enter- 
prise” was  established  in  1896,  the  first  issue  being  gotten  out 
on  Christmas  day  of  that  year,  by  what  was  known  as  the  Good- 
hue  Printing  Company;  however,  D.  C.  Pierce,  who  continues  to 
publish  the  paper,  became  its  sole  owner,  and  although  Goodhue 
is  a place  of  less  than  a thousand  people,  this  publication  has 
ever  enjoyed  a lucrative  patronage,  built  up  a nice  business  and 
established  a reputation  for  reliability  and  punctuality.  In 
politics  it  is  Republican. 

The  village  of  Goodhue  was  incorporated  at.  a special  elec- 
tion held  April  26.  1897 : President,  P.  I).  Kelly;  eouncilmen.  0. 
Parker,  F.  Holtz,  C.  L.  Parkin ; recorder,  C.  E.  Rucker.  The  fire 
department  was  organized  in  1898.  Fire  protection  at  present 
is  furnished  by  water  system  from  tank  on  a high  elevation  in 
the  southwestern  part  of  town,  known  as  Cranson  Heights.  This 
tank  was  put  up  in  1903,  capacity  80,000  gallons.  The  former 
protection  was  furnished  by  chemical  system.  Goodhue  is  noted 
for  its  supply  of  excellent  pure  water,  from  a deep  city  well,  the 


184: 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


same  being  furnished  nearly  every  house  in  town  by  means  of 
faucets.  The  village  marshal  is  William  A.  O’Reilly.  The  pres- 
ent village  officers  are:  President,  PI.  M.  Scovell ; councilmen, 

D.  C.  Bell,  Joe  H.  Majerus  and  Louis  N.  Schinnert;  recorder,  A. 

E.  Adler. 

The  leading  business  men  are:  First  National  Bank,  with  H. 
M.  Scovell,  president,  and  C.  A.  Arpke,  cashier.  Goodhue  County 
Telephone  Company — Pardiu  & Meyer,  proprietors.  Hardware 
and  machinery — Nelson  & Johnson,  proprietors.  Goodhue  Hard- 
ware and  Implement  Company — Lally  & McNamara,  proprietors. 
Clothing  and  men’s  furnishing  goods — Adler,  Schacht  & Co.,  pro- 
prietors ; A.  E.  Adler,  manager.  Jewelry,  watches,  etc.,  with 
pianos — H.  II.  Buck,  proprietor.  General  merchandise — J.  N. 
Banitt,  proprietor;  J.  H.  Quast.  Goodhue  Co-operative  Company 
- — C.  Rucker,  manager;  John  Meyer,  proprietor.  Goodhue  Cash 
Store — 0.  E.  Ivyllo,  manager.  Drugs,  medicine,  etc. — Ploward  & 
Co.,  G.  W.  Robinson,  manager.  Newspaper — Goodhue  “Enter- 
prise,” D.  C.  Pierce,  publisher  and  proprietor.  Meat  market — 
Heaney  Bros.  Hotels — Merchants,  Mrs.  Frank  P.  Ahern,  pro- 
prietor; the  Goodhue  Hotel,  J.  P.  Ahern,  proprietor.  Lumber — - 
North  Star  Lumber  Company,  John  McHugh,  manager.  Millinery 
— Mrs.  J.  S.  Davis,  proprietor.  Cigar  factory — Holst  & Vieths, 
proprietors.  Harness  shop — F.  W.  Prahl,  proprietor.  Furniture 
and  undertaking — Zorn  & Co.,  proprietors.  Restaurant  and  con- 
fections— L.  N.  Schinnert,  proprietor. 

The  Modern  Samaritans,  organized  February  21,  1901,  with 
the  following  officers:  G.  F.,  O.  F.  Nelson;  scribe,  C.  E.  Rucker; 
treasurer,  Fred  Eppen.  The  present  officers  are  the  same. 

The  Red  Men,  organized  April  3,  1901.  The  officers  were,:  S., 
C.  II.  Rehder ; sr.  sag.,  D.  J.  McHugh;  jr.  sag.,  A.  D.  Medlmrst; 
prophet,  James  Chalmers;  chief  of  records,  Thomas  Heaney; 
keeper  of  wampum,  Thomas  Lally.  The  present  officers  are : S., 
Francis  Barry;  sr.  sag.,  C.  J.  A.  Hanson;  jr.  sag.,  John  Richter; 
prophet,  D.  C.  Bell;  chief  of  records,  Thomas  Lally;  keeper  of 
wampum,  John  McNamara. 

The  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  organized  March,  1895. 
The  officers  were:  Council,  John  McHugh;  advisor,  Elmer  Cat- 

lin;  banker,  0.  Parker;  clerk,  William  Richtman.  Charter  mem- 
bers: John  McHugh,  Elmer  Catlin,  0.  Parker,  William  Richt- 

man, James  Chalmers,  Thomas  Maley,  Eugene  Crowell,  P.  D. 
Kelly,  Joseph  Heaney,  F.  E.  Davis,  Dr.  S.  E.  Howard.  The  pres- 
ent officers  are:  Council,  D.  M.  Franklin;  advisor,  C.  S.  Hodsdon; 
banker,  II.  M.  Scovell ; clerk,  C.  E.  Rucker. 

The  Royal  Neighbors,  organized  June  15,  1900.  The  officers 
were : Oracle,  Mrs.  John  McHugh ; vice  oracle,  Mary  E.  Mc- 

Hugh ; recorder,  Mrs.  0.  E.  Ivyllo ; receiver,  Mrs.  Helen  Kelly ; 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


185- 


chancellor,  Mrs.  John  0.  Davis ; marshal,  Mary  Holst ; inner  sen- 
tinel, Mrs.  John  O’Connell;  outer  sentinel,  Mrs.  Ella  Ahern; 
managers,  Ida  Holst,  Rose  Edwards  and  Tillie  Casey. 

The  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  organized  in  1905, 
with  the  following  officers:  P.  M.  AY.,  John  Richter;  M.  AY.,  C. 
H.  Relider ; foreman,  R.  C.  Kellogg ; overseer,  M.  Id.  Gregoire ; 
recorder,  D.  C.  Pierce;  financier,  T.  AY.  Dally;  receiver,  Hein 
Prigge ; guide,  C.  Raasch.  The  present  officers  are : P.  M.  AY., 
C.  Raasch;  M.  AY.,  M.  II.  Gregoire;  foreman,  A.  D.  Haas;  over- 
seer, C.  F.  Raasch ; recorder,  C.  S.  IJodsdon ; financier,  T.  M_ 
Lally;  receiver,  Claus  IT.  Holst;  guide,  John  Richter. 

The  Brotherhood  of  American  Yeomen,  organized  June  J,  1908, 
with  the  following  charter  members:  Joe  Heaney,  Robert 

Heaney,  F.  L.  Kempf,  A.  C.  Kempf,  AY.  IT.  H.  Kempf,  AYilliam 
Hope,  A.  AT.  Peterson,  F.  P.  Ahern,  Emma  Dahlstrom,  C.  AY. 
Sherwin,  A.  P.  Johnson,  M.  J.  Scovell,  Hattie  M.  Prahl,  F.  T. 
O’Gorman,  Mary  Heaney,  Ella  J.  Heaney,  Nellie  D.  Kempf,  Will- 
iam  H.  Kempf,  Elmer  Kempf,  Minnie  C.  Hope,  Annie  M.  Peter- 
son, Rose  Ahern,  O.  F.  Nelson,  A.  E.  Osgood,  John  Richter,  Alary 
J.  Tetcher,  J.  C.  0 ’Reilly.  The  officers  were : Foreman,  0.  F. 

Nelson;  master  of  ceremonies,  A.  E.  Osgood;  master  of  accounts, 
Mary  Heaney;  correspondent,  AYilliam  Hope;  chaplain,  Mrs.  H. 
Al.  Scovell;  overseer,  A.  P.  Johnson.  The  present  officers  are : 
Foreman,  0.  F.  Nelson ; master  of  ceremonies,  F.  L.  Kempf ; mas- 
ter of  accounts,  Mary  Heaney;  correspondent,  William  Hope; 
chaplain,  Nellie  D.  Kempf;  overseer.  Elmer  Kempf. 

For  the  above  article  on  the  village  of  Goodhue  the  editors 
of  this  work  are  indebted  to  Dwight  C.  Pierce,  of  the  Goodhue 
“Enterprise.”  The  history  of  the  churches  is  found  elsewhere. 

HOLDEN  TOWNSHIP. 

Holden  is  one  of  the  western  tier  of  Goodhue  county  town- 
ships, and  like  the  others,  is  rich  in  agricultural  possibilities. 
It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Warsaw,  on  the  east  by  Wana- 
mingo,  on  the  south  by  Kenyon  and  on  the  west  by  Rice  county. 
This  township  has  some  of  the  highest  land  in  the  county  and 
is  mainly  an  undulating  prairie,  but  is  much  diversified  through 
the  central  part  by  the  headwaters  of  the  Little  Cannon  and  its 
tributaries.  There  are  patches  of  timber  in  several  localities, 
especially  in  the  northeastern  portion  and  along  the  Zumbro  in 
the  southern  part. 

• In  the  summer  of  1851  there  came  to  this  township  a young 
man  named  Hans  Ovaldson,  who  broke  about  four  acres  on  sec- 
tion 24.  He  was  followed  by  Ole  C.  Oakland,  who  broke  the 
same  amount  of  land  in  section  23.  The  following  year  both 


186 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


these  pioneers  raised  a crop  of  wheat.  Neither  of  them,  however, 
became  permanent  residents  of  the  township.  In  the  fall  of 
1854  -Jens  Ottun  made  a claim  and  built  a sod  hut  on  section 
33,  where  he  commenced  breaking  the  land  in  May,  1855.  On 
May  27  there  arrived  A.  K.  Finseth,  K.  K.  Finseth,  H.  Iv.  Finseth 
and  Ole  J.  Bakke.  The  Finseths  purchased  Mr.  Ottun’s  claim 
and  that  gentleman  returned  to  AVanamingo,  where  he  had  pre- 
viously made  a claim.  Mr.  Bakke  staked  out  a homestead  on 
section  33  and  Airs.  Bakke  soon  afterward  joined  him,  she  being 
doubtless  the  first  white  woman  settler  in  the  township.  That 
she  had  her  share  of  pioneer  discomforts,  not  to  say  alarms,  is 
shown  by  a story  of  the  early  days  that  is  still  told  in  the  town- 
ship. It  seems  that  in  spite  of  the  removal  of  the  Indians,  many 
red  men  were  prowling  through  that  portion  of  the  county,  and 
the  squaws  were  particularly  troublesome.  One  day  while  Mrs. 
Bakke  had  gone  to  draw  a pail  of  water  an  Indian  squaw 
entered  her  cabin,  and  evidently  concluding  that  the  white  baby 
would  make  a valuable  addition  to  her  family,  snatched  Mrs. 
Bakke ’s  infant  and  started  to  run.  Airs.  Bakke,  upon  her  return, 
gave  a cry  of  alarm  and  hastened  into  the  woods  after  the  fleeing 
squaw.  The  baby  seriously  impeded  the  progress  of  the  red 
woman,  who  was  more  accustomed  to  carrying  babies  on  her 
back  than  in  her  arms,  and  finally,  in  fright  at,  the  pursuit,  she 
dropped  the  infant  and  continued  her  flight.  Airs.  Bakke  recov- 
ered her  child  and  no  harm  was  done  except  for  the  fright  that 
the  poor  mother  had  felt  at  this  attempted  pioneer  kidnaping. 

In  the  month  of  June,  1855,  Ole  0.  Houset  settled  on  section 
23,  Halvor  Ennerson  AUaalstad  on  section  27,  and  Thorbjorn 
Ennerson  Vraalstad  on  section  35.  In  the  same  year  Ole  0. 
Naeset  and  Erik  Anderson . settled  on  section  9,  Nels  Alikkelson 
Dalsbotten  on  section  10,  and  Alikkel  Johnson  on  section  15. 
Some  of  these  pioneers  erected  cabins  and  roofed  them  over, 
others  erected  walls  but  did  not  take  time  to  finish  the  roofs, 
some  lived  in  their  covered  immigrant  wagons,  others  had  even 
less  shelter,  the  main  object  being  to  raise  a crop  during  the 
summer  months,  leaving  the  question  of  permanent  and  com- 
fortable abode  until  the  autumn  time,  when  the  harvest  would 
be  garnered  in  and  there  would  be  more  time  for  home  building. 
The  supply  of  provisions  which  the  settlers  had  brought  with 
them  was  soon  gone,  and  from  time  to  time  one  of  the  colony 
was  delegated  to  go  to  Red  AVing  or  Hastings  to  procure  the 
necessities  of  life.  This  journey  of  over  thirty  miles  was  long 
and  tedious,  and  even  dangerous,  especially  in  winter,  and  even 
after  trading  points  were  reached  the  prices  were  so  high  as  to 
be  almost  prohibitive.  During  the  summer  of  1855  many  new 
claims  were  staked  out.  A few  Avere  occupied  in  the  fall,  but 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


187 


the  majority  of  these  claimants  did  not  locate  until  the  follow- 
ing spring.  Among-  these  settlers  of  1855  are  said  to  have  been 
Nelson  Sollefson,  Thomas  Anderson,  Canute  Thomas,  John 
Thompson,  Anfin  Anderson,  G.  K.  Worsing  and  Ole  Oleson.  The 
first  settlers  of  the  township  were  Norwegians,  and  their  sturdy 
character  has  since  remained  the  predominating  influence  in  the 
township.  In  the  early  days  a number  of  German  families  settled 
in  the  western  part  of  the  township,  and  many  of  their  descend- 
ants still  remain  there. 

According  to  the  authorities  now  available,  the  first  white 
child  born  in  the  township  was  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  T.  E.  Vraalstad, 
in  September,  1855.  The  first  marriage  was  that  of  K.  Iv. 
Finseth  and  Bergitte  Halvorson,  the  ceremony  being  performed 
by  the  Rev.  H.  A.  Stub,  at  the  residence  of  the  bride’s  father  in 
Bice  county,  September  13,  1856.  The  first  death  was  that  of 
Erik  A.  Elton,  who  died  in  the  fall  of  1855  and  was  buried  near 
the  north  line  of  section  3.  An  old  history  gives  some  entirely 
different  facts  in  regard  to  the  first  birth,  marriage  and  death, 
but  upon  what  authority  is  not  known.  According  to  this  old 
history,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lars  Nelson  were  blessed  with  twins 
shortly  after  their  arrival  in  the  township,  these  twins  being  the 
first  births  in  the  township.  The  first  marriage,  declares  the 
same  authority,  was  that  of  Kettle  Erickson  and  Margaretta 
Flom,  performed  by  Esquire  BoAvles,  of  Cannon  Falls,  and  the 
first  death  that  of  a child  of  Ole  Oleson.  Another  authority 
says  that  the  first  child  was  born  to  Thorbjorn  Ennerson. 

In  1856  a state  road  was  surveyed  through  the  southeast  part 
of  the  township,  and  the  following  year  Norway  postoffice  was 
established,  with  Ole  0.  Hauset  as  postmaster.  Mr.  Hauset 
served  until  his  death  in  1862.  Some  time  afterward,  the  office 
was  removed  a short  distance,  across  the  line  into  Wanamingo 
township.  About  the  same  time  Holden  postoffice  was  estab- 
lished in  the  north  part  of  the  township,  with  T.  E.  Thompson 
as  postmaster.  Eidsvold  postoffice  was  established  in  1875,  on 
the  daily  mail  route  between  Red  AYing  and  Faribault,  and  Hans 
Christianson  Westermo  was  named  postmaster.  In  1867  Law- 
rence Stagner  opened  a store  in  the  western  part  of  the  town. 

The  first  two  winters  the  township  was  settled  were  very 
severe  and  much  hardship  was  endured.  The  winter  of  1857 
was  especially  long,  and  sleighs  were  in  use  in  the  latter  part 
of  April.  The  crops  that  year,  however,  were  good,  and  since 
that  time  the  people  of  Holden  have  enjoyed  almost  uninter- 
rupted prosperity. 

In  the  early  days  the  township  was  attached  to  several  other 
townships  for  political  purposes,  and  in  1858,  after  the  township 
was  organized,  the  citizens  who  met  at  the  first  election  were 


188 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


practically  strangers,  the  people  in  the  different  localities  having- 
had  their  previous  intercourse  with  towns  to  the  north,  east, 
south  and  west  and  not  with  each  other.  Therefore  each  group 
of  electors  wanted  to  vote  for  men  in  their  own  locality,  with 
whom  they  were  acquainted.  After  the  first  two  or  three  elec- 
tions friendly  relations  were  established  and  the  machinery  of 
the  town  government  has  since  moved  harmoniously.  The  first 
officers  were:  Supervisors,  K.  K.  Finseth  (chairman),  II.  C. 

Kleiner,  Charles  Nichols;  town  clerk,  L.  K.  Aakers ; assessor,  C. 
Nichols;  collector,  Charles  Fogelsang;  justices  of  the  peace,  W. 
C.  Crandall,  Ole  Oleson ; constables,  Peter  N.  Langemo  and  II. 
E.  Yraalstad. 

During  the  following  four  years  the  chairmen  were  K.  K. 
Finseth,  L.  K.  Aakers,  Ira  Babcock  and  L.  Stagner,  and  the 
clerks  were  Lucius  Oakes,  A.  H.  Bjoraker,  Peter  Nelson  and 
Peter  Lengmoe. 

During  the  Civil  War  the  aggregate  amount  of  $14,000  was 
raised  to  give  as  a bounty  to  volunteers,  and  consequently  no 
drafting  was  needed  to  fill  the  required  quota.  Those  who  en- 
listed from  Holden  were : Byron  Aufinson,  Lieutenant  Lars  K. 

Aakers,  Henry  Aspen,  John  Ericson,  Henry  Ericson,  Elling  Eng- 
berson,  Joseph  Fogleson,  Arthur  A.  Flom,  Andrew  Hanson,  Ole 
Halverson,  Ilalver  Halverson,  Ole  0.  PIuss,  George  Johnson,  John 
K.  Lysing,  Aslack  Oleson,  Ole  Oleson,  Ole  Osker,  Butler  Oleson, 
Edward  Oleson,  Edward  Oleson,  Olans  Oleson,  Thurston  Opdahl, 
Christopher  Peterson,  Peter  J.  Peterson,  Peter  Quam,  John  J. 
Peterson,  •Ingvall  Thorson,  Holton  0.  Wing,  Charles  Zimmerman, 
Fred  Zimmerman,  German  Anderson,  Frederick  Bowers,  Louis 
Bratsell,  Edward  Boutsell,  James  Coburn,  Andrew  M.  Crane, 
John  Ellis,  John  Ferrin.  Uriah  Ferrin,  William  A.  Fendley, 
Robert  Fairbanks,  Andrew  Hanson,  William  Harrison.  Hans 
Hanson,  Griffin  Holmes,  Ameal  Hillig,  James  F.  Hyland,  James 
Isenhour,  Richard  M.  Johnson,  Norman  Ivinney,  Thomas  Ken- 
nedy, Joseph  Lapaire,  Samuel  Murphy,  II.  W.  McGowan,  Charles 
II.  Parish,  Sebastian  Paulley,  Leonard  S.  Ricord,  Riley  Sturman, 
Edwin  M.  Snow,  William  Starkey,  Champion  Shilling,  James 
Byrne,  Charles  Boatman,  Sydney  Brownson,  John  Weaver, 
Thomas  Ward,  Abraham  Zimmerman,  C.  W.  Zeraka,  Elling  En- 
gerbretson,  Fingal  Fingalson,  G.  Grant,  Thomas  Walker  De- 
Ruyter  Buck,  Edwin  Cross,  Charles  Farrell,  John  E.  Jelly,  Evan 
Johnson,  Kaut  Oleson,  F.  J.  Ridgway,  Nels  Oleson,  Knut  Quam, 
Andrew  Scott,  Daniel  Glenn,  Michael  Hayes,  Eric  Bergland, 
Michael  Hartman,  Captain  Thomas  Carney,  Andrew  Cahill,  James 
A.  Lesson,  Hans  H.  Oleson,  J.  L.  Amundson,  Ole  Jacobson,  Jr., 
Fred  Schmidt,  G.  W.  Avery,  Henry  Knutz,  Edward  Kohler, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


189 


-James  McDonough,  Janies  Melchoir,  Andrew  Orhlin,  John  Birber, 
Doctor  G.  Wilkes,  Albert  A.  Thayer,  Moses  Haines. 

Holden  is  a discontinued  postoffice  thirty  miles  southwest  of 
Red  Wing  and  five  miles  north  of  Kenyon.  Mail  is  noiv  received 
via  Nerstrand  R.  F.  D.  No.  2. 

Nansen  is  a discontinued  postoffice  twenty-eight  miles  south- 
west of  Red  Wing  and  eight  miles  northeast  of  Kenyon.  Mail  is 
received  Ada  Kenyon  R.  F.  D.  No.  5. 

Einseth  Station  is  a flag  station  on  the  Chicago  & Great 
Western  railway. 


HAY  CREEK  TOWNSHIP. 

Hay  Creek  receives  its  name  from  the  stream  which  touches 
the  Avest  central  portion  of  the  township  and  along  Avhose  banks 
in  the  early  days  the  settlers  found  large  cpiantities  of  Avild 
hay.  The  surface  of  the  township  is  somewhat  uneven,  but  is 
rich  in  agricultural  possibilities.  A deep  valley  crosses  the  toAvn- 
ship  from  east  to  Avest  in  the  northern  paid,  and  another,  Avith 
various  branches,  crosses  the  township  in  the  center,  east  and 
Avest.  These  make  a hilly  and  rolling  surface  for  xhe  Avliole 
town,  the  hills  being  from  two  to  four  hundred  feet  above  the 
valleys.  Yet,  OAving  to  the  abundant  overspread  of  line  clay  and 
loam,  practically  all  of  the  surface  is  tillable.  Many  of  the 
hillsides  are  co\rered  with  groAving  timber,  and  the  valleys  Avere 
■originally  heavily  Avooded.  In  the  southeastern  part  is  Wells’ 
creek.  Bullard  creek  drains  the  northern  part.  Hay  Creek 
comprises  township  112,  range  14,  and  is  bounded  on  the  north 
by  Red  Wing  and  Wacoota,  on  the  east  by  Florence,  on  the  south 
by  Belvidere  and  on  the  west  by  Featherstone.  It  Avas  organized 
with  its  present  boundaries  in  1858. 

The  first,  settlement  was  made  in  the  spring  of  1854  by  a Mr. 
Egar,  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  toAvn.  Among  the  early  settlers 
were  George  Steel,  Ernest  Schubert,  Henry  Inzancee,  William 
Hayman,  Garry  Post,  David  Bartrom,  Simon  Peterson,  Benville 
Mosier,  Rudolph  Kruger,  Charles  Darling,  Jacob  Turner,  M. 
Eggleston,  G.  F.  and  William  Meyer,  John  Hack  and  James  B. 
AYakefield.  George  Frederick,  an  early  settler  of  Belle  Creek, 
also  lived  here  a short  time  in  the  early  days.  The  early  settlers 
Avere  subjected  to  constant  annoyance,  the  whole  township,  Avith 
the  exception  of  a small  portion  in  the  nortlrwest,  being  Avithin 
the  limits  of  the  half-breed  tract.  Meetings  Avere  held  and  the 
settlers  organized  for  mutual  protection.  Charles  Aiders,  Avho 
in  1856  built  a hotel  near  Avhere  Burkliard’s  hotel  Avas  later 
located,  Avas  one  of  the  many  who  suffered  the  annoyance  of  a 
previous  claimant.  He  had  his  first  log  cabin  nearly  completed 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Avhen  another  man  appeared  to  dispute  his  claim  to  the  land. 
This  man’s  claim  was  based  on  the  fact  that  he  had  been  there 
and  inscribed  his  name  on  a tree  previous  to  Mr.  Abler ’s  advent. 
The  former  claimant  was  backed  by  a mob  of  men  armed  with 
clubs,  axes  and  other  weapons.  So  there  was  no  alternative 
but  for  Mr.  Alders  to  pay  the  amount  of  money  demanded  for  a 
relinquishment  of  the  claim,  which  he  did,  and  later  opened 
his  house  to  the  public.  There  are  always  two  sides  to  every 
question,  and  while  Mr.  Aiders  was  given  a great  deal  of  sym- 
pathy, it  would  look  in  modern  times  as  though  he  had  intended 
to  take  another  man’s  claim.  He  was  but  one  of  many  who 
suffered  much  inconvenience  and  trouble  until  the  half-breed 
matter  had  been  settled  in  Washington,  after  which  the  actual 
settlers  were  left  in  peace. 

The  first  town  meeting  was  held  in  1858,  with  only  six  citizens 
present.  They  were  William  Hayman,  Henry  Lorentzen,  S.  A. 
Wise,  -J.  B.  Wakefield,  Rudolph  Kruger  and  David  Bartrom. 
This  meeting  Avas  held  in  a log  cabin  schoolhouse,  near  Wells’ 
creek.  The  explanation  given  for  the  poor  attendance  is  one 
that  looks  strange  in  these  days.  It  seems  that  a camp  meeting 
Avas  in  progress  in  a grove  near  by  and  the  people  Avere  so  inter- 
ested in  matters  pertaining  to  the  future  life  that  they  had  no 
time  to  devote  to  such  temporal  affairs  as  a toAvn  election. 
Whether  the  six  who  attended  loved  religion  the  less  or  politics 
the  more  than  the  others  tradition  does  not  relate. 

A log  schoolhouse  was  built  near  the  spot  where  the  Wells’ 
creek  mills  were  afterward  erected,  in  1857,  and  a school  Avas 
taught  there  by  a young  man  named  Graves.  The  first  marriage 
Avas  that  of  Ernest  Schubert  and  a Miss  Reinehart,  the  cere- 
mony being  performed  by  William  Ilayman,  justice  of  the  peace. 
Tn  tin1  earliest  days  the  German  Lutherans  and  the  Methodists 
held  meetings  and  both  later  erected  comfortable  places  for 
church  Avorship.  Near  the  center  of  the  township  there  is  a 
substantial  town  hall.  In  1863  R.  H.  Matthews  built  a mill  on 
AVells’  creek,  and  in  1865  John  Hack  and  G.  F.  Meyer  built  one 
on  Hay  creek.  Later  a third  mill  Avas  built  on  Hay  creek,  but  Avas 
afterAvard  abandoned. 

The  chairmen  of  supervisors  of  the  town  from  1858  to  1869 
Avere:  Samuel  A.  Wise,  William  Hayman,  John  Benson.  Dunning 
Dewey  (six  terms),  Rudolph  Kruger  (two  terms),  George  Hack- 
man.  The  town  clerks  during  the  same  period  Avere : Henry 

Lorentzen  (two  terms),  John  Hack  (six  terms),  Peter  J.  Erbar 
(five  terms). 

Hay  Creek’s  contribution  to  the  Civil  War  consisted  of 
Joseph  AY.  Britton,  Fred  Baumbeck,  Henry  Burgtorf,  Reynolds 
Barton,  August  Buehholz,  Henry  W.  Cady,  AY.  F.  Dewey,  C.  J. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


191 


Henning,  August  B.  Hilleg,  James  D.  Hill,  John  Hennings,  An- 
drew Johnson,  Rudolph  Kruger,  Elias  F.  Kimball,  Michael 
Stabler,  J.  G.  Scholl,  Jonathan  Thoms,  William  Thoms,  Charles 
Truman,  Josiah  Wakefield,  Alonzo  C.  Wakefield,  Peter  Wallower, 
Nicholas  Gross,  Nicholas  Oleson,  ( linton  G.  Stees,  Manville  Le- 
Weir,  Anthony  Stevens,  Robert  Millie,  Leundre  Isenhour.  Alfred 
Dudley,  James  R.  Goodhue,  Thomas  Gready,  John  Hankins, 
Edward  Lent,  Peter  McMartin,  William  F.  Schmidt,  AYilliam 
Smith.  Lawrence  Twohy,  Andrew  Johnson,  Henry  Webert,  Henry 
Straitman,  David  Fresmith,  Lars  Oleson,  Jacob  Turner,  Fred 
Wfstendoft’,  John  J.  Dewey,  Fritz  Klauser,  AYilliam  Piute  and 
Christian  Sempiel. 

Play  Creek  village  is  a discontinued  postoffice  six  and  a half 
miles  south  of  Red  AVing.  Mail  is  received  by  Red  Wing  R.  F. 
D.  Nos.  2 and  P.  It  is  a busy  little  settlement,  with  a hotel, 
store,  church,  schoolhouse  and  several  residences. 

LEON  TOWNSHIP. 

Leon  constitutes  government  township  11,  range  17,  and  is 
bounded  on  the  north  by  Cannon  Falls,  on  the  east  by  Belle 
Creek,  on  the  south  by  Warm  min  go  and  on  the  west  by  Warsaw. 
It  is  drained  by  branches  of  the  Little  Cannon  in  the  northwest- 
ern portion,  these  streams  causing  the  land  to  be  somewhat 
broken  in  that  locality.  In  the  valleys  there  is  a light  growth 
of  timber.  The  eastern  part  of  the  township  is  drained  by  the 
waters  of  Belle  creek.  The  soil  is  rich  and  causes  Leon  to  be 
one  of  the  most  desirable  farming  sections  of  the  county.  The 
people  are  educated  and  progressive,  being  for  the  most  part 
Americans  of  Norwegian  and  Swedish  descent,  although  a few 
of  the  sturdy  old  pioneers  of  Norwegian  and  Swedish  birth  still 
remain  to  tell  the  story  of  their  early  struggles  to  their  children. 
Of  Leon  it  has  been  truthfully  said:  “Its  cultivated  fields,  pos- 
sessing a soil  of  marvelous  fertility,  its  broad  acres  of  arable 
land,  its  timber  and  water,  beautiful  residences,  barns  and 
granaries,  flocks  and  herds,  and  finally  the  health  and  general 
prosperity  of  its  inhabitants,  are  the  living  evidences  of  a section 
of  country  rich  in  natural  resources  and  abounding  in  happy 
homes.” 

The  first  settler,  Haldro  Johnson,  a Norwegian,  came  here 
from  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  in  the  fall  of  1851.  He  made 
a claim  on  section  20,  built  a rude  cabin  and  spent  the  winter 
there.  The  following  spring  he  went  back  to  Wisconsin,  and 
married,  bringing  his  bride  with  him  to  the  new  country,  where 
they  Avere  to  establish  their  rooftree  and  liAre  in  happiness.  In  the 
summer  of  1855  came  the  folloAving  Scandinavians  and  their  fami- 


192 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


lies : A.  J.  Malande,  Andrew  Larson,  Gutrom  Pederson,  Ole  Peder- 
son, J.  \\  amberg,  John  Bottolfson,  M.  Edstrom,  C.  A.  Haggstrom, 
William  Olson  and  Rognold  Johnson.  They  at  once  staked  out 
claims  and  broke  the  land,  most  of  which  still  remains  in  the 
possession  of  the  families  of  the  original  claimants.  In  1856 
came  .Albert,  Calvin,  Samuel,  David  and  Horace  McGaughey, 
P.  F.  Dimmick,  James  Cox,  Seth  Davis,  Charles  A.  Johnson, 
William  Greaves  and  Ellery  Stone  with  his  sons.  The  eastern 
people  who  settled  in  the  central  and  southeastern  part  of  this 
township  in  the  early  days  did  not  as  a rule  remain  long,  and 
consequently  few  of  their  names  have  been  handed  down  *to 
posterity  in  this  county,  although  several  attained  prominence 
in  the  localities  where  they  afterward  settled. 

Frank  Johnson,  born  May  8,  1856,  and  died  September  7 the 
same  year,  was  the  first  white  child  born  and  the  first  person 
to  die  in  the  township.  The  first  school  was  taught  in  1857  by 
Daniel  Van  Amberg,  in  a log  schoolhouse  near  where  William 
Olson  afterward  took  up  his  residence. 

Among  the  early  settlers  came  H.  Ferrell,  who  laid  claim  to 
a section  of  land  and  surveyed  and  laid  out  town  lots,  naming 
the  place  Wastedo.  His  dreams  of  a future  great  city  were  not 
realized,  and  a larger  part  of  the  village  plat  is  now  devoted 
to  farms.  In  1857  E.  A.  Sargent  built  a store  and  stocked  it  with 
general  merchandise,  ancl  the  next  year  Martin  Thompson  built 
another  store.  Blacksmith  shops  were  opened  in  1857  and  1865. 
In  more  recent  years  the  store  of  M.  T.  Opsal  at  this  point  became 
the  trading  center  of  the  town.  The  postoffice  at  Wastedo  was 
discontinued  some  years  ago  and  Cannon  Falls  R.  F.  D.  No.  1 
was  substituted. 

Of  Leon,  thirty  years  ago,  it  was  written:  “The  toAvnsliip  is 
now  inhabited  almost  exclusively  by  a steady,  industrious  class 
of  people,  natives  of  Norway  and  Sweden,  and  their  descendants, 
the  Norwegians  residing  principally  in  the  southwestern  portion 
of  the  township,  and  the  Swedes  in  the  northeastern.  They  are 
all,  or  nearly  all,  citizens  of  the  United  States,  and  as  their  inter- 
ests are  thoroughly  identified  with  the  land  of  their  adoption, 
they  take  a deep  interest  in  the  political  and  social  welfare  of 
the  country.  Many  of  them  are  men  of  wide  education  and  abil- 
ity, some  of  them  having  represented  their  districts  in  one  or  both 
branches  of  the  state  legislature,  while  others  have  filled  local 
positions  of  trust  and  honor.”  This  is  no  less  true  today. 

To  the  Civil  War  Leon  contributed  the  following  soldiers: 
George  Brockman,  Charles  Berdan,  A.  J.  Bailey,  W.  D.  Bryant, 
Ephraim  A.  Bard,  Harry  Bristol,  John  Banks,  Lewis  Butterson, 
David  E.  Burden,  Edwin  Cox,  Almeran  Davis,  Peter  Froyd,  II. 
M.  McGaughey,  Eward  G.  Bailey,  Elec  Albertson,  Christian  Lud- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


193 


wigson,  Morris  Harrison,  John  Ehrichson,  Knute  Oleson,  Ellery 
Stone,  AndreAV  McCausland,  William  IT.  Druping,  Andreev  Erie- 
son,  B.  F.  S.  Ives,  C.  H.  Bnllock,  Charles  H.  Bond,  George  H. 
Cross,  Norman  Daniels,  Sidney  Deming,  William  IT.  Ganis,  Will- 
iam L.  Kenyon,  Andrew  Morrison,  John  Stanton,  A.  H.  Yan  Voor- 
hies,  Lyman  Waldon,  George  Wells,  Peter  A.  Holm,  John  Johnson, 
Yors  Larson,  Fred  Miller,  James  Swerger,  Oscar  L.  Stranalian, 
IT.  M.  Stranahan,  Matthew  Sidmore,  Newell  J.  Sumner,  F.  H. 
Shaw,  James  G.  Wiley,  Fenn  Iswell,  Joseph  E.  Smith,  Charles 
Barcow,  Henry  Fane,  Peter  Mewrer,  Fred  Mohrmann,  Xavier 
Demarra,  William  Zirne,  Ole  Loe,  Smith  Martenas,  Thor  Oleson, 
Thomas  Cramwill,  James  Conroy,  A.  P.  Oliver,  L.  G.  Price  and 

D.  Van  Amberg. 

July  5,  1858,  the  first  township  election  was  held  in  the  store 
of  E.  A.  Sargent.  Mr.  Sargent  was  clerk  of  election  and  A.  E. 
McGaughey  was  the  forwarding  clerk.  Fifty  votes  were  polled. 
From  that  time  until  1879  the  officers  were  as  follows,  the  first 
named  of  the  supervisors  under  each  year  being  the  chairman : 
Supervisors,  1859,  Ellery  Stone,  George  Seafes'ons,  William  Olson; 
1860,  S.  N.  McGaughey,  John  Ingebrightsen,  J.  Vauderberg;  1861, 
Alexander  Merritt,  A.  Larson,  J.  K.  Stranahan ; 1862,  Alexander 
Merritt,  John  Ingebrightsen,  Seth  Davis;  1863,  James  McGinnis, 
A.  Larson,  F.  I.  Collins ; 1861,  Alexander  Merritt,  S.  Anderson, 

A.  Larson ; 1865,  Alexander  Merritt,  R.  J.  Onstad,  Fred  Miller ; 
1866,  Thomas  Balfour,  John  Ingebrightsen,  John  B.  Lee;  1867, 

E.  D.  Stone,  John  Ingebrightsen,  Fred  Miller;  1868,  F.  F.  Dim- 
mick,  John  B.  Lee.  Charles  Holm;  1869,  William  Greaves,  E.  D. 
Stone,  S.  Anderson;  1870,  S.  Anderson,  F.  I.  Johnson,  E.  D. 
Stone;  1871,  E.  D.  Stone,  Charles  Anderson,  John  B.  Lee;  1872, 
E.  D.  Stone,  James  B.  Lee,  Charles  Anderson;  1873-1877,  E.  D. 
Stone,  Charles  Anderson,  T.  S.  Medje,  1877,  Thomas  Balfour, 
John  Haggstrom,  Charles  Edstrom;  1878,  John  Haggstrom,  Nils 
Skog,  Knut  K.  ITougo.  Clerks,  1858,  George  F.  Sargent;  1859-61, 
E.  G.  Bailey;  1861-63,  E.  A.  Sargent;  1863-65,  D.  Van  Amberg; 
1865,  E.  A.  Sargent;  1866-68,  F.  G.  Bailey;  1868,  Thomas  Balfour; 
1869-73,  M.  T.  Opsal;  1873,  John  Edstrom.  Assessors,  F.  F.  Dim- 
mick,  Fred  Miller,  John  Surratt,  F.  F.  Gimmick,  D.  Yan 
Amberg,  Nere  TIolgeson,  S.  Anderson,  C.  J.  AVing,  Ed.  L.  Otter- 
ness,  Mons  S.  Urevig.  Collector,  E.  D.  Stone,  1869-60.  Treas- 
urers, William  Olson,  E.  Stone,  William  Olson,  Ed.  L.  Otterness, 
M.  T.  Opsal.  Justices  of  the  peace,  D.  C.  Stranahan,  S.  N.  Mc- 
Gaughey, James  McGinnis,  M.  Bryant,  J.  K.  Stranahan,  Ira  Bab- 
cock, E.  A.  Sargent,  Fred  Miller,  John  Miller,  M.  Bryant,  A.  A. 
Flom,  John  Miller.  Constables,  E.  D.  Stone,  0.  L.  Stranahan, 

B.  F.  Davis,  John  Lagerstrom,  II.  P.  Davis,  A.  B.  Crow,  John 
Lagerstrom,  A.  Olson,  H.  M.  Stranahan,  B.  F.  Davis,  Jonathan 


194 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Poe,  J.  A.  Holm,  H.  M.  Stranahan,  0.  S.  Urevig,  John  A.  Holm, 
D.  E.  Berdan,  0.  S.  Urevig,  John  Lewis,  0.  S.  Urevig,  P.  J. 
Peterson,  Ed.  Berdan,  K.  Iv.  Ilougo,  J.  Helm. 

The  oldest  church  in  the  township  is  the  Spring  Garden 
Swedish  Evangelical  Lutheran  church.  The  Urland  congregation 
of  the  Norwegian  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  was  organized  in 
the  winter  of  1871. 

In  1859  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barnes  organized  a Presbyterian  church, 
and  during  the.  following  year  the  Methodist  people  perfected  an 
organization,  but  both  of  these  attempts  expired,  owing  to  lack 
of  support. 

George  Wright  Matchan,  deceased,  will  long  be  remembered 
for  his  sterling  worth  and  noble  Christian  character.  One  of  a 
family  of  fourteen  children,  he  was  born  at  Bilton,  Yorkshire, 
England,  August  8,  1830,  in  the  house  where  his  parents  settled 
at  their  marriage,  and  where  both  died,  after  a continuous  resi- 
dence of  more  than  sixty  years  of  happy  life.  Here  was  spent 
liis  boyhood  and  early  manhood,  and  in  April,  1850,  he  married 
Mary  Ann  Shields,  daughter  of  "William  and  Frances  (Miller) 
Shields,  also  born  at  his  native  place.  April,  1858,  the  family 
consisting  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Matchan  and  three  young  sons,  George, 
Robert  and  William,  emigrated  to  Canada,  taking  passage  in  a 
sailing  vessel  of  the  type  of  that  day.  After  a stormy,  trying 
voyage  of  forty-nine  days  at  sea,  they  landed  at  Quebec,  from 
whence  they  went  to  Farmersville,  Ontario,  subsequently  settling 
on  a farm  near  the  village  of  Green  Bush,  about  Twelve  miles 
westerly  from  Brockville,  on  the  St.  Lawrence.  Here  were  born 
to  them  two  children,  Almira  and  Edward.  April,  1864,  the 
family  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  living  for  a few  months 
at  Waukesha,  Wis.  During  the  summer  of  1864  Mr.  Matchan, 
leaving  his  family  at  Waukesha  to  follow  later,  started  for  Min- 
nesota in  quest  of  a home,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  rented 
the  farm  of  James  Scofield,  in  the  town  of  Roscoe,  where  his 
family  joined  him,  remaining  until  the  spring  of  1866,  and  where 
was  born  to  them  another  daughter,  Laura.  The  summer  and 
winter  of  1866-7,  they  lived  on  the  farm  of  T.  D.  Rowell,  east 
of  the  village  of  Zumbrota,  moving  thence  to  the  farm  lying 
southwesterly  from  Zumbrota  village,  in  the  town  of  Roscoe, 
which  Mr.  Matchan  had  purchased  in  the  fall  of  1865  of  Josiah 
Thompson,  then  living  at  Zumbrota.  This  farm  consisted  of  160 
acres,  for  which  he  agreed  to  pay  $800,  paying  $100  cash  and 
$100  per  annum,  with  interest  at  ten  per  cent.  Here  were  born 
to  them  another  daughter,  Annie,  and  a son,  Wesley. 

Many  were  the  trials  and  great  the  discouragements  encoun- 
tered before  the  final  victory  over  debt  and  necessary  farm  bet- 
terments, but  the  good  old  farm  yielded  not  only  a comfortable 


George  W 


Matchan 


Mrs.  George  W.  Matcit ax 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUYTY 


195 


living  for  the  family  during  all  the  years  of  its  subjugation  and 
improvement,  but  in  response  to  good  cultivation  made  possible 
the  purchase  of  an  additional  eighty  acres  adjoining,  at  a much 
greater  price  per  acre  than  its  own  first  cost,  and  the  building 
of  a tine  home  in  the  village  of  Zumbrota,  at  a cost,  including  the 
lands,  of  over  $5,000,  to  which  the  family,  then  consisting  of 
himself,  wife,  Annie  and  Wesley,  removed,  remaining  until  the 
fall  of  1906,  when,  because  of  declining  years  and  health,  he  sold 
with  the  idea  of  purchasing  a home  of  less  size,  where  he  and  the 
wife  and  mother  might  pass  the  last  years  of  their  lifetime  with 
the  least  care  and  responsibility.  In  this  respect,  however,  his 
calculations  were  defeated.  He  died  at  the  home  of  his  daugh- 
ter, Mrs.  Laura  Secore,  Red  Wing,  February  5,  1907.  At  the 
tillage  home  above  mentioned,  April,  1900,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Matcham 
celebrated  the  fiftieth  (golden)  anniversary  of  their  wedding,  at 
which  were  in  attendance  all  of  their  eight  children,  the  wives 
of  those  married,  all  their  grandchildren  and  most  of  their 
nephews  and  nieces,  numbering  in  all  fifty-five  persons.  Mr. 
Matchan  from  his  early  boyhood  was  identified  with  the  Meth- 
odist church,  being  one  of  the  few  original  organizers  of  the 
First  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Zumbrota,  with  which  he 
was  identified  as  member,  and  in  one  and  another  official  capac- 
ity, until  the  time  of  his  death.  Mr.  Matchan  was  a man  of 
positive  character  and  intense  conviction,  clinging  at  all  cost 
to  the  right,  frowning  publicly  and  privately  upon  that  he  con- 
sidered wrong.  His  word  once  given  was  sacred,  and  no  incon- 
venience or  sacrifice  was  too  great  for  him  to  suffer  that  he 
might  fulfill  the  simplest  promise.  He  left  surviving  him  five 
sons  and  three  daughters,  and  his  wife,  Mary  Ann. 

The  oldest  son,  George  L.,  is  a prominent  attorney  residing 
at  the  city  of  Minneapolis.  The  second  son,  Robert  D.,  a well 
known  physician  and  surgeon,  also  resident  of  Minneapolis, 
where  for  two  decades  he  lias  continuously  occupied  the  chair 
of  surgery  in  the  homeopathic  department  of  the  medical  school 
of  the  State  University  of  Minnesota.  The  third  son,  William, 
resides  at  Milton.  N.  D.,  Avliere  he  is  engaged  in  the  lumber  and 
grain  business.  A daughter,  Almira  Osborne,  resides  at  Payette, 
Idaho.  Edward  M.  resides  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Roscoe, 
where  he  is  making  good  both  as  a farmer  and  citizen.  Laura, 
wife  of  J.  A.  Secore,  resides  at  the  city  of  Anoka,  where  her  hus- 
band occupied  the  important  position  of  superintendent  of  the 
department  of  manual  training  in  the  public  schools  of  that  city. 
Annie,  wife  of  Rupert  Staiger,  resides  at  Zumbrota,  where  they 
own  their  home  and  large  grounds,  which  represent  no  inconsid- 
erable increment  indicative  of  their  thrift  and  future  prosperity. 
Wesley  G.,  the  youngest  of  the  eight,  was  a graduate  of  the 


196 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


medical  department  of  the  State  University,  and  for  eight  years 
and  more  until  His  death,  occupied  an  envious  position  in  his 
chosen  profession  in  the  city  of  Bismarck,  capital  of  our  sister 
state  of  North  Dakota,  where  he  died  July  21,  1909,  cut  off  be- 
fore reaching  the  prime  of  his  manhood,  for  he  was  less  than 
thirty-three  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  death.  lie  had  never- 
theless, by  persistent  effort  and  consistent  living,  attained  a 
standing  in  his  profession  and  in  business  and  social  circles  of 
his  home  city,  not  often  reached  by  men  of  maturer  years,  and 
because  of  his  manly  character  and  genial  kindly  nature,  his 
death  was  mourned  by  the  entire  community,  men,  women  and 
children,  representing  all  walks  in  life,  pausing  at  his  bier  for 
that  last  look  of  homage  to  the  memory  of  their  dead  friend. 
The  wife,  mother,  widow,  now  seventy-five  years  of  age,  residing 
at  the  old,  new,  village,  Zumbrota,  sad  because  of  the  loss  of  her 
loved  ones,  yet  contentedly  happy  in  the  reflection  of  their  vic- 
tories and  in  the  possession  of  the  respect,  affection  and  love  of 
all  her  living  offspring,  relatives  and  friends,  which  are  legion. 
She  still  works  while  waiting,  firmly  secure  in  the  knowledge, 
resulting  from  a life  of  practiced  Christian  faith  and  works,  that 
the  future  holds  for  her  only  good,  gleaning  in  her  declining 
years  the  honey  of  the  flower  of  a life  well  spent,  basking  in  the 
sunshine  of  the  hope  of  the  meeting  in  that  great  beyond,  where 
awaits  for  such  as  she,  life  eternal,  and  the  “well  done,  thou 
good  and  faithful  servant,  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  lord.” 

The  homely,  trustful,  energetic,  faithful  life  work  of  these 
two  old  Goodhue  county  pioneers  will  shine  forth  in  the  pages 
of  this  history  of  the  achievements  pf  those  who  made  Goodhue 
county  what  she  is,  in  the  galaxy  of  stars  which  make  up  the 
great  state  of  Minnesota,  as  a guide  for  others  here  and  to  come, 
to  whom  is  left  the  completion  of  a great  work  so  inauspieiously 
begun. 

MINNEOLA  TOWNSHIP. 

Minneola,  originally  a part  of  Zumbrota  township,  but  organ- 
ized separately  in  June,  1860,  comprises  township  110,  range  16, 
and  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Belle  Creek,  on  the  east  by 
Zumbrota,  on  the  south  by  Roscoe  and  on  the  west  by  Wana- 
mingo.  It  is  crossed,  east  to  west,  by  the  north  branch  of  the 
Zumbro,  which  is  augmented  along  its  winding  course  by  springs 
and  rivulets  which  supply  the  township  with  plenty  of  water, 
making  the  farms  well  adapted  for  agriculture  and  stock  raising. 
The  surface  has  great  changes  of  level.  The  highest  land  is  in 
the  northwestern  part  of  the  town  and  the  lowest  is  in  the 
valley  near  the  village  of  Zumbrota  in  the  southeastern  part. 
The  changes,  however,  except  in  the  immediate  descents  into  the 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


197 

Zumbro  valley,  are  gradual,  making  in  general  an  undulating 
surface.  The  soil  is  rich,  deep  and  fertile.  In  several  portions 
are  a few  natural  groves  of  forest  trees,  and  shade  trees  surround 
many  of  the  houses,  adding  beauty  and  sheltering  houses  and 
barns  from  storms. 

The  first  claim  in  the  township  was  made  by  Christian  Peter- 
son on  section  26  in  May,  1855.  Mr.  Peterson  erected  a rude 
hut  of  brush,  banked  with  sod,  which  did  service  during  the 
summer  while  he  was  breaking  the  land  and  planting  the  first 
crop.  In  the  fall  he  improved  this  habitation  with  the  addition 
of  some  boards.  In  June  of  the  same  year  John  Mabee  and  A. 
C.  Erstad  arrived,  and  shared  with  Mr.  Peterson  the  rigors  of 
that  first  winter  in  what  was  practically  an  unbroken  wilder- 
ness. Mabee  located  his  claim  on  section  35,  where  he  lived  until 
the  spring  of  1856,  when  he  returned  to  Norway.  Erstad  made 
his  claim  on  section  26,  and  in  1856  occupied  the  deserted  claim 
of  Mabee,  which  he  continued  to  make  his  home  and  where  he 
later  erected  a beautiful  residence.  In  1856  there  came  a number 
of  other  settlers,  among  whom  were  Daniel  Eames,  the  Swenson 
brothers  and  Julius  Peck,  and  probably,  according  to  an  ancient 
authority,  Andrew  Christopherson  as  well.  Mr.  Peck  had  the 
distinction  of  having  brought  into  the  township  the  first  pair  of 
horses.  Previous  to  this  time  oxen  had  been  the  only  beasts  of 
burden  in  the  township,  being  used  for  plowing,  for  draught 
purposes,  and  even  for  conveying  the  pioneers  from  place  to 
place.  Daniel  Fames  died  in  1859,  his  being  the  first  death  in 
the  township.  The  first  birth  in  the  township  was  that  of  Eddi$ 
Crowell  in  1857.  Another  early  birth  was  that  of  a child  to 
Albra  Twombley,  also  in  1857.  Church  service  was  held  by  the 
Rev.  Charles  Shedd  early  in  1856,  soon  after  his  arrival.  The 
first  marriage  was  that  of  George  Rees  and  Harriet  Wightman, 
June,  1858.  The  first  school  was  taught  by  Charles  Locke  in 
the  home  of  Julius  Peck.  This  school  was  supported  by  private 
subscription,  there  being  at  that  time  no  regularly  organized 
school  district.  'A  public  school  was  taught  by  Mrs.  Daniel 
Eames  in  her  own  house. 

A tragedy  of  the  early  days  occurred  in  July,  1862.  A violent 
thunder  storm  arose,  during  which  time  a bolt  of  lightning  fell 
upon  the  house  of  A.  J.  Grover,  striking  the  roof  and  parting, 
a portion  of  the  electricity  passing  down  the  roof  and  the  other 
portion  to  the  person  of  Mrs.  Grover,  who  was  in  a chamber, 
killing  her  instantly.  The  other  persons  in  the  house  were  not 
so  seriously  injured,  though  severely  shocked.  The  house  was 
also  set  on  fire,  but  prompt  assistance  saved  it  from  destruction. 

In  1856  a flouring  mill  was  built  by  the  Messrs.  Nichols  and 
Ford  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  town,  on  the  Zumbro. 


198 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Another  mill  was  erected,  probably  by  the  Messrs.  Nelson  and 
Olson,  about  six  miles  above  the  first  mill,  located  on  the  line 
between  Minneola  and  Wanamingo. 

In  1867  the  Norwegian  Lutherans  erected  the  first  frame 
church,  in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  township,  at  a cost  of 
$3,500,  with  a seating  capacity  of  about  500  people.  The  first 
minister  was  the  Rev.  B.  A.  Muus.  The  same  denomination  later 
built  another  large  church  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town. 

The  Methodists  organized  a society  in  1868.  Later  German 
Lutheran  and  German  Methodist  churches  were  organized.  Rev. 
Mr.  Walton  preached  an  early  sermon  in  the  home  of  Daniel 
Eames.  Mary  Dickey  was  an  early  school  teacher.  In  1871 
a schoolliouse  was  erected  on  section  23,-  and  was  first  taught  in 
by  John  Aldrich.  A company  composed  of  Ezra  Wilder,  H.  H. 
Palmer,  T.  P.  Kellett  and  others  built,  in  the  early  days,  a large 
cheese  factory  on  section  26,  within  the  limits  of  this  township. 

The  township  was  first  united  with  Zumbrota  under  one 
organization.  The  first  supervisors  were  I.  C.  Stearns,  T.  D. 
Rowell  and  George  Sanderson.  In  December,  1859,  a notice  was 
posted  in  several  places,  requesting  the  voters  living  in  township 
110,  range  16,  to  meet  on  the  fifteenth  of  that  month  at  the  resi- 
dence of  Daniel  Eames  to  take  into  consideration  the  expediency 
of  a separate  organization,  choose  a name  for  the  town,  and  if 
deemed  best,  to  elect  the  necessary  officers  for  doing  town  busi- 
ness. At  the  meeting  held  in  accord  with  the  order,  N.  Mulliken 
was  called  to  the  chair  and  J.  B.  Locke  chosen  secretary.  The 
pames  of  Paris  and  Minneola  were  presented  for  consideration. 
The  latter  was  finally  agreed  upon  as  the  name  for  the  new 
organization.  Minneola  is  an  Indian  term,  signifying  “much 
water.”  There  were  thirty-two  voters  present,  and  it  was  de- 
cided to  elect  town  officers.  This  election  resulted  in  the  follow- 
ing officers:  Supervisors,  J.  B.  Locke  (chairman),  Brant  Thomp- 
son, J.  Clark;  clerk,  R.  Person;  assessor,  Henry  E.  Shedd; 
justices,  A.  J.  Grover  and  N.  Mulliken ; constables,  W.  B.  Williams 
and  E.  L.  Kingsbury.  A.  J.  Grover  and  J.  B.  Locke  were  ap-  ' 
pointed  a committee  to  present  this  action  to  the  county  board. 
They  did  so,  but  the  matter  was  deferred  by  that  board  until 
Loth  townships  could  act  on  the  matter.  The  township  of  Zum- 
brota, at  its  annual  meeting  in  the  spring  of  1860,  approved  of 
the  separation.  The  organization  was  perfected  by  a meeting 
held  at  the  home  of  J.  B.  Locke  June  18,  1860. 

The  following  men  enlisted  from  Minneola  during  the  Civil 
War;  Charles  Adams,  Morgan  Abel.  Arthur  Brown,  Cyrus  B. 
Chase,  Steven  G.  Cady,  John  IT.  Docker,  Christ  Eastman,  Grinnell 
Fates,  Hans  Halvorson,  Bottel  Larson,  Halvor  Ockelbey,  Claus 
Oleson,  William  N.  Peck,  Elizur  Peck,  Peter  Peterson,  Morris 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


199 


Rees,  Ole  E.  Strand,  Torkel  Swenson,  Ole  E.  Strand,  Lieutenant 
William  B.  Williams,  David  Wightman,  Thomas  Corcoran,  Bap- 
tiste Cardingle,  Joseph  Delaney,  Pierce  Garvais,  Baptiste  Garvais, 
Francis  A.  Hamlin,  Levi  Label,  Jr. , Horace  W.  Moore,  John  McWill- 
iams, AVilliam  H.  Nourse,  Bonde  Oleson,  Erastus  Pierce,  Xavier 
Paul,  Timothy  Shearer,  Charles  Carter,  Carl  Schlenty,  William 
Payne,  Frank  Stroback,  Jacob  Mosbrugger,  Atlas  Marshall,  Ed- 
ward Trowbridge,  Walter  B.  Boyd,  Amos  Eastman,  Patrick  Killen, 
Charles  S.  Spendley,  Alfred  B.  Tyler,  Peter  Akers,  August 
Beckard,  AVilliam  Plumb,  Christopher  L.  Johnson,  Lars  Johnson, 
Martin  Johnson,  Barnt  Thompson,  William  M.  Farnham,  Philip 
Sudheimer,  Charles  Strong. 

KENYON  TOWNSHIP. 

Kenyon  lies  in  the  southeast  corner  of  Goodhue  county,  and 
comprises  township  112,  range  18.  It  is  the  highest  township  in 
the  county,  and  has  an  undulating  surface  which  was  originally 
almost  wholly  prairie.  The  north  branch  of  the  Zumbro  flows 
through  the  northwestern  part,  and  along  this  stream  there  are 
several  groves  of  young  trees.  There  are  occasional  small 
sloughs,  with  turf-peat,  in  the  uplands,  but  in  the  summer  seasons 
they  are  dry  and  furnish  a coarse  hay.  Deep,  fertile  soil  pre- 
vails generally  throughout  the  township. 

As  the  early  settlement  was  all  in  the  northern  and  north- 
western part,  the  early  history  of  the  township  and  village  is 
practically  identical.  In  1855  came  a number  of  settlers,  among 
them  being  L.  A.  Felt.  Chris  and  Sever  Halvorson,  L.  N.  Bye,  N. 
Hollenbeck  and  a man  named  Natice.  These  were  soon  followed 
by  J.  II.  Day,  Addison  and  E.  B.  Hilton,  James  Browley,  S.  A. 
Baker,  Stephen  Bullis,  0.  S.  Gunhus,  0.  E.  Erickson  and  AY.  B. 
Burnham.  Successive  crops  of  untouched  prairie  grass  had  hard- 
ened the  sward,  and  the  early  settlers  had  much  difficulty  in 
breaking  the  glebe.  But  they  set  to  work  with  courage,  and  soon 
the  wilderness  was  fruitful  with  the  crops  which  the  rich  soil 
yielded. 

In  May,  1856,  James  H.  Day  and  James  M.  LeDuc  claimed  the 
land  on  which  the  village  now  stands,  and  subsequently  two  men 
named  Howe  and  Hilton  became  part  owners  of  the  land.  By 
these  four  men,  the  village  was  laid  out  and  platted.  James  H. 
Day  erected  the  first  residence  in  June.  1856,  and  a store  building 
was  erected  the  same  year.  This  was  occupied  by  Crowley  & 
Baker  as  a general  store.  Stephen  Bullis  built  the  first  hotel  in 
March,  1857,  and  during  the  same  year  a steam  saw  mill  was 
constructed.  Town  and  village  are  named  from  one  of  the  early 
settlers. 


200 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


The  first  death  occurred  in  the  summer  of  1857,  Lydia  Gross 
being  unable  to  withstand  the  rigors  of  pioneer  life.  The  first 
birth  was  that  of  George,  son  of  W.  B.  Burnham,  born  in  the 
spring  of  1857.  The  first  marriage  was  that  of  Freeman  Colla- 
more  and  Mary  Bullis,  in  January,  1858.  The  first  school  was 
taught  in  the  winter  of  1857  by  W.  S.  Bill,  who  also  conducted 
the  first  religious  services. 

According  to  the  official  lists,  those  who  enlisted  in  the  Civil 
War  from  Kenyon  were:  John  Bury,  David  Bury,  Frederick 
Bury,  John  Bury,  Jr.,  Freeman  F.  Collamore,  Ole  Engerbretson, 
Austin  P.  Felt,  Lieut.  Roscoe  Hilton,  Clark  Harding,  Thomas  L. 
Johnson,  Lars  Neilson,  Ole  Otterson,  Albert  Otterson,  IJalvo 
Tolfson,  Alvin  H.  Wiggins,  Thomas  Erickson,  Claus  Holst,  Joseph 
Holst,  Jacob  Holst,  C.  D.  Harding,  Frederick  Lachner,  Lewis 
Mohler,  B.  E.  Olin,  Thomas  II.  Britton,  Knut  Otterson,  Carl  Han- 
son, T.  R.  Bullis,  Simeon  Elcock,  William  A.  Parry,  William 
II.  Hill,  Henry  C.  Collins,  Peter  Rourk,  Peter  Johnson,  John  Lind- 
quist, George  Bossout,  Andrew  Some,  John  Muckenham,  S.  II. 
Bohannohn  and  William  Stauehfield. 

The  township  was  organized  May  15,  1858,  and  the  following 
officers  were  elected:  • Supervisors,  A.  Hilton  (chairman),  S.  Bul- 
lis and  W.  B.  Burnham;  town  clerk,  S.  A.  Baker;  justices  of  the 
peace,  J.  II.  Day  and  C.  G.  Averell;  assessor,  D.  F.  Harley;  col- 
lector, L.  A.  Felt;  constables,  D.  F.  Harley  and  W.  F.  Clapp;  over- 
seer of  the  poor,  F.  Day. 

Four  churches  supplied  the  religious  demands  of  the  people 
in  the  early  days.  In  1870,  the  Norwegian  Lutherans  erected  on 
section  5,  a stone  church  capable  of  seating  600  people.  It  was 
one  of  the  congregations  of  the  Rev.  B.  J.  Muus.  On  section  7, 
another  Norwegian  Lutheran  church,  a stone  building  with  a 
seating  capacity  of  400  people,  was  erected  in  1872.  The  first 
Baptist  church  was  organized  May  4,  1867,  with  seven  members. 
In  1873  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dubois  of  the  Episcopal  church  held  service 
at  the  village  and  in  1875  an  organization  was  perfected,  with 
the  following  officers:  Wardens,  Dr.  A.  W.  Hewitt  and  E.  R. 

Marshall;  vestrymen,  S.  A.  Bullis,  B.  D.  Bullis,  William  Elcock 
and  William  Turner.  A church  capable  of  holding  200  people 
was  erected  in  1875  and  dedicated  July  25,  1876.  Originally  the 
population  of  the  township  was  largely  Norwegian,  and  that  of 
the  village  American,  but  at  the  present  time  Americans  of  Nor- 
Avegian  descent  or  birth  predominate  throughout  both  town  and 
village.  Aside  from  the  village  of  Kenyon,  there  are  two  stations 
in  the  township,  both  on  the  line  of  the  Chicago  and  Great  West- 
ern. They  are  Bakko  and  Skyberg. 

Kenyon  Village  lies  thirty- five  miles  southwest  of  Red  Wing 
on  the  Zumbro  river  and  the  C.  G.  W.  and  C.,  M.  & St.  Paul  rail- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


201 


ways.  It  is  incorporated  and  has  a population  of  1,300.  It  lias 
three  hotels,  two  banks,  a creamery,  a flour  mill,  three  grain  ele- 
vators, a canning  factory,  an  electric  light  plant,  water  works,  an 
opera  house,  a well  equipped  fire  department,  a good  graded 
school.  The  churches  are:  The  Episcopal,  Baptist,  Methodist, 
German  Methodist,  German  Lutheran  and  Norwegian  Lutheran. 
There  are  two  weekly  papers  published,  the  Leader  and  the  News. 
There  are  two  telegraph  companies,  one  express  company,  the 
Wells,  Fargo  & Co.,  and  one  telephone  company. 


CHAPTER  XV. 


TOWNSHIPS  AND  VILLAGES. 

Pine  Island  Township  and  Village — Progressive  and  Prosperous 
— Roscoe — Stanton — Vasa  — Wacoota  — Wanamingo  — Wana- 
mingo  Village — Warsaw — Dennison  Village — Welch. 

When  the  first  hardy  pioneers  penetrated  the  wilderness  as 
far  as  the  site  of  the  present  village  of  Pine  Island  in  the  early 
fifties,  they  found  a beautiful  spot  called  by  the  Indians  “Wa-zu- 
wee-ta,”  which  translated  into  English  means  “Island  of  Pines,” 
and  here,  owing  to  its  natural  advantages  of  wood  and  running 
water,  combined  with  deep  and  fertile  soil,  the  early  settlers,  in 
search  of  homes,  stopped  and  built  their  cabins;  and  the  erstwhile 
wilderness  rapidly  assumed  the  proportions  of  a center  of  civili- 
zation for  a large  surrounding  country. 

The  term  “ Wa-zu-wee-ta,”  or  Island  of  Pines,  referred  to  a 
strip  of  land  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  reaching  from  about 
where  Main  street  now  is  well  upon  Newton’s  hill,  which  was 
heavily  timbered  with  stately  white  pines  and  was  completely 
surrounded  by  a heavy  growth  of  hardwood  timber.  This  spot 
was  a favorite  resort  of  the  Dakotah  Indians,  and  here,  in  their 
skin  tepees,  they  used  to  pass  the  cold  months,  sheltered  from 
winter’s  storms  by  the  surrounding  hills  and  the  heavy  timber, 
through  which  roamed  untold  numbers  of  deer  and  elk. 

The  Indian  name  was  so  appropriate  that  it  was  retained,  but  . 
“Wa-zu-wee-ta,”  or  Island  of  Pines,  was  too  large  a mouthful 
for  the  taciturn  pioneers  and  the  name  speedily  became  Pine 
Island.  A pretty  story  is  told  of  Chief  Wacoota,  then  at  the  head 
of  the  Red  Wing  band  of  Dakotah  Indians,  that  when  he  was 
asked  by  the  United  States  commissioners  to  sign  the  treaty  that 
would  require  his  people  to  relinquish  their  homes  on  the  Missis- 
sippi river,  replied  that  he  would  willingly  sign  if  he  could  have 
his  future  home  at  Pine  Island. 

The  town  is  located  on  sections  31  and  32  of  township  109, 
range  15,  and  is  as  above  indicated,  the  early  settlers  found  a 
country  heavily  wooded,  for  the  most  part  with  hardwood  timber 
and  watered  by  the  middle  branch  of  the  Zumbro,  which  divides 
in  what  is  now  the  eastern  part  of  the  village,  the  north  branch 

202 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


203 


flowing  directly  through  the  town  and  the  south  branch  passing 
the  south. 

It  is  generally  understood  that  II.  B.  Powers  was  the  first  man 
who  came  and  built  his  cabin  in  this  town  in  the  year  1854.  A 
close  second  was  Josiah  Haggard,  a youth  of  nineteen  or  twenty 
years,  who  came  the  same  spring,  located  a claim  and  built  his 
cabin  about  where  the  residence  of  Dr.  Charles  Hill  now  stands. 
This  claim  was  jumped  by  a man  named  Howard,  and  Haggard 
crossed  the  Zumbro  and  made  his  second  claim  of  land  now  cov- 
ered by  business  blocks  and  residences.  Moses  Jewell  and  his 
son,  Solomon,  came  the  next  fall  and  the  former  pre-empted  the 
Haggard  claim,  the  owner  having  made  but  a half-hearted  at- 
tempt to  fulfil  the  conditions  of  the  law.  Moses  Jewell  returned 
to  Wisconsin  for  the  winter,  leaving  here  his  son,  Solomon,  who 
has  been  a resident  of  the  community  almost  continuously  since 
that  time  and  still  owns  a large  tract  of  the  original  Moses  Jewell 
pre-emption.  Nelson  Denison,  another  pioneer,  pre-empted  a 
claim  farther  east  the  same  season  and  a large  number  of  settlers 
arrived  in  that  and  the  following  seasons.  Among  these  Giles  and 
George  Hayward.  AY.  S.  Newton,  J.  A.  Tarbox,  Philip  and  Henry 
Tome,  John  Lee,  John  Clance,  Sylvester  Dickey,  C.  K.  AYhite  and 
others.  Moses  Jewell  and  family  occupied  a log  house  about 
where  White  street  now  crosses  Main  street,  and  there  the  first 
marriage  took  place  between  his  daughter,  Sarah,  and  A.  B.  Cron, 
July  13,  1856.  although  another  marriage  was  solemnized  at  about 
the  same  time  between  II.  B.  Powers,  the  young  settler,  and  Mary 
E.  Miller.  At  about  this  time  (autumn  of  1856)  the  first  school 
was  organized  in  a log  building  about  where  the  Citizens  State 
Bank  now  stands,  with  Annette  Seek  as  teacher.  Other  schools 
were  established  in  the  vicinity  shortly  afterward,  among  which 
was  one  taught  by  Thomas  McManus.  The  first  school  building 
was  erected  the  following  year  near  the  Geo.  Paige  residence  on 
the  north  side  of  the  river.  John  Salmon  was  the  first  preacher 
and  held  services  at  the  homes  of  the  settlers.  The  first  child 
born  in  the  community  was  Martha  Cron,  now  Airs.  S.  P.  Collins. 
The  first  death  was  that  of  Michael  Horn  in  the  winter  of  1856. 
In  1856  Haggard  & Hayward  began  the  erection  of  a saw  mill 
under  the  supervision  of  Rice  Hamlin,  a young  Pennsylvania 
millwright,  and  the  father  of  Charles  and  Henry  Hamlin,  who 
'later  became  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  the  village.  This  mill 
was  run  in  the  early  years  by  Lowry  & Powers  and  about  200,- 
000  feet  of  lumber  was  manufactured.  In  1858,  the  mill  was  sold 
to  A.  J.  Tarbox,  and  later  passed  into  the  possession  of  AY.  AY. 
Cutshall.  who  continued  to  operate  it  until  about  1902,  when  it 
vras  dismantled  on  account  of  the  scarcity  of  saw  timber.  In 


204 


HI  ST  OB  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


the  late  sixties  a steam  hour  mill  was  erected  on  the  bank  of  the 
river  below  the  saw  mill  by  Tarbox  & Jewell,  but  several  years 
ago,  after  a checkered  history,  it  was  pulled  down  and  the  ma- 
chinery and  lumber  was  sold.  Another  hour  mill  was  built  on 
the  water  power  just  below  the  confluence  of  the  two  branches 
of  the  Zumbro  by  a man  named  Jacobs  and  for  a number  of  years 
did  a flourishing  business,  but  in  1876  it  was  burned  and  was  never 
rebuilt.  The  dam  was  shortly  afterward  carried  out  and  the  land 
formerly  covered  by  the  waters  of  the  mill  pond  have  since  be- 
come valuable  for  pasturage. 

Pine  Island  Village  was  surveyed  and  platted  in  the  winter  of 
1856-57,  on  land  owned  by  John  Glance,  Moses  Jewell  and  J.  A. 
Tarbox.  For  many  years  the  principal  business  part  of  the  vil- 
lage was  on  the  north  side  of  the  river  and  grew  rapidly  to  a 
flourishing  business  point.  The  business  portion  of  the  village, 
however,  gradually  moved  southward,  until  at  the  present  time 
nearly  all  the  business  houses  of  the  village  are  on  the  south  side 
of  the  river. 

The  first  hotel  was  built  by  E.  Denison  in  1857  and  old  settlers 
still  remember  how  the  ladies  of  the  village  plied  their  needles 
for  days  to  supply  the  new  hotel  with  the  necessary  bed  and  table 
linen.  John  Lee  had  previously  built  a hotel  on  the  old  St.  Paul- 
Dubuque  road  near  where  Poplar  Grove  church  now  stands  and 
the  landlord  was  also  postmaster  of  the  place,  but  the  fact  of  the 
existence  of  the  hotel  or  postoffice  is  now  scarcely  remembered. 
The  early  settlers  received  their  scanty  mail  from  Oronoco,  where 
a settlement  had  existed  for  a number  of  years,  but  in  1856  a 
postoffice  was  established  with  John  Clance  as  postmaster.  J.  A. 
Tarbox,  Jas.  McManus,  S.  S.  Worthing,  Fletcher  Hagler,  Chas. 
Parker,  Henry  Hamlin,  Henry  Tome  and  George  H.  Tome  have 
since  held  this  responsible  position,  the  last  named  gentleman  be- 
ing the  present  incumbent. 

The  war  history  of  the  village  and  the  country  immediately 
surrounding  it,  could  it  be  written  in  full,  would  make  interest- 
ing reading.  It  has  been  said,  probably  with  more  or  less  justice, 
that  Pine  Island  has  furnished  more  soldiers  to  the  government 
in  proportion  to  the  size  of  the  place,  than  any  town  in  the  coun- 
try. Be  that  as  it  may,  it  is  a fact  that  of  the  Minnesota  regi- 
ments which  took  part  in  the  Civil  war  and  the  Sioux  war  of 
1863-4.  Pine  Island  was  liberally  represented  in  all,  with  the 
possible  exception  of  the  Ninth  Infantry,  while  a number  enlisted 
with  Wisconsin  regiments.  Again  in  1898  the  young  men  of  Pine 
Island  responded  to  call  to  arms,  and  a few  found  soldiers’  graves 
in  distant  lands. 

In  the  spring  of  1878  the  Chicago  & Northwestern  Railroad 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


205 


Company  built  a branch  line  through  the  village,  giving  the  peo- 
ple of  the  village  and  surrounding  country  much  needed  trans- 
portation facilities.  In  the  early  days  the  only  means  of  trans- 
portation was  by  wagon  over  the  rough  country  roads,  and  the 
nearest  markets  were  Red  "Wing  and  Lake  City  on  the  river.  In 
1902  the  Great  Western  Railroad  Company,  having  purchased  the 
Duluth,  Red  Wing  and  Southern  railroad  from  Reel  Wing  to 
Zumbrota,  extended  the  line  through  this  place  to  Rochester,  con- 
necting with  their  line  at  that  place,  so  that  at  present  the  rail- 
road service  enjoyed  by  the  people  of  this  vicinity  is  nearly  all 
that  could  be  desired.  In  the  spring  of  1878  the  village  of  Pine 
Island  was  incorporated  and  separated  from  the  township.  The 
first  council  to  serve  the  village  was  composed  of  the  following: 
President,  Charles  Hill;  trustees,  Messrs.  Dickey,  Thompson  and 
Lowery ; recorder,  G.  IT.  Glidden.  In  1899  the  people  voted  bonds, 
in  the  sum  of  $6,000  and  installed  an  excellent  system  of  water- 
works. Water  is  obtained  from  a well  drilled  in  the  solid  rock 
and  located  beneath  the  mill  power  house  and  power  for  pump- 
ing is  obtained  from  the  mill  power  engine.  The  water  mains 
have  since  been  extended  so  as  to  afford  city  water  and  fire  pro- 
tection to  nearly  every  portion  of  the  village.  An  electric  light 
plant  was  installed  at  the  mill  in  1899  by  Loomis  F.  Irish  and 
electricity  is  now  being  used  in  all  parts  of  the  village,  both  for 
public  and  private  lighting.  The  year  1900  saw  the  beginning  of 
the  present  excellent  telephone  system,  when  Thomas  LI.  Bunn 
put  in  a small  switchboard  and  built  a few  miles  of  line.  The 
system  has  grown  rapidly  and  now  penetrates  all  parts  of  the 
village  and  many  miles  into  the  surrounding  country  in  all  direc- 
tions. Pine  Island  is  justly  proud  of  its  schools.  From  the  log 
shack  of  1857  the  school  moved  to  a brick  school  building  erected 
in  1864,  built  on  the  site  of  the  present  school  building,  but  this 
building  was  outgrown  and  a commodious  wooden  building  took 
its  place,  in  1883.  This  building  served  its  purpose  admirably  for 
many  years,  but  the  school  again  outgrew  its  quarters  and  in  1904 
an  additional  bpilding  of  brick  was  erected  at  a cost  of  $10,500. 
This  building  furnishes,  quarters  for  the  high  school  and  the 
seventh,  eighth  and  ninth  grades,  library,  gymnasium,  labora- 
tories and  several  class  rooms.  Out  from  these  schools  a number 
of  men  and  women  have  gone  who  have  attained  a high  place  in 
the  work  of  the  world.  A feAv  notable  examples  are  a United 
States  diplomatic  representative  now  stationed  in  Spain,  a, 
representative  in  Congress,  a professor  at  Harvard  Uni- 
versity, several  men  in  the  United  States  civil  service,  and  teach- 
ers of  both  sexes  in  large  numbers.  The  village  boasts  of  over 
forty  business  places,  including  two  banks,  two  grain  elevators. 


206 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


several  general  stores,  a creamery  and  a roller  mill,  the  latter  in- 
stitution being  built  in  1895  by  Bidwell  & Doty,  and  now  owned 
and  operated  by  Loomis  E.  Irish, 

In  the  spring  of  1909  the  electors  of  the  village  voted  munici- 
pal bonds  in  the  sum  of  $3,000  to  be  used  toward  the  construction 
of  a new  city  hall,  and  the  building  was  finished  in  October  of  the 
same  year  at  a cost  of  about  $12,000.  It  is  a fireproof  structure 
40x60  feet  in  size  and  contains  a large  hall,  fire  station,  jail,  coun- 
cil rooms,  etc.,  and  is  withal  a fine  structure  and  admirably 
situated  to  the  needs  of  the  village.  The  fire  department  consists 
of  about  forty  officers  and  men  under  Chief  J.  A.  Kaiserlik,  divi- 
ded into  three  companies,  and  thoroughly  equipped  with  fire 
fighting  apparatus.-  Ralph  W.  Holmes. 

PINE  ISLAND  TOWNSHIP. 

Pine  Island  is  in  the  southeast  corner  of  Goodhue  county,  com- 
prises township  109,  range  15,  and  is  bounded  on  the  north  by 
Zumbrota,  on  the  east  by. "Wabasha  county,  on  the  south  by  Olm- 
sted county  and  on  the  west  by  Roscoe.  The  valley  of  the  Zum- 
bro,  in  the  southern  part,  is  a mile  wide.  In  the  early  days  the 
northern  and  southwestern  portions  were  heavily  timbered,  and 
much  of  this  timber  has  been  allowed  to  remain  standing.  The 
geologic  formations  of  this  township  differ  materially  from  the 
rest  of  the  county,  but  like  its  neighboring  Goodhue  county  town- 
ships, its  soil  is  rich,  and  its  farmers  consequently  prosperous. 
The  superior  advantages  of  wood  and  running  water,  combined 
with  rich  rolling  prairie  land,  naturally  attracted  a large  number 
of  settlers  in  the  early  days,  and  even  previous  to  this,  the  place 
had  been  a favorite  resort  of  the  Indians. 

The  men  who  enlisted  in  the  Civil  War  from  Pine  Island  were : 
Edward  Ash.  Jr.,  William  C.  Ackerman,  Silver  Austin,  John 
Bump,  Benjamin  II.  Briggs,  Norval  Bishop,  Ole  P.  Burg,  Calvin 
B.  Clark,  S.  P.  Corning.  William  B.  Chandler,  Capt.  Otis  S.  Clark, 
Edward  V.  Dickey,  Ed  DoAvling,  Jasper  W.  Dickey,  William  B. 
Dickey,  Henry  Detmaring,  Sylvester  Pox,  Peter  E.  Fladlang, 
Marseilles  Glazier,  John  Goodman,  Philip  S.  Hamlin,  Charles  C. 
Hardy,  John  T.  Hardy,  William  S.  Hackins,  William  IT.  Halstead. 
James  L.  Hurley,  N.  N.  Hardy,  William  B.  Kitchell,  C.  A.  Kirk- 
man,  Joshua  C.  Kitchell,  A.  K.  Kirkman,  William  Krapp,  G.  B.  D. 
Leighton,  Richard  McGee,  D.  Metselder,  S.  W.  Miller,  N.  D.  Mar- 
ble, S.  M.  Mommans.  William  II.  McGee,  E.  W.  Maynard,  Capt. 
Orlando  Morehouse,  E.  W.  Maxwell,  J.  C.  Miller,  Lieut.  Edward 
O’Brien,  Milo  Parker,  John  P.  Peterson,  Simeon  W.  Rowe,  D.  C. 
Ressegriere,  C.  A.  Sumner,  John  Shanbolt,  Fletcher  A.  Sheldon. 
Lieut.  II.  M.  Stanton,  Joel  E.  Sampson,  Geo.  AY.  Smith,  Frank 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


207 


Snyder,  Benjamin  Streethers,  Tacitus  Streethers,  George  H.  Suits, 
John  Sneyder,  Sanform  Summers,  Jesse  E.  Smith,  William  Seag, 
Joel  N.  Sheldon,  George  Tilden,  L.  G.  Thompson,  Capt.  W.  W. 
Wilson,  William  S.  Wills,  Peter  Anderson,  Marshall  Hickock,  J. 
F.  Bateman,  Benjamin  IT.  Briggs,  J.  A.  Cutshall,  William  H.  Hal- 
stead, Abraham  ITubbs,  Cyrus  B.  Chase,  E.  W.  Maynard,  Lieut. 
Fletcher  ITagler,  Emerson  Harris,  Tacitus  Strutins,  Daniel  Eddy, 
Albert  Harrison,  James  Pratt,  Thomas  Campbell,  John  Mohr, 
Daniel  Hobbs,  James  M.  Pettengill,  Horace  M.  Johnson,  Joseph 
Ahnermann,  Ira  Bateman,  Franklin  Buma,  Conrad  Durst,  C.  D. 
Dickey,  John  Eddie,  Elias  R.  Kain,  Henry  Momany. 

Following  is  a resume  of  the  officers  of  the  township  of  Pine 
Island  during  the  first  twenty  years  of  its  existence : At  the  first 
annual  election,  held  May  11,  1858,  soon  after  the  township  was 
constituted,  there  were  elected:  Supervisors,  C.  R.  White,  J.  C. 
Miller,  E.  D.  White;  clerk,  J.  A.  Tarbox;  collector,  G.  F.  Nye ; 
assessor,  John  Harper;  jusl^ce  of  the  peace,  J.  S.  Pierce;  overseer 
of  the  poor,  Moses  Jewell ; constables,  G.  F.  Nye,  S.  Demming. 
There  were  elected  at  the  second  annual  meeting,  April  5,  1859: 
Supervisors,  Oscar  E.  Smith,  Edmond  White,  W.  S.  Newton; 
clerk,  Harrison  M.  Stanton ; assessor,  S.  P.  Hardy : overseer  of  the 
poor,  Moses  Jewell;  collector,  G.  F.  Nye.  At  the  third  annual 
meeting,  held  April  3,  1860,  there  were  elected : Supervisors, 

Sylvester  Dickey,  Nelson  D.  Marble,  John  Harper ; clerk,  PI.  M. 
Stanton ; superintendent  of  schools,  Dr.  Charles  Hill ; assessor 
William  Krapp ; treasurer,  Peter  Momany;  justice  of  the  peace, 
S.  S.  Worthing;  constables,  James  Pratt,  J.  D.  Ells.  July  13, 
1860,  0.  Morehouse  was  appointed  assessor,  vice  William  Krapp, 
resigned.  At  the  fourth  annual  meeting,  held  April  2,  1861,  there 
were  elected : Supervisors,  Otis  S.  Clark,  William  Mead,  Oscar  A. 
Dickey ; clerk,  IT.  M.  Stanton ; assessor,  Calvin  P.  Clark ; treas- 
urer, Peter  Momany;  justices  of  the  peace,  Thomas  McManus, 
William  S.  Haskins;  constable,  Jacob  C.  Cook;  pound  master, 
Truman  Parker.  April  8,  1861,  PI.  M.  Stanton  was  appointed 
town  superintendent  of  schools.  April  15,  1861,  J.  C.  Dickey 
Avas  appointed  assessor,  vice  C.  P.  Clark,  resigned.  At  the  fifth 
annual  meeting,  held  April  1,  1862,  there  were  elected:  Super- 

visors, Henry  Ahneman,  C.  C.  Robinson,  P.  S.  Felton ; clerk, 
Thomas  McManus;  assessor,  Henry  Plarper;  treasurer,  Jasper  W. 
Dickey ; justices  of  the  peace,  Thomas  McManus,  Peter  Momany ; 
constables,  J.  C.  Cook,  John  Salmon;  pound  master,  Moses  Jewell. 
At  the  sixth  annual  meeting,  held  April  7,  1863,  there  were 
elected : Supervisors,  William  P.  Hall,  J.  C.  Miller,  L.  W.  Holman ; 
clerk,  S.  S.  Worthing;  assessor,  Henry  Ahneman ; treasurer,  Jere- 
miah Wheeler;  constable,  S.  Demming.  At  the  seventh  annual 
meeting,  held  April  5.  1864.  there  were  elected  : Supervisors,  Mar- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


jus 


tin  Tarbox,  Alexander  Freeman,  W.  E.  Nichols;  clerk,  Thomas 
McManus;  assessor,  Henry  Almeman ; treasurer,  Sylvester 
Dickey;  justices  of  the  peace,  Thomas  McManus,  W.  S.  Newton; 
constables,  J.  C.  Cook,  H.  F.  Emery.  On  January  28,  1865,  S.  S. 
Worthing  was  appointed  town  clerk  vice  Thomas  McManus.  At 
the  eighth  annual  election,  held  April  J,  1865,  there  were  elected: 
Supervisors,  Henry  Ahneman,  J.  CL  Miller,  W.  S.  Newton ; clerk, 
D.  F.  Woodward;  assessor,  Henry  Ahneman;  treasurer,  Sylvester 
Dickey;  justices  of  the  peace,  D.  F.  Woodward,  P.  S.  Fenton; 
constables,  George  W.  Swarthout,  William  Mead.  At  the  ninth 
annual  meeting,  held  April  3,  1866,  there  were  elected:  Super- 
visors, Lyman  Clark,  W.  C.  Newton,  E.  L.  Swartout;  clerk,  Hervy 
G.  Clark ; assessor,  Henry  Ahneman  ; treasurer,  W.  M.  Thomp- 
son ; justices  of  the  peace,  D.  F.  Woodward,  H.  Ahneman;  con- 
stables, J.  W.  Palmer,  James  Pratt.  At  the  tenth  annual  meeting 
held  April  2,  1867.  there  were  elected:  Supervisors,  Sylvester 
Dickey,  C.  C.  Robinson,  George  W.  tHayward ; clerk,  Hervy  G. 
Clark;  assessor,  Oscar  E.  Smith;  treasurer,  J.  C.  Dickey;  con- 
stable, J.  C.  Cook.  At  the  eleventh  annual  meeting,  held  April 
7,  1868,  there  were  elected : Supervisors,  Charles  FI.  Leavitt,  J. 
W.  Dickey.  George  A.  Hayward ; clerk,  II.  G.  Clark ; assessor,  W. 
C.  Crandall;  treasurer,  S.  S.  Worthing;  justices  of  the  peace,  D. 
F.  Woodward,  Thomas  FI.  Cooper;  constables,  William  Hunter, 
James  K.  Roberts.  At  the  twelfth  annual  meeting,  held  April 
6,  1869,  there  were  elected:  Supervisors,  D.  L.  B.  Farrington,  E. 
L.  Swartout,  J.  W.  Dickey;  clerk,  Charles  L.  Flubbs;  assessor, 
W.  C.  Crandall;  treasurer,  S.  S.  Worthing;  justices  of  the  peace. 
C.  H.  Leavitt,  D.  F.  Woodward;  constables,  A.  G.  Atlia,  0.  N. 
Page.  May  16.  1870,  G.  W.  Page  was  appointed  town  clerk,  vice 
F.  D.  Worthing,  resigned.  At  the  fourteenth  annual  meeting, 
held  March  14,  1871,  there  were  elected:  Supervisors,  William 
N.  Thomson,  0.  E.  Smith,  James  Parker;  clerk,  George  W.  Page; 
assessor,  W.  C.  Crandall ; treasurer,  S.  S.  Worthing;  justice  of  the 
peace,  Henry  Ahneman.  May  2,  1871,  P.  S.  Fenton  was  duly  ap- 
pointed supervisor,  vice  0.  E.  Smith,  who  failed  to  qualify.  At 
the  fifteenth  annual  meeting,  held  March  12,  1872.  there  were 
elected : Supervisors,  Thomas  E.  Cooper,  Flenry  Degener,  Arthur 
Haunsinger;  clerk,  George  W.  Paige;  treasurer,  S.  S.  Worthing; 
assessor.  W.  C.  Crandall ; justices  of  the  peace,  W.  E.  Sergeant, 
Henry  Ahneman;  constable,  L.  D.  Hart.  March  23,  1872,  Joseph 
Ahneman  was  appointed  constable  for  the  remainder  of  the  year. 
May  29,  1872,  G.  W.  Paige  was  appointed  assessor,  vice  Crandall, 
who  failed  to  qualify.  March  1,  1873.  James  Parker  was  appoint- 
ed chairman  of  the  board  of  supervisors,  vice  Cooper,  resigned. 
At  the  sixteenth  annual  meeting,  held  March  11,  1873,  there  were 
elected : Supervisors,  C.  IT.  Leavitt.  James  Parker.  P.  S.  Fenton ; 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


209 


clerk,  G.  W.  Paige.  The  official  record  for  1873  is  incomplete; 
no  one  living  remembers  the  remainder  of  the  officers  that  year. 
At  the  seventeenth  annual  meeting,  held  March  10,  1874,  there 
were  elected : Supervisors,  James  Parker,  John  Mohr,  Matthias  P. 
Ringdahl;  clerk.  G.  W.  Paige;  assessor,  G.  W.  Paige;  treasurer, 
S.  S.  Worthing;  justices  of  the  peace,  AY.  E.  Sergeant  and  H. 
Ahneman;  constables,  F.  D.  AYorthing  and  Henry  Tome.  John 
Mohr  failing  to  qualify,  an-  appointment  board'  met  March  28, 
1874,  and  Henry  Ilahneman  was  appointed  supervisor  in  his  place. 
At  the  eighteenth  annual  meeting,  held  March  10,  1875,  there 
were  elected : Supervisors,  James  Parker,  Plenry  Ahneman,  M.  P. 
Ringdahl ; clerk.  G.  W.  Paige ; assessor,  G.  AAT.  Paige ; treasurer, 
S.  S.  AYorthing;  poundmaster,  Henry  Ahneman.  At  the  nine- 
teenth annual  meeting,  held  March  14,  1876,  there  were  elected: 
Supervisors,  C.  H.  Leavitt,  Giles  Hayward,  Thomas  Halloway; 
clerk.  A.  H.  Kellogg ; assessor,  Ladd  Robie ; treasurer,  II.  T.  Per- 
kins; justices  of  the  peace,  Henry  Ahneman,  Fletcher  Hagler; 
constables.  Henry  Tome,  Charles  Dickinson.  May  1,  1876,  Charles 
Edison  was  appointed  assessor,  vice  Ladd  Robie,  who  failed  to 
qualify.  At  the  twentieth  annual  meeting,  held  March  13,  1877, 
there  were  elected : Supervisors,  Charles  IT.  Leavitt ; Thomas  Hal- 
loway, Knut  Clementson;  clerk,  A.  H.  Kellogg;  treasurer,  H.  T. 
Perkins;  assessor,  Charles  Edison;  poundmaster,  J.  C.  Dickey. 
July  6,  1877.  IT.  S.  Perkins  was  appointed  to  the  office  of  town 
treasurer,  vice  II.  T.  Perkins,  deceased.  At  the  twenty-first  an- 
nual meeting,  held  March  12,  1778,  there  were  elected:  Super- 
visors. E.  L.  Swartout,  George  Newhouse,  Geo.  Reinhart  ; clerk, 
A.  H.  Kellogg ; treasurer,  A.  B.  Cron ; assessor,  Charles  Edison ; 
justices  of  the  peace.  Fletcher  Hagler,  Henry  Ahneman;  con- 
stables. Henry  Tome,  IT.  A.  Perkins. 

ROSCOE  TOWNSHIP. 

Roscoe  comprises  township  109,  range  16,  and  is  bounded  on 
the  east  by  Pine  Island,  on  the  south  by  Dodge  county,  on  the. 
west  by  Cherry  Grove  and  on  the  north  by  Minneola.  The  south- 
eastern part  is  cut  up  into  lots  and  is  practically  a suburb  of 
Pine  Island  village.  In  natural  features  Roscoe  very  closely 
resembles  the  township  of  Pine  Island.  It  has  fine  prairie  lands, 
somewhat  elevated  in  the  north  and  descending  in  rolling  undu- 
lations to  the  valley  of  one  of  the  branches  of  the  Zumbro  in 
the  south.  The  drainage  is  through  the  Zumbro  and  its  branches 
in  the  south  and  a few  creeks  in  the  north.  In  the  southern  part 
of  the  township  are  tracts  wooded  with  white  and  burr  oak,  sugar 
maple,  elm  and  poplar.  With  running  water,  fine  timber  and 


210 


I-IISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


deep  prairie  soil,  it  made  a most  desirable  place  for  the  location 
of  the  early  settlers. 

James  Haggard  and  W.  Wilson  came  in  1851.  Their  claims 
were  on  section  5,  where  they  erected  cabins  and  prepared 
for  permanent  settlement.  Wilson,  however,  after  some  time, 
returned  to  his  old  home  in  the  East,  and  Haggard,  discouraged 
by  the  burning  of  his  cabin,  went  to  Brown  county,  where  he 
became  a prominent  citizen.  Shortly  after  the  coming  of  Hag- 
gard and  Wilson  there  arrived  Simon  Sackett,  D.  F.  Stevens 
and  II.  D.  Devoe.  They  were  followed  the  next  year  by  Fletcher 
Hagler,  J.  R.  Good,  David  Coleman,  J.  Rutherford,  William 
Farnam,  Alexander  Long,  P.  G.  Wilson,  William  Fry,  T.  D. 
Hall  and  J.  J.  Hagler.  Fletcher  Hagler,  above  named,  had  his 
claim  where  the  village  of  Roscoe  now  stands.  He  built  the 
first  frame  dwelling  in  the  township  and  served  as  postmaster, 
but  afterward  became  one  of  the  poineers  of  Pine  Island.  Oliver 
Webb,  a lineal  descendant  of  the  Pilgrims,  came  in  1856.  John 

C.  Hepner,  for  many  years  the  village  blacksmith,  came  the  same 
year  and  built  a blacksmith  shop.  Among  others  who  came  at 
about  the  same  time  were  two  brothers  named  Dickinson,  B.  W. 
Halliday,  G.  G.  McCoy,  H.  B.  Powers  and  Charles  Dana.  The 
latter  named  the  town  from  the  township  of  Roscoe,  Illinois, 
where  he  had  previously  lived. 

In  1856  Messrs.  Hagler  and  Good  built  and  stocked  a store 
for  general  merchandise.  This  store  was  kept  in  operation  about 
two  years  and  then  discontinued  on  account  of  the  financial 
depression.  In  the  spring  of  1856  the  same  company  had  a 
village  plat  surveyed  and  the  blocks  and  streets  laid  out.  It 
never,  however,  reached  the  gigantic  proportions  of  which  the 
proprietors  so  fondly  dreamed,  although  the  proprietors  helped 
all  they  could  by  getting  a hotel  built  and  a postoffice  started. 
An  early  history  says:  “These  pioneers  experienced  their  full 

share  of  the  hardships  incident  to  the  opening  and  settling  of 
a new  community.  At  once  time  Mrs.  Stevens,  the  mother  of 

D.  F.  Stevens,  having  sent  her  son  to  Dubuque  for  household 
supplies,  relates  that  for  two  months  she  did  not  look  upon  the 
face  of  a white  person  except  that  of  her  young  daughter;  and 
the  only  bread  they  had  to  eat  was  made  from  corn  given  her 
by  the  Indians  and  ground  by  herself  in  a coffee  mill.” 

The  first,  religious  services  in  the  town  were  held  at  the  home 
of  Mrs.  Stevens  in  the  fall  of  1854,  the  Rev.  John  Salmon  offici- 
ating. The  first  church  organization  took  place  in  the  school- 
house  at  Roscoe  in  the  spring  of  1857.  The  first  Sunday  school 
was  organized  in  1858,  and  Loren  Webb,  son  of  Oliver  Webb, 
was  the  first  superintendent.  In  the  spring  of  1855  Mrs.  Haskell 
Burch,  while  living  in  a covered  wagon,  awaiting  the  completion 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


211 


of  a better  habitation,  gave  birth  to  twins,  being  the  first  white 
children  to  see  the  light  of  day  in  the  township.  H.  C.  Emery 
.and  Mrs.  Mahala  Sackett  were  the  first  couple  united  in  matri- 
mony, the  ceremony  being  performed  in  July,  1856.  The  first 
death  occurred  the  same  year,  that  of  AYilliam  Fry.  The  first 
school,  erected  in  1857,  was  taught  by  Annette  Leek  the  same 
year.  J.  T.  Mitchell,  who  came  in  1856,  assisted  in  starting  a 
pioneer  school  on  the  southeast  corner  of  section  11,  later  known 
as  McCoy’s  district.  This  school  was  first  taught  by  Sophia 
Blanchard,  in  the  spring  of  1858.  Miss  Blanchard  afterward 
became  Mrs.  John  Gove. 

The  township  settled  up  rapidly.  The  predominating  people 
in  the  town  are  now  Americans  of  Norwegian  descent  or  birth. 
There  are  also  many  residents  of  Swedish  and  German  birth  or 
descent,  and  there  still  remain  a few  of  the  descendants  of  the 
old  eastern  families,  but  these  latter  for  the  most  part  have 
moved  away.  The  town  is  pre-eminently  one  of  prosperity,  rich 
land,  beautiful  homes,  and  a progressive,  contented  people.  The 
second  generation  is  for  the  most  part  well  educated,  and  the 
third  generation  is  making  rapid  strides  in  the  public  schools. 
Two  calamities  which  occurred  in  the  early  days  have  fixed 
themselves  firmly  in  the  minds  of  the  people.  The  first  hap- 
pened in  1860.  Jeremiah  Ray,  one  of  the  pioneers,  had  followed 
the  rush  of  the  gold  seekers  to  Pike’s  Peak,  leaving  his  wife  and 
children.  Pie  prospered  in  his  new  location  and  was  contemplat- 
ing sending  for  his  family,  when  ocurred  the  sad  accident  which 
robbed  him  of  his  recently-born  twins.  In  the  month  of  June 
the  family  residence  'was  struck  by  lightning,  and  at  once  burst 
into  flames.  Mary  Jane  Shields,  a girl  living  in  the  household, 
succeeded  in  getting  Mrs.  Ray  and  the  two  older  children  out 
of  the  house.  Mrs.  Ray,  however,  although  still  ill,  saw  that  her 
twins  had  not  been  saved  and  rushed  back  into  the  house. 
Blinded  by  smoke  and  weak  as  she  was,  she  was  unable  to  rescue 
the  babies,  and  they  perished  in  the  flames.  George  Lantz,  after 
escaping  the  murderous  rain  of  shot  and  shell  on  the  battlefields 
of  the  Civil  War,  perished  in  the  following  manner:  In  the 

winter  of  1865-66  he  went  to  Mantorville,  Dodge  county,  about 
twelve  miles  from  his  home,  on  horseback,  and  returning  in  the 
evening  a blizzard  met  him.  AYhile  passing  through  a grove  of 
timber  he  was  warned  of  his  danger  and  told  that  it  was  prac- 
tically impossible  for  him  to  reach  home.  He  persevered,  how- 
ever, and  was  found  frozen  to  death  the  next  morning  within 
a few  rods  of  his  own  home.  He  had  reached  a fence,  and  in 
endeavoring  to  climb  over  made  a misstep  and  fell  back,  to 
rise  no  more.  The  horse  was  found  at  a neighbor’s  barn.  It  is 
supposed  that  he  let  the  horse  go,  hoping  that  by  walking  he 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


212 

might  induce  sufficient  circulation  to  keep  warmth  aud  life  in 
his  body  until  he  could  reach  his  house. 

The  first  town  meeting  was  held  May  11,  1858,  with  the 
result  that  officers  were  elected  as  follows:  Supervisors,  Oliver 
Webb  (chairman),  James  Mann,  N.  S.  Libby;  clerk,  William 
Sackett;  justices  of  the  peace,  Fletcher  Hagler,  James  Mann; 
collector,  J.  S.  Wickham;  assessor,  J.  T.  Mitchell;  overseer  of 
the  poor,  Horace  Barber;  constables,  E.  P.  Penney,  J.  R.  Good. 
Among  the  early  supervisors  were:  Oliver  Webb,  G.  G.  McCoy, 

J.  B.  Dorman  (two  terms),  Reuben  Freeman,  J.  T.  Mitchell,  C. 
W.  Libby,  J.  T.  Mitchell  (two  terms),  F.  Hagler,  B.  W.  Halliday. 
Among  the  early  town  clerks  were  William  Sackett  (four  terms), 
James  Green,  S.  W.  Rice,  L.  II.  Rice  (four  terms),  H.  L.  Holmes. 

Roscoe’s  contribution  to  the  Civil  War  ranks  was  as  follows: 
R.  C.  Barnes,  E.  II.  Drake,  Norman  Dickinson,  Jerry  B.  Getman, 
E.  A.  Hodge,  II.  L.  Holmes,  E.  L.  Ives,  A.  J.  Johnson,  E.  P.  Kin- 
caid, John  M.  Lee,  Josiah  Lothrop,  David  N.  Lake,  Samuel  Maine, 
Captain  G.  G.  McCoy,  Ormando  Merrifield,  Edmund  Parker, 
Andrew  N.  Perkins,  Elton  C.  Parker,  Joseph  Pickering,  Silas  W. 
Rice,  Amos  G.  Scofield,  George  S.  Scofield,  David  B.  Scofield, 
Joseph  Townsend,  G.  W.  Van  Sydle,  M.  L.  Webb,  Captain  L.  A. 
Webb,  Richard  Waterman,  Lars  Kesphol,  D.  W.  Abbey,  Orris 
Fox,  James  Shield,  Alfred  Collins,  William  Shield,  John  Peterson, 
Hermon  Perkins,  Lyman  J.  Ward,  Marion  Blacker,  William  H. 
Shadwell,  Charles  Cade,  Orlando  Freeman,  Lewis  Freeman, 
George  Fox,  William  Iiemenway,  Amos  B.  Mitchell,  Francis 
Sackett,  Pythagorus  Wilson,  William  Bleedon,  John  Buhler,  Rich- 
ard Dressel,  John  Doyle,  Thomas  Devine,  John  Dolchy,  Frederick 
Hamman,  John  Kreubeng,  Frank  Kuntz,  Swan  P.  Peterson,  Jacob 
Rosch,  John  Schugg,  Fred  Scliaunberg,  George  Gortman  and 
Benjamin  Light. 

Roscoe  Center  was  founded  in  1858.  At  that  time  it  was 
known  as  Sunapee,  and  Truman  Parker  was  appointed  post- 
master. The  name  was  changed  to  Roscoe  Center  in  1863.  At 
this  point  is  now  a small  settlement,  and  here  also  is  the  Nor- 
wegian Lutheran  church,  a commodious  structure  capable  of 
seating  500  people. 

Roscoe  village  is  also  a hustling  little  settlement.  The  post- 
office  is  now  discontinued  and  mail  is  received  by  the  Zumbrota 
R.  F.  D.  No.  4.  The  village  is  thirty-two  miles  southwest  of 
Red  Wing  and  eight  miles  southwest  from  Zumbrota. 

STANTON  TOWNSHIP. 

Stanton  consists  of  that  portion  of  township  112,  range  18, 
lying  in  Goodhue  county.  It  is  divided  into  river  terrace  and 
upland,  the  greater  portion  of  it  being  the  former.  There  are 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


213 


two,  and  in  some  places  three,  distinct  terraces,  which  are  prac- 
tically level,  extending  along  both  sides  of  Prairie  creek  and  the 
Cannon  river.  The  latter  valley  is  frequently  more  than  a mile 
wride,  and  embraces  large  and  valuable  farms.  The  upland  is 
undulating  and  has  a soil  similar  to  that  of  the  terraces,  although 
its  sub-soil  is  usually  clayey  rather  than  gravelly.  There  is 
timber  along  some  portions  of  the  Little  Cannon  and  sparsely 
along  the  banks  of  Prairie  creek.  The  section  along  this  creek 
is  broad  and  beautiful,  bordered  by  the  higher  prairie  lands, 
which  renders  it  picturesque  and  charming  to  all  who  behold  it. 
The  township  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Cannon  river,  which 
separates  it  from  Dakota  county,  on  the  east  by  Cannon  Falls, 
on  the  south  by  Warsaw  and  on  the  west  by  Dakota  county. 
Stanton  was  the  original  name  applied  to  this  township,  but  at 
its  organization  it  Avas  changed  to  Lillian,  Stanton  not  haAdng 
proved  acceptable  to  the  state  authorities.  It  was  later,  however, 
changed  back  to  Stanton,  the  name  being  given  in  honor  of 
William  Stanton,  Sr.,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers.  The  township 
Avas  originally  a New  England  settlement,  most  of  the  pioneers 
being  natives  of  Vermont  and  of  Puritan  ancestry.  Some  moved 
further  Avest,  but  many  of  them  remained,  and  their  descendants 
still  live  on  the  original  farms. 

Late  in  the  fall  of  1854  John  and  George  Seasons  made  claims 
on  the  Little  Cannon  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  township.  Soon 
after,  Jonathan  and  Alonzo  Dibble  and  William  Thomas  settled 
near  them.  In  1855  came  the  real  influx  of  immigration,  when 
a party  of  New  Englanders  arrived  from  Wisconsin,  where  they 
had  previously  made  a settlement.  The  party  consisted  of  Nor- 
man Daniels,  William  Stanton,  Sr.,  William  Stanton,  Jr.,  Robert 
Deakin,  Samuel  Daniels  and  George  Gould.  There  were  also  a 
number  of  others  in  the  party,  as  well  as  the  families  of  those 
mentioned.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  Peter  Fagen  and  Hugh 
Wooden,  with  the  father  and  tAvo  sisters  of  the  latter,  settled 
here,  but  one  by  one  the  entire  family  of  the  AYoodens  died, 
leaving  no  survivors. 

The  first  death  Avas  that  of  Mrs.  George  Seasons.  The  mar- 
riage rites  Avere  performed  for  the  first  time  for  George  Gould 
and  Experience  Daniels,  in  October,  1855.  The  first  religious 
services  in  the  town  Avere  held  in  the  winter  of  1855-56,  at  the 
house  of  William  Stanton,  Sr.,  Rev.  J.  W.  Hancock,  of  Red  Wing, 
officiating.  William  Cleveland  taught  the  first  school.  Rev. 
Hancock  says:  “The  log  house  built  by  William  Stanton,  Sr., 

near  the  road  leading  to  Faribault  from  the  nearest  Mississippi 
towns,  was  for  several  years  the  only  place  for  the  entertainment 
of  travelers  between  Cannon  Falls  and  the  further  West.  Mr. 
Stanton’s  latch  string  Avas  always  hanging  out,  and  every  civil- 


214 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


appearing  stranger  was  welcome  to  such  accommodation  as  lie 
had.  He  frequently  entertained  fifty  persons  the  same  night. 
Not  many  of  those  who  came  to  settle  at  that  time  Avere  able  to 
have  good  sized  log  houses.  Sod  houses  and  board  shanties  were 
common.  The  years  which  have  passed  since  then  have  brought 
great  changes.” 

In  the  early  days  there  were  two  flouring  mills,  one  owned 
by  Messrs.  Bailey  and  Collins  on  the  Big  Cannon,  and  the  other 
by  Messrs.  Wilcox  and  Archibald  on  the  Little  Cannon.  The 
latter,  known  as  the  Oxford  flouring  mill,  was  burned  several 
years  ago.  The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  was  built  in  1874  on 
section  32.  It  is  28x44  and  cost  $2,000.  The  Oxford  Methodist 
church  was  completed  in  June,  1873,  size  26x40.  These  churches 
were  the  first  in  the  township. 

Stanton’s  contribution  to  the  Civil  War  was  as  follows : 
Jonathan  Clifford,  Ezra  Cornell,  Emanuel  Deaken,  Daniel  Good- 
hue,  William  Goucly,  John  W.  Gould,  Samuel  Gould,  Charles 
Goodhue,  L.  B.  Hat,  Hiram  Hoffstetter,  Whitney  Jewell,  Elisha 
A.  Jackson,  John  AY.  Moore,  AY.  IT.  McDonald,  William  E.  Poe, 
Jonathan  S.  Poe,  Reby  S.  Philbert,  James  L.  Scofield,  Charles 
M.  Scofield,  Edwin  Season,  Sylvester  Trusdell,  Edward  Thomas, 
Joseph  Thomas,  Elijah  T.  Thomas,  Gilbert  Trusdell,  Charles  Vier- 
kent,  Edmund  Deaken,  John  Chase,  James  Strange,  Otis  B. 
Bailey,  James  Babb,  Jr..  David  Denny,  Henry  Drought,  Patrick 
Quinlan,  Eli  Marsh,  Andrew  Norelius,  William  Harrison,  August 
Kaunlke,  Reinhart  Reibath. 

Stanton  is  a station  on  the  Chicago  & Great  Western  railroad, 
in  Stanton  township,  twenty-five  miles  southwest  of  Red  Wing. 
It  has  a hotel,  postoffice,  a church,  schoolhouse  and  several  places 
of  business. 

Oxford  Mills  is  situated  on  the  Little  Cannon,  and  here  were 
located  the  Oxford  flouring  mills.  Here  are  now  a Methodist 
church,  residences  and  other  buildings. 

Cascade  is  a settlement  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the 
township. 

4 


VASA  TOWNSHIP. 


Vasa  is  the  center  of  the  Swedish  settlement  in  Goodhue- 
county.  The  township  comprises  all  of  township  112,  range  16, 
and  all  of  that  part  of  township  113,  range  16,  that  lies  south 
of  the  Cannon  river.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  Cannon 
river,  which  separates  it  from  the  town  of  AYelch,  on  the  east 
by  Featherstone,  on  the  south  by  Belle  Creek  and  on  the  west 
by  Cannon  Falls.  Belle  creek  crosses  the  township  from  south 
to  north  and  flows  into  the  Cannon  river.  The  surface  is  some- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


215 


what  broken  or  rolling,  bnt  the  soil  is  excellent.  Sections  19, 
30  and  31  constitute  a high  table  land. 

To  this  rich  land,  in  1853,  came  S.  J.  Willard,  Colonel  Hans 
Mattson,  Charles  Roos,  Gustaf  Kemp  and  Peter  Green.  They 
all  made  claims  and  Roos  and  Kemp  stayed  through  the  winter, 
the  other  returning  to  Red  Wing  to  find  work  until  the  spring 
of  1854,  when  they  began  in  earnest  to  build  homes  and  to  break 
the  soil.  A few  accessions  were  made  to  the  colony  that  year, 
and  one  of  them,  whose  name  is  now  forgotten,  died  soon  after 
his  arrival.  This  was  the  first  death,  and  his  mortal  remains 
were  tenderly  and  reverently  conveyed  to  their  last  resting  place 
in  the  land  he  had  crossed  the  ocean  to  look  upon  but  which  he 
did  not  live  to  enjoy. 

The  first  marriage  celebrated  was  that  of  Hans  Mattson  and 
Cherstie  Peterson,  November  21,  1855.  A school  Avas  taught  here 
in  the  fall  of  1856  by  a Mr.  Button.  Another  was  taught  in  the 
SAvedish  language  by  James  Engberg.  Meetings  were  held  on 
the  Sabbath  and  Lutheran  church  services  read  by  Hans  Mattson 
until  the  minister  arrived. 

Vasa  is  named  from  Gustavus  Vasa,  the  Christian  king  of 
SAveden,  who  established  the  Lutheran  religion  in  his  kingdom. 
Since  the  first  settlement,  Vasa  has  been  famed  far  and  near,  and 
its  reputation  is  nationwide  as  the  home  of  Dr.  E.  Norelius.  the 
venerable  patriarch  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Evangelical  church. 
The  story  of  the  early  days  of  Vasa  is  told  by  Dr.  Norelius, 
Colonel  Hans  Mattson  and  S.  J.  Willard  in  another  chapter  of 
this  history. 

Vasa  township  Avas  organized  in  1858,  and  its  area  has 
remained  unchanged  since  that  date.  The  first  officers  Avere  r 
Supervisors,  Charles  Himmelman  (chairman),  Charles  Charleson, 
Nils  Peterson;  clerk,  SAvante  J.  Willard;  assessor.  Nils  SAvanson ; 
collector,  John  Sundell;  overseer  of  the  poor,  Matts  Mattson; 
constables.  Nils  Johnson  Erick  Anderson;  justices  of  the  peace, 
T.  Granvill  Person,  Franklin  Morrison;  OArerseers  of  roads,  SAvan 
P.  Peterson,  Gustus  Carlson  and  William  F.  Fessenden. 

Among  the  early  officers  of  the  township  Avere : Chairmen  of 

supervisors — 1858,  Charles  Himmelman;  1859.  William  F.  Fessen- 
den; 1860,  1861.  1862,  T.  G.  Pearson;  1863,  A.  P.  Wilson;  1864, 
Lars  Mattson;  1865.  A.  G.  Anderson;  1866,  John  Hakanson;  1867. 
1868,  1869,  A.  G.  Anderson.  ToAvn  clerks— 1858,  S.  J.  Willard; 
1859,  John  Norelius;  1860,  S.  J.  Willard;  1861,  1862.  A.  B.  Lester; 
1863,  Charles  Himmelman;  1864,  1865,  John  Wiekey;  1866.  1867, 
1868,  T.  G.  Pearson;  1869,  J.  W.  Peterson. 

According  to  the  official  list  of  the  adjutant  general,  the  follow- 
ing men  Avho  enlisted  in  the  Civil  War  gave  Vasa  as  their  homer 
Olof  Anderson,  John  A.  Anderson,  Nils  Abrahamson,  Charles  M. 


216 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Yates,  Frank  Carlson,  Victor  Freeman,  George  Washington,  George 
AAR  Knight,  George  Bohinback,  Ben  Benson,  Charles  R.  Cltarleson, 
Charles  M.  Beers,  Halvor  Ekeland,  Olaf  Fahlin,  Peter  Johnson, 
John  Johnson,  John  Larson,  John  Monson,  John  P.  Ofelt  John 
F.  Olson,  Paul  Paulson,  Nils  Ringdahl,  Charles  Roos,  Gustav 
Swenson,  Charles  J.  Sun  dell,  Jonas  Swan,  John  Stiee,  Charles 
Gustavson,  John  IJokason,  Ivan  Salmonson,  Reuben  Taylor,  Con- 
rad Windhusen,  Eder  B.  Pelles,  Carl  Bruhn,  John  Hershberger, 
Robert  A7.  Langdon,  H.  F.  Merriman,  S.  L.  Merriman,  Harvey 
Ward,  Michael  McGrath,  Felix  Hills,  Joseph  McNally,  Iloration 
Vaughn,  Carl  Sehroske,  Ephraim  Dudley,  Benjamin  Burgess, 
Charles  Berlin,  John  Dablow,  Joseph  Griffin,  Patrick  Ilefferman, 
Lafayette  Leavitt,  Matt  Mattson,  Thomas  McDonald,  Ole  Oleson, 
Charles  Oleson,  Olin  AAUltse,  Olin  K.  Ryalan,  George  Blake,  Peter 
Dressell,  Henry  G.  Henderson,  Henry  Luhring  and  Frederick 
Ressert. 

Vasa  village  has  a population  of  about  300.  It  is  the  only 
postoffice  in  the  county  that  is  not  situated  on  a railroad,  its 
shipping  points  being  Red  Wing,  Welch  and  Cannon  Falls.  Swe- 
dish Lutheran  and  Methodist  churches  supply  the  religions  de- 
mands of  the  people,  and  a creamery,  feed  mill  and  two  stores 
add  to  its  industrial  importance.  Here  is  also  located  the 
Orphan’s  Plome. 


WACOOTA  TOWNSHIP. 

Wacoota  township  preserves  the  name  of  the  chief  whom  the 
white  men  found  in  charge  of  the  Indian  band  at  Red  AVing  in 
the  late  forties  and  early  fifties.  His  name,  Wah-coo-tay, 
variously  translated  as  Waueouta,  Daeouta  and  Waccota,  means 
the  “Shooter,”  or  “Leaf  Shooter,”  literally  the  “Shooter  of  the 
Leaves  of  the  Indigenous  Pines.” 

The  township  of  Wacoota  consists  of  a few  sections  lying 
along  the  Mississippi  river  at  the  head  of  Lake  Pepin.  It  has 
many  hills  and  bluffs,  but  in  the  valleys  are  many  fine  farms. 

The  first  white  settler,  George  AAr.  Bullard,  arrived  about 
1850,  bringing  Abner  AAL  Post,  who  built  for  him  the  first  house 
erected  in  the  township.  Bullard  had  a license  from  the  United 
States  government  to  trade  with  the  Indians.  This  gave  him 
some  rights  upon  the  Indian  lands,  which  at  that  time  were  not 
opened  to  the  whites ; but  although  he  did  enjoy  some  Indian 
trade,  the  larger  part  of  His  customers  were  lumbermen  from 
across  the  river.  In  May,  1852,  even  before  the  signing  of  the 
treaty,  the  influx  of  immigration  started.  In  1853  Bullard  and 
Post  erected  a sawmill,  the  first  west  of  the  Mississippi  river,  it 
is  believed.  A village  was  platted,  and  for  a time  it  looked  as 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


217 


though  Wacoota,  commanding,  as  it  does,  the  head  of  the  lake, 
was  to  become  a great  and  important  city.  Up  to  1854  travelers 
were  entertained  at  the  home  of  Mr.  Bullard.  The  increasing 
travel  and  the  number  of  lumbermen  who  arrived  caused  a 
demand  for  a hotel,  and  during  that  year  one  was  erected  by 
J.  B.  Smith.  This  hotel  was  afterward  removed  to  Mt.  Pleasant, 
in  Wabasha  county,  and  did  service  as  a residence  for  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Williams.  In  1855  Daniel  Saunders  built  another  hotel, 
which  in  1864  was  removed  to  the  township  of  Featlierstone, 
where  it  was  converted  into  a dwelling  house  for  the  Rev.  Ezra 
Tucker.  These  two  hotels  in  1857  Avere  found  to  be  insufficient 
for  the  demand.  The  village  became  a headquarters  for  lumber- 
men, and  at  this  point  were  rafted  the  logs  from  the  pineries 
further  north.  So  prosperous  Avere  the  people  at  this  point  that 
they  contested  with  Red  Wing  for  the  location  of  the  county 
seat,  and  but  for  the  cleverness  of  the  Red  Wing  voters,  might 
have  got  it.  Bullard,  wishing  to  get  his  full  share  of  the  moneys 
AAdiich  Avas  pouring  into  Wacoota,  erected  a third  hotel  in  the 
village  in  1857.  This  building  Avas  40x60  feet  and  furnished  in 
good  style.  After  the  tide  had  turned  and  the  flood  of  business 
had  gone  to  other  places,  Bullard  sold  this  hotel  to  Messrs. 
Tibbetts  & Hackett,  of  Lake  City,  who  removed  it  to  that 
place  in  the  Avinter  on  the  ice.  With  the  adArent  of  the  Civil 
AVar  more  than  one-half  of  the  legal  voters  enlisted.  After 
the  war  was  over  the  glory  of  Wacoota  had  departed ; and  today 
it  remains  not  the  proud  and  populous  county  seat  that  had  been 
fondly  dreamed,  but  a quiet  rural  community,  Avhose  prosperous- 
farmers  do  their  trading  in  that  city  which  Wacoota  at  one  time- 
hoped  to  rUal. 

AVaeoota  village  is  now  a station  on  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee- 
& St.  Paul  railroad.  About  three-quarters  of  a mile  from  the 
railroad  station,  after  passing  through  a small  grove,  one  arrives 
at  Vivian  Park,  at. the  head  of  Lake  Pepin.  ' Here  the  waters 
of  the  great  river  expand  into  a Avicle  and  deep  basin,  which  has 
all  the  attributes  of  a great  lake,  Avhose  Avaters  are  still  except 
when  stirred  by  the  Avincl.  There,  on  the  high  ground  over- 
looking the  lake,  have  been  built  a number  of  cottages,  Avliere- 
many  • families  go  to  spend  the  hot  summer  months  amid  the 
refreshing  scenery  and  bracing  breezes. 

The  first  birth  in  Wacoota  Avas  in  the  family  of  G.  W.  Bullard, 
in  1852.  The  same  child  died  in  1854,  this  being  the  first  death 
in  the  township.  The  .first  marriage  was  that  of  Joseph  F. 
Thompson  and  Melissa  Pingrey,  in  1855,  James  B.  Smith,  a 
justice  of  the  peace,  performing  the  ceremony.  In  the  fall  and 
winter  of  1854  J.  F.  Pingrey  taught  a school  in  a hall  o\Ter  a 
store.  Rev.  J.  AY.  Hancock  and  Matthew  Sorin  held  services  as 


218 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


early  as  1853.  The  township  was  organized  at  the  time  of  the 
general  act  in  1858. 

Mrs.  Julia  B.  Nelson,  at  a meeting  of  the  old  settlers  of  the 
Lake  Pepin  valley  some  years  ago,  related  some  of  her  early 
experiences,  from  which  the  following  extract  is  taken:  “Had 

I hver  been  scalped  by  a savage  Sioux,  or  seared  to  death  by 
harmless  Chippewas ; had  I ever  lived  in  a seven-by-nine  log 
house  on  three  grains  of  corn  a day;  had  I ever  practiced  driving 
four-in-hand  with  an  ox  team ; had  I ever  raised  vegetables  on 
territorial  ground,  or  raised  the  chickens  that  crowed  when 
Minnesota  was  admitted  to  the  Union,  it  would  not  be  inappro- 
priate to  call  upon  me  in  an  old  settlers’  meeting,  and  I should 
be  both  proud  and  happy  to  respond.  As  the  case  stands,  if  I 
speak  and  confine  myself  wholly  to  the  facts,  I fear  you  will 
not  be  greatly  entertained  and  will  conclude  that  as  an  old 
settler  I am  a fraud  and  a failure.  On  a darkish  night  in  June 
of  1857  the  steamer  Henry  Clay  landed  at  the  town  of  Wacoota, 
and  from  that  boat  stepped  my  father,  Edward  Bullard,  who. 
had  been  down  the  river  and  brought  back  with  him  some  horses, 
some  cattle,  and  two  awkward  school  girls,  one  of  whom  was 
myself.  Although  it  was  late  at  night,  I saw  a good  many 
lights  in  the  darkness  and  thought  I had  really  come  to  a town. 
Passing  to  my  new  home  I heard  men  swearing  inside  one  of  the 
three  hotels  in  the  place  and  thought  I had  come  to  a new 
country. 

“I  couldn’t  make  a claim  and  develop  the  resources  of  the 
country,  but  I did  what  I could  by  attending  the  spelling  schools 
and  lvceums,  which  were  in  full  blast.  About  two  years  after 
I began  to  ‘teach  the  young  idea  how  to  shoot,’  and  have  fol- 
lowed that  business  much  of  the  time  since.  (Note — Mrs.  Nelson 
has  now  retired  and  lives  in  Red  Wing,  where  she  is  still  prom- 
inent in  religious,  temperance,  equal  rights  and  philanthropic 
work. — Ed.)  Speaking  of  Sabbath  keeping  in  the  early  days, 
‘when  there  was  no  sound  of  the  church-going  bell,’  an  aunt 
of  mine  who  came  to  the  state  before  I did,  who  had  no  neigh- 
bors, and  whose  husband  had  gone  on  a journey  of  several  days, 
kept  the  Sabbath,  as  she  supposed,  and  the  next  day  put  out  her 
washing.  Her  husband,  returning,  notified  her  to  her  horror  that 
she  had  been  washing  on  Sunday.  Great  changes  have  been 
wrought  before  our  eyes,  great  improvements  have  been  made 
in  our  time,  but  what  pleases  me  most  of  all,  more  than  the 
thought  of  railroad  facilities  and  wonderful  immigration,  more 
than  telegraphic  communication  and  spacious  and  beautiful  pub- 
lic buildings,  is  the  prosperity  of  those  who  came  here  to  make 
homes,  bringing  with  them  only  health  and  hope  and  honest 
hearts  and  willing  hands.  To  see  those  who  worked  hard  behind 


HISTOEY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


219 


oxen  riding  with  their  own  horses  and  carriages;  to  see  those 
who  lived  in  lints  now  occupying  comfortable  homes,  enjoying 
themselves  and  educating  their  children,  that  is  the  best  of  all.” 

The  sixteen  men  who  enlisted  in  the  Civil  War  from  Wacoota 
were:  Morris  Eldred,  John  Eldred,  James  Farenside,  William 

Gordon,  Lot  C.  Hilton,  John  Jordan,  Nathaniel  Jordan,  Henry  M. 
Reade,  Henry  S.  Reed,  Josiali  Richardson,  Ludwig  Tliiergart, 
Henry  E.  Van  Dyke,  John  R.  Winehell,  Charles  Axel,  William 
Toms  and  R.  D.  Rich. 

WANAMINGO  TOWNSHIP. 

Wanamingto  comprises  township  110,  range  17,  and  lias 
remained  unchanged  in  area  since  the  township  organization  act 
of  1858.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Leon,  on  the  east  by 
Minneola,  on  the  west  by  Holden  and  on  the  south  by  Cherry 
Grove.  Wanamingo  is  crossed  east  and  west  by  the  north  branch 
of  the  Zumbro  in  the  southern  part,  but  the  valley  is  broad  and 
has  gentle  slopes.  In  the  northwestern  part  there  is  a branch 
of  the  Cannoh.  The  surface  is  largely  prairie,  gently  rolling, 
with  very  fertile  soil,  well  watered  by  many  springs  and  running 
streams.  Where  these  are  not  at  hand,  water  is  found  by 
digging  a few  feet  below  the  surface.  The  natural  groves  of 
timber  in  various  sections  add  variety  to  the  landscape.  No 
other  township  in  the  county,  it  is  said  affords  superior  advan- 
tages to  the  farmer. 

The  story  of  the  early  settlement  of  Wanamingo  has  been 
told  as  follows:  “The  first  settlers  came  here  in  1854,  and  were 
natives  of  Norway.  Early  in  that  year  Henry  Nelson  (Talla) 
came  to  Dodgeville,  Wis.,  from  California,  where  he  had  been 
staying  a few  years  and  where  he  had  accumulated  a snug  little 
sum  of  money.  About  the  same  time  his  older  brother,  Toge 
Nelson  (Talla),  then  a widower,  came  back  to  the  same  place 
from  Australia,  where  he  also  had  earned  some  money.  The 
two  brothers  then  agreed  to  go  to  the  Northwest  together  and 
search  for  a home.  Purchasing  a team,  they  started,  and  after 
being  on  the  way  as  far  as  Root  river,  they  heard  that  the  terri- 
tory of  Minnesota  contained  good  farming  land,  with  wood  and 
water.  They  then  purchased  a number  of  cattle  and  such  imple- 
ments as  they  would  need  for  beginning  farming  operations. 
They  Avere  now  joined  by  Tliosten  Anderson,  another  of  their 
countrymen,  Avho  was  also  in  the  same  pursuit.  As  both  the 
Nelsons  Avere  determined  to  start  in  farming  for  all  there  was 
in  it,  they  each  hired  a man  to  help  them.  Henry  hired  William 
Williamson  (Runningen)  and  Toge  hired  Nils  Gulbrandson. 
Both  these  hired  men  were  carpenters  by  trade.  Mr.  Gulbrand- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


220 

son  left  His  family  in  Wisconsin,  expecting  to  return  for  them 
in  the  fall,  providing  he  liked  the  new  country.  The  prairie 
schooners  were  ready  and  the  little  company  started  for  the 
unknown  land  May  21,  the  party  consisting  of  those  already  men- 
tioned and  Henry  Nelson  and  family,  Thosten  Anderson  and 
family,  and  two  sisters  of  the  Nelsons,  Mrs.  Jens  Ottun,  whose 
husband  had  not  yet  arrived  from  the  old  country,  and  Mrs. 
Nels  K.  Fenne,  whose  husband  was  then  in  California.  After 
rambling  over  the  new  territory  of  Minnesota  for  three  weeks 
they  came,  June  12,  to  the  place  now  called  Wanamingo.  They 
had  for  many  days  seen  no  white  persons  but  themselves.  At 
about  11  o’clock  on  the  day  named  above  they  crossed  the 
north  fork  of  the  Zumbro.  Toge  Nelson  stopped  his  team  and, 
looking  around,  saw  there  was  a fine  park  with  beautiful  land 
adjacent.  He  exclaimed:  ‘Here  will  I live  and  die.’  His 

words  were  fulfilled,  for  he  died  in  1889,  having  lived  in  that 
place  thirty-five  years.  The  whole  company  found  it  to  be  desir- 
able country  for  settlement,  and  so  began  their  improvements. 
Knowing  nothing  as  to  how  much  land  one  man  could  hold  as 
a claim,  they  marked  off  large  portions,  for  they  expected  others 
of  their  countrymen  to  join  them  in  making  the  town  a Norse 
settlement.  They  began  by  making  dugouts  and  sod  shanties 
for  living  and  sleeping  apartments.  They  broke  up  the  prairie 
for  field  culture  and  planted  some  corn,  sowed  buckwheat  and 
rutabagas.  They  also  planted  a few  potatoes  that  season. 

“Four  weeks  after  this  party  had  made  their  stand,  two 
young  men,  Hans  Ovaldson  and  Andrias  ITesjelden,  came  to  the 
place,  having  followed  their  tracks.  These  young  men  belonged 
to  a larger  party  of  immigrants,  whom  they  had  left  some  thirty- 
five  or  forty  miles  behind.  They  were  so  much  pleased  with 
the  location  that  they  started  back  immediately  for  their  com- 
rades. They  found  them  and  induced  nearly  all  the  party  to 
come  to  Wanamingo.  This  last  party  consisted  of  Andres  Baarn- 
hus,  John  Stroemme,  Guilder  IJestemyr,  Ole  0.  Oakland,  Haldor 
Johnson,  and  their  families.  About  the  first  of  August  another 
train  of  Norwegian  immigrants  came  on  from  Wisconsin,  but 
finding  the  township  of  Wanamingo  already  claimed,  they  went 
further  west  into  Holden  and  Kenyon,  some  even  beyond  the 
county  line  west,  to  make  claims. 

“In  the  latter  part  of  July  this  town  was  visited  by  two 
men  from  Red  Wing,  this  being  the  first  intimation  the  new 
settlers  had  of  the  existence  of  such  a place.  These  men  informed 
them  that  Red  Wing  was  on  the  Mississippi  river,  about  thirty 
miles  distant,  in  a northeasterly  direction.  This  information  was 
a great  benefit,  as  they  knew  of  no  market  town  nearer  than 
Decorali,  Iowa.  In  August  Nils  Gulbrandson  went  to  Wisconsin 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


221 


for  his  family,  and  it  was  agreed  that  he  should  there  meet 
Jens  Ottun,  who  had  arrived  from  Norway,  and  accompany  him 
to  Red  AA'ing  on  the  steamboat.  Three  weeks  later  Toge  and 
Henry  Nelson  set  out  from  Red  Wing  to  meet  them.  After 
wandering  about  for  two  days  they  found  the  place.  In  the 
meantime  the  party  had  arrived,  but  both  men  had  taken  the 
cholera  while  on  the  steamboat.  Mr.  Gulbrandson  died  in  one 
hour  after  landing.  Mr.  Ottun  survived.  They  were  left  on 
the  shore  by  the  boat  hands.  Mrs.  Gulbrandson  took  charge  of 
her  dying  husband  and  grown-up  daughter.  The  latter  also  took 
the  disease,  and  died  shortly  after  the  father.  William  Freeborn, 
seeing  Mr.  Ottun  lying  on  the  levee  with  none  seemingly  to  care 
for  him,  offered  five  dollars  to  the  man  who  would  take  him  to 
some  house  and  care  for  him  over  night.  A few  days  after  this 
the  Nelsons  arrived  in  Red  AVing  and  found  Ottun  so  far  recov- 
ered as  to  be  walking  about,  and  he,  in  company  with  Mrs. 
Gulbrandson  and  her  son,  returned  with  the  Nelsons  to  the  new 
settlement.  The  next  year,  Toge  Nelson  (Talla)  and  Mrs.  Gul- 
brandson were  married.  In  October,  1854,  the  Nelsons  went 
again  to  Red  Wing,  for  winter  supplies.  Nils  J.  Ottun,  son  of 
Jens  Ottun,  related  years  afterward  to  a historian  that 
his  father  was  sent  by  the  party  for  flour  and  some  other  neces- 
sities. Having  only  ten  dollars,  his  wife  sent  a gold  nugget  worth 
ten  dollars  more.  They  bought  two  barrels  of  flour.  Jens  Ottun 
worked  for  Toge  Nelson  that  winter,  splitting  rails,  leaving  his 
son  Nils  and  the  mother  to  keep  house  alone.  The  mother  used 
to  measure  off  the  slice  of  bread  for  each  to  be  eaten  at  every 
meal,  the  same  size,  and  this,  with  a little  butter  and  something 
they  called  coffee  for  drink,  constituted  their  everyday  diet 
through  the  winter.  In  the  latter  part  of  March  the  people  who 
had  settled  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town  came  to  them  for 
flour.  They  were  entirely  out,  and  the  snow  was  so  deep  they 
could  not  get  to  Red  Wing.  Only  one  barrel  was  then  left  in  the 
settlement.  That  was  one  of  the  two  that  Jens  Ottun  had  bought, 
and  it  was  equally  divided  among  all  and  was  made  to  last  until 
the  road  to  Red  Wing  became  passable.  The  first  death  among 
the  settlers  was  that  of  the  youngest  child  of  Thorsten  Anderson, 
named  Berith.  Mrs.  Jens  Ottun  was  requested  to  select  a suit- 
able place  for  a burial  ground,  and  a farm  for  a preacher.  This 
she  did  at  the  time  of  the  burial  of  this  child,  in  July,  1854. 
The  first  white  child  born  in  this  town  was  Knute  N.  Fenne,  in 
September  of  the  same  year.  The  first  marriage  was  a double 
wedding  in  June,  1855.  Toge  Nelson  (Talla)  and  Mrs.  Gul- 
brandson, already  mentioned,  and' John  J.  Marifjern  and  Soe- 
neva  Johnson  were  united  in  marriage  at  the  same  time,  by  Rev. 


222 


HISTORY  OR  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Nils  Brant,  of  Oconomowoc,  AYis.  The  first  public  religious 
service  was  held  the  same  month  by  the  same  clergyman.  The 
land  selected  for  the  preacher  was  for  many  years  occupied  by 
the  Rev.  B.  J.  Muus,  who  came  in  1859  and  for  about  forty-five 
years  remained  the  pastor  of  several  churches  in  that  locality. 

“A  few  American  families  came  to  this  town  in  1855  and 
made  claims  in  the  southern  portion,  on  the  Zumbro  river.  One 
of  the  settlers,  James  Brown,  platted  and  laid  into  lots  forty 
acres  of  land  for  village  purposes  and  called  the  place  Wana- 
mingo,  the  name  of  a heroine  of  a novel  popular  in  those  days. 
A store  was  built  by  J.  T.  Wright  in  this  village. 

“The  fii'st  settlers  had  some  difficulty  the  first  year  in  adjust- 
ing the  boundaries  of  their  several  claims.  Not  knowing  how 
many  acres  one  person  could  hold  and  pre-empt,  their  farms 
were  unusually  large.  Everyone  wanted  timber,  prairie  land 
and  running  water.  This  was  in  the  latter  part  of  1855,  before 
they  found  that  each  could  hold  but  160  acres,  in  adjoining 
40-acre  lots.  In  some  cases  their  first  buildings  would  be  a 
mile  away  from  their  breaking,  as  the  late  comers  were  obliged 
to  claim  a patch  here  and  a patch  there  to  satisfy  all  needs.  So 
there  were  troubles  to  meet  and  overcome  when  they  went  to  the 
land  office  to  purchase  their  lands  from  the  United  States  gov- 
ernment after  it  came  into  the  market.  Many  had  hard  strug- 
gles to  encounter  in  that  settlement  during  the  first  two  years. 
They  had  not  the  means  to  pay  their  passage  over  the  sea  and 
were  obliged  to  devote  their  earnings  to  that  outlay.  But  for 
the  fact  that  a few  had  money  and  could  furnish  work  for 
others  who  had  none,  there  would  have  been  much  suffering. 
The  people  from  Norway  seemed  to  be  well  fitted  for  pioneers 
in  a new  country.  As  farmers  they  have  proved  themselves 
to  be  more  successful  than  any  other  nationality,  perhaps,  who 
have  come  into  the  county.  With  no  other  means  than  a willing- 
ness to  work  at  any  labor  to  be  done,  with  stout  arms  and  faith 
in  God  and  their  fellow  men,  many  of  them  are  now  reckoned 
among  the  wealthiest  of  our  citizens  in  every  branch  of  business 
now  carried  on.  The  farms  and  farm  buildings  in  the  town  of 
Wanamingo  at  the  present  day  show  a degree-  of  thrift  and 
industry  ecpial  to  the  best  in  this  county.  The  first  wheat  crop 
was  raised  here  in  the  year  1856.  There  being  no  flouring  mills 
near,  it  was  all  kept  and  used  for  seed.  This  town  has  the 
honor  of  being  the  first  to  build  up  and  sustain  the  Norwegian 
Lutheran  church,  which  has  become  the  most  numerous  of  the 
Christian  churches  in  the  county.” 

James  Brown  is  said  to  have  taught  the  first  school  in  the 
township.  The  first  store  was  probably  opened  on  section  4.  by 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


223 


Hans  M.  Sande  and  Knut  Sanden,  in  the  spring  of  1857.  They 
stocked  it  with  goods  and  carried  it  on  for  about  a year,  when 
Mr.  Sanden  was  married  and  his  attention  turned  in  other  direc- 
tions. Mr.  Sande  also  concluded  that  he  could  make  more 
money  farming,  so  the  mercantile  business  was  abandoned.  Both 
of  these  gentlemen  soon  became  well-to-do  farmers  of  the  town- 
ship. Another  early  storekeeper  was  Paulus  Miller. 

The  Aspelund  Society  Avas  organized  in  1875,  for  the  mutual 
benefit  of  the  farmers.  A store  Avas  erected  on  section  16  and 
the  society  incorporated  in  1876.  The  first  officers  Avere : Presi- 
dent, O.  J.  Wing;  secretary,  N.  J.  Ottun ; treasurer,  E.  E. 
Sevareid;  directors,  Henry  Nelson  (Talla),  Hans  M.  Sande  and 
Ole  LcaaTs.  N.  -J.  Ottun  AATas  appointed  the  first  manager. 

To  the  Civil  War  Wanamingo  toAvnship  contributed  the  fol- 
loAving  soldiers:  Elling  Albertson,  Jermia  Anderson,  Arne  An- 

derson, Samuel  Arnold,  D.  W.  BroAvn,  Henry  II.  Browm,  Asa 
II.  Dayton,  Anfin  Dalaker,  Ole  Evenson,  John  Ericson,  Hans 
Hoisted,  George  AY.  Heart,  Harris  Harrison,  Ole  Johnson,  Olans 
Johnson,  Hans  Johnson,  Abraham  L.  Jackson,  Guilder  Ivilloe, 
Samuel  Knutson,  Ole  Larson,  Lewis  LeAvison,  Martin  Martinson, 
John  Nilson,  Charles  Nelson,  Ole  Oleson,  Thomas  Peterson,  John 
Peterson,  F.  F.  Sandberg,  LaAvrenc-e  Thoreson,  Henry  J.  Burrell, 
Phillip  Buck,  John  M.  Clark,  Halver  Enderson,  Franklin  Fuller, 
Anthony  Farrell,  Otis  E.  Fowble,  Marshall  Gore,  Aeliiel  D. 
Hollista,  John  S.  Hall,  Francis  G.  Hall.  Elias  Hoyt,  William 
Hahn.  Julius  Johnson,  John  J.  Koenan,  George  Newville,  John 
B.  Kobinson,  Eleazer  Bobbins,  Anson  Smith,  Almon  P.  Smith, 
James  B.  Stouthers,  Lorenz  Thoreson,  Guilder  Thompson,  Theo- 
dore Moonen,  James  A.  Miller,  Peter  McDonough,  Jonathan  B. 
Serrell,  Halver  Stamerson,  Charles  J.  Dobering,  Francis  J.  Burke, 
John  Betcher,  William  II.  Blaker  , Samuel  B.  BroAAm,  Laurens  E. 
Brown,  Spaulding  Whittemore,  Lucian  L.  Perkins,  Sela  Denny, 
Phillip  Buck,  Samuel  Johnson,  Charles  Martin,  John  Gutteridge, 
Joshua  Oliver,  Melvin  0.  Dutton,  John  Clementson,  Daniel  Me- 
Alonan,  William  II.  Applegat,  K.  G.  Applegat,  Peter  B.  Toavu- 
sencl,  John  Johnson,  Tenkel  Nelson,  Charles  Flack,  John  Peter- 
son, William  G.  Renearson,  Lodolf  Swanson,  Patrick  Connersy, 
Peter  Hoppe,  AndreAV  Roberts,  Francis  Coule,  Archibald  Gallo- 
Avay,  George  II.  Gaylord,  AV.  B.  Harlan,  Jacob  J.  Hussell.  John 
Mallory,  John  Ockerson,  George  C.  Ridley,  Ole  Severson,  John 
Williams,  Nels  Lverson,  Fikel  Jensen.  Frank  AY.  Carlson,  George 
Chambers,  Samuel  B.  Roberts,  Dominick  Toole. 

At  the  organization  of  the  township,  May  11.  1858,  the  officers 
elected  Avere:  Supervisors,  0.  Hansen  (chairman),  N.  K.  Fenne, 
J.  G.  BroAvn;  toAAm  clerk,  J.  T.  Wright;  justice  of  the  peace,  W. 
R.  BroAvn;  constable,  Warren  Illson;  assessor,  N.  K.  Fenne.  Fol- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


'224 

lowing  is  the  list  of  the  early  supervisors,  the  first  named  under 
each  date  being  the  chairman:  1859,  George  W.  Duffy,  Saave 

Knudson,  Halvor  Olson  ; 1860,  T.  J.  Smith,  Halvor  Olson,  Thor 
Einertson ; 1861,  T.  J.  Smith,  Saave  Knudson,  Colben  Nelson; 

1862,  Hans  II.  Iloltan,  J.  T.  Leet,  William  Williamson;  1863, 
Ilans  H.  Iloltan,  Coelboern  Nelson,  I.  C.  Swift;  1864,  A.  P. 
Jackson,  Knut  Sanden,  Hans  M.  Sande ; 1865,  A.  P.  Jackson, 
Hans  M.  Sande,  Knut  Sanden;  1866,  A.  P.  Jackson,  Hans  M. 
Sande,  Knut  Sanden;  1867,  A.  P.  Jackson,  Hans  M.  Sande,  Knut 
Sanden;  1868,  A.  P.  Jackson,  0.  J.  AYing,  N.  K.  Fenne;  1869, 
Hans  II.  Iloltan,  O.  J.  Wing,  Chris  Sanden;  1870,  1871,  1872,  the 
same;  1873,  0.  J.  Wing,  G.  C.  Gunderson,  Charles  Anderson;  1874, 
G.  C.  Gunderson,  Charles  Anderson,  John  Swenson;  1875,  1876, 
the  same ; 1877,  G-  C.  Gunderson,  John  Swenson,  A.  T.  Rygh. 
Assessors — 1859,  N.  K.  Fenne ; 1860,  Saave  Knudson ; 1861  to 

1863,  Neri  Helgeson;  1864,  Charles  Paulson;  1865,  E.  E.  Sevareid; 
1866  to  1868,  John  Paulson;  1869,  Elef  Olson;  1870,  and  1871, 
Hans  M.  Sande;  1872  and  1873,  Ole  O.  Follingstad;  1874  to  1877, 
Hans  M.  Sande;  1878,  Ole  0.  Unset.  Justices  of  the  peace — 1859, 
AY.  R.  Brown,  George  AAA  Duffy;  I860,  T.  J.  Smith;  1862,  W. 
R.  Brown;  1863,  Charles  Paulson;  1864,  J.  P.  Leet;  1865,  Charles 
Paulson;  1866,  L.  P.  Leet;  1867,  C.  Paulson,  W.  R.  Brown;  1868, 
A.  P.  Jackson,  N.  J.  Ottun;  1869,  W.  R.  Brown;  1870,  A.  P. 
Jackson;  1871,  AAA  R.  Brown;  1872,  N.  J.  Ottun;  1873,  Christ 
Ilveeni;  1874,  N.  J.  Ottun,  T.  T.  Corchran ; 1875,  Flans  M.  Sande; 
1876,  N.  J.  Ottun;  1877,  Hans  M.  Sande;  1878,  Ole  0.  Huset. 
Clerks — 1859,  0.  Hansen ; 1860,  and  1861,  AY.  R.  Brown ; 1862, 
A.  P.  Jackson;  1863,  Benjamin  Clark;  1864  and  1865,  J.  P.  Leet; 
1866  to  1868,  N.  J.  Ottun.  Collector — 1858,  Knut  Sanden,  served 
two  terms.  Treasurers — 1860,  William  Williamson ; 1862,  W.  R. 
Roulet ; 1864,  G.  C.  Gunderson;  1866,  Charles  Paulson;  1868, 
J.  Paulson;  1869,  Thorsten  Anderson;  1870,  E.  E.  Sevareid.  Con- 
stables— 1859,  Ole  Olson;  1860,  Ole  Olson,  S.  Glaz;  1862,  Lewis 
Throp;  1863,  William  Miller,  William  Johnson;  1864,  AYilliam 
R.  Roulet;  1865,  William  Miller;  1866,  William  Johnson;  1867, 
William  Johnson,  William  Miller;  1868,  Charles  Anderson;  1869, 
Thron  Juliekson,  William  Johnson;  1870,  William  Johnson;  1871, 
Thron  Juliekson;  1873,  Erik  Nelson;  1875  and  1876,  John  Seven- 
son;  1877,  T.  I.  Laven.  Overseers  of  the  poor — 1858,  Torger  0, 
Rygh;  1859,  John  AYing;  1863,  Kling  Johnson;  1864  and  1865, 
Coelboern  Nelson;  1866,  K.  J.  Naeset;  1867,  Hans  II.  Holtan; 
1868,  Hans  M.  Sande;  1869,  Torger  0.  Rygh;  1871,  Lars  Olson; 
1872  and  1873,  Swent  Johnson;  1875,  Hans  M.  Sande. 

The  settlements  in  the  township  are  at  Ilader,  Wanamingo, 
Aspelund  and  Norway. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


225 


WANAMINGO  VILLAGE. 

In  1855  a small  building  was  erected  by  AV.  Wright  between 
sections  25  and  26  of  AVanamingo  township  and  in  this  shack 
were  sold  some  of  the  necessities  of  life  to  the  pioneers  of  those 
days.  This  store  was  sold  to  P.  Miller,  who  again  sold  to  Smith 
& Lamberg.  Their  successor  was  John  Kempe  and  later  A. 
Urness.  Before  the  sixties  another  store  had  been  erected  by  C. 
Dirstine,  whose  business  was  later  bought  by  Hermund  Serum. 
Failing  in  health  Serum  sold  to  Martin  Halvorson,  who  continued 
the  business  until  his  death,  nearly  thirty  years. 

In  those  early  days  AVanamingo  was  the  only  trading  point 
for  the  entire  surrounding  community.  The  marketing  of  grain 
and  other  business  matters  had  to  be  done  at  Red  Wing,  Fari- 
bault or  Hastings.  About  1S56  a postoffice  was  established  and 
received  the  name  of  AVanamingo.  Later  a blacksmith  shop  was 
erected  by  Chrislock  & Gunderson.  This  shop  was  later  bought 
by  J.  J.  Tiller.  Another  shop  was  erected  by  C.  R.  Chrislock,  a 
cobbler  shop  by  Hans  Isackson  and  a harness  and  boot  and  shoe 
shop  by  Melchior  Munson.  A schoolhouse  was  built  and  a hotel 
erected  by  AArm.  Miller.  Every  little  while  surveying  crews  were 
out  in  the  neighborhood  and  rumors  had  it  that  one  or  more  rail- 
roads were  going  to  build  through.  Meanwhile  a thriving  little 
inland  town  sprung  up  and  a townsite  was  platted  by  private 
parties. 

In  1857  or  1858  one  Clark  built  a small  mill  nearly  one  mile 
further  east  on  the  Zumbro  river.  This  mill  was  bought  by  Nel- 
son & Norby  and  a larger  mill  was  erected  on  the  south  side  of 
the  Zumbro  river  on  the  town  line  between  Minneola  and  Wana- 
mingo  townships.  Later  Norby  assumed  full  ownership  iintil 
one-lialf  interest  was  bought  by  Fordahl  Bros.  At  present  A.  J. 
Fordahl  is  the  owner.  In  1889  Ole  Sletten  erected  a store  just 
opposite  the  mill.  Shortly  afterwards  a cheese  factory  was  built 
and  started  in  operation  by  the  farmers.  This  was  sold  to  R.  0. 
Lund,  who  again  sold  to  Gutzler  Bros,  of  Kenyon.  The  factory 
was  remodeled  for  a creamery.  The  company  failing,  the  patrons 
again  assumed  charge  of  the  creamery  in  proportion  to  the 
amount  due  them  for  cream  delivered. 

September  9,  1893,  the  first  steps  were  taken  for  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Diamond  Co-operative  Creamery  Company,  which 
name  his  since  been  changed  to  Minneola  Creamery  Company  and 
has  become  one  of  the  most  successful  co-operative  creamery  or- 
ganizations in  the  state. 

In  1904  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  & St.  Paul  Railway  Company 
broadened  the  narrow  gauge  track  from  AVabasha  to  Zumbrota 
and  extended  the  track  to  Faribault,  at  which  time  the  present 


226 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


townsite  of  Wanamingo  Avas  platted  by  the  Milwaukee  Land  Com- 
pany. The  village  has  experienced  a steady  growth  since  the 
townsite  Avas  first  platted  and  at  present  has  a population  of 
about  200  or  more  inhabitants.  That  the  place  has  become  one 
of  the  busiest  little  villages  in  southern  Minnesota  is  but  a reflec- 
tion on  the  farming  community  in  which  it  is  located.  Wana- 
mingo township  Avas,  according  to  the  census  of  1900,  the  richest 
agricultural  township  in  the  United  States  and  there  is  very  little 
if  any  difference  in  the  adjoining  townships  surrounding  the 
village.  A genial  spirit  has  existed  between  the  business  of  the 
village  and  the  farmers  of  the  vicinity.  Business  enterprises  are 
controlled  by  local  capital,  the  farmers  holding  a good  share. 

The  following  are  business  enterprises  represented  in  the  vil- 
lage at  present : 

The  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Wanamingo,  with  a.  capital  of 
$10,000.  Avas  organized  in  1904  through  'the  efforts  of  Henry  M. 
and  Martin  Halvorson.  The  bank  received  its  certificate  of  or- 
ganization December  2,  1904,  and  commenced  doing  business 
February  1,  1905,  in  their  banking  house,  which  had  been  erected 
during  the  preAnous  fall.  Their  banking  house  is  a one-story 
brick  building,  handsomely  erected  and  Avell  equipped  with  mod- 
ern furniture  and  fixtures.  The  stock  was  subscribed  and  is  held 
by  farmers  and  business  m’en  of  the  community.  The  bank’s  busi- 
ness has  been  guarded  by  a careful  and  conservative  management 
and  has  had  a marvelous  increase  until  the  deposits  have  reached 
$220,000  and  loans  $185,000.  The  bank  has  a permanent  surplus 
fund  of  $3,500.  The  directors  are : O.  Follingstad,  N.  J.  Olness, 
Chas.  O.  Roe,  E.  B.  Lunde,  T.  Thompson,  Hon.  C.  L.  Brusletten, 
Hon.  A.  J.  Rockne,  Martin  Halvorson  and  Henry  M.  Halvorson. 
The  officers  at  present  are : O.  Follingstad,  president ; Henry  M. 
Halvorson,  vice  president  and  secretary;  N.  J.  Olness,  vice  presi- 
dent ; Martin  Halvorson,  cashier. 

The  Minneola  Creamery  Company  was  organized  December  26, 
1893.  The  first  set  of  officers  AA'ere : President,  J.  B.  Locke ; treas- 
urer, O.  T.  Berg;  secretary  and  manager,  EdAV.  G.  Hammer.  The 
directors  AA^ere : Henry  Weiss,  Henry  James,  N.  J.  Olness  and  R. 
O.  Lund.  J.  B.  Locke,  avIio  probably  did  most  to  promote  the 
organization  of  the  company,  serAred  as  president  until  his  death. 
0.  T.  Berg  has  served  as  treasurer  of  the  company  since  organiza- 
tion. R.  0.  Lund  seiwecl  as  secretary  and  manager  from  1894  to 
1900.  Carl  Fossum  has  served  in  the  same  capacity  since  1900 
The  present  officers  are : President,  L.  H.  Ofstie ; secretary  and 
manager,  Carl  Fossum;  treasurer,  0.  T.  Berg.  The  directors  are 
Sam  0.  Aslackson,  Oscar  Steberg,  0.  R.  Reberg  and  0.  T.  Teigen. 
The  company  manufactured  last  year  over  550,000  pounds  of  but- 
ter, which  sold  for  over  $125,000.  Business  has  outgrown  the 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Z27 


present  plant  and  a new  building  is  under  construction,  which 
will  be  one  of  the  most  modern  creamery  buildings  in  the  state. 
The  building  is  being  erected  from  concrete  blocks  and  tile  blocks 
with  cement  floors  and  ceilings  and  the  building  is  arranged  so 
that  the  products  shall  be  handled  to  the  best  advantage  and 
labor  brought  down  to  the  minimum  cost.  M.  A.  Swee  is  the 
present  buttermaker. 

The  Farmers  Elevator  Company  was  organized  July  8,  1905. 
The  first  set  of  officers  were : President,  L.  J.  Gjemse ; vice-presi- 
» dent,  IT.  0.  Naeseth;  secretary,  J.  A.  Norstad;  treasurer,  Henry 
M.  Haivorson.  The  directors  were  A.  T.  Tongen,  0.  S.  Haugen 
and  Alfred  Steberg.  The  company  has  a paid  capital  of  $4,200, 
owns  two  well  equipped  elevator  buildings  and  has  a surplus  fund 
of  $2,500.  Chas.  O.  Roe  served  as  manager  from  organization 
until  July,  1909.  At  present  H.  O.  Naeseth  is  manager  and  E.  G. 
Rosvohl  assistant  manager.  The  officers  at  present  are : Presi- 
dent, L.  J.  Gjemse;  vice-president,  T.  B.  Tunks;  secretary,  P.  L. 
Paulsness,  and  treasurer,  E.  I.  Morkri.  The  directors  are:  F.  R. 
Miller,  A.  A.  Steberg  and  Nels  Nerison. 

Farmers  Mutual  Telephone  Company  of  Goodhue  County  was 
organized  in  1903.  Has  200  phones  and  is  having  a steady  growth. 
The  officers  are:  President,  O.  T.  Teigen;  vice-president,  P.  L. 
Paulsness ; secretary,  A.  Fordahl ; treasurer,  Martin  Haivorson ; 
directors,  P.  L.  Ulstad,  O.  R.  Reberg  and  L.  L.  Romo. 

Wanamingo  Flour  Mills,  fifty  barrel  capacity  and  feed  mill  in 
connection ; A.  J.  Fordahl,  proprietor.  Milwaukee  Elevator  Com- 
pany, August  Moses,  agent.  Wanamingo  Lumber  Company,  deal- 
ing in  all  kinds  of  building  material  and  coal;  H.  S.  Swan,  man- 
ager. Myron  & Olson,  hardware  and  machinery;  A.  0.  Berg, 
manager.  Syverson  Bros.,  hardware  and  farming  implements  r, 
Martin  Syverson  and  Adolf  Syverson,  ihdividual  partners.  Rom- 
ness  Brps.,  general  merchandise.  Nels  O.  and  Halvor  0.  Romness 
are  the  individual  partners.  J.  A.  Norstad  & Co.,  general  mer- 
chandise; J.  A.  Norstad.  Wanamingo  Restaurant,  II.  N.  Setran. 
proprietor.  Ree  Restaurant,  B.  M.  Ree,  proprietor.  Johnson 
Telephone  Exchange ; L.  J.  Johnson  proprietor.  Harness,  Shoe 
and  Repair  Shop  ; A.  Brislance,  proprietor.  Dealer  in  Live  Stock, 
A.  A.  Steberg.  Meat  Market,  Paul  Jacobson.  Livery  and  dray, 
Richard  Tiller.  Blacksmith  Shop,  John  Wolf.  Photograph  Gal- 
lery, C.  E.  Pearson,  who  is  also  postmaster.  Weekly  Newspaper, 
Wanamingo  Progress,  Eclw.  Oredalen,  editor. 

The  village  has  a first  grade  school  and  a church  is  being 
erected  by  the  Lutheran  Evangelical  denomination.  The  village 
furthermore  has  good  railway,  passenger  and  freight  service  and 
receives  its  mail  twice  daily.  The  citizens  are  enterprising  and 
progressive.  Good  business  blocks  are  being  erected,  beautiful 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


228 

homes  are  built  and  fitted  with  modern  conveniences,  and  cement 
walks  are  being  constructed.  There  is  no  reason  why  the  village 
should  not  continue  to  be  the  common  trading  point  of  the  sur- 
rounding community  and  grow  as  the  farming  community  de- 
mands it.-  By  Henry  Halvorson. 

The  Wanamingo,  Cherry  Grove  and  Minneola  Mutual  Fire  In- 
surance Company  was  organized  May  27,  1876,  in  accordance 
with  chapter  83  of  the  general  laws  of  the  state  of  Minnesota, 
approved  March  9,  1875.  The  following  named  gentlemen  signed 
the  articles  of  agreement:  Ole  P.  Floan,  N.  J.  Ottum,  Henry  Nel- 
son, 0.  J.  Wing,  Ole  R.  Lund,  Peder  N.  Nesseth,  Ole  J.  Romfo, 
Ole  T.  Berg,  Rognalcl  Olson,  John  A.  Borstad,  Ellef  Haugesag, 
Ole  J.  Kvittem,  TIaagen  Nelson,  Swen  Olsen,  Tosten  Eleven,  Ole 
Aufinson,  G.  II.  Stuvrud,  Iver  Iverson,  Guilder  Bremseth,  Lars  J. 
Romo,  N.  A.  Stageberg,  Peder  N.  Lerfald,  John  J.  Lilleskov,  Hans 
Isackson,  Nils  0.  Nordly,  Thosten  Thompson,  Ilaagen  Thoreson, 
R.  H.  Chrisloek,  Samuel  A.  Holland,  John  0.  Baar,  Johanes  J. 
Marejeren,  Lasse  N.  Morken,  Nils  K.  Fenne  and  A.  J.  Barsness. 
The  first  officers  were : President,  Ole  P.  Floan ; secretary,  N.  J. 
Ottum;  treasurer,  Nils  0.  Nordby.  The  board  of  directors  con- 
sisted of  these  three  gentlemen  and  Elling  Albertson,  Ole  J. 
Romfo,  Ole  T.  Berg,  Ole  R.  Lund  and  Peder  N.  Nesseth. 

During  the  year  1885,  the  company  enlarged  its  territory,  ad- 
mitting the  following  towns : Roscoe,  Pine  Island,  Zumbrota, 

Belle  Creek,  Leon,  Goodhue,  Kenyon,  Holden  and  Warsaw,  so 
that  it  now  comprises  a territory  of  twelve  townships.  It  has 
grown  steadily  until  at  the  present  time  it  has  a total  of  1,150 
persons,  holding  over  1,200  policies,  covering  an  insurance  of 
$2,500,000.  The  company  has,  during  the  time  of  its  existence, 
sustained  and  paid  563  losses  amounting  to  $48,227.92.  During 
the  year  1906  a special  meeting  was  held  to  prolong  the  com- 
pany’s existence  for  another  term  of  thirty  years.  At  this  meet- 
ing all  the  then  existing  by-laws  were  repealed  and  a new  set 
enacted,  one  more  director  being  added.  The  present  officers 
are:  President,  0.  J.  Wing,  Wanamingo;  vice  president,  0.  T. 
Berg,  Cherry  Grove  (Mr.  Berg  has  been  a director  thirty- three 
years,  since  the  organization  of  the  company)  ; treasurer,  N.  A. 
Stageberg.  Wanamingo;  directors,  P.  0.  Finstuen,  Roscoe;  0.  0. 
Norclvold,  Zumbrota;  0.  F.  Ivalass,  Minneola;  Oliver  Berg,  Pine 
Island;  Edward  Rowles,  Belle  Creek.  The  company  has  two  spe- 
cial agents,  II.  0.  Oakland,  Wanamingo;  0.  I.  Morkri,  Cherry 
Grove.  The  headquarters  are  in  the  township  of  Wanamingo, 
and  the  annual  meeting  is  held  in  the  village  of  Wanamingo  on 
the  third  Saturday  of  January.  The  company  is  now  doing  an 
immense  business  of  over  half  a million  dollars  insurance  annu- 
ally. In  1908  it  was  $546,635,  and  has  been  as  high  as  $576,825 


Martin  Halvorson,  Sr. 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


229 


in  one  year.  The  yearly  expenses  are  very  low  compared  with 
other  companies  of  about  the  same  size.  During  1908  it  amounted 
to  only  $596.21.  This  shows  that  the  company  has  accomplished 
its  object  of  being  a money-saving  institution.  The  insurance 
rate  prior  to  1906  in  this  company  was  three  mills  on  the  dollar 
for  five-year  terms,  but  this  rate  proved  to  be  inadequate  to  de- 
fray expenses  to  pay  the  losses,  so  the  rates  were  raised  to  five 
mills,  and  as  since  January  11,  1906,  no  assessment  has  been  made, 
it  appears  that  the  present  rates  are  sufficient.  The  following 
report  furnished  through  the  kindness  of  A.  H.  Tongen,  secretary 
of  the  company,  shows  the  great  amount  of  business  done  since 
May  27,  1876.  The  policies  issued  have  amounted  to  5,513,  and 
have  covered  an  insurance  of  $9,272,364.  The  policies  cancelled 
have  amounted  to  4,319  and  have  covered  an  insurance  of  $6,871,- 
771.  This  leaves  in  force  1,194  policies,  covering  an  insurance  of 
$2,400,771. 

Receipts — Membership  and  policy  fee,  $36,081.05;  assessments, 
$23,284.00;  interest,  $507.51;  borrowed,  $795.54;  other  sources, 
$10.33;  total  receipts,  $60,678.43. 

Disbursements — Losses  caused  by  lightning  (444),  $20,170.88; 
losses  caused  by  fire  (88),  $24,833.80;  losses  caused  by  steam 
thresher  (19),  $967.71;  (total  losses,  $45,972.39);  paid  back  bor- 
rowed money,  $795.54;  other  expenditures,  $12,912.17;  total  paid 
out,  $59,680.10;  credit  balance,  December  31,  1908,  $998.33;  total, 
$60,678.43. 

Martin  Halvorson,  Sr.,  now  deceased,  was  a pioneer  merchant 
of  AYanamingo.  Quiet  in  his  manners  and  disposition,  he  never 
sought  public  life  or  office,  but  his  many  good  qualities  endeared 
him  to  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  He  was  born  in  Nor- 
way in  1842.  and  came  to  America  in  1866,  locating  in  AYana- 
mingo  township.  Soon  after  arriving  in  this  county  he  entered 
the  employ  of  H.  C.  Serum,  who  kept  a general  store  in  AVana- 
mingo village.  In  1872,  Air.  Halvorson  purchased  the  establish- 
ment and  one  year  later  was  appointed  postmaster,  a position  he 
held  until  1898.  His  store  was  a great  success,  and  not  oulv  did 
the  farmers  for  miles  around  seek  his  place  to  purchase  goods, 
but  also  to  ask  advice  and  to  secure  Air.  Halvorson ’s  opinions, 
which  were  always  sure  to  be  sound  and  good.  Mr.  Halvorson 
was  married  in  1873  to  Greatha  Bjornethun,  also  a native  of  Nor- 
way, by  whom  he  had  seven  children:  Henry.  Lena  (deceased), 
Rev.  Jens,  now  of  Ashland,  AVis. ; Lena,  now  Mrs.  (Rev.)  AI.  Bjorn- 
son,  of  New  Folden,  Alinn.;  Alartin,  Frederick,  who  is  on  the  old 
homestead,  and  Gustav,  a student  in  the  law  department  of  the 
state  university  at  Minneapolis.  Air.  Halvorson  died  in  1899, 
and  his  widow  still  survives. 


230 


H1STOBY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 

WARSAW  TOWNSHIP. 


Warsaw  lies  on  the  eastern  border  of  Goodhue  county  and 
comprises  township  11,  range  18.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by 
Stanton,  east  by  Leon,  south  by  Holden  and  Avest  by  Rice  county. 
The  Little  Cannon  river  passes  along  the  eastern  border,  and  in 
the  valley  of  this  river  appears  some  timber,  particularly  notice- 
able in  the  southeastern  portion.  The  larger  part  of  the  surface, 
however,  is  rolling  prairie,  with  deep  soil,  and  consequently  many 
fine  farms. 

“Happy  is  the  land  that  has  no  history,”  says  an  ancient 
writer.  This  is  true  of  Warsaw.  Agriculture  has  been  the  impor- 
tant industry  in  the  township,  and  from  the  earliest  settlement 
the  story  of  Warsaw  has  been  one  of  increased  cultivation, 
where  the  people  live  in  peace  and  contentment,  free  from  the 
disputes  and  stirring  events  Avhich,  Avhile  they  made  interesting 
reading,  do  not  always  tend  to  the  real  benefit  or  growth  of  a 
locality.  In  June,  1855,  the  northern  part  of  this  township  was 
settled  by  a party  of  Americans  consisting  of  the  brothers, 
Moses,  William  and  Edwin  George.  Robert  McCorkle  (some- 
times given  as  McC'oskel),  E.  II.  Sumner,  Washington  King,  R. 
B.  Wilson,  J.  E.  Wright  and  Francis  McKee.  These  men  at  once 
started  farming,  and  while  they  endured  the  hardships  always 
incident  to  pioneer  life,  their  first  crops  Avere  good,  and  from 
some  of  the  Avorse  privations  they  were  spared.  In  1856  a child 
AAras  born  to  Washington  King,  a truly  important  event,  and  duly 
celebrated  by  the  pioneers,  who  all  wanted  to  take  a peep  at  the 
little  stranger.  The  following  year,  1857,  John  Chambers  died 
and  the  funeral  Avas  attended  by  the  entire  population  of  the 
settlement.  In  the  summer  of  1858  Rev.  Isaac  Waldron  con- 
ducted the  first  religious  services,  in  a room  of  a house  owned 
by  Alex  McKee.  In  the  same  room  Emma  Babcock  kept  the 
first  school,  in  the  summer  of  1859.  Mr.  Johnson  built  the  first 
blacksmith  shop  in  1864,  and  later  others  Avere  added. 

The  settlement  in  the  southern  part  of  the  township  was 
started  in  1856,  by  Anders  Anderson,  Nils  Gunderson,  Ole  and 
Hagen  Knutson,  Andrew  Thompson  and  others.  Soon  a Nor- 
Avegian  colony  greAV  up  around  them. 

The  township  was  organized  in  1858,  with  N.  B.  ToAAmsend  as 
chairman  and  J.  E.  Wright  as  clerk.  Other  early  chairmen  Avere 

Samuel  Carpenter,  Abram  Towne,  J.  L.  AN ells,  Rice, 

R.  B.  Wilson  and  Chris.  Lochren.  Among  the  early  clerks  Avere 
William  George,  Edwin  George,  T.  Bowman,  Chris.  Lochren  and 
George  Sheets. 

Warsaw’s  contribution  to  the  Civil  War  consisted  of:  John 

A.  Bond,  Cyrus  Bondurant,  Ulrich  Iv.  Burk,  Joseph  E.  Charles, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


231 


Swen  Christopherson,  Clinton  L.  Babcock,  Ole  Christopher, 
Lyman  S.  Kidder,  Lot  Heustis,  William  McFall,  James  C.  Rhodes, 
Thomas.  II.  Dailey,  Clark  Schellenberger,  Hiram  C.  Smith,  H. 
Zimmerman,  Calvin  Daniels,  Samuel  Eldredge,  C.  R.  Eldredge, 
Levi  King,  George  McKinley,  Silas.  Mills,  Ole  Nelson,  Francis 
J.  Ridgeway,  Benjamin  H.  Ridgeway,  James  H.  Wright,  Joseph 
E.  Charles,  Herman  Scherf,  Swan  Hailing,  John  N.  Morrell, 
Andrew  Swanberg,  Morris  Tracy,  Ole  Torgeson,  John  Johnson, 
Ole  Hendrickson,  Andrew  Sanborg,  Benjamin  0.  Bong,  Osten 
Anderson,  LeAvis  Kock,  Ernest  Zahn,  Daniel  F.  Dibble,  Patrick 
Gribbin,  Edwin  R.  Nafry,  Alfred  Alphinson,  Augustus  Houghton, 
William  Mills,  Henry  Martin,  Ole  Larson,  Walter  L.  Winton. 

There  are  three  small  settlements  in  the  township,  Dennison 
in  the  west,  Wangs  in  the  center  and  Sogan  in  the  eastern  part. 

Beautiful,  well  furnished  and  well  appointed  homes,  commo- 
dious barns,  sleek  livestock,  rich  acres,  an  educated  and  cultured 
people,  tells  the  story  of  Warsaw  of  the  present  day. 

Dennison  is  a village  of  170  souls  situated  on  the  western 
boundary  line  'of  Warsaw  township,  being  about  one-third  in 
Rice  county.  The  name  is  derived  from-  an  early  settler  who 
originally  owned  considerable  land  where  the  village  is  now 
located.  The  population  of  the  village  is  about  three-fourths 
Scandinavian.  The  first  men  to  start  in  business  in  the  village 
were  Karl  A.  and  Guilder  Bonhus,  who  conducted  a general  store. 
After  eight  years  they  were  succeeded  by  A.  K.  Lockrem.  The 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  was  built  in  1883,  blown  down  in 
1885  and  rebuilt  the  same  year.  The  railroad  came  through  in 
1884,  and  was  operated  by  the  Minnesota  North  western.  The 
line  was  then  sold  to  the  Chicago,  St.  Paul  & Kansas  City,  and 
subsequently  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Chicago  Great  Western. 
The  first  blacksmith  was  J.  AY.  Downing.  The  first  hardware  and 
implement  store  was  that  of  Bunday  & Ferguson,  established 
March  10,  1887.  The  school  house  is  a comfortable  building. 
42x45  with  four  rooms,  built  of  brick.  It  provides  for  the  chil- 
dren living  in  the  incorporate  limits,  the  districts'  having  origi- 
nally been  34  and  155,  respectively,  in  Rice  and  Goodhue  counties. 
The  village  now  has  a bank  (branch),  one  hardware  store,  one 
lumber  yard,  three  general  stores,  a harness  shop,  a postoffice 
with  two  rural  routes,  a barber  shop,  tAvo  blacksmiths,  one  meat 
market,  one  farmers’  elevator,  a pastuerizing  milk  plant,  a 
Methodist  church  and  a public  school. 

The  Dennison  State  bank  is  a thriving  institution  with  a 
capital  stock  of  $15,000.  The  officers  are : President,  J.  C. 

Schmidt;  vice-president,  W.  T.  Schmidt;  cashier,  W.  W.  AYescott; 
assistant  cashier,  O.  R.  Bolen. 


232 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY" 


WELCH  TOWNSHIP. 

Welch  includes  the  east  half  of  government  township  114 
north  of  range  16  west,  and  the  whole  of  township  113  north  of 
range  16  Avest,  except  that  part  which  lies  south  of  the  Cannon 
river.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  Mississippi  river,  on 
the  east  by  Burnside,  on  the  south  by  Yasa  and  on  the  west  by 
Dakota  county.  The  surface  is  much  broken,  but  rarely  rocky 
except  along  the  immediate  bluffs.  The  valleys  are  generally 
rich  alluvial,  but  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town  the  valley 
which  is  tributary  to  the  Mississippi  at  Etter  is  gravelly  and 
sandy,  with  terraces  scantily  clothed  with  crooked  oaks  and 
bushes.  A magnificent  view  is  afforded  from  the  high  land  near 
the  church  on  the  northwest  corner  of  section  15.  The  mounds 
south  of  Hastings  can  be  seen  distinctly,  also  the  smoke  from 
Hastings  and  the  high  land  above  Hastings  on  each  side  of  the 
St.  Croix  valley.  The  middle  of  the  township  is  rolling  prairie, 
the  northern  portion  consists  of  a large  part  of  Prairie  Island, 
bordering  the  Mississippi  and  the  Vermillion  rivers. 

Those  interested  in  the  story  of  Welch  should  read  the  early 
history  of  Burnside,  the  record  of  the  early  days  being  identical, 
owing  to  the  fact  that  they  were  under  one  government.  The 
Indian  settlement  on  Prairie  Island  is  also  treated  of  under  the 
head  of  Burnside  in  this  history. 

Settlers  came  into  Welch,  both  from  Dakota  and  Goodhue 
counties,  in  1855-56,  but  these  settlers  left  for  what  to  them 
seemed  more  desirable  locations  in  more  southerly  and  prairie- 
like townships.  These  settlers  left  no  record  of  their  occupancy, 
and  have  now  passed  from  memory.  The  permanent  settlers  did 
not  come  until  1857-58,  Welch  being  the  last  township  to  be 
taken  up  by  the  homesteaders.  Among  these  permanent  settlers 
were  E.  W.  Carver,  William  Boothroyd,  Michael  Henry,  John 
Bloom,  Gohcham  Esta,  D.  0.  Swanson,  Benjamin  Beavers  and 
N.  C.  Crandall. 

March  23,  1864,  on  petition,  the  board  of  commissioners 
divided  Burnside  by  setting  off  the  east  fractional  half  of  town- 
ship 114,  range  16,  and  all  of  township  113,  range  16,  lying  north 
of  the  Cannon  river  and  called  it  Grant.  Another  township  in 
the  state  already  bore  that  name,  and  the  state  auditor,  under 
date  of  December  31,  1871,  directed  a change  of  name.  January 
3,  1872,  the  commissioners  took  up  the  matter  and  changed  the 
name  to  Welch,  in  honor  of  the  late  Major  Abram  Edwards 
Welch,  of  Red  Wing. 

The  first  board  of  officers,  while  the  town  still  bore  the 
name  of  Grant,  were:  Supervisors,  A.  Coons  (chairman),  Joseph 
Eggleston,  Benjamin  Bevers;  toAvn  clerk,  J.  B.  Waugh;  treas- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


233 


urer,  M.  O’Rourke;  assessor,  E.  W.  Carver;  justice,  J.  B.  Waugh; 
constables,  P.  C.  Brown  and  D.  Black. 

On  September  6,  1864,  a special  town  meeting  Avas  called, 
for  the  purpose  of  voting  a tax  to  raise  money  to  pay  volun- 
teers to  fill  the  quota  required  from  the  tOAvn,  at  which  meeting 
it  Avas  voted  to  raise  $600  as  a bounty  to  volunteers  for  the  Civil 
War.  Another  war  meeting  was  held  February  11,  1865,  for  the 
purpose  of  raising  more  bounty  money.  At  this  meeting  it  Avas 
voted  to  raise  $700  to  pay  volunteers,  if  they  could  be  obtained, 
and  if  not,  to  pay  men  who  stood  the  draft.  E.  W.  Carver  Avas 
selected  to  look  after  the  matter  of  obtaining  men  to  fill  the 
tOAvn ’s  quota.  Those  who  Avent  to  the  Avar  from  this  tOAvn  were; 
Philo  BroAArn,  .J.  S.  Nelson  and  S.  S.  TAvitcliell. 

After  the  name  of  the.  tOAvn  Avas  changed  to  Welch  the  first 
board  consisted  of:  . Supervisors,  M.  Henry  (chairman),  Thomas 
Brenner  and  Michael  Hart;  clerk,  J.  S.  Nelson. 

A Swedish  Lutheran  church  Avas  erected  in  1878,  at  a eost 
of  $4,600.  In  1886  a store  Avas  built  at  Welch  Mills  at  a cost  of 
$500.  In  1900  an  elevator  Avas  erected  at  a cost  of  $1,500. 

The  residents  of  Welch  are  a happy,  prosperous  people,  Avho 
have  achieved  much  success  in  their  farming  operations. 

Welch  Village,  formerly  called  Welch  Mills,  nOAV  has  a small 
flour  mill  with  eleArator,  tAvo  stores,  a boarding  house,  tAvo  black- 
smith shops,  a station  on  the  branch  line  of  the  Chicago,  Mil- 
waukee & St.  Paul  and  a station  across  the  river  on  the  Chicago 
Great  Western. 


• CHAPTER  XVI. 


ZUMBROTA. 

Zumbrota  Village — Its  Situation  and  Advantages — Modern  Zum- 
brota — Water,  Sewer  and  Public  Halls — Fire  Department — 
Industries — Banks — Hotels — Mills  and  Elevators — Creamery 
— Fraternities — Village  History  and  Officers — T.  P.  Kellett’s 
Speech  — Military  Company  — Village  Schools  — Public 
Library — Zumbrota  Township — Township  Officers  Since 
Early  Days — Soldiers  from  This  Township. 

Zumbrota  Village  is  rich  in  historic  lore,  being  one  of  several 
settlements,  projected  by  eastern  people,  and  designed  to  be- 
places  to  which  should  be  transported  with  more  roomy  sur- 
roundings and  wider  opportunities,  the  thrift,  education  and  cus- 
toms of  the  thickly  populated  East.  To  this  day,  these  sturdy 
eastern  pioneers  remain  in  the  township  and  village,  and  form 
the  backbone  of  the  community.  As  elsewhere  in  the  county,  the 
sturdy  Scandinavians  have  had  their  part  in  the  general  growth 
and  development  of  the  community,  while  in  the  village  itself 
are  many  comparative  newcomers  who  have  assisted  in  the  mate- 
rial and  business  progress  of  Zumbrota ’s  industrial  and  commer- 
cial activity. 

The  history  of  this  community  has  been  gathered  from  various 
sources,  assisted  by  Edward  F.  Davis,  editor  of  the  Zumbrota 
“News,”  while  the  story  of  the  modern  village  is  largely  the 
work  of  his  gifted  pen. 


Zumbrota  village  is  the  trading  center  for  one  of  the  richest 
agricultural  sections  of  what  is  acknowledged  to  be  one  of  the 
richest  agricultural  states  in  the  Union,  commanding  a large  part 
of  the  trade  of  the  farmers  of  Roscoe,  Minneola,  Pine  Island  and 
Zumbrota  townships,  as  well  as  other  adjoining  country  districts. 
It  is  admirably  situated  in  the  midst  of  a rolling  prairie,  on  the' 
north  branch  of  the  Zumbro  river  and  on  the  Northwestern,  Great 
Western  and  Milwaukee  railroads,  giving  it  exceptional  shipping 
facilities,  while  well  kept  wagon  roads  extending  fan-like  in  all 

234 


HISTOBY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY  . 235 

directions,  make  it  easy  of  access  to  the  owners  of  the  rich  farms 
within  a considerable  radius. 

Zumbrota  lias  been  considered  by  many  competent  judges  to 
be  an  ideal  home  town.  Near  enough  to  several  cities  to  make 
city  attractions  and  lectures  possible,  it  combines  all  the  best 
features  of  village  and  country  life,  with  none  of  the  temptations 
of  the  city  and  none  of  the  squalor  of  city  slums.  Its  schools  give 
the  children  exceptional  advantages,  and  the  social  features  fur- 
nish recreation  after  busy  days  of  business,  professional  or  agri- 
cultural endeavor. 

Modern  Zumbrota  has  a beautiful  high  school  building,  afford- 
ing excellent  educational  facilities  which  takes  the  pupil  from 
primary  grades  through  a college  preparatory  or  normal  course ; 
a Carnegie  library ; a city  and  three  private  halls ; a Congrega- 
tional, Methodist,  Synod,  Norwegian  Lutheran,  United  Norwe- 
gian Lutheran,  German  Lutheran,  English  Lutheran,  Catholic 
and  Episcopal  churches,  connected  with  which  are  the  various 
auxiliaries;  a Lutheran  hospital;  several  literary  societies;  an 
annual  lyeeum  course ; a large  number  of  fraternities,  and  three 
fraternity  halls;  a weekly  newspaper;  a beautiful  park;  a band, 
and  a company  of  state  militia.  It  also  has  a large  clay  manu- 
facturing company;  three  elevators;  a mill;  a bank  with  a capital 
stock  of  $45,000;  two  hotels;  two  lumber  yards;  one  creamery; 
a cement  block  plant;  six  general  stores;  two  clothing  and  dry 
goods  stores;  two  furniture  stores;  two  photograph  galleries; 
thlee  barber  shops;  one  horse  and  auto  livery;  one  garage  and 
machine  shop  ; four  blacksmith  shops  ; two  jewelry  stores ; one  fur 
factory;  one  meat  market;  two  drug  stores;  one  laundry;  one 
bakery ; three  restaurants ; one  pool  room ; one  wagon  shop ; two 
hardware  stores ; one  cigar  factory ; two  harness  shops ; one  shoe 
store;  real  estate  and  collection  ag’ency;  five  saloons;  four  mil- 
linery stores  and  one  tailor  shop.  Among  the  advantages  which 
makes  Zumbrota  a valuable  place  of  residence  are  a perfect  sys- 
tem of  water  works  and  sewerage ; excellent  streets  and  drive- 
ways extending  into  well  kept  country  roads ; five  miles  of  cement 
sidewalks;  good  volunteer  fire  protection;  electric  lighting  plant; 
local  and  rural  telephone  system;  three  telegraph  lines,  and 
two  express  companies. 

The  professions,  aside  from  the  clergy,  are  represented  by  one 
lawyer,  two  dentists,  three  physicians,  one  veterinary  surgeon 
and  one  optician. 

Water  Works.  The  water  works  system  was  started  in  the 
summer  of  1883  and  consisted-  of  three  blocks  of  mains  along  the 
main  street,  which  were  supplied  by  a pump  in  the  Palmer  elevator 
and  the  water  taken  from  the  river.  This  was  for  fire  protection 
only.  Two  years  later  the  system  was  extended  and  a 75,000 


236 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


barrel  reservoir  erected  on  a hill  southeast  of  the  village,  a well 
dug  and  a pumping  station  erected  in  the  village,  which  now  sup- 
plies good,  pure  water  for  domestic  use  as  well  as  for  fire  pro- 
tection. In  1907  thirteen  blocks  of  six-inch  mains  were  extended 
to  various  sections  of  the  village.  The  system  is  owned  by  the 
village  and  under  the  supervision  of  the  council. 

Sewer  System.  In  1906  a sanitary  sewer  system  was  installed 
and  takes  care  of  the  business  section  of  the  town.  A survey  of 
the  whole  village  was  made,  but  as  yet  only  seven  blocks  have 
been  installed. 

Halls.  There  are  seven  halls  in  the  village,  three  of  which  are 
used  for  lodge  purposes,  one  city  hall  and  three  private  halls. 
The  Odd  Fellows  hall  is  owned  by  Mrs.  IT.  IT.  Palmer;  the  Ma- 
sonic, by  F.  C.  Marvin;  the  Woodmen,  by  Kolbe  & Kalass.  The 
private  halls  are  owned  by  F.  C.  Marvin,  John  Anderson  and 
Sohn  & Trelstad. 

The  Zumrota  City  Hall  was  built  of  wood,  60x40  feet,  two 
stories,  in  1887,  at  a cost  of  $4,500,  under  the  supervision  of  N.  T. 
Wedge.  The  building  committee  consisted  of  S.  B.  Barteau,  C.  E. 
Johnson,  F.  G.  Marvin  and  R.  S.  Sigmund.  The  building  contains 
a hall  for  public  meetings,  also  the  volunteer  fire  apparatus,  the 
headquarters  of  the  volunteer  fire  department,  and  a jail,  con- 
sisting of  two  steel  cages. 

Fire  Protection.  Probably  no  village  in  the  state  has  better 
fire  protection  than  has  Zumbrota,  and  for  that  reason  insurance 
rates  are  exceedingly  low.  The  village  supports  a volunteer  fire 
department,  consisting  of  ninety  men  (the  third  largest  in  the 
state)  which  is  divided  into  three  hose  companies  of  twenty  men 
each  and  one  hook  and  ladder  truck  company  of  thirty  men.  The 
apparatus  is  owned  by  the  city  and  kept  at  the  city  hall. 

Fire  Department.  The  fir.e  department  consists  of  ITook  and 
Ladder  Company  No.  1,  Hose  Company  No.  1,  Royal  Hose  Com- 
pany and  the  Clipper  Ilose  Company.  There  is  one  hook  and 
ladder  truck  equipped  with  ladders,  hooks,  chains,  etc. ; three 
hose  carts  each  carrying  an  average  of  six  hundred  feet  of  hose. 
Each  company  has  its  own  separate  organization  and  officers,  who 
are  governed  by  a set  of  department  officers  who  are  elected  by 
the  whole  department.  A board  of  directors  consisting  of  two 
members  from  each  company,  the  chief  presiding,  attend  to  all 
business  matters  of  the  department.  The  department  was  organ- 
ized August  23,  1883,  at  which  time  M.  L.  Webb  was  elected  the 
first  chief;  B.  C.  Grover,  first  assistant;  C.  E.  Johnson,  second 
assistant;  William  B.  Bowdish,  secretary;  TI.  H.  Palmer,  treas- 
urer. At  that  time  the  department  consisted  of  the  hook  and 
ladder  company  and  Hose  Company  No.  1.  P.  Dickenson  was 
elected  foreman  of  the  former  and  Axel  Anderson  foreman  of 


Zumbrota  Clay  Mfg.  Co. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


237 


the  latter.  The  Royal  Hose  Company  was  organized  February  11, 
1885,  and  its  first  foreman  or  captain  was  C.  E.  Johnson.  The 
Clipper  Hose  Company  was  organized  October  6,  1896,  and  after  a 
strenuous  fight  was  admitted  to  the  department  March  15,  1897. 
Its  first  captain  was  Frank  AY.  Yochem.  The  present  officers  are 
A.  IT.  Kellett.  chief ; IT.  J.  Teich,  first  assistant ; Aug.  Biersdorf, 
second  assistant,  E.  F.  Davis,  secretary;  IT.  E.  AYeiss,  treasurer. 

Hospital.  The  Zumbrota  Lutheran  Hospital  was  erected  in 
1898  at  a cost  of  about  $8,000,  under  the  auspices  of  various  Lu- 
theran societies.  It  is  a fine  twenty-eight  room  building,  built 
of  pressed  brick  and  fitted  throughout  with  modern  conveniences. 
It  has  an  ideal  location  on  the  outskirts  of  the  village,  and  it  is 
greatly  regretted  by  the  people  of  this  vicinity  that  the  institu- 
tion is  out  of  commission  at  the  present  time.  However,  it  is 
expected  that  within  a short  time  it  will  again  be  ready  to  re- 
ceive patients. 

The  principal  business  houses  of  Zumbrota  are  as  follows : 
Lumber  yards — " Wedge,  AYeiss  & Co.,  N.  T.  AYedge,  Henry  E. 
AYeiss,  G.  L.  Grover,  proprietors;  Marvin  Lumber  Company,  F.  L. 
Marvin,  proprietor.  AYilliam  Croxford,  manager.  Cement  blocks 
— AYedge,  AAreiss  & Co.  General  stores — New  Store,  Anto  Amli 
and  Anton  Johnson;  City  Grocery  store,  J.  0.  Olson,  proprietor; 
Lee  Schafer.  Martin  Satren.  L.  J.  Henning.  0.  N.  Berg.  Clothing 
and  dry  goods — The  Star,  R.  R.  Sigmond,  L.  AY.  Olson;  Meyer  & 
Johns,  Fred  AY.  Meyer  and  AYilliam  F.  Johns.  Furniture  stores — 
Langum  & Norclvold,  J.  B.  Langum  and  Adolph  Nordvold;  Dan- 
ielson Furniture  and  Music  Company,  Charles  Danielson,  pro- 
prietor, J.  A.  Boraas,  manager.  Photograph  galleries — A.  J. 
Trelstad,  C.  G.  Stearns.  Barber  shops — Miller  & Ellstrom,  J.  C. 
Miller  and  Richard  Ellstrom;  R.  D.  AYindslow.  Ben  Haman.  Horse 
and  auto  livery — B.  C.  Grover  & Son  (J.  D.).  Garage  and  ma- 
chine shop — Skillman  & Ness,  Lambert  Skillman  and  A.  0.  Ness. 
Blacksmiths — B.  A.  Norclly  & Son  (Arthur),  R.  A.  Gorcler,  John 
Hoff.  Harry  Jewison.  AYagon  shop — H.  Keohler.  Jewelry  stores 
— J.  L.  AYilliams,  Edward  0.  Sohn.  Fur  factory — Teo.  Steelier. 
Meat  Market — Hartwell  & Matchan,  E.  T.  Hartwell  and  E.  M. 
Matchan.  Drug  stores — A.  S.  Baken,  J.  E.  Kyllo.  Laundry — 
Zumbrota  Steam,  P.  T.  Fans.  Bakery — City  Bakery,  Annen 
Olson,  proprietor.  Restaurants — Axel  Anderson  and  Lena  Howe, 
F.  AY.  Johnson.  Pool  room — F.  AY.  Stary.  Hardware  stores — 
Myron  & Olson.  0.  A.  Myron  and  Charles  Olson;  Ira  D.  AYarren  & 
Son  (S.  D.).  Cigar  factory — Henning  & Nesseth.  George  Hen- 
ning and  Chris  Nesseth.  Harness  shops — B.  A.  Kolbe,  M.  H. 
BaskfielcL  Shoe  store — B.  A.  Kolbe.  Real  estate  and -collection — 
A.  B.  Farwell.  Telegraph — AYestern  Union,  E.  J.  Thomas,  agent 
at  Northwestern;  0.  IT.  Anderson,  agent  at  Milwaukee  depots; 


238 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Postal  Telegraph,  William  Reimer,  agent  at  Great  AYestern  depot. 
Wells  Fargo  Express — William  Reimer,  agent  at  Great  AYestern 
depot,  and  0.  K.  Anderson,  agent  at  Milwaukee  depot.  American 
Express — E.  J.  Thomas,  agent  at  Northwestern  depot.  Millinery 
— Airs.  J.  A.  Johnson,  Mrs.  M.  Ofstedahl,  Airs.  Nettie  Anderson, 
Carrie  and  Mary  Dvergedahl.  Tailor — Charles  Anderson.  Pro- 
fessional men — Attorney,  A.  J.  Rockne;  dentists,  H.  B.  A\7ash- 
burn,  L.  M.  Woodbury;  physicians,  G.  0.  Fortney,  O.  O.  Larsen, 
K.  Gryttenholm;  optician,  L.  J.  Korstad;  veterinary  surgeon,  R. 
C.  Nickerson. 

The  First  State  Bank  of  Zumbrota  was  organized  in  the  spring 
of  1893  by  the  business  men  and  farmers. of  Zumbrota  and  vicin- 
ity. The  first  officers  were : President,  0.  J.  AYing ; vice  presi- 

dent, Plenry  AATiss ; cashier,  P.  A.  Henning;  directors,  the  three 
above  named  gentlemen  and  R.  0.  Lund  and  B.  J.  Kelsey.  In 
1893  a fine  bank  building  was  erected.  At  the  time  of  the  consoli- 
dation with  the  Security  State  Bank,  August  1,  1909,  the  capital 
stock  was  $30,000  and  the  officers  were:  President,  O.  J.  Wing; 
vice  president,  0.  N.  Berg ; cashier,  A.  E.  Mosher ; assistant  cash- 
ier, M.  II.  Powers.  Prominently  identified  with  the  bank  was  E. 
S.  Person,  who  succeeded  P.  A.  Henning  and  served  until  1907. 

The  Security  State  Bank,  of  Zumbrota,  was  organized  June 
19,  1894,  by  the  March  Brothers,  of  Litchfield,  with  a paid  in  cap- 
ital of  $30,000  and  an  authorized  capital  of  $100,000.  The  bank 
opened  for  business  July  2,  1894,  with  the  following  officers: 
President,  Christian  Peterson ; first  vice  president,  Henry  Ahne- 
man ; second  vice  president,  Alartin  Halvorson ; cashier,  F.  M. 
March.  The  first  annual  meeting  was  held  Jan.  14,  1895,  at  which 
time  the  bank  deposits  were  $26,593.91,  as  shown  in  the  report 
below:  Assets  $45,395.61;  banking  house,  fixtures  and  furniture, 
$6,538.41 ; cash  and  due  from  banks,  $5,674.66.  Total,  $57,608.68. 
Liabilities:  Capital,  $30,000;  surplus  and  profit,  $1,014.77;  depo- 
sits, $26,593.91.  Total,  $57,608.68.  The  annual  reports  each  year 
show  an  increase  in  the  business.  On  Jan.  11,  1898,  F.  G.  Marvin 
was  elected  president  of  the  bank,  and  on  Feb.  17,  1900,  IT.  E. 
AATiss  was  elected  assistant  cashier.  On  June  13,  1903,  F.  AI. 
March  was  elected  vice  president,  and  IT.  E.  AYeiss  elected  cash- 
ier. April  8,  1907,  F.  C.  Alarvin  was  elected  assistant  cashier. 
This  bank  was  consolidated  with  the  First  State  Bank,  Aug.  1, 
1909.  Under  the  new  organization  the  name  Security  State  Bank 
is  retained  and  the  name  First  State  Bank  is  discontinued.  Aug. 
15,  the  business  of  the  consolidated  banks,  roughly  estimated, 
was  as  follows  : Capital,  surplus  and  profit,  $45,000  ; deposits,  $300,- 
000;  loans  and  discounts,  $276,000;  banking  house  furniture,  $10,- 
000;  cash  and  discounts,  $52,000.  The  present  officers  are:  Presi- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


239 


dent,  F.  G.  Marvin ; vice  president,  A.  J.  Rockne ; cashier,  E.  E. 
Weiss;  assistants,  A.  E.  Mosher  and  C.  Marvin. 

The  Zumbrota  House  was  built  in  October,  1856,  consisting  at 
that  time  of  only  a small  wing.  It  was  erected  and  kept  by  Ezra 
Wilder.  The  hotel  building  was  then  20x60,  two  stories.  Mr. 
Wilder  sold  the  place  to  G.  R.  Slosson,  who  in  turn  sold  it  to  Fred 
George  in  1872.  In  the  spring  of  1872,  Mr.  George  built  a two- 
story  front,  20x70.  The  present  proprietor  is  E.  Molke. 

The  Midland  House  was  built  in  June,  1877,  by  George  W. 
Cunningham.  The  main  building  was  22x40,  two  stories,  with 
wing,  18x60.  Mr.  Cunningham  kept  the  house  until  March  1, 
1878,  when  he  leased  it  to  J.  R.  Clark.  This  hotel  is  now  known 
as  the  New  Hotel  and  is  conducted  by  J.  Schmidt,  having  recent- 
ly been  renovated  and  improved. 

The  Forest  Mills  were  put  up  by  William  S.  Wells  and  H.  II. 
Palmer  in  1867-68.  This  was  the  only  market  which  the  farmers 
in  the  vicinity  had  in  the  early  days  except  Red  Wing,  and  con- 
sequently the  mill  did  a flourishing  business  for  many  years. 
Activity  at  this  point  consisted  of  a cooper  shop,  a flour  mill  and 
stores,  and  the  settlement  at  one  time  bid  fair  to  efface  Zum- 
brota. Old  settlers  tell  of  often  going  there  to  unload  their  grain 
and  being  obliged  to  take  their  turn  in  a line  of  teams  over  a 
mile  long.  The  railroads  at  Zumbrota  and  Mazeppa,  however, 
brought  the  business  to  those  places  and  the  mill  was  idle  for  a 
number  of  years.  Five  years  ago  it  was  purchased  by  Tlieo. 
Steeher,  who  has  greatly  improved  the  mill  and  practically  re- 
built a new  dam,  and  now  operates  it  as  a grist  mill. 

The  Zumbrota  Creamery  was  erected  by  the  Crescent  Cream- 
ery Company,  of  St.  Paul,  during  the  fall  of  1884,  who  operated 
it  about  eighteen  years.  The  building  was  erected  by  C.  E.  Mar- 
vin and  E.  A.  Cammack,  W.  H.  Squire  being  superintendent  of 
the  construction.  The  company’s  first  manager  was  R.  Londick, 
and  he  was  succeeded  by  F.  AY.  Stary.  The  latter  was  head  man 
at  the  place  for  sixteen  years.  About  nine  years  ago  the  Crescent 
people  sold  out  to  R.  O.  Lund,  who  continued  the  business  about 
five  years,  when  he  sold  to  E.  G.  Hammer,  who  took  possession 
October  1,  1906.  E.  A.  Mann  hauled  the  first’can  of  cream  to  the 
creamery  during  the  fall  of  1884.  On  June  13.  1907,  the  old 
creamery  was  destroyed  by  fire  and  before  the  ashes  were  cold 
a new  modern  building  was  in  course  of  erection  and  was  com- 
pleted and  installed  with  machinery  and  running  in  a little  over 
a month.  The  new  building  and  machinery  is  estimated  at  $7,000. 
The  yearly  output  of  the  creamery  is  about  100,000  pounds,  and 
it  receives  cream  for  a radius  of  sixty  miles  around  this  territory. 

The  Van  Duzen  Elevator  was  the  first  elevator  to  be  erected 


240 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


in  Zumbrota  and  was  completed  in  1878.  On  November  20  of  the 
same  year  F.  G.  Marvin  took  charge  of  the  company’s  interests 
and  continued  as  their  local  manager  for  nearly  thirty  years,  or 
up  to  August  1,  1908.  A.  E.  Collinge  succeeded  Mr.  Marvin  as 
local  manager. 

The  Palmer  Elevator,  as  it  is  now  called,  was  erected  in  1880 
by  "William  Wells,  and  its  first  manager  was  H.  E.  Talmadge,  now 
a resident  of  Red  Wing.  Wells  sold  the  elevator  to  H.  H.  Palmer, 
who  continued  to  run  it  with  James  Hall  as  his  manager.  Later 
J.  0.  Jones  leased  it  and  bought  grain  independently.  It  was  closed 
for  some  years  and  in  1908  was  purchased  from  the  Palmer 
estate  by  the  Red  Wing  Malting  Company,  who  installed  Ed. 
Kolbe  as  their  local  buyer.  Mr.  Kolbe  resigned  August  1,  1909, 
and  O.  A.  Stondahl  succeeded  him. 

The  Farmers’  Elevator,  of  Zumbrota  was  organized  by  farm- 
ers in  1893.  The  first  president  was  E.  A.  Bigelow,  and  N.  T. 
Naeseth  was  the  first  manager.  Those  who  have  served  as  presi- 
dents are : Louis  Starz,  Josiah  Lothrop  and  Oliver  Berg.  The 
secretaries  have  been:  Fred  Ehvell,  B.  A.  Colbe,  Bond  Olson,  A. 
C.  Ylvasaker  and  O.  0.  Nordvold.  Treasurers:  Josiah  Lothrop, 
Louis  Starz,  Henry  Weiss. 

Rialroads.  The  first  railroad  to  reach  Zumbrota  was  started 
at  Wabash  in  1877  by  the  Minnesota  Midland  Company,  whose 
capital  was  exhausted  before  they  had  built  many  miles.  The 
Milwaukee  road  picked  up  the  construction  and  finished  the  road 
to  Zumbrota  in  1878.  That  same  year  the  Rochester  & North- 
western (now  the  Northwestern)  run  a branch  from  Rochester 
to  this  village.  Both  lines  came  in  here  at  the  same  time  and 
both  claimed  a portion  of  the  right  of  way  at  the  foot  of  Main 
street.  Early  residents  tell  of  a pitched  battle  between  the  two 
track  laying  crews  to  see  who  would  get  possession  of  the  dis- 
puted ground.  The  Milwaukee  road  was  operated  as  a narrow 
gauge  until  June  7,  1903,  during  which  year  it  was  extended 
through  to  Faribault  and  on  November  9,  1903,  the  first  standard 
gauge  train  passed  over  the  roadbed.  The  Red  Wing  & Iowa 
road  was  built  in  Imre  from  Red  Wing  in  1888.  Later  it  became 
the  property  of  the  Duluth,  Red  Wing  & Southern  and  in  1902 
that  company  sold  it  to  the  Great  Western,  who  extended  it 
through  to  Rochester  the  following  year.  Thus  Zumbrota  now 
has  three  roads  running  into  the  village,  affording  excellent  pas- 
senger and  shipping  facilities. 

Telephones.  The  long  distance  telephone  from  Zumbrota  to 
Kenyon  was  the  result  of  the  efforts  of  Dr.  Ch.  Grondvold  and 
Dr.  K.  Gryttenholm.  The  former,  however,  died  in  1895  and  the 
negotiations  were  left  to  Dr.  Gryttenholm,  who  raised  about 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


241 


$2,000  among  the  farmers  and  the  village  residents.  Dr.  Grytten- 
holm  corresponded  with  both  the  Northwestern  Telephone  Com- 
pany and  the  Union  Electric  Telephone  Company  of  Iowa,  Avitli 
the  result  that  the'  former  built  the  line.  It  was  completed  in 
the  fall  of  1895  from  Zombrota  and  Kenyon  with  a side  line  to 
Hader  and  Aspelund.  In  1897  the  line  was  sold  to  the  North- 
western Telephone  Company.  The  first  local  telephone  franchise 
in  Zumbrota  was  granted  to  L.  D.  Ward  October  31,  1899,  who 
erected  a few  poles  and  had  a small  system  in  operation  for  about 
a year,  when  he  sold  out  to  Elmer  Peck.  Mr.  Peck  ran  the  sys- 
tem about  two  years,  when  he  sold  to  Matehan,  Viekstrom  & 
Ward,  who  operated  it  for  one  year  and  then  sold  to  J.  I.  Howe. 
In  February,  1905,  Howe  sold  to  Messrs.  F.  G.  and  F.  C.  Marvin, 
who  have  extended  the  system  into  the  country  districts  and  have 
an  up-to-date  service  in  every  respect. 

Electric  Lights.  Elmer  Peck  erected  and  equipped  the  first 
electric  light  plant  in  Zumbrota,  getting  a franchise  in  October, 
1898.  The  first  plant  was  established  in  a building  on  what  is 
now  the  Great  Western  right  of  way  and  was  located  between 
the  Northwestern  and  Great  Western  tracks  about  two  hundred 
yards  west  of  Main  street.  In  the  early  nineties  the  building 
was  moved  to  its  present  location  at  the  foot  of  Main  street  on 
the  bank  of  the  Zumbro  river.  Person  & Co.  purchased  the  plant 
from  Mr.  Peck  and  after  running  it  four  years  sold  to  C.  D.  Den- 
nison, the  present  proprietor. 

The  Zumbrota  “News”  was  started  in  1885  by  a stock  com- 
pany, with  W.  AY.  Kinne  as  first  editor  and  manager,  which  posi- 
tion he  held  for  several  years,  after  which  Herman  Anderson  be- 
came the  editor.  Later  Mr.  Kinne  resumed  charge  of  the  paper. 
Subsequently  Air.  Anderson  purchased  the  paper  from  the  stock- 
holders, and  in  1897  sold  to  A.  J.  Rockne.  In  1900  E.  F.  Davis 
became  part  owner  with  Air.  Rockne,  and  is  now  the  editor.  The 
“News”  is  a newsy  paper,  has  well  written  editorials,  and 
through  its  local  columns  keeps  the  people  of  southern  Goodhue 
county  Avell  acquainted  with  the  doings  in  their  part  of  the  world. 
In  addition  to  these  features,  a generous  supply  of  general  read- 
ing and  a resume  of  the  national  and  foreign  neAVs  of  the  Aveek 
makes  the  paper  a Avelcome  visitor  in  some  thousand  homes.  A 
• large  job  printing  establishment  is  operated  in  connection  Avith 
the  paper.  The  firm  is  now  conducted  under  the  name  of  Rockne 
& Davis. 

FRATERNITIES. 

The  fraternal  spirit  Avas  early  manifest  in  the  village  of  Zum- 
brota, and  in  the  early  seventies  the  larger  national  societies  were 
Avell  represented  by  lodges  in  this  place. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


242 

Herman  Lodge,  No.  41,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  received  its  charter 
October  24,  1866,  with  “William  Bickford,  W.  M.  • H.  II.  Palmer, 
•S.  W.,  and  James  L.  Scofield,  J.  W.  The  first  meeting  was  held 
in  a building  owned  by  Mr.  Blanchard,  on  Main  street.  After 
being  located  in  different  places,  in  1873,  they  rented  a hall  of 
S.  B.  Barteau,  where  they  have  held  forth  ever  since.  The  pres- 
ent officers  are  P.  Wr.  Mook,  AAA  M. ; M.  H.  Powers,  S.  AAA ; J.  D. 
Grover,  J.  AY.;  J.  II.  Barnett,  S.  D. ; L.  M.  AVoodbury,  J.  D. ; C.  L. 
Grover,  S.  S. ; Robt.  Priebe,  J.  S. ; T.  D.  Seward,  Tyler;  A.  B. 
Farwell,  secretary.;  H.  E.  AAreiss,  treasurer. 

Esther  Chapter,  No.  4,  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star,  was  granted 
a charter  June  9,  1874,  with  the  following  officers : Isaac  AY. 
Blake,  AY.  P. ; Mrs.  Climena  Blake,  AY.  M.,  and  Marion  C.  George, 
A.  M. 

Mount  Carmon  Chapter,  No.  23,  was  granted  a charter  June 
25,  1874,  with  H.  Id.  Palmer,  H.  P. ; S.  S.  AYorthing,  K.;  0.  H. 
Hall,  S. 

Zumbrota  Lodge,  No.  154,  I.  0.  G.  T.,  was  organized  January 
24,  1877,  with  twenty-four  charter  members.  The  charter  officers 
were : 1).  B.  Scofield,  AY.  C.  T. ; Amanda  Dam,  AY.  Y.  T. ; Ed 

Mitchell,  secretary,  and  Airs.  D.  B.  Scofield,  treasurer. 

Scofield  Post,  No.  121,  G.  A.  R.,  was  organized  September  9, 
1884,  the  post  being  named  for  James  and  Amos  Scofield,  the 
former  of  whom  died  of  sickness  while  in  the  army  and  the  latter 
of  whom  was  killed  in  battle.  The  charter  members  were : Edgar 
Stacey,  deceased;  IT.  AY.  Cooledge,  Zumbrota;  I.  D.  AYarren,  Zum- 
brota ; L.  T.  AYard,  deceased ; J.  M.  Beeman,  deceased ; B.  D. 
AYoodbury,  St.  Paul;  C.  Daniels.  South  Dakota;  F.  D.  AYebb,  Chi- 
cago; C.  Eastman,  Soldier’s  Home;  H.  J.  Eastman,  Zumbrota;  J. 
Hickock,  unknown ; Ole  Strand,  deceased ; II.  AT.  Scofield.  Zum- 
brota; J.  H.  Reeves,  Glasgow;  D.  L.  Druse,  AYashington;  AY.  E. 
Aloslier,  Zumbrota;  II.  AY.  Squire,  South  Dakota;  L.  S.  Judd, 
Mora;  M.  L.  AYebb,  AYashington;  G.  G.  AIcCoy,  Zumbrota;  Louie 
Abend,  deceased;  P.  D.  AVillard,  deceased;  0.  II.  Hall,  St.  Paul; 
D.  Bugbv,  AYisconsin;  C.  A.  Leach,  Zumbrota;  Clark  Rogers,  de- 
ceased; AY.  A.  Black,  North  Dakota;  Adolph  Hoff,  deceased. 
Those  who  have  joined  since  are:  G.  AAA  Giles,  Zumbrota;  S.  C. 
Holland,  deceased;  Sam  Andrist,  Zumbrota;  AYilliam  Fulkerson, 
deceased;  Bond  Olson,  deceased;  J.  P.  Rians,  unknown;  AY.  E.  * 
Seckerson,  Chatfield ; J.  L.  Annis,  Zumbrota ; AAA  B.  Dickey,  de- 
ceased; J.  R.  Hemmingway,  Zumbrota;  N.  L.  Dickenson,  Zum- 
brota; Charles  Gholtz,  AYashington;  P.  L.  Dickenson,  North  Da- 
kota; Frank  AYyman,  AYest  Concord;  Ared  AYoodworth,  Ala- 
zeppa ; Josiah  Lothrop,  Zumbrota;  Iv.  B.  Bennett,  AAjisconsin;  R. 
C.  Alorgan,  deceased;  Al.  C.  Alorgan,  Zumbrota;  Aaron  Getty, 


HI  ST  OK  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


243 


deceased;  D.  B.  Scofield,  deceased;  John  Danielson,  South  Da- 
kota; Joab  Irish,  unknown;  S.  V.  Cranson,  Goodhue;  William 
Bonham,  deceased;  Wm.  Doxy,  deceased;  Philip  Yochem,  Zum- 
brota; Robert  Parker,  Goodhue;  1).  W.  Williams,  unknown;  R. 
H.  F.  Williams,  Colorado;  O.  T.  Berg,  Wanamingo;  F.  W.  Lang- 
worthy,  New  York;  Eleck  Albertson,  Zumbrota;  G.  A.  Seitz, 
Rochester;  N.  C.  Adams,  Zumbrota;  John  Egan,  Zumbrota;  John 
Johnson,  Wanamingo;  Leander  Watson,  deceased.  The  twenty- 
fifth  anniversary  of  the  p'ost  occurred  on  September  16,  and  an 
appropriate  celebration  was  held  in  the  hall  on  September  18, 
1909.  In  a speech  delivered  on  that  occasion  II.  M.  Scofield  de- 
clared that  there  are  now  forty  members  living,  the  oldest  of 
whom  is  Captain  G.  G.  McCoy,  who  is  85.  Next  comes  H.  M. 
Scofield  and  S.  V.  Cranston,  each  of  whom  is  78.  The  youngest 
member  is  II.  Eastman,  age  63.  The  officers  at  the  time  of  or- 
ganization were:  Com.,  Ira  D.  Warren;  Sr.  Y.  C.,  G-  G.  McCoy; 
Jr.  V.  C.,  M.  C.  Morgan;  chaplain,  H.  M.  Scofield;  quartermaster, 
AY.  PI.  Squire ; adjutant,  II.  W.  Cooledge ; officer  of  the  day,  W. 
E.  Mosher;  officer  of  the  guard,  0.  A.  Strand;  surgeon,  0.  II.  Hall. 
The  present  officers  are:  Com.,  Josiah  Lothrop;  Sr.  Y.  C.,  0.  N. 
Berg ; Jr.  V.  C.,  A.  Albertson ; chaplain.  H.  M.  Scofield ; quarter- 
master, AY.  E.  Mosher;  adjutant,  N.  C.  Adams;  officer  of  the  day, 
Charles  Leach ; officer  of  the  guard,  J.  C.  Annis ; quartermaster 
sergeant,  N.  L.  Dickinson;  Sergeant  major,  John  Egan;  surgeon, 
John  Hemingway. 

Scofield  Post  No.  84,  W.  R.  C.,  was  organized  April  8,  1892, 
with  the  following  charter  members : Mrs.  S.  E.  Lothrop,  Mrs. 

A.  J.  Hall,  Mrs.  IP.  P.  Abend,  Mrs.  M.  A.  Cooper,  Airs.  S.  M.  Hall, 
Airs.  J.  C.  Scofield,  Airs.  S.  N.  Ward,  Airs.  J.  C.  Black,  Mrs.  Julia 
Friedrich,  AHs.  Rosina  Reenes,  Mrs.  J.  E.  Alosher.  Airs.  Rose 
Dickinson,  Airs.  M.  IP.  Linton,  Airs.  Al.  F.  Mann,  Mrs.  Climena 
Blake,  Airs.  Al.  L.  Rust,  Airs.  E.  AL  B.  Scofield,  Mrs.  Ellen  E. 
Stacy,  Airs.  Cornelia  Rogers,  Airs.  Maggie  Watson,  Mrs.  E.  R. 
Canfield,  Airs.  L.  IP.  Grover,  Ena  R.  Woodbury,  Carrie  A.  Mor- 
gan, D.  A.  Warren.  A.  J.  Danse,  Sophia  Danielson,  Al.  Al.  AYeather- 
head,  Ermina  B.  Schofield,  Manda  Eastman,  Rose  Eastman  and 
Lothe  Black.  The  present  membership  is  thirty-four.  The  pres- 
ent officers  are : Pres.,  Mrs.  A.  J.  Hall ; senior  vice  pres.,  Airs.  M. 
J.  Woodbury;  junior  vice  pres.,  Airs.  J.  Friedrich;  secretary, 
Airs.  E.  R.  Woodbury;  treasurer,  L.  At.  Judd;  chaplain,  Alary 
Adams;  guard.  Airs.  L.  J.  Grover;  pat.  inst.,  Airs.  S.  E.  Lothrop. 

Zumbro  Tribe,  No.  63,  I.  0.  R.  M.,  was  organized  January  1, 
1901,  with  the  following  charter  members:  John  A.  Johnson, 

Nels  E.  Ivoppang,  Tli.  AYetzel,  Edward  Cain,  Herman  J.  Teicli, 
Fred  Lohman,  John  0.  Finney,  John  IP.  Stenersen,  Peter  Opem, 


244 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


A.  Olson,  Dr.  G.  H.  Crary,  C.  AY.  Rabel,  J.  J.  Olsness,  Charles 
Hein,  J.  H.  Ilouck,  Jr.,  Aug.  Klug,  William  J.  McWaters,  Eric 
0.  Swenson,  John  L.  McWaters,  F.  Zimmerman,  A.  H.  Westby, 
Martin  Opfer,  W.  C.  Lehman,  I.  T.  Avelsgaard,  Thos.  G.  Nesseth, 

S.  Lexvold,  L.  0.  Schram,  A.  N.  Anderson,  Iver  Johnson,  H.  J. 
Eastman,  John  Houck,  Sr.,  L.  L.  Johnson,  D.  Buntje,  Oliver 
Olson,  Richard  Elstrom  and  William  Yerka.  The  first  officers 
were:  Sachem,  John  Houck,  Jr.;  senior  sagamore,  Oliver  Olson; 
junior  sagamore,  H.  J.  Teich;  prophet,  John  McWaters;  keeper 
of  records,  Ed  Cain ; keeper  of  wampum,  John  A.  Johnson.  The 
present  officer  are:  Sachem,  August  Klug;  senior  sagamore,  A. 
H.  Westby;  junior  Sagamore,  Annen  Olson;  prophet,  Louis 
Houck ; keeper  of  records,  H.  J.  Teich ; keeper  of  wampum,  J.  A. 
Johnson. 

Zumbrota  Lodge,  No.  72,  I.  O.  0.  F.,  was  organized  September 
13,  1879,  with  the  following  charter  members:  B.  F.  Chamberlain, 

T.  N.  Lee,  G.  B.  Anderson,  C.  E.  Johnson,  D.  B.  Scofield,  I.  AY. 
Blake,  AY.  E.  Powers,  D.  F.  Mason,  F.  W.  Fulkerson,  G.  B.  Wright 
and  E.  T.  Lothrop.  The  present  officers  are : N.  G.,  James  Hoff- 
man; vice  grand,  Theo.  HartAvell;  secretary,  James  Annis;  treas- 
urer, William  Croxford;  supporters,  E.  J.  Thomas,  G.  Freeman 
and  John  Langsdorf;  warden,  Robert  Priebe ; inside  guard,  John 
Houck,  Sr. 

Zumbrota  Lodge,  No.  178,  Knights  of  Pythias,  was  organized 
July  1,  1905.  The  first  officers  were : C.  C.,  M.  H.  Powers ; V.  C., 

F.  C.  Marvin;  P.,  G.  C.  Hoff;  M.  of  AY.,  H.  B.  Washburn;  K.  of 
R.  S.,  J.  R.  Johnson ; M.  of  F.,  H.  E.  AYeiss ; M.  of  E..  C.  A.  Has- 
kins ; M.  of  A.,  Max  Braum ; I.  G.,  William  R.  Poison ; 0.  G.,  J. 
T.  Hovland.  The  present  officers : C.  C.,  J.  T.  Fuller ; Y.  C.,  B.  A. 
Ivolby;  P.,  William  Reimer;  M.  of  AV.,  Annen  Olson;  K.  of  R.  S., 
A.  B.  Farwell;  M.  of  F.,  IT.  E.  AYeiss ; AT.  of  E.,  IT.  B.  Washburn; 
AT.  of  A.,  G.  0.  Fortney;  I.  G.,  AT.  IT.  Powers. 

Zumbrota  Rebekah  Lodge,  No.  125,  received  its  charter  April 
2,  1902,  the  members  at  that  time  being  as  folloAvs : D.  B.  Scofield, 

G.  F.  Freeman,  C.  0.  Bonham,  IT.  K.  Kuehner,  J.  L.  Annis,  N.  Boy- 
sen,  A.  E.  Collinge,  Ed.  Cain,  E.  F.  Davis,  James  Hoffman,  IT.  J. 
Klein,  J.  IT.  Langsdorf,  E.  AT.  Matclian,  J.  IT.  Houck,  Sr.,  E.  L. 
Peck,  R.  F.  Priebe,  F.  N.  Stary,  E.  AT.  B.  Scofield,  I.  B.  Freeman, 
N.  B.  Bonham,  J.  Kuehner,  E.  Annis,  C.  Boysen,  AT.  Collinge,  R. 
Casey,  L.  Johnson,  A.  Hoffman,  B.  Lovejoy,  A.  Langsdorf,  B. 
Monson,  J.  Matchan,  L.  B.  Houck,  Alary  Nickerson,  Grace  Poole, 
J.  Peck,  A.  S.  Priebe,  C.  W.  Rogers,  G.  Stary  and  L.  AAAeaver.  The 
present  officers  are : District  deputy,  A.  E.  Collinge ; N.  G.,  ATrs. 
C.  Rogers;  V.  G.,  Julia  Korstad;  secretary,  ATrs.  A.  Hoffman; 
treasurer,  ATrs.  A.  E.  Collinge;  chaplain,  ATrs.  John  Houck;  inside 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


215 


guard,  Jarues  Hoffman;  financial  secretary,  Mrs.  W.  Johnson; 
warden,  Mrs.  R.  Priebe ; supporters  to  N.  G.  and  A7.  G.,  A.  E.  Col- 
linge and  E.  J.  Thomas. 

Zumbrota  Lodge,  No.  645,  Modern  Brotherhood  of  America, 

received  its  charter  February  30,  1900,  with  the  following  mem- 
bers : Herman  AA7.  Kuehner,  John  A.  Sec-or,  Henry  J.  Klein,  II. 
F.  Runnels,  Adclie  M.  Hoffman,  James  M.  Hoffman,  John  C.  Mil- 
ler, Perry  H.  Rowley,  Josephine  Ivuelmer,  Robert  Priebe,  Clifton 
0.  Bonham,  F.  Marion  Watts,  Aug.  C.  Biersdorf,  Edward  AY. 
Matchan,  Charles  W.  Rabel,  Robert  E.  Matthews,  Lafayette  II. 
AVatts,  Athelia  I.  Watts,  Alfred  E.  Collinge,  Nina  A.  Runnels, 
Christ  Peterson,  Ole  A.  Ness,  John  II.  Ilouck,  Jr.,  Nellie  S.  AYatts, 
William  Croxford,  Elmer  S.  Peck,  Fred  J.  AATeckerling,  Lewis  C. 
Shedd,  Lyman  D.  Ward,  John  E.  Crewe,  Alice  L.  Casey,  Joseph 
J.  Hanson,  Nels  T.  Nesseth.  President,  F.  M.  AYatts;  vice  presi- 
dent, Louis  Houck;  secretary,  Frank  Fulkerson;  treasurer,  A.  E. 
Collinge;  Chaplain,  Robert  Matthews;  escort,  F.  Weckerling; 
outside  sentry,  Aug.  Biersdorf;  inside  sentry,  Robert  Priebe. 

Zumbrota  Camp,  No.  252,  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  was 
organized  November  21,  1887,  and  the  first  officers  were  as  fol- 
lows : A7enerable  counsel,  J.  C.  English ; worthy  advisor,  J.  II. 

Peabody;  excellent  banker,  H.  Koehler;  clerk,  E.  C.  Bennett; 
escort,  AY.  L.  Nye;  watchman,  L.  Hailing;  sentry,  Philip  Yochen; 
local  physician,  H.  L.  McKinstry;  managers,  J.  II.  Peabody,  C..  R. 
McKinstry  and  AY.  L.  Nye.  The  present  officers  are  : Venerable 
counsel,  AY  i Hi  am  Croxford;  worthy  advisor,  Fred  Weckerling; 
•excellent  banker,  IT.  Koehler;  clerk,  A.  E.  Collinge;  escort,  J.  L. 
Williams;  watchman,  Louis.  Opfer;  sentry,  Aug.  Miller;  local 
physician,  Dr.  G.  0.  Fortney;  managers,  Louis  J.  Henning,  A. 
Audi  and  AY.  S.  Collinge. 

Zumbrota  Council,  No.  30,  Modern  Samaritans,  received  its 
charter  May  1.  1901,  and  at  that  time  the  members  were  as  fol- 
lows : Louis  Satren,  Edward  S.  Person,  Stephen  1).  Sour,  Will- 
iam G.  Langworthy,  B.  A.  Kolbe,  AY alter  C.  Rowell,  Charles  L. 
Grover,  Henry  AY.  Yochem,  Louis  J.  Korstad,  Herman  Koehler, 
E.  A.  Kellett,  Herman  F.  Kalass,  Ole  T.  Thoreson,  Frederick  W. 
Yochem,  Elmer  L.  Peck,  R.  R.  Sigmond,  Oscar  M.  Nelson,  Mar- 
shall A.  Nelson,  Edward  II.  F.  Weckerling,  Hans  0.  A7ollam  Emil 
Y.  Ramharter,  Henry  E.  Weiss,  John  Stoudt,  Edward  F.  Davis, 
J.  E.  Crewe,  Frank  E.  Marvin,  Charles  Berg,  Igmar  T.  Avels- 
gaard,  Edward  S.  Nelson,  Henry  J.  Klein,  Ole  N.  Berg,  Edward 
C.  F.  Kalass,  A.  AA7.  Swanson,  Andrew  Samuelson,  Eben  A7.  Ban- 
croft, George  G.  Marvin,  Richard  S.  Ellstrom,  Ole  A.  Myron, 
Frank  E.  Judd,  Roy  Peter  Sigmond,  John  A.  Secor,  AA7.  Scott 
Yan  de  Bogart,  Ernest  E.  Peck,  George  H.  Wareham  and  Olaf 


246 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


E.  Hoff.  The  present  officers  are  as  follows:  G.  S.,  Louis  Houck; 
Y.  G.  S.,  William  Langsdorf ; scribe  and  financier,  A.  E.  Mosher; 
treasurer,  William  Croxford;  high  priest,  G.  Gunderson;  chief 
messenger,  Fred  Weekerling;  P.  G.  S.,  L.  J.  Henning. 

Trondhjem  Lodge,  No.  51,  Sons  of  Norway,  was  organized 
August  1,  1905,  with  the  following  members:  Carl  G.  Ofstie, 

Arne  II.  Westby,  Severin  J.  Floor,  Iver  Peterson,  S.  A.  Lexvold, 
C.  Iv.  Kolstad,  P.  A.  Merseth,  Carl  R.  Ersland,  Thorwald  Lien, 
Peder  Fredrickson,  Theodore  Thompson,  ITofgen  Klaven,  G.  0. 
Reppe,  J.  M.  Holtan,  Erick  0.  Swenson,  Oscar  Reppe,  John  Peter- 
son, Henry  Martin  Medchill,  Iver  E.  Loken,  T.  C.  Siversen,  I.  N. 
Johnson,  K.  E.  Gryttenholm,  Knut  Berg,  Johan  A.  Nerhaugen  and 
Nels  E.  Koppang.  The  present  officers  are:  President,  A.  H. 

Westby;  vice  president,  Knut  Berg;  secretary,  Nels  Koppang;. 
treasurer,  Sever!  Lexvold;  regent,  P.  Neeseth;  marshall,  II. 
Klaven;  inside  warden,  Iver  Johnson;  chaplain,  J.  Nerhaugen. 

Zumbrota  Lodge,  No.  43,  Ancient  Order  United  Workmen, 
was  organized  March  9,  1878,  with  the  following  officers:  P.  M. 
AW,  B.  C.  Grover;  M.  AW,  T.  Bingham,  Jr.;  G.  F.,  A.  B.  Cogswell; 
O.,  C.  M.  Bingham ; recorder,  D.  B.  Scofield ; financier,  D.  B.  Sco- 
field; receiver,  George  Person;  G.,  A.  A.  Chase;  I.  AW,  0.  I.  Hall; 
O.  W.,  J.  J.  Callahan.  During  the  financial  depression,  the  so- 
ciety almost  went  out  of  existence,  but  is  now  one  of  the  most 
flourishing  lodges  in  the  village.  The  present  officers  are:  M.  AY., 
Louis  Houck ; G.  F.,  AW  E.  Mosher ; 0.,  Aug.  Biersdorf ; recorder, 
E.  A.  Carroll ; receiver,  N.  C.  Adams ; financier,  Aug.  Biersdorf ; 
G.,  0.  A.  Ness;  I.  AY.,  John  Houck,  Sr.;  0.  W.,  Peter  ILenion. 

VILLAGE  HISTORY. 

The  village  of  Zumbrota  was  platted  on  the  northwest  and 
southwest  quarters  of  section  31,  in  September,  1856,  on  land 
that  had  previously  been  entered  by  Aaron  Doty.  Doty  was  a 
bachelor,  and  in  the  employ  of  C.  AW  Smith,  who  was  the  prac- 
tical owner,  but  who  could  not  pre-empt  land  because  he  was  a 
land  speculator.  The  owners  of  the  townsite  were  the  members 
of  the  Strafford  Emigration  Company.  Bailey  and  Thompson 
made  an  addition  which  is  called  North  Zumbrota,  in  1857.  The 
west  addition  was  made  by  Josiah  Thompson,  on  section  36, 
Minneola  township.  The  first  house  was  built  by  C.  AW  Smith. 
It  was  a log  structure,  14x18,  and  was  erected  on  the  south  bank 
of  the  Zumbrota  river.  In  1857,  Smith  moved  away,  and  was  last 
heard  of  in  Bay  City,  Michigan.  The  first  store  building  Avas 
erected  in  October,  1856,  by  Thomas  P.  Kellett,  in  which  he  kept 
the  first  store.  Lizzie  Shedd  taught  the  first  school  in  the  fall  of 
1857.  A public  school  building,  erected  in  1866,  30x42.  Avas 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


247 

burned  in  1870.  A two-story  frame  structure,  partitioned  into 
four  rooms,  Avas  erected  the  same  year. 

The  act  incorporating  the  village  of  Zumbrota  passed  the  state 
legislature  February  15,  1877,  the  petitioners  being  J.  A.  Thacher, 
T.  P.  Kellett  and  George  Person.  The  first  meeting  of  the  voters 
in  the  village  was  held  February  27,  1877,  in  Parker’s  hall.  The 
judges  of  election  were  I.  C.  Stearns  and  E.  T.  Halbert.  The 
clerk  was  S.  G.  Cady.  The  returns  were  sworn  to  before  D.  B. 
Scofield  as  justice  of  the  peace.  The  first  meeting  of  the  village 
council  was  held  in  April,  1877.  J.  A.  Thacher  Avas  the  first  presi- 
dent of  the  village;  John  Anderson,  George  Person  and  T.  P. 
Kellett  Avere  the  first  trustees;  A.  C.  Rostad  was  recorder;  Will- 
iam Dorman  Avas  treasurer,  D.  B.  Scofield  Avas  justice  and  L. 
Summers  Avas  constable.  In  1886  the  village  Avas  separated  from 
the  township.  The  presidents  of  the  council  since  1877  have 
been:  1877-78,  J.  A.  Thacher;  1879,  II.  Blanchard;  1880-81-82-83, 
II.  II.  Palmer;  1884,  E.  Y.  Canfield;  1885-86-87-88,  S.  B.  Barteau, 
Sr.;  1889,  William  F.  Bevers ; 1890-91,  John  Anderson;  1892-93-94, 
S.  B.  Barteau,  Jr.;  1895,  William  F.  BeAmrs ; 1896-97,  Louis  Starz ; 
1898-99,  A.  W.  Eddy ; 1900,  A.  J.  Rockne ; 1901,  F.  M.  March ; 
1902-03,  E.  Woodbury;  1904,  Paul  C.  Kalass;  1905-06-07.  James 
H.  Farwell ; 1908-09,  M.  FI.  Baskerfielcl.  The  clerks  have  been: 
1877-78,  A.  C.  Rostad;  1879-80-81,  S.  G.  Cady;  1882-83-84-85-86-87, 

C.  E.  Johnson ; 1888-89,  T.  N.  Lee ; 1890-91-92-93-94-95-96-97-98-99, 
AY.  W.  Kinne;  1900-01-02,  FI.  T.  Banks;  1903-04,  H.  E.  AVeiss ; 
1905-06-07,  E.  F.  Davis;  1908-09,  M.  FI.  Powers  (removed  from 
village).  The  present  officers  of  the  village  are:  President,  M.  II. 
Baskerfielcl;  trustees,  Leo  Schafer,  Theodore  Stecher  and  Charles 
Olson;  recorder,  Albert  Severson;  treasurer,  A.  E.  Mosher;  as- 
sessor, R.  J.  Staiger;  marshall,  James  L.  Annis;  justices,  P.  AY. 
Mook  and  A.  II.  Kellett. 

A speech  delivered  many  years  ago  by  T.  P.  Kellett  contains 
much  of  interest  to  the  seeker  after  facts  regarding  the  early 
days  of  Zumbrota.  After  speaking  of  his  arrival  in  1856,  Mr. 
Kellett  said:  On  the  first  Sabbath  day  three  of  us,  enough  to 

“claim  the  blessing,”  held  a meeting  in  a small  log  house  or 
shanty,  eight  by  ten,  standing  not  far  from  Avhere  Air.  Skillman’s 
house  Avas  later  erected,  and  judging  the  feelings  of  others  by  my 
own,  I must  say  that  our  worship  was  not  in  Amin.  And  from 
that  time  to  this,  with  but  feAV  if  any  exceptions,  some  sort  of 
religious  meeting  has  been  held  every  Sabbath.  (It  might  here 
be  noted  that  the  first  public  religious  observance  in  the  town 
was  the  prayer  made  by  Albert  Barrett  at  the  funeral  of  John 
Cameron,  who  Avas  buried  not  far  from  Avhere  the  residence  of 

D.  AY  Mclntire  Avas  later  erected.) 


248 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


In  the  spring  of  1857  the  first  bridge  was  built  over  the  north 
branch  of  the  Zumbro  river  and  covered  with  sided  poplar  poles, 
and  these  poles  did  service  as  a covering  or,  more  properly,  a 
flooring  for  three  years  and  then  the  bridge  Avas  floored  with 
plank.  In  the  year  1862,  I believe,  a new  bridge  was  built  with 
an  additional  bent  iu  the  middle.  In  the  following  Avinter  that 
middle  bent  Avas  knocked  out  by  the  ice  and  sent  down  the  river. 
The  bent  Avas  replaced  only  to  be  knocked  out  again  by  the  next 
winter’s  breakup.  In  the  year  1869  a more  substantial  structure 
was  erected.  (Note  : This  bridge  still  remains  and  is  preeminently 
the  Zumbrota  landmark.)  In  the  spring  of  1857  a Congrega- 
tional'society  A\ras  organized  and  all  professing  Christians  of  all 
denominations,  with  all  others  favorable  to  religious  services, 
united  cordially  in  support  of  such  services  on  the  Sabbath.  In 
the  summer  of  1857  the  public  hall  Avas  built  and  furnished,  a 
place  for  meetings  and  schools  for  a number  of  years.  In  the 
fall  of  1857  came  the  great  financial  crisis,  which  made  the  great 
financiers  of  the  country  tremble  in  their  boots.  We  people  of 
Zumbrota,  however,  did  not  feel  its  effect  until  the  spring  of 
1858,  and  those  of  us  who  Avere  here  during  that  year  have 
doubtless  a very  vivid  recollection  of  those  hard  times.  If  Ave 
could  blot  that  year  from  our  past  record,  the  record  would  be 
more  pleasing  retrospect  than  it  is.  Doubtless  there  are  men 
among  us  now  in  good  circumstances  and  position,  aaJio  can  look 
back  to  that  year  of  rutabagas  and  corn  cake,  and  feel  thankful 
that  their  lines  have  since  fallen  in  more  pleasant  places.  The 
crisis  just  referred  to  was  the  means  of  retarding  the  settlement 
of  Zumbrota  for  many  years-.  Men  Avho  had  planned  to  move 
out  here  Avith  their  families  Avere  unable  to  do  so  because  they 
were  unable  to  sell  their  property  in  the  East.  Hence  our  growth 
was  very  slow  for  some  years  after  the  first  settlement.  Then 
came  the  AA'ar  of  the  rebellion,  which  seemed  to  upset  all  previous 
calculations.  All  Ave  could  expect  to  do  during  those  dark  days 
was  to  maintain  a mere  existence.  At  the  call  for  volunteers 
some  of  our  very  worthy  young  men  enlisted  and  went  into  active 
service  in  defense  of  the  government.  Amos  Scofield.  George 
Scofield,  John  Morrell,  William  Peck,  Edward  Davis,  and  others, 
are  all  sleeping  in  southern  graves  today,  but  the  mere  mention 
of  their  names  touches  a tender  spot  in  many  of  our  hearts. 

In  the  years  of  1862-63  was  built  our  first  church,  and  in  1866 
was  built  our  first  school  building.  Soon  after  the  building  of  the 
Congregational  church  just  referred  to,  our  Baptist  friends,  aaJio 
for  some  time  had  been  worshiping  as  a separate  organization, 
built  them  a nice  little  church,  and  later  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
society  built  themselves  a comfortable  place  of  worship.” 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


249' 


MILITARY  COMPANY. 

Company  D,  Zumbrota  (By  E.  F.  Davis) — In  the  early  spring 
of  1885  a handful  of  young  men  met  in  the  old  Parker  hall  to 
take  the  preliminary  steps  fox  forming  a state  militia  company 
in  Zumbrota.  The  company  was  first  known  as  the  “Zumbrota 
Guards,  reserve  militia,”  and  was  mustered  into  service  March 
6,  1885,  by  Capt.  A.  P.  Pierce  of  Red  AVing.  John  Stenersen  Avas 
the  first  captain  and  the  charter  members  Avere  as  follows : J.  H. 
Stenersen,  P.  F.  Ryder,  Dan  Dyerson,  F.  G.  Mitchell,  Charles  E. 
Ivolbe,  Bert  Pease,  William  Rogers,  Herman  Shirley,  Tim  Ala- 
honey,  AVillis  George,  S.  B.  Scott,  Fred  Stecher,  Amos  Scofield, 
H.  B.  Carpenter,  C.  E.  Johnson,  Carl  L.  Strom,  AI.  L.  Webb,  A.  AY. 
Thomas,  J.  C.  PoAvers,  Leroy  Parley,  Fred  Caffee,  C.  H.  Stearns, 
Leo  Schafer,  Albert  Woodbury,  William  Clemens  and  Frank 
Halbert.  AVillis  George  and  J.  C.  Powers  Avere  elected  first  and 
second  lieutenants,  respectively,  Avith  C.  H.  Stearns  first  sergeant 
and  C.  E.  Johnson  second  sergeant.  AL  L.  Webb  xvas  first  cor- 
poral and  R.  R.  Sigmond  second  corporal.  During  the  first  few 
years  of  the  existence  of  the  company  the  members  Avere  com- 
pelled to  furnish  their  oaaui  uniforms,  the  only  thing  the  state- 
supplied  being  the  old  50-caliber  rifles,  belts  and  bayonets.  At 
the  end  of  the  first  year  J.  H.  Stenersen  resigned  to  accept  a 
place  on  Gov.  L.  F.  Hubbard’s  staff  and  C.  E.  Johnson  Avas 
elected  to  fill  his  place.  In  October,  1885,  AVillis  George  re- 
signed and  C.  H.  Stearns  was  elected  first  lieutenant. 

The  Third  Regiment  Avas  organized  in  1887,  at  which  time  the- 
Zumbrota  Guards  became  Company  1)  of  that  organization,  and 
haAre  held  their  title  ever  since,  being  now  the  oldest  company  in 
the  state  of  Minnesota  and  liaA^ing  the  distinction  of  furnishing 
more  field  and  staff  officers  than  any  other  company  in  their 
regiment.  At  the  first  Encampment  in  1888  there  were  only 
eighteen  men,  Avho  served  Avithout  pay.  This  little  group  shoAved 
such  enthusiasm  that  there  was  a much  larger  number  thereafter, 
although  it  took  a great  deal  of  hard  work  on  the  part  of  Capt. 
Johnson,  as  the  members  received  absolutely  no  aid  from  the 
state.  In  Alarch,  1887,  Lieut.  PoAvers  resigned  and  Avas  succeeded 
by  Sergt.  William  Clemens.  The  latter  resigned  in  August, 
1887,  and  Avas  succeeded  by  Private  Thomas  Brusegaard.  In 
Alarch,  1888,  Lieut.  Stearns  resigned  and  Sergt.  Leo  Schafer  was 
elected  in  his  place.  Capt.  Johnson  resigned  in  1891  to  take  the 
position  of  major  and  C.  H.  Stearns  became  the  third  captain  of 
the  company.  Under  his  command  the  members  went  to  Chicago 
to  take  part  in  the  dedication  of  the  World’s  Fair  buildings. 
Shortly  after  this  Capt.  Stearns  and  Lieut.  Schafer  resigned  and 
First  Sergt.  E.  S.  Person  was  elected  captain  and  Sergt.  AAr.  AV. 


250 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Kinne  first  lieutenant.  The  company  again  visited  the  World’s 
Fair  and  took  part  in  the  Minnesota  Day  parade,  which  was 
during  the  fall  of  1893.  Capt.  Person  was  untiring  in  his  efforts 
to  bring  the  company  up  to  a high  standard,  and  during  the  en- 
campments of  1895  and  1896  his  command  won  the  gold  medal 
for  proficiency  in  guard  duty.  In  1897  Capt.  Person  resigned  to 
accept  a position  as  major  of  the  regiment,  and  in  January,  1898, 
W.  AY.  Kinne  was  elected  captain  and  H.  AY.  Yochem  first  lieu- 
tenant. J.  A.  Erstacl  was  at  that  time  second  lieutenant,  having- 
been  elected  some  years  previous. 

It  was  just  at  this  time  that  the  call  for  volunteers  for  the 
Spanish- American  war  was  issued  and  Company  D was  among 
the  first  to  offer  their  services.  One  evening  when  the  com- 
pany was  lined  up  at  the  armory,  Capt.  Kinne  asked  all  the 
members  who  would  volunteer  to  step  two  paces  to  the  front. 
Every  man  in  the  company  stepped  forward,  but  as  they  were 
some  short  of  the  105,  to  fill  out  a full  company,  Col.  Johnson 
furnished  the  balance  of  the  quota  from  Mankato.  On  Thursday, 
April  28,  1908,  the  company  left  Zumbrota  amid  a scene  which 
will  be  long  remembered  by  those  who  witnessed  it.  Many  eyes 
were  dimmed  with  tears  and  hearts  throbbed  with  emotion  as 
the  boys  left  home.  At  that  time  the  non-commissioned  officers 
were : Sergeants,  John  Houck,  George  W.  Eastman,  C.  0.  Bon- 
ham, E.  F.  Davis,  Ii.  J.  Teich,  J.*  C.  Miller  and  IT  Eastman; 
corporals,  Sid  Anderson,  AY.  P.  Armstrong,  M.  H.  Powers,  Harry 
G.  Gudcl,  Ludwig  Johnson,  Charles  C.  Dickenson,  Louis  Lohman, 
and  others.  The  company  was  stationed  at  the  state  fair  grounds 
and  had  a total  number  of  115  men.  About  thirty  of  these  had 
to  be  rejected,  as  an  order  was  received  for  only  84  men  to  a 
company.  On  May  8 the  company  was  mustered  in  and  was 
known  as  Company  D,  14th  Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry.  A 
few  days  later  the  regiment  left  Camp  Ramsey  in  three  sections 
for  Chickamauga  Park,  Ga.  All  along  the  route  citizens  turned 
out  to  welcome  and  cheer  the  troops.  Arriving  at  a small  station 
called  Lytle,  the  regiment  marched  into  the  park  a few  miles, 
where  a camp  was  assigned  them,  in  company  with  60,000  other 
troops  from  all  parts  of  the  United  States.  This  camp  was  known 
as  the  George  IT.  Thomas,  and  the  company  was  brigaded  with 
the  First  Pennsylvania  and  Second  Ohio  Regiments,  and  known 
as  the  third  brigade,  second  division,  first  army  corps,  under 
command  of  Gen.  Rossar,  a veteran  who  fought  with  the  South 
during  the  civil  war.  The  extreme  heat  and  poor  water  began  to 
tell  on  the  men  from  the  North  and  as  a result  there  was  a great 
deal  of  sickness,  but  everyone  was  anxious  to  get  to  the  front, 
and  patiently  endured  the  constant  drilling,  and  it  was  but  a 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


251 


short  time  before  the  Third  had  the  reputation  of  being  the  best 
drilled  regiment  in  the  park. 

In  June  an  order  was  issued  to  recruit  the  companies  up  to 
the  full  strength  of  105  men,  and  Lieut.  Erstad  was  detailed  to 
go  back  home  and  perform  that  duty.  Many  of  the  men  who 
were  at  first  rejected  were  then  given  a chance  and  returned 
with  him  to  join  the  command.  After  his  return  Lieut.  Erstad 
was  promoted  to  first  lieutenant  and  assigned  to  Company  I. 
First  Sergt.  John  Houck  was  promoted  to  second  lieutenant  and 
assigned  to  Company  F,  and  Lieut.  Demming  of  Company  E was 
assigned  to  Company  D. 

On  August  28,  1908,  the  regiment  was  transferred  from  Camp 
Thomas  to  Camp  Poland,  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  where  they  re- 
mained until  September  21,  and  then  started  on  the  return  trip 
to  St.  Paul,  arriving  there  Sept.  23,  and  went  into  camp  at  Camp 
Van  Duzee,  betAveen  the  twin  cities.  A furlough  of  thirty  days 
AA7as  granted  to  all  the  men,  aaTio  returned  to  their  homes  for  a 
short  period.  At  this  time  there  was  an  Indian  uprising  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  state  and  a detachment  from  each  com- 
pany was  sent  to  quell  the  Reds,  including  several  of  the  D boys, 
aaJio  returned  Avithout  incident. 

On  reassembling  at  St.  Paul  the  regiment  Avas  mustered  out  of 
service  November  18,  1908.  Sergt.  George  Miles  Houck  Avas  the 
only,  member  of  the  company  Avho  did  not  answer  to  roll  call  on 
the  return  home.  He  was  taken  ill  at  KnoxA7ille  shortly  before 
leaving  and  Avhen  he  arrfced  at  Chicago  Avas  too  sick  to  continue 
the  journey  and  Avas  taken  to  a hospital,  where  he  died  October  1. 
The  remains  were  brought  to  Zumbrota  for  burial. 

TAvice  during  their  stay  in  the  park  the  regiment  Avas  ordered 
to  the  front  and  both  times  they  struck  tents,  packed  up  all  their 
belongings  and  had  destroyed  the  feAv  luxuries  they  had  accumu- 
lated for  comfort’s  sake,  such  as  straw  for  bedding,  boxes  for 
tables,  etc.,  and  both  times  Avere  ordered  to  unpack  and  pitch 
tents  before  they  had  left  the  company  street.  The  second  time 
the  regiment  Avas  in  line  and  the  column  had  started  to  moAre 
toward  the  station  when  the  order  was  countermanded,  which 
nearly  resulted  in  a riot  on  the  part  of  the  men  and  only  the  per- 
sonal persuasion  on  the  part  of  the  officers  preA7ented  an  open 
rebellion.  We  do  not  construe  this  as  a disgraceful  act  on  the 
part  of  the  men,  but  it  Avell  illustrates  their  Avillingness  to  get  to 
the  front  and  do  actual  serAuce. 

After  the  muster  out  of  the  Fourteenth,  Company  D resumed 
its  place  in  the  state  militia  with  Capt.  Kinne  at  the  head  and 
IT.  W.  Yochem  and  E.  F.  Davis  as  lieutenants.  In  May,  1900, 
Kinne  resigned  and  FI.  AY.  Yochem  Avas  elected  captain ; Davis 


252 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


was  advanced  to  first  lieutenant  and  Sergt.  C.  0.  Bonham  to 
second  lieutenant.  In  the  spring  of  1901  Yochem  resigned  by 
reason  of  removal  from  company  station  and  Kinne  was  again 
placed  at  the  head.  He  removed  and  Lieut.  E.  P.  Davis  was. 
elected  captain,  Bonham  being  advanced  and  Sergt.  J.  R.  Johnson 
elected  second  lieutenant.  Davis  resigned  in  1903  and  IT.  W. 
Yochem  was  again  placed  in  command.  Yochem  and  Bonham 
resigned  in  the  fall  of  1905  and  F.  W.  Wilcox  was  elected  cap- 
tain ; Johnson  pushed  up  to  first  lieutenant  and  M.  IT.  Powers 
was  elected  second  lieutenant.  Wilcox  held  office  for  less  than 
a year  and  then  quit.  First  Lieut.  Johnson  took  the  company  to 
camp  that  year,  after  which  he  resigned  and  IT.  T..  Banks  was 
elected  captain  and  E.  F.  Davis  went  into  the  company  again  as 
first  lieutenant.  In  the  spring  of  1909  Banks  and  Davis  resigned 
and  Second  Lieut.  M.  II.  Powers  was  elected  captain,  and  Sergts. 
John  Logan  and  Chris.  N.  Nesseth  promoted  to  first  and  second 
lieutenants.  Powers  removed  from  company  station  September 
1,  1909,  and  at  the  present  time  the  command  is  in  charge  of 
Lieut.  John  Logan. 

At  this  writing  there  are  67  members  in  the  company,  they 
are  well  equipped  and  well  drilled  and  among  the  number  are 
many  good  rifle  shots  who  have  won  medals  of  distinction  on  the 
state  rifle  range,  as  well  as  making  good  records  on  their  own 
range.  IT.  J.  Teich  is  the  first  sergeant  of  the  company,  having 
served  nearly  fifteen  years  with  the  company  and  is  the  oldest 
first  sergeant  in  the  state. 

The  company  lias  participated  in  every  encampment  held 
by  the  national  guard  and  in  1901  was  with  the  regiment  on  an 
80-mile  march  from  Milaca  to  Brainerd.  In  1906  they  marched 
across  the  country  from  Zumbrota  to  Lake  City.  Both  of  these 
trips  proved  instructive  as  well  as  enjoyable.  There  are  many 
other  interesting  features  connected  with  the  history  of  Company 
D which  cannot  be  enumerated  here,  as  this  article  was  intended 
to  cite  only  the  more  important  events  which  have  transpired 
during  the  quarter  of  a century  of  its  existence. 

VILLAGE  SCHOOLS. 

In  1858  the  first  village  school  was  formed,  taught  by  Lizzie 
Shedd,  daughter  of  Rev.  Charles  Shedd,  pastor  of  the  Congrega- 
tional Church.  In  the  beginning  and  for  several  successive  years, 
the  sessions  of  the  school  were  held  in  the  second  story  room  of 
the  store,  built  just  before  by  T.  P.  Kellett,  on  the  corner  now 
occupied  by  the  Security  State  Bank.  The  building  was  justly 
considered  at  that  and  for  those  times  as  ambitious,  elegant  and' 
commodious. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


253 


Mrs.  Munson  came  next  as  teacher,  followed  by  Mrs.  C.  C. 
Webster,  wife  of  one  of  the  earliest  settlers,  and  she  was  followed 
by  Ella  AVilder,  daughter  of  Ezra  AVilder,  another  pioneer.  Later 
she  married  Rev.  Air.  Sedgwick,  then  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
t hurch,  who  afterward  became  a physician.  Mrs.  Ellery  Person, 
wife  of  Samuel  Person,  a brother  of  Messrs.  Ralzy  and  George 
Person,  who  were  among  the  early  settlers,  was  the  next  teacher. 
Then  in  succession  came  Sarah  Stowell,  Mrs.  Preston,  Florence 
Brown,  cousin  to  the  hero  of  Harper’s  Ferry  and  martyr  of  free- 
dom for  the  slave,  whose  soul  is  still  marching  on.  Then,  still 
in  the  Kellett  hall  came  the  male  teachers,  Mr.  Griffin  and  Air. 
Aldrich,  the  latter  of  whom  took  up  his  residence  in  Zumbrota; 
E.  AV.  Conat  taught  in  the  summer  of  1864  at  $22  per  month: 
J.  B.  Griffin  in  the  winter  of  the  same  year  at  $27.50  per  month; 
Florence  Brown,  winter  of  ’65,  at  $22  per  month.  Before  this 
the  general  rate  of  salary  for  the  female  teachers  was  $5  per 
week.  In  the  school  year  of  1862-63  and  for  many  years  there- 
after the  board  of  trustees  were:  J.  A.  Thacher,  director;  I.  C. 
Stearns,  clerk,  and  H.  Blanchard,  treasurer. 

There  were  six  months  of  school  in  two  terms  of  twelve  weeks 
each  in  1862-63,  and  seven  months  in  1863-64.  The  appointment 
of  school  money  from  the  county  in  1862-63  was  but  $117.70.  In 
the  spring  of  1863  a movement  was  started  by  a petition  signed 
by  T.  F.  Kellett,  George  Samuel  Person  and  E.  L.  Kings- 
bury for  the  building  of  a school  house.  Favorable  action  was 
taken  and  a levy  agreed  to  of  5 mills  on  all  taxable  property,  to 
begin  the  necessary  funds.  In  1864-65,  2 mills  more  were  voted 
for  schools  and  7 mills  for  school  house  fund.  In  1865-66,  8 mills 
was  voted  toward  the  fund.  In  Alarch,  1867,  it  was  voted  to 
have  three  terms  of  school  of  twelve  weeks  each.  In  March, 
1866,  definite  steps  were  taken  to  build  a two-story  school  house, 
24  feet  high,  width  30  feet,  length  50  feet.  Two  lots  were  first 
bought  and  later  two  more  adjoining,  in  block  40,  the  cost  of  the 
building  not  to  exceed  $3,000.  The  district  received  from  the 
county  treasurer  in  1865,  $537.  The  money  to  build  the  school 
house  was  loaned  to  the  district  by  private  individuals,  chief 
among  them  being  I.  C.  Stearns,  H.  H.  Palmer,  J.  A.  Thacher, 
Ezra  AVilder  and  the  Ladies’  Sewing  Society,  with  a few  gentle- 
men loaning  minor  sums.  E.  L.  Kingsbury  was  the  contractor 
and  builder,  and  received  for  the  job  $2,000. 

In  March,  1868,  the  district  voted  to  have  three  terms  of 
school  per  year  of  thirteen  weeks  each.  This  year  the  county 
treasurer  paid  to  the  district  $717.  In  March,  1870,  on  motion  of 
Ezra  AVilder,  it  was  voted  to  build  another  school  house  and  the 
board  was  authorized  to  select  a site  and  proceed  with  the  work. 


254 


HI  ST OK Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


They  accordingly  decided  upon  a site  adjoining  the  public  square 
and  commenced  excavation  for  the  cellar  when,  serious  opposi- 
tion to  that  site  developing,  a special  meeting  of  the  district  was 
called  in  July  of  that  year  to  decide  the  matter.  By  a majority 
of  four  votes  the  site  north  of  the  Baptist  church  was  decided 
upon,  the  land  being  donated  for  that  purpose.  It  has  been  claimed 
that  the  majority  was  not  one  of  all  the  voters  in  the  district, 
but  only  of  those  present  and  voting,  a majority  of  all  preferring 
the  much  more  elevated  site,  though  some  of  them  failed  to  be 
on  hand  at  the  pinch.  In  consequence  the  present  fine  building 
is  located  where  it  is  instead  of  on  a spot  where  its  fine  and  im- 
posing proportions  and  aspect  would  be  much  more  effective  than 
is  now  possible.  In  March,  1871,  it  Avas  voted  that  there  should' 
be  three  schools  and  three  terms  of  thirteen  weeks  each,  and  that 
there  should  be  two  male  teachers  and  one  female  teacher.  In 
1871  the  amount  received  from  the  county  treasurer  was  $1,850 
and  in  1872,  $2,200.  During  this  school  year  Mr.  Savage  taught 
the  high  school  for  ten  weeks.  Previously  and  after  the  first 
school  house  was  built,  the  teachers  were  O.  IT.  Parker,  Hattie 
Ward,  Emma  Barrett,  now  Mrs.  James  Farwell ; Lettie  Barrett, 
now  Mrs.  Harry  Sergeant  of  California;  Abby  Moody,  thfen  of 
York,  Maine,  and  Alice  Kendall.  At  a district  meeting  held  in 
October,  1872,  on  motion  of  J.  A.  Thacker,  it  was  voted,  with  but 
two  or  three  dissenting,  to  maintain  the  schools  at  the  highest 
point  of  efficiency  then  attainable  and  that  no  backward  steps  be 
taken. 

Recurring  briefly  to  the  early  beginnings  of  the  work  of  the 
schools,  of  which,  unfortunately,  for  the  first  years  no  trace  of 
records  can  be  found,  it  may  be  said  that  the  persons  to  whom 
were  committed  the  responsibilities  of  inaugurating  and  carrying 
forward  the  educational  interests  of  the  incipient  community 
were  men  not  only  deeply  interested  in  the  work,  but  especially 
qualified  to  conduct  it  in  such  a way  as  not  only  to  enlist  hearty 
cooperation  but  also  to  fix  and  intensify  the  public  sentiment  in 
favor  of  unremitting  devotion  to  the  cause  of  sound,  practical 
and  thorough  mental  and  moral  training  of  the  young  people. 
Each  member  of  the  school  board  had  learned  the  art  of  teaching 
by  experience  in  New  England.  They  were  J.  A.  Tliacher,  I.  C. 
Stearns  and  C.  C.  Webster.  During  all  the  years  that  have  fol- 
lowed, the  board  has  never  been  without  members  who  were 
leading  citizens,  interested  in  their  duties  and  competent  to  per- 
form them  so  as  to  carry  forward  the  cause  which,  to  the  lioner  of 
our  village  can  be  said,  has  been  always  near  her  heart.  The 
first  school  house  being  on  an  elevated  site  and  in  itself  a hand- 
some building,  having  a fine  front  and  crowned  with  a tasteful 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


255 


cupola,  was,  with  the  church,  the  conspicuous  objects,  arresting 
the  eye  as  one  approaching  the  town  reached  the  brow  of  the 
prairie,  where  it  descends  toward  the  valley.  Its  two  school 
rooms,  above  and  below,  were  approached  from  the  south.  In 
1872,  after  only  six  years  of  use,  it  caught  tire  one  evening,  on 
the  roof,  from  some  unexplained  cause  and  was  burned  to  the 
ground.  The  desks  in  the  lower  room  were  saved  and  were 
used  in  one  of  the  rooms  of  the  upper  floor  of  the  house  built  in 
1870.  At  the  time  of  the  fire  a festival  was  being  held  in  the 
second  story  open  room  of  the  building  so  recently  destroyed  by 
the  same  element,  and  the  shock  of  sudden  discovery  of  it  brought 
the  gathering  to  an  abrupt  close. 

The  new  school  building  of  two  stories,  high  posted,  dimen- 
sions 40  by  60  feet,  built  in  1870,  costing  $4,000  not  including 
furnishings,  had  the  two  lower  rooms  at  once  finished  and  put  to 
use.  Teachers  employed  during  the  earlier  years  were  Mr. 
Parker,  Emma  Barrett.  Persis  Scofield  and  Jessie  Hall,  who  later 
becoming  the  wife  of  Charles  A.  Ward,  and  L.  D.  Henry,  the 
principal  for  one  year.  All  these  teachers  gave  satisfaction. 
Later  Mr.  Henry  acted  as  clerk  in  the  store  of  II.  II.  Palmer  and 
subsequently  married  one  of  his  pupils,  Jennie  Weatherhead.  For 
several  years  four  teachers  were  employed,  including  the  head 
master.  The  resources  of  the  district  steadily  increased,  as  well 
as  the  number  of  the  pupils.  The  salaries  of  the  teachers  also 
were  gradually  increased.  AVith  Mr.  Henry  the  school  rose  to 
the  grade  of  a high  school,  though  not,  of  course,  of  the  first  class, 
at  that  time.  Benjamin  Darby  was  principal  in  1872,  a success- 
ful instructor  and  a man  of  powerful  physique.  It  is  said  that 
when  the  fire  which  consumed  the  earlier  school  house  was  dis- 
covered, Prof.  Darby  and  E.  L.  Melius,  then  in  trade  here  and 
afterwards  a physician  of  good  standing,  were  among  the  first 
to  enter  the  burning  building,  seeking  to  save  whatever  of  value 
could  be  snatched  from  the  flames.  The  egress  by  the  stairway 
being  cut  off,  they  descended  by  a ladder,  Mr.  Darby  with  the 
big  heating  stove  in  his  arms,  while  Mr.  Melius  bore  off  something 
less  weighty.  M.  B.  Green,  an  esteemed  teacher,  was  principal  in 
1873-74,  one  year.  Then  Miss  Wood  for  a short  time  was  princi- 
pal. In  the  fall  of  1876  A.  B.  Guptill  of  Red  Wing,  a former  resi- 
dent of  Lubec,  Maine,  became  principal  and  remained  till  the 
spring  following.  In  1876  district  No.  68  became  independent, 
the  school  board  assuming  the  duties  and  responsibilities  that 
ordinarily  rest  upon  a majority  of  the  legal  voters  of  school  dis- 
tricts. The  number  of  pupils  in  the  primary  department,  taught 
by  Miss  Scofield,  was  62 ; in  the  intermediate,  taught  by  Miss 


256 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Hall,  48;  in  the  high  school,  taught  by  Mr.  Guptill,  36;  the  num- 
ber of  Mr.  Parker  ’s  room  is  not  given. 

Mr.  Fletcher  succeeded  Mr.  Guptill  for  a short  time  in  the 
spring  of  1877,  a worthy  man,  fond  of  music  and  excelling  as  a 
flutist.  In  the  fall  of  1877  Mr.  Mooney,  also  a native  of  Lubec, 
recommended  by  Dr.  Tupper,  who  had  known  him  there,  took 
charge  of  the  school  for  one  term.  Later  he  became  a practicing 
lawyer  in  his  native  town.  In  the  fall  of  1878  W.  A.  Snook 
succeeded  to  the  principalship.  He  was  a rigid  disciplinarian, 
possessing  both  moral  and  physical  courage  for  all  emergencies. 
The  modern  history  of  Zumbrota  schools  is  found  elsewhere  in 
this  history. 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY. 

(By  Mrs.  Gilbert  P.  Murphy.) 

The  Zumbrota  Public  Library. — There  are  in  Goodhue  county 
two  free  public  libraries,  one  at  Red  "Wing,  the  other  at  Zum- 
brota. "While  the  Red  Wing  library  takes  precedence  as  regards 
size,  it  must  yield  the  palm  as  regards  age  to  the  Zumbrota 
library,  which  can  trace  its  beginning  to  a period  forty  years 
ago.  For  some  years  during  the  early  history  of  Zumbrota  one  of 
the  most  popular  organizations  in  town  was  the  Zumbrota 
Literary  Society,  at  whose  weekly  meetings  old  and  young,  both 
men  and  women,  gathered,  finding  therein  much  mental  stimulus 
as  well  as  recreation.  Several  prominent  members  of  this  or- 
ganization, notable  among  them  being  Joseph  A.  Tliacher,  be- 
came, during  the  winter  of  1868  and  1869,  much  interested  in 
the  matter  of  a town  library.  The  few  books  which  the  early 
settlers  had  brought  from  their  eastern  homes  had  been  circu- 
lated through  the  neighborhood  until  everybody  had  read  them. 
Periodicals  were  few  and  expensive.  The  literary  society  was 
cramped  in  preparing  its  programs  by  dearth  of  material,  and 
individuals  were  hungry  for  good  literature.  After  considerable 
agitation  of  the  question,  a new  organization  superseded  the 
literary  society,  called  the  Zumbrota  Literary  Society  and  Li- 
brary Association.  By  paying  the  sum  of  fifteen  dollars,  any 
individual  could  become  a life  member  of  the  association,  he  and 
his  family  being  thereby  entitled  to  the  use  of  the  library  for 
life.  About  twenty  were  found  who  became  life  members  at 
this  time,  the  following  being  a necessarily  imperfect  list  of  the 
names : J.  A.  Thacher,  J.  C.  Stearns,  E.  L.  Halbert,  H.  II.  Palmer, 
Henry  Blanchard,  John  Mitchell,  Charles  A.  Ward,  Sr.,  Charles 
Ward,  Jr.,  O.  H.  Parker,  J.  B.  Locke,  Henry  Shecld,  Mathias  P. 
Ringdahl,  William  AYells,  B.  C.  Grover,  James  Cram,  D.  B. 
Scofield,  T.  D.  Rowell  and  T.  P.  Kellett.  The  first  actual  con- 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


257 


tritration  toward  the  library  fund  was  a cord  of  wood,  con- 
tributed by  Mat-liias  P.  Kingdahl.  To  the  money  obtained  from 
life  membership  fees  and  voluntary  contributions  was  added  the 
proceeds  of  an  oyster  supper,  given  to  celebrate  the  organization 
of  the  new  association,  and  with  these  funds  about  275  books 
were  purchased  and  placed  in  a room  over  the  store  building; 
owned  by  Mr.  Thacher  and  located  where  the  Great  Western 
station  now  stands,  0.  H.  Parker  being  appointed  librarian.  Many 
of  us  who  now  take  pride  and  pleasure  in  our  beautiful  library 
building  can  distinctly  remember,  as  children,  walking  the  length 
of  the  store,  climbing  the  narrow,  dusty  stairway  at  the  back, 
traversing  a dark  lane  formed  by  piles  of  packing  boxes,  to  the 
front  of  the  store  again,  where  we  selet-ted  a library  book  from 
one  of  the  tAvo  cases  stationed  by  the  window,  then  through  the 
lane  and  doAvn  again  to  have  the  book  charged  to  our  name  at 
the  desk  in  the  rear  of  the  store.  Sometimes  Ave  made  the  charge 
ourselves,  for,  since  the  librarian’s  labors  were  gratuitous,  they 
must  be  as  light  as  possible. 

In  February,  1877.  Zumbrota  became  an  incorporated  village 
and  not  long  after  the  library  became  the  Free  Public  Library 
of  Zumbrota,  to  be  supported  by  a one-mill  tax.  Henceforth  Ave 
find  it  in  charge  of  a board  appointed  by  the  village  council, 
and  almost  immediately  the  books  Avere  removed  to  Good 
Templars’  hall,  in  the  building  OAA'ned  by  Charles  Anderson. 
Mrs.  James  Cram  ay  as  elected  librarian,  with  Ida  Weatherhead, 
Mrs.  Cooper  and  Amanda  Dam  as  assistants,  and  these  ladies 
kept  the  reading  room  open  two  afternoons  and  one  evening  of 
each  A\mek,  giving  their  oavii  time  to  this  for  the  good  of  the 
cause.  After  a year  or  tAvo  came  another  change.  The  library 
Avas  moAred  into  the  building  occupied,  by  the  Misses  Walker’s 
millinery  establishment  and  Miss  Walker  became  and  was  for 
many  years  librarian.  Dr.  0.  H.  Hall,  for  tAventv  years  chairman 
of  the  committee  for  selecting  neAV  books,  in  writing  of  this 
period  said  that  much  of  the  prosperity  of  the  library  during 
these  years  was  due  to  Miss  Walker’s  faithful  and  painstaking 
Avork  in  its  behalf,  for  which  the  small  sum  paid  her  for  rent  and 
care  Avas  no  adequate  compensation. 

When  a change  became  necessary  by  reason  of  Miss  Walker’s 
retiring  from  the  millinery  business,  the  library  Avas  moved  into 
the  Security  State  Bank  building,  and  for  some  time  a great  deal 
of  the  Avork  of  conducting  and  caring  for  it  Avas  done  by  George 
A.  Thacher,  aaJio  selected  neAV  books,  catalogued  those  on  hand, 
and  Avas  first  to  agitate  the  question  of  a Carnegie  library,  al- 
though it  Avas  some  years  before  the  building  became  a fact. 

James  FarAvell,  Avliile  mayor  of  Zumbrota,  Avhicli  position  he 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


,v!58 

held  for  three  years,  was  deeply  interested  in  the  prosperity  of 
the  library,  and  it  was  largely  through  his  efforts  that  the  plans 
for  a library  building  were  successful,  Andrew  Carnegie  fur- 
nishing the  $6,500  which  our  building  cost  on  the  usual  condition 
that  a sum  equal  to  10  per  cent  of  that  amount  be  annually  de- 
moted by  the  village  to  the  library.  At  the  time  of  its  completion 
in  May,  1908,  the  structure  was  the  smallest  library  building- 
in  the  state.  It  provides  a Avell  arranged  one-room  library  on 
the  ground  floor,  with  wall  shelves,  reading  tables  and  librarian’s 
desk.  It  is  lighted  by  electricity  and  doubtless  in  the  near  future 
will  be  furnished  with  an  adequate  heating  plant.  There  is  a 
rest  room  furnished  by  Zumbrota  business  men  in  the  basement. 
The  rest  room  is  open  all  May.  The  library  is  open  every  evening 
except  Sunday,  and  on  Saturday  and  Sunday  afternoons.  Hattie 
Marvin,  who  is  a graduate  of  the  state  university  and  has  also 
completed  the  library  course  at  the  University  summer  school, 
is  librarian  and,  like  many  of  her  predecessors  in  that  position, 
is  profoundly  interested  in  the  advancements  of  the  library,  .and 
gives  much  gratuitous  time  to  the  work.  There  is  no  institution 
which  so  thoroughly  gives  evidence  of  the  real  spirit  of  Zum- 
brota as  does  our  library,  established  in  the  pioneer  cla'ys  of 
hardship,  persistently  supported  and  increased  through  the 
changing  fortunes  of  forty  years,  its  work  done  largely  by  volun- 
teers, with  unwavering  determination  and  unfailing  enthusiasm, 
Zumbrota ’s  citizens  have  loved  and  labored  for  their  library  and 
now,  in  its  new  home,  with  two  thousand  books  upon  its  shelves 
and  thirteen  periodicals  upon  its  reading  tables,  and  with  an 
able  and  enthusiastic  librarian,  there  seems  no  reason  why  its 
future  may  not  be  of  the  brightest. 

ZUMBROTA  TOWNSHIP. 

Zumbrota  comprises  township  110,  range  15,  and  originally 
included  Minneola,  which  was  set  off  in  June,  1860.  It  is 
bounded  on  the  north  by  Goodhue,  east  by  Wabasha  county, 
south  by  Pine  Island  and  west  by  Minneola.  Through  a larger 
part  of  the  southern  tier  of  sections  runs  one  of  the  branches  of 
the  Zumbro,  and  from  this  river  the  name  of  the  township  is 
derived.  The  surface  is  largely  rolling  prairie,  with  higher,  un- 
dulating land  in  the  northwestern  portions. 

The  first  settler  was  William  Fiske,  who  came  in  1854  and 
took  a claim  on  Dry  Run,  in  the  southeastern  part.  Fiske  was  a 
man  of  strong  personality.  He  was  born,  in  Maine  and  for  some 
years  was  a sailor.  Of  hermit  tendencies,  he  tried  to  get  as  far 
from  civilization  as  possible.  He  died  in  1878  and  is  buried  in 
the  cemetery  at  Mazeppa,  Wabasha  county.  Aaron  Doty  and 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


359 


C.  W..  Smith  were  also*  early  settlers,  as  was  C.  P.  Bouney,  who 
arrived  May  26,  1856,  and  built  a cabin.  It  is  related  that  for 
the  first  six  weeks  Mrs.  Bonney  saw  the  face  of  no  white  man 
but  her  husband. 

In  the  fall  of  1855  Rev.  H.  N.  Gates,  a missionary  who  had 
been  laboring  in  Iowa,  returned  to  Stafford,  Connecticut,  where 
he  had  formerly  lived,  and  proposed  organizing  an  emigration 
company  to  establish  a colony  in  the  AYest.  The  first  meeting 
was  held  in  Stafford,  at  which  time  the  company  was  organized, 
under  the  name  of  Stafford  Western  Emigration  Company,  with 
Albert  Barrett,  of  Stafford,  as  president  and  Charles  AArard.  of 
Lowell,  Mass.,  as  secretary.  The  following  members  constituted 
thfi  board:  T.  P.  Kellett.  Josiah  Thompson,  Joseph  Bailey,  D.  B. 
Goddard.  Dr.  Ira  Perry,  James  Elwell,  Milton  Bonner,  Samuel 
Chaffee,  Ruben  A.  Smith  and  C.  C.  AVebster.  At  a meeting  held 
in  Palmer,  Mass.,  January,  1856,  they  adjourned  to  meet  at 
Lowell  in  February,  1856.  One  hundred  and  sixty  persons 
joined  the  association  at  the  time  of  the  adjourned  meeting  in 
Lowell  and  the  capital  stock  paid  in  at  that  time  was  $30,000. 
At  this  meeting  Rev.  IT.  N.  Gates,  Albert  Barrett  and  Air.  Sher- 
wood were  appointed  a committee  to  go  to  Iowa  or  Minnesota  and 
purchase  a township  of  land.  The  funds  of  the  association  were 
placed  at  the  disposal  of  Rev.  H.  N.  Gates,  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee. Nothing  was  heard  from  the  committee  after  their  de- 
parture until  the  latter  part  of  A I ay,  1856,  when  a call  for  a 
meeting  was  issued  by  the  secretary,  Charles  AVard,  stating  that 
the  committee  had  returned  and  would  report.  Gates  and  Sher- 
wood both  made  reports  but  disagreed,  and  the  company  dis- 
banded. A smaller  company  was  formed  soon  after.  There  were 
certain  transportation  concessions  that  had  been  made  to  the 
old  company  and  the  company  wished  to  secure  these  and  at  the 
same  time  not  have  the  name  of  the  old  company,  a thing  which 
was  accomplished  by  the  insertion  of  the  letter  “r”  in  the  old 
name,  the  new  designation  being  the  Strafford  AVestern  Emigra- 
tion Company.  The  members  were  Josiah  Thompson,  Ira  Perry, 
Joseph  Bailey,  D.  B.  Goddard,  T.  P.  Kellett  and  Samuel  Chaffee. 

In  the  latter  part  of  July  or  early  part  of  August,  1856,  some 
of  the  members  of  the  company  came  to  this  part  of  Alinnesota 
and,  after  looking  over  the  country  in  different  localities.  Samuel 
Chaffee,  D.  B.  Goddard  and  Joseph  Bailey  came  across  the  Zum- 
bro  river  valley  with  the  intention  of  returning  to  New  England 
via  Red  AVing.  As  they  ascended  the  hill  north  of  where  the 
village  of  Zumbrota  now  stands,  Samuel  Chaffee  discovered  the 
beauties  of  the  valley,  and  probably  to  him  belongs  the  credit  for 
the  subsequent  settlement  of  the  colony  at  that  point.  The  fol- 


260 


HI  ST  OB  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


lowing  day  the  party  arrived  in  Red  Wing,  where  Mr.  Chaffee, 
who  had  been  taken  ill  on  the  journey,  died,  August  9,  1856. 
His  remains  still  repose  in  the  cemetery  at  Red  Wing. 

There  was  quite  a tide  of  immigration  to  Zumbrota,  chiefly 
among  those  who  belonged  to  the  company,  in  the  fall  of  1856 
and  spring  of  1857.  Frink  and  Walker’s  stage  route  from  Du- 
buque to  St.  Paul  had  previously  been  established  through  the 
township,  but  in  March,  1857,  the  route  was  changed  so  as  to 
lead  through  the  village.  T.  P.  Kellett  was  the  first  postmaster. 
The  first  death  was  that  of  John  Cameron,  December,  1856. 
William  E.  Winter  was  married  in  May,  1857,  his  being  the  first 
marriage  in  the  township. 

An  active  participant  in  the  settlement  of  Zumbrota*  is 
authority  for  the  following  items  regarding  the  early  days  of  the 
township:  “Zumbrota  was  settled  by  a small  fragment  of  a large 
company  called  the  Stafford  AYestern  Emigration  Company.  The 
original  company  was  organized  in  the  winter  of  1855-56.  This 
company  contained  over  150  members,  most  of  them  heads  of 
families.  Its  members  were  mainly  from  Massachusetts  and 
Connecticut.  It  had  a paid  up  capital  of  $30,000.  The  plan  con- 
templated the  purchase  of  at  least  a township  of  land  in  one 
body,  and  laying  out  a village  in  the  center  of  the  tract.  The 
aim  of  the  projectors  was  to  plant  a distinctively  New  England 
colony  in  the  West.  At  a meeting  of  the  company  at  Lowell, 
Mass.,  in  February,  1856,  the  organization  was  perfected  and 
plans  matured  to  transplant  the  colony  in  the  early  spring  as 
soon  as  a suitable  site  could  be  selected  by  the  committee  of 
three  chosen  for  the  purpose.  This  committee  started  for  the 
West  soon  after  the  meeting  at  Lowell  and  took  with  them 
about  $30,000,  with  which  to  purchase  land  and  make  the  needed 
improvements  ready  for  the  colonists,  when  they  should  arrive. 
It  would  be  tedious  to  relate  the  details  which  followed  the  de- 
parture of  the  committee  for  the  AYest.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  not 
one  of  the  committee  was  a practical  man.  They  had  no  ac- 
quaintance with  western  affairs.  And  at  least  two  out  of  the 
three  seem  to  have  had  separate  schemes  of  their  own  by  which 
each  hoped  to  subserve  his  own  interest,  or  that  of  his  friends 
and  backers.  The  result  was  such  as  might  have  been  expected. 
There  soon  developed  dissensions  and  divisions  in  the  committee. 
After  wasting  some  three  months  of  time  and  $3,000  of  the  com- 
pany’s funds,  the  company  was  called  together  again  in  May, 
at  Lowell,  to  hear  the  report  of  the  chairman  of  the  committee. 
The  outcome  of  this  meeting  was  a dissolution  of  the  original 
company  and  a repayment  of  the  funds  to  the  members,  less  the 
amount  expended  or  squandered  by  the  committee.  This  re- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


261 


payment  of  the  funds  was  obtained  through  the  unflinching  in- 
tegrity of  Charles  Ward. 

“Immediately  upon  the  breaking  up  of  the  original  com- 
pany, a few  of  its  members  proceeded  to  reorganize  a new  com- 
pany upon  a much  smaller  scale.  Several  members  of  this  com- 
pany immediately  started,  for  Minnesota  in  order  to  find  a 
location  for  their  little  colony.  Instead  of  a special  committee, 
the  members  constituted  themselves  a committee  of  the  whole, 
and  upon  their  arrival  in  Minnesota  started  out  in  search  of 
land.  They  had  agreed  upon  Red  Wing  as  a place  of  rendezvous, 
where  they  should  meet  and  compare  notes.  A company  of  three 
of  these  explorers,  who  seem  to  have  been  a leading  sub-com- 
mittee of  the  company,  in  the  latter  part  of  July,  1856,  proceeded 
to  the  southwest  of  that  point  to  a southerly  portion  of  the  then 
territory  of  Minnesota.  This  committee  consisted  of  Joseph 
Bailey,  Daniel  B.  Goddard  and  Samuel  Chaffee.  After  several 
days  of  weary  search  for  government  land  that  could  be  had  for 
their  purpose,  and  finding  nothing  to  their  liking,  they  started 
on  their  return  to  Red  Wing,  weary,  footsore  and  discouraged, 
fully  resolved  to  return  to  New  England. 

“Let  us  now  for  a brief  period  leave  our  travelers  making 
their  melancholy  journey  to  the  Mississippi  river,  and  give  a feiv 
moments’  attention  to  what  has  transpired  in  the  valley  of  the 
north  branch  of  the  Ziunbro.  There  was  a beautiful  valley,  three 
miles  in  width,  and  perhaps  four  miles  in  length,  through  the 
center  of  which  the  Ziunbro  coursed  like  a serpentine  band  of 
silver.  On  account  of  this  tract  not  being  represented  on  the 
maps  of  the  time  as  surveyed  lands  it  was  supposed  by  many  to 
be  on  the  ‘Half  Breed’  tract,  so  called,  consequently  up  to  the 
midsummer  of  1856  scarcely  a settler  had  ventured  into  this 
beautiful  valley.  No  road  traversed  it.  The  trail  of  the  red  men 
and  the  old  paths  left  by  the  buffalo  were  the  only  evidence  re- 
maining that  any  living 1 creature  had  ever  traversed  the  valley. 
The  old  territorial  road  from  St.  Paul  to  Dubuque  crossed  the 
Zumbro  about  one  and  one-half  miles  below  the  lower  end  of 
this  valley.  In  the  spring  of  1856  a backwoodsman  by  the  name 
of  Smith,  who  was  a born  pioneer  and  could  no  more  endure 
civilization  than  a Sioux  Indian,  who,  nevertheless,  was  shrewd 
and  scheming,  in  one  of  his  hunting  trips  for  deer,  ducks  and 
prairie  chickens,  strolled  over  the  divide  from  the  big  woods  on 
the  middle  branches  of  the  Zumbro,  where  he  had  settled  the 
year  before,  into  the  above  described  valley.  lie  found  to  his 
surprise  that  no  settler  had  invaded  its  precincts.  His  interest 
was  aroused.  He  traveled  over  its  length  and  breadth,  appre- 
ciated both  its  beauty  and  its  advantages,  though  one  may  sup- 


262 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


pose  that  its  beauties  in  his  mind  had  more  of  a practical  than 
an  aesthetic  value.  Visiting  the  valley  several  times  he  discovered 
that  near  the  center  was  an  ideal  site  for  a town;  that  the  road 
from  Red  Wing  to  the  southwest,  if  straightened,  would  cross 
the  Zumbro  in  the  center  of  his  proposed  townsite,  and  that  there 
was  a natural  crossing  at  that  point.  .He  also  discovered  that  by 
straightening  the  St.  Paul  and  Dubuque  road  it  would  also  cross 
the  center  of  this  valley.  Keeping  all  this  to  himself,  he  found 
a man  by  the  name  of  Aaron  Doty,  who  would  preempt  a quarter- 
section  in  the  valley  and  share  the  land  with  him  after  the  title 
was  obtained  from  the  government.  Meantime  he  had  traced  out 
the  route  for  the  change  of  the  Red  Wing  and  Mantorville  road, 
and  stationed  himself  somewhere  near  the  center  of  the  present 
town  of  Roscoe,  in  order  to  intercept  some  of  the  many  teams 
which  were  passing  from  towns  and  points  south  toward  Red 
Wing.  He  was  able,  now  and  then,  to  persuade  one  to  try  the 
new  route  over  the  trackless  prairie.  In  this  way,  after  a while, 
there  was  a wagon  track  that  could  be  followed  in  the  direction 
he  desired,  straightening  the  former  road.  It  was  late  in  July 
or  early  in  August  of  1856,  Smith  and  Doty  had  the  walls  of  their 
shanty  built  to  the  height  of  some  ten  feet.  It  had  as  yet  no  roof. 
A few  boards  leaned  against  the  inside  wall  furnished  them  a 
rude  shelter  during  the  rain  and  at  night.  Occasionally  a way- 
farer would  stop  and  share  the  hospitality  of  Smith,  whose  wife 
had  come  over  from  the  woods  to  keep  house  for  her  husband. 
Doty,  who  was  unmarried,  boarded  with  Smith.  The  sun  was 
approaching  the  horizon  one  afternoon  when  three  weary  travel- 
ers called  at  Smith’s  shanty  and  asked  for  a drink  of  water  and 
some  food.  They  were  informed  by  Smith,  who  was  delighted 
that  his  new  road  was  beginning  to  be  traveled,  that  he  could 
accommodate  them.  Smith’s  wife  soon  spread  before  them  on 
a rough  board  table  such  viands  as  her  larder  afforded,  consist- 
ing of  wheat  bread,  molasses  and  cold  boiled  venison,  some  coffee, 
black  as  ink,  without  milk  or  sugar,  and  a refreshing-  drink  of 
cold  water  from  a spring  near  by.  These  three  travelers  were 
the  sub-committee  whom  we  left  journeying  toward  Red  Wing. 
They  anxiously  inquired  the  distance  to  Red  Wing,  and  also  the 
distance  to  the  nearest  stopping  place  on  the  road,  Smith  having 
no  accommodation  for  them  over  night.  They  concluded  to  go 
on  as  far  as'Moer’s,  who  had  a log  house  where  Luther  Chap- 
man’s house  was  later  erected.  Smith,  with  his  shrewd  in- 
quisitiveness, had  drawn  out  of  these  men  the  object  of  their 
journey  and  the  fact  of  their  failure  to  find  what  they  were 
seeking  for.  Learning  that  they  were  the  representatives  of  a 
colony  and  had  been  upon  an  unsuccessful  search  for  a suitable 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


263 


location,  Smith,  with  his  rude  enthusiasm,  told  them  that  he  had 
just  the  spot  for  them ; that  the  place  where  they  now  were  was 
the  promised  land.  He  expatiated  upon  the  fact  that  the  center 
of  the  valley  was, just  the  place  for  a town;  that  there  was  an 
abundance  of  vacant  land  all  around ; pointed  out  the  further 
fact  that  that  particular  point  was  the  natural  center  of  travel 
from  St.  Paul  to  Dubuque,  Wabasha  to  Faribault,  and  Red  Wing 
to  Mantorville,  and  other  points  to  the  southwest  which  made 
Red  Wing  their  shipping  point.  But  our  travelers  were  too 
weary  and  discouraged  to  listen  to  Smith’s  suggestions  and  propo- 
sitions. Samuel  Chaffee,  one  of  the  three,  an  elderly  man,  Avas 
not  only  weary  but  sick.  It  Avas  AATith  difficulty  that  he  could 
travel  at  all.  He  reached  Red  Wing  the  next  day  and  died  a feAV 
days  after.  As  the  trio  ascended  the  northern  slope  of  the  val- 
ley Mr.  Chaffee,  in  his  weak  condition,  sat  doAvn  to  rest.  Turn- 
ing his  eyes  toward  the  river,  as  the  sun  was  casting  its  last  rays 
upon  the  landscape,  the  view  that  met  his  gaze  Avas  one  of  un- 
equalled beauty.  So  impressed  was  he  that  he  called  out  to  his 
associates  to  stop  and  look  at  the  landscape  as  he  Avas  doing. 
At  first  they  chided  him  for  delaying  their  progress,  but  at  his 
solicitation  they  returned  to  his  side.  He  exclaimed  to  them, 
‘ Hoa\f  beautiful!  Why  is  not  that  the  spot  Ave  have  been  looking 
for!’  His  companions  became  interested  also.  As  the  shadows 
of  evening  began  to  fall  the  three  men  arose  Avith  a profound 
conviction  that  the  beautiful  valley  before  them  Avas  their 
Canaan.  It  continued  to  be  the  theme  of  their  conversation 
while  picking  their  Avay  along  the  faint  wagon  tracks  on  the 
prairie,  and  at  their  lodging  place.  During  the  next  day,  with 
more  hope  than  they  had  felt  before,  they  made  their  way  to  Red 
Wing — Goddard  and  Bailey  weak  and  footsore,  Chaffee  sick  unto 
death.  At  Red  Wing  they  found  several  of  their  associates 
awaiting  them.  They  reported  what  they  had  found  in  the-val- 
ley  of  the  Zumbro.  It  Avas  resoWed  by  all  of  them  that  the  place 
should  be  ATisited  the  next  day.  The  other  members  of  the  party 
Avere  Josiah  Thompson,  T.  P.  Kellett,  Albert  Barrett  and  Dr.  Ira 
Perry.  On  the  folloAving  morning,  leaving  Goddard  to  take  care 
of  his  sick  companion,  Chaffee,  the  others  chartered  a conveyance 
and  repaired  to  the  Ayalley  of  promise.  It  Avas  afternoon  when 
they  came  in  sight  of  it.  The  Avhole  party  Avere  in  ecstasies  over 
the  vieAv  that  met  their  eyes,  and  all  with  one  accord  exclaimed 
that  it  Avas  the  place  for  which  they  had  been  seeking  for  so 
long. 

“They  were  soon  in  conference  Avith  Smith  and  Doty.  The 
100  acres  preempted  by  Doty  was  negotiated  for  at  a Ioav  price, 
each  retaining  an  interest  with  the  company,  which  Avas  denomi- 


2G4: 


HISTOKY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


natecl  the  Strafford  "Western  Emigration  Company.  Smith,  who 
knew  every  acre  of  land  in  the  valley,  pointed  out  to  them  the 
claims,  very  few  of  which  had  as  yet  been  taken.  Three  or  four 
pioneers  had  settled  in  the  valley  besides  Smith  and  Doty,  but 
they  were  soon  bought  out.  Each  of  those  present  selected  a 
claim  for  himself  and  one  or  two  of  his  friends,  who  in  some 
cases  were  real  and  in  others  imaginary.  The  land  office  was  at 
Winona,  where  all  those  who  had  selected  claims  repaired  and 
made  the  necessary  filing.  On  their  return  the  party  fell  in  with 
several  persons  who  were  seeking  places  in  the  West  where  they 
could  settle,  among  them  J.  A.  Thacher,  a civil  engineer  and 
surveyor.  He  was  induced  to  go  along  with  the  company.  Mean- 
time they  had  found  a surveyor  by  the  name  of  Beckwith,  whom 
they  had  engaged  to  survey  their  townsite.  Upon  the  return  of 
the  party  from  Winona,  the  townsite  Avas  surveyed  and  platted 
under  the  auspices  of  Messrs.  Beckwith  and  Thacher.  The  shape 
of  the  original  townsite  was  unique.  It  extended  from  the  Zum- 
bro  river,  one  mile  in  length  and  about  seventy  rods  in  width.  It 
is  a matter  of  tradition  that  the  reason  for  laying  out  the  town 
in  this  shape -was  that  the  toAvn  avouIcI  eArentually  grow  to  large 
dimensions  and  Avould  extend  across  the  river.  The  toAvnsite 
Avas  bounded  on  its  Avest  for  its  Avliole  length  by  a school  section 
which  Avas  not  then  aAmilable.  The  160  acres  east  of  the  surveyed 
toAvnsite  was  claimed  by  S.  P.  Gambia,  of  Red  Wing,  who  had  be- 
come a member  of  the  company  and  Avho  had  promised,  so  far  as 
he  dared  to  do  before  getting  the  title  to  his  land,  that  he  would 
turn  it  in  to  the  company  and  have  it  laid  out  in  lots.  One  of  the 
members  had  purchased  of  a settler  a quarter-section,  north  of 
the  school  section,  which  some  of  the  party  alleged  Avas  to  be 
turned  in  to  the  company  and  become  a part  of  the  extensive 
townsite,  Avhile  Joseph  Bailey  and  Ira  Perry,  getting  possession 
of  the  adjacent  land  across  the  river,  Avere  to  turn  in  that,  in  due 
course  of  time,  to  the  company  for  a further  addition  to  the 
townsite.  Alas,  for  human  expectations!  The  north  quarter  of 
the  original  strip  of  land  laid  out  for  a townsite  Avas  all  and 
more  than  Avas  needed  for  toAvn  purposes  for  many  years  after 
the  events  here  narrated. 

“Smith  and  Doty’s  shanty  soon  became  a hotel.  TraArel  had 
set  in  over  the  neAv  road  and  many  wayfarers  Avere  glad  to  avail 
themselves  of  the  hospitality  of  the  hostelry.  Most  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  company  lodged  in  the  board  shanty  across  the  river, 
but  took  their  meals  at  Smith’s.  Smith’s  hotel  for  several  months 
Avas  the  center  of  interest  and  influence  in  the  embryo  city.  A 
description  of  it  may  not  be  uninteresting:  In  dimensions  it  Avas 
12  by  18  feet  on  the  ground,  and  12  feet  to  the  eaves.  It  Avas 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


•265 


built  of  poplar  logs  about  8 and  10  inches  in  diameter,  roughly 
hewn  on  the  inside  and  outside.  The  interstices  between  the 
logs  were  filled  with  clay,  according  to  the  most  primitive  archi- 
tecture. The  floor  for  the  upper  story  was  about  eight  feet  from 
the  lower  floor,  and  both  floors  were  rough  boards.  The  upper 
story  was  used  exclusively  as  a sleeping  room.  There  was  a 
small  window  in  the  east  gable.  In  this  attic  there  were  as  many 
beds  as  could  be  placed,  some  on  rude  bedsteads  and  some  on 
the  floor.  These  beds  were  made  of  prairie  hay,  and  the  bed 
clothes  were  mainly'cheap  blankets.  There  were  also  two  beds 
in  the  lower  room,  standing  end  to  end.  During  the  autumn  the 
cooking  and  much  of  the  housework  was  done  in  a lean-to  shed 
at  one  end  of  the  cabin.  Soon  after  the  location  of  the  company, 
new  arrivals  were  frequent,  until  Smith’s  hotel  Avas  filled  to 
overflowing.  The  table  fare  was  abundant,  if  not  always  palat- 
able. But  in  those  days  appetites  Avere  good  and  the  food  was 
eagerly  disposed  of.  The  fare  consisted  mainly  of  bread  made 
from  wheat  flour,  mixed  with  the  fry  of  pork  and  baked  in  large 
iron  pans;  salt  pork,  occasionally  boiled;  fresh  beef  or  venison, 
which  sometimes  Avas  allowed  to  remain  out  in  the  sun  until  it 
became  slippery  before  it  was  cooked.  Vegetables  Avere  rare; 
butter  likeAvise,  and  Avhen  furnished  Avas,  in  strength,  about  five 
horse  poAver.  Molasses  Avas  a staple  article.  Coffee,  or  a decoc- 
tion Avhich  Avent  by  that  name,  Avas  an  ever-present  beverage. 
Those  avIio  lodged  at  Dr.  Perry’s  shanty  OArer  the  river  had  com- 
fortable beds  and  pure  air,  at  least.  All  Avas  activity  and  stir. 
Everyone  Avas  eager  to  secure  a claim  and  get  his  shanty  up 
before  Avinter.  Soon  all  the  travel  from  Red  Wing  to  the  south- 
Avard  passed  through  the  neAAr  settlement.  The  amount  of  team- 
ing increased  daily,  and  in  a feAv  Aveeks  the  neAv  road  became  a 
busy  thoroughfare.  Trouble  about  this  time  arose  over  the 
claims  Avhich  settlers  had  selected  for  friends,  as  they  pretended. 
One  of  the  settlers  saved  a claim  near  his  own  ostensibly  for  a 
friend,  and  then  sold  it  for  $350.  This  caused  all  kinds  of  trouble. 
Smith  Avas  indignant,  as,  in  his  interest  for  the  settlers,  he  had 
given  up  the  chance  of  making  many  a fat  fee  for  locating  casual 
settlers.  The  matter  Avas  finally  adjusted  to  the  satisfaction  of 
Smith  and  of  the  company;  but  soon  outside  parties  learned  of 
these  claims,  held  for  so-called  but  largely  imaginary  friends, 
and  began  to  settle  on  them,  as  Avas  their  legal  right  to  do,  and 
soon  no  claims  Avere  held  except  such  as  had  been  filed  on  ac- 
cording to  Ltw. 

“The  question  of  naming  the  neAv  toAvn  Avas  the  cause  of  no 
little  discussion.  Zumbrota  Avas  finally  decided  upon.  The  orig- 
inal members  of  the  company  Avere  not  men  of  practical  ex- 


266 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


perience  and  broad  views  in  the  matter  of  town  building.  The 
trustees,  especially,  were  very  narrow  and  short-sighted.  They 
placed  an  extravagant  price  upon  their  town  lots  and  were  not 
liberal  enough  to  devote  any  for  much  desired  and  needed  im- 
provements. One  of  the  most  important  needs  of  the  new  town 
was  a hotel.  Ezra  Wilder  came  over  from  Oronoco  to  build  on^. 
The  trustees  gave  him  no  attention  and  were  unwilling  to  make 
any  concessions  to  him.  Doty  finally  sold  him  two  lots  at  a 
reasonable  price  in  an  undesirable  location.  He  proceeded  to 
erect  a building  for  a hotel  late  in  the  fall,  which  he  was  not  able 
to  make  comfortable  till  midwinter,  although  it  was  actually 
occupied  at  the  beginning  of  the  winter.  The  frame  of. the  build- 
ing was  put  up  and  it  was  sided  and  the  roof  shingled  by  De- 
cember 1 . The  weather  was  extremely  cold  and  a considerable 
depth  of  snow  was  on  the  ground.  Into  this  he  moved  his  wife 
and  several  children.  Smith’s  cabin  was  full  to  overflowing. 
Another  family  besides  Smith’s  occupied  the  lower  floor,  while 
the  attic  was  filled  with  lodgers.  Wilder  laid  a loose  floor  in  the 
second  story  of  his  building  over  the  cook  stove,  and  hung  up- 
sheets  to  keep  the  snow  out.  Upon  this  floor  a bed,  filled  with 
prairie  hay,  was  laid  and  two  men  lodged  there  for  some  weeks, 
with  the  mercury  outside  at  30  below  zero,  and  but  a trifle  above 
that  indoors  where  they  slept.  Wilder’s  family  consisted  of  his 
wife  and  two  daughters.  How  these  women  endured  the  rigors 
of  that  terrible  winter  in  the  half  finished  building  has  ever  been 
a mystery.  So  cold  was  it  that,  within  four  feet  of  the  cook  stove 
where  these  women  cooked,  water  would  freeze  in  the  men’s 
beards  while  washing.  A few  families  came  on  in  the  fall,  but 
they  suffered  many  hardships  and  deprivations,  which  can 
scarcely  be  realized  at  this  day.  There  were  many  eases  of  sick- 
ness and  much  discouragement.  Dr.  Perry’s  wife  was  sick  all 
winter  and  nearly  insane.  Others  were  similarly  affected.  One 
poor  fellow  was  taken  down  with  typhoid  fever  at  Smith ’s ; the 
house  was  full  of  boarders ; he  soon  died  from  want  of  care — it 
could  not  be  given  him.  All  travel  soon  ceased.  Occasionally 
someone  would  go  to  Red  Wing  for  the  mail  and  needed  supplies. 
T.  P.  Kellet  had  opened  a store  with  a small  stock  of  goods.  No 
postoffice  was  established  until  the  following  spring.  Locomo- 
tion on  the  prairies  was  made  on  snow  shoes.  Those  remote 
from  timber  found  it  difficult  to  keep  warm  during  the  winter. 
Snow  fell  about  November  20  and  remained  on  the  ground  until 
May  of  the  following  spring.  Notwithstanding  the  setting  in  of 
winter,  all  parties  were  eagerly  planning  to  advance  the  interests 
of  the  new  town.  It  was  determined  to  change  the  route  of  the 


HISTOKY  OE  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


2 67 


St.  Paul  and  Dubuque  stage  through  Zumbrota,  and  to  open  a 
road  from  Wabasha,  on  the  Mississippi  river,  to  Faribault. 

‘‘The  few  members  of  the  company  remaining  all  the  winter 
in  Zumbrota  were  busy  planning  for  the  opening  of  spring,  when 
large  accessions  of  settlers  were  expected,  and  the  parties  who 
had  gone  east  were  expected  to  return  with  their  families.  The 
first  important  end  to  gain  was  to  open  the  St.  Paul  and  Dubuque 
stage  road  through  Zumbrota.  The  stage  company  had  promised 
to  make  the  change  if  a passable  road  could  be  made.  To  open 
this  road  it  became  necessary  to  break  a new  track  from  Lee?s, 
four  miles  southeast  of  Zumbrota,  to  Hacler,  eight  miles  to  the 
northwest.  All  the  inhabitants  in  the  settlement  and  along  the 
proposed  new  route  turned  out  on  an  appointed  day,  with  shovels 
and  axes,  to  cut  down  the  brush  and  break  through  the  snow 
crust,  and  a few  yoke  of  oxen  to  tread  the  snow  crust  into  some 
semblance  of  a road.  After  several  days  of  hard  work  the  road 
was  declared  passable  and,  to  the  unspeakable  delight  of  all,  the 
stage  for  the  first  time  made  the  trip  through  the  incipient  town. 
This  was  a great  event.  The  next  move  was  to  secure  a post 
office.  This  was  eventually  done  and  T.  P.  Kellett  appointed  post- 
master. The  next  important  enterprise  inaugurated  was  a bridge 
over  the  Zumbro  at  the  foot  of  Main  street.  This  bridge  con- 
sisted of  stringers  of  oak  laid  from  bank  to  bank,  upon  which 
were  laid  for  a floor  po.plar  poles,  hewed  flat  on  the  upper  and 
lower  sides.  This  primitive  bridge  was  the  only  one  for  several 
years.  After  the  middle  of  March  old  settlers  began  to  return 
and  new  ones  started  to  come  in.  The  ice  did  not  break  up  on 
Lake  Pepin  until  May  1,  so  that  many  of  the  families  of  the 
settlers  were  obliged  to  remain  at  the  foot  of  the  lake  for  days 
and  weeks.  There  was  a rush  of  people  to  Zumbrota  in  the 
spring.  Many  found  claims  on  the  prairie,  a few  settled  in  town. 
A large  number,  finding  no  chance  of  employment  and  no  build- 
ing material  at  hand,  left  for  other  parts.  Those  who  remained 
exerted  themselves  to  the  utmost  to  boom  the  new  town.  A flour- 
ing mill  was  built,  other  enterprises  inaugurated,  high  hopes  were 
entertained  and  the  prospects  bore  a roseate  hue.  The  financial 
panic  of  185-7  blasted  the  hopes  of  the  settlers,  and  it  was  many 
years  before  the  town  regained  its  prosperity  and  courage.” 

The  first  town  meeting  in  Zumbrota,  including  what  is  now 
the  township  of  Minneola,  was  held  July  5,  1858,  in  the  public 
hall  over  T.  P.  Kellett ’s  store,  in  the  village  of  Zumbrota.  The 
officers  elected  at  this  meeting  were : Supervisors,  T.  C.  Stearns 
(chairman),  T.  D.  Rowell  and  George  Sanderson;  clerk,  Charles 
Jewett;  assessor,  James  Cram;  collector,  C.  S.  Spendly;  over- 
seer of  the  poor,  Albert  Barrett;  justices.  Albert  G.  Hawkes  and 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


268 

Charles  "Ward ; constables,  C.  S.  Spendly  and  Henry  Shedd.  The 
supervisors  since  the  organization  of  the  township  have  been: 
1858,  I.  C.  Stearns;  1859-60-61,  J.  A.  Timelier;  1862,  T.  P.  Kellett; 
1863,  J.  A.  Thacher;  1864-65-66,  II.  Blanchard;  1867-68-69-70-71, 
•J.  A.  Thacher;  1872-73-74-75-76,  S.  B.  Barteau;  1877-78,  S.  C. 
Holland;  1879-80-81,  AY.  B.  Dickey;  1882-83,  S.  S.  Dam;  1884,  S. 
B.  Barteau;  1885-86-87,  Ed  Woodbury;  1888,  Freeman  Pearson 
(died  in  office)  ; 1889,  W.  B.  Dickey;  1890-91,  Bond  Olson;  1892- 
93-94,  E.  A.  Bigelow;  1895-96,  Bond  Olson;  1897-98-99,  T.  J.  Mar- 
tin; 1900,  L.  E.  Cook  (removed  during  office)  ; 1901-02-03-04-05-06. 
Charles  A.  Nelson;  1907-08-09,  M.  G.  Morgan.  The  clerks  have 
been:  1858-59,  Charles  Jewett;  1859-60,  I.  C.  Stearns  (appointed 
July  1,  1859)  ; 1861,  A.  W.  Williamson;  1862,  I.  C.  Stearns;  1863 
to  1870,  Charles  Ward ; 1874-72,  M.  H.  Thorson ; 1873,  O.  II.  Par- 
ker; 1874-75-76-77,  Charles  Ward ; 1878  to  1883,  D.  B.  Scofield; 
1884,  John  English;  1885  to  1891,  Charles  Ward.  Since  that  date 
Charles  A.  Ward  has  served  continuously  as  clerk,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  a small  part  of  the  year  1895,  when  II.  Runnells  served. 

Those  who  enlisted  from  here,  who  are  still  remembered  by 
the  old  settlers,  were:  James  L.  Batty,  William  A.  Bickford, 
Nathan  Buckingham,  William  E.  Barnes,  Joseph  Bonney,  Ed- 
ward E.  Davis,  William  Dowling,  II.  Iv.  Eggleston,  Sanford  C. 
Holland,  F.  C.  Hill,  Orrin  C.  Leonard,  J.  II.  Miner,  Leonard  B. 
Morris,  John  A.  Merrill,  William  McDonough,  Lieut.  Bond  Ol- 
son, Iliraman  B.  Patterson,  George  Reeves,  James  Reeves,  Will- 
iam  Reeves,  Benjamin  J.  Smith,  Thomas  Edwards,  Francis 
Wyman  and  Daniel  D.  Michaels.  Others  who  were  credited  to 
this  village  but  who  are  not  now  remembered  are : Goswin 
Dumers.  Christian  Ewen,  Oswald  Ewen,  Michael  Honan,  John 
Howes,  George  AY.  Knowlton,  David  C.  Grow,  Thomas  Foster, 
James  II.  Giles,  Cabel  Plant,  George  Iv.  Clark,  Patrick  McCarty, 
AYilliam  J.  Weston,  Josiah  Whitford,  Amund  Amundson,  Chaun- 
cey  Puglier,  Peter  J.  Ililden,  Edward  Lauderdale  and  Charles 
Root.  In  explanation  of  these  latter  names,  practically  none  of 
whom  are  connected  with  this  village,  ‘it  is  said  that  Joseph 
Thacher,  then  state  senator  and  deputy  provost  marshal  at  the 
recruiting  station  in  St.  Paul,  persuaded  a number  of  recruits  to 
give  Zumbrota  as  their  residence,  thus  filling  the  township  quota, 
even  though  the  recruits  had  never  resided  in  this  locality. 

William  F.  Bevers  is  one  of  the  well  known  men  of  the  county, 
having  in  succession  been  a prominent  citizen  of  AYelch,  Red 
AVing  and  Zumbrota.  He  was  born  in  Jacksonville,  111.,  March 
31,  1845.  son  of  Benjamin  and  Jane  (Hall)  Bevers,  natives  of  old 
Yorkshire,  England.  After  leaving  their  home  land,  their  first 
location  was  in  Illinois,  where  they  farmed  on  the  fertile  prairie 


HISTOKY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


269 


lands  of  that  state  from  sometime  in  the  early  forties  until  the 
spring  of  1855.  They  then  came  up  the  river  to  Eed  Wing, 
bringing  with  them  their  son,  William  F.  The  father,  after 
landing  here,  May  10,  1855,  secured  employment  in  the  stone 
quarries,  in  the  meantime  looking  about  for  a suitable  farm  loca- 
tion. The  valleys  of  Welch,  which  were  not  settled  as  soon  as 
the  other  townships,  attracted  his  attention’,  and  in  1857  he  took 
his  family  there  and  staked  out  a claim  on  section  10,  where 
he  broke  280  acres,  built  a home  and  carried  on  general  farming 
on  a large  scale.  Later  he  rented  his  farm,  and  purchasing- 
ten  acres  of  land  near  Red  Wing,  lived  a life  of  comparative 
retirement  until  his  death  in  1877.  The  mother  died  in  Novem- 
ber, 1855.  William  F.,  brought  up  on  a farm,  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  and  at  Hamline  University,  at  that 
time  located  in  Red  Wing.  He  then  continued  farming  with  his 
parents  until  reaching  his  majority,  at  which  time  he  purchased 
120  acres  on  section  10,  Welch  township.  Of  this  tract  Mr. 
Severs  broke  evei’y  foot,  and  carried  on  general  farming  with 
much  success  until  1881,  when  he  moved  to  Red  Wing  and  asso- 
ciated himself  with  the  IT.  S.  Rich  & Co.  hardware  concern, 
for  whom  he  handled  farm  implements  and  machinery.  After 
five  years  of  residence  in  Red  Wing,  he  came  to  Zumbrota  and 
acted  as  general  manager  of  the  branch  store  which  the  Rich 
company  established  here.  So  greatly  did  his  accommodating- 
spirit  and  honest  dealings  commend  themselves  to  the  people  of 
the  village  and  township,  that  after  nine  years  with  the  Zumbrota 
branch  of  the  Rich  company,  his  friends  persuaded  him  to  make  a 
venture  on  his  own  account.  This  he  did,  succeeding  the  company 
of  which  he  had  for  so  many  years  been  the  general  manager. 
The  firm  was  continued  until  1908  under  the  firm  name  of  W.  F. 
Bevers  & Son.  A branch  under  the  same  title  has  been  established 
at  Lethbridge,  Alberta,  Canada,  with  the  son,  William  A.,  as 
general  manager.  Mr.  Bevers  has  now  practically  retired  from 
active  business  life,  still  retaining  his  extensive  interests  in  the 
Red  Wing  Manufacturing  Company,  the  Red  Wing  Union  Stone- 
ware Company,  the  First  State  Bank  of  Zumbrota  and  the  Secur- 
ity Bank  of  Zumbrota.  His  political  career,  which  has  been  both 
distinguished  and  honorable,  includes  two  years  as  president  of 
the  village  council  of  Zumbrota,  three  years  as  an  alderman  in 
Red  Wing,  and  four  years  as  president  of  the  Zumbrota  board 
of  education.  For  two  years  he  was  second  lieutenant  10th  Regi- 
ment, State  Militia.  William  F.  Bevers  was  married  February 
23,  1872,  at  Lake  City,  Minn.,  to  Sarah  Linn,  daughter  of  John 
and  Catherine  Linn,  natives  of  Ohio  and  eaidy  settlers  of  Welch. 
They  afterward  removed  to  Marshall,  Minn.,  and  finally  went 


270 


HI  ST  OB  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


east  to  Maryland,  where  they  both  died.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bevers 
were  born  two  children.  William  A.,  born  December  4,  1874, 
married  Luella  Grover.  Mary  E.,  born  October  9,  1879,  is  the 
wife  of  Boy  Sigmond,  of  Zumbrota.  Mr.  Bevers  is  a Bepublican 
in  politics  and  a communicant  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  Mrs.  Bevers  died  in  the  summer  of  1909,  and  her  death 
was  a severe  blow  to  her  family  and  friends. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


COUNTY  SCHOOLS. 

First  School  Taught — First  District  Organized — Anecdotes  of 
the  Early  Days — Statistics — Summer  Schools — Library  Asso- 
ciation— High  Schools — Church  Schools — City  Superinten- 
dents— County  Superintendents — Sunday  School  Work — 
Hamline  University — Red  Wing  Seminary — Villa  Marie — 
Lutheran  Ladies’  Seminary— Orphans ’ Home — State  Train- 
ing School — Business  Colleges — By  Prof.  Julius  Boraas. 

The  first  settlers  of  Goodhue  county  had  a strong  faith  in  the 
value  of  an  education.  Those  who  came  from  the  New  England 
states  brought  with  them  the  noble  ideals  of  early  New  England 
traditions,  according  to  which  the  first  things  a community 
thought  of  as  a community  was  its  school  and  its  church.  The 
immigrants  who  came  directly  from  Europe  came  from  countries 
in  which  education  was  valued  highly  and  schools  well  developed. 
It  was  natural,  therefore,  that  as. soon  as  a settlement  was  made 
anywhere  in  the  county  some  provision  would  be  made  for  a 
school.  Even  before  any  public  schools  could  be  organized 
private  schools  Avere  taught,  the  first  one  of  which  any  record 
is  knoAvn  being  held  in  one'of  the  old  Indian  mission  houses  in 
Red  "Wing  during  the  year  of  1853  and  taught  by  Mrs.  H.  L. 
Bevans. 

The  first  school  district  organized  was  District  No.  1 at  Red 
Wing,  in  1854.  Then  followed  in  the  order  of  townships  the 
organization  of  districts  in  Wacouta,  Burnside,  Welch,  Stanton, 
Cannon  Falls,  Vasa,  Featherstone,  Hay  Creek,  Florence,  Central 
Point,  Belvidere,  Goodhue,  Belle  Creek,  Leon.  Warsaw,  Holden, 
Wanamingo,  Minneola,  Zumbrota,  Cherry  Grove,  Pine  Island, 
Roseoe,  and  Kenyon. 

It  was  natural  that  the  conditions  of  the  schools  during  the 
first  years  of  pioneer  life  should  be  rather  primitive.  Schools 
Avere  sometimes  kept  in  private  buildings.  One  is  mentioned  as 
being  kept  in  a “lean  to,”  a sort  of  summer  kitchen;  another 
was  kept  in  the  attic  of  a small  log  cabin  where  the  rafters  were 
so  low  that  the  Superintendent  had  to  beware  of  bumping  his 
head  when  visiting  the  school.  One  school  was  kept  in  a large 

271 


272 


HI  ST  OB  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


barn  in  the  basement  of  which  were  the  stables  for  horses  and 
cattle.  Benches  without  backs  were  the  only  seats,  and  the  door 
had  to  be  kept  open  to  afford  light.  Shooing  chickens  and  ducks 
and  pigs  was  part  of  the  program.  Quite  commonly  the  schools 
were  kept  in  log  cabins  which  had  been  used  while  pre-empting 
some  claim.  One  of  these  cabins  is  described  as  follows:  - “The 
house  stood  alone  on  the  prairie,  which  was  somewhat  rolling, 
and  entirely  out  of  sight  of  any  neighboring  house.  There  was 
a large  square  opening,  left  for  a window,  on  one  side.  About 
the  middle  of  the  roof  there  was  a smaller  opening,  which  had 
been  used  to  accommodate  a stove  pipe.  These  were  used  to  let 
in  the  light.  There  was  also  a door  at  one  corner  of  the  building, 
where  light  would  come  in  when  the  weather  was  pleasant.  The 
door  itself  had  neither  hinges  nor  fastenings.  The  young  lady 
teacher  had  plenty  of  exercise  in  removing  and  replacing  the 
door  in  windy  weather.  She  said  in  answer  to  some  inquiries  of 
the  superintendent  that  she  was  obliged  to  place  a large  prop 
against  the  door  oftentimes  to  keep  out  the  wind,  and  in  case  of 
a hard' shower,  “we  huddle  together  in  the  dryest  corner.” 

In  1864  there  were  nominally  one  hundred  districts  in  the 
county,  but  only  eighty-seven  of  these  were  organized.  There 
were  fifty-six  school  houses  owned  by  districts ; thirty-four  frame 
and  twenty-tAvo  log  buildings.  According  to  the  superintendent’s 
report  only  six  were  really  good  buildings.  Home-made  seats 
and  desks  were  the  order,  and  many  schools  were  without  black- 
boards, maps,  or  globes.  There  Avere  at  this  time  only  tAvo  dis- 
tricts which  employed  more  than  one  teacher.  They  Avere  Red 
Wing,  employing  five,  and  Cannon  Falls,  tAvo.  The  total 
enrollment  Avas  2,450. 

During  the  year  of  1864-65  there  Avere  in  the  county  101 
teachers,  of  Avhom  twenty-five  AA?ere  men  and  seventy-six  Avomen. 
Three  held  first  grade  certificates;  fifty-seven,  second  grade;  and 
forty-one,  third  grade.  M.  P.  ITubbel  was  the  first  man  and  Mrs. 
Julia  B.  Nelson,  then  Julia  Bullard,  the  first  Avoman  to  receive 
a first  grade  certificate. 

The  earliest  statistical  report  of  the  county  superintendent 
kept  on  file  is  from  the  year  1883.  At  that  time  there  Avere  four 
special  or  independent  districts  and  143  rural  schools,  of  which 
five  Avere  joint  districts  Avith  their  school  houses  in  the  adjoining 
counties.  The  total  enrollment  Avas  7,494.  During  the  year  seven 
districts  had  three  months  of  school ; fifteen  had  four  months ; 
tAventy-four,  five  months  ; thirty-two,  six  months ; forty-five,  seven 
months;  eleven,  eight  months;  tAvo,  nine  months;  and  one,  ten 
months.  Many  of  the  schools  were  very  large.  Thus  District 
No.  24  s1ioaats  an  enrollment,  of  ninety-one;  District  54,  seventy- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


273 


nine ; District  56,  seventy-nine ; District  63,  seventy-five ; and 
District  121,  128. 

The  greatest  number  of  pupils  enrolled  in  the  schools  of  the 
county  during  one  year  was  in.  1886,  when  the  total  number  was 
8,127.  Since  that  time  it  has  decreased  until  in  1908  it  was  6.620. 
The  greatest  number  enrolled  in  the  rural  schools  seems  to  have 
been  in  1884,  when  there  was  an  enrollment  of  5,559.  The  great- 
est number  enrolled  in  the  city  schools  ivas  in  1903,  when  it  was 
3,131.  During  the  earlier  period  of  the  history  of  the  county  it 
was  a common  thing  to  find  a large  number  of  pupils  in  the 
common  schools  from  eighteen  to  twenty-five  years  of  age  and 
over.  As  educational  facilities  multiplied  and  the  schools 
improved  things  changed  so  that  in  1908  there  were  only  thirty- 
eight  pupils  in  the  rural  schools  that  were  over  eighteen  years 
of  age.  While  in  the  early  days  few,  if  any,  completed  the  eighth 
grade  at  any  age,  the  average  age  at  which  a common  school 
pupil  now  finishes  this  grade  is  fourteen  or  fifteen  years,  and 
the  high  school  course  is  completed  before  the  age  of  twenty. 
This  fact,  and  the  fact  that  the  schools  are  at  present  between 
two  generations,  the  first  being  almost  gone  and  the  second 
beginning  to  arrive,  will  explain  the  decrease  in  the  school  popu- 
lation. All  parts  of  the  county  were  settled  about  the  same  time 
by  comparatively  young  families,  and  for  years  almost  every 
family  had  children  to  send  to  school.  Now  there  are  five 
districts  with  less  than  ten  pupils  in  each. 

During  the  eighties  and  nineties  the  schools  of  the  county 
developed  splendidly  along  lines  of  better  equipment  and  organ- 
ization of  work.  It  was  at  this  time  that  free  text  books  were 
introduced  and  school  libraries  bought  in  almost  every  school  of 
the  county.  A system  of  examinations  was  also  introduced,  so 
that  it  became  possible  to  have  common  school  graduations.  Dur- 
ing this  time,  too,  the  method  of  conducting  teachers’  examina- 
tions was  made  more  uniform.  All  this  was  accomplished  largely 
through  the  efforts  of  Superintendent  A.  E.  Engstrom,  who  ren- 
dered the  county  most  efficient  service  for  a period  of  eighteen 
years,  from  1881  to  1899. 

The  condition  of  the  schools  at  the  present  time  may  perhaps 
best  be  indicated  by  quoting  the  county  superintendent’s  annual 
report  for  1908 : 

Graded  Common 

Schools  Schools 


Number  of  pupils  entitled  to  apportionment 2,603  " 3,347 

Number  of  pupils  not  entitled  to  apportionment 219  451 


Total  enrollment  - 2,822  3,798 

Average  number  of  days  each  pupil  has  attended .....  147.5  ■ 87.9 

Pupils  from  5 to  8 years  of  age 516  781 

Pupils  from  8 to  15  years  of  age 2,228  2,973 

Pupils  from  18  to  21  years  of  age 77  38 


274 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Number  of  male  teachers... 
Number  of  female  teachers. 


Teachers  who  are  graduates  of  a high  school.  . . 
Teachers  who  are  graduates  of  a normal  school. 

Teachers  who  are  graduates  of  a college 

Teachers  who  have  taught  three  years  or  more 

same  school 

Teachers  who  have  taught  two  years  or  more  : 

same  school 

Teachers  who  have  taught  one  year  or  more  i 

same  school  

Districts  loaning  text-books  free 

New  schoolhouses  

Total  number  of  schoolhouses  in  the  county 


Number  of  volumes  bought  for  school  libraries. 

Number  of  libraries 

Total  number  of  books  in  all  libraries 

Number  of  trees  planted 

Total  indebtedness  of  all  districts 

Number  of  districts  included 


Number  of  visits  by  the  county  superintendent. 

Cash  on  hand  at  the  beginning  of  the  year 

Apportionment  

Special  tax  : 

Local  one  mill  tax 

Special  state  aid 

All  other  sources.  


Teachers  ’ wages  

Duel  and  school  supplies 

Repairs  and  improvements 

New  schoolhouses  and  sites 

Bonds  and  interest 

Library  books 

Text-books  

Apparatus  

Transportation  of  pupils 

All  other  purposes 

•Cash  on  hand  at  the  end  of  the  year. 


Average  rate  of  special  tax  -in  mills . 

Average  cost  for  each  pupil 

Average  cost  for  each  day  attended. 


9 

15 

. . ‘ 84 

139 

. . $ 120.55 

$ 40.80 

$ 40.13 

77 

92 

52 

16 

23 

3 

he 

28 

7 

he 

21 

29 

he 

43 

104 

5 

149 

1 

10 

154 

. .$176,000.00 

$149,875.00 

$ 11,037.00 

$ 6,656.00 

60 

997 

10 

143 

6,710 

14,723 

186 

. .$  27,500.00 

$ 19,856.00 

9 

18 

9 

6.94 

34 

9 

13 

259 

. .$  15,138.01 

$ 19,411.76 

. . 1 1,960.77 

15,039.61 

. . 49,785.62 

34,791.00 

4,093.00 

8,319.46 

. . 11,200.00 

6,388.00 

2,320.52 

11,882.80 

$ 95,832.63 

. 49,228.58 

42,866.21 

4,916.96 

4,981.85 

7,993.16 

2,833.65 

2,961.26 

2,872.80 

3,705.35 

84.32 

399.79 

1,131.77 

923.14 

122.48 

276.57 

30.00 

7,964.57 

4,017.49 

. 20,183.28 

32,837.32 

.$  94,497.92 

$ 95,832.63 

12.1 

4.2 

26.33 

16.58 

.18 

■ .19 

the  county. 

Of  these 

five  are  city  schools  with  first-class  high  schools,  one  is  a village 
school  employing  three  teachers,  one  employing  two  teachers, 
and  one  a rural  school  with  two  teachers.  The  others  are  one- 
room  schools.  There  are  seven  districts  which  are  joint  with 
other  counties  and  have  their  school  houses  outside  of  Goodhue 
county.  Five  schools  have  an  enrollment  of  less  than  ten  pupils, 
and  fifty  have  an  enrollment  of  from  ten  to  twenty. 

During  the  year  of  1908-09  six  districts  had  nine  months  of 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


275 


school ; fifty  schools,  eight  months ; thirty-seven  schools,  seven 
months ; forty  schools,  six  months ; and  sixteen  schools,  five 
months.  Compared  with  the  report  of  twenty-five  years  ago  it 
will  be  seen  that  short  term  schools  are  gradually  becoming  a 
thing  of  the  past. 

We  again  quote  from  the  annual  report  of  1908: 

“It  may  be  of  interest  to  know  what  a school  would  be  like 
that  should  represent  the  average  of  all  the  rural  schools  of  the 
county.  Such  a school  would  be  found  in  a schoolhouse  worth 
about  $1,000,  with  seats  worth  about  $75  and  apparatus  worth 
$45.  There  would  be  about  one  hundred  volumes  in  the  library. 
There  would  be  twenty-five  pupils,  of  whom  three  would  fail  to 
attend  forty  days.  Five  of  the  pupils  would  be  from  five  to  eight 
years  of  age  and  the  others  would  be  from  eight  to  eighteen.  The 
school  would  be  in  session  seven  months  and  the  pupils  would 
attend  an  average  of  eighty-eight  days.  The  teacher  would 
receive  about  $40  a month.  The  district  would  have  a cash  on 
hand  of  about  $130,  receive  from  apportionment  $100,  from  spe- 
cial tax  $220,  from  one  mill  tax  $55  (showing  that  the  district 
would  have  an  assessed  valuation  of  about  $55,000).  It  would 
pay  for  teacher’s  wages  $280,  for  fuel  $33,  repairs  $18,  library 
books  $2.50,  text-books  $6,  apparatus  $2,  other  purposes  $25. 

“Years  ago  it  used  to  be  a common  thing  for  schools  to  employ 
two  or  three  different  teachers  during  the  same  year,  one  for 
each  term.  This  has  changed  so  that  now  practically  every  dis- 
trict employs  the  same  teacher  throughout  the  year.  Out  of  a 
total  of  154  teachers  who  taught  in  the  rural  schools  during  the 
year,  140  stayed  the  whole  time  in  the  same  school. 

“During  the  past  year  the  state  high  school  examination  was 
taken  in  twenty-eight  schools  and  about  two  hundred  credits 
were  obtained.  The  final  county  examination  was  taken  in  103 
schools  and  1,764  papers  were  sent  to  the  county  superintendent. 
Fifty-eight  pupils  received  common  school  diplomas  as  a testi- 
monial that  they  have  completed  the  common  school  branches 
and  are  entitled  to  enter  the  high  school.” 

During  the  school  year  of  1908-09  the  final  county  examina- 
tion has  been  taken  by  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  schools 
and  the  number  of  graduates  will  be  about  eighty. 

Most  of  the  schools  are  well  equipped  with  those  things  which 
are  required  for  efficient  work.  During  the  last  few  years  special 
attention  has  been  given  to  heating  and  ventilation,  and  a large 
number  of  districts  have  installed  heating  and  ventilating  plants 
in  accordance  with  the  suggestions  of  the  state  superintendent 
of  public  instruction. 

During  the  present  year  forty-six  schools  will  meet  the 


276 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


requirements  of  the  state  department  for  obtaining  special  state 
aid,  and  the  list  of  such  schools  is  growing  rapidly. 

The  educational  qualifications  of  the  teachers  in  the  county 
are  unusually  good,  there  being  but  two  or  three  counties  in  the 
state  in  which  there  is  a larger  percentage  of  the  total  number 
of  teachers  who  have  a high  school  or  normal  school  education, 
and  they  are  counties  with  exceptional  facilities  in  the  matter 
of  high  schools. 

The  teachers’  training  schools,  which  are  conducted  in  the 
county  every  other  summer,  do  much  to  increase  the  efficiency  of 
tne  teachers.  These  schools  are  paid  for  by  the  state  and  con- 
ducted under  the  direction  of  the  county  superintendent  and  the 
conductor  appointed  by  the  state  department  of  jmblic  instruc- 
tion. Instruction  is  given  in  all  branches  required  for  a teacher’s 
certificate.  In  addition,  there  are  classes  in  pedagogics,  school 
management,  and  so  forth.  These  schools  are  free  and  a large 
number  of  teachers  make  use  of  them. 

A Teachers’  Library  Association  was  organized  in  1902.  It 
now  owns  a circulating  library  of  about  three  hundred  books  on 
school  management  and  methods  of  teaching,  and  lias  proven  of 
great  benefit  to  the  teachers  generally. 

There  are  five  state  high  schools  in  the  country,  all  in  a very 
prosperous  condition.  Red  Wing  lias  five  buildings,  employs 
forty-six  teachers  and  has  an  enrollment  of  1,416  pupils.  Its 
high  school  gives  in  addition  to  the  customary  courses  a com- 
mercial course  and  a normal  course.  A manual  training  depart- 
ment is  maintained  and  during  the  present  year  the  city  voted 
$50,000  for  a new  building  to  be  used  largely  for  this  purpose 
and  for  domestic  economy.  Through  a special  grant  from  the 
state  a course  in  elementary  agriculture  lias  been  added,  with 
experimental  work  on  a plot  of  land  secured  for  the  purpose. 

Cannon  Falls  has  one  building  and  employs  twelve  teachers. 
The  total  number  of  pupils  is  347.  It  has  lately  introduced  a 
department  in  manual  training.  During  the  past  year  regular 
courses  of  lectures  on  farming  and  domestic  economy  were  given 
every  week  during  the  winter  by  instructors  from  the  state  agri- 
cultural school.  These  lectures  were  largely  attended  by  the 
neighboring  farmers,  as  well  as  by  the  citizens  of  the  town. 

Zumbrota  has  one  building,  probably  the  most  modern  in 
construction  of  any  in  the  county,  employs  thirteen  teachers  and 
has  367  pupils  enrolled. 

Pine  Island  has  two  buildings  and  employs  nine  teachers. 
The  enrollment  is  236. 

Kenyon  has  one  building  and  employs  thirteen  teachers,  with 
an  enrollment  of  420.  Here,  too.  a manual  training  course  has 
been  introduced. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


277 


These  schools  are  all  well  equipped  and  are  doing  splendid 
work.  They  have  *kept  abreast  with  the  forward  movements  in 
the  educational  world  and  their  courses  are  gradually  being 
enlarged  and  adapted  so  as  to  make  them  truly  the  schools  of 
the  people  and  for  the  people.  A large  number  of  the  pupils 
enrolled  in  these  high  schools  are  country  pupils  who  have 
completed  the  work  of  the  rural  schools. 

The  men  who  have  served  as  county  superintendents  of 
schools  are  -J.  AY.  Hancock,  H.  B.  AYilson,  J.  F.  Pingrey,  A.  E. 
Engstrom  and  Julius  Boraas. 

Those  who  have  been  superintendents  in  the  city  schools 
during  the  last  twenty-five  years  are : 

• Red  AY  in  g — 0.  AY.  AYh  itman  (who  served  nineteen  years, 
from  1870  to  1889),  A.  AY.  Rankin,  G.  0.  Brohaugh,  F.  V.  Hub- 
bard, AY.  F.  Kunze,  J.  L.  Silvernale. 

Cannon  Falls— C.  AY.  Blake,  E.  K.  Clieadle,  0.  C.  Gross,  A.  M. 
Locker,  A.  C.  Carlson,  H.  I.  Harter  and  A.  AAT.  Newman. 

Zumbrota — C.  D.  AYelch.  F.  A.  AYeld,  G.  E.  St.  John,  J.  AY. 
Steffens,  F.  J.  Bomberger,  C.  A.  Pat-chin,  L.  J.  Montgomery, 
J.  T.  Fuller. 

Pine  Island — Otis  Gross,  E.  S.  Stevens,  A.  M.  Dresbach,  AVil- 
liam  A.  AYesterson,  J.  S.  Festerson,  L.  J.  Montgomery,  II.  C. 
Bell,  B.  Frank  McComb  and  H.  0.  Cady. 

Kenyon — P.  H.  Bradley,  A.  C.  Ivingsford,  AY.  II.  Hollands, 
II.  G.  Blanch  and  G.  V.  Kinney. 

Parochial  schools  have  been  conducted  in  the  various  com- 
munities ever  since  the  county  was  first  settled,  and  have  added 
much  to  the  upbuilding  of  its  citizenship.  There  have  been  and 
are  several  types  of  these  schools.  Three  denominations  in  Red 
AYing  have  maintained  schools  in  which  the  pupils  attend  the 
whole  year  in  place  of  attending  the  public  schools.  A similar 
school  has  been  conducted  at  Hay  Creek.  In  these  schools 
instruction  is  given  in  the  teachings  of  the  church  by  which  the 
school  is  maintained  and  in  some  or  all  of  the  common  branches 
of  the  public  schools.  In  some,  instruction  is  also  given  in  a 
foreign  language. 

In  one  community  two  congregations  unite  and  employ  a 
parochial  teacher  who  teaches  five  months  in  each  congregation, 
the  schoolliouses  being  owned  by  the  congregations  and  located 
near  their  respective  churches.  In  these  schools  instruction  is 
given  in  some  of  the  common  branches.  Outside  of  the  five 
months  of  parochial  school  the  pupils  attend  the  public  school. 

In  some  communities  congregations  have  followed  the  plan 
of  employing  a parochial  teacher  for  the  entire  year  and  dividing 
the  congregations  into  four  or  five  districts  Avith  one  or  two 
months  of  parochial  school  in  each.  Generally  the  terms  of  the 


278 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


public  school  are  so  arranged  as  to  allow  the  pupils  of  each 
community  to  attend  both  schools.  No  instruction  in  the  com- 
mon branches  is  attempted  in  these  parochial  schools,  the  work 
being  confined  to  instruction  in  the  teachings  and  language  of 
the  church  by  which  they  are  maintained.  The  buildings  of  the 
various  school  districts  are  generally  used  also  for  the  denomi- 
national schools,  though  in  some  casest  there  are  buildings  erected 
for  that  special  purpose. 

In  many  places  no  teacher  is  employed  by  the  congregations, 
but  each  community  is  allowed  to  provide  the  religious  instruc- 
tion of  its  children  in  the  way  it  thinks  best.  In  such  com- 
munities the  public  school  is  usually  maintained  during  the  fall 
and  winter  and  a private  school  conducted  during  one  or  two 
months  of  the  summer.  Sometimes  the  same  teacher  will  teach 
both  schools. 

In  practically  all  of  the  churches  located  in  the  cities  and 
villages  the  religious  instruction  is  given  through  the  agency  of 
Sunday  schools.  The  work  of  these  schools  has  been  helped  and 
stimulated  in  a splendid  way  by  the  Goodhue  County  Sunday 
School  Association,  which  was  organized  in  1859,  and  which 
celebrated  its  semi-centennial  in  Red  Wing  last  June.  The  three 
guests  of  honor  at  this  celebration  were  Professor  Jabez  Brooks, 
the  first  president  of  the  association,  and  M.  B.  Lewis  and  Louis 
Johnson,  charter  members  and  active  workers  in  the  association 
during  its  whole  history. 

The  county  has  been  very  fortunate  in  having  within  its 
boundaries  several  private  and  denominational  schools  for 
advanced  education.  The  first  one  of  these  schools  was  Hamline 
University,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  This  school  commenced  its  work  in  1854,  with  Rev. 
Jabez  Brooks  as  principal,  and  continued  during  the  next  fifteen 
years,  when  it  was  removed  to  St.  Paul.  The  Red  Wing  Col- 
legiate Institute  was  incorporated  in  1870,  with  the  following 
members  of  the  first  board  of  directors : L.  F.  Hubbard,  C.  C. 
Webster,  F.  A.  Cole,  James  Lawther,  Peter  Daniels  and  W.  P. 
Hood.  Two  large  buildings  were  erected  on  College  Bluff  at  a 
cost  of  $17,000,  the  land  being  donated  by  Edward  Murphy.  The 
school  was  conducted  for  about  three  years.  The  property  was 
later  sold  to  the  Ilauges  Norwegian  Lutheran  Synod  and  has 
since  been  used  as  a college  and  divinity  school  for  young  men. 
This  institution  gets  its  students  from  all  over  the  Northwest, 
but  many  of  the  young  men  of  the  county-  have  also  made  use  of 
the  excellent  opportunities  which  are  offered.  The  Villa  Maria 
is  a convent  school  for  girls  located  near  Frontenac.  It  is  in 
charge  of  the  Ursuline  nuns  and  is  doing  much  for  the  education 
of  young  girls.  The  Lutheran  Ladies’  Seminary  began  its  work 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


279 


in  the  fall  of  1893  and  has  grown  to  he  a.  very  prosperous  institu- 
tion with  a large  enrollment.  Various  business  colleges  have 
from  time  to  time  been  conducted  in  Bed  Wing  and  have  enjoyed 
considerable  prosperity. 

The  only  state  institution  located  in  the  county  is  the  State 
Training  School,  situated  two  miles  from  Red  Wing. — Julius 
Boraas. 


Hamline  University. — The  pioneers  in  a new  country  are  as  a 
rule  men  not  only  of  brawn,  but  also  of  supreme  faith  and 
courage.  It  is  faith  that  gives  them  the  stamina  to  battle  against 
the  difficulties  and  privations  of  frontier  life.  By  faith,  they  see 
great  cities  where  the  eye  sees  nothing  but  the  wigwams  of  the 
savage ; great  industries  where  no  sound  is  heard  save  that  of 
the  waterfall;  great  schools  and  churches  where  only  the  mis- 
sionary is  found  seeking  to  reveal  the  truth  to  Nature’s  children. 
The  early  Methodist  preachers  were  no  exception  to  this  rule. 
They  believed  that  the  fertile  soil  of  Minnesota  would  one  day 
furnish  sustenance  for  millions;  that  mighty  cities  would  be 
built,  and  that  an  empire  of  boundless  resources  would  develop 
upon  that  vast  expanse  of  forest  and  plain.  Accordingly,  one 
of  their  representatives,  the  Rev.  David  Brooks,  made  his  appear- 
ance at  the  Territorial  Council  of  Minnesota  with  a remarkable- 
proposition.  It  chanced  that  he  Avent  to  William  Pitt  Murray, 
a man  who  served  the  people  of  his  state  well  for  many  years. 

In  a speech  delivered  at  Hamline  University,  at  St.  Paul,  May 
10,  1897.  on  the  occasion  of  the  one  hundredth  anniversary  of  the 
birth  of  Leonidas  L.  Hamline,  Mr.  Murray  related  the  incident 
as  follows : 

“Early  in  January,  1854,  a clergyman  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  from  Wisconsin  came  to  me,  I being  then  a mem- 
ber of  the  Territorial  Council,  and  handed  me  a draft  of  a bill 
which  he  desired  introduced  in  the  Territorial  Legislature,  to 
incorporate  the  Minnesota  Academy,  an  institution  to  be  under 
the  control  of  the  Wisconsin  conference.  I said  to  him  that  a 
special  charter  would  be  unnecessary,  as  the  winter  previous  an 
act  had  been  passed  to  authorize  three  or  more  persons  whom 
might  be  desirous  of  forming  a corporation  for  seminary  pur- 
poses, to  become  a body  corporate  by  complying  with  certain 
conditions  named  in  said  act.  The  gentleman  seemed  quite 
anxious  to  have  a special  act,  under  the  impression  that  a legis- 
lative act  would  give  it  more  character,  of  which  I did  not 
approve.  Perhaps  as  an  inspiration,  I suggested  that  it  would 
afford  me  pleasure  to  aid  in  the  passage  of  a university  charter. 


280 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


which  I had  to  name.  The  idea  to  him  was  a novelty.  A denomi- 
national university  in  a*  frontier  territory,  with  a population  of 
less  than  eight  thousand  people — they  generally  without  means 
— and  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  without  a membership 
sufficient  to  maintain  a conference,  was  a pleasantry  the  old 
veteran  of  the  cross  could  not  appreciate.  He  being  an  English- 
man, born  and  bred,  may  have  thought  of  the  universities  of 
Oxford  and  Cambridge,  with  their  numerous  colleges  and  halls, 
and  with  their  large  libraries  and  wealth.  A feeder  for  some 
college  down  east,  where  there  was  more  money  and  a higher 
civilization,  was  his  ambition  and  hope.  We  did  not  agree  and 
the  bill  Avas  returned  to  him.  A day  or  tAvo  after,  my  associate 
in  the  Territorial  Council,  the  Hon.  Isaac  Van  Etten,  introduced 
the  bill  to  incorporate  the  Minnesota  Academy.  Having  made  up 
my  mind  that  my  Methodist  brethren  either  had  to  have  a univer- 
sity charter  or  none,  I had  the  bill  referred  to  a special  com- 
mittee, of  which  I was  a member.  The  other  members  of  the 
committee  Avere  indifferent  what  became  of  the  hill,  whether  it 
Avas  reported  back  to  the  council  Avith  the  recommendation  that 
it  pass,  or  report  a substitute  authorizing  the  establishment  of 
ferries,  or  the  laying  out  of  country  roads,  or  the  erection  of 
sign  boards  at  cross-roads  to  indicate  the  right  road  for  country 
preachers  across  the  prairies  to  their  various  appointments. 
After  having  consulted  Avith  the  Rev.  John  Kearns,  the  pastor 
of  the  old  Market  Street  Church  in  the  city  of  St.  Paul,  the 
parent  and  first  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  the  territory  of 
which  the  Central  Park  Methodist  Church  of  St.  Paul  is  the 
successor,  and  the  Rev.  B.  F.  Hoyt,  a pioneer  clergyman  avIio 
resided  in  St.  Paul,  both  of  whom  Avere  of  the  opinion  that  a 
university  charter  would  be  a good  thing  and  might  perhaps  be 
got  under  way  before  the  end  of  the  century.  At  all  events,  it 
Avould  be  a good  thing  to  talk  about  as  indicative  of  the  groAvtli 
of  Methodism  in  the  West,  although  for  a long  time  it  might  be 
found  nowhere  except  on  the  statutes.  I then  prepared  to  draft 
my  bill — substitute  for  the  seminary  bill.  The  name  for  the  uni- 
versity, I had  already  determined  upon.  There  were  tAvo  reasons, 
I may  say,  wh-ich  led  to  this : 

‘‘On  a summer  evening  in  1852  I attended  a reception  at  the 
Wesleyan  Female  College,  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  during  commence- 
ment week,  and  among  the  guests  Avas  Bishop  Leonidas  L.  Ham- 
line. to  Avhom  I had  an  introduction,  and  Avho  soon  after  asked 
me  to  have  a seat  by  his  side.  We  spent  nearly  the  entire  even- 
ing together.  He  appeared  to  be  interested  in  the  Nortlrwest, 
especially  in  the  young  and  frontier  territory  of  Minnesota.  He 
Avanted  to  know  all  about  her  settlers,  what  kind  of  people  Avere 
making  their  homes  in  her  A-illages  and  on  her  prairies;  whether 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


281 


the  church  from  which  he  had  just  resigned  the  high  office  of 
bishop  was  holding  its  own  among  the  churches  of  the  Territory 
in  its  missionary  and  pioneer  work.  He  seemed  pleased  at  what 
I told  him.  During  the  evening  his  conversation  and  advice  were 
fatherly;  his  aim  and  thought,  apparently,  to  mark  out  to  me  the 
better  way,  with  now  and  then  incidents  of  his  own  early  life. 
To  me  it  was  interesting  and  never  forgotten,  and  as  we  parted 
I remember  so  distinctly  his  cheery  words : ‘ Good  night,  good 

night.  God  bless  you.’  The  memories  of  that  evening,  together 
with  a correspondence  with  him  afterwards,  led  me  to  have  a 
very  great  regard  for  the  Bishop.  This,  coupled  with  the  fact 
that  Bishop  Hamline  had  been  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
prelates  in  the  United  States — the  peer  of  any  in  ability  and 
piety — is  what  gave  the  institution  its  name. 

“The  next  question  Avas,  Avhere  shall  the  institution  of  the 
future  be  located?  The  early  legislators  believed  that  the  suc- 
cess of  an  educational  institution  depended  largely  upon  its  prox- 
imity to  navigable  streams,  for  the  reason  that  a large  majority 
of  the  earlier  settlers  made  their  homes  near  the  Mississippi  and 
Minnesota  rivers  and  Lake  St.  Croix — and  for  a further  reason 
that  students,  like  freight,  are  more  cheaply  transported  by 
Avater  than  by  land.  Therefore  the  bill  provided  ‘that  said  uni- 
Arersity  be  located  on  the  Mississippi  River,  between  St.  Paul  and 
Lake  Pepin,’  it  being  understood  that  if  there  Avas  no  town 
Avorthy  of  the  honor,  one  could  be  made.  The  bill,  as  reported, 
or  at  least  substantially  so,  passed  both  houses  and  became  a 
Mav,  March  3,  1854. 

“The  Bishop  was  advised  of  the  action  of  the  legislature,  and 
a copy  of  the  act  Avas  forAArarded  to  him.  This  Avas  the  first  inti- 
mation that  he  had  that  such  a scheme  Avas  thought  of:  he  felt 
complimented  and  intimated  in  reply  that  he  would  do  something 
for  his  namesake. 

“Within  a feAv  Aveeks  after  the  passage  of  the  act.  Hoyt, 
Brooks  and  Bidwell  issued  a call  for  a meeting  of  the  incorpora- 
tion to  be  held  on  May  19,  in  the  city  of  St.  Paul.  In  response 
to  the  call,  a meeting  Avas  held,  and  the  charter  accepted.  Avhen 
an  adjournment  Avas  had  until  June  12,  1854.  When  the  trustees 
held  their  second  meeting,  more  than  one  village  contested  for 
the  prize ; even  St.  Paul  thought  it  Avas  a plum  Avorth  looking 
after.  The  late  Major  Nathaniel  McLean  offered  twenty  acres  of 
land  on  Dayton’s  Bluff,  noAV  known  as  Suburban  Hills,  and 
among  the  most  elevated  and  beautiful  building  sites  on  the  Mis- 
sissippi River,  then  just  outside  the  corporate  limits  of  the  town 
of  St.  Paul.  Lyman  Dayton,  Ira  Bidwell,  William  II.  Randall 
and  Louis  Robert  also  made  liberal  offers  of  broad  acres  and 
town  lots  for  its  location.  William  Freeborn,  one  of  the  trustees, 


282 


HISTOBY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


became  very  much  interested  in  its  location,  and,  with  what  he 
claimed'to  be  a prophetic  vision,  declared  that  the  little  village 
of  Red  Wing,  with  its  three  hundred  inhabitants,  and  a total 
valuation  of  real  and  personal  property  for  taxation  less  than 
$70,000,  was  in  the  future  to  be  a city  that  would  rank  high  in 
intelligence,  Avealth  and  population  among  the  cities  of  Minne- 
sota, and  demanded  that  the  new  university  be  located  there,  as 
a matter  of  right,  claiming  that  myself  and  others  had  so  prom- 
ised. The  fact  was  admitted,  and  Red  Wing  became  the  home 
of  Hamline  University.” 

The  first  board  of  trustees  was  a remarkable  set  of  men. 
Among  them  representing  the  clergy  of  the  Methodist  "Episcopal 
were  Rev.  Chauneey  Hobart,  Rev.  John  Kearns,  Rev.  David 
Brooks,  Rev.  Matthew  Sorin  and  Rev.  Thomas  M.  Fullerton. 
The  others  were  Parker  Payne,  Ira  Bidwell,  B.  F.  Hoyt,  Willis 
A.  Gorman,  Alexander  Ramsey,  Samuel  C.  Thomas,  Merritt  Allen, 
Hart  Boughton,  William  Freeborn  and  AY.  D.  Woodbury. 

As  soon  as  the  location  was  decided  upon,  the  trustees  began 
to  make  preparations  for  opening  the  school.  Bishop  Hamline 
gave  $25,000,  $12,000  in  real  estate  in  New  York  and  $13,000  in 
real  estate  in  Chicago;  the  citizens  of  Red  AVing  subscribed 
liberally,  and  the  way  was  thus  opened  for  immediate  action. 

At  that  time  there  was  a young  man  who  was  preacher  in 
charge  of  Jackson  Street  (now  Summerfield)  Church,  Milwaukee. 
He  had  graduated  with  high  honors  from  AVesleyan  University, 
Middletown,  Conn.,  in  1850.  He  knew  something  of  the  begin- 
ning of  the  settlement  of  Minnesota  and  was  attracted  by  its 
possibilities.  So  when  he  was  invited  to  become  principal  of  the 
preparatory  department  of  Hamline  University,  to  be  opened  in 
the  fall  of  1854.  he  readily  consented  and  hopefully  set  out  for 
his  new  field  of  labor.  This  was  the  beginning  of  the  connection 
of  Dr.  Jabez  Brooks  with  Hamline  University,  a connection  not 
to  be  permanently  severed,  so  long  as  the  institution  remained 
at  Red  AVing. 

On  November  16,  1854,  the  preparatory  department  was 
opened  with  an  attendance  of  thirty-three.  Two  rooms  were 
secured  on  the  second  floor  of  the  store  building  of  Smith,  Hoyt 
& Co.,  near  the  river,  and  here  the  history  of  higher  education  in 
the  state  of  Minnesota  began.  The  beginning  was  humble.  Fine 
buildings'  great  libraries,  extensive  laboratories- — all  were  want- 
ing; but  the  essential  elements  of  true  education  were  there — - 
cultured  Christian  teachers  and  pupils  eager  for  knowledge. 

The  faculty  was  small.  In  the  first  annual  catalogue,  pub- 
lished in  1855.  were  but  three  names — Rev.  Jabez  Brooks,  A.  M., 
principal;  Miss  Louisa  Sherman,  teacher  of  modern  languages, 
painting  and  drawing;  Mrs.  Frances  L.  Dunning,  teacher  of 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


music  and  ornamental  work.  Rev.  Jabez  Brooks  was  librarian. 
The  students  were  chiefly  from  Minnesota ; but  Michigan,  Iowa 
and  Wisconsin  were  represented  among  them.  The  total  number 
enrolled  the  first  year  was  seventy-three,  thirty  ladies  and  forty- 
three  gentlemen.  During  the  first  year  of  Hamline’s  history  the 
trustees  proceeded  to  erect  a college  building.  A block  of  ground 
in  the  heart  of  the  town  was  donated  by  the  proprietors  of  the 
toAvn  site.  Plans  were  adopted  and  in  August  the  active  work  of 
construction  was  started.  That  same  fall  the  building  was 
completed.  It  was  formally  opened  January  10,  1855. 

It  has  been  stated  that  Bishop  Hamline  gave  $25,000  to  the 
institution  in  real  estate,  part  of  which  Avas  in  Chicago  and  part 
in  NeAA^  York  City.  The  property  in  New  York  was  set  aside  for 
building  purposes.  Though  it  Avas  Avorth  $12,000  Avlien  given  by 
Bishop  Hamline,  yet  when  it  came  to  be  sold  it  had  so  fallen  in 
value  that  the  university  realized  from  it  only  a little  more  than 
$7,000,  and  so  there  fell  upon  the  institution,  immediately  upon 
its  erection,  an  incumbrance  which  constituted  the  bulk  of  its 
indebtedness  and  finally  became  one  . of  the  causes  of  its 
suspension. 

In  the  spring  of  1857  President  Brooks,  Avhose  health  Avas 
failing  on  account  of  OArerwork,  resigned.  Thus  far,  only  the 
preparatory  department  had  been  organized,  and  as  a number 
wrere  ready  for  college  it  Avas  decided  to  establish  a full  and 
complete  college  course.  Rev.  B.  F.  Crary,  D.  D.,  AATas  elected 
president.  Up  to  this  time  Minnesota  had  been  prosperous.  Trus- 
tees of  the  institution  had  been  able  to  secure  the  funds  neces- 
sary for  maintaining  the  institution  as  easily  as  could  be  expected 
in  a neAV  country,  sparsely  settled.  Avhen  all  the  money  that  could 
be  secured  Avas  expended  for  improA'ements.  But  in  the  same 
month  Avhen  it  Avas  decided  to  throw  open  the  doors  of  Hamline 
for  a full  and  complete  college  education  to  the  youth  of  the 
Northwest*  Avhen  with  an  increased  faculty  the  running  expenses 
of  the  institution  Avere  largely  augmented,  a financial  panic 
struck  the  entire  ‘country.  It  was  especially  seArere  in  Minnesota, 
because  there  had  been  no  opportunity  for  the  settlers  to  store 
away  Avealth  against  the  time  of  adversity.  Values  ceased  to 
exist ; the  Avealthy  became  poor ; it  Avas  a question  of  daily  bread 
rather  than  riches,  or  the  rearing  of  magnificent  buildings  for 
educational  purposes. 

In  1859  the  first  college  class  was  graduated.  There  AA'ere 
but  tAvo  members.  Elizabeth  and  Mary  Sorin,  daughters  of  one 
of  the  trustees.  In  the  spring  of  1861  came  the  War  of  the 
Rebellion.  One  of  the  faculty,  H.  B.  Wilson,  professor  of  mathe- 
matics, and  many  of  the  students  enlisted.  There  were  few,  if 
any,  young  men  left  AA’ho  Avere  physically  able  to  bear  arms.  At 


284 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


this  time,  too,  President  Crary,  who  had  been  struggling  manfully 
to  keep  Hamline  alive  in  those  years  succeeding  the  panic  of  ’57, 
was  selected  by  a committee  of  the  legislature  of  Minnesota  to 
organize  the  public  school  system  of  the  state,  and  he  accepted 
the  appointment.  In  the  meantime  the  Rev.  Jabez  Brooks  had 
recovered  his  health  and  the  trustees  elected  him  to  the  presi- 
dency. His  was  no  enviable  task.  The  institution  was  in  debt, 
most  of  her  young  men  had  gone  to  the  war ; her  friends,  many 
of  them,  were  penniless,  and  the  resources  of  the  state  were  taxed 
to  the  utmost  to  maintain  order  on  the  frontier  while  her  sons 
fought  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union.  He  threw  into  it  all 
the  energy  of  his  young  manhood.  Up  and  down  tin?  state  he 
went  soliciting  funds.  He  did  double  work  in  the  classroom.  He 
used  his  private  funds  to  provide  for  his  family;  lie  did  every- 
thing that  was  possible  for  him  to  do,  withholding  nothing  of 
time  or  talents  or  energy,  and  Hamline  lived. 

The  last  commencement  at  Red  Wing  occurred  March  4,  1869. 
At  the  annual  conference  of  the  church  held  in  October,  1869,  a 
report  presented  shows  that  at  that  time  the  question  of  the 
removal  of  the  college  was  being  agitated.  On  July  6 of  that 
year  the  trustees  decided  that  in  view  of  financial  conditions  it 
would  not  he  Avise  to  reopen  the  doors  of  the  college  during  the 
ensuing  year.  Later  the  institution  was  removed  to  St.  Paul, 
and  today  it  lias  the  honor  not  only  of  being  the  oldest  college 
in  the  state,  hut  also  one  of  the  leading  educational  institutions 
in  the  Northwest.  Various  reasons,  among  which  financial 
troubles  form  an  important  part,  are  given  for  the  removal  of 
the  university  to  St.  Paul.  Red  Wing  people  have  always 
regretted  the  removal ; and  there  are  many  friends  of  the  univer- 
sity who  assert  that,  successful  as  has  been  the  career  of  that 
institution,  it  would  have  had  a still  more  glorious  history  had 
it  remained  in  Red  Wing  and  the  drawbacks  of  suspension  and 
removal  been . obliterated. 

The  property  was  sold  to  the  city  of  Red  Wing  for  $5,000, 
the  transfer  papers  hearing  the  date  of  February  24,  1872.  The 
building  was  torn  down  and  the  material  sold  to  whatever  pur- 
chasers could  be  found.  The  ground  is  still  OAvned  by  the  city 
and  is  dedicated  to  the  uses  of  a public  park.  The  ground  was 
graded  without  the  expense  of  entirely  removing  the  foundation 
Avails,  and  even  to  the  present  day  in  very  dry  weather  the  grass 
dries  above  the  old  Avails  and  the  outlines,  of  the  historic  old 
building  may  plainly  be  seen. 


Red  Wing  Seminary. — This  institution  is  located  on  College 
Bluff  and  commands  a vieAv  of  the  most  picturesque  natural 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


285 


scenery  of  any  school  in  the  Northwest.  The  property  was  pur- 
chased from  the  Red  Wing  Collegiate  Institute  and  placed  in  the 
possession  of  the  Ilauges  Norwegian  Evangelical  Lutheran  Synod 
through  the  personal  efforts  of  H.  M.  Sande,  a farmer  living  in 
the  township  of  AA7anamingo;  A.  Ellingson,  of  Red  Wing,  and 
Rev.  0.  Hanson,  of  AVanamingo.  The  first  school  year  com- 
menced in  September,  1879.  Rev.  I.  Eistenson  was  the  principal 
and  Prof.  G.  0.  Broliaugli  his  assistant.  Several  instructors  were 
also  engaged,  among  whom  may  be  mentioned  Prof.  II.  B.  AVilson. 
Seventy  students  were  enrolled  during  the  first  year. 

The  purpose  of  the  school  is  to  furnish  a general  Christian 
culture  and  more  particularly  to  prepare  ministers  and  teachers 
for  the  synod.  The  work  at  first  consisted  of  an  academic  course 
of  three  years  and  a theological  course  of  three  years.  As  the 
institution  developed  it  was  found  necessai’y  to  lengthen  the 
preparatory  course.  This  was  done  in  1889,  when  it  was  changed 
from  three  to  four  years.  In  1897  it  was  changed  to  five  years, 
and  in  1908  it  was  extended  to  seven  years,  making  it  a complete 
college  course.  The  school  year  was  also  changed  from  seven  to 
nine  months.  A commercial  department  has  been  added,  as  well 
as  a musical  department. 

The  school  soon  outgrew  the  “Old  Building,”  and  “Summer 
Hall”  was  bought  and  completed  in  1882.  In  1902  the  synod 
decided  to  build  another  building,  and  this  was  completed  in 
1901  and  is  known  as  the  “Main  Building.”  Besides  this  and 
the  two  old  buildings  which  now  are  used  for  dormitories,  there 
is  a president’s  house,  a hospital  and  a heating  plant,  the  Avhole 
property  now  costing  approximately  $100,000. 

During  the  past  year  the  school  has  employed  three  profes- 
sors of  theology  and  five  professors  in  the  academy  and  college, 
together  with  several  special  instructors.  The  total  number  of 
students  was  about  two  hundred. 

Those  who  have  served  as  presidents  of  the  seminary  are  I. 
Eistenson.  J.  Kyllingstad,  A.  AYenaas,  J.  N.  Kildahl.  O.  S.  Meland, 
H.  II.  Bergslancl  and  M.  G.  Hanson.  Among  those  who  have  acted 
as  instructors  may  be  noted  S.  Gunnerson,  E.  Kr.  Johnson.  G. 
Rast,  J.  A.  Leas,  L.  Chally,  A.  J.  Reichert,  O.  R.  AYold,  J.  Telleen. 
M.  O.  AYee,  E.  AY.  Schmidt  for  the  theological  department,  and 
G.  0.  Brohaugh,  II.  H.  Elstad,  C.  R.  Hill,  E.  AY.  Schmidt,  I.  M. 
Anderson,  Julius  Boraas,  E.  0.  Ringstad,  AYilliam  Mills,  G.  H. 
Ellingson  and  0.  0.  Stageberg  for  the  preparatory  department. 
Selma  Gibson  and  G.  A.  Hausner  have  had  charge  of  the  musical 
department. 

Since  the  beginning  of  the  school  138  have  graduated  from 
the  theological  course,  nearly  all  of  whom  are  pastors  or  mission- 
aries in  the  various  fields  of  the  synod.  The  total  number  of 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


286 

graduates  from  the  preparatory  department  is  237.  Of  these 
seventy-two  have  become  pastors,  twenty-eight  have  taken  up 
school  work  as  teachers,  professors  or  superintendents,  twenty- 
two  are  in  business,  there  are  twenty  physicians,  eleven  lawyers, 
four  editors,  three  publishers,  four  dentists,  three  farmers,  two 
bankers,  two  engineers,  thirty-one  students  at  various  institutions. 

Rev.  Martin  Gustav  Hanson.  -To  a college  man  there  is  always 
one  distinction  which  in  his  heart  of  hearts  is  more  precious  than 
all  else  that  he  may  achieve  in  life,  and  that  one  thing  is  the 
honor  of  being  called  to  a chair  of  his  alma  mater,  in  the  halls 
of  which  his  own  young  manhood  has  received  the  stamp  which 
marks  it  in  after  life.  Immeasurably  greater,  however,  is  the 
privilege  of  some  time  attaining  the  presidency  of  that  institu- 
tion, and  thus  having  an  important  share  not  only  in  its  progress 
and  work,  but  also  in  its  policies  and  discipline.  Among  the  men 
to  whom  the  felicity  of  such  a lot  has  fallen  is  the  subject  of 
this  sketch.  Born  at  Wanamingo,  this  county,  July  11,  1859,  he 
is  the  son  of  Oesten  and  Maria  (Christopherson)  Hanson,  both 
natives  of  Norway.  The  father  came  to  America  at  the  age  of 
fifteen  years  and  located  at  Lewiston,  AVis.,  later  removing  to 
AVanamingo,  where  he  was  one  of  the  pioneers.  For  thirty-seven 
years  he  was  a preacher  of  the  gospel,  working  against  fearful 
odds,  preaching  the  ideals  of  Christianity  to  a people  who  Avere 
wrestling  with  the  problem  of  existence,  and  to  whom  the  reali- 
ties of  life  Avere  necessarily  presented  in  their  daily  toil  in  the 
most  materialistic  aspects.  A pioneer  preacher  in  those  days 
must  needs  be  a man  of  strong  inward  faith  and  also  rugged 
physique,  a man  avIio  could  preach  to  the  hearts  of  the  people 
the  true  word,  and  at  the  same  time  be  able  to  meet  with  unfail- 
ing courage  the  almost  unnumbered  pioneer  discomforts.  His 
AAnfe,  gifted  in  all  motherly  and  Avifely  qualities,  Avas  an  able 
support  in  all  his  undertakings.  It  is  pleasing  to  record  that 
Oesten  Hanson  lived  to  see  the  seed  lie  planted  bear  fruit  in  abun- 
dant measure,  and  to  see  a pioneer  people  develop  into  a com- 
munity of  prosperous  and  God-fearing  agriculturists.  For  a long 
period  lie  served  the  churches  at  Aspelund,  Kenyon  and  Roscoe, 
his  death  occurring  August  4,  1898,  he  having  many  years  sur- 
vived his  Avife,  who  died  in  1866.  The  folloAving  account  of  his 
services  was  published  shortly  before  his  death:  “Pastor  Han- 

son has  been  a member  of  the  synodical  council  of  the  Hague 
Synod  since  1863,  has  served  as  president  or  vice  president  of 
the  synod  for  more  than  a quarter  of  a century;  has  been  presi- 
dent of  the  Red  AVing  Seminary  and  of  the  synod’s  mission  com- 
mittee, and  has  been  prominently  identified  with  the  synod  in 
other  Avays  for  more  than  three  decades.  He  lias  three  sons  avIio 
are  ministers  of  the  gospel — Rev.  M.  G.  Hanson,  Rev.  IT.  A. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


287 


Hanson  and  Rev.  Thomas  L.  Hanson.”  Martin,  early  in  life  left 
without  a mother’s  care,  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Wanamingo,  and  then  entered  the  Red  Wing  Seminary, 
at  that  time  a much  smaller  institution  than  at  present.  In  1884 
he  received  his  diploma  from  that  school,  and  was  ordained  the 
same’  year  at  Lee  county,  Illinois,  his  first  charge  being  the 
Emanuel  and  East  Emanuel  churches  at  St.  Paul,  Minn.  At  the 
same  time  he  served  the  congregations  at  Renville  and  Frost, 
Minn.  In  1892  he  was  sent  to  Grand  Forks,  N.  D.,  where  he  had 
pastoral  charge  of  the  district  including  the  churches  at  Grand 
Forks,  Reynolds,  Buxton,  Valle,  Grafton,  Nash,  Crookston  and 
Oslo.  In  1898,  when  those  in  charge  of  the  Red  Wing  Seminary 
were  looking  for  a capable  man  for  the  presidency  of  that  institu- 
tion, their  attention  was  called  to  the  young  clergyman  who  a 
few  years  before  had  graduated  from  its  doors  with  honors.  He 
accordingly  received  the  call  and  accepted,  believing  that  in  this 
position  was  a wider  field  of  usefulness.  - His  work  since  that 
.time  is  too  well  known  to  need  comment,  and  future  historians 
of  the  institution  will  write  of  him  that  praise  which  it  is  not 
always  fitting  should  be  written  of  a modest  man  still  in  the 
prime  of  his  activities.  His  work  for  five  years  as  vice  president 
of  the  synod,  for  six  years  as  president  of  the  same  body,  for  four 
years  as  president  of  the  district  of  North  Dakota,  and  for  many 
years  as  president  of  the  Inner  Mission  of  the  Synod,  in  Avliich 
position  he  is  now  serving,  are  a part  of  the  chronicles  of  his 
denomination.  Rev.  Hanson  has  taken  to  himself  as  a companion 
in  life,  Caroline  Runice,  of  Crawford  county,  Wisconsin,  daughter 
of  Ole  and  Guri  Runice,  natives  of  Norway.  This  union  has  been 
blessed  with  five  children.  Oscar  A.,  born  August  14.  1887,  at 
St.  Paul,  Minn.,  died  in  infancy.  Adolph  M.  was  born  September 
11,  1888,  at  St.  Paul.  Babel  G.  was  born  November  24,  1890,  in 
the  same  city.  Reuben  B.  was  born  August  30,  1892,  at  Grand 
Forks,  N.  D.,  and  George  W.,  who  is  a general  favorite  with  the 
faculty  and  student  body  of  the  seminary,  was  born  under  the 
shadows  of  the  classic  halls  of  that  institution  of  learning 
August  4,  1899. 


The  Orphans’  Home  at  Vasa  had  its  beginning  in  1865,  when 
four  little  children  were  thrown  on  the  mercy  and  charity  of 
others.  Dr.  E.  Norelius  conceived  the  idea  of  opening  a place  for 
them,  and  so  a room  in  the  basement  of  the  old  Lutheran  Church 
at  Vasa,  was  fitted  up.  Soon,  however,  other  children  were  found 
to  be  in  need  and  this  room  became  too  small.  With  a little 
assistance  Dr.  Norelius  purchased  a small  tract  of  land  and  con- 
structed a building,  more  properly  a shanty.  It  was  made  of 


288 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


rough  boards  and  patched  together  and  mended  in  every  con- 
ceivable way  to  keep  out  the  winter’s  cold.  The  increase  of  little 
orphans  who  were  being  cared  for  by  the  pastor  soon  made  the 
quarters  too  small  for  convenience.  A home  was  therefore  con- 
structed and  did  good  service  until  1879,  when  the  building  was 
levelled  to  the  ground  by  a cyclone.  A subscription  list  was 
started  and  another  building  was  constructed.  Again  came  a 
sad  day,  November  23,  1899,  when  the  home  was  burned  to  the 
ground.  The  Swedish  Augustana  Synod,  which  had  taken  charge 
of  the  home,  immediately,  assisted  by  the  local  board  of  directors 
and  residents  of  Red  Wing  and  Vasa,  took  steps  to  build  the 
comfortable  home  which  is  occupied  at  the  present  time.  In  the 
meantime  the  little  folks  had  been  sheltered  in  the  homes  of 
neighboring  families,  some  of  whom  afterward  decided  to  adopt 
the  little  strangers  who  had  thus  been  thrown  on  their  mercy. 
The  building,  Avhich  is  a frame  structure,  is  neat  and  attractive, 
the  total  cost  being  about  $8,000.  The  children  are  well  cared 
for  and  given  a good  education,  both  in  English  and  Swedish. 

Red  Wing  Lutheran  Ladies’  Seminary. —Twenty  years  ago 
the  now  sainted  Rev.  II.  A.  Preuss  suggested  the  advisability  of 
erecting  a school  for  young  ladies  at  Red  Wing  on  the  very  spot 
on  which  the  Ladies’  Seminary  now  stands.  The  suggestion  was 
not  acted  upon  at  the  time,  but  in  the  year  1889  some  of  the 
members  of  the  Red  Wing  Norwegian  Lutheran  Church,  deeply 
feeling  the  want  of  an  institution  of  this  character,  determined 
to  erect  a seminary  in  this  city,  and  secured  the  very  tract  of 
ground  which  the  Rev.  Preuss  had  recommended  twenty  years 
before.  In  this  year,  1889,  however,  the  Luther  College  at 
Decorali,  Iowa,  was  totally  destroyed  by  fire.  The  incorporators 
of  the  Red  Wing  venture,  knowing  that  their  help  was  needed 
at  the  rebuilding  of  the  Decorah  school,  generously  postponed 
the  erection  of  their  own  institution.  In  the  beginning  of  1892 
they  thought  that  the  time  had  come  for  them  to  proceed  with 
the  execution  of  their  project.  They  therefore  solicited  subscrip- 
tions, adopted  a plan  and  began  active  work.  Owing  to  the 
financial  depression  the  opening  of  the  school  was  delayed  one 
year,  but  they  succeeded  in  completing  the  present  magnificent 
structure  so  that  active  school  work  commenced  November  5, 
1894. 

The  school  is  located  on  a bluff  overlooking  the  city  and  the 
Mississippi  river.  The  main  building  and  dining  hall  are  con- 
structed of  pressed  brick  on  cut  stone  foundations.  The  music 
hall,  a newer  building,  is  constructed  of  the  same  material. 

The  seminary  aims  to  give  its  pupils  a thorough  and  practical 
education  on  a Christian  basis,  and  includes  the  usual  academic, 
literary,  musical,  art,  religious  and  scientific  courses,  both  col- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


289 


legiate  and  preparatory,  together  with  many  branches  distinc- 
tively feminine,  such  as  domestic  science,  housekeeping,  needle- 
work and  cooking. 

Rev.  Hans  Allen  is  at  the  head  of  the  institution.  There  are 
twenty-six  incorporators  and  the  officers  are : President,  Rev.  Iv. 
Bjorgo;  vice  president,  Dr.  C.  L.  Opsal;  secretary,  H.  L.  Hjerm- 
stad;  trustees,  C.  II.  Boxrud,  C.  F.  Hjermstad,  Dr.  C.  L.  Opsal, 
Joh.  Ylvisaker,  J.  C.  Seebach,  Albert  Johnson,  R.  H.  Boxrud.  H. 
Allen,  K.  Bjorgo  and  H.  L.  Hjermstad.  are  ex-officio  members. 

The  total  number  of  pupils  enrolled  during  the  school  year 
1908-09  was  183.  Of  these  10  were  by  nationality  Norwegian,  48 
German,  11  American,  7 Swedish,  5 Danish,  1 Swiss  and  1 Finish. 
Of  these  156  were  boarders  and  27  city  people. 

Six  pupils  were  enrolled  as  specials.  11  were  in  the  prepara- 
tory course,  40  in  the  domestic  economy,  1 in  the  normal,  55  in 
the  seminary  and  14  in  the  college  courses.  Twenty-one  were 
enrolled  in  the  department  of  elocution,  15  in  the  commercial 
course,  57  in  the  art  department,  43  in  the  vocal  department,  15  in 
the  piano  department,  3 in  violin  and  the  Choral  Society  num- 
bered 133. 

At  the  graduating  exercises  on  June  10,  1909.  18  received 
diplomas  from  the  seminary  course,  1 from  the  normal,  7 from 
the  domestic  economy  and  11  from  the  commercial  courses;  4 
received  diplomas  from  the  piano  department  and  1 from  the 
voice  culture  department. 

Rev.  Hans  Allen,  president  of  the  faculty  of  the  Lutheran 
Ladies’  Seminary,  is  a gentleman  of  unquestioned  integrity  and 
marked  scholarly  attainments,  one  who  stands  high  in  the  min- 
isterial and  educational  ranks  of  the  county.  He  is  a native 
of  Decorah  Iowa,  born  March  15.  1861,  son  of  Guttorm  Allen,  who 
came  to  America  in  1844.  and  the  same  year  enlisted  in  the  Mex- 
ican war.  Here  he  did  his  adopted  country  brave  and  efficient 
service.  Upon  his  return  he  located  at  Jefferson  Prairie,  YTis.. 
and  married  Kirsten  Rishovd,  a native  of  Norway,  who  came 
to  this  country  in  1846.  At  Jefferson  Prairie  he  farmed  for  a 
short  time,  afterward  removing  to  Decorah,  Iowa,  where  he  pur- 
chased 360  acres  and  carried  on  agricultural  operations  on  an 
extensive  scale.  He  died  in  1902  and  his  wife  followed  him  to 
the  Great  Beyond  during  the  following  year.  Hans  Allen  at- 
tended the  common  schools  of  his  neighborhood  and  entered  the 
Luther  College  of  Decorali,  Iowa,  receiving  his  diploma  with 
honors  in  1883.  He  supplemented  this  training  with  a three  years’ 
course  at  the  Concordia  College,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  after  which  he 
was  ordained  to  the  ministry  in  the  fall  of  1886.  His  first  charge 
was  at  Portland,  Trail  county,  Noi’tli  Dakota,  where  he  served 
eight  congregations  in  an  able  manner  for  six  years.  His  work  in 


290 


HISTORY  OR  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


this  capacity  attracted  attention,  and  in  1892  he  was  assigned  to 
a congregation  at  Mankato,  Minn.,  where  he  labored  acceptably 
two  years.  In  1894  came  the  opportunity  for  wider  service  when 
he  was  called  to  the  presidency  of  the  Lutheran  Ladies’  Seminary, 
in  which  capacity  he  has  remained  to  the  present  day,  having 
charge  of  the  institution  and  occupying  the  chair  of  Norwegian 
Literature,  Bible  and  Church  History.  As  a disciplinarian  he 
combines  the  qualities  of  justness  with  gentleness,  as  a teacher  he 
is  an  acute  thinker  and  incisive  reasoner,  and  as  a citizen  his 
opinions  command  esteem,  respect  and  consideration.  Rev.  Allen 
Avas  married  June  13,  1887,  at  Decorah,  Iowa,  to  Emma  Wingaard, 
of  that  place,  daughter  of  Ole  and  Marie  Wingaard,  natives  of 
Norway.  The  mother  is  now  deceased  and  the  father  lives  in 
Decorah.  To  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Allen  have  been  born  three  children : 
Nellie  M.  E.,  born  April  3,  1888,  and  Clara  L.,  born  January  22, 
1892,  are  students  at  the  seminary,  while  Esther  E.,  born  March 
28,  1898,  attends  the  parish  school  of  Evangelical  Lutheran  Trin- 
ity Church  at  Red  Wing. 

The  Minnesota  State  Training  School,  formerly  known  as  the 
Minnesota  State  Reform  School,  has  a beautiful  location  of  about 
450  acres  of  land,  something  over  a mile  below  the  city  of  Red 
Wing.  The  group  of  buildings  is  situated  on  an  elevated  plateau 
leading  down  by  a gentle  slope  to  the  Mississippi  river  and  com- 
manding a view  that  in  itself  should  be  an  inspiration  to  the  way- 
ward or  unfortunate  ones  who  spend  their  youth  in  the  school. 
The  institution  has  been  in  existence  since  January  15,  1868,  and 
had  occupied  its  present  site  since  October,  1891.  The  State 
expended  over  $300,000  on  the  property  and  buildings,  gained 
from  the  sale  of  the  old  site  of  the  school  in  St.  Paul,  that  location 
having  wonderfully  increased  in  value  since  the  establishment  of 
the  school  in  1868.  The  school  is  occupied  on  the  family  plan, 
each  family  of  some  fifty  boys,  classified  according  to  age,  having 
a cottage  and  playground  of  its  own,  but  with  a dining  hall  in 
common.  The  girls’  school  is  a building  by  itself,  300  feet  west 
of  the  other  buildings,  and  its  management  is  entirely  separate 
and  distinct  from  the  boys.  The  exterior  of  the  buildings  are 
of  brick  and  stone,  the  interior  being  entirely  of  hardwood. 
There  is  nothing  at  the  school  to  suggest  that  it  is  a penal  insti- 
tution, the  boys  themselves  looking  like  cadets  in  a military 
school,  clothed  as  they  are  in  neat  uniforms.  Graded  schools, 
similar  to  ordinary  public  schools,  are  conducted,  one-half  of  the 
scholars  attending  in  the  forenoon  and  working  in  the  afternoon, 
and  vice  versa.  The  grading  and  beautifying  of  the  extensive 
grounds  have  all  been  done  by  the  boys,  who  also  cultivate  the 
large  garden  patches  which  supply  the  schools  with  vegetables 
and  fruit  for  use  on  the  tables  and  feed  for  the  stock.  The  boys 


HI  ST  OB  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


291 


do  all  their  housework,  cooking,  baking,  laundry  work,  etc.,  and 
the  entire  institution  is  a marvel  of  neatness.  The  school  main- 
tains a carpenter  shop,  shoe  shop,  tailor  shop,  printing  office  and 
other  establishments.  A small  paper,  the  Kiverside,  is  printed 
by  the  boys,  who  also  supply  the  material  for  its  contents.  An- 
other enjoyable  attraction  of  school  life  is  a well  trained  brass 
band.  The  boys  and  girls  are  sentenced  under  sixteen  years  of 
age,  and  can  be  kept,  the  boys  until  they  are  twenty-one  and  the 
girls  until  they  are  eighteen,  but  they  may  be  paroled  on  their 
good  behavior  during  that  time.  There  are  no  statistics  available 
on  which  to  base  a percentage  of  those  redeemed  by  the  good 
influence  of  the  school,  but  it  is  believed  that  the  results  rank 
well  with  the  results  obtained  by  other  state  institutions  of  sim- 
ilar character.  Religion  is  made  a part  of  the  ever-day  life,  with, 
special  services  Sunday. 

Red  Wing  Collegiate  Institute. — This  institute  was  organized 
and  incorporated  August  28,  1870,  with  the  following  board  of 
officers:  president,  Lucius  F.  Hubbard;  secretary,  Charles  0. 
Webster;  treasurer,  F.  A.  Cole.  Directors:  James  Lawther,  Peter 
Daniels,  Lucius  F.  Hubbard,  Charles  C.  Webster,  F.  A.  Cole  and 
W.  P.  Wood.  The  grounds  were  donated  by  Edward  Murphy, 
of  Minneapolis,  and  funds  raised  for  building  purposes  by  issu- 
ing stock  certificates  to  the  amount  of  $12,500.  Daniels  & Sim- 
mons took  the  contract  for  a consideration  of  $14,800,  and  to 
complete  it  a mortgage  was  given  to  Joseph  Averill,  of  Danvers, 
Massachusetts,  who  advanced  $5,000.  The  institute  was  success- 
ful for  about  three  years,  when,  for  want  of  funds  it  was  sold  to> 
Joseph  Averill,  to  satisfy  the  above  noted  mortgage.  January- 
8,  1878,  it  was  purchased  by  Hans  Marcuson,  in  trust  for  the 
Hauges  Norwegian  Evangelical  Synod,  and  afterwards  deeded 
to  a board  of  directors,  viz. : Hans  Marcuson,  Gunelf  Tollefson, 
Knut  John  Stangeland,  and  Andrew  Ellingson,  with  the  design 
of  making  it  a Lutheran  Theological  Seminary. 

Frank  A.  Whittier,  whose  efficient  management  of  the  State 
Training  School  has  won  praise  from  far  beyond  the  borders  of 
the  state,  is  a native  of  this  state,  born  June  22,  1860.  His  par- 
ents, Albert  and  Lucy  A.  (Wellington)  Whittier,  both  natives  of 
New  Hampshire,  were  descended  from  old  Granite  State  families. 
They  ventured  in  the  early  days  into  what  was  then  the  new 
country  of  Ohio.  Imbued  with  the  pioneer  spirit,  they  found 
that  the  rich  valleys  of  Ohio  were  fast  passing  the  stages  of  early 
settlement,  and  consequently  determined  to  try  their  fortunes 
still  further  to  the  westward.  Consequently  the  year  of  1856 
saw  them  located  in  Minneapolis,  where  young  Frank  A.  was 
born.  In  the  summer  of  1860,  they  settled  in  Empire  township. 


892 


HI  ST  OB  Y OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Dakota  county,  and  purchased  240  acres  of  land.  The  father  at 
once  set  to  work  with  vigor  and  soon  the  land  was  under  cultiva- 
tion, while  a comfortable  home  sheltered  the  family.  Here  the 
roof  tree  was  established,  and  happiness  and  prosperity  was  the 
lot  of  the  family  until  December  14,  1884,  when  the  stricken  home 
mourned  the  loss  of  the  mother.  A few  years  later,  in  1891,  the 
father  took  up  his  residence  with  a daughter  in  Farmington, 
this  state,  where  he  died,  August  23,  1904.  Frank  A.  was  brought 
up  on  a farm,  and  attended  the  district  schools  in  Empire  town- 
ship. Later  he  graduated  from  the  Hastings  High  School,  in 
which  institution  he  made  so  good  a record  that  he  had  no  diffi- 
culty in  securing  a clerical  position  in  the  bank  there.  A year 
later  he  returned  home,  and  remained  on  the  farm  until  1888. 
From  that  date  until  1893  he  ran  an  establishment  for  the  retail 
handling  of  dairy  products  in  St.  Paul,  this  business  later  being 
disposed  of  to  the  Crescent  Creamery  Company.  His  next  em- 
ployment was  with  the  municipal  engineering  department  of  the 
city  of  Minneapolis,  and  in  1895  he  was  appointed  state  agent  for 
the  state  prison  and  reformatory,  in  which  position  lie  remained 
until  he  came  to  Red  Wing  as  superintendent  of  the  Minneapolis 
State  Training  School,  an  office  which  he  has  retained  to  the 
present  day.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  while  on  the  farm 
for  the  benefit  of  his  health,  after  leaving  the  bank  at  Hastings, 
Mr.  Whittier  taught  in  the  rural  school  districts  for  several  years. 
In  politics  lie  is  a Republican,  in  fraternal  affiliation  a member 
of  the  Masonic  order  and  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Foresters. 
In  religious  belief  he  favors  the  Universalist  church.  Mr.  Whit- 
tier was  married,  April  2,  1884,  at  Empire,  Minn.,  to  Margaret 
Cameron,  by  whom  lie  has  five  children.  Albert  A.,  a graduate 
of  the  University  of  Chicago,  is  a civil  engineer  in  the  state  of 
Utah,  while  Walter  F.,  Grace,  Horace  B.  and  Myra  live  with  their 
parents. 

Villa  Maria  Convent,  a school  for  girls,  under  the  direction  of 
the  Ursuline  nuns  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  is  situated  on 
Lake  Pepin,  near  the  village  of  old  Frontenac,  the  well-known 
summer  resort. 

A more  beautiful  site  for  a school  could  not  well  be  found; 
on  a rise  of  ground,  commanding  a wide  view  of  lake,  valley, 
hill  and  plain,  surrounded  by  park-like  forests,  and  arched  by 
the  full  sweep  of  the  heavens,  all  the  natural  influences  combine 
to  elevate  and  instruct  the  mind.  Nor  are  historical  associations 
lacking,  for  on  this  very  spot  there  stood,  more  than  a century 
and  a half  ago,  St.  Michael’s,  one  of  the  old  French  missionary 
forts  of  the  upper  Mississippi. 

The  grounds,  consisting  of  120  acres,  are  the  gift  of  General 


Ill  ST  OB  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


293 


Israel  GarrarcE  who  spent  a fortune  and  a great  part  of  his  life 
in  improving  and  beautifying  the  already  naturally  beautiful  vil- 
lage of  Frontenac,  to  the  attractions  of  which  the  villa  now  con- 
tributes in  no  small  degree.  Noticing  the  rapid  growth  of  the 
school  conducted  at  Lake  City  by  the  Ursulines,  and  appreciat- 
ing the  difficulty  for  them  of  accomplishing  in  crowded  quarters 
the  work  at  which  they  aimed,  the  general  offered  in  1885  a tract 
of  land  for  a more  commodious  institution.  The  offer  was  ac- 
cepted with  gratitude,  and,  thanks  to  the  noble  generosity  of 
Mother  Kostha  Bowman,  the  project  was  soon  realized,  and  the 
construction  of  the  largest  educational  building  of  the  time,  in  the 
Northwest,  was  begun.  The  foundations  were  laid  in  1888,  and 
under  the  able  superintendence  of  F.  J.  Evans  and  the  assistance 
of  0.  D.  Prescott,  the  work  progressed  rapidly,  the  main  build- 
ing being  completed  and  dedicated  in  1890. 

The  building  is  cruciform  in  shape,  with  a length  of  301  feet, 
and  a width  of  90  feet,  exclusive  of  porches.  It  is  four  stories 
high,  and  is  surmounted  at  the  north  end  by  a tower  lifting  a 
golden  cross  150  feet  above  the  ground.  The  main  entrance  is 
at  the  northeast  corner,  and  opens  into  a spacious  hall,  extending 
to  the  opposite  side,  where  a broad  stairway,  of  polished  oak 
gives  access  to  the  floors  above.  The  hall  is  lighted  by  large 
stained  glass  windows,  and  is  crowned  by  a dome. 

On  the  left  of  the  hall,  on  the  ground  floor,  are  the  parlors, 
and  from  the  right  leads  a corridor  200  feet  long,  out  of  which 
open  the  dormitory,  the  refectory,  and,  at  the  farther  end,  the 
kitchen.  The  convent  proper,  for  the  nuns  occupy  the  entire  four 
stories  of  the  west  wing.  Besides  the  many  windows,  there  is  a 
ventilating  chimney,  and  the  rooms  are  noticeably  airy  and  com- 
fortable. 

On  the  second  floor  are  the  library,  the  museum,  and  the 
laboratories  for  physics  and  chemistry.  Above  the  dormitory 
are  a large,  sunny  study  hall,  music  rooms  and  recitation  rooms, 
and  adjoining  these  are  the  gymnasium  and  recreation  hall. 

On  the  third  floor,  the  art  rooms  occupy  the  east  end.  and  the 
greater  part  of  the  remainder  of  the  space  is  given  up  to  the 
chapel,  a lovely  devotional  apartment,  with  high  arched  ceiling, 
frescoed  Avails  and  stained  glass  Avindows.  In  a vaulted  recess 
at  one  end  is  the  altar,  an  artistic  piece  of  workmanship  of  pol- 
ished wood,  carved  and  gilded.  Framed  into  it  aboAm  is  a magnifi- 
cent painting  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  the  work  of  one  of  the  old 
masters,  presented  to  one  of  the  nuns  by  King  Louis  IT.  of  Ba- 
varia. 

The  fourth  floor  contains  an  immense  Avater  tank  which  sup- 
plies the  numerous  bath  and  toilet  rooms  in  various  part's  of  the 


291 


HI  ST OB Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


building,  and  serves  as  protection  against  fire.  For  further  pro- 
tection from  this  danger  there  are  patent  extinguishers  on  every 
fioor.  Artificial  heat  is  supplied*  by  the  hot  water  system,  and 
there  is  telephone  connection. 

That  the  names  of  their  generous  benefactors  may  not  be  for- 
gotten, the  nuns  caused  to  be  inserted  into  the  northeast  corner 
of  the  building  a stone  bearing  the  inscription,  “Israel  Garrard, 
noblis  Benefaciente  Gratulantes,  Soc.  Urs.  Felice;”  while  over  the 
door,  in  the  chapel,  a tablet  is  inscribed:  “In  memoriam — Hon. 
J.  B.  Bowman — nostri  benefactoris  mortui.  ” In  the  hearts  of 
the  nuns  these  names  are  held  in  perpetual  grateful  memory. 

The  course  of  study  embraces  all  the  branches  of  a thorough 
English  education,  combined  with  the  culture  of  art,  music  and 
languages,  and  extends  from  lowest  primary  through  the  gram- 
mar and  high  school  grades.  Successful  steps  have  been  taken 
to  have  the  school  accredited  to  the  University  of  Minnesota,  so 
that  graduates  from  the  Villa  who  wish  to  continue  their  educa- 
tion in  the  University  may  be  admitted  to  its  courses  without 
examinations.  Lessons  are  also  given  in  music,  the  arts  and 
languages,  as  well  as  in  the  various  branches  of  handiwork,  for 
which  the  Ursuline  nuns  have  won  a high  reputation. 

The  physical  development  of  the  pupils  is  provided  for  in 
gymnasium  and  playground,  and  in  the  extraordinary  opportuni- 
ties for  the  natural  out-of-door  exercises  of  walking,  driving, 
boating  and  bathing,  under  the  supervision  of  the  ever-watchful 
nuns. 

Above  all  do  the  nuns  regard  the  moral  development  of  the 
child,  and  broad  and  deep  do  they  lay  the  foundation  stones  of 
character.  Religious  instruction  is  given  to  the  Catholic  children, 
while  all  their  pupils  are  trained  daily  and  hourly  in  the  pre- 
cepts and  practices  calculated  to  foster  those  noble  qualities  of 
head,  heart  and  soul  that  go  to  the  formation  of  true  woman- 
hood. The  character  and  accomplishments  of  the  graduates  who 
have  gone  out  from  Villa  Maria  during  these  past  thirty  years 
give  ample  testimony  to  the  devotion  of  the  nuns,  and  the  thor- 
oughness of  their  training. 

The  Gustavus  Adolphus  College,  of  St.  Peter,  was  started  in 
Red  Wing  in  1862  by  Dr.  E.  Norelius.  The  next  year  it  was 
removed  to  East  Union,  Carver  county,  and  named  St.  Ansgar’s 
Academy.  In  187-1  a corporation  was  formed  and  in  the  next  two 
years  suitable  buildings  were  erected  at  St.  Peter’s,  where  the 
institution  has  since  been  located,  growing  to  tremendous  im- 
portance. 

Julius  Boraas,  M.  L.,  educator  and  author,  now  living  in  Red 
Wing,  was  born  in  the  township  of  Belle  Creek,  this  county,  De- 


Julius  Boeaas 


f 


-V 


Sarah  E.  P.  Hasler 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


295 


cember  7,  1871,  son  of  Johannes  and  Ellen  Boraas,  who  came  from 
Stjordalen,  near  Trondhjem,  Norway,  directly  to  Goodhue  county 
about  forty  years  ago.  He  received  his  preliminary  education  in 
the  schoolhouse  of  district  92,  and  from  1886  to  1890  attended 
the  Red  Wing  Seminary,  graduating  with  honors  from  the  aca- 
demic course  in  the  spring  of  1890.  After  teaching  school  in  the 
country  for  a year  he  entered  the  University  of  Minnesota,  where 
he  diligently  pursued  the  college  course  from  1891  to  1895,  gradu- 
ating in  the  latter  year  as  valedictorian  of  his  class.  He  received 
his  degree  of  Master  of  Letters  from  the  same  institution  in  1898. 
From  1895  to  1898  he  was  one  of  the  popular  instructors  at  the 
Red  Wing  Seminary  and  his  appointment  in  the  latter  year  as 
superintendent  of  county  schools  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by 
the  death  of  Mr.  Engstrom  met  with  popular  approval.  Since 
then  Prof.  Boraas  has  continued  to  serve  in  the  same  capacity, 
being  elected  successively  in  1900,  1902,  1901,  1906  and  1908. 
Professor  Boraas  is  a member  of  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa,  an  hon- 
orary college  fraternity.  He  was  married  on  Thanksgiving  Day, 
1897,  at  Kenyon,  Minn.,  to  Julia  Rygh,  and  their  happy  home  has 
been  blessed  with  three  children — Vivian.  Harold  and  Nora.  Prof. 
Boraas  has  placed  the  schools  of  Goodhue  county  on  a high 
plane  and  his  methods  have  been  freely  discussed  and  favorably 
commented  upon  by  the  educational  journals.  Among  the  causes 
of  his  success  are  these : He  was  thoroughly  equipped  by  nature 
and  education  and  lias  been  absorbingly  devoted  to  his  work.  He 
has  a way  of  interesting  the  children  in  such  a manner  as  to  bring 
forth  their  best  efforts  and  at  the  same  time  gain  their  love  and 
respect.  Besides  being  an  educator  he  has  the  practical  common 
sense  of  a business  man,  which  has  enabled  him  to  enlist  the 
co-operation  of  parents  and  school  boards  in  bringing  about  the 
necessary  improvements  and  reforms.  A vein  of  kindly  humor, 
of  which  Prof.  Boraas  is  possessed,  is  a pleasing  part  of  his  per- 
sonality which  impresses  those  he  meets,  whether  in  a business, 
educational  or  social  way. 

As  a writer  Prof.  Boraas’  products  are  also  in  demand.  He  is 
the  author  of  a useful  book  for  teachers,  entitled  “Getting  Along 
in  Country  Schools.”  This  book,  designed  to  furnish  those  lessons 
which,  hitherto,  teachers  have  learned  only  through  years  of  ex- 
perience, has  already  had  a wide  circulation  and  is  more  than 
accomplishing  its  purpose.  Its  success  has  caused  a demand  for 
other  books  along  the  same  line  from  his  gifted  pen.  In  addition 
to  this.  Prof.  Boraas  has  written  several  serials  for  the  “Young 
People’s  Friend,”  and  has  contributed  extensively  to  the  various 
school  journals. 

Sarah  E.  Pettibone  Hasler  (Mrs.  Samuel  J.)  is  one  of  the 
prominent  women  of  Red  Wing  and  Goodhue  county.  She  was 


296 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


one  of  the  pioneer  public  school  teachers  of  the  county,  and  dur- 
ing her  three  decades  of  teaching  many  of  the  boys  and  girls  who 
have  since  become  well-known  residents  of  the  state  passed  under 
her  tuition.  She  was  born  at  Walled  Lake,  Oakland  county,  Mich- 
igan, September  23,  1838,  daughter  of  Harmon  and  Tamizen 
(Dunning)  Pettibone.  The  father  was  a native  of  Bennington, 
Vt.,  and  the  mother  of  Saratoga  Springs,  N.  Y.  They  moved  to 
Walled  Lake,  Mich.,  and  there  the  father  was  proprietor  of  a 
hotel.  In  June,  1854,  they  located  in  Red  Wing,  Harmon  Petti- 
bone having  made  a trip  here  in  the  spring  of  the  previous  year. 
He  built  a mill  on  the  present  site  of  Charles  Betcher’s  mills  and 
became  associated  in  the  milling  business  with  Ruben  Knapp, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Pettibone  & Knapp.  Later  the  firm  be- 
came Freeborn  & Pettibone,  with  William  Freeborn  as  partner. 
In  1858  Mr.  Pettibone  sold  out  his  interests  here  and  moved  to 
Hastings,  this  state,  where  he  ended  his  days,  in  June,  1869.  His 
wife  died  March  25,  1882.  Sarah  E.  received  her  early  education 
at  Walled  Lake,  Mich.,  and  graduated  from  the  Hamline  Univer- 
sity, at  that  time  located  in  Red  Wing,  in  1861.  AVhile  still  a 
student,  she  started  teaching,  in  1857,  her  private  school  being 
soon  afterward  converted  into  a public  school.  From  that  date 
until  July  1865,  she  taught  school  in  Goodhue,  Dakota  and  Hen- 
nepin counties.  Later  she  again  resumed  that  profession,  teach- 
ing in  all  for  the  long  period  of  thirty-three  years.  She  was  mar- 
ried December  11,  1865,  at  Hastings,  Minn.,  to  Samuel  J.  Hasler. 
Mr.  Hasler  was  born  at  Harrisburg,  Penn.,  March  18,  1831.  He 
studied  law  at  St.  Paul,  and  came  to  Red  Wing  in  1855,  his  first 
employment  being  that  of  carpenter  and  ship  builder.  He  joined 
the  Union  Army  in  1861,  enlisting  at  Mt.  Vernon,  Ohio,  in  Co. 
G,  20th  Ohio  Vol.  Inf.,  serving  under  General  Logan.  He  was 
promoted  from  private  to  captain,  and  commanded  his  company 
on  the  famous  march  through  Georgia,  under  Sherman.  Soon 
after  his  return  to  Red  Wing  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace, 
holding  this  office  from  1866  until  his  death,  June  6,  1887.  He 
was  an  influential  citizen  of  the  early  days  and  took  a 
prominent  part  in  the  negotiations  which  ended  with  the  building 
of  the  county  court  house.  He  was  a Republican  in  politics, 
a Methodist  in  religion,  a member  of  the  Masonic  order  and  of 
the  G.  A.  R.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hasler  were  born  six  children. 
Heman  P.,  born  August  3,  1866,  is  preparing  to  become  a veter- 
inary surgeon  at  San  Francisco,  Cal.  Maude  B.,  born  July  29, 
1868,  married  Joseph  Bat.lo,  and  lives  in  Minneapolis.  Wil- 
helmina  T.,  born  October  10.  1871,  married  George  Woodfill,  a 
Minneapolis  merchant.  Frank  J..  born  April  9,  1874,  married 
Anna  P.  Ellingson,  and  lives  in  Red  Wing.  Emma  J.,  born  March 
25,  1876.  died  January  25,  1881.  Susie  G..  born  March  26.  1878, 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


297 


married  Herbert  0.  Clark,  and  lives  at  St.  Paul  Park,  this  state. 
Mrs.  Hesler  is  secretary  of  the  Eastern  Star  and  treasurer  of  the 
AY.  K.  C.,  in  which  she  is  a leading  member.  She  is  also  chairman 
of  the  executive  committee  of  the  Colvill  Park  Association,  which 
has  for  its  object  the  providing  of  a spacious  breathing  place  for 
the  people  of  Eed  Wing  during  the  summer  months. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


POSTAL  HISTORY. 

Red  Wing — First  Post  Master — Stage  Coach  Days — Growth  and 
Progress — Other  County  Offices — Discontinued  County  Offi- 
cers— New  Federal  Building. — By  C.  A.  Rasmussen. 

In  1851  Hon.  H.  Ii.  Sibley,  then  the  territorial  delegate  to 
congress  from  Minnesota,  secured  the  establishment  of  a post- 
office  at  Red  Wing,  and  Rev.  J.  W.  Hancock,  the  pioneer  resident, 
was  commissioned  postmaster.  He  was  under  the  necessity  of 
performing  a journey  to  St.  Paul  to  qualify  and  execute  the  re- 
quired bond  at  an  expense  of  five  dollars,  and  his  income  for  the 
next  two  years  hardly  covered  that  expense.  But  the  post-office 
was  a great  convenience  for  the  few  residents  here,  as  previous 
to  that  time  the  nearest  post-office  was  twenty-five  miles  away. 
The  mail  was  carried  in  those  days  to  and  from  St.  Paul,  easterly, 
by  steamboats  in  the  summer,  and  in  the  winter  at  first  on  foot 
and  later  by  a one-horse  train.  Mails  were  expected  once  a week, 
but  on  account  of  floating  ice  interfering  with  the  steamboats  or 
blizzards  with  the  one-horse  train,  the  office  was  sometimes  three 
weeks  without  mail  and  for  that  length  of  time  all  communication 
between  the  little  band  of  pioneers  and  the  outside  world  was 
cut  off.  In  the  spring  of  1852,  on  one  occasion,  the  one-horse  mail 
train  was  wrecked  in  crossing  Spring  creek.  The  mail  bags,  some 
five  or  six  in  number,  were  left  several  hours  in  the  water  and 
after  being  fished  out  were  brought  to  Red  Wing  and  Mr.  Han- 
cock spent  a whole  day  in  drying  out  the  mail.  At  one  time,  in 
the  winter  of  1855,  the  office  was  without  mail  for  six  weeks,  the 
mail  carrier  having  died  and  considerable  delay  having  been  ex- 
perienced securing  a new  carrier. 

In  the  fall  of  1853,  from  which  year  really  dates  the  first  settle- 
ment of  Red  AVing  as  a village — prior  to  that  time  the  point  hav- 
ing been  mainly  a missionary  station — Dr.  W.  AV.  Sweney  was 
appointed  postmaster,  Rev.  Hancock  having  resigned.  Dr. 
Sweney  served  about  a year  and  was  succeeded  by  H.  L.  Bevans. 
Mr.  Bevans  served  until  1858,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  PI.  C. 
Hoffman.  It  was  during  his  administration  that  we  find  pub- 

298 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


209 


lished  for  the  first  time  an  announcement  for  the  Red  AVing  post- 
office,  under  date  of  January  21,  1859,  there  appearing,  in  the 
“Goodhue  County  Republican,”  the  following: 

Red  AYing  Post-Office. 

Hours  of  Delivery  of  Mail. 

On  Sundays  from  9 to  10  a.  m.  On  week  days  from  7 to  8 p.  m. 
Hours  of  Arrival  and  Departure  and  the  time  of  Closing  Mails. 
Red  AVing  to  La  Crosse, — Leaves  daily  (now)  at  3:30  p.  m.  Ar- 
rives six  times  a week  at  3 :30  a.  m.  The  Great  Eastern  and 
Southern  mails  are  carried  on  this  route.  Mails  close  at  2 :00 
p.  m. 

Red  AVing  and  Saint  Paul, — Leaves  daily  on  the  arrival  of  the 
Eastern  stages  at  3 :30  a.  m.  Mails  close  at  9 :00  the  previous 
evening. 

Red  AAring  to  Cannon  Falls  and  Le  Sueur, — Leaves  Monday, 
. AVednesday,  and  Friday,  at  8:00  a.  m.  Arrives  Tuesday,  Thurs- 
day and  Saturday.  Mails  close  at  8 :00  the  previous  e\Tening. 

Red  AVing  to  Owatonna  and  Blue  Earth  City, — Leaves  Monday 
and  Thursday  at  7 :00  a.  m.  Arrives  AVednesday  and  Saturday  at 
6 :00  p.  m.  Mail  closes  at  8 -.00  the  previous  evening. 

Red  Wing  to  St.  Nicholas, — LeaA^es  Monday  and  Thursday  at  8:00 
a.  m.  Arrives  Wednesday  and  Saturday  at  5 :00  p.  m.  Alail  closes 
at  8 :00  the  previous  evening. 

Red  Wing  to  Winona, — Leai'es  Monday  and  Thursday  at  6 : 0 0 a . m. 
Arrives  Thursday  and  Saturday  at  6 :00  p.  m.  This  route  supplies 
all  way  offices  on  the  river.  Mail  closes  at  8 :00  the  previous  evening. 
Red  AVing  to  Saint  Paul, — Leavms  AVednesday  at  8:00  a.  m.  Ar- 
rives Tuesday  at  6 :00  p.  m.  This  route  supplies  Avay  offices.  Alail 
closes  at  8 :00  the  previous  evening. 

Red  AVing  to  Alazeppa  and  Oronoeo, — Leaves  Alonday  at  8 :00 
a.  m.  Arrives  Tuesday  at  6 :00  p.  m.  Alail  closes  at  8 :00  the 
previous  evening. 

Remember  that  all  mail  matter  to  be  sent  to  any  part  of  the 
United  States  must  be  fully  prepaid.  In  prepaying  foreign  let- 
ters by  affixing  stamps,  be  careful  to  ascertain  the  correct  amount 
of  postage  before  mailing. 

Anything  less  than  the  full  amount  of  postage  counts  nothing, 
and  is  lost  to  the  sender. 

It  will  be  seen  from  this  that  the  stage  coach  lines  had  noiv 
come  into  general  use  in  the  mail-carrying  capacities  and  Red 
AVing,  being  one  of  the  chief  distributing  points  along  the  rWer 
and  the  headquarters  for  a number  of  stage  lines  runing  into  the 
interior  country,  a considerable  quantity  of  mail  in  transit  must 
have  been  brought  through  here.  Captain  David  Hancock— 
Uncle  David,  as  he  was  then  known  and  as  he  is  still  affection- 
ately termed — Avas  a pioneer  in  this  mail  serATice.  In  1855  he  car- 
ried the  mail  between  Red  Wing  and  Frontenac,  supplying  Wa- 
eoota,  en  route,  giving  service  once  a week.  Later  this  route  Avas 
extended  to  include  Lake  City  and  Reeds  landing,  the  packet 
steamers  plying  in  those  days  refusing  to  stop  at  those  points. 


300 


II  1ST  OK  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


During  the  winter  of  1855-56  Captain  Hancock  carried  the 
mail  between  Red  AVing  and  AVinona  on  the  St.  Paul-Prairie  du 
Chien  route.  He  made  the  trip  in  four  days,  two  days  going  and 
two  days  coming,  receiving  four  dollars  a day,  or  sixteen  dollars 
for  each  trip.  Besides  the  mails  he  carried  passengers  and  ex- 
press, the  income  from  which  often  equalled  the  receipts  for  the 
mails  in  those  days.  It  Avas  not  all  pleasure  traveling  even  as  a 
passenger  in  those  days,  the  captain  states.  In  the  summer  time 
the  stage  was  compelled  to  cross  unbridged  streams,  often  swollen 
by  heaA'y  rains,  and  in  the  winter  it  was  no  unusual  experience 
for  the  passengers  to  be  compelled  to  join  in  digging  the  horses 
and  sleigh  out  of  a snow  drift. 

Later  Captain  Hancock  conducted  tAvo  of  these  lines  to  St. 
Nicholas  and  Blue  Earth  City,  carrying  passengers  to  and  from 
and  supplying  mails  for  St.  Nicholas,  Austin,  Mantorville,  AVa; 
sioja,  Concord,  Roscoe,  Zumbrota,  Pine  Island,  GeneAra,  Owa- 
tonna,  Ashland,  Bancroft,  Albert  Lea  and  other  points.  After 
that  he  operated  the  line  to  Le  Sueur.  Captain  Hancock  relates 
many  interesting  anecdotes  of  his  experiences  as  mail  driver  in 
those  early  days.  Instead  of  a pouch  for  each  office  the  mail 
was  all  carried  in  one  pouch,  and  at  each  place  Avhere  a stop  Avas 
made  the  postmaster  unlocked  the  pouch,  l’emoved  the  mail  for 
his  office,  and  put  in  that  Avhich  he  had  to  forward.  The  post- 
masters named  were  not  all  men  of  learning — Captain  Hancock 
found  some  Avho  could  not  read — and  so  the  captain  Avas  often 
called  on  to  sort  the  mail  and  make  the  proper  distribution. 

Among  other  duties  the  mail  carriers  Avere  required  to  collect 
the  revenue  due  the  government.  Captain  Hancock  distinctly 
remembers  his  first  collection  at  what  was  then  Goodhue  Center 
post-office — the  munificent  sum  of  six  cents,  which  was  the  gOAr- 
ernment’s  share  for  the  business  done  the  previous  three  months. 

During  the  year  1860  there  was  a change  in  the  service  of 
carrying  the  mails  along  the  river  from  the  packets  to  stages. 
Only  through  mails  were  after  that  delivered  by  boats,  which 
supplied  AVinona,  Red  AVing,  Prescott  and  Hastings,  between  St. 
Paul  and  AVinona.  At  this  time,  under  date  of  November  15, 
1860,  is  published  the  first  list  of  advertised  letters.  Thirty-five 
pieces  are  included  in  the  list,  more  than  are  advertised  weekly 
now.  In  those  days  also  Ave  find  that  occasional  instruction  of 
the  public  in  postal  matters  was  necessary.  Under  date  of  De- 
cember 21,  1860.  the  press  contained  the  following  statement: 

Post  Office  Information. 

“The  last  semi-official  organ  of  the  General  Post  Office  De- 
partment. known  as  ‘Holbrook’s  Monthly  Mail  Bag,’  contains 
the  folloAving  post  office  information  for  the  people: 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


301 


“A  printed  business  card  or  the  name  of  the  sender  placed 
upon  the  outside  of  a circular  subjects  it  to  letter  postage. 

“Letters  can  be  registered  on  the  payment  of  the  registry  fee 
of  five  cents  for  each  letter,  but  if  lost,  congress  has  made  no 
provision  for  restitution,  if  the  letter  contains  valuables. 

“The  address  of  letters 'intended  for  delivery  in  cities  espe- 
cially, should  include,  if  possible,  the  occupation,  street  and  num- 
ber of  the  party  addressed. 

“A  singular  notion  seems  long  to  have  prevailed  that  it  is  no 
violation  of  law  to  send  an  unsealed  letter  outside  of  the  mail. 
This  makes  no  difference  whatever.  Even  if  the  paper  written 
upon  is  not  folded,  it  is  a letter. 

‘ 1 If  the  writer  of  a letter  wishes  his  letter  to  reach  its  destina- 
tion without  being  subject  to  the  rules  of  distribution  requiring  it 
to  be  remailed  at  a distributing  office,  he  has  only  to  write  ‘Mail 
Direct,’  and  the  wrapper  will  not  be  removed  until  it  reaches 
the  office  for  which  the  letter  is  designed. 

“For  forging  or  counterfeiting  U.  S.  or  foreign  postage  stamps 
not  less  than  two  or  more  than  ten  years  imprisonment. 

“Using  a postage  stamp  after  it  has  once  been  used,  fifty  dol- 
lars fine.” 


Mr.  Hoffman,  who  was  an  appointee  of  President  Buchanan, 
retired  in  1861,  and  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Sorin,  who  was  ap- 
pointed by  President  Lincoln.  Early  in  his  administration,  con- 
sequent upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War,  a new  series  of 
postage  stamps  was  necessary,  and  we  find  in  this  connection 
the  following  notice  published : 

To  the  Public : 

We  are  now  furnished  with  the  new  stamps  of  the  denomina- 
tions of  10,  20  and  30  cents  and  are  directed  to  exchange  for  “an 
equivalent  amount  of  the  old  issue”  for  six  days  only. 

M.  Sorin, 

Red  Wing,  Nov.  1,  1861.  Postmaster. 

About  this  time  newspaper  wrappers  were  first  brought  into 
use.  They  must  have  attracted  general  attention,  for  a notice 
published  in  the  “Republican”  at  the  time  states: 

“Mr.  Lowater,  at  the  post-office,  has  shown  us  a new  style  of 
Avrapper.  It  is  intended  for  wrapping  newspapers,  has  the  stamp 
affixed,  and  is  self -sealing.  It  is  a great  commnience  and  the  price 
is  but  little  more  than  the  stamp  itself.  Try  them.  ’ ’ 


The  rapid  development  of  the  state  at  this  time  led  to  the 
continual  changing  of  mail  supplies  and  in  1862  we  find  a mate- 
rial change  in  the  published  announcement  of  the  Red  Wing  post- 
office.  Under  date  of  May  16,  that  year,  the  folloAving  appears : 

Post-Office, — Office  hours  on  Aveek  days  from  7 a.  m.  to  8 p.  m. 
On  Sundays  from  9 to  10  a.  m..  and  from  12:00  m.  to  1:00  p.  m. 
Up  mail  closes  at  10  :30  a.  m.  Doavu  mail  closes  at  12  :00  m. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


30.2 

Red  A\  ing  to  Mantorville, — Leaves  Tuesday,  Thursday  and  Satur- 
day at  8 :00  a.  m.  Arrives  Monday,  Wednesday  and  Friday  at 
5 :00  p.  m. 

Red  Wing  to  Blue  Earth  City, — Leaves  Monday  at  8:00  a.  m. 
Arrives  Thursday  at  6 :00  p.  m. 

Red  Wing  to  Le  Sueur, — Leaves  Monday  at  8 :00  a.  m.  Arrives 
Saturday  at  5 :00  p.  m. 

The  mail  UP  will  be  closed  at  10  :30  a.  m.  The  mail  DOWN  will 
be  closed  at  12  :00  m.  until  further  notice. 


There  were  delinquent*?  in  matters  postal  in  those  days  as  now. 
Under  date  of  September  19,  1862,  there  appeared  in  print  the 
following  notice : 

Post-Office  Notice, — All  persons  indebted  to  the  post-office  for 
box  rent  or  postage  are  requested  to  make  payment  before  the 
first  of  October,  'if  not  we  shall  consider  that  they  do  not  wish  for 
their  box  or  papers  any  longer.  M.  Sorin, 

By  E.  P.  Lowater,  Deputy.  Postmaster. 


A change  in  the  postal  laws  of  decided  interest  was  made 
about  this  time.  It  provided : 

‘‘By  sections  33  and  31  of  this  law  the  rate  of  postage  on  all 
transient  matter  and  upon  all  mailable  matter,  except  letters  and 
regular  papers  and  periodicals,  is  fixed  by  the  weight  of  the  pack- 
age (excepting  circulars).  The  standard  weight  is  fixed  at  four 
ounces,  and  passes  at  the  rate  of  two  cents,  an  extra  rate  of  two 
cents  being  added  for  each  additional  weight  or  fraction  of  it. 
Double  this  rate  (that  is,  four  cents)  is  charged  for  books  by  the 
same  standard  weight.  Three  circulars  or  any  less  number,  in 
one  unsealed  envelope  to  one  address,  pass  at  the  same  rate  of  two 
cents.  Seeds,  engravings,  and  the  other  miscellaneous  matter 
mentioned,  in  the  third  class  of  section  20  of  this  law,  are  also 
charged  at  the  same  rate  of  two  cents  for  each  four  ounces  or 
fraction  of  it,  sent  to  one  address.  These  postage  charges  must 
in  all  cases  be  prepaid  by  stamps;  no  extra  charge  is  made,  as 
heretofore,  for  any  business  card  or  address  pi-inted  on  the  wrap- 
per. ’ ’ 


Some  considerable  changes  are  noted  in  a mail  schedule  ap- 
pearing on  November  15,  1863,  which  reads  as  follows: 

Post-Office  Notice. 

From  this  time,  to  the  15tli  of  April,  1864,  unless  further 
notice  is  given,  the  Up  River  Mail  will  be  closed  daily  at  6 :00 
p.  m.,  Mondays  excepted;  Down  River  Mails  will  be  closed  daily 
at  1:00  p.  m.,  Fridays  excepted. 

The  Way  mails  for  St.  Paul  and  Winona  leave  Red  Wing  on 
Monday,  at  7 :00  a.  m. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


303 

The  Mantorville  Mails  leave  Tuesdays,  Thursdays,  and  Satur- 
days, at  8 :00  a.  m.  ' 

Cannon  River  Mails  leave  Wednesdays  and  Saturdays  at  6:00 
a.  m. 

The  Wanamingo  Mail  leaves  on  Saturday,  at  8 :00  a.  m. 

It  is  very  desirable  that  all  letters  for  the  country  and  way 
mails  up  and  down  be  deposited  in  the  office  the  evening  previous. 

Office  hours  from  7 :30  a.  m.  until  7 :30  p.  m. 

Red  Wing,  Nov.  16,  1863.  E.  P.  Lowater,  Dept.  P.  M. 


In  1864  E.  P.  Lowater,  who  had  served  as  deputy  under  Mr. 
Sorin,  succeeded  him  as  postmaster.  During  his  administration, 
on  November  1,  1864,  the  postal  money  order  system  of  the  post- 
office  department  was  established  and  Red  Wing  designated  as 
one  of  the  139  offices  in  the  country  authorized  to  transact  the 
business. 

The  first  day  one  order  was  issued  to  Amanda  Cole,  of  Rice 
Lake,  Wis.,  for  $14.00,  remitted  to  L.  A.  Godey,  Philadelphia, 
Pa.  The  first  order  was  paid  on  November  17,  1864.  It  was 
issued  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  being  purchased  by  J.  C.  Hawes, 
then  serving  in  the  army,  payable  to  his  wife,  Lydia  B.  Hawes, 
and  was  for  the  sum  of  $30.00,  the  maximum  amount  of  orders  at 
that  time..  The  first  year  295  orders  were  issued,  the  second  411 
and  the  third  606.  During  the  first  ten. years  13,300  orders  were 
issued.  The  first  year  104  orders  were  paid.  When  the  money 
order  business  was  established  the  sum  of  $300.00  was  transferred 
from  the  general  fund  with  which  to  do  business.  With  that  as 
the  basis  was  established  the  business  which  today  amounts  to 
more  than  $300,000.00  annually. 

Mr.  Lowater  served  as  postmaster  until  October,  1866.  He 
conducted  the  post-office  in  a general  store  which  he  owned,  which 
was  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Bush  streets,  where  the  St.  James 
Hotel  now  stands.  Prior  to  his  time  the  office  had  been  located 
on  Main  street  in  the  block  between  Bush  and  Plum,  a portion 
of  the  time  on  the  north  side  and  the  remainder  of  the  time  on  the 
south  side  of  the  street. 

A mail  schedule,  published  in  July,  1866,  again  shows  some 
important  changes.  It  reads  : 

Mantorville, — Arrive  Monday,  Wednesday  and  Friday.  Depart 
Tuesday,  Thursday  and  Saturday. 

Faribault, — Arrive  Wednesday,  Saturday.  Depart  Tuesday  and 
Friday. 

Northfield, — Arrive  Tuesday,  Friday.  Depart  Wednesday  and 
Saturday. 


304 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Saint  Paul, — None  up  Monday.  None  down  Saturday. 

Eastern,— None  up  Tuesday.  None  down  Saturday. 

Way  Mails, — None  up  Tuesday.  None  down  Friday. 

N.  B. — The  Eastern  mail  closes  at  4 :00  p.  m. 

E.  P.  Lowater,  Postmaster. 

W.  AY.  DeKay  was  appointed  postmaster  to  succeed  Mr. 
Lowater,  but  for  some  reason  the  appointment  Avas  not  confirmed 
and  Captain  A.  Wright  Avas  then  named,  taking  charge  of  the 
office  in  May,  1867,  after  seven  months’  service  by  Mr.  DeKay. 
The  same  year  the  office  was  removed  to  a building  on  Rush 
street,  betAveen  Main  and  Third. 

Captain  Wright  served  as  postmaster  four  years.  He  Avas 
succeeded  in  1871  by  C.  C.  AVebster.  Eaily  in  his  administration 
the  Red  AYing  post-office  became  an  international  money  order 
office.  But  the  great  event  of  his  term  was  the  establishment  of 
mail  service  by  rail  on  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  & St.  Paul  rail- 
Avay,  then  just  completed  through  Red  AYing.  On  October  13, 
1871,  the  Red  AYing  post-office  received  its  first  mail  by  train,  and 
the  days  of  the  steamboat  and  stage  coach  supply  Avhieh  had  done 
service  for  more  than  twenty  years  Avere  at  an  end.  At  the  start 
there  was  one  mail  a day  each  way.  A train  left  St.  Paul  at  9 :20 
a.  m.,  arriving  at  Red  Wing  at  noon  and  reaching  AVinona,  the 
end  of  the  run,  at  4 o’clock.  Another  train  left  AYinona  at  10. TO 
a.  m.,  arriving  at  Red  AYing  at  2:10  and  at  St.  Paul  at  4:55.  The 
trip  between  Red  Wing  and  St.  Paul  consumed  almost  three 
hours,  where  now  it  is  performed  in  little  more  than  one  hour. 

Captain  AYright,  whom  Mr.  Webster  succeeded  as  postmaster, 
was  one  of  the  first  tAvo  railway  mail  clerks.  In  June,  1872, 
through  service  to  Chicago  Avas  established  AAutli  tAvo  trains  a 
day  each  way,  Avhieh  service  has  been  increased  to  six  at  the 
present  time.  The  run  from  Chicago  to  St.  Paul  consumed  about 
twenty-tAvo  hours.  Noav  it  is  made  in  little  more  than  half  that 
time — in  fact,  in  ten  hours  by  some  of  the  mail  trains. 

In  1875  A.  F.  Graves  became  postmaster.  Shortly  after  he 
took  charge  the  post-office  was  removed  to  the  corner  of  Third 
and  Bush  streets,  the  present  location  of  Bender’s  drug  store, 
where  it  remained  more  than  twenty  years.  During  the  adminis- 
tration of  Mr.  Graves  the  office  records  sIioav  the  first  statement 
of  receipts  of  the  Red  AYing  post-office.  For  the  year  ending 
June  30,  1878,  they  amounted  to  $7,480.99.  As  shoA\ring  the  later 
growth  of  the  office  no  little  interest  attaches  to  a statement  of 
mails  found  in  the  old  records.  A count  kept  for  seven  days 
in  November,  1879,  shoAved  the  dispatch  of  the  folloAving  mail 
from  the  office : 


HI  ST  OB  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


305 


Letters  in  plain  envelopes 2,171 

Letters  in  Gov’t.  Special  Request  Envelopes 160 

Letters  in  private  return  Request  Envelopes 1,688 

Letters  in  official  envelopes 218 

Postal  cards  969 

Newspapers  3,338 

Books  and  transient  papers 432 

Merchandise  92 


9,367 

There  were  cancelled:  718  one  cent  stamps;  86  two  cent; 

3,858  three  cent — the  three  cent  letter  rate  was  in  force  then ; 
98  five  cent ; 30  six  cent  and  31  ten  cent.  During'  the  week  the 
office  issued  94  money  orders  and  paid  29 ; registered  19  letters, 
handled  76  in  transit  and  delivered  46. 

At  that  time,  besides  the  railroad  service,  the  office  supplied 
stage  lines  running  to  Cannon  Falls,  Faribault,  Zumbrota,  Ells- 
worth. Diamond  Bluff,  Belvidere  and  Thoten. 

Mr.  Graves  served  as  postmaster  from  1875  to  1887,  when  he 
was  succeeded  by  Captain  W.  W.  DeKay.  During  his  time  of 
office,  in  1889,  the  city  free  delivery  service  was  established  here, 
at  first  with  four  carriers,  which  number  was  later  reduced  to 
three,  but  has  since  been  increased  at  different  times  until  now 
seven  carriers  are  employed  in  the  service,  making  two  residence 
and  four  business  deliveries  daily. 

In  1891  Fred  Seebach,  now  county  treasurer,  succeeded  Mr. 
DeKay  as  postmaster.  He  also  served  four  years,  being  succeeded 
in  1895  by  George  H,  Benton.  A rather  amusing  incident  during 
Mr.  Seebach ’s  term — amusing  it  appears  now,  although  at  the 
time  it  possessed  a serious  aspect  to  many — was  an  attempt  of 
the  post-office  department  in  simplifying  names  to  change  “Red 
Wing”  to  “Redwing.”  The  protests  which  arose  because  of  this 
were  so  vigorous  and  energetic  that,  although  the  change  had 
been  ordered  and  put  into  effect,  the  department  was  finally  com- 
pelled to  countermand  the  order. 

Mr.  Benton  also  served  four  years.  Near  the  close  of  his  term 
the  office  was  removed  to  the  location  on  Third  street  near  Bush, 
which  has  been  occupied  the  last  ten  years. 

In  1899  C.  A.  Rasmussen  succeeded  Mr.  Benton  as  postmaster. 

During  the  fall  of  that  year,  on  September  5,  to  be  exact,  Mr. 
Rasmussen  secured  the  establishment  of  the  first  two  rural  routes 
in  this  section,  among' the  very  first  in  the  state.  In  1901  this 
number  was  increased  to  five,  in  1903  to  eight  and  in  1905  to  nine, 
giving  the  rural  district  on  the  Minnesota  side  of  the  Mississippi 
river  tributary  to  Red  Wing  as  complete  a system  of  rural  mail 
delivery  as  can  be  found  anywhere  in  the  county.  And  as  still 
further  evidence  of  the  growth  and  development  of  the  business 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


306 

of  the  office  during  Mr.  Rasmussen’s  term  of  service  the  number 
of  city  letter  carriers  has  increased  from  three  to  seven,  the  force 
of  office  employees  from  three  to  eight,  nine  rural  carriers  put  in 
service,  besides  two  employed  in  the  care  of  the  new  federal 
building,  making  a total  force  regularly  connected  with  the  new 
post-office  of  twenty-six,  besides  five  substitutes,  where  there  were 
but  seven  ten  years  ago. 

For  the  period  for  which  a record  has  been  kept  the  postal 
receipts  of  the  Red  Wing  post-office  have  been,  by  fiscal  years 
ending  June  30,  as  follows:  1876,  $7,480.00;  1877,  $7,714.00;  1878, 
$8,538.00;  1879,  $9,512.00;  1880,  $10,127.00;  1881,  $10,415.00;  1882, 
$12,399.00;  1883,  $12,640.00;  1884,  $10,369.00;  1885,  $10,456.00; 
1886,  $10,218.00;  1887,  $10,407.00;  1888,  $10,272.0;  1889,  $9,617.00; 
1890*,  $10,473.00;  1891,  $10,293.00;  1892,  $10,965.00;  1893,  $12,- 
271.00;  1894,  $12,068.00;  1895,  $12,535.00;  1896,  $12,598.00;  1897, 
$12,104.00;  1898,  $12,817.00;  1899,  $13,336.00;  1900,  $14,485.00; 
1901,  $15,236.00;  1902,  $16,122.00;  1903,  $17,367.00;  1904,  $18,- 
889.00;  1905,  $20,477.00;  1906,  $21,552.00;  1907,  $23,781.00;  1908, 
$25,530.00 ; 1909,  $29,927.00. 

The  money  orders  issued  have  increased  from  295  for  the  year 
ending  in  1865  to  14,608  for  the  year  ending  in  1908,  while  the 
number  paid  has  increased  from  104  to  18,719. 

The  official  roster  of  the  office  at  present  is  as  follows : Post- 
master, C.  A.  Rasmussen ; assistant  postmaster,  C.  O.  Forssell ; 
clerks,  F.  C.  Seebacli,  C.  A.  Iv.  Johnson,  O.  N.  Rock,  E.  F.  See- 
bach,  Edna  V.  Erickson,  Roy  N.  Howe;  city  letter  carriers,  A.  C. 
Cook,  Jens  Loye,  J.  G.  Ivappel,  Edwin  DeKay,  W.  J.  Diepenbrock, 

L.  Penfold,  Alfred  Swanson ; rural  letter  carriers,  C.  A.  Lidberg, 

M.  O.  Nelson,  A.  A.  Schleuter,  F.  J.  Schenach,  J.  IT.  Drew,  P.  J. 
Buran,  F.  W.  Boatman,  O.  B.  Arntson,  Henry  Nelson;  substitute 
city  carrier,  O.  J.  Servick;  substitute  rural  carriers,  N.  W.  Nel- 
son, G.  C.  Pirius,  C.  Reitman;  janitor,  W.  J.  Back. 

The  new  post-office  building,  which  is  located  at  the  northwest 
corner  of  Third  street  and  West  avenue,  on  a plot  of  ground  142 
feet  on  Broadway  and  120  feet  on  Third  street,  has  a ground  area 
of  82  feet  on  West  avenue  and  46Y2  feet  on  Third  street.  It 
stands  32  feet  in  height  from  the  ground  and  is  surmounted  by  a 
flag  staff  extending  20  feet  above  the  roof.  The  front  steps, 
seven  in  number,  of  granite,  have  a length  at  the  bottom  of  48 
feet.  Surmounting  the  steps  are  two  cast-iron  lamp  standards 
with  translucent  opalescent  glass  globes. 

The  foundation  is  of  brick  on  a concrete  footing.  The  base- 
ment walls,  32  inches  thick,  are  of  Chaska  brick,  surmounted  by 
St.  Cloud  granite  above  the  grade  lines. 

The  main  structure  is  faced  with  terra-cotta  and  light  gray 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


307 


brick,  harmonious  in  color.  The  'ornamentation  is  quite  elabo- 
rate. The  frame'  work  is  of  steel.  The  roof  is  tin. 

The  basement  story,  which  is  10  feet  8 inches  high,  contains : 
a store  room,  13  by  15  feet;  a fuel  room,  15  by  16  feet;  a swing 
room  for  the  use  of  the  carriers  between  trips,  11  by  18  feet ; a 
toilet  room,  13  by  11  feet,  besides  the  general  basement,  in  which 
is  located  the  heating  plant.  The  floor  is  cement,  and  the  ceiling, 
which  forms  the  floor  of  the  main  story,  is  iron  frame  work  and 
reinforced  concrete.  The  steps  leading  to  the  basement  story 
are  all  either  stone  or  concrete,  making  that  story  wholly  fire- 
proof. 

The  main  floor  has  a height  of  15  feet  1 inches  in  the  work 
room  and  departments  and  20  feet  in  the  main  lobby.  The  main 
lobby,  12  feet  wide,  extends  along  the  West  avenue  side  a dis- 
tance of  63  feet,  with  a wing  near  the  south  end  extending  back 
12  feet. 

At  the  north  end  of  the  lobby  are  the  money  order  and  regis- 
try departments  combined,  15  by  19  feet  in  size,  leading  off  from 
which  is  a vault  of  reinforced  concrete  surmounted  by  a storage 
vault  of  the  same  material.  The  postmaster’s  room  is  at  the 
southwest  corner  of  the  building,  13  by  ll1/^  feet  in  size,  leading 
off  from  the  lobby  wing.  In  this  wing  are  also  stairways  to  the 
basement  and  attic.  At  the  northwest  corner  of  the  building  is 
the  mailing  vestibule,  13  by  14  feet,  for  the  reception'  and  dis- 
patch of  mail.  The  remainder  of  the  space  is  taken  up  with  the 
main  work  room,  30  by  47  feet.  A vault  for  stamp  supplies  is 
located  here  and  there  is  also  a stairway  to  the  basement.  Pass- 
ing directly  through  the  work  room,  suspended  from  the  ceiling, 
is  the  look-out  from  which  can  be  watched  the  work  of  employees, 
unbeknown  to  them.  Look-outs  also  extend  into  the  money  order 
and  registry  sections,  the  mailing  vestibule  and  the  basement. 

The  public  lobby  has  a revolving  door  entrance,  terrazzo  floor, 
marble  border  and  wainscote.  The  general  delivery  and  stamp 
windows  are  directly  in  front  of  the  main  entrance,  the  carrier 
windows  to  the  right  and  the  post-office  boxes  to  the  left. 

The  money  order  and  registry  department  has  wood  floor  and 
cove  cornice,  as  has  also  the  main  work  room  and  mailing  lobby. 
The  postmaster’s  room  has  wood  floor,  base,  chair  rail,  picture 
moulding  and  plaster  cornice. 

A granite  curb  faces  the  walk  on  Third  street  and  West  ave- 
nue, a concrete  gutter  extends  along  the  west  side  and  a concrete 
curb  on  the  north  side.  The  sidewalk  is  granolithic.  On  AYest 
avenue  it  is  14  feet  wide  and  on  Third  street  12  feet  wide.  At 
the  inside  border  is  a cement  coping  3 inches  high.  A vitrified 
brick  driveway,  12  feet  wide,  with  granolithic  coping,  leads  from 
Third  street  across  the  lot  to  the  north  side  of  the  building.  On 


308 


HIST  OK  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


the  two  sides  and  at  the  rear  of  the  building  are  grass  plots,  also 
a grass  boulevard  on  Third  street. 

The  building  is  essentially  one  of  Red  AATng  construction. 
Besides  being  contracted  by  AY.  J.  Longcor,  the  plumbing  and 
heating  work  was  done  by  J.  IT.  Doyle  and  the  electrical  work  by 
Foster  Bros. 

From  the  commencement  of  work  until  June,  1909,  the  gov- 
ernment was  represented  at  the  work  by  Henry  Brack  as  super- 
intendent of  construction.  Mr.  Brack  was  then  transferred  to 
Michigan  and  the  work  was  completed  under  the  superintendence 
of  John  II.  Holmes,  who  at  the  same  time  superintended  the  erec- 
tion of  the  tower  on  the  post-office  at  St.  Paul. 

OTHER  COUNTY  OFFICERS. 

Cannon  Falls. — The  post-office  at  Cannon  Falls  was  established 
in  1851  with  James  McGinnis  as  postmaster.  Its  first  mail  supply 
was  on  the  old  Dubuque  & St.  Paul  stage  route,  for  which  later 
on  service  by  stage  from  Red  AVing  Avas  substituted.  This  con- 
tinued until  early  in  the  eighties,  Avhen  the  building  of  the  AVis- 
consin,  Minnesota  & Pacific  line  enabled  the  establishment  of 
railroad  service. 

Succeeding  Mr.  McGinnis  as  postmaster  came  George  McKin- 
zie;  then  in  order  Eli  Ellsworth,  George  L.  Baker,  A.  J.  Phelps, 
Joseph  E.  Chapman,  F.  D.  Barlow,  AY.  H.  Scofield,  L.  L.  Lewis. 
The  present  postmaster  is  P.  A.  Peterson,  who  has  served  since 
October  1,  1889. 

The  income  of  the  office  for  1908  was  $5,525.00.  During  that 
year  there  were  issued  4,255  domestic  and  50  international  money 
orders  and  1,164  domestic  and  7 international  Avere  paid.  There 
Avere  dispatched  802  registers  and  delivered  942.  There  are  eight 
rural  routes  connected  with  the  office,  and  four  mails  are  re- 
ceived and  dispatched  daily.  The  office  served  5,000  patrons. 
The  present  force  of  the  office  is : Postmaster,  P.  A.  Peterson ; 

assistant,  Ella  M.  Johnson;  clerk,  II.  AVolander;  rural  carriers, 
John  A.  Anderson,  August  M.  Johnston ; Oscar  E.  Olson,  Harry 
F.  Hine,  John  A.  Lundberg,  George  F.  Miller,  John  A.  Johnson 
and  Edwin  Larson.  Originally  the  name  of  this  office  was  Cannon 
River  Falls,  and  it  so  continued  up  to  October,  1889,  Avhen  a 
change  Avas  made  to  Cannon  Falls. 

Dennison. — This  post-office,  Avhich  is  located  on  the  Avestern 
line  of  the  county,  on  the  line  of  the  Chicago  Great  AVestern 
Raihvay,  Avas  established  in  1885,  with  G.  A.  Bonlius  as  post- 
master. He  Avas  succeeded  by  Iv.  A.  Bonhus,  Avho  in  turn  gave 
way  to  A.  K.  Lockrem.  Jens  AValen  succeeded  him,  then  his 
brother,  John  AValen,  then  I.  O.  Flaten,  avIio  Avas  succeeded  by 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


309 


W.  W.  Bunday,  the  present  incumbent.  There  are  two  rural 
. routes  connected  with  the  office. 

Eggleston. — This  office,  on  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  & St.  Paul 
Railway,  about  eight  miles  west  of  Red  Wing,  was  established  in 
the  seventies.  It  serves  a small  community  principally  on  Prairie 
Island,  for  whose  greater  convenience  one  rural  route  is  operated 
from  the  office.  M.  T.  Nilan  is  the  postmaster. 

Frontenac. — This  is  one  of  the  oldest  post-offices  in  the  county, 
being  established  about  1855.  For  a long  time  it  received  its  mail 
supply  from  Red  Wing  by  stage,  this  continuing  until  early  in 
the  seventies,  when  the  building  of  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  & St. 
Paul  Railway  enabled  a rail  supply.  There  is  one  rural  route 
connected  with  the  office.  H.  Lorentzen  served  as  postmaster  for 
thirty-six  years,  and  H.  Scherf,  who  succeeded  him  and  who  still 
holds  the  place,  has  served  sixteen  years. 

Goodhue. — The  office  of  Goodhue  Center,  which  later  became 
Goodhue,  was  established  in  1858*on  what  is  known  as  the  Hadler 
farm,  at  the  present  time  about  two  miles  east  of  Goodhue  on 
the  old  Zumbrota  and  Red  Wing  road.  Peter  Esterly,  who  was 
the  first  postmaster,  continued  in  office  until  1864.  At  this  time 
the  office  was  transferred  to  the  Gleason  place,  two  miles  north 
of  the  Esterly  place,  and  Mrs.  Rebecca  Gleason  was  made  the 
postmistress.  She  continued  in  office  until  1880,  when  Frank 
Durig  was  appointed,  moving  the  office  back  to  the  Esterly  farm, 
where  he  held  it  until  1887.  At  that  time  George  Uslar  was  ap- 
pointed, holding  the  office  until  1890,  the  same  farm  being  the 
location  of  the  office.  He  moved  the  office  from  the  old  place  of 
Goodhue  Center  to  the  village  of  Goodhue  during  1888. 

Soon  after  George  Uslar  moved  the  office  to  Goodhue,  Frank 
Neubel  was  made  his  successor,  Neubel  being  followed  by  W.  C. 
Pilling,  who  likewise  had  the  office  a short  time  or  until  1894. 
K.  L.  Anderson  Avas  appointed  at  this  time,  keeping  the  office  until 
1900,  when  D.  C.  Pierce  was  appointed,  being  in  the  office  at  the 
present  time.  The  post-offices  of  Belle  Chester,  Ryan,  Claybank 
and  White  WilloAv  have  been  discontinued  into  this  office.  Rural 
delivery  from  this  office  was  established  in  1901  with  two  carriers. 
Later  the  number  of  routes  was  increased  to  six.  The  present 
carriers  are:  R.  R.  No.  1,  Claire  M.  Acquard;  R.  R.  No.  2,  Frank 
P.  Ahern;  R.  R.  No.  3,  Wesley  Kolbe;  R.  R.  No.  4,  Charles  Han- 
son; R.  R.  No.  5,  Ebba  I.  O’Reilly;  R.  R.  No.  6,  Mary  Heaney. 

This  post-office  was  raised  to  the  third  class  on  October  1, 
1906. 

Kenyon. — The  post-office  at  Kenyon  Avas  established  in  1856, 
with  James  CroAAdey  as  postmaster.  For  nearly  thirty  years  it 
received  its  mail  supply  by  stage  from  Red  AYing  and  from  Fari- 


310 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHTJE  COUNTY 


bault,  this  arrangement  continuing  until  the  building  of  the  Chi- 
cago Great  Western  Railway. 

Succeeding  Mr.  Crowley  as  postmaster  came  Mr.  Clapp,  then 
Mr.  Brill.  Dr.  Brown,  E.  R.  Marshall,  W.  Stears,  Ed.  Slee  and  Dr. 
Graves.  Lars  ITaaven  served  from  1877  to  1881,  C.  L.  Brusletten 
from  1881  to  1884,  T.  R.  Bullis  from  1884  to  1889,  then  Mr.  Brus- 
letten again  from  1889  to  1893.  A.  M.  McLaughlin  was  then  ap- 
pointed, serving  until  1899.  During  his  term  the  office  was  raised 
to  the  third  class.  In  1899  Anders  Glimme  was  appointed  post- 
master. He  still  holds  the  position. 

The  office  became  an  international  money  order  office  in  1900. 
Rural  service  was  started  from  the  office  in  1902,  and  at  present 
there  are  six  routes.  The  following  offices  have  been  discontinued 
into  Kenyon:  Norway,  Aspelund,  Spring  Creek,  Ayr,  Moland, 

Nansen. 

Pine  Island. — The  post-office  at  Pine  Island  was  established  in 
1856,  with  John  Chance  as  postmaster.  He  served  two  years. 
The  first  mail  supply  was  by  the  Burbank  stage  line  between 
Dubuque  and  St.  Paul.  When  this  supply  was  discontinued  the 
office  was  put  on  the  Red  Wing  and  Mantorville  star  route,  from 
which  it  received  service  until  1878,  when  the  building  of  the 
Chicago  & Northwestern  branch  from  Rochester  to  Zumbrota 
enabled  the  establishing  of  railway  mail  service.  The  office  is 
now  supplied  by  the  Chicago  & Great  Western  Railway,  receiving 
four  mails  daily.  The  postmasters  following  Mr.  Chance  and  their 
years  of  service  are:  J.  A.  Tarbox,  1858  to  1861;  Thomas  Mc- 
Mannis  and  C.  R.  White,  1861  to  1865 ; S.  Worthing, 
1865  to  1868;  C.  R.  White,  1868  to  1876;  F.  ITagler,  1876  to  1880; 
Plenry  Tome,  July  1,  1880,  to  July  1,  1886;  Charles  Parker,  July 

I,  1886,  to  July  1,  1889;  Henry  Tome,  July  1,  1889,  to  July  1, 
1893;  W.  II.  Hamlin,  July  1,  1893,  to' July  1,  1897;  Henry  Tome, 
July  1,  1897,  to  July  1,  1906;  George  II.  Tome,  July  1,  1906,  to 
date. 

The  domestic  money  order  division  was  established  July  1, 
1879,  and  the  international  January  1,  1903.  The  office  has  made 
a rapid  increase  in  business  of  late  years.  For  the  year  ending 
December  31,  1890,  the  receipts  were  $894.86 ; December  31,  1895, 
$1,315.25 ; December  31,  1905,  $2,236.09 ; December  31,  1908,  $2,~ 
595.30.  Last  year  the  office  issued  2,986  domestic  money  orders. 
There  are  four  rural  routes  connected  with  the  office,  two  estab- 
lished in  March,  1903,  and  two  in  December,  1904.  The  present 
rural  carriers  are : R.  R.  No.  1,  B.  T.  Vessey ; R.  R.  No.  2,  Willard 

II.  Marsh;  R..  R,  No.  3,  John  E.  Clark,  and  R.  R.  No.  4,  Ambrose 
Y.  Sterling. 

Skyberg. — This  office  is  one  on  the  line  of  the  Chicago  Great 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  C'OUXTY 


311 


Western  Railway,  about  six  miles  south  of  Kenyon.  One  rural 
route  starts  therefrom.  Francis  J.  White  is  the  postmaster. 

• Stanton. — This  post-office,  located  on  the  Chicago  Great  AVest- 
ern  Railway,  dates  from  early  in  the  sixties,  previous  to  the  build- 
ing of  the  railway  having  received  and  dispatched  mail  by  stage. 
One  rural  route  is  connected  with  the  office.  Henry  W.  Nelson  is 
the  present  postmaster. 

Vasa. — This  post-office  also  dates  from  the  fifties.  It  is  today 
the  only  post-office  in  Goodhue  county  not  located  on  a railroad, 
receiving  its  mail  from  the  Welch  station  on  the  Chicago  Great 
Western  Railway.  The  office  serves  the  hamlet  Yasa  and  a limited 
territory  around  there.  N.  B.  Ofelt  is  the  present  postmaster. 

Wanamingo. — The  post-office  at  Wanamingo  is  among  the  old- 
est in  the  county.  It  was  established  hi  the  fifties,  with  James 
Brown  as  postmaster.  Martin  Halvorson  served  as  postmaster 
there  for  nearly  thirty  years,  and  after  him  his  son,  Henry  M. 
Halvorson,  served  eleven  years.  Herman  0.  Naeseth  is  the  pres- 
ent postmaster.  The  mail  supply  of  the  office  for  more  than  forty 
years  was  by  stage ; at  present  the  supply  and  dispatch  is  by  rail- 
way service. 

Welch. — This  office  is  located  on  the  Northfield  branch  of  the 
Milwaukee  road,  about  twelve  miles  west  of  Red  Wing.  Samuel 
Nelson  is  the  postmaster. 

Zumbrota. — The  post-office  at  Zumbrota  tvas  established  late 
in  the  fifties,  with  Thomas  P.  Kellett  as  postmaster  and  an  author- 
ization of  one  mail  a week  each  way  by  stage  from  Red  Wing. 
This  service  subsequently  increased  to  three  times  a week  and 
still  later  to  a daily  service,  continued  until  1878,  when  the  build- 
ing of  a railroad  into  the  village  from  Rochester  enabled  the  es- 
tablishment of  a railroad  supply. 

For  nearly  twenty  years,  or  until  1875,  the  office  remained 
in  the  general  store  of  Mr.  Ivellett,  under  his  charge.  Henry 
Blanchard  was  then  appointed  postmaster,  and  the  office  removed 
to  his  shoe  store.  Some  home-made  fixtures,,  very  crude  in  a way, 
were  installed,  but  they  did  very  good  service.  At  that,  time  post- 
offices  had  been  established  at  Minneola,  Roscoe,  AA7anamingo  and 
Hader,  and  as  the  population  was  not  large  the  mail  was  very 
light  at  all  the  points. 

Mr.  Blanchard  retained  the  office  until  1887,  when  C.  B.  An- 
derson was  appointed.  He  installed  new  fixtures  and  moved  into 
quarters  by  himself.  In  1891  Ira  D.  Warren  succeeded  to  the 
office.  During  his  term  it  became  third  class.  In  1895  Mr.  An- 
derson was  again  appointed  postmaster.  Diming  this  term  the 
office  again  dropped  to  the  fourth  class.  In  1899  B.  C.  Grover 
was  appointed  postmaster  and  held  the  office  until  1908.  During 


312 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


his  term  the  office  again  became  third  class,  six  rural  routes  were 
established  and  the  service  generally  improved. 

In  1908  S.  B.  Scott  succeeded  to  the  office  and  still  holds  -it. 
Under  his  management  many  new  improvements  have  been  made 
and  the  service  generally  rendered  more  efficient.  For  the  year 
190s  the  receipts  were  $5,400,  the  largest  in  the  history  of  the 
office. 

The  office  lias  become  an  important  junction  point,  receiving 
and  dispatching  mails  on  the  Chicago*  Great  Western,  C.,  M.  & 
St.  P.  and  Chicago  & Northwestern  Railways. 

DISCONTINUED  POST-OFFICES. 

Aspelund. — This  post-office,  which  was  located  in  Wanamingo, 
was  established  early  in  the  sixties  and  conducted  about  thirty 
years,  being  discontinued  in  consequence  of  the  establishment  of 
rural  mail  delivery. 

Ayr. — This  office  was  located  in  Cherry  Grove.  It  was  estab- 
lished in  the  sixties  and  served  its  patrons  for  about  thirty  years 
also. 

Belvidere  Mills. — This  office,  located  in  Belvidere,  was  one  of 
the  earliest  offices  in  the  country.  It  was  established  about  1855, 
with  N.  B.  Gaylord  as  postmaster.  He  served  the  public  in  that 
capacity  for  more  than  forty  years.  The  office  was  discontinued 
about  five  years  ago. 

Burley. — This  office,  which  was  located  in  Featlierstone  town- 
ship, had  a very  short  career.  When  established  it  supplied  a 
considerable  territory,  but  rural  delivery  being  introduced  soon 
afterwards,  its  usefulness  was  early  at  an  end. 

Burr  Oak. — This  office  was  located  in  Belle  Creek  toAvnship, 
being  established  in  1854.  It  was  on  the  line  of  the  old  St.  Paul 
and  Dubuque  stage  route  and  when  that  was  discontinued  about 
two  years  later,  the  supply  being  cut  off,  the  office  was  discon- 
tinued. Later  it  was  re-established  as  Belle  Creek  post-office  in 
the  southern  part  of  the  town,  which  office  was  also  discontinued 
and  its  place  supplied  by  Ryan  in  the  east  part  of  the  town,  which 
served  its  neighborhood  itp  to  a few  years  ago. 

Eidsvold. — This  Avas  an  office  in  Holden  township,  established 
about  1875.  It  had  a life  of  about  tAventy  years. 

Fairpoint. — This  office,  in  Cherry  Grove  township,  Avas  estab- 
lished in  1858  and  discontinued  in  1861,  and  later,  being  re-estab- 
lished, did  service  for  a little  more  than  thirty  years,  rural  deliv- 
ery also  supplanting  it. 

Forest  Mills. — This  Avas  a small  office  in  Zumbrota  township,  a 
feAv  miles  east  of  Zumbrota.  It  had  a career  of  about  fifteen 
years. 


\ 


C.  A.  Rasmussen 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


313 


Hader. — This  office,  in  Wanamingo,  was  among  those  estab- 
lished early  in  the  sixties.  It  served  the  public  for  about  forty 
years. 

Hay  Creek. — This  office,  which  was  located  in  Featherstone  on 
the  line  of  Hay  Creek,  was  established  in  the  sixties  and  served 
the  community  in  which  it  was  located  about  forty  years. 

Holden.- — This  office,  in  Holden  township,  Avas  established  in 
1863.  It  had  a career  of  nearly  forty  years,  rural  delivery  sup- 
planting it. 

Nansen. — This  office,  also  in  Holden,  had  a short  career.  AVhen 
established  it  served  a considerable  territory,  but  rural  delivery 
coming  in  cut  off  its  patronage  and  it  was  discontinued. 

Poplar  Grove.— This  was  one  of  the  early  offices  located  in 
Pine  Island  township  on  the  line  of  one  of  the  old  stage  routes. 
It  had  a short  career. 

Sogn. — This  office,  on  the  east  line  of  Warsaw,  gave  service 
for  about  fifteen  years  during  the  eighties  and  nineties. 

Spring  Creek. — This  office,  in  Cherry  Grove  township,  was 
established  in  1861.  It  served  its  community  about  forty  years. 

Sunapee. — This  was  an  office  in  Roseoe  township,  established 
in  1858.  Later  the  name  was  changed  to  Roseoe  and  under  that 
name  it  gave  service  to  a considerable  territory  for  nearly  forty 
years. 

Thoten. — This  office,  which  was  located  in  Belviclere,  was  a 
small  one.  For  more  than  twenty  years,  from  the  sixties  to  the 
eighties,  it  furnished  service  to  a limited  area. 

Wacouta. — This  office,  which  was  established  in  1855,  was  one 
of  the  first  in  the  county.  For  a time  it  developed  into  consider- 
able proportions,  a few  years  after  it  had  been  established  paying 
$300.00  a year.  Red  Wing  forging  ahead,  however,  the  town 
gradually  fell  away  and  with  that  the  post-office  business  de- 
creased to  a veiy  small  item.  The  office  continued  to  exist  until 
1905,  hoAvever,  Avhen  it  Avas  discontinued  in  consequence  of  rural 
delivery. 

Wangs. — This  office  AAras  located  in  Warsaw.  Its  career  Avas 
not  long  and  its  Heritage  never  considerable. 

Wastedo. — This  office  Avas  located  in  Leon  tOAvnsliip.  It  had 
a career  of  more  than  thirty  years  and  at  one  time  serAred  a large 
territory. 

White  Rock. — This  office  Avas  located  in  Vasa.  Like  Wastedo 
it  served  the  community  in  which  it  Avas  established  for  more  than 
thirty  years,  rural  delivery  being  responsible  for  its  discontinu- 
ance. 

Christian  A.  Rasmussen  Avas  one  of  the  moving  spirits  in  that 
revival  of  activity  in  Red  Wing  Avhich  has  made  this  city  famous 
throughout  the  United  States.  He  Avas  born  in  the  city  of  Copen- 


314 


HISTOBY  OF  GOODHUE  COUJMTY 


liagen,  Denmark,  October  30,  1868,  son  of  Christian  and  Basmina 
Basmussen,  natives  of  that  country.  At  the  age  of  four  years  he 
was  brought  to  Minnesota  by  his  parents  and  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  Bed  "Wing,  graduating  in  1885.  After 
graduation  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Bed  Wing  Printing 
Company,  October  12,  1885,  when  the  “Daily  Bepublican”  was 
started.  Having  a particular  aptitude  for  this  work  he  rose  to  the 
position  of  managing  editor,  a situation  in  which  he  remained 
until  April  1,  1899.  During  this  time  the  paper  grew  in  impor- 
tance and  circulation  and  had  a powerful  influence  in  shaping 
the  destinies  of  the  city  and  county.  April  1,  1899,  Mr.  Bas- 
mussen laid  down  the  editorial  pen  to  take  up  the  duties  of  post- 
master at  Bed  Wing.  Previous  to  this  he  was  chairman  of  the' 
Bepublican  county  committee  in  1896  and  1898,  and  in  the  latter 
year  ably  performed  'the  duties  of  secretary  to  the  Bepublican 
state  central  committee.  He  has  also  served  on  the  school  board. 
Mr.  Basmussen  \s  term  as  postmaster  has  been  a long  record  of 
faithful  public  service,  his  efforts  having  been  crowned  with  an 
increased  efficiency  on  the  part  of  the  local  postal  service,  and 
also  with  a large  increase  in  business.  Some  years  ago  he  became 
interested  in  the  work  of  the  State  Postmasters’  Association  of 
Minnesota.  North  Dakota  and  South  Dakota,  and  at  the  present 
time  is  serving  this  association  as  secretary.  For  two  years  he 
acted  in  a similar  capacity  for  the  Bed  Wing  Commercial  Club, 
and  his  business  interests  include  the  Bed  Wing  Printing  Com- 
pany, the  First  National  Bank,  the  Bed  Wing  Advertising  Com- 
pany and  the  Bed  Wing  Telephone  Company.  Mr.  Basmussen ’s 
postal  history,  which  appears  in  this  wox’k,  not  only  shows  the 
increase  in  the  volume  of  business  and  efficiency  of  'service  during 
bis  administration,  but  also  demonstrates  his  ability  as  a writer 
and  painstaking  collector  of  exact  data  and  statistical  facts. 
April  30,  1901,  Mr.  Basmussen  Avas  married  to  Lesa  M.  Johnson, 
by  whom  he  has  one  daughter,  Charlotte  Katherine. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


THE  PHYSICIAN. 

His  Proud  Achievements — His  Solemn  Oath — His  Ethics — The 
True  Physician — His  Reward — His  Delicate  Relation  to  the 
Human  Family — His  Inventions  and  Discoveries  Free  Gifts— 
The  Pioneer  Doctor — His  Character — His  Services — His  Lim- 
itations— The  March  of  Medicine — Biographies — A Roll  of 
Honor — The  Goodhue  County  Medical  Society — The  Twen- 
tieth Century— Preventive  Medicine — The  Physician  as  an 
Educator. — By  George  C.  Wellner,  M.  D. 

“Men  most  nearly  resemble  the  gods  when 
They  afford  health  to  their  fellow  men.” 

In  an  age  when,  in  the  combat  of  man  against  man,  heroes 
are  worshipped  according  to  the  number  they  slay  in  battle,  it  is 
inspiring  and  elevating  to  be  permitted  to  pay  tribute  to  the  men 
who  won  glory  in  fighting  disease  and  through  whose  devotion 
and  skill  thousands  of  useful  lives  have  been  saved  and  been  made 
happy. 

“For  every  man  slain  by  Caesar.  Napoleon  and  Grant  in  all 
their  bloody  campaigns,  Jenner,  Pasteur  and  Lister  have  saved 
alive  a thousand.”  The  first  anaesthetic  has  done  more  for  the 
real  happiness  of  mankind  than  all  the  philosophers  from  Socrates 
to  Mills.  Society  laurels  the  soldier  and  the  philosopher  and 
practically  ignores  the  physician.  Few  remember  his  labors,  for 
what  Sir  Thomas  Browne  said  three  hundred  years  ago  is  surely 
true : “The  iniquity  of  oblivion  blindly  scattereth  her  poppy  and 
deals  with  the  memory  of  men  without  distinction  to  merit  to 
perpetuity.” 

“Medicine  is  the  most  cosmopolitan  of  the  three  great 
* learned  ’ professions.  Medicine  never  built  a prison  or  lit  a 
fagot,  never  incited  men  to  battle  or  crucified  anyone.  Saint  and 
sinner,  white  and  black,  rich  and  poor,  are  equal  and  alike  when 
they  cross  the  sacred  portals  of  the  temple  of  JEseulapius.  ” No 
other  secular  profession  has  ever  reached  such  a consciousness  of 
duties  which  it  corporately  owes  to  the  rest  of  the  world.  What 


315 


316 


ILJ  STORY  OF  GOODITUE  COUNTY" 


are  the  principles  which  a profession,  more  profuse  in  its  disinter- 
ested charities  than  any  other  profession  in  the  world  has  estab- 
lished for  its  guidance? 

It  was  about  2,300  years  ago  that  the  practicers  of  the  art  of 
healing  began  to  take  an  oath  emphasizing  the  responsibilities 
which  the  nobility  and  holiness  of  the  art  imposed  irpon  them. 
Hippocrates,  forever  to  be  revered,  gave  the  oath  his  name.  AVhen 
a Greek  physician  took  the  Hippocratic  oath  and  a graduate  of 
the  modern  medical  school  takes  it,  the  act  is  one  not  only  of 
obligation  for  himself,  but  of  recognition  of  a great  benefactor  of 
mankind.  The  Hippocratic  oath  assumes  that  simply  because  a 
man  lias  learned  the  art  of  restoring  the  sick  to  health  he  has 
passed  into  a realm  in  which  the  rules  of  personal  selfishness  are 
immediately  abridged,  if  not  expunged,  and  recognized  in  a sys- 
tem of  principles  and  rules  governing  all  licensed  physicians,  and 
enforced  and  respected  by  high-toned  and  cultured  gentlemen — a 
standard  of  professional  honor  so  sacred  and  inviolate  that  no 
graduate  or  regular  practitioner  will  ever  presume  or  dare  to 
violate  it. 

Robert  Louis  Stevenson,  seeing  the  life  of  the  medical  man 
only  from  without,  was  not  far  wrong  when  he  spoke  of  the 
modern  scientific  medical  man  as  probably  the  noblest  figure  of 
the  age.  The  noble  and  exalted  character  of  the  ancient  pro- 
fession of  medicine  is  surpassed  by  no  sister  science  in  the  mag- 
nificence of  its  gifts.  Reflecting  upon  its  purity,  beneficence  and 
grandeur  it  must  be  accorded  to  be  the  noblest  of  professions. 
Though  the  noblest  of  professions  it  is  the  meanest  of  trades. 
Unless  the  physician  will  live  a life  of  purity,  of  virtue,  of  honor 
and  of  honesty,  he  should  seek  a livelihood  elsewhere,  and  “In- 
sult not  the  gods  by  striving  through  base  methods  and  ignoble 
ambitions  in  resembling  them.” 

The  true  physician  will  make  his  profession  no  trade,  but  will 
administer  his  duties  with  the  love  of  man  in  his  heart  and  the 
glory  of  God  in  his  soul,  his  aim  will  be : To  be  accurate  in 

diagnosis  and  painstaking  in  prescribing,  to  allow  no  prejudice 
nor  theory  to  interfere  with  the  relief  of  human  suffering  and 
the  saving  of  human  life;  to  lay  under  contribution  every  source 
of  information,  be  it  humble  or  exalted,  that  can  be  made  useful 
in  the  cure  of  disease ; to  be  kind  to  the  poor,  sympathetic  with 
the  sick,  ethical  toward  medical  colleagues  and  courteous  toward 
all  men;  to  regard  his  calling  as  that  of  one  anointed  to  holy 
office,  firmly  convinced  that  no  nobler  work  can  be  given  to  man, 
and  to  go  forth  to  his  labor  with  love  for  humanity,  inspired  with 
a reverent  assurance  that  for  this  cause  came  he  into  the  world. 

The  reward  of  such  a man,  says  Prof.  T.  Gaillard  Thomas, 
“Comes  from  the  hand  of  no  emperor;  his  glory  from  the  appre- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


317 


ciation  of  no  applauding  multitude ; his  renown  from  the  pen  of 
no  fulsome  historian.  For  him  the  victor’s  crown  comes  from 
the  hand  of  the  immortal  God.  He  that  has  done  the  greatest 
good  for  his  fellow  man.  has,  in  the  doing  of  it,  won  the  greatest 
reward  in  earth’s  possession,  even  though  no  mortal  man  know 
of  the  deed  but  him ! ’ ’ 

The  true  physician  is  he  who  has  a proper  conception  and 
estimation  of  the  real  character  of  his  profession ; whose  intel- 
lectual and  moral  fitness  give  weight,  standing  and  character  in 
the  consideration  and  estimation  of  society  and  the  public  at 
large.  His  privileges  and  powers  for  good  or  for  evil  are  great; 
in  fact  no  other  profession,  calling  or  vocation  in  this  life 
occupies  such  a delicate  relation  to  the  human  family. 

There  is  a tremendous  developing  and  educating  poAver  in 
medical  work.  The  medical  man  is  almost  the  only  member  of 
the  community  Avho  does  not  make  money  out  of  his  important 
discoveries.  It  is  a point  of  honor  with  him  to  alloAv  the  whole 
world  to  profit  by  his  researches  when  he  finds  a new  remedy  for 
disease.  The  greatest  and  best  medical  and  surgical  discoveries 
and  inventions  have  been  free  gifts  to  suffering  humanity  the 
moment  their  value  Avas  demonstrated.  The  reward  of  the  physi- 
cian is  in  the  benefit  which  the  sick  and  helpless  receive,  and  in 
the  gratitude,  Avhich  should  not  be  stinted,  of  the  community  at 
large.  Medical  men  are  not  angels ; they  are  in  fact  very  human 
creatures  with  hard  work  to  do,  and  often  many  mouths  to  feed ; 
but  there  is  a strain  of  benevolence  in  all  their  Avork.  From  the 
beginning  they  are  taught  a doctrine  of  helpfulness  to  others,  and 
are  made  to  think  that  their  lifework  should  not  be  one  in  which 
every  service  must  receive  its  pecuniary  reward.  The  physician 
is  a host  in  himself,  a natural  leader  among  his  felloAvmen,  a cen- 
ter of  influence  for  the  most  practical  good,  an  efficient  helper  in 
times  of  direst  need,  a trusted  and  honest  citizen.  What  more 
can  any  prophet  ask  than  honor  in  his  oavii  country  and  a daily 
Avelcome  among  his  oaati  friends ! 

It  does  not  take  long  for  the  Avaves  of  oblivion  to  close  0A?er 
those  who  have  taken  a most  prominent  and  active  part  in  the 
affairs  of  the  day.  The  life  of  the  pioneer  doctor  is  no  exception 
to  this  laAv,  for,  as  Dr.  John  BroAvne  tells  us,  ‘‘It  is  the  lot  of  the 
successful  medical  practitioner  to  be  invaluable  Avhen  alive,  and 
to  be  forgotten  soon  after  he  is  dead,  and  this  is  not  altogether 
or  chiefly  from  any  special  ingratitude  or  injustice  on  the  part  of 
mankind,  but  from  the  Arerv  nature  of  the  case.”  HoAvever.  the 
pioneer  physician  still  lives  in  the  memory  of  many  of  us,  though 
he  is  noAv  more  rare  as  an  individual  than  in  the  years  gone  by, 
and  is  gradually  passing  out  of  existence.  The  history,  Avritten 
and  unwritten,  of  the  pioneer  physician  of  Goodhue  county,  as 


318 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


elsewhere,  presents  him  to  view  as  working  out  the  destiny  of  the 
wilderness,  hand  in  hand  with  the  other  forces  of  civilization  for 
the  common  good.  He  was  an  integral  part  of  the  primitive 
social  fabric.  As  such  he  shared  the  manners,  the  customs,  the 
aims,  and  the  ambitions  of  his  companions,  and  he,  with  them, 
was  controlled  by  the  forces  which  determine  the  common  state 
and  the  common  destiny.  The  chief  concerns  of  himself  and  com- 
panions were  material — engaged  with  the  serious  problem  of 
existence.  The  struggle  to  survive  was,  at  its  best,  a competition 
Avitli  nature.  Hard  winters  and  poor  roads  were  the  chief  impedi- 
ments. Only  rough  outlines  remain  of  the  heroic  and  adventurous 
side  of  the  pioneer  physician’s  long,  active  and  honored  life.  The 
imagination  cannot,  unaided  by  the  facts,  picture  the  primitive 
conditions  with  which  he  had  to  contend.  Long  and  dreary  rides, 
by  day  and  night,  in  summer’s  heat  and  winter’s  cold,  through 
snow,  and  mud,  and  rain,  was  his  common  lot.  He  trusted  him- 
self to  the  mercy  of  the  elements,  crossed  unbridged  streams, 
made  his  way  through  uncut  forests,  and-  traveled  the  roadless 
wilderness.  He  spent  one-fifth  of  his  life  in  his  conveyance,  anti 
in  some  cases  traveled  as  many  as  two  hundred  thousand  miles  in 
the  same. 

Dr.  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes  has  graphically  described  the  old 
doctor’s  daily  routine:  “Half  a dollar  a visit — drive,  drive,  (Jrive, 
all  day;  get  up  in  the  night  and  harness  your  own  horse — drive 
again  ten  miles  in  a snowstorm ; shake  powders  out  of  a vial — 
drive  back  again,  if  you  don’t  happen  to  be  stuck  in  a drift;  no 
home,  no  peace,  no  continuous  meals,  no  unbroken  sleep,  no 
Sunday,  no  holiday,  no  social  intercourse,  but  eternal  jog,  jog,  jog 
in  a sulky.” 

He  always  responded  to  the  call  of  the  poor,  and  gave  freely 
his' services  to  those  who  could  not  pay  without  hardship.  Who 
can  narrate  the  past  events  in  the  life  of  such  a man?  His  deeds 
were  “ written  upon  the  tablets  of  loving  and  grateful  hearts,  and 
the  hearts  are  now  dust.  The  long  and  exhausting  rides  through 
storm,  or  mud,  or  snow ; the  exposure  to  contagions ; the  patient 
vigils  by  the  bedside  of  pain ; the  kindly  deeds  of  charity ; the 
reassuring  messages  to  the  despondent ; the  shielding  of  the  inno- 
cent; the  guarding  of  secrets;  the  numberless  self-abnegations 
that  cannot  be  tabulated,  and  are  soon  forgotten,  like  the  roses  . 
of  yesterday.”  Wealth  did  not  flow  into  the  old  practitioner’s 
coffers;  in  fact,  he  needed  no  coffers.  He  was  a poor  collector, 
and  with  all  his  efforts  he  obtained  but  little,  and  never  what 
was  his  due.  As  an  offset  to  the  generally  acknowledged  abili- 
ties of  the  old  doctor  in  every  other  line  of  his  work,  it  must  also 
be  admitted  that  lie  was  greatly  deficient  in  business  tact.  Often 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


319 


content  with  the  sentiment  of  apparent  appreciation  of  services 
rendered  to  his  patrons,  of  lives  saved,  of  sufferings  assuaged, 
and  of  health  restored,  he  was  too  easily  satisfied  with  the 
reflection  that  he  had  a very  noble  profession,  but  a very  poor 
trade. 

Though  poor  in  purse,  he  was  rich  in  heart,  in  head,  and  in 
public  esteem.  He  made  at  least  a very  measurable  success  of 
life,  if  success  consists  in  being  of  some  small  use  to  the  com- 
munity or  country  in  which  one  lives ; if  it  consists  in  having  an 
intelligent,  sympathetic  outlook  for  human  needs ; if  it  is  success 
to  love  one’s  work';  if  it  is  success  to  have  friends  and  be  a friend, 
then  the  old  doctor  has  made  a success  of  life. 

He  was  a lonely  worker,  and  relied  largely  on  his  own  unaided 
observation  for  his  knowledge.  Isolated  by  the  conditions  of  his 
life,  he  did  not  know  the  educating  influences  of  society  work. 
He  was  a busy  man,  with  little  leisure  for  the  indulgence  of  lit- 
erary or  other  tastes.  He  possessed,  however,  what  no  books  or 
laboratories  can  furnish,  and  that  is  : a capacity  for  work,  willing- 
ness to  be  helpful,  broad  sympathies,  honesty,  and  a great  deal  of 
common  sense.  His  greatest  fame  was  the  fealty  of  a few  friends ; 
his  recompense  a final  peace  at  life’s  twilight  hour.  He  was  a 
hardworking  man,  beloved  and  revered  by  all.  He  was  discreet 
and  silent,  and  held  his  counsel  when  he  entered  the  sick-room. 
In  every  family  he  was  indispensable,  important,  and  oftentimes 
a dignified  personage.  He  was  the  adviser  of  the  family  in  mat- 
ters not  always  purely  medical.  As  time  passed,  the  circle  of  his 
friends  enlarged,  his  brain  expanded,  and  his  heart  steadily  grew 
mellower.  Could  all  the  pleasant,  touching,  heroic  incidents  be 
told  in  connection  with  the  old  doctor,  it  would  be  a revelation 
to  the  young  physician  of  today;  but  he  can  never  know  the 
admiration  and  love  in  which  the  old  doctor  was  held.  “How 
like  an  angel  light  was  his  coming  in  the  stormy  midnight  to  the 
lonely  cabin  miles  away  from  the  nearest  neighbor.  Earnest, 
cheery,  confident,  his  presence  lighted  the  burden,  took  away  the 
responsibility,  dispelled  the  gloom.  The  old  doctor,  with  his  two- 
wheeled gig  and  saddle  bags,  his  setons,  crude  herbs,  and  vene- 
sections, resourceful,  brave  and  true ; busy,  blunt,  and  honest, 
loyally  doing  his  best — who  was  physician,  surgeon,  obstetrician, 
oculist,  aurist,  guide,  philosopher  and  friend — is  sleeping  under 
the  oaks  on  the  prairies  he  loved  so  well.” 

“We  shall  ne’er  see  his  like  again. 

Not  a better  man  was  found, 

By  the  Crier  on  his  round. 

Through  the  town.” 


320 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


The  early  history  of  the  pioneer  physician  is  naturally  a story 
of  feeble  resources.  His  professional  limitations  were,  therefore, 
necessarily  great.  To  enable  us  to  understand  these  limitations 
we  must  take  a retrospective  glance  at  the  condition  of  medicine 
sixty  years  ago.  Imagine,  if  yon  can,  the  forlorn  condition  of  the 
doctor  without  our  present  means  of  physical  diagnosis,  without 
the  clinical  thermometer,  the  various  specula,  the  hypodermatic 
syringe,  the  ophthalmoscope,  the  otoscope,  the  rhinoscope,  the 
aspirator,  and  many  other  similar  instruments ; without  the  aid 
of  hematology,  of  anaesthetics,  of  antisepsis,  of  the  modern  micro- 
scope, without  our  laboratories  and  experiments,  our  chemistry, 
our  bacteriology,  our  Roentgen  rays,  our  experimental  pharma- 
cology, and  our  antitoxins — without  anything  except  his  eyes,  his 
ears,  his  fingers,  his  native  vigor  and  resourcefulness;  then  we 
can  appreciate  the  professional  limitations  of  our  fathers,  appre- 
ciate no  less  the  triumphal  march  of  medicine  during  a single 
lifetime.  It  requires  no  prophet’s  power  to  foretell  the  fact  that 
the  science  of  medicine  stands  at  this  hour  upon  the  threshold  of 
an  era  which  will  belittle  all  the  past.  In  this  most  wonderful  era 
of  the  world’s  history,  this  magic  age,  the  science  of  medicine  is 
rapidly  being  elevated  into  the  position  of  one  of  the  bulwarks  of 
society  and  one  of  the  mainstays  of  civilization.  It  made  possible 
the  building  of  the  Panama  canal,  made  Havana  a clean  city,  and 
diminished  the  possibility  of  introducing  yellow  fever  among  us. 
It  has  kept  cholera  in  check,  pointed  out  the  danger  of  bubonic 
plague  through  the  rat-infestecl  districts  of  San  Francisco,  and  it 
now  urges  that  the  government  shall  maintain  sentinels  to  guard 
the  Gulf  coast  from  yellow  fever,  the  Mississippi  from  cholera,  the 
whole  United  States  from  bubonic  plague.  It  also  discovered  the 
stegomyia  as  a yellow-fever  carrier,  and  the -rat  and  ground 
squirrel  as  plague  distributors. 

Though  none  of  the  immortal  discoveries  or  inventions  were 
made  in  Goodhue  county,  all  of  them  have  been  applied  and  util- 
ized for  the  benefit  of  the  people  in  this  vicinity.  The  practice  of 
medicine  has  had  some  able  representatives  in  this  county,  many 
of  whom  have  gained  distinction  and  an  honorable  place  among 
their  fellows.  Some  of  them  have  been  sought  out  for  public 
service  and  broader  fields  of  usefulness,  while  others  have  led  a 
quieter  but  no  less  honorable  existence  in  the  sphere  of  their 
choice,  many  being  laid  to  rest  after  lives  of  sacrifice  to  the 
community  amidst  general  regret  and  deep  sorrow. 

The  medical  history  of  this  county  begins  with  the  arrival  of 
Dr.  AY.  AV.  Sweney,  in  1852.  He  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in 
1818.  After  receiving  an  academic  and  professional  education, 
he  was  graduated  at  Rush  Medical  College  in  1851 . He  was  presi- 
dent of  the  Goodhue  County  Medical  Society  in  1872.  and  of  the 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


321 

State  Medical  Society  in  1873,  author  of  several  prize  essays,  and 
member  of  the  territorial  legislature.  Dr.  Sweney  was  a practi- 
tioner of  wide  repute,  and  possessed  the  confidence  of  the  people 
in  a rare  degree.  He  was  endeared  to  all  by  his  remarkable  integ- 
rity, gentleness,  sterling  worth,  and  high  professional  morality. 
The  constant  influence  of  his  example,  personal  and  professional, 
has  alike  honored  him  and  the  calling  to  which  he  was  chosen. 
Dr.  Sweney  had  a long  and  honorable  career.  The  writer  knew 
him  as  one  of  the  finest  specimens  of  the  kind-hearted,  ever-help- 
ful,  modest  medical  gentlemen  of  his  generation.  He  was  laid  to 
rest  amid  general  regret  and  deep  sorrow  in  August,  1882. 

Another  of  the  earliest  physicians  was  Dr.  John  Kelly,  born  in 
New  York,  in  1801.  He  crossed  the  plains  in  1849,  and  came  to 
Goodhue  county  in  1853,  settling  in  Florence.  He  was  chairman 
of  the  first  board  of  *township  supervisors  and  member  of  the 
board  of  county  supervisors.  In  1856,  Dr.  J.  E.  Tebbetts  settled 
in  the  village  of  Cannon  Falls.  He  was  of  Maine  birth,  and  a 
fine  type  of  the  old  doctor.  He  grew  gray  in  the  pioneer  service, 
and  passed  away  in  1877.  Dr.  Charles  Hill  came  to  this  county  in 
1857,  settling  in  Roscoe  that  year,  and  in  Pine  Island  in  1859.  He 
was  born  in  Illinois  in  1826,  and  was  graduated  at  Rush  Medical 
College  in  1857.  In  1869  he  was  elected  to  the  state  senate.  At 
the  reorganization  of  the  Goodhue  County  Medical  Society,  in 
1902,  he  was  chosen  president.  Dr.  Hill  is  a gentleman  of  the 
old  school.  He  is  the  Nestor  of  the  profession  in  the  county. 
Him  we  should  be  tempted  to  call  venerable  if  he  had  not  suc- 
ceeded in  remaining  young  through  the  aid  of  his  eternally  youth- 
ful enthusiasm.  In  tlie  same  year  a valuable  addition  to  the  pro- 
fession in  Red  Wing  was  made  in  the  arrival  of  Dr.  A.  B.  Hawley, 
a native  of  New  York,  born  in  1833.  Dr.  Hawley  was  of  attractive 
personality.  He  was  a man  of  the  most  genial  nature,  fine  phy- 
sicpie,  tall,  active,  keen-eyed  and  perfectly  unostentatious;  an 
able  practitioner,  and  very  popular.  He  was  a leading  citizen, 
and  one  of  the  prime  movers  in  the  building  of  Christ  Church. 
He  passed  away  September  20.  1878.  Other  physicians  Avho  came 
in  ante-bellum  days  were  Drs.  C.  II.  Connely,  William  Brown  and 
F.  F.  Hoyt.  Dr.  Brown  was  commissioned  as  surgeon  in  the  Civil 
AYar.  Dr.  Hoyt  had  the  honor  of  being  elected  a member  of  the 
first  city  council.  Some  time  in  the  fifties,  Dr.  Ole  Oleson  settled 
in  or  near  Leon.  His  name  appears  in  the  records  of  the  period 
as  a judge  of  elections.  In  1862,  Dr.  E.  S.  Park  established  him- 
self in  Red  Wing.  He  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1811.  Alto- 
gether his  practice  covered  forty  years  of  earnest,  active  work. 
He  served  the  county  many  years  as  coroner.  His  death  occurred 
February  12.  1888.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  so  little  is  recorded 
of  the  pioneer  physician  and  his  stirring  and  hazardous  lot.  At 


322 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


the  conclusion  of  the  war  Red  Wing  was  chosen  as  a field  by 
Dr.  Charles  N.  Hewitt,  a native  of  Vermont,  born  in  1835.  Dr. 
Hewitt  lias  had  a long  and  honorable  career.  He  has  held  various 
high  offices.  In  the  medical  history  of  the  county  he  takes  a high 
place  as  physician  and  surgeon.  As  sanitarian,  it  is  difficult  ade- 
quately to  estimate  his  great  services  to  the  commonwealth  of 
Minnesota,  lie  has  left  the  imprint  of  his  work  upon  the  whole 
subject  of  public  health.  In  1865  Dr.  C.  llveem,  born  in  Norway 
in  1835,  settled  near  Hader,  where  he  continued  to  practice  with 
success  for  many  years.  In  the  following  year  Dr.  Christian  J. 
Gronvold  settled  in  Norway,  township  of  Wanamingo.  He  was 
born  in  Norway  in  1833,  and  died  in  the  nineties.  Dr.  Gronvold 
was  appointed  a member  of  the  state  board  of  health  in  1876. 
He  was  a man  of  much  natural  ability,  one  of  the  foremost 
authorities  on  leprosy,  and  somewhat  of  an  original.  Some  time 
in  the  sixties  Dr.  A.  W.  M.  Archarius  endeavored  to  establish 
himself  in  Red  Wing.  Unfortunately  for  the  community,  he  did  not 
succeed.  He  was  a tall,  spare,  extremely  dignified  and  learned  gen- 
tleman. He  complained  to  the  writer,  who  made  his  acquaintance 
in  Chicago  in  1875,  of  his  inability  to  make  a living  here,  and  ol 
the  success  of  the  advertising  quacks.  He  returned  to  Sweden, 
where  the  king  gave  him  office  commensurate  with  his  abilities, 
The  first  homeopathic  phyiscian  to  take  up  his  residence  in  Red 
Wing  was  Dr.  C.  G.  Higbee,  born  in  New  York,  in  1835.  He  came 
in  the  sixties,  and  remained  about  ten  years.  He  was  a captain  in 
the  Union  army,  made  choice  of  the  medical  profession,  and  was 
a successful  practitioner.  After  an  honorable  Civil  War  record, 
O.  H.  Hall,  born  in  Erie  county,  New  York,  in  1842,  studied  medi- 
cine, was  graduated  at  the  Buffalo  University,  and  settled  in 
Zumbrota  in  1868.  He  is  a charter  member  of  the  Goodhue 
County  Medical  Society,  and  a successful  physician.  In  1869,  Dr. 
Bruno  Jaehnig  established  himself  in  Red  Wing.  He  was  born 
in  Saxony,  February  19,  1841.  Dr.  Jaehnig  has  filled  various 
positions  of  trust  with  faithfulness,  and  places  of  honor  with  mod- 
esty. He  served  the  city  as  health  officer,  1898-1907,  and  the  state 
as  physician  to  the  training  school  since  1892.  The  people  are 
indebted  to  him  for  long  and  valuable  services. 

The  practitioners  whose  lives  have  been  faintly  outlined  here 
are  the  pioneers  of  the  profession.  They  are  among  the  most 
notable  makers  of  history.  Special  homage  should  be  paid  these 
men — or  the  memories  of  these  men- — for  their  toil,  devotion  and 
sacrifice  in  the  rude  and  eventful  days  forty  or  more  years  ago. 
They  were  the  peers  of  any  in  all  the  useful  elements  of  man- 
hood. They  were  citizens  most  relied  upon  by  their  neighbors  in 
foul  as  well  as  fair  weather.  It  would  be  hard  to  find  a person 
in  the  county  who  owes  no  debt  of  gratitude  to  one  of  these  men. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


323 

Many  who  were  present  at  the  beginning  are  at  rest.  Their 
places  have  been  tilled  by  worthy,  though  younger,  men. 

One  of  the  first  of  the  younger  practitioners  was  Dr.  Douglas 
Shiley.  He  came  to  Red  Wing  in  1871;  became  the  associate  and 
partner  of  Dr.  Sweney,  and  moved  to  another  field  in  1876. 
Another  newcomer  was  Dr.  AY.  G.  AY.  Tupper,  a native  of  Maine, 
who  located  in  Zumbrota.  Subsequently  he  moved  to  Red  AYing, 
then  to  Wabasha,  and  later  back  to  Zumbrota,  where  he  died 
about  1890.  In  the  early  seventies  Dr.  Galen  Allen,  a homeopath, 
and  native  of  Vermont,  born  in  1833,  established  himself  in  Red 
Wing.  He  was  a well-educated,  respectable  and  successful  prac- 
titioner. He  died  in  1900.  In  1875.  Dr.  George  C.  AATellner,  born 
in  Bavaria,  May  24,  1849,  selected  Red  AAUng  as  a field.  He  twice 
moved  to  other  fields,  returning  in  1883  and  1893.  He  is  presi- 
dent of  the  board  of  health  and  secretary  of  the  board  of  United 
States  examining  surgeons.  In  1907  he  was  chosen  president  of 
the  Goodhue  County  Medical  Society.  Others  who  located  in 
Red  AYing  a little  later  were  Dr.  .John  II.  Beauford,  Dr.  F.  Laus 
and  Dr.  Lund,  none  of  whom  continued  there  long.  In  1876  Di\ 
W.  M.  Sweney,  son  of  the  pioneer  physician,  entered  upon  the 
practice  of  medicine  in  Red  AYing.  He  was  born  in  Marietta,  111., 
November  6,  1849.  He  was  in  active  practice  about  ten  years. 
In  1882  Governor  Hubbard  appointed  him  member  of  the  State 
Fish  Commission.  He  has  served  the  city  as  health  officer  in  vari- 
ous emergencies,  and  the  county  as  coroner.  Dr.  Sweney  is  a 
member  of  the  city  council  and  the  board  of  health,  and  is  earn- 
estly devoted  to  the  service  of  the  city.  His  favorite  study  is 
anthropology.  In  the  same  year  the  county  received  a notable 
accession  in  Dr.  A.  T.  Conley,  who  established  himself  in  Cannon 
Falls.  He  was  born  in  .Jefferson  county,  New  York,  December  6, 
1847.  Dr.  Conley  is  one  of  the  veteran  figures  of  the  profession. 
He  has  a wide  repute  as  a physician  and  a man,  as  attested  by  his 
popularity.  His  has  been  a life  worthy  of  emulation,  distin- 
guished for  sacrifice  and  service  to  others.  He  has  served  the 
Goodhue  County  Medical  Society  as  president,  and  the  city  of 
Cannon  Falls  as  health  officer.  In  1877  Dr.  George  II.  Overholt 
settled  in  Kenyon.  He  was  born  in  1842,  and  was  graduated  at 
the  Albany  Medical  College  in  1866.  In  the  following  year  Dr. 
Philo  E.  Jones,  an  Ohioan  by  birth  and  education,  took  up  his 
residence  in  Red  Wing.  He  built  up  a large  practice  in  a short 
time,  and  maintained  the  same  for  fifteen  years.  Dr.  Jones  pos- 
sessed culture,  an  infinite  store  of  information,  industry  and  sur- 
gical and  business  ability.  Dr.  William  M.  Newhall  was  his  able 
associate  and  partner.  About  1880  Dr.  H.  L.  Brynildsen  began 
the  practice  of  medicine  in  Vasa.  He  was  born  in  Norway,  July 
29, 1850,  and  was  for  many  years  a most  serviceable  practitioner  to 


324 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


the  people  of  Yasa  and  vicinity,  being  highly  appreciated  by  them. 
His  usefulness  was  cut  short  by  death,  June  29,  1908.  The 
eighties  brought  to  Red  Wing  a large  number  of  physicians, 
prominent  among  whom  were  Drs.  M.  Magelsen,  Peter  Mogstad, 
Edward  Boeckman,  J.  F.  A.  Twetan,  J.  FI.  Sandberg,  Ed.  Hart, 
Noble  Jones,  0.  J.  Brown,  George  Leininger,  E.  A.  Shannon,  H.  L. 
Scheide  and  Drs.  Babcock  and  Simons.  Nearly  all  of  them  were 
able  practitioners,  and  several  of  them  continued  there  for  years, 
but  all  have  removed  from  the  county  or  passed  away,  not,  how- 
ever, without  leaving  behind  them  the  enduring  fragrance  of  good 
deeds.  In  1886  Dr.  II.  E.  Conley  permanently  established  himself 
in  Cannon  Falls.  He  was  born  in  Palo,  la.,  July  11,  1855.  Dr. 
Conley  is  a brother  of  A.  T.  Conley,  and  one  of  the  successful 
physicians  of  the  county.  He  is  president  of  the  Goodhue  County 
Medical  Society.  Dr.  FI.  L.  McKinstry  came  to  Zumbrota  in  1875 
and  to  Red  Wing  in  1888.  He  is  a Pennsylvanian,  born  June  14, 
1847.  Dr.  McKinstry  served  the  Third  Regiment,  M.  N.  G.,  as 
major  and  surgeon,  1886-1901,  and  the  city  as  health  officer  and 
councilman,  and  in  various  honorary  capacities.  Two  years  later 
Red  Wing  was  chosen  as  a field  by  Dr.  J.  V.  Anderson,  born  in 
Sweden,  March  20,  1860.  Dr.  Anderson  is  one  of  the  prosperous 
physicians.  He  is  the  medical  director  of  the  Scandinavian  Relief 
Association  and  a member  of  the  board  of  United  States  examin- 
ing surgeons,  and  has  served  the  city  as  health  officer.  In  the 
nineties  a.  number  of  practitioners  located  in  Red  Wing,  among 
others  Drs.  B.  Dearborn,  N.  Juell,  Th.  N.  Thoresen,  L.  L.  Mayland 
and  Marcus  Thrane.  They,  like  their  colleagues  of  an  earlier 
date,  practiced  here  for  a space  of  time,  then  sought  other  fields. 
In  1893  Dr.  F.  W.  Dimmitt  opened  an  office  in  Red  Wing.  Fie  was 
born  in  Cambridge,  111.,  August  25,  185b.  Dr.  Dimmitt  found  an 
extended  field  of  usefulness,  and  has  built  up  a lucrative  practice. 
He  is  vice-president  of  the  Goodhue  County  Medical  Society,  and 
one  of  the  most  ardent  promotors  of  the  society’s  interests.  In 
the  following  year  Dr.  A.  W.  Jones,  a native  Ohioan,  born  April 
12,  1863,  selected  Red  AVing  as  a field.  Dr.  Jones  is  a well- 
equipped  physician,  a man  of  intellectual  interests,  and  a scholar 
of  wide  range  and  various  cultivation.  He  is  a member  of  the 
board  of  United  States  examining  surgeons  and  a member  of  the 
board  of  education.  In  1893  the  village  of  Goodhue  was  chosen 
as  a field  by  Dr.  IF  P.  Sawyer.  He  was  born  in  1870.  Dr.  Sawyer 
has  for  years  had  an  extensive  clientele,  and  has  much  endeared 
himself  to  the  community  in  which  he  lives.  In  1894  Dr.  M.  AY. 
Smith  and  his  wife,  Dr.  Grace  Gardner-Smith,  established  them- 
selves in  Red  AVing.  Dr.  Smith  was  born  in  Rockford,  111.,  Octo- 
ber 27.  1870.  He,  is  a member  of  the  board  of  education  and 
county  examiner  for  the  state  sanatorium  for  consumptives.  Dr. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY  325 

Smith  has  in  various  ways  proved  himself  a useful  citizen.  Dr. 
Grace  Gardner-Smith  is  a native  of  Pennsylvania.  She  is  physi- 
cian to  the  girls’  department  of  the  state  training  school  and  a 
member  of  the  library  hoard.  In  1895  Dr.  J.  A.  Gates,  of  Kenyon, 
entered  upon  his  successful  career  as  physician,  business  man,  and 
in  1905  as  legislator.  As  a member  of  the  legislature  he  has 
effectually  blocked  measures  prepared  in  the  interests  of  quack- 
ery. Dr.  Marshall  Stephens,  a homeopath,  located  in  Red  Wing  in 
1891.  He  was  born  near  Pittsburg,  Penn.,  in  1840.  He  was  pro- 
fessor of  mathematics  and  natural  sciences  in  Hamline  University, 
and  served  as  member  of  the  board  of  United  States  examining 
surgeons.  In  the  later  nineties,  Dr.  K.  E.  Gryttenholm  located  in 
Zumbrota.  He  is  a native  of  Norway,  born  December  6,  1862. 
Dr.  Gryttenholm  is  surgeon  to  the  C.,  G.  W.  railway,  an  able 
practitioner,  ever  active  in  medical  affairs,  and  has  served  the 
Goodhue  County  Medical  Society  as  president.  About  1900  Dr. 
Edward  Backe,  born  in  1862,  settled  in  Kenyon.  Dr.  Backe  is  a 
graduate  of  the  Royal  University,  Christiania,  a successful  prac- 
titioner, and  a former  president  of  the  Goodhue  County  Medical 
Society.  In  1902  the  medical  fraternity  of  Red  Wing  received 
further  accessions.  They  were : Dr.  M.  H.  Cremer,  born  in 

Cashton,  Wis.,  March  12.  1870,  and  graduated  at  Rush  Medical 
College  in  1893,  and  Dr.  L.  E.  Claydon,  born  in  England.  April  5, 
1869,  and  graduated  at  the  University  of  Minnesota  in  1895.  The 
same  year  Dr.  A.  E.  Johnson  commenced  practice  in  Zumbrota, 
and  four  months  later  in  Red  Wing.  He  was  born  in  Kasson, 
Minn.,  June  23,  1876,  and  is  a graduate  of  Rush  Medical  College, 
of  the  class  of  1902.  In  1904  Dr.  S.  B.  Ilaessly  entered  upon  his 
professional  career  in  Cannon  Falls,  lie  was  born  in  Campbells- 
port.  Wis.,  December  25.  1875,  and  was^graduated  at  the  College 
of  Physicians  and  Surgeons.  Chicago,  in  1904.  He  came  to  Red 
Wing  in  1909.  After  graduating  at  the  University  of  Minnesota 
in  1907,  Dr.  C.  E.  Gates  located  in  Goodhue,  and  became  the  asso- 
ciate and  partner  of  Dr.  H.  P.  Sawyer.  He  was  born  in  1879.  In 
the  same  year.  Dr.  O.  O.  Larson,  born  in  Rush  River,  Wis.,  in  1877. 
and  a graduate  of  the  University  of  Minnesota  in  1907,  opened  an 
office  in  Zumbrota.  Dr.  Larson  is  the  county  physician  for  the 
Zumbrota  district.  A further  addition  to  the  profession  in  Red 
Wing,  in  1907,  was  made  in  the  arrival  of  Dr.  P.  IT.  Cremer.  He 
was  born  in  Wisconsin,  March  21,  1878,  and  was  graduated  at 
Rush  Medical  College  in  1904.  In  1909  he  removed  to  Cannon 
Palls.  Early  in  1908  Dr.  N.  L.  Werner,  born  in  Diamond  Bluff. 
Wis.,  October  21.  1877,  established  himself  in  Red  Wing.  He  is  a 
graduate  of  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  Chicago,  of 
the  class  of  1903.  Later  in  the  same  year  Dr.  P.  J.  Weyrens  came 
to  Red  Wing.  He  was  born  in  Stearns  county,  Minnesota.  March 


32G 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


12,  1873,  and  was  graduated  at  the  University  of  Minnesota  in 
1900.  Other  physicians  than  those  named  established  themselves 
in  the  county  since  the  beginning  of  its  settlement.  They  are 
embraced  in  the  lists  following  the  various  points  of  location. 

Cannon  Falls — Drs.  Goodwin,  AY.  Greaves,  J.  A.  Armington, 
Hill,  E.  L.  Hills,  R.  Frettheim,  G.  Bjornstad,  S.  Stringer,  Magnu- 
son,  Golberg,  AAr.  B.  Jorgerson.  Goodhue — Drs.  S.  E.  Howard, 

E.  S.  Swartout,  P.  D.  AYhyte.  Kenyon — Drs.  A.  Brown,  A.  II. 
Hewitt,  Rutherford,  Coleman,  Turner,  Mrs.  Turner,  AYing, 
McDacle,  Mrs.  McDade,  R.  Leland.  Pine  Island — Drs.  P.  R.  Weil, 
Holmes,  R.  C.  Banks,  Baker,  AAT.  AVoodward,  Sr.,  AY . Woodward, 
Jr.,  Bothwell,  AY.  S.  Craddock,  E.  L.  Jewell,  C.  B.  McKaig.  Red 
AYing — Drs.  A.  II.  Jones,  Mills,  E.  C.  Bolander,  Eliza  Paulson, 

F.  Keller,  F.  Delaine,  M.  Johnson,  C.  A.  Burnett,  A.  C.  Clum, 
N.  Nelson,  O.  Nelson,  Swedenburg,  P.  C.  Bjorneby.  Yasa — Dr. 
Tigerhjelm.  Zumbrota — Drs.  0.  I.  Hall,  Slawson,  Shattuck,  AYell- 
come,  D.  Brainerd,  J.  C.  Cockburn,  A.  Hirsh,  A.  Ivoren,  Sedgwick, 
C.  M.  Frye,  Beebe,  J.  C.  Crewe,  T.  R.  AYatson,  Courtney,  G.  C. 
Hoff. 

No  man,  woman  or  child  in  this  county  can  be  so  situated  as 
not  to  be  a debtor  to  one  of  these  men.  They  are  the  members  of 
a profession  which  exacts  from  them  the  largest  responsibility 
and  the  greatest  death  rate  in  the  world,  receiving  no  rewards 
comparable  with  the  work  done  or  the  burdens  borne.  They  are 
the  men  that  are  fighting  in  behalf  of  the  people  against  death. 
AYe  need  not  begrudge  destructive  heroes  their  fame,  but  the  con- 
structive ones  ought  not  to  be  forgotten.  The  heroism  of  skill 
and  toil  belonging  to  the  latter  class  is  worthy  of  as  grateful 
record.  No  other  men  under  heaven  can  do  humanity  so  much 
good  as  physicians. 

To  create  a medium  for  intellectual  exchange  and  to  give  pro- 
tection to  the  public  and  the  profession,  the  Goodhue  County 
Medical  Society  was  founded  in  1869.  The  charter  members,  so 
far  as  now  known  were  : Drs.  AY.  AY.  Sweney,  A.  B.  Hawley,  C.  N. 
Hewitt,  E.  S.  Park,  F.  F.  Iioyt,  B.  Jaehnig,  of  Red  AYing;  Charles 
Hill,  of  Pine  Island;  Christian  J.  Gronvold,  of  Norway;  0.  II. 
Hall,  of  Zumbrota.  The  official  records  of  the  society  have, 
unfortunately,  not  been  preserved,  and  it  is  now  quite  impossible 
even  to  outline  its  usefulness  in  its  infancy.  However,  we  may 
still  be  able  to  impress  the  reader  with  the  sterling  integrity  of 
its  members,  who  traveled  twenty  or  thirty  miles  by  team  to 
attend  these  meetings.  They  had  a deep  and  enduring  interest 
in  the  manifold  problems  of  medicine  and  a human  interest  in  the 
affairs  of  their  brotherhood  and  our  Great  Master’s  entire  family. 
They  found  that  society  work  was  both  a direct  aid  and  a stim- 
ulus, and  that  in  a multitude  of  counsel  there  is  wisdom.  The 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNT  Y • 


327 


meetings  were  held  in  Red  Wing,  Camion  Falls,  Norway  and 
Zumbrota.  In  those  distant  times  only  advanced  age  and  illness 
Avere  reasons  for  members  staying  aAvay,  and  then  their  interests 
did  not  die  out  with  the  termination  of  presidential  or  other 
office.  In  the  seArenties  and  eighties  the  society  added  to  its  mem- 
bership. Its  meetings  Avere  both  well  attended  and  profitable. 
The  last  meeting  the  AArriter  attended  A\ras  at  the  home  of  Dr. 
Gronvold,  in  NorAday,  in  1884.  It  was  an  outdoor  meeting  on  a 
beautiful  day  in  July.  Every  preparation  had  been  made  for  the 
occasion.  The  table  Avas  set  under  a leafy  canopy.  The  dinner, 
as  the  saying  is,  came  off  triumphantly.  It  comprised  a bound- 
less profusion  of  everything  nutritious- in  the  garb  most  light  and 
digestible  for  an  infirm  stomach.  The  host  admirably  filled  the 
chair,  and  the  post-prandial  enjoyments,  including  the  society’s 
program,  Avere  rarely,  or  never,  surpassed  by  any  bancpiet  the 
Avriter  ever  saAv.  Much  that  Avas  delectable  at  the  time,  and  that 
•is  not  unpleasing  on  reflection  noAV,  could  be  recited,  but  would 
probably  be  less  interesting  to  the  reader  than  to  the  writer. 

“But  pleasures  are  like  poppies  spread, 

You  seize  the  flower,  its  bloom  is  dead.” 

Flourishing  as  the  society  Avas,  its  existence  was  terminated 
in  1891.  The  causes  need  not  be  traced  here.  They  recall  no 
divisive  memories.  The  feAV  facts  in  the  possession  of  the  Avriter 
give  no  special  significance  to  the  eArent.  In  October,  1902,  the 
society  Avas  reorganized  at  Red  Wing.  The  neAv  organization  has 
been  strengthened  and  improved.  Its  boundaries  have  been 
pushed  forward.  It  brings  medical  men  more  constantly  together, 
making  consultations  more  easy  and  more  natural,  and  stimu- 
lating fraternal  feeling.  It  makes  collective  and  comparative 
experiments  possible,  furnishing  a center  in  Avhich  is  focussed  the 
“group  opinion.”  Its  programs  are  stronger  than  before.  It 
discusses  its  problems  from  time  to  time  with  the  leaders  of  the 
profession.  It  invites  joint  meetings  Avith  other  county  societies. 
The  society  has  a membership  of  twenty-three,  consisting  of  the 
following  gentlemen : J.  V.  Anderson,  Edmund  Backe,  A.  T. 

Conley,  II.  E.  Conley,  M.  II.  Cremer,  P.  Id.  Cremer,  F.  W.  Dimmitt, 
J.  A.  Gates.  C.  E.  Gate’s,  Iv.  Grvttenholm,  C.  N.  HcAvitt,  Charles 
Hill,  S.  B.  Haessly,  Bruno  Jaehnig,  A.  AY.  Jones,  0.  0.  Larson, 
Id.  L.  McKinstry,  C.  B.  McKaig,  G.  II.  Overholt,  II.  P.  SaAA-yer, 
M.  AY.  Smith,  George  C.  Wellner,  N.  L.  Werner.  The  society  con- 
siders all  respectable  physicians  its  rightful  subjects,  and  rejects 
all  whose  so-called  education  is  unaccompanied  by  any  fruits  of 
character.  The  admission  of  no  clean-handed,  honorable  and 
competent  physician  is  opposed.  Membership  in  the  society  is  a 
guarantee  of  the  physician’s  good  standing,  and  that  he  pursues 


328 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


a legitimate  practice.  The  mission  of  the  society  is  to  elevate  the 
profession  to  a higher  standard  for  increased  public  usefulness. 

My  friends  and  brothers  in  art!  A few  short  years  and  a new 
generation  shall  search  these  pages  for  the  meager  record  of  our 
lives.  God  grant  that  it  may  be  said  of  us  that  the  world  was 
better  for  our  having  lived.  Let  us  always  bear  in  mind  that  tin* 
thing  that  shall  comfort  us  when  we  step  down  into  the  Valley 
of  the  Shadow  will  not  be  the  size  of  the  estate  we  shall  leave 
behind,  nor  the  places  of  honor  we  have  held  among  men;  but, 
rather,  the  reflection  that  we  have  been  able  to  relieve  some  poor 
sufferer  in  his  mortal  pain,  that  we  have  been  useful  men  in  our 
generation,  and  that  we  may  look  forward  with  confidence  to  the 
reward  which  awaits  a life  of  honest  labor.  Grant  us  an  honest 
fame,  or  grant  us  none. 

With  the  opening  of  the  twentieth  century  the  boundaries  of 
medical  science  have  been  broadened.  A radical  change  between 
the  physician  and  the  public  is  at  hand.  “Recent  events,”  says 
President  Charles  AY.  Eliot,  “have  brought  into  strong  light  a 
new  function  of  the  medical  profession,  which  is  sure  to  be 
extended  and  made  more  effective  in  the  near  future.  We  mean 
the  function  of  teaching  the  whole  population  how  diseases  are 
caused  and  communicated,  and  what  are  the  corresponding  means 
of  prevention.”  The  great  public  does  not  realize  that  in  the 
medical  profession  the  whole  line  of  discovery  and  effort  is 
toward  hygienic  living  as  the  preventive  of  disease,  and  that  in 
this  the  doctors  are  laboring  to  make  the  human  race  immune 
from  disease,  and  willing  to  teach  the  people  their  part  in  the 
struggle.  We  are  all  naturally  interested  in  the  preservation  of 
health  by  the  prevention  of  disease.  Most  people  have  a fairly 
distinct  idea  that  proper  attention  to  sanitation  is  essential  to 
good  health,  but  the  great  majority  are  not  informed  of  the  possi- 
bilities out  of  which  disease  may  come.  When  a family  stands  at 
the  grave  of  a relative  who  has  succumbed  to  a condition  which 
could  have  been  prevented,  as  has  been  proven  by  different  action 
in  the  selfsame  condition  in  other  people,  a new  idea  takes  pos- 
session of  them.  This  new  idea,  where  the  value  of  prevention 
is  more  appreciated  than  the  importance  of  cure,  is  the  ideal 
situation. 

The  tendency  of  modern  research  is  to  give  especial  promi- 
nence to  preventive  medicine.  To  relieve  suffering  is  a godlike 
office,  but  to  prevent  suffering  is  a higher  office  still.  In  the  past 
the  field  of  medicine  was  restricted  to  the  relief  of  disease  already 
present,  without  taking  note  of  its  broader  and  higher  mission. 
On  the  practical  assumption  that  the  function  of  medical  skill  is 
to  cure  disease,  not  to  discover  and  ward  off  its  approach,  the 
physician  is  seldom  afforded  an  opportunity  to  apply  his  art 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


329 

before  the  disease  lias  progressed  too  far.  The  question  of  the 
necessity  for  treatment  is  not  decided  by  the  family  physician, 
but  by  those  not  qualified  to  determine  the  meaning  or  gravity  of 
the  symptoms.  To  recognize  disease  and  apply  the  remedies  for 
it,  is  to  the  lay  mind,  the  extent  of  the  physician’s  office,  and  is 
all  that  custom  demands.  A large  proportion  of  serious  cases 
which  come  before  physicians  are  made  serious  by  neglect,  and 
the  neglect  arises  from  the  disease  not  being  recognized  in  its 
early  curable  stages.  This  fact  accounts  for  a large  proportion 
of  operations  that  are  performed  nowadays.  The  frequency  of 
sudden  death  from  unsuspected  heart  and  kidney  disease  further 
illustrates  how  seldom  the  physical  condition  of  a person  not 
consciously  ill  is  made  the  subject  of  investigation.  There  are 
few  children  of  school  age  free  from  one  or  more  physical  ail- 
ments, few  adults  not  afflicted  with  some  chronic  disability.  All 
this  would  be  guarded  against  if  the  family  physician  were  the 
sanitary  adviser,  having  constant  supervision  of  the  family, 
instead  of  being  called  only  Avhen  someone  has  broken  a leg  or 
one  of  the  children  has  the  croup.  So  long  as  a man  sees  in  his 
physician  only  a feeler  of  pulses  and  a writer  of  prescriptions, 
the  relation  of  medicine  to  him  cannot  be  expected  to  improve. 
Today  physicians  are  no  longer  a group  of  men  and  women  to 
whom  one  only  looks  for  a diagnosis  and  a prescription.  They 
have  come  to  recognize  the  fact  that  their  usefulness  as  physi- 
cians in  dealing  Avitli  disease  problems  depends  in  a great  meas- 
ure on  the  cooperation  of  the  public.  They  must  haAre  intelligent 
cooperation  to  make  their  work  as  effective  as  it  is  possible  for  it 
to  be.  Prevention  of  disease  is  typical  of  the  line  in  which  medi- 
cine as  a AA-hole  is  to  have  its  principal  development  in  the  near 
future.  Let  once  the  idea  be  grasped  that  the  physician  is  engaged 
in  preventing  disease,  instead  of  Avaiting  for  an  opportunity  to 
cure  it — that  his  mission  is  a wider  one  than  merely  to  deal  out 
pills  or  open  abscesses,  or  attend  confinements — and  men  Avill 
prefer  to  put  themselves  under  such  directions  as  will  tend  to 
avert  illness,  instead  of  relying  upon  this  or  that  method  of  cure 
in  case  they  should  become  ill. 

A large  part  of  society  has  eAmr  been  against  legitimate  medi- 
cine, depending  upon  the  scientific  physician  in  time  of  trouble, 
yet  iu  the  interim  openly  supporting  all  sorts  of  shams,  frauds 
and  impostors.  “The  horizon  of  the  average  man’s  interest  in 
medicine,”  says  Dr.  Welch,  “scarcely  extends  beyond  the  cir- 
cumference of  his  own  body  or  that  of  his  family,  and  he  meas- 
ures the  value  of  the  medical  art  by  its  capacity  to  cure  his  cold, 
his  rheumatism  and  his  dyspepsia,  all  unconscious,  because  he 
does  not  encounter  them,  of  the  many  perils  which  medicine  lias 
removed  from  his  path  through  life.  What  does  he  knoAV  of  the 


330 


HI  STORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


decline  of  the  death  rate  by  one  half,  and  of  the  increase  of  the 
expectation  of  life  by  ten  or  twelve  years  during  the  past  cen- 
tury?” He  pays  the  lawyer  for  services  involving  propferty  ten 
times  the  fee  that  the  physician  receives  for  services  involving 
life.  Many  well-informed  people  recognize  the  standing  of  med- 
ical men,  simply  because  of  their  knowledge  of  the  immense 
amount  and  high  character  of  the  work  which  is  being  done  by 
the  profession,  but  millions  of  men  and  women  of  reasonable 
intelligence  and  education,  practically  ignorant  of  this,  intrust 
their  most  valuable  possessions — life  and  health — to  charlatans 
and  chance,  though  they  would  not  enter  court  without  a lawyer 
nor  build  a house  without  an  architect.  All  of  this  is  due 
to  ignorance  of  modern  medicine.  The  instruction  of  the  laity  by 
the  medical  profession  is  the  rational  cure  for  popular  ignorance. 
If  the  public  be  properly  informed  it  will  become  interested,  and 
if  interested,  it  will  assist.  The  knowledge  of  the  human  body 
and  the  betterment  of  physical  conditions  is  too  personal  not  to' 
excite  interest,  if  properly  presented.  The  more  the  public  is-, 
informed  on  medical  matters  the  greater  is  its  ability  to  protect 
itself,  and  the  closer  it  will  come  to  the  regular  physician,  and  the- 
higher  the  standard  it  will  demand.  “We,  the  medical  profes- 
sion, are  now  in  the  possession  of  truths  that  can  help  our  fellow 
man.  Is  it  not  our  duty  to  tell  our  fellow  man?”  The  answers 
to  this  question  are:  the  national  campaign  against  tuberculo- 
sis, the  bulletins  of  the  boards  of  health,  the  medical  instruction 
of  the  public  by  county  medical  societies,  by  virtue  of  a resolution 
of  the  American  Medical  Association.  The  medical  profession 
has  accepted  facts  that  bear  on  the  welfare  of  the  people,  and  it 
is  its  duty  to  make  them  known.  The  time  is  now  at  hand  for  a 
radical  change  in  the  relation  of  the  physician  to  the  public  at 
large.  Medicine  can  be  a power  in  the  world  only  as  it  is  repre- 
sented by  the  practitioner.  He  must  no  longer  be  concerned  only 
with  existing  disease,  but  must  take  cognizance  of  the  broader 
field  which  it  is  the  province  of  medicine  to  occupy.  His  new 
duty  will  be  to  enter  into  a copartnership  with  the  people  for  the- 
prevention  of  disease;  to  inform  them,  according  to  the  measure 
of  their  needs,  concerning  a science  which  so  deeply  concerns  the 
lifework,  comfort,  happiness  and  mental  achievements  of  every 
individual.  He  will  take  up  the  medical  education  of  the  people 
and  instruct  them  how  to  avoid  and  abort  disease,  how  to  make 
hygiene  effective,  how  to  develop  physical  perfection,  and  to 
promote  mental  and  moral  improvement. 

With  the  diffusion  of  this  information  the  voice  of  the  profes- 
sion will  be  heard  in  the  halls  of  legislation  ; its  influence  will  be 
felt  in  a virile  grasp  of  the  great  principles  that  underlie  the 
physical  well-being  of  society.  Neglect  of  public  sanitation  will 


•» 


■; 


George  C.  Wellnor,  M.  D. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


331 

cease  to  fill  our  hospitals  and  our  cemeteries ; architecture  will  no 
longer  be  the  handmaiden  of  disease ; systems  of  education 
arranged  without  the  slightest  reference  to  the  laws  of  mental 
development  will  be  discarded.  Questions  of  health  will  have 
their  weight  in  determining  the  relations  of  capital  and  labor; 
excessive  hours  of  duty,  exacted  of  those  to  whose  vigilance  the 
lives  of  the  traveling  public  are  intrusted,  will  no  more  result  in 
appalling  disasters.  Unrestricted  traffic  in  drink  will  not  con- 
tinue to  destroy  life  and  health,  and  to  prepare  an  inheritance  of 
disease  for  offspring  yet  unborn.  Public  opinion  will  cease  to 
applaud  that  abnormal  activity  in  business  and  social  life  which 
has  already  gone  far  toward  making  us  a nation  of  invalids.” 
“A  great  duty,”  says  a distinguished  president  of  the  American 
Medical  Association,  “rests  on  the  practitioner  today.  He  must 
not  shirk  it ; he  must  rise  to  his  new  burden,  accept,  and  bear  it. 
The  reward  to  the  medical  profession  for  taking  this  new  burden 
will  be  a broader  life  for  the  practitioner,  a greater  consideration 
for  his  fellow  man,  better  citizenship,  and  the  recognition  by  the 
world  that  the  medical  profession  is  a great  benefactor.” 

“To  labor  for  the  alleviation  of  suffering  and  for  the  restora- 
tion of  health,”  says  Professor  John  Allan  Wyeth,  “is  a noble 
vocation,  but  to  teach  our  fellows  how  to  avoid  disaster  is  a 
prouder  privilege  and  higher  duty.” — George  C.  Wellner,  M.  D. 

Dr.  George  Christian  Wellner  was  born  May  24,  1849,  near  the 
ancient  city  of  Scheinfeld,  Middle  Franconia,  Bavaria,  where  the 
family  settled  prior  to  1700.  He  came  to  the  FT.  S.  in  1857, 
settling  in  Manitowoc,  Wis.,  and  moving  to  Chicago  in  1862.  He 
received  his  education  in  the  parochial  school  of  the  old  country, 
the  common  schools  of  the  U.  S.,  Prof.  Geo.  W.  Quackenbos’  Pri- 
vate Academy,  and  Rush  Medical  College.  He  came  to  Red  Wing, 
Minn.,  in  1875  and  located  successively  in  Springfield,  Minn., 
1880;  Red  Wing,  1883;  Wabasha,  1885,  and  Red  Wing,  189.3.  In 
1878  he  married  Miss  Margaret  S.  Hickman.  Their  children  are, 
Emilie  M.  (Mrs.  R.  A.  Haeussler),  George  C.,  Berthold  B.,  Giralda 
M.,  and  Margaret  M.  The  doctor  has  held  the  following  offices : 
Physician  to  the  North  Star  Dispensary,  Chicago,  1875;  county 
physician,  Brown  county,  Minn.,  1880-83 ; member  cnminon  coun- 
cil and  board  of  education,  Springfield,  Minn..  1882;  county 
physician,  5th  district  Goodhue  county,  Minn.,  1884 : county 
physician,  Wabasha  county,  Minn.,  and  health  officer  of  Wabasha, 
1890-93 ; secretary  board  U.  S.  examining  surgeons,  Wabasha, 
1886-93;  assistant  surgeon  3rd  regiment  M.  N.  G.,  1887 ; president 
Wabasha  County  Medical  society,  1890;  secretary  board  U.  S. 
examining  surgeons,  Red  Wing,  1897  to  present  time ; president 
Goodhue  County  Medical  Society,  1906 ; president  board  of 
health.  Red  Wing,  1907  to  present  time;  director  3rd  district  Min- 


332 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


nesota  Association  for  the  Relief  and  Prevention  of  Tuberculosis ; 
member  of  the  Goodhue  County  Medical  Society,  Minnesota 
State  Medical  Society,  member  of  the  American  Medical  Asso- 
ciation. Dr.  Wellner  is  the  author  of  ‘‘The  Medical  Graduate 
and  His  Needs,”  and  of  the  article  “The  Physician,”  the  latter 
of  which  appears  in  this  volume. 


CHAPTER  XX. 


SONS  OF  THE  VIKINGS. 

Discovery  of  America  — Modern  Norwegian  Immigration  — 
Mathias  Pedersen  Ringdahl — Early  Settlers — Anecdotes — 
Officeholders — Newspapers— Norwegians  as  Pioneers— Their 
Present  Status. 

The  Norwegians  of  today  are  the  descendants  of  that  fearless 
race,  the  Vikings,  who  peopled  the  coast  of  Norway  and  swept 
the  oceans  with  their  swift  craft,  venturing  to  Iceland,  then  to 
Greenland,  and  then,  it  is  believed,  even  to  the  Atlantic  coast  of 
North  America  as  far  south  as  Long  Island.  It  is  stated  that 
Bjarne  Herjulfson,  while  driven  about  in  a storm,  sighted  the 
coast  of  Labrador  in  986.  Eric,  the  Red.  was  one  of  the  pioneers 
of  Iceland  and  Greenland,  and  his  son,  Lief  Ericson,  or  Leif  the 
Lucky,  as  he  was  called,  was  early  tilled  with  the  spirit  of  adven- 
ture. In  the  year  1000,  this  Leif,  with  a company  of  thirty-five 
men.  set  out  from  Greenland  and  started  down  the  North  Ameri- 
can coast,  landing  on  the  island  of  Newfoundland  and  on  the 
peninsula  of  Nova  Scotia.  Continuing  their  voyage,  they  reached 
the  vicinity  of  what  is  now  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island  in  the 
fall  of  the  year.  The  wild  grapes  were  hanging  heavy  on  the 
vines,  and  Tyrker,  a German,  who  accompanied  the  expedition, 
called  the  place  Vineland.  Norwegian  historians  have  declared 
that  Leif  landed  and  settled  near  what  is  now  Fall  River.  Mass. 
Even  to  the  present  day,  there  exists  in  New  England  a stone 
tower  believed  to  have  been  the  work  of  these  Norsemen. 

In  1003.  Leif’s  brother,  Tliorwald.  was  killed  by  the  savages 
while  leading  another  expedition  of  Norsemen  in  about  the  same 
locality.  In  1007  came  a larger  expedition,  headed  by  Thorfinn 
Karlsefin,  who  had  married  Gudrid,  a widow  of  Thorstein,  a 
brother  of  Leif.  This  expedition  consisted  of  600  men  and  pos- 
sibly some  women.  They  landed  near  what  is  now  Buzzards  Bay. 
Three  years  later  this  settlement  was  abandoned,  and  the  party 
sailed  back  to  Greenland  with  hides  and  timber. 

In  1847  there  probably  occurred  another  attempt,  although 
this  is  less  generally  believed  than  the  story  of  the  other  Norse 

333 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


33-1 

settlements.  It  has  been  declared  that  Columbus  visited  Icelaud 
in  early  life,  and  that  he  was  familiar  with  the  story  of  the 
discovery  and  settlement  of  the  New  England  coast  by  the 
Norsemen. 

In  1619,  a Norseman,  Jens  Munk,  visited  America  at  the  head  of 
a Danish  expedition  whose  intention  it  was  to  take  possession  of 
a part  of  the  country  in  the  name  of  the  king  of  Denmark.  He 
returned  to  Norway  in  1620,  the  only  survivor  of  the  attempt. 

In  1633,  a Norwegian  ship  builder  by  the  name  of  Hans  Han- 
son Bergen,  who  had  for  a time  resided  in  Holland,  came  to  New 
Amsterdam,  as  New  York  was  then  called.  It  is  also  believed 
that  there  were  some  twenty  other  Norwegian  settlers  in  that 
early  colony.  Claus  Van  Sande,  the  Indian  interpreter  of  the 
New  Amsterdam  colony,  was  a Norwegian. 

July  4,  1825,  a party  of  Norwegian  Quakers  left  Stavanger, 
Norway,  and  in  due  time  reached  New  York.  What  subsequently 
became  of  this  party  has  never  been  positively  established.  ' In 
1839  a large  colony  of  Norwegians  came  to  Wisconsin.  With 
this  colony  begins  the  story  of  modern  Norwegian  immigration 
to  America,  although  from  the  settlement  at  New  York  down  to 
that  time  there  had  been  here  and  there  individual  Norwegians 
who  took  an  active  part  in  public  affairs,  notably  in  the  Moravian 
colony  at  South  Bethlehem,  Pa.  It  is  possible  that  several  Nor- 
wegians settled  in  Minnesota  in  1851,  but  the  real  influx  started 
in  1852-53,  when  Houston  and  Fillmore  counties  began  to  be 
populated. 

The  first  Norwegian  in  Goodhue  county  was  Mathias  Pederson 
(Ringdahl),  from  Hadeland,  Norway,  who  came  to  Red  Wing 
in  the  winter  of  1852-53.  He  did  not,  however,  found  any  settle- 
ment. It  Avas  in  1854  that  the  Norwegians  settled  in  two  town- 
ships at  the  same  time — Holden  and  Wanamingo — also  occupying 
portions  of  Leon  and  later  of  Minneola.  Following  is  a list  of 
some  of  the  early  Norwegian  settlers:  Plans  Ovaldsen,  from 

Krageroe;  Henry  and  Toege  Nelsen  Talla,  from  Lyst.er,  Song; 
William  Runningen,  from  Sandoekedal;  Anders  Baanhus,  from 
Soevde,  Telemarken;  John  Stroemme;  Anders  Hesjedalen  and 
IJaldor  Five,  from  Strilelandet ; Tosten  Aaby,  from  Sigdal ; Bernt 
Sauland,  from  Jaederen ; T orb  jo  era  Wraalstad,  from  Dramgedal; 
Nils  Fenne,  Syver  Honedal,  from  Voos;  Gunder  Hestemyr,  from 
Sandoekedal;  Olaf  P.  Ness,  from  Vik,  Sogn ; Guttorm  Otternes, 
from  Aurland,  Sogn;  Mathias  Ringdahl,  Faaberg;  Christian 
Lunde  and  Andreas  Erstad,  from  Land;  Tosten  Guldbrandsen, 
from  Gudbrandsdalen ; Ola  and  Aamund  Ofteli,  from  Telemarken ; 
Knut,  Anders,  Ole  and  PI.  K.  Finseth,  from  Hallingdal;  Jens 
Ottun,  0.  J.  Sortedal,  Kolben  Egtveit,  0.  0.  Huset,  Halvor  Ener- 
sen,  Torbjoern  Enerson,  Ole  0.  Oakland,  Ole  J.  Bakke,  Tosten 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


335 


Anderson.  Nels  Gulbrandsen.  As  far  as  is  known  all  these  came 
in  1854,  most  of  them  from  Wisconsin.  Nest  came  Svend  Nor- 
gaard.  from  Telemarken ; Ola  Gunhus,  from  Kroedsherrad ; 
Christian  Halvorsen  Dokken,  from  Hallingdal;  Kagnvald  Ohn- 
stad,  from  Aurlancl.  Sogn ; Ole  Eriksen,  Elling  Ilalgrimsen,  Lars 
N.  By;  G.  K.  Norsving,  Ole  Nesseth,  Erick  Anderson;  Nils  Mik- 
kelsen,  Mickel  Johnson,  P.  N.  Langemo,  Syvert  Halvorsen  Dokken, 
Halvor  Syvertsen  Dokken,  Syvert  Markussen,  Lars  Markussen, 
and  Helge  Gnlbrandsen  Bakken,  from  Yang,  Yalders.  The  last 
named  walked  from  Decorah,  Iowa. 

Mrs.  Ole  Bakke,  the  first  white  woman  in  Holden,  relates  that 
one  day  she  left  her  child  lying  in  its  bed  and  went  out  to  get 
some  water,  and  when  she  returned  the  child  had  disappeared. 
She  hurriedly  ran  out  and  as  she  heard  the  cries  from  a nearby 
grove,  she  ran  to  it  as  fast  as  she  could.  A squaw  had  stolen 
the  child,  but  when  she  saw  the  mother  coming  she  left  the 
child  and  ran  away.  Mrs.  Torbjoern  Enersen  gave  bjrth  to  the 
first  white  child  in  Holden.  Erik  Elton  died  there  in  the  fall 
of  1855.  This  was  the  first  death  in  the  township. 

The  early  settlers  in  Goodhue  county  were  as  poor  as  they 
were  able,  the  worst  was  that  they  did  not  have  sufficient  clothing 
to  withstand  the  severe  cold.  But  they  soon  overcame  this.  Soon 
they  began  to  raise  Avheat  on  a large  scale.  As  an  example  of 
what  the  first  settlers  had  to  endure  the  following  is  given : A 

man  who  wished  to  go  to  Oronoco,  Olmstecl  county,  in  the  winter 
of  1855  spent  the  night  with  Erik  Talla  and  continued  his 
journey  the  following  morning.  After  three  days  lie  returned. 
During  all  this  time  he  had  been  wandering  about  on  the  prairie 
in  a blinding  snow  storm  without  knowing  where  he  was  and 
without  finding  people.  The  following  story  relating  to  Indians 
was  obtained  from  C'leng  J.  Dale:  “It  was  in  the  year  1852. 

One  evening  about  7 o’clock  there  came  a warning  that  the 
Indians  were  coming  and  that  they  were  murdering  our  next 
neighbor  and  his  family.  It  was  difficult  to  say  what  to  do. 
The  thought  of  saving  anything  of  our  possessions  we  immediately 
gave  up.  We  thought  it  wisest  to  flee  just  as  we  were.  With 
our  one-year-old  daughter,  my  wife  and  I went  eastward  to 
Osmund  Wing,  aaIio  was  busy  getting  his  family  into  a Avagon. 
We  decided  to  go  in  an  easterly  direction  to  Torger  Rygh,  a 
devout  old  countryman,  where  people  frequently  held  meetings. 
Here  we  soon  gathered  a whole  company.  The  Avomen  and  chil- 
dren occupied  the  second  story,  Avhile  the  men  remained  below 
and  armed  themsel\res  as  well  as  Ave  could  AATith  axes,  pitch- 
forks;  firearms  we  did  not  have.  Those  of  the  men  who  were 
the  most  Yiking-like  took  their  places  as  sentries  about  the  house 
during  the  night.  HoAveArer,  the  Indians  did  not  come.  In  the 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


336 

morning  we  sent  out  two  spies  to  examine  how  matters  stood  in 
our  homes.  They  returned  with  the  report  that  as  far  as  they 
could  see  and  hear,  everything  was  quiet  and  our  homes  were  in 
the  same  order  in  which  we  had  left  them.  Then  we  returned. 
At  this  time  B.  J.  Muus  was  pastor  of  the  Holden  congregation. 
He  removed  his  family  to  Red  Wing.”  Mr.  Muus,  however, 
returned  and  continued  his  labors. 

Herman  Hansen  Bakke,  who  now  lives  in  Spring  Valley,  AVis., 
relates  that  lie  settled  at  Belvidere  Mills,  Goodhue  county,  in 
1855,  and  that. he  had  no  crops  the  first  five  years.  Prairie  fire 
destroyed  them.  On  one  occasion  he  also  lost  hig  tools  and  every- 
thing else  which  he  owned  except  his  house. 

The  pioneer  Peter  Langemo  relates,  among  other  things  : “The 
houses  in  Goodhue  county  occupied  by  our  fellow  countrymen 
Avere  small,  as  a rule  10x12,  but.  small  as  they  Avere,  they  often 
accommodated  tAvo  or  three  families.  The  first  year  after  Min- 
nesota became  a state  a law  Avas  passed  that  the  taxes  should  be 
collected  by  the  town  treasurer.  Thus  it  happened  in  Holden 
that  the  treasurer  and  his  family  lived  together  Avith  another 
man  in  the  latter’s  log  hut.  Avliich  to  all  appearances  Avas 
still  smaller  than  the  others.  So  it  happened  one  day  that  a 
Hailing  Avho  lived  in  the  Avestern  part  of  the  township  came 
to  pay  his  taxes,  but  he  seemed  to  harbor  a fear  that  he  had 
come  to  the  wrong  place.  After  having  carefully  examined  the 
hut  on  all  sides,  he  entered  and  made  his  observations  and  asked, 
‘Is  it  here  that  the  high  official  lives?’  The  treasurer  was  Ole 
Solberg,  and  after  an  affirmative  answer  the  Hailing  paid  his  tax. 

The  Holden  congregation  Avas  founded  in  1856,  by  Rev.  IP.  A. 
Stub,  belonging  to  the  Norwegian  synod.  It  was  the  first  Nor- 
wegian  congregation  in  the  county.  Nevertheless  the  congrega- 
tion did  not  have  regular  service  before  Rev.  B.  J.  Muus  arrived 
in  1859.  The  church  Avas  built  in  1861. 

Hans  Hanson  Iloltan  Avas  the  first  Norwegian  in  Goodhue 
county  to  hold  a public  office,  he  being  elected  to  the  legislature 
in  1857.  1 1 is  brother-in-laAV,  0.  0.  Ilagna,  was  the  first  Nor- 

Avegian  in  the  county  to  hold  county  office,  being  elected  treasurer 
in  1869.  He  is  still  living,  and  makes  his  home  Avith  his  sons 
in  Minneapolis.  A list  of  public  officers  in  Goodhue  county  of 
Norwegian  birth  or  descent  folloAvs : Members  of  the  state  legis- 
lature— Hans  Hansen  Holtan,  from  Naes,  Telemarken;  Lars  Iv. 
Aaker;  A.  Iv.  Finseth.  of  Kenyon,  from  Hemsedahl,  Hallingdahl; 
Olaf  0.  Norvold,  of  Zumbrota,  from  Lesje,  Gudbrandsdal ; 0.  J. 
Wing,  of  Aspelund,  parents  from  Htavanger  district;  0.  Iv.  Nae- 
seth,  of  Wanamingo,  parents  from  Holden,  Skien ; Frederick  Pet- 
tersen,  Zumbrota,  from  Ondenhus;  Knut  Iv.  Finseth,  of  Kenyon, 
from  Hemsedahl;  A.  A.  Flom,  of  Cannon  Falls,  from  Aurland, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


337 

Sogn : G.  K.  Norsving,  of  Nerstrand,  from  Yang.  Yalders ; N. 
P.  Langemo,  of  Kenyon,  from  Sandoekedal;  N.  J.  Ottun,  of 
Kenyon,  from  Lyster,  Sogn;  Ole  P.  Huleback,  of  Kenyon, 
Horn  Hausedahl ; H.  P.  Hulebak,  of  Kenyon,  from  Hause- 
dahl;  Ole  0.  Hnseth.  of  Norway,  from  Holden’s:  -John 

H.  Boxrud.  of  Goodhue,  from  Eidsvold ; C.  L.  Brusletten. 
of  Kenyon,  from  Naes,  Hallingdal;  Jens  K.  Grondahl,  of  Red 
Wing,  from  Eidsvold ; A.  J.  Roekne,  of  Zumbrota,  parents  from 
Yoss.  Treasurer — 0.  0.  Hegna,  from  Sande,  Telemarken.  County 
auditor — Carl  N.  Lien,  of  Red  Wing,  ancestors  from  Yang,  Yal- 
ders. Clerk  of  district  court — Hans  Johnson,  of  Red  Wing; 
Albert  Johnson,  of  Red  Wing.  Court  commissioner — George  M. 
Gulbranclsen,  of  Red  Wing.  County  attorneys — S.  J.  Nelson,  of 
Red  AYing";  Albert  Johnson,  of  Red  Wing.  County  coroner — A. 

' H.  Allen,  of  Red  Wing,  from  Hallingdal.  Sheriff — A.  F.  Ander- 
son, of  Red  Wing,  from  Fredricks.  (Mr.  Anderson  has  also  been 
county  commissioner,  state  dairy  commissioner  and  presidential 
elector.)  County  superintendent  of  schools — Julius  Boraas,  of 
Red  Wing,  parents  from  Stjordalen.  County  commissioners — 0. 
K.  Naeseth,  of  Wanamingo;  A.  T.  Kjos.  of  Kenyon,  from  Yang; 
Ole  0.  Huset,  of  Nonvay,  from  Trondhjem;  0.  K.  Finseth.  of 
Kenyon,  from  Hemseclal;  T.  K.  Simmons,  of  Red  Wing.  County 
supervisor — Nils  G.  Nyhagen.  of  Kenyon.  Judge  of  probate, 
Oscar  D.  Anderson.  Justices  of  the  peace — K.  K.  Hougo, 
from  Hallingdal : Mons  S.  Urevig,  from  Aurlancl,  Sogn ; A.  A. 
Flom,  of  Cannon  Falls;  judge  of  district  court,  Albert  Johnson, 
Red  Wing. 

The  following  places  in  Goodhue  county  have  Norwegian 
names:  Holden.  Norway,  Toten.  Eidsvold,  Dovre.  Sogn.  Henning. 
Yang.  Nansen,  Aspelund,  Skyberg.  The  majority  of  these  post- 
offices  have  been  replaced  by  the  rural  free  delivery. 

Several  Norwegian  papers  have  been  published  in  this  county: 
“Budbaereren,”  the  organ  of  the  Hauge’s  synod,  was  started 
in  1868,  by  L.  E.  Swenson,  of  Christiana.  The  first  editors  were 
the  Revs.  Oesten  Hansen  and  0.  A.  Bergh.  It  is  published  weekly 
at  Red  Wing,  has  twenty-four  two-column  pages  and  has  of  late 
years  been  edited  alternately  by  Rev.  Christian  Brohough  and 
C.  C.  Holter.  “Boernevennen.  ” an  illustrated  Sunday  school 
paper,  was  established  in  1877.  by  C.  Lillethun  and  Rev.  Christian 
0.  Brohough.  The  paper  belongs  to  Hauge’s  synod  and  is  pub- 
lished at  Red  Wing.  “The  Little  Messenger”  is  a weekly  paper 
for  children,  published  in  Red  Wing  under  the  auspices  of 
Hauge’s  synod.  “Nordstjeren,”  a weekly  paper,  was  started 
in  Red  Wing  in  1895  and  was  published  several  years.  Jens  K. 
Grondahl  was  the  manager  and  editor.  “Broderbaanclet.  ” the 
publication  of  "Brodersamfundet,”  was  issued  in  1899  at  Ken- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


■338 

yon,  by  Rev.  K.  0.  Lundeberg,  and  moved 'to  Wahpeton,  N.  D., 
in  1903.  It  is  now  printed  weekly  at  Minneapolis,  Minn. 

1 hirty  years  ago  a previous  history  published  an  estimate 
of  the  Norwegians  as  pioneers.  At  the  time  this  article  was 
\\  i itten  less  than  two  decades  and  a half  had  elapsed  since  the 
settlement  in  the  county,  and  but  few  of  the  children  born 
in  the  township  had  attained  their  majority.  The  article,  as 
written  at  that  time,  follows:  “A  large  number  of  inhabitants 

of  the  county — at  least  one-fourth — are  Norwegian.  In  the  south- 
west part,  where  the  county  offers  the  greatest  advantages  for 
agricultural  purposes,  several  townships  are  settled  almost  exclu- 
sively by  them.  In  this  fertile  and  suitable  region  they  have  a 
better  chance  of  having  their  energy  and  industry  rewarded  than 
they  had  in  Norway,  where  greater  exertions  were  needed  merely 
to  gain  a subsistence,  whether  as  agriculturists  on  the  small, 
stony  and  steep  pieces  of  cultivated  land  or  as  sailors  and  fish- 
ermen on  the  surrounding  sea.  The  Norwegians  are  eminently 
fit  to  be  pioneers  of  civilization.  In  their  lonely  valleys  they 
have  become  more  accustomed  to  live  by  themselves  and  to  be 
content  in  their  own  company  than  settlers  from  more  densely 
• populated  countries;  and  they  do  not  to  the  same  degree  feel 
the  want  of  social  advantages,  from  which  the  pioneers,  to  a 
greater  or  less  degree,  are  excluded.  Self  help  was,  in  the  old 
country,  cultivated  to  a high  degree  in  regard  to  the  mechanical 
work  needed  by  the  farmers.  It  was  often  a considerable  dis- 
tance to  the  next  neighbor,  and  the  farmers  did  much  of  the 
work  themselves,  where  in  other  places  a tradesman  was  called 
into  requisition.  Almost  everyone  could,  for  instance,  do  his  own 
horseshoeing  and  other  blacksmith  work ; thus  they  were  well 
accustomed  to  the  hard  work  called  for  in  a pioneer  country, 
because  in  their  own  country  they  had  to  work  hard  to  make 
a living,  and  this  rigorous  training  has  made  them  hardy,  strong 
and  enduring.  As  soon  as  they  arrive  in  this  county  they  com- 
mence working  with  a good  will,  and  almost  universally  their 
exertions  have  been  crowned  with  success.  The  kind  of  property 
the  Norwegians  value  the  most  is  landed  estate.  The  first  set- 
tlers tried  to  stretch  themselves  over  as  much  land  as  they  could, 
occupying  land  for  their  relations  and  friends  yet  to  come,  be- 
sides what  they  claimed  for  themselves.  New  land  seekers  were 
frequently  turned  off  with  the  information  that  all  the  surround- 
ing land  was  taken.  The  boundaries  were  sometimes  so  extrava- 
gant that  controversies  ensued  with  later  arrivals,  which  on  one 
occasion,  at  least,  resolved  into  blows.  This  collsion  caused  the 
‘Club  Law’ — established  by  some  of  the  oldest  settlers  for  the 
retention  of  their  claims— to  be  abolished.  A battle  with  clubs, 
axe  handles  and  other  weapons  was  fought  at  one  time  on  section 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


339 


30,  Wanamingo,  with  damaging  results  to  more  pates  than  one. 
.As  soon  as  the  claim  was  secured,  work  commenced,  .preparing 
the  ground  for  seed,  grubbing  out  the  brush  and  breaking  the 
soil.  The  lodgings  were  inferior,  and  for  a long  time  confined  to 
the  primitive  log  hut,  which,  however,  was  solid  and  warm.  As 
the  Norwegians  care  well  for  their  domestic  animals,  the  first 
improvements  in  the  way  of  buildings  are  good  and  substantial 
stables  and  barns.  They  do  not,  for  immediate  use,  build  a 
smaller  and  cheaper  structure,  but  they  wait  until  able  to  build 
something  large  and  solid,  and  then,  economical  as  they  are,  they 
do  not  shun  the  expense.  ‘The  best  is  the  cheapest,’  is  their 
motto.  As  soon  as  the  Norwegian  has  a comfortable  home,  and 
often  before,  he  lohks  around  for  more  land,  and  buys  of  his 
neighbor,  if  he  can;  thus  the  price  of  land  rises  in  Norwegian 
neighborhoods  so  that  it  often  sells  for  one-fourth  more  than 
the  same  quality  brings  in  other  parts  of  the  county.  Those 
farmers  who  have  been  less  successful  in  obtaining  for  them- 
selves land  or  property  frequently  sell  out  and  remove  to  other 
parts  of  the  country.  The  Norwegians  prefer  to  build  each  at 
a distance  from  the  other.  Everyone  likes  to  have  his  own  for 
himself,  and  at  a distance  from  his  next  neighbor,  and  to  be  in 
as  large  a degree  as  possible  ‘Monarch  of  all  he  surveys,  whose 
rights  there  are  none  to  dispute.’  ” 

Thus  was  it  written  thirty  years  ago.  Today  there  are  no 
more  intensely  loyal  Americans  than  the  descendants  of  these 
■same  Norwegians.  Intelligent,  educated,  progressive,  with  un- 
swerving devotion  to  principle,  foremost  in  the  ranks  of  those 
who  work  for  the  good  of  the  county,  they  are  often  more  thor- 
oughly American  than  the  descendants  of  the  Puritans.  With 
the  ancient  Norse  ancestry  of  which  to  be  proud,  and  a record 
of  modern  achievement  which  places  them  with  the  leaders  of 
twentieth  century  movements,  they  have  laid  their  stamp  upon 
the  county  and  country,  and  their  sons  and  brothers  are  occupy- 
ing positions  of  trust  and  honor  wherever  the  United  States  flag 
is  floating  at  the  present  time. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


SWEDISH  SETTLEMENT. 

Early  Colonies — Coming  to  Minnesota — Mattson,  Willard  and 
Norelius — Story  of  the  Early  Swedes  Told  by  Dr.  Norelius — 
The  Churches  at  Red  Wing  and  Vasa — Reminiscences  by 
Early  Settlers — Characteristics  of  the  Swedes. 

The  first  Swedish  settlement  in  the  United  States  dates  from 
1638,  when  there  sailed  into  Delaware  bay  a man-of-war,  the 
Kalmar  Nychel,  and  a smaller  vessel,  Fogel  Grifs,  bearing  a band 
of  Swedish  colonists.  The  voyage  had  taken  over  six  months, 
owing  to  terrible  storms,  and  when  the  colonists  finally  arrived 
they  were  so  thankful  and  delighted  that  they  called  the  cape 
Paradise  Point.  They  purchased  land  on  the  Avest  bank  of  the 
Delaware  bay  from  the  Indians  for  a fair  price.  This  land 
stretched  from  Cape  Henlopen  to  the  fall  near  Trenton,  taking 
in  nearly  all  the  state  of  DelaAA^are  and  a portion  of  Pennsylvania. 
They  immediately  built  a fortress,  which  they  named  Port  Chris- 
tina, in  honor  of  the  queen.  They  called  the  neAv  state  NeAv 
Sweden.  Here  they  remained  and  prospered,  being  at  peace  Avith 
the  Indians,  Avho  had  learned  to  trust  them  on  account  of  their 
fair  dealings.  They  had  brought  with  them  from  the  old  home 
the  fear  of  God,  their  Bible,  respect  for  sacred  things  and  a 
strict  observance  of  the  Sabbath.  It  has  been  said  that  no  emi- 
grants more  closely  resemble  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  of  NeAv  England 
in  Avorks  and  faith  than  the  SAvedes.  Some  of  these  Swedish 
colonists  continued  to  live  on  the  banks  of  the  DelaAvare,  and 
their  descendants  are  today  among  the  most  honored  citizens  of 
America.  The  man  who  cast  the  deciding  vote  for  Pennsylvania 
as  a member  of  the  Continental  Congress,  in  favor  of  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence,  was  a SAvede  of  DelaAvare,  named  John 
Morton.  When  the  Civil  War  broke  out  General  Robert  Ander- 
son, with  a handful  of  men,  bravely  and  calmly  met  the  first 
shock  of  the  Rebellion  at  Fort  Sumter. 

The  idea  of  a Noav  Sweden  originated  in  the  mind  of  Gustavus 
Adolphus,  but  Avas  not  carried  out  until  after  his  death,  Avhen 
his  chancellor.  Axel  Oxenstjema,  completed  the  plans.  The 

340 


HlfSTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


ail 


Swedish  king  had  intended  the  colony  to  be  an  asylum  for  the 
oppressed  of  all  nations,  a free  state  where  all  would  have  equal 
rights  and  where  slavery  should  never  exist.  Trade  between  the 
white  man  and  red  men  was  fair  and  square ; they  always  kept 
their  word  with  the  Indian  and  never  cheated  him.  When 
William  Penn  arrived  on  this  continent  in  1662  it  was  the  Swedish 
settlers  and  their  children  who  received  him  and  made  him  wel- 
come to  the  new  world.  They  were  Penn’s  interpreters  with  the 
Indians.  Penn  did  precisely  as  the  Swedes  had  done,  bought 
land  of  the  Indians  at  a fair  price,  treated  them  kindly  and  kept 
faith.  The  Swedes  had  become  so  prosperous  through  their 
industry  that  in  1698  they  were  able  to  erect  a church  of  stone, 
and  the  city  of  Wilmington  has  now  grown  up  around  its  walls. 
This  church,  known  as  the  “Old  Swedes’  Church,”  still  stands, 
after  nearly  200  years,  a fitting  monument  to  the  New  Sweden 
of  Gustavus  Adolphus. 

Swedish  immigration  was  not  large  throughout  the  colonial 
period.  Only  about  ninety-four  people  arrived  ‘from  Sweden  in 
the  ten  years,  1820-30.  Since  then  it  has  rapidly  increased,  but 
it  is  only  in  the  past  fifty  years  that  the  influx  of  Swedish  settle- 
ment has  been  great. 

The  first  governor  of  New  Sweden  was  Johan  Printz  of  Vester 
Gotland,  who  was  appointed  August  15,  1642,  when  he  was 
knighted.  He  died  in  1683. 

The  men  of  Swedish  stock  who  rendered  service  in  the  Rev- 
olutionary and  Civil  wars  are  numbered  by  the  thousands.  Among 
them  are  Admiral  Dahlgren,  General  Robert  Anderson,  General 
Nelson,  who  was  shot  in  Kentucky,  General  Stohlbrancl,  General 
Yegesach,  Colonel  Hans  Mattson,  and  Colonel  Elfiring.  Then, 
too,  there  is  John  Erickson,  the  great  inventor  who  planned  and 
built  the  “Monitor,”  which  saved  the  country  from  great  peril. 
He  was  born  in  Sweden,  son  of  a Swedish  miner,  and  lived  in  a 
miner’s  lint  in  the  backwoods  of  Sweden. 

The  first  Swede  to  come  to  Minnesota  was  Jacob  Falstrom, 
who  came  to  the  state  before  1819.  The  first  Swedish  settlement 
in  the  state  was  commenced  at  Marine,  Washington  county,  in 
1850,  by  Oscar  Roos  and  two  other  Swedes. 

The  first  Swede  in  Goodhue  county  was  Nils  Magnus  Nilsson, 
known  as  Nels  Nelson  and  as  Dr.  Sweney’s  Nels.  He  was  brought 
from  St.  Paul  by  William  Freeborn  and  here  sp'ent  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  He  served  in  the  Civil  War  and  spent  his  declining 
days  in  a cabin  on  the  island  opposite  Red  Wing’s  levee.  In 
this  cabin  he  was  found  dead,  and  all  the  old  settlers  turned  out 
to  his  funeral. 

The  influx  of  Swedish  immigration  to  Goodhue  county  was 
started  by  Colonel  Hans  Mattson,  but  was  also  greatly  assisted 


342 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


by  Dr.  E.  Norelius  and  S.  J.  Willard.  The  real  beginning  of  the- 
Swedish  settlement  in  this  county  was  in  1 854. 

The  Swedes  have  taken  an  important  part  in  the  development 
of  Goodhue  county  and  are  now  numbered  among  her  best  citi- 
zens. Their  children  and  grandchildren  are  thoroughly  American 
and  are  taking  the  places  in  official  and  business  life  to  which 
they  are  entitled. 

The  characteristics  of  the  Swedish  people  have  been  admirably 
summed  up  by  Colonel  Mattson  as  follows : 

“Yes,  it  is  verily  true  that  the  Scandinavian  immigrants, 
from  the  early  colonists  of  1638  to  the  present  time,  have  fur- 
nished strong  hands,  clear  heads  and  loyal  hearts  to  the  republic. 
They  have  caused  the  wilderness  to  blossom  like  the  rose ; they 
have  planted  schools  and  churches  on  the  hills  and  in  the  valleys  * 
they  have  honestly  and  ably  administered  the  affairs  of  town, 
county  and  state ; they  have  helped  to  make  wise  laws  for  their 
respective  commonwealths  and  in  the  halls  of  Congress;  they 
have  with  honor*  and  ability  represented  their  adopted  country 
abroad ; they  have  sanctified  the  American  soil  by  their  blood, 
shed  in  freedom’s  cause  on  the  battlefields  of  the  Revolutionary 
and  Civil  wars ; and  though  proud  of  their  Scandinavian  ancestry, 
they  love  America  and  American  institutions  as  deeply  and  as 
truly  as  do  the  descendants  of  the  Pilgrims,  the  starry  emblems 
of  liberty  meaning  as  much  to  them  as  to  any  other  citizen. 

“Therefore  the  Scandinavian- American  feels  a certain  sense 
of  ownership  in  the  glorious  heritage  of  American  soil,  with  its 
rivers,  lakes,  mountains,  valleys,  woods  and  prairie.s,  and  in  all 
its  noble  institutions;  and  he  feels  that  the  blessings  which  he 
enjoys  are  not  his  by  favor  or  sufferance,  but  by  right — by  moral 
as  well  as  civil  right.  For  he  took  possession  of  the  wilderness, 
endured  the  hardships  of  the  pioneer,  contributed  his  full  share 
toward  the  grand,  results  accomplished,  and  is  in  mind  and  heart 
a true  and  loyal  American  citizen.” 

Dr.  Eric  Norelius  s'ome  years  ago  wrote  an  account  of  the 
early  Swedish  settlement  and  consequent  growth  of  their  colonies, 
which  is  of  deepest  interest  to  all  who  have  considered  the 
beginnings  of  the  Swedish  influx,  which  has  continued  to  have 
so  important  an  influence  on  the  life  of  the  county.  The  contri- 
bution of  Dr.  Norelius  follows: 

“The  honor  of  having  first  directed  the  influx  of  Swedish 
immigration  into  Goodhue  county  belongs  to  Colonel  Hans  Matt- 
son. He  was  a young  man  with  a military  education,  from 
Sweden,  and  had  spent  some  time  in  Moline,  111.,  after  his  arrival 
in  this  country.  The  following  is  gathered  from  an  article  written 
by  him  in  the  early  part  of  1856  and  published  in  ‘Ilemlandef,  ’ 
a Swedish  paper,  then  at  Galesburg : 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


343- 


“ ‘In  the  month  of  September,  1853,  I started  from  Moline 
with  a small  company  of  immigrants  for  Minnesota,  in  order  to 
find  a place  where  we  could  commence  a colony.  Having  arrived 
at  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  some  of  our  party  took  a contract  for  some 
work,  while  I,  together  with  four  others,  started  out  to  find  a 
place  for  our  future  home.  We  were  directed  to  Red  Wing,  which 
a short  time  before  had  been  laid  out  as  a village.  We  were  told 
that  good  land  could  be  had  in  the  neighborhood.  We  wrent  on 
board  a steamboat  and  made  directly  for  that  place.  When  we 
landed  wTe  found  the  whole  bank,  where  the  town  now  stands, 
covered  with  Indian  tepees,  but  we  did  not  see  more  than  four 
dwelling  houses  to  prove  to  us  that  the  people  of  our  race  lived 
there.  Soon  we  met  several  Americans,  who  received  us  with 
much  hospitality,  and  when  they  learned  the  object  of  our  visit 
they  got  us  a team  and  a man  wTho  was  acquainted  in  the  wilder- 
ness to  go  with  us  and  show  us  the  land.  The  following  day 
we  started  out,  but  we  did  not  feel  satisfied  before  we  got  upon 
the  prairie,  now  known  as  Yasa.  On  this  prairie  we  found  the 
best  of  soil  and  we  saw  good  oak  timber  in  all  directions.  Now 
we  had  seen  enough,  and  we  went  immediately  back  to  St.  Paul, 
in  order  to  make  ourselves  ready  to  move  to  our  new  place. 

“ 'It  was  in  the  month  of  October  and  we  expected  a cold 
winter.  As  we  considered  it  impossible  at  so  late  a season  to 
build  houses  comfortable  enough  for  the  women  and  children, 
all  those  who  had  families  resolved  to  stop  at  St.  Paul  over 
the  winter.  In  company  with  two  other  men  we  returned  to 
make  claims  for  all  of  us.  When  we  for  the  second  time  returned 
to  Vasa  prairie  we  were  provided  with  a tent,  a stove,  some  pro- 
visions and  some  winter  tools.  After  having  pitched  our  tent 
on  the  bank  of  the  big  creek,  now  Belle  creek,  in  a clump  of 
trees,  and  arranged  our  romantic  camp,  we  went  out  to  recon- 
noiter  the  land  around  about  and  took  several  claims.  There- 
upon we  went  about  to  build  a house  where  we  could  live  during 
the  approaching  winter.  Some  weeks  after  two  families  of  our 
party  came  down  from  St.  Paul  to  stay,  and  during  the  following 
summer,  1854.  we  numbered  ten  families. 

“ ‘On  one  occasion,  when  the  Rev.  E.  Norelius,  of  Indiana, 
conducted  religious  services,  a Lutheran  church  was  organized, 
and  the  settlement  received  the  name  of  Vasa,  in  memory  of  the 
great  hero,  Gustaf  Vasa,  who  liberated  Sweden  from  foreign 
despotism  and  brought  about  the  establishment  there  of  the 
Lutheran  faith.  The  name  seems  to  be  well  chosen,  as  the 
Swedes  at  Arasa  strive  to  imitate  the  great  Gustaf  and  his  coadju- 
tors. Before  this  name  was  applied  the  place  was  known  as 
“Swede  Prairie,”  “Mattson’s  Settlement.”  and  also  “White 
Rock,”  from  a big  rock  of  white  sandstone  somewhat  similar  in 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


34-i 

form  to  a small,  old  church  in  the  old  country,  situated  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  town.’ 

■‘From  the  time  of  Mr.  Mattson’s  account,  as  above,  up  to 
1860,  a large  number  of  Swedes  arrived,  partly  from  Sweden 
direct  and  partly  from  the  older  states  of  the  Union,  and  filled 
up  not  only  the  town  of  Vasa  but  also  parts  of  the  surrounding 
townships,  such  as  Leon,  Cannon  Falls,  Belle  Creek,  Goodhue, 
Featherstone,  Burnside  and  Welch.  Quite  a number  settled  in 
Red  Wing  from  the  beginning  of  Swedish  immigration  to  Good- 
hue  county.  The  most  of  them  were  of  the  Lutheran  profession, 
at  least  nominally. 

' ‘ The  organization  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  churches  at  Red 
Wing  and  Vasa  stood  in  connection  with  a missionary  tour  to 
Minnesota,  which  I made  in  1855,  in  the  months  of  August  and 
September,  I at  that,  time  being  pastor  of  several  Swedish 
churches  in  Tippecanoe  and  surrounding  counties  in  Indiana. 
From  my  diary  kept  at  that  time  I may  here  transcribe  some 
items. 

“1855,  August  31.  Landed  at  Red  Wing  at  12  o’clock  at 
night;  took  lodging  at  a miserable  hotel;  tried  to  sleep,  but  could 
not  for  mosquitoes.  September  1,  made  an  attempt  to  scale  Barn 
Bluff  before  sunrise,  but  was  recalled  by  the  breakfast  bell.  I 
made  some  inquiries  to  find  out  if  there  were  any  Swedes,  but  I 
obtained  no  information.  After  a while  I met  a Swedish  servant 
girl,  who  told  me  that  there  were  quite  a number  of  them  in 
Red  Wing  and  gave  me  directions  how  to  find  them.  After 
having  spoken  to  several  of  them  and  explained  the  object  of 
my  visit,  I proposed  to  hold  a seiwice  in  the  evening  if  a place 
could  be  had.  They  told  me  that  the  Presbyterians  had  a meet- 
ing house,  a shanty,  in  the  burgh,  and  that  we  might  possibly 
get  it.  I then  went  to  the  Presbyterian  minister,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Hancock,  introduced  myself  and  asked  for  permission  to  use 
his  chapel,  to  which  he  consented,  provided  I would  preach  the 
sound  gospel.  In  the  evening  I had  about  one  hundred  hearers, 
among  whom,  no  doubt,  were  hard  cases.  One  poor  fellow  told 
me  that  ‘the  old  devil  may  run  after  preachers,  but  he  would 
not.’  However,  not  a few  seemed  to  be  edified  and  desired  me 
to  hold  as  many  services  as  my  time  would  permit. 

“September  2.  the  Lord’s  day,  I remained  at  Red  Wing  and 
preached  in  the  afternoon  in  the  Presbyterian  chapel,  the  house 
being  full ; and  making  a new  appointment  for  Monday  night, 
I got  a horse  and  a guide  in  the  evening  and  went  out  to  Vasa, 
word  having  been  sent  before,  for  divine  service  in  the  forenoon 
on  Monday.  We  went  up  the  Spring  creek  valley  and  got  over 
the  prairies  to  Carl  Carlson’s  after  dark.  Carlson  lived  in  a 
log  house  a little  to  the  northeast  from  the  present  brick  church. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


345 

I was  hospitably  entertained  at  his  house,  and  on  the  following- 
morning,  September  3,  I was  to  hold  service  there.  Almost  every 
sonl  in  the  settlement  came  together  at  Mr.  Carlson’s.  No  Swe- 
dish minister  had  visited  them  before  in  their  new  home.  After 
the  service  it  was  proposed  to  organize  a congregation,  and  the 
organization  then  adopted  resolutions  under  the  name  of  the 
Swedish  Evangelical  Lutheran  church,  of  Yasa.  Swen  Jacobson, 
S.  J.  Willard  and  Ola  Olson,  Sr.,  were  elected  deacons.  The 
following  persons  handed  in  their  names  as  members  of  the  con- 
gregation : Carl  Carlson,  wife  and  four  children ; Ola  Olson.  Sr., 
widower,  and  four  children ; John  Bergdahl,  widower,  and  one 
child;  Samuel  Johnson,  wife  and  one  child;  Gustaf  Carlson,  wife 
and  three  children;  Erik  Anderson,  Avife  and  tAVO  children;  S. 
J.  Willard,  Avife  and  one  child;  Jonas  Gustafson,  Avife  and  one 
child;  Nils  Peterson  and  wife;  Peter  Nilson.  Avife  and  four  chil- 
dren; Nils  Westerson,  wife  and  four  children;  August  Johnson, 
single;  Peter  Johnson,  Avife  and  one  child;  Swen  Jacobson  and 
Avife;  Anders  Nilson,  Avife  and  two  children;  SAven  SAvenson. 
wife  and  three  children;  SAven  Olson.  Avife  and  one  child:  Benzt 
Anderson  and  Avife ; Ola  Swenson,  single ; Sizuild  Andersdoter, 
single;  Matts  Mattson  and  tAvo  sons;  M.  Flodquist,  single;  Gustaf 
Peterson,  single ; Carl  Peterson,  single ; Olof  Peterson.  Avife  and 
one  child;  Nicklas  Peterson  and  Avife;  Bonde  Olson,  single:  Nils 
Eklund,  single;  Bengt  Kilberg,  single;  Peter  Wedin,  single;  Carl 
Roos,  Avife  and  tAvo  children;  A.  G.  Kempe;  in  all,  eighty-seven 
persons. 

“It  Avas  now  the  great  desire  of  the  congregation  to  secure  a 
pastor.  On  the  same  occasion  three  children  Avere  baptized.  A'iz. : 
Maria,  born  at  Yasa  August  21.  1855,  daughter  of  Samuel  John- 
son and  his  Avife,  Stina  Lisa ; Selma  Adelaide,  born  October  15, 
1853,  daughter  of  S.  J.  Willard  and  Avife,  Anna;  John  Wilhelm, 
born  on  good  Friday,  1855,  son  of  Peter  Johnson  and  Avife,  Caro- 
lina. The  meeting  Avas  closed  by  singing  and  prayer,  and  in  the 
afternoon  I went  to  Red  Wing,  Avhere  I preached  in  the  eA’ening. 
organized  a congregation  and  baptized  tAvo  children. 

“Three  weeks  after  that  time,  when  I returned  from  an  ex- 
tended tour  to  St.  Paid,  Stilhvater,  Marine  and  Chisago  county, 
divine  service  Avas  held  at  Yasa  in  Nils  Peterson’s  neAA  log  house. 
It  Avas  September  21.  in  the  midst  of  the  equinoctial  storms, 
the  rain  Avas  pouring  doAvn  and  I was  suffering  badly  from  the 
fever  and  ague,  which  I had  brought  with  me  from  Indians.  A 
young  man  had  taken  me  out  from  Red  Wing  in  a lumber  Avagon 
hitched  to  a pair  of  horses,  a great  institution  in  those  days. 
The  Lord’s  supper  Avas  also  to  be  celebrated  at  this  occasion, 
the  first  in  the  history  of  the  congregation  at  Yasa.  After  having 
preached  the  sermon,  or  just  at  its  end.  I had  a very  bad  attack 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


346 

of  the  chills  and  had  to  go  to  bed,  the  people  in  the  meantime 
patiently  waiting  until  the  spell  was  over,  after  which  I got  up 
and  administered  communion.  On  September  24  I bade  the  good 
people  of  Vasa  farewell,  and  was  exceedingly  glad  to  find  an 
ox  team  to  take  me  down  to  Red  Wing.  Soon  after  I had  left, 
on  September  30,  a meeting  was  held  by  the  congregation  at 
Vasa  for  the  object  of  electing  a pastor.  It  was  then  unani- 
mously resolved  to  extend  a call  to  me.  The  sum  of  $200  was 
guaranteed  as  salary  for  the  first  year,  with  the  expectation 
that  the  congregation  at  Red  Wing,  which  desired  to  participate 
in  the  call,  would  contribute  a like  amount.  With  a view  that 
most  of  my  parishioners  in  Indiana,  who  owned  no  land  there, 
would  go  along  with  me  to  Minnesota  and  settle  there,  I accepted 
the  call  and  moved  to  Goodhue  county  in  the  spring  of  1856. 
I was  in  my  twenty-third  year  and  had  been  married  nearly  one 
year.  1 knew  that  a life  full  of  hardships  was  before  me,  but 
I had  made  up  my  mind  beforehand,  with  the  help  of  God  to 
conquer  or  die.  I told  my  excellent  young  wife  that  we  should 
have  to  swim  or  else  to  sink,  and  she  consented  to  do  her  part. 

“May  25,  1856,  the  first  Stmday  after  Trinity  Sunday,  I 
preached  my  introductory  sermon  at  Vasa,  in  Peter  AVilson’s 
new  log  house,  which  was  filled  to  overflowing.  My  sermon 
was  on  the  text  for  the  day,  treating  of  the  rich  man  and 
Lazarus,  and  I tried  to  tell  my  new  parishioners  that  it  was 
better  for  them  to  be  truly  pious  with  poverty  and  go  to  heaven 
with  Lazarus  than  to  be  ungodly  with  riches  and  go  to  hell  with 
the  rich  man.  I told  them  plainly  that  my  object  in  coming  here 
was  to  preach  and  teach  the  pure  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  by 
study,  earnest  and  patient  work,  to  build  up  a Christian  congre- 
gation, not  by  periodical  extraordinary  efforts  and  occasional 
high  steam,  but  by  diligent  and  faithful  instruction  in  the  word 
of  God.  Looking  back  now  upon  those  years,  we  have  witnessed 
many  movements  and  changes,  but  I have  no  occasion  to  regret 
or  change  my  standpoint  which  I took  from  the  first,  and  I 
modestly  think  that  my  labor,  under  God’s  blessing,  has  not  been 
altogether  in  vain.  For  several  weeks  we  lived  at  Peter  Nilson’s 
in  the  same  room  in  which  I preached.  Our  whole  property  con- 
sisted of  a bedstead  of  the  rope  bottom  kind,  a plain,  square 
table,  an  old  bureau,  an  old  cooking  stove  and  a few  books. 
Bacon  and  flour  Avere  high  at  Red  AVing,  and  it  cost  $4  to 
bring  a sack  of  flour  and  a ham  home  to  Vasa.  In  the  spring  of 
1856  a log  house,  designed  for  a school  and  meeting  house,  had 
been  put  up  on  Mr.  AVdllard’s  farm,  but  it  was  not  completed 
at  the  time  when  I arrived,  and  it  took  the  Avhole  summer  to 
get  it  in  order  for  winter  use.  However,  we  Aised  it  for  divine 
service  during  the  summer,  after  the  floor  was  put  in. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


317 


“June  22,  1856,  a business  meeting  of  the  congregation  was 
held,  when  a constitution  for  the  church  was  adopted,  the  prin- 
ciples of  which  are  still  in  force,  although  considerable  altered 
several  times.  The  question  as  to  the  location  for  a church  and 
graveyard  was  also  brought  up.  Mr.  Willard  proposed  to  donate 
ten  acres  of  land  to  the  congregation  for  this  purpose,  round 
about  the  schoolhouse,  a short  distance  to  the  southeast  from  the 
present  brick  church,  and  the  offer  was  thankfully  accepted. 
As  Mr.  Willard  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  his  land,  the  con- 
gregation could  not  secure  a deed  to  the  property,  and  conse- 
quently could  not  use  his  offer.  A number  of  dead  were  buried 
there,  and  the  schoolhouse  was  occupied  as  a meeting  house  up 
to  1862. 

“July  6,  1856,  a meeting  was  held  for  the  election  of  three 
trustees,  and  the  following  named  persons  were  duly  elected, 
viz.:  Peter  Nilson,  for  the  term  of  one  year;  Carl  Carlson,  for 

the  term  of  two  years,  and  Olof  Peterson,  for  a term  of  three 
years.  A certificate  of  incorporation  of  the  trustees  of  the  Swe- 
dish Evangelical  Lutheran  church,  of  Vasa,  was  made  out  the 
same  day,  duly  acknowledged  on  July  13,  before  Mr.  Willard, 
he  being  then  a justice  of  the  peace,  and  filed  for  record  July 
17,  1856,  and  recorded  in  first  book,  religious  societies,  pages  9 
and  10,  by  J.  M.  Hancock,  register  of  deeds. 

“From  that  time  the  congregation  may  be  said  to  be  fully 
organized.  My  object  now  will*  be  to  show  something  of  its 
development  during  the  subsequent  twenty-two  years  of  its  exist- 
ence. My  own  history  is  so  much  interwoven  with  that  of  the 
congregation  at  Vasa,  not  to  mention  that  of  Red  Wing  and 
other  places  in  the  county,  that  I cannot  well  relate  the  one 
without  having  to  touch  the  other.  And  I hope,  therefore,  that 
the  reference  to  myself  will  not  be  looked  upon  as  too  egotistical. 
After  having  lived  for  several  Weeks  at  Peter  Nilson ’s  we  moved 
to  a place  in  the  neighborhood  of  White  Rock,  on  Belle  creek, 
where  I bought  the  improvements  on  a quarter-section  from  old 
Mrs.  Bockman,  for  $130,  proved  up  the  claim  and  paid  the  gov- 
ernment price  the  following  winter.  When  I bought  the  claim 
there  was  a small  log  hut  on  it,  8x10  feet  in  size,  with  flat  sod 
roof  and  with  no  floor.  This  was  to  be  our  kitchen  department. 
I got  some  common  lumber  at  Red  Wing,  at  a high  price,  and 
put  an  addition  to  the  hut,  a shanty  12x16  feet,  intended  for  a 
parlor,  sitting  room,  bedroom,  etc.,  all  in  one.  We  moved  in 
when  three  sides  were  up,  without  roof  or  floor,  without  doors 
and  windows.  Well  do  I remember  the  first  night  in  that 
house,  if  house  it  was.  We  made  our  bed  on  the  ground  on  a 
pile  of  shavings  and  hay,  -with  the  blue  sky  above  us.  I had 
filled  the  mattress  Avith  new-cut  grass,  and  unintentionally  put 


348 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


in  with  it  a small  snake.  No  wonder,  then,  that  in  the  morn- 
ing, when  my  wife  made  up  the  bed,  she  caught  hold  of  the 
dead  snake  in  the  mattress.  By  and  by  the  roof  and  ceiling  were 
made,  consisting  of  sheeting;  the  floor  was  laid  of  common 
lumber,  and  the  carpet  put  on ; the  walls  were  papered  and  then 
we  had  a nice,  clean,  cozy  house  to  live  in.  The  only  incon- 
veniences we  had  were  when  it  stormed  and  rained,  for  the 
carpet  then  stood  like  a bellows  and  the  rain  came  pouring  down 
through  both  roof  and  ceiling.  On  such  occasions  we  used  an 
umbrella.  It  was  only  a little  odd  to  sleep  under  an  umbrella 
in  the  house.  In  the  middle  of  September  we  had  a visit  from 
the  well  known  Rev.  Dr.  Passavant,  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  who  stayed 
Avith  us  one  night.  He  had  a dream.  In  his  nocturnal  imagina- 
tion he  thought  he  lay  under  the  bottom  of  a lake,  and  no 
wonder,  for  it  rained  that  night.  A little  later  a number  of  our 
friends  from  Indiana  came  up,  and  for  some  weeks  we  were  no 
less  than  twenty-one  persons,  and  the  weather  was  at  that  time 
very  ugly.  Horses  were  yet  scarce.  Our  neighbors  were  in  no 
better  condition,  and  some  were  a great  deal  worse  off  than  our- 
selves. My  friend  and  neighbor,  J.  Robertson,  first  used  a big 
loom  for  a house ; then  he  dug  himself  down  in  the  ground,  till 
he  got  a small  cabin  put  up.  T.  G.  Pearson,  our  nearest  neighbor, 
was  busy  putting  up  a solid  log  house  that  summer ; in  the 
meantime  he  lived  in  the  same  primitive  way  we  did.  My  time 
was  divided  between  Red  Wing  and  Vasa  and  other  places,  and 
my  duties  often  called  me  away  from  home.  On  this  account 
it  was  a trying  time  for  my  wife,  especially  as  the  Indians  were 
occasionally  passing  by.  In  the  fall  the  prairie  fire  threatened 
to  burn  down  our  house,  while  I was  away,  and  my  wife  had 
to  fight  for  dear  life.  We  continued  to  live  in  our  frail  house 
until  November  4,  when  Ave  moved  to  Red  Wing  in  a snow  storm. 

“I  will  now  return  to  the  congregation  and  my  pastoral 
work.  As  soon  as  I got  to  be  a little  ‘fixed’  I bought  a horse 
and  a rickety  old  Avagon ; most  of  my  trips,  hoAvever,  Avere  made 
on  horseback  or  afoot,  as  the  roads  were  poor  and  far  between. 
During  the  summer  I made  a pretty  thorough  canvass  of  the 
whole  settlement.  People  were  pouring  in  Arery  fast,  and  settled 
down  on  the  unoccupied  land.  On  November  8 I could  report  to 
a special  meeting  of  the  congregation  that  the  church  num- 
bered 185  persons,  of  Avhom  101  Avere  communicants.  At  the 
same  time  it  was  determined  to  establish  a Congregational 
school,  and  on  November  15  it  Avas  opened.  J.  Engberg  was  the 
first  teacher,  Avith  a fixed  monthly  salary  of  $35.  Ever  since 
that  time  the  school  has  been  a fixed  institution  in  the  congrega- 
tion and  has  done  much  good  for  the  religious  instruction  of 
the  children.  Among  the  early  teachers  Avere  Lovisa  Peterson, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNT Y 


349 

Jane  Nilson,  L.  Anderson,  A.  M.  Lundin,  S.  Westendahl,  A. 
Anderson  and  P.  Lindholni.  The  winter  of  1856-57  was  a long 
and  a cold  one,  and  the  suoav  was  very  deep.  One  Sunday  morn- 
ing when  I went  from  Red  Wing  to  preach  at  Vasa  I stuck  fast 
in  a snowdrift,  just  as  I got  up  on  the  prairie,  and  I had  to 
return.  I learned  afterwards  that  only  three  persons  ventured 
out  to  meeting  that  day.  It  was  a very  cold  day  and  they 
showed  their  warm  religious  disposition  by  grumbling  over  the 
non-appearance  of  the  preacher.  This,  however,  was  the  only 
appointment  I missed  that  winter. 

“Having  sold  my  horse  to  buy  bread,  I had  to  foot  it  between 
Red  Wing,  Vasa  and  other  places.  This  caused  me  some  hard- 
ships. On  New  Year’s  day,  1857,  I had  early  service  in  the  school- 
house  at  Vasa,  that  is  to  say,  at  5 o’clock  in  the  morning.  As 
the  weather  was  fine  and  mild,  I determined  to  walk  to  Cannon 
Falls  and  preach  in  the  afternoon.  There  was  no  direct  road  to 
the  Falls  at  that  time,  but  we  were  obliged  to  go  around  by 
White  Rock,  then  cross  the  Belle  creek,  and  over  the  prairie. 
I started  afoot  after  breakfast;  the  sun  shone  brightly,  the 
weather  was  mild,  but  the  snow  was  very  deep  and  there  was 
no  track.  By  the  time  I got  to  Belle  Creek  the  weather  had 
changed  entirely.  A high  cold  wind  commenced  to  blow,  and 
very  soon  a bitter  snow  storm  was  raging  in  my  face.  It  was 
with  the  greatest  difficulty  I got  over  the  prairie  into  the  bush. 
There  were  no  houses  on  the  road.  My  scanty  clothing,  which 
had  become  wet  by  dragging  myself  through  the  snow,  now 
began  to  grow  stiff  with  the  cold.  I laid  myself  down  under  the 
first  bush  I reached,  entirely  exhausted,  with  little  hope  of 
ever  rising  any  more.  Yet,  after  some  hours  a little  strength 
returned,  and  by  the  greatest  exertion  I finally  reached  Cannon 
Falls  in  the  evening,  but  my  ears  and  nose,  hands  and  feet  were 
frozen,  and  I could  not  speak  for  a good  while.  After  having 
thawed  out  and  taken  some  food  I was  able  to  hold  service  at 
night,  and  on  the  following  day  I returned  to  Red  Wing. 

“Up  to  November,  1858,  I continued  to  serve  the  congrega- 
tions at  Red  Wing  and  Vasa,  besides  making  missionary  tours 
to  other  parts  of  the  state.  For  fear  of  making  too  long  a sketch. 
I will  not  go  into  details.  At  Vasa  nothing  of  special  note  took 
place.  The  question  of  determining  where  the  future  church 
should  be  located  was  up  in  1857-58,  but  without  any  results. 
The  congregation  continued  to  increase,  and  numbered  130  com- 
municants in  the  fall  of  1858,  and  in  several  respects  I was 
permitted  to  see  some  fruits  of  my  labors.  My  salary  was  to  be 
about  $200  a year  from  each  of  the  two  congregations,  but  as 
the  times  were  very  hard  during  these  years,  and  all  being  new 
settlers  and  struggling  for  their  life,  I did  not  receive  the  full 


350 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


amount.  Thus  at  the  annual  business  meeting  at  Vasa,  June  25, 
1858,  there  was  $100  back  on  my  first  year’s*  salary,  and  no 
prospects  ever  to  pay  it.  My  whole  salary  from  both  congrega- 
tions from  June  25  to  November  1,  1858,  amounted  to  $75  in 
cash  and  a few  sacks  of  spoiled  corn  and  one  barrel  of  beans. 
It  was  probably  the  best  the  poor  people  could  do,  and,  thank 
God.  1 did  not  starve,  though  it  was  somewhat  pinching.  From 
the  beginning  of  the  congregation  to  November,  1858,  the  fol- 
lowing persons  were  officers:  Deacons,  Swen  Jacobson,  S.  J. 

AN  illard,  Ola  Olson,  Sr.,  Johan  Sundell,  Jacob  Robertson,  S. 
P.  Peterson,  Carl  Johnson,  Peter  Johnson,  John  Bergdahl,  T.  G. 
Pearson  and  Nils  Swenson;  trustees,  Peter  Nilson,  Carl  Carlson, 
Olof  Peterson,  T.  G.  Pearson,  Swen  Jacobson;  pro-singer,  Nils 
Person;  sexton,  Jon  Bergdahl.  Olof  Paulson.  A change  in  the 
pastoral  relation  now  took  place.  AVhat  caused  it,  and  the  history 
of  the  congregation  during  my  disconnection  with  it,  from  Novem- 
ber 1,  1858,  to  September  1.  1861,  I will  now  briefly  relate. 

"In  the  fall  of  1857  1 started  a paper  at  Red  AVing  by  the 
name  of  ‘Minnesota  Posten. ’ It  was  designed  as  a family  paper, 
treating  of  political  as  well  as  religious  matters,  besides  contain- 
ing general  news  and  other  matter.  I still  think  that  some 
good  in  various  ways  was  accomplished  by  that  paper,  although 
1 had  to  regret  that  I ever  tried  my  hand  at  politics.  For  some 
time  1 was  suspected  of  having  considerable  political  influence 
among  the  Swedes  of  Goodhue  county;  but  to  tell  the  truth,  I 
never  was  a politician,  though  at  various  times  I have  discussed 
general  moral  principles  of  right  and  wrong,  touching  politics, 
but  I have  never  taken  any  part  in  political  managements, 
caucuses  or  meetings,  nor  have  I ever  preached  politics.  I have 
never  sought  after  any  political  office  in  my  life.  It  is  true  I 
was  elected  county  auditor  in  1858,  but  this  was  done  while  I was 
away  on  a journey  to  Illinois,  and  I knew  nothing  about  it  before 
I came  home.  I did  not  accept  the  office  and  Air.  Going  was 
appointed  in  my  stead.  But  to  return  to  my  paper.  It  was 
published  only  twice  a month,  but  the  burden  of  editing  a paper 
of  that  kind,  together  with  the  already  crushing  load  of  pastoral 
and  missionary  work  which  rested  on  me,  was  rather  too  much 
for  me.  Aly  health  broke  down,  and  in  the  spring  of  1857,  I had 
a severe  hemorrhage  of  my  lungs.  After  having  carried  on  the 
paper  for  one  year — and  the  year  1857  was  the  hardest  one  in 
the  history  of  Alinnesota — it  was  proposed  to  unite  it  with  ‘Hem- 
landet,  ’ the  Swedish  paper  published  at  Galesburg,  111.,  and  that 
the  united  paper  be  moved  to  Chicago.  In  the  meantime  I had 
been  appointed  as  an  agent  to  solicit  funds  in  the  East  for  a 
Scandinavian  professorship  in  the  Illinois  State  University.  I 
accepted  the  appointment,  and  removed  with  my  family  to  Chi- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


351 


eago.  As  the  times,  however,  were  too  unpropitious,  my  agency 
was  dropped,  and  I was  instead  elected  editor  of  ‘Hemlandet’  and 
another  religious  monthly.  After  one  year  I relinquished  the  edi- 
torship and  served  a Swedish  congregation  at  Attica,  Ind.,  one 
year.  I was  then  appointed  traveling  missionary  for  the  state  of 
Minnesota,  and  removed  to  St.  Paul.  In  that  capacity  I continued 
up  to  September,  1861. 

“When  I left  in  November,  1858,  the  congregations  at  Red 
Wing  and  Vasa  called  the  Rev.  J.  P.  C.  Boreen.  who  had  recently 
come  from  Sweden,  to  supply  my  place  for  one  year.  At  the  end 
of  that  time  he  was  elected,  in  1859,  permanent  pastor  at  Red 
Wing,  but  at  Vasa  he  was  called  only  a vice-pastor,  or  supply, 
because  the  congregation  had  hopes  I would  return.  During  this 
time  some  few  families  separated  from  the  church  at  Vasa  and 
organized  the  Methodist  Episcopal  and  Baptist  congregations. 
Considerable  trouble  and  some  bad  feeling  also  arose  in  the 
congregation  with  reference  to  the  question  of  a new  location 
for  a church,  which  was  in  contemplation.  Many  meetings  for 
this  purpose  were  held,  and  the  question  was  earnestly  dis- 
cussed, but  resulted  in  no  definite  termination.  The  old  log 
house  continued  to  be  used  for  the  meetings,  but  was,  of  course, 
altogether  insufficient  to  hold  so  large  a congregation.  In  June, 
1861,  the  number  of  communicants  was  113.  The  inconveniences 
were,  therefore,  very  great,  and  the  necessity  for  a church  was 
very  pressing.  Mr.  Boreen  was  no  doubt  a good,  earnest  and 
well-meaning  man.  He  afterwards  removed  to  Stockholm,  Pepin 
county,  Minnesota,  where  he  served  a congregation,  and  died 
there  March  22,  1865.  He  was  buried  at  Vasa.  In  September, 
1861,  I was  recalled  to  the  pastorate  at  Red  Wing  and  Vasa.  I 
immediately  removed  to  Red  Wing,  where  I resided  up  to  Jan- 
uary, 1870,  and  entered  upon  the  discharge  of  my  duties.  In 
order  to  bring  the  question  of  a location  of  the  church  to  a 
close,  a meeting  was  called  September  7,  1861.  at. Vasa,  when  a 
committee  of  eleven  was  appointed,  consisting  of  such  persons 
as  lived  round  the  whole  settlement  and  furthest  away  from 
its  center,  and  this  committee  was  authorized  to  decide  upon 
a place  for  the  church,  and  by  its  decision  the  congregation  was 
to  abide.  The  committee  soon  after  met  and  decided  upon  the 
location  where  the  present  brick  church  now  stands,  viz.,  the 
northeast  quarter  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  15,  town- 
ship 112.  In  order  to  secure  the  location,  the  committee  had 
first  to  buy  eighty  acres  of  Dr.  Whitmore,  of  Wabasha,  for  the 
sum  of  $320.  The  congregation  bought  forty  acres  and  the  other 
forty  was  sold  to  a private  person.  Now  the  place  was  decided 
upon,  at  a meeting  called  October  12  it  was  resolved  to  go  to 
work  and  build  a church.  It  was  to  be  built  of  frame,  60x38  feet. 


352 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Soon,  however,  a number  of  families  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
settlement  were  dissatisfied  with  the  location,  and  some  other 
things  relating  to  the  building  of  a church,  and  withdrew  them- 
selves from  the  congregation.  They  even  organized  themselves 
into  a new  congregation  and  talked  of  building  a church  by 
themselves.  The  congregation  paid  no  attention  to  this  new 
movement,  but  went  to  work  and  built  a small  church  on  the 
beautiful  hill  where  it  had  been  decided  upon.  Hut  in  view  of 
so  many  families  having  withdrawn  themselves,  the  dimensions 
were  cut  down  to  40x26,  with  a small  sacristy.  In  June,  1862,  it 
was  so  far  finished  that  the  Scandinavian  Evangelical  Lutheran 
Synod  of  North  America  could  hold  its  annual  meeting  there-^ — an 
occasion  of  historical  note.  The  movement  of  the  seceders  fell 
to  the  ground,  and  by  and  by  most  of  them  returned  to  the  old 
congregation. 

“AYe  were  now  in  the  times  of  the  great  Civil  War,  and  the 
minds  of  the  people  were  occupied  with  the  all-absorbing  theme. 
It  was  not  a time  favorable  to  the  growth  of  spirituality  and 
the  peaceful  development  of  the  kingdom  of  God;  the  times  were 
too  exciting  for  that.  Nevertheless,  the  grace  of  mercy  in  caring 
for  the  sick  and  wounded,  and  the  people,  was  during  that  time 
awakened  in  the  congregation  as  never  before.  Not  a few  of  its 
members  went  to  the  war,  and  many  never  returned.  In  num- 
bers and  material  wealth  the  congregation  continued  to  grow 
during  the  war.  At  its  close  it  had  314  communicants.  On 
this  account  the  church  soon  became  too  small  for  the  congre- 
gation. At  the  annual  meeting  of  1865  it  was  proposed  to  move 
the  church  building  from  the  top  of  the  hill  to  the  east  side 
of  the  lot,  put  a stone  basement  under  it,  and  to  make  prepara- 
tions for  erecting  a larger  church.  This  proposition  was  adopted 
and  the  church  was  removed  during  the  summer.  In  the  fol- 
lowing fall  and  winter  the  basement  was  occupied  by  the  Con- 
gregational school  and  by  the  Orphan  Home,  then  in  its  incip- 
iency.  In  regard  to  the  erection  of  a new  church,  there  were 
many  deliberations  from  December,  1865,  to  January  2,  1867. 
It  was  then  resolved  by  the  congregation  that  I should  take  the 
whole  matter  in  my  own  hands — solicit  subscriptions  and  direct 
the  work  from  beginning  to  end.  During  the  winter  and  spring 
I had  some  $8,000  subscribed  towards  the  new  buildings,  and 
during  the  summer  Messrs.  J.  Paulson  and  J.  YVisley  made  350,000 
bricks.  My  health  failing  again,  I had  to  ask  permission  for 
one  year,  from  November,  1867,  to  recruit;  and  leaving  the  pas- 
toral work  to  my  assistant,  and  the  erection  of  the  church  to 
its  trustees  and  a building  committee,  I went  to  Sweden  on  the 
beginning  of  1868.  The  foundation  to  the  new  church  was  laid 
in  the  summer  of  1868,  and  the  church  was  put  up  in  1869. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


353 


D.  C.  Hill,  of  Red  Wing,  was  the  architect  and  contractor  for 
the  work.  In  the  early  summer  of  the  nest  year  the  church  was 
finished  and  consecrated.  Its  dimensions  are : Length,  118  feet ; 
width,  50  feet;  side  walls,  22  feet  high.  A parsonage  was  also 
erected  late  in  the  season  of  1869.  The  whole  c-ost  of  the  new 
church  and  parsonage  as  completed  amounted  to  $31,065.22.  The 
gentlemen  to  whom  belongs  the  credit  of  having  collected  and 
disbursed  the  greatest  part  of  this  sum  is  Hon.  J.  AY.  Peterson, 
who  in  1870  became  treasurer  of  the  congregation.  With  the 
beginning  of  the  year  1868  the  pastorate  of  Red  AATing  and  Vasa 
wag  divided.  I then  resigned  the  former  and  retained  the  latter ; 
but  I did  not  remove  to  Amsa  before  January,  1870.  Among  the 
early  assistant  pastors  were : Rev.  P.  A.  Cedarstrom,  from  1867 
to  1870;  Rev.  J.  Magny,  from.  1870  to  1871;  Rev.  A.  Anderson, 
from  1872  to  1873.  From  1873,  on  account  of  my  many  duties 
as  president  of  the  synod,  I withdrew  from  the  active  duties  of 
my  pastoral  office  in  the  congregation,  and  the  Rev.  P.  J.  Sward, 
formerly  missionary  among  the  seamen  at  Constantipole,  Turkey, 
and  more  recently  at  Baltimore,  was  elected  vice-pastor.  Up  to 
1860  the  congregation  belonged  to  the  Evangelical  Lutheran 
Synod  of  Northern  Illinois.  Since  that  time  it  has  belonged  to 
the  Scandinavian  Evangelical  Liitlieran  Augustana  Synod  of 
North  Amei’ica.” 

Since  1878  following  ministers  have  had  charge  of  the  Swe- 
dish Evangelical  Lutheran  church,  of  A"asa:  Rev.  T.  J.  Sward, 

1878-1886;  Rev.  E.  Norelius.  1886-1888;  Rev.  J.  Fremling,  1889- 
1901;  Rev.  E.  Norelius,  1901-1906;  Rev.  Bernhard  Modin,  from 
March,  1906,  to  present  time.  Rev.  Dr.  Norelius  has  served  this 
congregation  in  all  about  25  years.  Living  for  many  years  on 
his  own  farm,  a stone’s  throw  from  the  church,  Dr.  Norelius 
has  on  several  occasions  been  a happy  refuge  to  whom  the  con- 
gregation has  gone  whenever  a vacancy  in  the  ministry  has 
occurred.  This,  to  a great  extent,  accounts  for  the  five  terms 
of  office  which  he  has  served  this  congregation  since  its  organ- 
ization in  1855. 

A member  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Church  of  America  (The 
Augustana  Synod),  Vasa  congregation  supports,  partly,  several 
educational  and  charitable  institutions,  home  and  foreign  missions, 
etc.,  to  the  amount  of  about  $1,000  a year.  The  average  annual 
expense  for  the  last  three  years  has  been  about  $5,700.  During 
these  years  the  congregation  has  installed  a neAv  two-manual  pipe 
organ  at  a price  of  $2,300,  and  several  valuable  improvements 
have  been  made  on  the  church  property.  The  Vasa  church  con- 
sists at  present  of  1,050  members,  of  whom  750  are  communicants. 
There  are  about  260  families  belonging  to  the  church.  The 
present  value  of  the  church  property  is  $27,800. 


354 


11 1 ST Oli Y OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Every  summer,  during  May  and  June,  seven  teachers  are  em- 
ployed in  different  parts  of  the  congregation  for  the  instruction 
of  the  children,  the  main  branches  of  study  being  the  elements 
of  the  Christian  religion,  according  to  the  doctrine  of  the  Lu- 
theran church,  and  also  the  Swedish  language  and  literature. 

Now,  considering  the  whole  history  of  the  Vasa  church,  it 
certainly  has  been  a great  source  of  much  good,  spiritual  and 
material,  not  only  to  this  community  and  Goodhue  county,  but 
also  to  the  great  commonwealth  of  Minnesota,  which  most  of  the 
Swedish  people  seem  to  prefer  to  any  other  state  in  the  Union. 

Rev.  Bernhard  Modin,  the  present  pastor  of  the  Vasa  church, 
was  born  near  Stockholm,  Sweden,  August  20,  1863.  lie  arrived 
in  this  country  when  nineteen  years  of  age,  is  a graduate  of 
Augustana  College,  Rock  Island,  111.,  and  also  of  the  Theological 
Seminary  at  the  same  place.  He  was  ordained  minister  in  the 
Lutheran  church  in  1895.  As  pastor  he  has  served  the  Swedish 
Lutheran  Church  of  America,  first  at  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  (1895- 
1896),  and  then  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church,  Bethesda  church, 
of  Page  county,  Iowra  (1896-1906).  He  took  charge  of  the  Lu- 
theran church,  of  Vasa,  in  March,  1906.  During  these  years  as 
pastor  he  has  also  held  several  important  positions  of  trust. 
Thus  he  Avas  a member  of  the  executive  committee  of  the  IoAva 
conference  for  several  years,  and  secretary  of  the  same  con- 
ference about  six  years.  At  present  he  is  president  of  the  board 
of  directors  of  the  Vasa  Orphan  Llome,  a charitable  institution, 
supported  by  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Minnesota  Conference. 

Rev.  Eric  Norelius,  D.  D.,  president  of  the  Augustana  Synod 
of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church,  was  born  in  ILelsingland, 
Sweden,  in  1833.  He  came  to  America  in  1850,  graduated  from 
the  Capitol  University  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  in  1855;  entered  the 
ministry  and  Avas  ordained  in  1856,  and  then  came  to  Minnesota, 
where  he  has  since  continued  to  labor,  Avith  short  interims.  The 
complete  story  of  his  early  labors  is  told  in  an  article  by  himself, 
which  appears  in  this  volume.  The  dozen  congregations  he 
organized  in  log  huts  in  the  fifties  have  become  a conference 
numbering  about  400  congregations  and  75,000  members.  In  1857 
he  established  the  first  SAvedish  newspaper  in  Minnesota,  which 
led  the  Avay  to  the  number  published  today.  In  1862  he  founded 
a high  school  for  the  conference  at  Red  Wing,  which  he  nursed 
and  tended  Avith  much  care.  It  Avas  moved  to  Carver  and  then 
to  St.  Peter  and  is  today  the  Gustavus  Adolphus  College,  known 
far  and  wide.  In  1865  he  founded  the  Vasa  Orphan’s  Home. 
Dr.  Norelius  is  author  of  several  very  important  works  of  the 
Swedish- Americans  of  America  and  the  development  of  the  Swe- 
dish church,  also  biographies  of  several  of  the  leading  Swedish- 
Americans.  In  January,  1903,  Dr.  Norelius  Avas  knighted  by  King 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


355 


Oscar  of  Sweden  and  Norway,  being  named  as  a Knight  of  the 
North  Star  Order. 

Swante  J.  Willard  related  some  years  ago  the  following  inci- 
dents: “After  our  arrival  from  Sweden  we  came  to  Moline,  111. 
From  thence,  on  a trip  up  the  Mississippi  to  St.  Paul,  our  boat 
made  a stop  at  Red  Wing.  The  singular  formation  of  Barn  bluff 
attracted  our  attention.  I then  knew  not  even  the  name  of  the 
place.  I said  to  our  company  that  I would  like  to  settle  there, 
on  account  of  its  singular  beauty  and  attractiveness.  I then  for 
the  first  time  saw  Indians.  At  St.  Paul  I met  Peter  Green  and 
Abraham  Peterson,  who  had  been  in  the  country  about  a year.  I 
learned  soon  after  that  a committee  of  our  countrymen,  having 
visited  Red  Wing  and  vicinity,  strongly  recommended  the  place 
as  a desirable  one  for  settlement.  I came  with  my  family  in  the 
fall  of  1853.  Leaving  my  family  in  Red  AA7ing,  I went  with  Matt- 
son to  Spring  creek  valley,  thence  on  to  where  Roos  and  Kemp 
had  started  to  build  but  had  not  finished  their  house.  They  were 
camping  in  a tent  near  by.  Mattson  and  I stopped  over  night 
with  them.  We  heard  the  most  hideous  music  of  prairie  wolves. 
Mr.  Kemp,  being  of  rather  nervous  temperament,  was  disturbed 
by  their  close  proximity.  Several  times  he  awakened  Mr.  Roos 
and  whispered,  ‘Roos,  Roos,  they  are  trying  to  dig  under  the 
tent.’  Air.  Roos,  being  a good  deal  of  a stoic,  finally  blurted 
out.  ‘Let  the  wolves  howl;  they  have  not  worked  as  hard  as  I 
have  during  the  day,  or  they  would  be  willing  to  quit  and  be 
quiet.’  The  next  morning  I selected  and  marked  off  my  claim. 
As  the  new  settlers  could  not  carry  surveying  instruments,  it  was 
customary  to  pace  out  the  lines  and  distances,  which  almost 
invariably  resulted  in  large  quarter-sections.  I was  somewhat 
surprised  to  find  by  the  government  survey  the  next  year  that 
the  claim  I had  paced  off  for  my  quarter-section  held  land  enough 
for  about  two  more.  But  foreigners  have  a faculty  of  profiting 
from  the  examples  of  others,  and  we  have  observed  that  our 
American  friends  selected  those  who  were  capable  of  taking  long 
strides  to  do  their  measuring. 

“Alattson  and  I engaged  the  following  winter  to  chop  wood 
for  Mr.  Freeborn.  It  was  a new  life  for  us  to  be  out  in  the 
forest.  Our  house  was  a shanty  10x12,  and  combined  sleeping 
apartments,  dining  hall,  parlor  and  kitchen,  circumstances  com- 
mon to  all  in  those  days.  AAre  were  contented  with  a great  deal 
less  than  is  now  deemed  necessary.  During  our  stay  at  this  place 
Indians  often  visited  us.  but  we  were  seldom  annoyed  or  fright- 
ened by  their  presence.  Their  canoes  were  often  moored  on  the 
river  near  us.  One  day  Mattson  and  I resolved  to  try  our  skill  in 
one,  but  like  many  a bark  on  the  financial  sea,  it  upset  a few  rods 
from  the  shore,  and  as  we  succeeded  in  reaching  dry  land,  we 


356 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


concluded  to  leave  the  Indian  to  paddle  his  own  canoe.  We  left 
the  wood  chopping  early  in  March,  1854,  and  moved  out  to  our 
claims.  Having  built  our  house  of  logs,  we  moved  in  and  con- 
sidered ourselves  established  as  regular  farmers.  After  a few 
weeks  labor  our  provisions  which  we  had  brought  with  us  gave 
out  and  Mr.  Mattson  went  to  Red  Wing  to  procure  more.  No 
steamboat  having  yet  come  up  the  river  that  spring,  he  found 
that  scarcity  prevailed  in  town.  There  were  no  provisions  for 
sale,  and  Mattson  remained  in  town  waiting  for  the  arrival  of  a 
boat.  During  his  absence  on  this  occasion  I and  my  little  family 
experienced  the  hardest  privations  of  our  lives.  For  nine  days 
we  had  only  white  beans,  excepting  one  day  I shot  a few  black- 
birds. Before  our  stock  of  beans  was  exhausted  Mattson  returned 
with  provisions.  During  that  year  several  more  families  arrived 
in  Vasa.  Carl  Carlson,  Gustaf  Carlson,  Peter  Nelson,  Nels  Peter- 
son, Erick  Erickson  and  Samuel  Johnson. 

“In  the  summer  of  1856  we  ran  a breaking  team.  I managed 
the  plow,  with  Frank  Carlson  for  driver.  We  were  breaking  for  a 
man  in  Spring  Creek  Valley,  who,  on  acount  of  his  anxiety  to  have 
us  plow  deep,  used  to  follow  the  plow  and  weigh  down  the  beam. 
One  day  we  turned  up  a large  snake,  over  six  feet  long,  which 
was  evidently  as  much  disturbed  as  we  were  and  in  trying  to 
escape  chose  as  a retreat  the  pants  of  our  employer,  who,  fearfully 
frightened,  yelled,  kicked  and  almost  fainted.  I jerked  the  snake 
out  and  killed  it.  If  my  team  could  not  appreciate  the  snake’s 
appearance,  I could  and  did.” 

Colonel  Plans  Mattson  writes  in  his  early  recollections:  “In 

the  spring  of  1853,  I left  Moline,  Illinois,  for  Boston,  to  meet  my 
mother  and  sister.  They  were  to  leave  Sweden  about  the  same 
time  on  a sailing  ship  carrying  some  200  emigrants.  The  ship 
was  three  months  on  the  ocean  and  there  was  a great  scarcity 
of  provisions  before  landing.  The  ship  at  last  arrived  in  the 
month  of  July;  and  a couple  of  days  later  the  whole  party  took 
the  cars  for  the  west,  I volunteering  as  their  guide  and  inter- 
preter. All  went  well  until  about  100  miles  east  of  Chicago,  when 
the  baggage  car  attached  to  our  train  in  front,  caught  fire.  It 
was  thought  best  to  try  to  reach  a station,  and  the  burning  rain 
sped  on  at  the  rate  of  sixty  miles  an  hour.  The  scene  was  a 
frightful  one,  the  cars  filled  with  frightened  emigrants,  the  flames 
hissing  like  serpents  from  car  to  car,  windows  cracking,  people 
screaming  and  women  fainting;  all  at  the  same  time  looking  to  me 
for  protection  and  deliverance.  As  soon  as  possible,  I placed 
men  as  guards  at  the  door  to  prevent  the  people  from  rushing  out 
and  crowding  each  other  off  the  platform.  The  train  did  not 
reach  a station,  but  had  to  be  stopped  on  the  open  prairie,  where 
all  were  helped  out  of  the  cars,  without  accident  except  that  every 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


357 

particle  of  baggage  except  what  the  passengers  had  in  their  seats 
with  them,  was  burnt.  In  due  time  another  train  brought  us  to 
Chicago,  where  the  railroad  company  immediately  offered  to  pay 
all  losses,  as  soon  as  lists  of  the  property  destroyed  could  be  made 
out  and  properly  verified.  I did  all  the  work  without  the  aid  of 
counsel,  lawyer  or  clerk,  collecting  nearly  $20,000  for  old  trunks, 
spinning  wheels,  copper  kettles,  etc.  Having  lost  nothing  myself, 
I,  of  course,  received  nothing,  and  as  the  company  did  not  con- 
sider it  their  duty  to  pay  me  for  my  trouble,  one  of  the  emigrants 
suggested  that  they  should  do  something.  The  hat  was  passed 
around  and  the  collection  realized  the  magnificent  sum  of  $2.60, 
which  was  paid  me  for  being  their  interpreter  during  that  long 
.journey  and  for  collecting  that  large  sum  of  money.  But  I 
raised  no  complaint.  In  due  time  my  own  family  and  friends 
arrived  at  Moline.  Minnesota  was  then  a territory  but  little 
known ; yet  we  had  heard  of  its  beautiful  lakes,  forests  and  prai- 
ries. There  were  many  of  the  party  who  decided  to  find  a place 
for  a Swedish  settlement  where  lands  could  be  had  cheap,  Mr. 
Millard  and  myself  among  them.  And  it  Avas  finally  agreed  that 
a few  of  us  should  go  to  Minnesota  and  select  a suitable  place. 
Being  the  only  one  of  the  paxdy  aaTlo  could  speak  the  English 
language,  I naturally  became  the  leader  of  the  explorers.  My 
father  Avent  AX’itli  us  and  so  did  Mr.  Millard  and  his  Avife,  my 
sister,  the  Avliole  party  taking  deck  passage  on  a Mississippi 
steamer,  arriA’ing  at  St.  Paul  during  the  month  of  August.  St. 
Paul  was  then  a toAvxx  of  a few  hundred  inhabitants.  There  Ave 
found  Henry  Russell,  Johan  Tidland  and  a feAV  other  Swedish 
pioneers.  Me  learned  that  near  Red  Ming,  places  could  be  found 
AA’ith  both  timber  and  prairie,  and  an  abundance  of  good  Avater. 
After  looking  in  various  places  Ave  finally  decided  on  the  present 
toAvn  of  Yasa,  about  twelve  miles  Avest  of  Red  Ming.  Claims  were 
staked  out  on  Belle  creek,  north  of  Mhite  Rock,  near  Avhere  a 
large  brick  church  now  stands. 

After  selecting  this  land,  my  father  returned  to  Ililnois.  I 
Avent  AA’ith  the  other  explorers  to  St.  Paul,  where  a council  Avas 
held  in  Avhich  our  AX’hole  party  participated,  and  it  Avas  decided 
that  three  of  us,  Messrs.  Roos,  Kemp  and  myself,  should  proceed 
to  our  claims  that  fall  and  do  such  Avork  as  we  could  until  the 
others  could  join  us  in  the  following  spring.  Red  Ming  Avas  an 
old  missionary  station,  containing  only  half  a dozen  American 
families,  among  them  ReA’.  J.  AY.  Hancock,  aaTlo  had  been  some 
years  a missionary  among  the  Indians.  Milliam  Fi’eeborn,  Dr. 
M.  M.  SAveney,  H.  L.  BeA’axxs.  Jolux  Day.  and  Calvin  Potter  were 
the  other  settlers.  There  were  also  two  SAvedes,  Peter  Green  and 
Nels  Nelson;  also  a NorAA^egian  named  Peterson.  On  the  river 
about  betAveen  Main  street  and  the  leAree  was  a large  Indian  camp 


358 


HISTOKY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


of  the  Sioux  tribe.  All  the  country  west  of  Red  Wing  was  then 
practically  a wilderness,  and  my  little  party  were  the  first  who 
started  in  to  cultivate  the  soil  and  make  a permanent  settlement. 
After  supplying  ourselves  at  Red  Wing  with  a tent,  cook  stove, 
provisions,  carpenters’  and  other  necessary  tools,  and  a pair  of 
oxen,  we  hired  a horse  team,  packed  our  goods  in  a wagon,  hitched 
the  cattle  behind  and  started  for  the  new  settlement.  Toward 
evening  we  arrived  at  a grove  on  Belle  creek,  where  we  pitched 
our  tent  and  cooked  our  evening  meal.  And  only  pioneers  under- 
stand how  well  it  was  relished  after  a long  day’s  tramp.  The 
horse  team  returned  alone  with  its  driver  in  the  morning  and 
we  were  left  in  the  wilderness.  After  a day’s  exploration  we  re- 
moved the  camp  to  another  point  on  the  creek,  near  where  Roos 
had  taken  his  claim.  It  was  now  late  in  September,  and  our  first 
care  was  to  secure  hay  for  the  oxen  during  the  coming  winter. 
A few  days’  work  produced  a great  stack.  Having  heard  about 
prairie  fires,  we  concluded  to  guard  our  stack  against  them,  so  we 
set  fire  to  the  short  stubble  around  the  stack,  intending,  of  course, 
to  put  out  the  inner  circle  of  fire.  But  a minute  and  a half  was 
sufficient  to  convince  us  that  we  had  made  Avrong  calculation,  for 
by  that  time  the  stack  itself  was  burning  with  such  fury  that  all 
the  Avater  in  Belle  creek  could  not  quench  it.  And  this  was  not 
the  worst.  Before  Ave  had  time  to  recover  from  our  astonishment 
the  outer  fire  circle  had  extended  over  the  best  part  of  the  Aralley 
and  burned  all  the  remaining  grass  that  was  left  in  the  county, 
but  fortunately  we  found  plenty  near  our  first  camping,  ground. 
Having  secured  a second  stack  of  very  inferior  hay,  we  proceeded 
to  build  a rude  log  house,  and  had  just  finished  it  Avhen  Mr.  Wil- 
lard, my  brother-in-laAV,  appeared  in  our  midst.  I accompanied 
him  to  Red  AVing,  where  Ave  obtained  work  chopping  steamboat 
wood  during  the  winter.  Early  the  next  spring  Ave  commenced 
improving  our  claims  and  before  summer  was  ended  our  colony 
numbered  ten  families.  These  emigrants  with  their  goods  had 
to  be  transported  from  Red  Wing  to  the  new  settlement,  tAvelve 
miles,  in  the  following  manner:  A\Then  in  the  spring  of  1854 

AVillard  and  myself  received  a pair  of  three-year-old  steers  and  a 
cow  from  my  father,  Ave  could  get  no  other  wagon  than  a truck 
Avith  wheels  made  of  4-inch  thick  oak  cylinders,  sawed  off  a log. 
A good  Avagon  was  made  in  this  way.  The  wheels  were  only 
about  twenty  inches  in  diameter,  hence  I had  great  trouble  in 
getting  over  the  stumps  between  John  Day’s  ravine  and  Hay 
creek.  The  road  was  about  where  the  Milwaukee  railroad  track 
is  now.  I often  had  to  lift  one  end  of  the  axle  to  straddle  the 
stumps,  one  axle  at  a time,  of  course,  and  as  the  steers  Avere  Avild, 
and  my  assistants  always  newly  arrived  emigrants  avIio  did  not 
understand  how  to  conciliate  the  steers  by  forcible  English,  I 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


359 


often  had  great  trouble.  The  wagon  was  stronger  than  the 
steers,  however ; that  helped  me.  On  that  truck  I carted  out 
the  goods  and  supplies  for  all  the  emigrants  that  arrived  at  Yasa 
in  1854. 

The  Swedish  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  of  Red  Wing, 
belongs  to  the  Minnesota  Conference  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran 
Augustana  Synod  of  America.  Its  history  in  resume  is  as  fol- 
lows : 

So  far  as  it  can  be  ascertained,  the  first  Swede  who 
made  Goodhue  county  his  home  was  a man  by  the  name  of 
Nils  Magnus  Nilsson,  who  was  brought  to  Red  Wing  from  St.  Paul 
by  the  pioneers  Dr.  W.  AY.  Sweney  and  William  Freeborn. 
He  worked  for  Dr.  Sweney  a number  of  years  and  became  known 
as  the  doctor’s  Nils,  and  also  as  Nils  Sweney.  Nilsson  served  in 
the  Civil  War  from  October,  1861  until  March,  1863.  He  died 
April  30,  1893. 

In  the  spring  and  summer  of  1855,  the  Swedish  immigration 
to  Red  Wing  received  its  first  real  impetus.  In  the  fall,  when  the 
Rev.  E.  Norelius  came  to  Red  V7ing  and  preached  the  first 
Swedish  sermon  at  this  place,  he  had  an  audience  numbering 
over  100  souls. 

The  Swedish  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  was  organized  on 
September  3,  1855,  in  the  Presbyterian  Chapel,  the  use  of  which 
was  kindly  granted  to  Dr.  Norelius.  On  the  following  day  the 
organization  was  completed,  hence  the  4th  is  given  as  the  date  of 
organization  in  the  church  minutes.  The  charter  members  were 
the  following:  Hakan  Olson,  wife  and  five  children;  Marten 

Person,  wife  and  six  children ; Anders  Carlson,  wife  and  son ; 
Peter  Sandberg  and  wife ; Magnus  Jonson,  wife  and  three  chil- 
dren ; Bengt  Anderson,  wife  and  three  children ; Carl  Anderson 
and  wife;  John  Nilson  Bvlo ; Peter  Johanson;  Nils  Kallberg,  wife 
and  one  child ; Anders  Johan  Johnson ; Nils  Trulson,  wife  and 
two  children;  Anders  Peterson;  Swen  Swenson;  Lars  Westerson, 
wife  and  one  child;  Anders  Westerson;  Mrs.  Anna  Brita  Person 
and  two  children ; Peter  Anderson,  wife  and  four  children ; Anders 
Wilhelm  Jonson  and  one  child ; Elna  Person  ; Inga  Swenson ; Anna 
Nilson ; Carl  Bockman  and  son ; Edward  Soderlund,  wife  and  two 
children;  Peter  Sjogren,  wife  and  two  children;  Swen  Kjellberg 
and  wife.  In  all  fifty-four  communicants.  Peter  Sjogren.  Hakan 
Olson  and  Anders  Carlson  were  elected  trustees. 

In  October  the  Red  Wing  and  Vasa  congregations  jointly 
extended  a call  to  Rev.  Norelius  and  on  May  16.  1856,  he  arrived 
here  with  his  wife.  The  introductory  sermon  was  preached  on 
Trinity  Sunday  in  an  unfinished  store  building  on  the  corner  of 
Fourth  and  Plum  streets.  At  the  close  of  the  service  a subscrip- 
tion was  made  for  a church,  which  amounted  to  $104.  The 


360 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


congregation  bought  a lot  on  the  comer  of  Fifth  and  Franklin 
streets  from  C.  J.  F.  Smith  for  $153.  It  was  decided  that  the 
church  should  be  26  feet  wide,  30  feet  long,  with  12-foot  Avails. 
There  Avere  to  be  three  windows  on  either  side  with  fifteen  panes 
of  glass  in  each,  12x14  inches  in  size.  The  door  was  to  be  4 feet 
6 inches  wide  and  8 feet  high.  The  church  Avas  erected  in  the 
summer  of  1856,  but  it  Avas  never  fully  completed,  never  being 
painted,  and  because  of  its  shape  it  Avas  nicknamed  the  Swedish 
barn.  The  little  struggling  congregation  Avas  happy,  however, 
over  the  fact  that  it  could  worship  in  its  oavu  church,  even  though 
it  in  no  sense  could  be  compared  with  the  larger  and  more  massive 
churches  in  Avliich  the  emigrants  had  been  accustomed  to  Avorship 
in  their  fatherland.  This  church  Avas  later  on  converted  into  a 
parsonage  and  is  still  standing  on  the  original  sight.  It  Avas  sold 
when  the  present  parsonage  was  built  in  1889. 

The  second  church.  At  the  annual  meeting  held  January  7, 
1863,  a committee  Avas  elected  to  find  a more  suitable  church  lot, 
and  to  get  plans  and  specifications  for  a new  church.  FolloAving 
is  a list  of  the  committee : T.  K.  Simmons,  Hakan  Olson,  Anders 

Swenson,  C.  G.  AVernstrom,  S.  A.  Fristedt  and  Carl  Anderson. 
As  a result  of  the  Avork  of  this  committee,  the  lot  upon  Avhich  the 
present  church  stands,  Fifth  and  AYest  avenues,  Avas  bought  for 
$200.  A subscription  committee  composed  of  C.  G.  AYernstrom, 
Anders  Larson,  Gustaf  Carlson  and  J.  Nordcpiist,  Avas  elected 
to  solicit  funds  for  the  neAv  church.  The  Avork  Avas  begun 
in  the  summer  of  1866  and  completed  the  following  year.  The 
building  Avas  built  of  red  brick,  36x60  feet  in  dimension,  at  a 
cost  of  $4,296  Avith  the  furnishings.  In  1883  a pipe  organ  Avas 
installed  at  an  expense  of  $2,500. 

The  present  church.  At  the  annual  meeting  January  1,  1893, 
the  congregation  decided  to  begin  preparations  for  a new  church 
building.  A building  committee  was  elected  as  folloAArs : A. 

Danielson,  G.  L.  AVebber,  P.  J.  Peterson,  G.  A.  Johnson,  Aaron 
Anderson,  J.  P.  Carlson,  F.  J.  Linne,  N.  O.  AYallin,  P.  E.  Lindell, 
P.  J.  Patterson  and  Rev.  G.  Rast.  The  folloAving  persons  Avere 
elected  to  solicit  funds : A.  J.  Frenn,  Aaron  Bengtson,  A.  G. 

Skoglund,  J.  F.  Erickson,  P.  A.  Lamberg,  A.  L.  Anderson,  N.  O. 
AArallin,  N.  Akenson,  Gustaf  Isaacson,  P.  A.  Johnson  and  ReAr. 
G.  Rast. 

It  Avas  found  that  the  expenses  of  the  new  church,  according 
to  the  plans  which  the  committee  proposed,  exceeded  greatly  the 
amount  which  had  been  solicited,  and  therefore  the  matter  of 
building  Avas  dropped  for  a time.  But  the  subscription  commit- 
tee continued  its  work,  and  on  the  9th  of  April,  1895,  the  commit- 
tee reported  a fund  of  $7,000.  By  ballot  the  congregation  decided 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


361 


to  begin  work  immediately.  In  the  latter  part  of  May  the  old 
church  was  torn  down,  and  on  the  20th  of  June  the  first  stone 
was  laid.  August  1,  the  cornerstone  was  laid  by  Dr.  E.  Norelius, 
who  was  then  president  of  the  Minnesota  Conference.  On  Thanks- 
giving day  the  first  churchly  rite  took  place  in  the  new  structure, 
when  C.  A.  Iv.  Johnson  and  Miss  Hilma  S.  Erickson  were  united 
in  marriage.  On  December  20  the  first  service  was  held.  The 
old  pulpit,  pews  and  other  church  furnishings  were  used  until 
1899,  when  the  present  church  furnishings  were  installed.  On 
August  13,  1899,  the  new  church,  fully  completed,  was  dedicated 
by  Dr.  Norelius,  assisted  by  Dr.  East,  the  pastor  of  the  church, 
and  seven  visiting  clergymen. 

The  new  church  is  built  of  gray  limestone  in  Gothic  archi- 
tecture. Its  dimensions  are  60x80  feet,  with  a side  chapel  30x50 
feet.  The  tower  is  130  feet  high.  The  total  cost  of  the  building 
was  $23,000,  but  conservative  estimates  value  the  building  now 
at  $40,000.  It  is  fully  paid  for.  The  altar  painting,  a copy  of 
Plockhorst’s  noted  work,  representing  Christ  walking  on  the  sea, 
and  painted  by  Prof.  O.  Grafstrom,  Rock  Island,  Ilk,  was  donated 
to  the  church  by  the  Junior  Mission  Society,  paying  $315 
for  it.  A bell,  weighing  2,800  pounds  and  costing  $800. 
was  donated  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  G.  P.  Malm.  The  pulpit  is  a gift 
of  Mrs.  N.  Akenson,  the  pews  are  circular  and  made  of  quartered 
red  oak.  Memorial  art  glass  windows  were  put  in  by  Mrs.  T.  Iv. 
Simmons,  Mrs.  Clara  Youngdahl,  J.  G.  Gustafson’s  children, 
Anders  Lindgren’s  children,  Hakan  Olson’s  children,  the  young 
people’s  society,  and  the  choir. 

During  the  year  1909  the  entire  floor  was  covered  with  cork 
carpet,  donated  by  the  Dorcas  Society  at  an  expense  of  over 
$500.  The  chancel  was  carpeted  by  the  Ladies’  Aid  Society 
with  green  velvet  carpets,  the  side  chapel  was  furnished  with 
lecture  room  chairs,  arlso  a gift  from  the  Ladies’  Aid  Society. 
The  Willing  Workers  paid  for  new  pewrs  and  choir  chairs  in  the 
gallery. 

Parsonage.  In  1871  the  first  church,  was  remodeled  and 
equipped  as  a parsonage  at  a cost  of  $700.  In  1888  a lot  was 
bought  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Fifth  and  Fniton  streets  for 
$1,000,  and  in  1889  the  present  spacious  building,  having  eleven 
rooms,  was  erected  at  a cost  of  $4,000. 

Pastors.  Dr.  Norelius,  who  organized  the  congregation, 
served  as  its  first  pastor  until  November,  1858,  and  again  from 
1862  until  1868.  From  1859  to  1861  the  Rev.  J.  P.  C.  Boreen 
served  as  pastor.  He  moved  to  Stockholm.  Wis.,  where  he  died 
in  March,  1865.  He  was  buried  at  Vasa. 

November  1,  1S69.  a call  was  extended  to  the  Rev.  P.  S.joblom 


362 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


in  Porter,  Ind.  The  call  was  accepted  and  Rev.  Sjoblom  arrived 
in  Red  Wing  in  April,  1869,  remaining  in  charge  until  in  July, 
1886.  AVhen  Rev.  Sjoblom  took  charge  of  the  congregation  the 
membership  was  200.  Between  the  years  1869  and  1875,  474  com- 
municant members  were  received  into  the  church,  aside  from 
those  who  were  confirmed.  From  1876  to  1886  the  membership 
was  increased  by  279  communicants.  Dr.  Sjoblom  died  in  Minne- 
apolis January  24,  1909. 

In  January,  1887,  the  Rev.  G.  Rast.  assumed  charge  of  the 
fold,  preaching  his  first  sermon  Sunday,  January  30.  Dr.  Rast 
served  the  congregation  over  twenty  years  or  until  May,  1907, 
when  he  moved  to  Sand  Lake,  Wis.  During  Dr.  Rast’s  pastorate 
the  communicant  membership  was  raised  from  500  to  700,  over 
500  communicants  being  admitted  during  these  years.  Dr.  Rast 
also  had  the  pleasure  of  moving  into  a new  parsonage  and  into 
the  new  magnificent  church. 

Rev.  E.  G.  Chinlund,  the  present  pastor,  assumed  charge  of 
the  congregation  in  October,  1907,  preaching  his  first  sermon 
Sunday,  October  27.  He  was  born  in  Chicago,  111.,  January  18, 
1872.  attended  the  public  schools  of  Chicago,  and  continued  his 
studies  at  Augustana  College,  Rock  Island,  111.,  graduating  in 
1896;  1896-97  he  served  two  congregations,  in  Montello  and  North 
Easton,  Mass.,  as  supply.  Thereupon  he  entered  the  Theological 
Seminary  in  Rock  Island,  graduating  in  1900,  and  was 'ordained 
to  the  ministry  at  the  Synod  in  Burlington,  Iowa.  He  accepted 
a call  from  Lincoln,  Neb.,  where  he  remained  until  removing  to 
Red  Wing.  While  in  Lincoln  he  took  up  graduate  work  at  the 
State  University  for  two  years.  In  1901  Rev.  Chinlund  was  mar- 
ried to  Alma  Swenson  of  Chicago. 

Officers  and  church  societies. — The  present  church  board  is 
composed  of  the  following  members:  Deacons,  William  Sjogren, 
tl  A.  Isaakson,  Carl  Linder,  Karl  Hawkanson,  Andrew  Mossberg 
and  P.  A.  Lamberg,  Trustees,  S.  S.  Lundquist,  II.  E.  Akenson, 
Cl  G.  Swenson,  Oscar  Kawkanson,  Arthur  Johnson,  Clarence  Skog- 
lund,  Cl  A.  K.  Johnson,  Andrew  Lindgren  and  O.  D.  Anderson. 

Celia  Gustafson  has  served  the  congregation  as  organist  since 
1889,  and  Andrew  J.  Frenn  has  been  sexton  since  1897. 

The  following  societies  are  doing  active  work  for  the  upbuild- 
ing of  the  congregation:  Ladies’  Aid  Society,  organized  1888;  of- 
ficers: President,  the  pastor;  secretary,  Mrs.  C.  A.  K.  Johnson; 
treasurer,  Mrs.  F.  F.  Hoorn.  Dorcas  Society,  organized  1887,  re- 
organized 1904;  officers:  President,  the  pastor;  vice  president, 
Mrs.  B.  A.  Johnson;  secretary  and  treasurer,  Mrs.  E.  G.  Chin- 
lund. Young  People’s  Society,  organized  1880,  reorganized  1887; 
officers : President,  Clarence  Skoglund ; vice  president,  Herman 


Hon  Peter  Nelson 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


363 


Chinlund ; secretary,  David  Gustafson ; treasurer,  Harry  Ander- 
son. Willing  Workers,  president,  Mamie  Gottrick;  vice  president, 
Hulda  Skoglund;  secretary,  Gena  Lundquist;  treasurer,  Minnie 
Swanson.  Concordia  Society,  organized  1909 ; president,  the  pas- 
tor; vice  president,  N.  J.  Skoog;  secretary,  Arthur  Johnson;  treas- 
urer, P.  A.  Lamberg.  Sunday  school  is  held  every  Sunday  and  is 
attended  on  the  average  by  150  children.  The  school  is  divided 
into  a senior  and  junior  department,  the  senior  department  hav- 
ing fifteen  departments  and  the  junior  department  ten  classes. 
Superintendent,  the  pastor;  vice  superintendent,  Andrew  Moss- 
berg  ; secretary,  Harry  Anderson ; treasurer,  Clarence  Skoglund ; 
librarians,  Leonard  Nelson,  Reuben  Skoglund,  Eva  Lindgren  and 
Mabel  Anderson.  There  are  two  church  choirs,  the  senior  choir, 
composed  of  about  twenty  members,  and  the  junior  choir,  com- 
posed of  about  thirty  young  ladies.  The  congregation  publishes 
a monthly  eight-page  paper,  edited  by  the  pastor. 

The  following  statistics  may  be  given  for  the  church  year 
ending  January  1,  1909:  Number  of  communicants,  658;  total 
membership,  1.001 ; expenses  for  salaries,  $1,858.88 ; other  pur- 
poses, $1,387.16 ; to  missions,  education  and  benevolent  purposes, 
$1,210.32;  total,  $4,456,36.  Since  its  organization  the  congrega- 
tion has  contributed  toward  church  buildings,  $38,000 ; toward 
missions,  education  and  charity,  $20,300,  and  toward  current  ex- 
penses, $102,000 ; total,  $160,300. 

Hon.  Peter  Nelson,  of  Red  Wing,  ex-senator,  is  a man  greatly 
honored  throughout  the  county  for  his  work  in  upbuilding  this 
section  of  the  country.  To  his  efforts  is  largely  due  the  fact 
that  the  Training  School  is  located  here,  when  there  were  many 
other  cities  bidding  for  the  honor.  He  was  born  in  Skatlof, 
Sweden,  April  14,  1844,  son  of  Nels  Nelson,  a Swedish  farmer  and 
bridge  contractor.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  left  his  native  land 
on  May  1.  1866,  bound  for  America,  but  on  account  of  the  great 
rush  was  compelled  to  wait  at  Liverpool  nearly  a month.  When 
he  at  last  secured  passage,  cholera  broke  out  on  board,  and  out 
of  250  cases  seventy-five  proved  fatal.  For  this  reason  the  ship 
was  held  at  Ellis  Island  in  quarantine  for  a month  after  reaching 
New  York,  and  it  was  consequently  nearly  the  last  of  July  before 
Peter  Nelson  was  permitted  to  set  foot  on  the  land  of  which  he 
was  later  to  become  an  honored  citizen.  Since  that  landing  his 
record  has  been  one  of  successful  achievement.  He  arrived  in 
Rockford,  111..  August  1,  1866.  In  this  town  he  was  employed  at 
various  work,  and  by  attending  night  school,  supplemented  the 
education  he  had  received  'in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  coun- 
try. During  the  latter  part  of  his  stay  in  Rockford  he  worked 
at  the  carpenter’s  trade,  and  December  4 of  that  year  entered  the 


364 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


employ  of  a sash  and  door  factory  in  Water  Yalley,  Miss.  In 
1868  be  formed  the  firm  of  Newbero  & Nelson,  contractors  and 
builders.  A year  later  he  boug'ht  his  partner’s  interest  and  car- 
ried on  the  business  himself  for  about  a year,  after  which  he 
purchased  a half-interest  in  a hardware  store  at  Oxford,  Miss., 
the  firm  name  being  Peter  Nelson  & Co.  In  1873  he  sold  out  and 
came  to  Red  Wing,  where  he  started  a store  in  company  with 
Jonas  Peterson,  on  Bush  street,  handling  all  kinds  of  hardware 
and  also  harvesting  machines  and  farm  implements.  In  1888, 
Mr.  Nelson  bought  out  Mr.  Peterson’s  interest  and  in  1895  added 
a plumbing  department.  He  continued  this  business  until  1905, 
when  he  sold  to  D.  B.  Johns  and  retired  from  active  business. 
Mr.  Nelson  became  interested  in  politics  in  early  life,  and  has 
always  been  a stanch  Democrat.  He  was  a member  of  the  state 
committee  from  1883  to  1889  and  served  in  the  senate  from  1887 
to  1889.  In  1890  he  was  defeated  for  that  office  by  but  thirty-five 
votes,  and  in  1892  was  defeated  for  secretary  of  state  by  8,250 
votes.  He  has  also  occupied  other  prominent  public  offices.  He 
was  interested  in  the  Minnesota  Scandinavian  Relief  Association 
in  its  earliest  days,  and  in  1886  was  elected  vice  president.  Since 
1892  he  has  been  its  president.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Elks  and 
the  Commercial  Club,  and  is  financially  interested  in  many  of 
Red  Wing’s  leading  industries.  Mr.  Nelson  was  married  in  Oc- 
tober, 1870,  to  Oliva  Olson,  daughter  of  Mr.  Olson,  a hotelkeeper 
in  Awika,  Sweden.  To  this  union  has  been  born  one  son,  Peter 
A.  Senator  Nelson  has  a pleasant  residence  at  1004  Fourth  street. 


F.  W.  Kalfahs 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


THE  GERMANS, 

Origin  of  Race — Colonial  Germans — Prominent  Teutons — Ger- 
mans in  Goodhue  County — Early  Settlers  in  Various  Town- 
ships— German  Soldiers — German  Officeholders — St.  John’s 
Hospital  and  Training  School — German  Industries — German 
Churches— Written  by  Prof.  F.  W.  Kalfahs. 

The  earliest  information  we  have  of  the  Germans,  the  peo- 
ples and  tribes  who  dwelt  among  the  dense  forests  that  stretched 
from  the  Rhine  to  the  Vistula  and  from  the  Danube  to  the  Baltic 
Sea,  comes  to  us  from  the  Romans,  the  principal  authority  being 
Tacitus.  The  term  German  is  of  Celtic  origin,  though  its  mean- 
ing is  not  precisely  known.  It  was  in  all  probability  borrowed 
by  the  Romans  from  the  Gaids. 

The  Germans  are  a group  of  Indo-Germans  or  Indo-Aryans. 
They  are  the  aborigines  of  central  Europe,  near  the  Baltic  Sea, 
according  to  recent  researches  of  Schrader,  Hirt,  and  Hoops. 
Tacitus  speaks  of  the  Germans  in  contrast  to  the  over-refined 
Romans,  who  were  morally  corrupt,  as  being  tall  and  slender  of 
stature,  healthy,  robust  and  of  handsome  appearance.  Their 
virtues  were  purity  of  morals,  hospitality,  loyalty,  honesty,  open- 
heartedness.  Women  were  held  in  high  esteem,  and  they  con- 
sidered matrimony  as  sacred. 

The  cause  of  German  emigration  was  religious  and  political 
suppression ; as  war,  revolution  and  persecution  on  account  of 
their  religion.  Other  causes  were  social  evils;  as  famine,  pesti- 
lence, poor  soil,  and  excess  of  population. 

The  first  Germans  came  to  the  United  States  in  1683  from 
Frankfort-on-the-Main,  and  under  the  leadership  of  Pastorius 
settled  in  Philadelphia. 

The  German  emigrants  did  not  merely  look  for  material  and 
physical  advantages  as  to  where  they  could  find  the  best  land 
and  where  to  get  the  most  money  for  their  labor;  they  also  con- 
sidered the  religious  and  ethical  phase.  They  looked  for  re- 
ligious toleration,  to  worship  God  according  to  the  dictates  of 
their  own  conscience.  They  chose-  not  the  South  under  the  curse 

365 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


36G 

of  slavery,  where  free  labor  was  despicable,  but  the  North.  Ger- 
man emigration  has  been  invaluable  to  the  United  States.  Most 
of  the  emigrants  were  but  peasants,  but  they  were  not  afraid  of 
work.  They  were  not  gentlemen  by  birth  like  the  Virginian 
colony  in  search  of  advantage  or  gold.  They  were  Avell  suited  for 
the  hardships  and  privations  of  the  early  settlers.  With  inde- 
fatigable diligence  and  endurance  they  turned  the  impenetrable 
wilderness  into  blooming  meadows  and  pleasant  settlements. 

German  emigrants  of  1848  were  not  common  laborers,  they 
emigrated  on  account  of  political  reasons.  President  Fillmore 
in  1859  said  about  them:  “Before  1848,  we  had  numerous  Ger- 
man emigrants,  but  they  were  of  different  material — good,  honest 
laborers,  who  came  here  with  pick  and  shovel  to  get  their  own 
homes.  Those  of  1848  are  different  people,  full  of  music,  ethics, 
politics,  philosophy,  and  criticism,”  etc.  The  Germans  of  colonial 
times  made  settlements  principally  in  New  York  and  Pennsyl- 
vania, also  in  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  Maryland,  New 
Jersey,  Maine,  and  Massachusetts. 

The  first  German  settlement  iu  the  United  States  took  place 
in  1683,  when  thirteen  families  from  Krefeld,  Germany,  landed  in 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  founded  Germantown,  near  Philadelphia. 
Pastorius  bought  10,000  acres  of  land  for  them  from  William 
Penn. 

The  real  beginning  of  German  history  in  the  United  States 
dates  from  1683.  To  commemorate  the  event  the  German  Day 
has  been  established  since  1883. 

In  1709,  10,000  emigrated  from  the  Palatinate  (Pfalz)  on  the 
Rhine;  most  of  them  stayed  in  New  York.  They  colonized  Pala- 
tine Town  or  the  Camp  German  Town  or  East  Camp,  German 
Flats,  Tharbush,  Ancram  and  Rheinbeck,  Newburg  and  New 
Windsor. 

In  South  Carolina,  settlements  were  made  at  the  junction  of 
the  Saluda  and  Broad  river,  at  the  Congaree  and  Wateree.  They 
colonized  Purysburg  in  Beauford  county.  In  North  Carolina  they 
settled  in  Granville  county,  Lincoln  county  and  Mecklenburg 
county.  They  colonized  Bethabara,  Salem  and  Bethany. 
Stephensburg  and  Sheperdstown  in  Virginia;  Frederickstown, 
Hagerstown  and  Middletown  in  Maryland.  In  New  Jersey  they 
settled  in  the  counties  of  Morris,  Hunderton,  Sommerset,  Sussex, 
Passaic,  Bergen  and  Essex.  At  the  beginning  of  the  Revolution- 
ary war  four-fifths  of  the  inhabitants  of  New  Y ork  were  Ger- 
man and  Dutch,  while  two-thirds  of  Pennsylvania  and  one-third 
of  New  Jersey  and  Maryland  and  Virginia  was  German. 

Germans  of  prominence  in  colonial  times  were  John  Conrad 
AVeiser,  Conrad  Weiser,  Peter  Summer,  John  Peter  Zenger,  Dr.  IT. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


367 

M.  Muehlenberg,  the  founder  of  the  Lutheran  church  in  the 
United  States.  The  first  governor  of  New  York  was  a German, 
Peter  Minnewit  or  Minuit.  He  purchased  Manhatten  Island  from 
the  Indians  for  goods  valued  at  $24.00.  Another  German  gover- 
nor was  Jacob  Leisler.  The  first  German  newspaper  was  printed 
in  1739  by  C.  Sauer.  The  first  German  Bible  was  printed  in  1742. 

In  the  Revolutionary  war,  Baron  Yon  Steuben  was  the  most 
prominent  general  among  the  Germans.  He  gave  military  skill 
and  discipline  to  the  citizen  soldiers.  He  was  major-general  and 
inspector-general  of  the  army.  Next  of  prominence  was  Baron 
De  Calb,  the  hero  in  the  battle  of  Camden,  South  Carolina.  Other 
German  generals  of  prominence  were  Nicholas  Herkimer,  general 
of  the  Mohawk  Germans ; Joseph,  John  and  Daniel  Hiester,  Har- 
man, Schreven,  Peter  Muehlenberg,  and  others. 

The  most  prominent  of  the  German  generals  in  the  Civil  War 
was  Franz  Sigel,  who  won  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge.  Julius  Stagel 
won  honors  at'  Shilo.  Carl  Shurtz  reaped  laurels  at  Gettysburg. 
General  Ad.  Engelmann  fell  at  the  battle  of  Shilo.  General  Aug. 
Willich  won  the  battle  of  Bowling  Green.  General  Carl  E.  Salomo 
distinguished  himself  in  Missouri.  Max  Weber  was  mortally 
wounded  at  Antietam.  Other  generals  of  prominence  were  Lud- 
wig Blenker,  Frederick  Flecker,  Al.  Schimmelplennig,  John  Fred- 
erick Ballier,  Henry  Bolden,  August  Moor,  Hugo  Wangelin,  Ad. 
von  Steiwehr,  Frederick  Salomo,  Joseph  Osterhaus,  August  Kautz, 
Jacob  Animen,  Gottfried  Weizel,  Julius  Raeth.  Among  the  Ger- 
man officers  of  Roosevelt’s  Rough  Riders  in  the  Spanish- American 
War  were:  Captain  Frank  Franz,  Captain  Frederick  Mueller, 

Lieutenant  and  Quartermaster  Jacob  Schweizer,  Lieutenant 
Samuel  Gruenwald,  Major  Ernst  Decker,  Sergeant  Carl  Holz- 
schuhe,  Eugene  Ohlinger  and  A.  Fullensreiber,  Quartermaster 
Jacob  S.  Mueller,  Saddler  II.  J.  Haefner,  Bugler  John  Stelzriede, 
Corporals  John  Boehnke  and  Theodore  Schulz. 

The  Atlantic  Squadron  had  the  folloiving  German  officers : 
On  the  Amphitrite,  Albert  Merz,  lieutenant;  Albert  FI.  IFippner, 
physician.  On  the  Annapolis,  John  S.  Hunger,  commanding  offi- 
cer ; George  W.  Meuz,  lieutenant ; H.  J.  Siegemeyer,  ensign.  On 
the  Bancroft,  Carl  J.  Vogelsang.  On  the  Gloucester,  IF.  P.  Ilule, 
lieutenant.  On  the  Massachusetts,  Edelbert  Althous,  ensign; 
Eckhart,  assistant  engineer;  J.  L.  Rosenblatt,  assistant  physician. 
On  the  Minneapolis,  Luther  S.  von  Wedekind,  assistant  physician. 
On  the  Puritan,  Robert  J.  Habighurst,  first  machinist.  On  the 
Texas,  Harold  H.  Haas,  physician;  L.  C.  Heilner  and  Francis  J. 
Plessler,  lieutenants.  On  the  Oregon  A.  Aberle,  lieutenant.  On 
the  Newark,  Carl  R.  Roelker,  first  machinist.  In  the  Pacific 
Squadron,  Albert  G.  Winterhalter,  flag  officer. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


3G8 

The  first  gunner  of  the  Olympia,  who  fired  the  first  shot  in 
the  Battle  of  Manila,  was  Leonard  G.  J.  Ivuehlein.  Rear  Admiral 
Louis  Kempff  is  German. 

Some  of  the  prominent  Germans  after  the  close -of  the  Revolu- 
tionary and  Civil  War:  Oswald  Seidensticker  and  Gustav  Koer- 
ner,  historians ; Ferdinand  Pettrich,  the  sculptor ; Isak  Leeser, 
English  author;  Charles  Sealsfield  (Carl  Postel),  English  and 
German  author;  John  August  Roebling  one  of  the  foremost 
engineers  of  modern  times;  John  Jacob  Astor,  founder  of  the 
Astor  Library;  Albert  Bierstadt,  America’s  greatest  landscape 
painter ; Emmanuel  Leutze,  historical  painter ; Carl  Sehurz,  states- 
man, orator  and  soldier;  Conrad  Nies,  foremost  German  Ameri- 
can author;  Thomas  Nast,  H.  A.  Ratterman,  Franz  Hoffman 
(Hans  Buschbauer),  Christian  Roselius,  M.  Hahn,  Gustav  Mem- 
minger  and  E.  A.  Zuendt.  Theologians : Dr.  Phillips  Schaff,  Wm. 
Nast,  Dr.  C.  F.  W.  Walther.  Pedagogues : Hugo  Muensterberg, 
Harvard;  Kuno  Franke,  Harvard;  Frederic  Plirtli,  Columbia; 
Herman  von  Ililprecht,  University  of  Pennsylvania ; Paul  ITaupt, 
Johns  Hopkins  University;  John  Flanno  Deiler,  University  of 
Louisiana ; Julius  Goebel,  Harvard ; IT.  E.  von  Holst,  University 
of  Chicago. 

The  most  of  the  early  German  settlers  of  Goodhue  county 
who  took  claims  or  bought  land  and  followed  farming  came  from 
the  rural  districts  of  northern  Germany  principally  from  the 
provinces  of  Pomerania,  Mecklenberg,  Hanover,  Westphalia  and 
Saxony  where,  with  the  exception  of  Saxony,  Low  German,  or 
Plattdeutch,  is  spoken  almost  exclusively.  They  were  not  gentle- 
men by  birth,  who  came  here  in  search  of  adventure  and  gold 
and  would  in  the  course  of  time  go  back  again.  They  were  not 
taught  how  to  swing  the  axe  in  the  dense  forest,  or  how  to  clear 
the  land  for  cultivation,  but  they  were  experienced  farmers, 
healthy  and  robust,  and  Avell  suited  for  the  hardships  and  priva- 
tions which  the  early  pioneers  experienced.  They  did  not  own 
farms  in  Germany,  but  were  tenants  of  lords  who  owned  vast 
tracts  of  land,  and  paid  them  a mere  pittance  for  a living.  They 
therefore  left  their  fatherland  and  came  here,  where  they  were 
better  rewarded  for  their  labor.  In  many  cases  they  had  not 
the  means  for  the  whole  family  to  come  over  at  once ; but  one 
of  the  family  would  come,  and  after  he  saved  enough,  would 
send  for  the  rest  of  them.  It  often  required  several  years  to 
accomplish  this.  But  Low  German  thrift,  energy  and  endurance 
finally  conquered  all  obstacles. 

The  country  at  large,  as  well  as  our  own  country,  needed 
just  such  men  to  clear  timber  lands  and  break  prairies  for  culti- 
vation. Most  of  the  early  settlers  in  the  fifties  had  neither  horses 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


369 


nor  oxen.  The  first  summer  some  spaded  half  an  acre  of  land 
for  their  necessary  wants.  They  carried  a sack  of  flour  and 
other  provisions  for  ten  or  fifteen  miles  on  their  shoulders  follow- 
ing Indian  trails,  fording  creeks  at  times.  There  were  but  few 
highways.  They  had  no  houses  when  they  first  took  claims  and 
some  lived  in  du gouts  until  they  built  log  cabins. 

The  second  or  third  year  they  had  a yoke  of  oxen.  Horses 
in  the  early  fifties  were  rare.  Many  of  the  oldest  pioneers  have 
passed  away,  but  some  are  still  among  us  in  comfortable  circum- 
stances, and  they,  and  principally  their  children,  are  now  reaping 
the  fruits  of  their  labor.  The  old  log  houses  are  gone,  and  they 
now  have  comfortable  homes,  large  stables  for  their  stock,  and 
granaries.  One  very  distinctive  characteristic  of  a German 
farmer  are  his  premises ; he  will  consider  his  own  comfort  last. 
You  can  almost  observe  at  a glance  if  a German  occupies  a farm 
or  one  of  another  nationality.  His  barns,  stables,  granaries,  etc., 
appear  to  be  comparatively  better -than  his  own  dwelling.  It  is 
his  love  for  his  stock  his  own  peculiar  thrift  which  is  conspicu- 
ous to  such  an  extent  only  in  the  German. 

The  pioneer  farmer,  in  comparison  with  the  modern  farmer, 
was  handicapped  in  many  ways.  There  was  no  machinery,  every- 
thing had  to  be  done  by  hand ; his  grain  was  sowed  by  hand,  was 
cut  with  the  scythe  and  threshed  with  a flail,  and  when  harvest 
time  came  help  was  scarce  and  wages  very  high.  When  the 
farmer  was  to  be  out  in  the  field  he  was  obliged  to  go  to  town 
to  look  for  harvest  hands.  If  he  should  find  any,  it  would 
happen  that  they  would  quit  the  same  day,  because  they 
were  but  tramps.  The  modern  farmer  is  well  equipped  with 
modern  machinery,  is  in  touch  with  the  rest  of  the  world,  with 
his  neighbors,  far  and  near,  with  the  city  and  the  market  by 
telephone  and  by  daily  delivery  of  mail,  whereas  the  pioneer 
farmer  was  often  without  any  communication  for  weeks,  even 
months. 

In  the  spring  of  1855  the  first  boat  up  the  river  brought  a 
number  of  German  families  from  St.  Louis.  Among  them  Avere 
the  tAvo  brothers  William  and  Fred  Tubbesing,  the  three  brothers 
William,  George  F.  and  Henry  Meyer,  F.  Wicke  and  Miss  Kater- 
john.  There  were  but  feAV  houses  Avhen  they  landed  and  no 
hotels.  They  Avere  obliged  to  camp  out  for  some  time,  but 
finally  secured  a log  house.  The  Meyers  took  claims  in  Hay 
Creek  and  folloAved  farming.  In  1855,  George  F.  Meyer  and 
John  Hack  built  a flouring  mill  on  Hay  Creek.  The  Tubbesings, 
who  were  cabinet  makers,  stayed  in  Red  Wing  and  for  some  time 
worked  for  Andrew  Koch,  avIio  operated  a small  furniture 
factory.  Peter  Tubbesing,  who  was  then  fourteen  years 


370 


HISTORY  OF  GOOHTIUE  COUNTY 


old,  was  employed  in  the  factory  of  Charles  Betcher  for  forty- 
eight  years ; has  been  foreman  of  the  factory  for  many  years. 
He  retired  in  1909. 

The  township  of  Hay  Creek  was  organized  in  1858.  The 
first  settler  Avas  a Mr.  Eger,  avIio  took  a claim  on  section  two, 
near  the  line  of  Wacoota  township  in  the  spring  of  1854.  In 
the  fall  of  that  year,  George  Friedrich,  father  of  C.  E.  Fried- 
rich of  the  firm  of  Friedrich  & Kempe,  Red  Wing,  came  to  the 
township,  but  removed  to  Belle  Creek  immediately  after.  The 
first  marriage  was  solemnized  between  Ernst  Schubert,  brother- 
in-law  of  Fred  Saupe,  and  Miss  Reinhart  in  1859  by  William 
Hayman,  the  first  justice  of  the  peace  in  the  township.  Early  in 
the  year  1856,  Charles  Aiders  built  a house  near  the  place  Avhere 
Burkard’s  hotel  noAV  stands.  Mr.  Aiders  Avas  one  of  the  many 
in  those  days  Avho  suffered  the  annoyance  of  a former  claimant. 
He  had  his  first  log  cabin  nearly  completed,  Avhen  another  man 
appeared  to  dispute  his  right  to  the  land,  Avhose  claim  was  based 
upon  the  fact  that  he  had  been  there  and  inscribed  his  name  on 
a tree  previous  to  Mr.  Aider’s  advent.  The  former  claimant  Avas 
backed  by  a mob  of  men  armed  with  clubs,  axes  and  other 
weapons.  So  there  Avas  no  alternative  for  Mr.  Alders  but  to 
leave  his  improvements  or  pay  the  required  amount  of  cash.  He 
paid  the  money,  remained  and  opened  his  house  for  the  accom- 
modation of  travelers.  The  early  settlers  of  this  town  were  all 
subjected  to  trouble  for  a number  of  years  on  account  of  being 
within  the  limits  of  the  “half  breed  tract.”  Church  services 
Avere  held  at  an  early  day  by  both  Lutherans  and  Methodists 
(the  history  of  which  will  follow  under  “Churches”).  Each 
of  these  denominations  has  built  very  fine  church  edifices.  In 
1854  the  folloAA'ing  located  claims  in  Hay  Creek:  John  Hack, 

Charles  Darling,  Ernst  Schubert,  G.  F.  Meyer,  Wm.  Meyer,  IT. 
Meyer,  Charles  Alders  and  Henry  Isensee.  In  1855,  Rudolph 
Kruger  and  Fred  Saupe.  Mr.  Ivruger  was  a member  of  the  first 
board  of  supervisors,  ten  years  chairman  of  it,  the  first  tax  col- 
lector of  the  toAvn,  county  commissioner  one  term,  was  elected 
to  the  State  Legislature  in  1875  and  1876.  In  1854,  Anton  Scherf, 
Ferdinand  Scherf.  In  1856,  August  Santelman,  Fred  Kohn, 
George  Zeitler,  also  Messrs.  Brenefeld  and  Lichte  and  Albert 
Burkhard,  avIio  kept  a store  and  hotel  business  besides  the  farm. 
In  1857,  Henry  Seldueter,  Peter  Stromberg,  Henry  Helmecke  and 
George  Hartman.  In  1858,  Christian  Senkpiehl  and  Albert 
Staiger. 

The  following  are  early  settlers,  but  the  exact  year  is  not 
known.  They  are  also  Civil  War  veterans:  Fred  Baumbeck, 

Henry  Burgdorf,  August  Buehholz,  C.  J.  Flenning,  August  B. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


371 


Hillig,  John  Hennings,  J.  G.  Scholl,  Peter  AYallauer,  Nic-holaus 
Gross,  ¥m.  F.  Sehmiclt,  Henry  Bombach,  Fred  Westendorf,  Fritz 
lvlauser,  William  Plote,  David  Freiermuth. 

The  following  is  a partial  list  of  the  early  German  settlers: 

In  Belvidere — Klaus  Holst  in  1855,  Peter  Wagner,  Jacob 
Wohlers. 

In  Cannon  Falls — Charles  Klock,  John  Hoffstaetter,  John  J. 
Ilar-tig. 

In  Belle  Creek — John  Hilger,  Jacob  Hilger,  David  Switzer, 
James  Schweiger. 

In  Cherry  Grove: — Henry  Kuhns,  Charles  Hickman,  Gottlieb 
Persig,  Frank  Yager,  Frederick  AYalters. 

In  Featherstone — Joseph  Katthoff,  Frederick  Schmidt,  Jacob 
Banlich,  Ernst  Phefferle,  Mathias  Schabert. 

In  Florence — Michael  Ackerman,  Charles  Herder,  Casper 
Koch,  William  Hauk,  Nicholas  Schierard,  Jacob  Schneider,  Ed. 
Schenach,  John  Roeper. 

In  Old^  Frontenac — Charles  Herder,  Mike  Ackerman,  Engel- 
bert, Haller  Lorenz,  Jacob  Schneider,  Henry  Huneke,  John 
Huneke,  Joseph  Brenner,  William  Miller,  John  Friedrich,  August 
Seebach,  Fred  Klehr,  Engelbert  Berehtholt. 

In  Wacoota — Charles  Hahn  in  1853,  Anton  and  Ferdinand 
Scherf  in  1854,  Andrew  Keye  in  1854,  William  Miller  in  1855, 
Julius  Smith  in  1855,  Ludwig  Thiergart. 

In  Goodhue — Theodore  Kempter,  Adelbert  Reinhardt,  Henry 
Brandes. 

In  Pine  Island — William  C.  Ackerman,  William  Krapp,  John 
Mohr,  Joseph  Ahneman,  Conrad  Durst,  J.  A.  Kuhn  in  1855,  Henry 
Ahneman  and  John  Ahneman  in  1856, Schaeffer. 

In  Roscoe — John  Bidder,  Richard  Dressel,  Fredrick  Hamman, 
John  Kreubeng,  Frank  Kunz,  Jacob  Roscli,  John  Sc-hugg,  Frecl 
Schaunberg. 

In  AAsa — Carl  Schroske,  John  Dablow. 

In  Wanamingo — William  Hahn,  John  Betcher,  Peter  Hoppe. 

In  Warsaw — Id.  Zimmerman,  Herman  Scherf,  Ernst  Zahn, 

In  Holden — Charles  Zimmerman,  Fred  Zimmerman,  Charles 
Boatman,  Abraham  Zimmerman,  Michael  Hartman,  Fred  Schmidt. 
Henry  Knutz,  Edward  Kohler. 

In  Kenyon — August  Kaulke,  Reinhart  Reibath. 

In  Leon — Fred  Mohrmann. 

In  Minneola — Carl  Schlenty,  Frank  Stroback. 

In  1853,  J.  J.  Knauer,  a German,  surveyed  and  platted  Red 
Wing  for  the  proprietors,  William  Freeborn,  Benjamin  F.  Hoyt, 
Charles  L.  Willis  and  Alex  Ramsey.  An  early  storekeeper  of 
Red  Wing  was  a German,  Mr.  Enz,  of  the  firm  of  Jackson  & Enz. 


372 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Early  Settlers  of  Red  Wing — Frederick  Hempftling,  Herman 
Hempftling,  Fred  Hempftling,  Max  Hempftling,  Lena  Hempft- 
ling, Amelia  Hempftling,  John  Kuhn,  William  Rethschlag,  AY.  F. 
Smith,  Andrew  Lehrbacli  in  1856 ; George  Brenn,  August  Gross 
in  1857;  Julius  Anlauf,  George  D.  Hartman,  Henry  Ivulker,  John 
AVinter,  Gustav  Witte,  August  G.  Hillig,  Jacob  Christ,  C.  F.  C. 
Gr.au,  John  Pfeifer,  Fred  Remshard,  Ernst  Sempf,  Gottlieb 
Bracher,  M.  Hickman,  Henry  Hickman,  John  Hickman,  George 
Hickman. 

German  soldiers  of  Goodhue  county  in  the  Civil  AVar  were  : 
Herman  Betcher  (captain),  John  Ililger,  Jacob  Hilger,  Peter 
AYagner,  Jacob  Wol'her,  Charles  Klock,  John  Hoffstaetter,  John 
J.  Hartig,  Henry  Kuhns,  Charles  Hickman,  Gottlieb  Persig,  Fred- 
rick Walters,  Frank  Yager,  Joseph  Katthoff,  Frederick  Selimidt, 
Jacob  Banlich,  Ernst  Pfefferle,  Mathias  Schabert,  Michael  Acker- 
man, Charles  Herder,  Casper  Koch,  AYm.  Hank,  Nicholas  Schier- 
ard,  Jacob  Schneider,  Theodore  Kempter,  Adelbert  Rinehardt, 
Henry  Brandes,  Charles  Zimmerman,  Fred  Zimmerman,  Charles 
Boatman,  Abraham  Zimmerman,  Michael  Hartman,  Fred  Schmidt, 
Henry  Knutz,  Edward  Kohler,  Fred  Baumback,  Henry  Burgdorf, 
August  Buchholz,  C.  J.  Henning,  August  B.  Hillig,  John  Hen- 
nings, Rud.  Krueger,  J.  G.  Scholl,  Peter  AVallauer,  Fritz 
Klauser,  David  Freiermutli,  Nicholas  Gross,  AVilliam  F.  Schmidt, 
Henry  Bombacli,  Fred  Westendorf,  William  Plote,  Christian  Senk- 
piel,  August  Kaulke,  Reinhart  Reibath,  Fred  Mohrmann,  Carl 
Schlenty,  Frank  Stroback,  AVilliam  C.  Ackerman,  William  Krapp, 
John  Mohr,  Joseph  Ahneman,  Conard  Durst,  John  Buhler,  Richard 
Dressel,  Fredrick  Ilamman,  Frank  Kunz,  Jacob  Roseh,  John 
Schugg,  Fred  Sehaunberg,  Julius  Anlauf,  George  D.  Hartman, 
Henry  Ivulker,  John  Winter,  Gustav  Witte,  August  G.  Hillig, 
Jacob  Christ,  C.  F.  C.  Grau,  Herman  Hempftling,  Ferdinand 
Hempftling,  John  Pfeifer,  Fred  Remshard,  P.  M.  Stromberg, 
Ernst  Sempf,  Peter  Tubbesing,  Carl  Schroske,  John  Dablow, 
AVilliam  Hahn,  John  Betcher,  Peter  Hoppe,  IT.  Zimmerman,  Her- 
man Scherf,  Ernst  Zahn,  Ludwig  Thiergart. 

The  Germans  in  Company  G,  13th  Minn.  Inf.  Vols.,  in  the 
Spanish-American  War  were:  Colonel  Harry  Friedrich;  Captain 
Oscar  Seebach ; Corporals  Fred  AV.  Reichert,  George  J.  Haustein 
and  Charles  J.  Alders;  Musician  Charles  A.  Wendler;  Cook 
Christ  C.  Bracher;  and  Privates  Gottlieb  Amenda,  Henry  Bau- 
mert,  Henry  II.  Bearbaum,  Frank  A.  Brecht,  John  G.  Gerdes, 
Robert  L.  C.  Geib,  Charles  J.  Hartman,  Michael  Hempftling,  Ed- 
ward R.  Kappel,  Conrad  J.  Risch,  Albert  M.  Schouweiler,  Henry 
Seebach,  George  Tebbe  and  Benjamin  J.  Tubbesing. 

Germans  at  present  holding  office  in  the  city  of  Red  Wing  are: 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


373 

Clerk,  L.  C.  Meyer;  treasurer,  George  F.  Gross;  health  officer. 
Dr.  G.  C.  AYellner;  superintendent  city  cemeteries,  H.  Hanisch. 
Board  of  aldermen:  President  of  council,  C.  H.  Tiedeman;  first 
ward,  Otto  Remmler  and  Thomas  Heiserman ; second  ward,  Oscar 
Seebeck  and  G.  F.  Euz ; third  ward,  C.  Id.  Tiedeman  and  George 
F.  Eichinger;  fourth  ward,  AY.  J.  Bock.  Police  department: — 
John  Jansen,  George  Tebbe.  Fire  department : Board  of  fire 

commissioners — AY.  M.  Remshardt.  Fire  companies  (Headquar- 
ters Central  Station  City  Hall).  Steahner  No.  1 — Engineer,  Her- 
man Saupe.  Pipemen  of  Hose  Co.  No.  2 — Louis  Kruger,  Herman 
Saupe,  Jacob  G.  Kruger.  Cataract  Hose  Co.  No.  1 — Henry  Risse, 
captain ; pipemen,  Henry  Sieg.  Henry  Maetzold.  La  Grange 
Hose  Co.  No.  4 — AY.  C.  Herlitz.  Phoenix  Hook  and  Ladder  Co. 
No.  1 — Joseph  Reinboldt,  J.  A.  Gross,  truckmen. 

Board  of  public  works — J.  II.  Schacht.  Board  of  trustees  city 
cemeteries — Charles  Beckman,  C.  A.  Betcker.  Board  of  water 
commissioners — AY.  C.  Krise.  T.  B.  Sheldon  Auditorium  Board — 
C.  A.  Betcher,  B.  Gerlach. 

County  Officers — Auditor,  Charles  II.  Meyer;  treasurer,  Fred 
Seebach ; coroner,  Robert  L.  C.  Geib. 

County  Commissioners — Fred  A.  Scherf  (chairman),  Red 
AYing;  A.  H.  Dieke,  Red  AATing. 

German  physicians  in  the  county  are:  Drs-.  B.  Jaehnig, 

George  C.  AYellner,  M.  Cremer  and  P.  J.  AYeyrens. 

ST.  JOHN’S  HOSPITAL  AND  TRAINING  SCHOOL. 

St.  John’s  Hospital  is  an  outgrowth  of  the  private  hospital  of 
Drs.  Cremer  and  Claydon,  opened  in  the  city  of  Red  AYing, 
October  12th,  1902.  Owing  to  the  rapid  growth  which  marked 
the  career  of  this  institution  from  the  very  outset,  four  trained 
nurses  and  four  student  nurses  were  employed  by  the  firm. 
During  the  winter  months  additional  trained  nurses  were  engaged 
as  occasion  demanded,  and  the  student  nurses  regularly  received 
both  practical  and  theoretical  instruction  from  the  superintendent 
in  charge  of  the  hospital.  Ida  G.  Beauford.  Two  hundred  and 
thirty-six  patients  were  admitted  during  the  year.  This  number, 
in  the  opinion  of  Drs.  Cremer  and  Claydon  far  transcended  the 
space  and  facilities  of  their  temporary  hospital  quarters;  and  as 
the  number,  especially  of  patients  coming  from  a distance,  was 
constantly  on  the  increase,  new  accommodations  and  permanent 
quarters  for  the  caring  of  their  sick  had  become  a necessity. 

The  plan  of  establishing  upon  a permanent  basis,  a hospital 
and  training  school  for  nurses  had  been  informally  discussed  on 
various  occasions  during  the  years  1902-03  by  members  of  the 
Lutheran  clergy  and  laity  of  Red  AYing.  As  matters  had  stood 


374 


Iil  ST  OK  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


for  many  years,  adequate  treatment,  especially  of  surgical  cases 
and  of  eases  requiring  expert  medical  and  dietetic  nursing,  was 
frequently  sought  in  toAvns  far  distant,  owing  not  so  much  to  a 
lack  of  medical  talent  nearer  home  as  to  a want  of  trained  help, 
proper  equipment  and  adequate  facilities  for  the  care  and  treat- 
ment of  such  cases.  The  success  of  the  Cremer  & Clayden  hospital 
now  emphasized  the  urgency  of  this  need.  Credit  must  he  given 
especially  to  the  untiring  efforts  of  Kev.  J.  R.  Baumann,  of  St. 
John’s  church,  Red  Wing,  who  brought  his  influence  to  bear 
upon  a number  of  business  and  professional  men  in  this  city, 
and  on  several  occasions  revived  the  plan  of  establishing  a 
Lutheran  hospital,  when  others  had  abandoned  it  as  unfeasible. 
With  the  assistance  of  J.  H.  Schacht,  C.  F.  Hjermstad,  E.  H. 
Rehder  and  J.  C.  Seebach,  a definite  plan  of  procedure  towards 
the  realization  of  this  idea  was  outlined.  A temporary  organ- 
ization was  effected  in  the  summer  of  1903,  and  the  corporation 
was  organized  October  7th,  1903;  under  the  laws  of  the  state  of 
Minnesota,  with  J.  H.  Schacht  as  president,  C.  F.  Hjermstad  as 
vice-president,  E.  IT.  Rehder  as  secretary,  J.  Albrecht  as  treasurer 
and  Rev.  J.  R.  Baumann,  Charles  Reinhart,  John  C.  Seebach  and 
John  Gerdau  as  trustees.  The  corporation  immediately  acquired 
No.  1407  West  Fourth  street  as  a permanent  home  of  the  hospital 
and  training  school.  Ida  G.  Beauford  was  engaged  as  superin- 
tendent of  nurses  and  continues  to  serve  the  hospital  in  that 
capacity.  Drs.  M.  H.  Cremer,  L.  E.  Claydon  and  A.  E.  Johnson 
constitute  the  regular  hospital  staff. 

A ueAv  addition  of  twenty  rooms  is  now  in  progress  of  con- 
struction for  the  purpose  of  having  more  private  wards  and  for 
lack  of  room  in  general.  The  cost  of  the  addition  will  be  $16,000. 

The  hospital  is  located  in  the  best  district  of  Red  Wing, 
about  one-half  mile  from  the  business  center  and  well  removed 
from  the  noise,  dust  and  smoke  of  factories  and  railways.  The 
building  is  surrounded  by  a spacious  lawn  and  grove  and  affords 
a beautiful  view  of  the  Mississippi  and  of  the  charming  scenery 
along  its  banks. 

The  main  floor  of  the  building  contains  a large  reception 
room,  a dining  room  for  the  nurses,  a well-appointed  kitchen,  and 
wards.  On  the  second  floor  is  the  operating  room,  laboratory, 
wards  and  private  rooms,  and  the  nurses’  quarters.  The  building 
is  a beautiful  brick  structure,  and  the  interior  is  elegantly  and 
tastefully  furnished  throughout.  It  is  heated  by  hot  air  and  hot 
water. 

The  operating  room  and  the  laboratory  are  fitted  out  accord- 
ing to  the  most  advanced  ideas  and  contain  a very  complete 
surgical  equipment. 


375 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 

The  Corporation — The  general  purpose  of  this  corporation, 
according  to  its  articles  of  incorporation,  shall  be  the  owning, 
erecting,  improving,  maintaining  and  conducting  a public  hos- 
pital for  the  medical  and  surgical  care  and  treatment  and  the 
nursing  of  persons  afflicted  with  disease  admitted  as  patients 
therein  and  to  do  and  perform  all  the  business  incident  and  neces- 
sary to  the  successful  operation  of  a public  hospital.  The  plan 
of  operation  of  said  corporation  shall  be  the  securing  of  funds 
for  the  establishment  and  maintenance  of  said  hospital  from 
gifts  and  voluntary  donations,  from  issuing  its  capital  stock  and, 
if  necessary,  from  loans  and  from  reasonable  charges  for  the 
care,  treatment  or  nursing  of  patients  who  are  financially  able 
to  pay  therefor.  The  corporation  is  organized  for  benevolent  pur- 
poses and  not  for  profit  and  shall,  whenever  able  to  do  so,  care 
for  and  nurse  worthy  poor  patients  admitted  into  the  hospital 
without  charge.  The  location  of  said  corporation  and  of  said 
hospital  shall  be  at  the  city  of  Red  AVing,  in  the  county  of 
Goodhue,  in  the  state  of  Minnesota. 

Membership — Any  male  Lutheran  above  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  years,  who  is  a member  in  good  standing  of  any  Lutheran 
church  in  the  United  States  which  has  become  or  shall  become 
affiliated  or  connected  with  the  Synodical  Conference,  upon 
becoming  a stockholder  of  the  corporation  and  making  applica- 
tion therefor,  may  become  a member  of  this  corporation. 

Capital  Stock — The  capital  stock  of  said  corporation  shall  be 
thirty-five  thousand  dollars,  divided  into  seven  thousand  shares 
of  five  dollars  each.  Such  stock  shall  be  sold,  issued  and  delivered 
only  to  persons  eligible  as  members  of  this  corporation.  No 
owner  or  holder  of  any  such  stock  shall  dispose  of  the  same  to 
any  person  who  is  not  eligible  as  a member  of  this  corporation. 
No  sale  or  transfer  of  any  stock  of  this  corporation  shall  be  valid 
or  effected  unless  such  sale  or  transfer  shall  have  been  entered 
upon  the  books  of  the  corporation. 

The  officers  of  Hospital  Corporation  in  1903  were : -J.  H. 

Schaeht,  president;  C.  F.  Hjermstad,  vice-president;  E.  H.  Rehder, 
secretary  and  treasurer.  Trustees — J.  IT.  Schaeht,  E.  II.  Rehder, 
Charles  Reinhart,  Rev.  J.  R.  Baumann,  Rev.  E.  I.  Strom,  -J.  C. 
Seebach  and  Albert  Keye.  Business  Manager— Charles  Reinhart. 
Hospital  Staff — M.  II.  Cremer,  M.  D. ; L.  E.  Claydon,  M.  D. ; A.  E. 
Johnson,  M.  D.  Superintendent  of  nurses  and  director  of  training 
school — Ida  G.  Beauford.  Nurses’  committee — Theo.  Graebner 
(chairman),  F.  AY.  Kalfalis. 

The  officers  of  the  Hospital  Corporation  in  1909  are : J.  II. 

Schaeht,  president;  A.  AY.  Dicke,  vice-president;  E.  II.  Rehder, 
secretary,  and  R.  AY.  Rehder,  treasurer.  Trustees — J.  H.  Schaeht, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


376 

E.  H.  Rehder,  AY.  Adler,  Rev.  J.  R.  Baumann,  Rev.  E.  I.  Strom, 
John  Gerdau,  C.  H.  Tiedeman.  Hospital  staff — M.  H.  Chenier, 
M.  D. ; L.  E.  Claydon,  M.  D. ; A.  E.  Johnson,  M.  D.  Superintend- 
ent of  nurses  and  director  of  training  school — Hannah  Keller. 
Nurses’  committee — Henry  Adler,  J.  R.  Baumann,  John  Gerdau. 
Yisiting  Committee — AY.  J.  Scliroeder,  H.  Ahlers,  John  Luth,  Rev. 
AVm.  Franzman,  John  Burfeind,  C.  F.  Arndt,  Charles  Luth,  A. 
Thuman,  M".  Skramstad,  C.  Hernlem,  Albert  Keye,  Harvey  Luth, 
Fred  J.  AVohlers,  Chris.  Reitmann.  Others  will  be  named  later 
by  committee. 

GERMAN  LODGES. 

Turners’  Opera  Hall.— This  building  was  erected  by  Germans, 
the  Turners’  Society,  in  1873.  It  was  a brick  structure  resting  on 
a stone  basement;  dimensions,  50x110  feet,  and  cost  $23,000.  The 
hall  was  conveniently  arranged  and  properly  furnished,  including 
stage  scenery  and  all  the  necessary  paraphernalia.  It  had  seating 
capacity  for  900  people.  The  building  was  destroyed  by  fire 
in  1882. 

The  Turners’  Society  was  organized  December  3,  1867,  with 
thirty  members.  The  officers  Avere : AYilliam  Eisenbrand,  presi- 
dent; J.  Kuhn,  vice-president;  F.  Bush,  secretary;  L.  Hoffman, 
assistant  secretary;  and  II.  AYolf,  treasurer.  Trustees,  J.  AYinter, 

F.  Hartman  and  M.  Kappel.  The  society  now  has  a membership  of 
fifty.  The  officers  in  1878  were:  John  Frederick,  president;  R. 
Landauer,  secretary;  A.  Oswald,  assistant  secretary,  and  John 
Bombach,  treasurer.  Trustees,  AYm.  Eisenbrand,  A.  Remmler  and 
L.  Hoffman. 

Teutonia  Lodge  No.  9,  an  order  of  the  Sons  of  Herman,  was 
organized  October  30,  1878,  with  the  following  charter  members: 
Frank  Durig,  Anton  Brag,  John  Hamm,  II.  Plaas,  Carl  Busch, 
L.  AYnnderlich,  R.  M.  Fox,  Fr.  Hoffmann,  Ernst  Springer,  Herman 
Oswald,  Dr.  Bruno  Jaehning,  Carl  Goebel,  Gottlieb  Bracher. 

Olga  Lodge  No.  7,  an  order  of  the  Sons  of  Herman,  was  organ- 
ized October  30,  1893,  with  the  following  charter  members  : Friecl- 
erika  Altmeyer,  Katie  Altmann,  Anna  Bellhammer,  Lina  Boat- 
mann.  Mary  Grieve,  Mary  Klingrath,  Sophia  Hegmann,  Bertha 
Hammer,  Amalia  Herberger,  Mary  Huneke,  Carrie  Landeek,  Anna 
Miller,  Bertha  Metzler,  Anna  Neumann,  Bertha  Risse,  Augusta 
Ratz,  Barbara  Schmidt,  Lina  Schellenberger,  Margaretha  Straub, 
Rosa  Schilling,  Carolina  AGeths,  Katie  A^ollmers,  Minna  AYieeh, 
Mary  AAGeeh. 

GERMAN  INDUSTRIES. 

Kappel’s  Wagon  and  Carriage  Shops.  The  wagon  and  car- 
riage manufactory  of  M.  & J.  Kappel  was  commenced  in  1865. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Tlieir  shops  were  opened  in  a frame  building  on  Third  street, 
near  Plum,  with  a capital  of  about  $2,000.  Their  business  in- 
creased so  as  to  demand  enlarged  accommodations,  and  in  1875 
i they  tore  down  the  old  shops  and  erected  their  present  ones, 
which  are  40x60  feet,  three  stories  high,  and  cost  $5,000.  They 
gave  employment  to  fifteen  men,  and  turned  out  about  one  hun- 
dred lumber  wagons  annually,  besides  sixty  buggies,  platform 
wagons,  sleighs,  etc.  Their  business  averaged  about  $15,000  per 
annum.  They  had  about  $6,000  invested  in  the  business,  ex- 
clusive of  buildings  and  ground. 

In  1879  John  Kappel  retired  from  the  business  and  M.  Kappel 
became  sole  proprietor.  M.  Kappel  was  a shareholder  in  the  Red 
Wing  Wagon  Company  and  manager  of  the  same.  The  enter- 
prise turned  out  to  be  a failure  financially  and  Mr.  Kappel  lost 
considerable  money. 

William  Remsharclt,  who  has  a wagon,  paint  and  blacksmith 
shop  on  Plum  street,  started  in  business  twenty-three  years  ago, 
in  1886,  on  the  corner  of  Fourth  and  Bush,  under  the  firm  of  Rem- 
shardt  & Engfer;  later  he  bought  the  NeAVstrom  property,  with 
Anton  Ilendel  as  partner,  on  Plum  street,  the  present  location. 
Mr.  Hendel  died  in  1901,  and  since  then  Mr.  Remshardt  has  been 
sole  proprietor. 

Other  wagon  factories  have  been  in  operation,  those  of  Henry 
J.  Helmeke,  H.  Haniseh,  and  Chas.  Reinhart. 

Newspaper  Publication.  For  twelve  years,  from  1891-1903,  a 
weekly  German  newspaper  was  published  in  Red  Wing,  called  the 
Teutonia.  Herman  Risch  was  the  editor.  Mr.  Risch  is  now  op- 
erating the  printing  press  of  the  Training  School. 

Reichert  Cooperage.  George  Reichert  had  two  large  cooper 
shops,  one  on  Third  and  one  on  Seventh  street.  The  former  was 
erected  in  1867,  was  20x60  feet,  two  stories  in  height,  and  fur- 
nished employment  to  nine  men.  The  latter  was  built  in  1877, 
two  stories,  26x100,  employed  twenty  men  and  turned  out  60,- 
000  barrels  annually.  On  the  same  street  Mr.  Reichert  also  car- 
ried on  a small  one-story  shop,  employing  four  men.  At  the  last 
named  place  tight  work  was  manufactured.  All  the  products  of 
these  three  manufactories  found  a ready  market  in  the  city  and 
country.  Capital  involved  about  $8,000.  Number  of  men  em- 
ployed, from  twenty-five  to  thirty.  The  shops  on  Seventh  street 
are  still  in  operation.  Since  the  death  of  Mr.  Reichert  in  1895, 
John  Reichert  became  manager  of  the  business.  The  Reicherts 
have  also  built  up  an  extensive  bottling  trade. 

Red  Wing  Boat  Manufacturing  Company.  This  prosperous 
business  enterprise  was  started  by  Germans,  John  Trautner  and 
brothers,  who  came  from  Winona  in  1903,  being  induced  to  locate 
here  on  account  of  better  business  facilities.  They  first  located 


378 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


on  the  Betcher  property,  near  the  Mississippi  bridge,  on  the  cor- 
ner of  Main  and  Bluff,  hut  the  rapid  growth  of  the  business  soon 
demanded  larger  grounds ; they  therefore  removed  to  their  pres- 
ent location  in  1907,  where  they  built  a modern  up-to-date  boat 
factory.  It  is  composed  of  the  following  departments:  the  ma- 
chine shop,  employing  twenty-five  men,  who  manufacture  the 
motors  for  the  launches;  the  woodworking  department,  employ- 
ing twenty  men,  who  manufacture  the  launches;  the  testing  room 
and  tinshop,  woodworking  machine  shop,  stock  and  draft  room, 
engine  and  boiler  room,  warehouses  A and  B,  where  200  launches 
can  be  stored.  They  employ  fifty  men  and  manufacture  1,000 
boats  yearly,  which  are  sold  all  over  the  world.  The  plant  cost 
about  $50,000.  The  business  is  incorporated  under  the  firm  of 
Red  Wing  Boat  Manufacturing  Company.  The  following  are  the 
officers : R.  FI.  Boxrud,  president ; J.  R.  Trautner,  vice-president 
and  manager;  C.  F.  Hjermstadt,  secretary  and  treasurer. 

Remmler’s  Brewery.  In  1861,  William  Ileising  came  to  Red 
Wing  and  purchased  of  John  Friedericli  the  Old  Minnesota  house, 
located  on  the  corner  of  Bush  and  Fifth  streets,  and  immediately 
turned  it  into  a brewery,  with  the  addition  of  cellars  and  the 
necessary  appliances  for  the  manufacture  of  beer.  In  1869,  Mr. 
Ileising  built  a fine  brick  structure,  40x80  feet,  three  stories  above 
the  basement.  The  basement  contained  the  malt  machinery  and 
other  apparatus.  On  the  first  floor  were  the  beer  kettle,  mash 
tub,  cooler  works  and  the  various  appliances.  Second  and  third 
floors  were  devoted  to  general  purposes.  The  first  beer  kettle — 
1861 — had  a capacity  of  twenty  barrels,  and  the  works  now  have 
a kettle  of  fifty  barrels  capacity.  December,  1873,  Mr.  Heising 
died,  and  the  business  then  devolved  upon  the  widow.  This  en- 
terprising woman  soon  after  had  an  excavation  made  for  a beer 
cellar,  twenty  feet  deep,  fifteen  feet  wide  and  180  feet  in  length, 
and  above  that  an  ice  house,  40x50  feet,  two  stories  in  height, 
built  of  brick.  In  1877,  Mrs.  Heising  was  married  to  A.  Remmler. 
Under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Remmler,  1878,  a new  dry  kiln  was 
put  up,  built  of  brick,  20x22,  three  stories ; an  engine  house,  22x34, 
same  height,  also  of  brick.  On  the  first  floor  of  the  latter  build- 
ing is  the  engine,  manufactured  at,  Erie,  Pa.,  and  the  boiler.  The 
second  floor  is  devoted  to  the  water  tanks,  cold  and  hot,  and  on 
the  third  floor  cooler  apparatus.  Since  the  death  of  Mr.  Remmler 
in  1908,  his  son  Otto  is  his  successor. 

Red  Wing  Brewing  Company.  The  original  building  of  this 
enterprise  tvas  put  up  by  Lorenz  and  Phillip  Hoffman  in  1857, 
having  a limited  capacity,  and  when  Jacob  Christ  took  charge  of 
it  in  1871  the  annual  sales  were  only  about  500  barrels.  Later 
1,400  barrels  were  produced  yearly.  The  main  building  was  re- 
built, in  1878,  of  stone,  42x52  feet,,  with  engine  room  26x32,  brew- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


379 


ery  room  24x50.  The  brewery  was  supplied  with  one  of  M.  W. 
Altus’  coolers,  6x12  feet;  an  iron  mash  tub,  twenty-seven  feet  in 
circumference  by  four  feet  six  inches  in  height,  and  copper  beer 
boilers  of  thirty-two  barrels  capacity;  also  one  of  Smith’s  patent 
malt  mills ; a cool  shop,  20x22  feet,  made  of  sheet  iron  and  brick. 

The  main  building  Avas  two  stories  above  the  basement,  and 
instead  of  the  sample  room  an  office  and  bottling  department  Avas 
added.  In  addition  there  Avas  an  ice  house  built  on  the  refrigera- 
tor plan,  21x53  feet.  The  brewery  has  since  been  enlarged  and 
completely  remodeled  at  an  aggregate  expense  of  $50,000,  hav- 
ing iioav  a capacity  of  from  fifty  to  sixty  thousand  barrels  annual- 
ly. It  is  noAv  a modern,  up-to-date  plant  in  every  respect. 

In  1905,  Zimmerman  & Featherstone  became  co-partners  of  the 
business.  July  1.  1909.  Mr.  Zimmerman  bought  out  Mr.  Feather- 
stone  and  incorporated  under  the  name  of  Red  Wing  Brewing 
Company.  The  following  are  the  officers:  AY.  F.  Zimmerman, 

president;  Fred  G.  Haas,  Arice-president ; C.  P.  Zimmerman,  sec- 
retary and  treasurer. 

L.  Hoffmann’s  Brewery.  In  1865;  Lorenz  Hoffmann  bought 
the  Norquist  building,  corner  Bush  and  Third  streets,  and  started 
a breAvery  there.  The  main  structure,  or  breAvery  proper,  Avas 
23x70  feet;  dry  kiln,  12x26;  ice  house,  22x28;  engine,  26x32,  con- 
taining one  of  the  Densmore  engines;  beer  cellar,  malt  mill,  etc., 
together  with  all  the  then  modern  appliances  for  making  a prime 
article  of  beer. 

John  Hartman  formerly  had  a breAvery  in  the  southwest  part 
of  the  city  on  the  Featherstone  road. 

The  German  business  firms  and  business  men  of  Red  Wing  in 
1909  are:  Adler.  Schacht  & Co.,  George  E.  Smith,  clothing;  Adler 
& Yihstadt,  John  Augustine,  hardware;  B.  & F.  Koch.  A.  G. 
Scherf.  jewelers;  D.  J.  Metzler  (Nelson  & Metzler),  plumbing  and 
heating;  August  Becker,  Henry  C.  Kolin.  Henry  Maetzold.  L.  C. 
Stromberg  (Morley  & Stromberg),  II.  AV.  Santelman.  C.  FI.  Tiecle- 
man,  grocers;  C.  E.  Friederich  (Friederich  & Kempe),  wholesale 
grocers ; Charles  Steaffens,  photographer ; Christ  Bender,  A.  AI. 
Kuhn,  druggists ; Charles  A.  Betcher,  lumber;  George  F.  Eieh- 
inger.  Christ  Bombach,  George  Mueller,  cigar  manufacturers; 
Christ  Bracher,  Hans  Ilolte.  D.  Wilkens,  G.  Leutge,  meat  market; 
John  Reichert,  cooper  shop ; A.  & AI.  C.  Remmler,  William  F. 
Zimmerman,  breAvers;  Charles  Heidenreich.  William  Remshardt, 
blacksmith  shops;  Sc-herf  Bros.,  pumps;  E.  AI.  Schenach,  marble 
and  granite  Avorks ; G.  Trautner,  J.  Trautner,  N.  AY.  Trautner, 
Red  AA7ing  Boat  Manufacturing  Company;  Blumrich  Bros.,  va- 
riety  store ; Adolph  Gallaseli.  Red  AATing  Filter  Sand  Company ; 
Robert  L.  C.  Geib,  undertaker;  O.  Wermuth,  furrier;  John  A. 
Hartnagel,  George  J.  Haustein,  Fred  Otto,  barbers;  G.  A.  Jansen. 


380 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Theodor  Kruger,  harnessmakers ; Joseph  IT.  Kayser,  upholsterer; 
M.  Kappel,  William  Remshardt,  wagon  and  carriage  shops;  M. 
Barghusen,  Henry  Plaas,  IT.  Collmers,  J.  Yollmers,  hotel  and  sa- 
loon; Fred  L.  Rethschlag,  Ladner  Bros.,  J.  H.  Nibbe,  Charles 
Ratz,  P.  Ruebke,  IT.  0.  Sehulenburg,  A.  Miller,  L.  J.  Seufert, 
saloons ; B.  Gerlaeh,  president  R.  W.  Brick  Company  and  man- 
ager La  Grange  Mills ; George  F.  Gross,  manager  of  Goodhue 
County  Co-operative  Company’s  grocery  store;  J.  Stiennan,  super- 
intendent of  R.  W.  Shoe  Company;  Hugo  J.  Herder,  secretary 
and  treasurer  Friederich  & Kempe  Company;  W.  C.  Krise,  secre- 
tary and  manager  of  R.  AY.  Malting  Company;  J.  C.  Seebacli, 
treasurer  La  Grange  Mills ; Oscar  Seebach,  secretary  Betcher 
Lumber  Company;  W.  AVeiss,  secretary  La  Graiige  Mills;  AYilliam 
Busch,  vice-president  La  Grange  Mills ; Charles  E.  Beckman, 
president  R.  AAL  Shoe  Company. 

German  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  Red  Wing.  This 
church  society  was  organized  in  October,  1855,  with  Rev.  Gustav 
Zollman  as  pastor,  and  Gottlieb  Ziebrasse  as  local  preacher,  and 
the  following  named  persons  as  members  of  the  congregation : 
A.  Koch,  Friederich  and  Mary  Koch,  William  and  Katherina 
Koch,  Margareta  Koch,  Lena  Hoffmann,  Otto  Kascliube  and 
Katherina  his  wife,  Henry  Banze,  Friederich  and  William  Sie- 
brasse,  Margareta  Siebrasse,  Anna  M.  Siebrasse,  Herman  Kalter- 
john,  Gottlieb  Post,  Anna  Post,  Conrad  Singenstrue,  Charles 
Alders,  Sr.,  Louisa  Alders,  and  Charles  Alders,  Jr.  After  the 
organization  of  the  society,  and  until  the  erection  of  a house  of 
worship,  their  meetings  were  held  at  the  residence  of  A.  Koch. 
In  the  summer  of  1856,  the  Red  Wing  town  proprietors  donated 
the  society  a lot  for  a church  building  at  the  corner  of  West 
avenue  and  Seventh  street.  The  first  church  in  Red  Wing  was 
built  on  it,  a small  frame  structure  24x36  feet,  costing  $400.  The 
church  was  dedicated  in  November,  1856,  by  the  presiding  elder, 
Rev.  H.  Roth.  For  many  years  this  building  served  as  a place  of 
worship.  It  was  finally  sold  to  M.  B.  Lewis,  who  moved  it  up  the 
hill  to  Sturtevant  street,  where  it  still  stands  as  one  of  the  old 
landmarks  of  Red  AVing.  The  congregation  built  a new  church 
costing  $2,500,  which  was  dedicated  in  1892 ; improvements  have 
been  made  on  the  building  since.  A parsonage  was  built  in  1902 
at  a cost  of  $1,000.  Besides  the  Red  Wing  church  there  are  two 
others  in  the  county,  one  .at  Hay  creek  and  the  other  at  Belvidere. 
These  two  churches  form  a part  of  the  Red  Wing  circuit  and  have 
promising  congregations.  The  list  of  pastoi’s  is  found  elsewhere. 

German  Lutheran  St.  John’s  Church,  of  Red  Wing.  The 
German  Lutherans  were  first  gathered  in  1856  by  Rev.  Sievers, 
who  came  up  by  the  intercession  of  the  Lutheran  pastors,  of  St. 
Louis,  preaching  twice  and  celebrating  the  Holy  Communion  with 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


381 


them.  In  1857  Rev.  Heyer  passed  through  Red  Wing  and  called 
them  together  for  services.  In  1858  a Conference  Avas  held  at  the 
SAvedish  Lutheran  Church,  at  which  gathering  three  German 
pastors  were  present — Rev.  Wier,  Rev.  Heyer  and  Rev.  Bauer  or 
Brauer.  When  the  Germans  heard  of  this  they  came  and  pleaded 
with  the  pastors  in  behalf  of  their  distress,  being  without  the 
Word  of  Life.  ReAr.  Wier  promised  to  serve  them  occasionally 
and  administered  the  Sacrament  of  Holy  Baptism  among  them. 
Services  were  held  in  private  homes,  and  finally  in  the  Swedish 
Lutheran  Church.  The  members  who  first  started  the  congrega- 
tion A\rere : William  Retschlag,  Andrew  Lehrbach,  Lorenz  Hoff- 

man, George  Zeitler,  Ferdinand  Hempftling  and  a few  others 
Avhose  names  could  not  be  ascertained.  One  of  the  first  elders  of 
the  congregation  was  Ferdinand  Hempftling.  In  1861  the  little 
fold  of  German  Lutherans  mustered  up  courage  to  build  a church, 
which  was  dedicated  to  the  service  of  the  Lord  in  December  of 
that  year.  Rev.  Heyer,  the  founder  of  the  Minnesota  Synod,  con- 
ducted the  services  of  dedication,  according  to  the  Lutheran 
Ritual.  Rev.  Grusendorf  took  up  the  work  in  1861  and  taught 
school,  but  left  soon.  In  1862  ReAr.  C.  F.  Heyer  took  charge  of  the 
congregation,  but  owing  to  his  advanced  age  retired  in  1863. 
Rcat.  C.  H.  Blecken  succeeded  him  and  served  the  congregation 
until  1866.  At  this  time  Rev.  A.  Schmidt  Avas  called.  He  Avas 
quickly  succeeded  by  ReAr.  Christian  Bender,  avIio  took  charge  of 
the  congregation  December  7,  1867.  Under  his  pastoral  direction 
the  congregation  quickly  flourished.  After  ten  years  of  labor,  it 
became  necessary  that  the  congregation  erect  a more  commodious 
church  structure  and  the  present  edifice  was  erected  and  dedi- 
cated in  1878.  In  1881  it  became  necessary  to  call  a teacher,  R. 
Bertling.  He  was  succeeded  in  1884  by  F.  W.  Kalfahs,  under 
AAdiose  management  the  school  flourished  to  an  enrollment  of 
sixty-five  children.  In  1889  hardships  Avere  encountered.  The 
teacher,  having  been  called  to  Wauwatosa,  AYis.,  the  congrega- 
tion hesitated  to  call  a successor  amid  these  trying  circumstances. 
Soon,  lioAve\rer,  brighter  days  came  along  and  the  congregation 
Avas  enabled  to  purchase  a $1,200  Kimball  organ.  This  bright 
spark  Avas  soon  darkened  Avhen  the  successful  career  of  the  true 
and  faithful  pastor,  Rev.  Christian  Bender,  came  to  a sudden 
close.  Over  thirty-three  years  he  faithfully  served  the  congrega- 
tion with  much  sacrifice.  God  crowned  his  labors  with  success. 
He  died  February  17th,  1901.  After  many  A7ain  efforts  to  secure 
a successor,  the  present  pastor,  Rev.  J.  R.  Baumann,  Avas  finally 
called  September  1,  1901,  and  Avas  installed  by  Rev.  Wm.  Franz- 
mann,  of  Lake  City,  Minn.,  in  that  year.  In  1902  the  congrega- 
tion erected  a parsonage  for  the  pastor.  Feeling  the  necessity  of 
English  mission  work,  the  pastor  Avas  obliged  to  conduct  English 


382 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


services.  November  16,  1901,  the  first  English  services  were  held. 
From  this  time  on  there  have  been  regular  evening  services,  every 
Sunday  in  the  English  language,  except  during  the  months  of 
June,  July  and  August.  In  1906  the  congregation  deemed  it  expe- 
dient to  call  a teacher,  and  Alexander  Jaeger  was  chosen.  He 
was  succeeded  by  A.  C.  F.  Meinken,  the  present  teacher,  in  1908. 
Mr.  Yaeger  having  accepted  a similar  position  in  Tomali,  Wis. 
The  school  readily  prospered  and  it  became  evident  that  the 
class-room  had  to  be  remodelled.  The  young  people  of  the  con- 
gregation collected  funds  and  renovated  the  class-room  in  the 
summer  of  1907  at  an  expense  of  $2,100. 

St.  John’s  Evangelical  German  Lutheran  Church  of  Fronte- 
nac  is  the  outgrowth  of  the  labors  of  the  Rev.  C.  F.  ITeyer,  1860, 
who  founded  the  church  with  the  following  membership : J.  C. 
Bennewitz,  John  Thompson,  William  Miller,  Jacob  Schneider, 
John  Raeper,  John  Luth,  John  Hennings  and  Fred  Koehn.  J.  C. 
Bennewitz  was  the  first  president  of  the  church,  and  superin- 
tendent of  Sabbath  School,  which  positions  he  held  until  1875. 
In  1872  they  built  their  present  church  edifice  at  a cost  of  $2,000. 
It,  is  of  wood,  36x50,  and  a very  pretty  house  of  worship.  J.  C. 
Bennewitz,  Jacob  Schneider  and  Wm.  Miller  were  the  building 
committee.  In  1898  a steeple  was  built  to  the  church ; in  1900 
a furnace  was  added;  in  1903  the  Ladies’  Aid  Society  was  organ- 
ized by  Mrs.  J.  R.  Baumann.  The  Ladies’  Aid  has  contributed 
up  to  date  $1,050  for  the  church  and  for  benevolent  purposes. 
The  Ladies’  Aid  is  now  contemplating  the  purchase  of  a small 
pipe  organ.  » The  pastors  of  the  congregation  were  Rev.  C.  F. 
Heyer,  Rev.  C.  II.  Blecken,  Rev.  Christian  Bender,  Rev.  J.  R. 
Baumann,  the  present  pastor. 

The  German  Lutheran  St.  Peter’s  Church  of  Belvidere  was 

built  in  1873.  The  first  pastor  was  Rev.  Horst  of  Hay  Creek. 
The  present  pastor  is  G.  Ferber. 

The  German  Lutheran  St.  John’s  Church  of  Minneola  was 

founded  in  1875.  The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  D.  Metzger. 

The  German  Lutheran  Christ  Church  of  Zumbrota  was  founded 
in  1896  by  Rev.  P.  Ilinderer.  The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  D. 
Metzger. 

Grace  Church,  German  Lutheran,  of  Goodhue.  This  church  was 
organized  in  the  spring  of  1870  by  Rev.  Christian  Bender.  It  had 
but  eight  members  at  that  time.  They  were:  A.  Seeback,  Gottlieb 
Seeback,  R.  Haas,  Charles  Zemke,  Wm.  Beteher,  Herman  Kempe 
and  Peter  Tipke.  The  church  was  built  in  1878,  but  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire  the  following  year.  It  was  rebuilt  at  once  at 
a cost  of  $2,500,  a structure  36x50  ft.  Rev.  Christian  Bender 
delivered  the  dedicatory  service  the  last  Sunday  in  August. 
It  now  has  a membership  of  about  sixty-five.  A parochial  school 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


383 


is  connected  with  the  church  having  an  enrollment  of  forty 
pupils.  The  present  teacher  is  Walter  Schroeder.  The  present 
trustees  are : W.  Borgschatz,  J.  Behrens,  D.  Reese. 

St.  John’s  Church,  German  Lutheran,  of  Goodhue.  This 
church  was  organized  several  years  later  than  Grace  Church 
by  Rev.  Horst  of  Hay  Creek.  It  has  a membership  of  sevePty- 
flve.  A parochial  school  is  connected  with  it  having  an  enroll- 
ment of  sixty  pupils.  Rev.  Herman  E.  Meyer  is  pastor  of  both 
congregations.  The  present  trustees  are : II.  Matthes,  Peter 

Jonas,  John  Lieliman,  John  Augustin. 

Immanuel’s  Church,  German  Lutheran,  Hay  Creek.  This 
congregation  was  organized  in  1858.  Its  first  members  were  Fr. 
W.  Dieke,  Henry  Iielmecke,  Fred  Saupe,  George  F.  Meyer,  Wil- 
liam Meyer  and  Henry  Meyer.  Its  first  resident  pastor  was  J. 
Horst  of  Minneapolis.  The  pastors  of  the  congregation  have  been 
Rev.  J.  Horst,  Rev.  Klinkenberg,  Rev.  F.  W.  Lange  and  Rev.  J.  C. 
Meyer,  the  present  pastor.  In  1897  the  congregation  built  a 
church  for  $3,700.  In  1908  a parsonage  was  built  for  $4,000. 
The  congregation  has  a parochial  school  with  an  enrollment  of 
from  sixty  to  seventy  pupils.  The  first  teacher  was  Henry 
Augustin,  the  present  teacher  is  C.  F.  Arndt,  since  1881.  The 
congregation  has  seventy-three  voting  members.  Its  present 
trustees  are  Hans  Augustin,  Ludwig  Ehlen  arid  Dietrich  Deden. 
Its  present  school  board  is  Joachim  Deden,  Johann  Gerken  and 
Heinrich  Dicke. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 


LAND  OFFICE  RECORDS. 

Government  Records  of  Those  Who  Took  Claims  in  Goodhue 
County  Before  1858 — A List  of  Hardy  Pioneers,  Nearly  All 

of  Whom  are  Now  Dead The  Year  and  Month  in  Which 

They  Came  and  the  Section,  Township  and  Range  in  Which 

They  Settled Many  of  Their  Claims  Still  in  the  Possession 

of  Their  Families. 

In  order  that  no  old  settler  may  he  forgotten,  and  that  the  . 
names  of  those  sturdy  pioneers  who  came  to  this  county  before 
1858  may  be  perpetuated,  the  editors  of  this  work  have  com- 
piled a list  of  those  who,  in  the  early  days  of  the  county,  took 
claims  in  the  various  townships.  In  some  instances  where  claims 
were  taken  by  the  same  person  in  more  than  one  section,  the 
name  appears  as  having  taken  land  in  but  one  section,  a precau- 
tion which  was  necessary  in  view  of  the  fact  that  otherwise  there 
would  appear  many  unnecessary  repetitions. 

The  old  settlers  who  still  remain  with  us  will  read  this  list 
with  mingled  feelings  of  pleasure  and  regret — pleasure  at  the 
memories  of  pleasant  companionship  that  the  names  will  recall, 
and  regret  that  so  many  of  them  have  passed  on  to  the  other 
shore. 

It  is  a matter  of  congratulation  to  the  county  that  many 
of  the  claims  mentioned  above  still  remain  in  the  possession  of 
the  families  of  the  original  claimants,  and  in  many  instances 
the  owner  of  the  homestead  at  the  present  time  Avas  born  on 
the  farm  where  he  still  lives. 

The  list  follows : 

Pine  Island  (Range  15,  Toavii.  109).  Sec.  1.  John  Fletcher, 
May.  1856;  Addison  Way,  April,  1856;  Edward  W.  Robie,  Sep- 
tember, 1856;  John  H.  Gill,  April,  1856.  Sec.  2.  Alvin  Kinny, 
May.  1856;  John  Smith,  October,  1857;  Daniel  Stowell,  April, 
1856;  Lars  Hanson,  July,  1857;  Joseph  Leybold,  August,  1856; 
August,  1857 ; Abraham  Smith,  August,  1857 ; Samuel  Smith,  Au- 
gust. 1857.  Sec.  4.  Ole  Clemetson,  November,  1856;  Ole  Elling- 
son.  September,  1856;  Knudt  Clemmetson,  May,  1856;  Henry  I. 

384 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


385 


Mornany,  June,  1856.  See.  5.  James  Spencer,  June,  1856;  Chris- 
tian Olson,  May,  1856;  Andrew  Johnson,  July,  1856;  John  Sat- 
eren,  October,  1856.  Sec.  ,6.  Marshall  J.  L.  Dunbar,  December, 
1856;  Lars  Hanson,  July,  1867;  Joseph  Leybold,  August,  1856; 
Charles  Freley,  October,  1857.  Sec.  7.  James  Conklin,  June, 
1857;  Ethan  Berry,  September,  1856;  James  M.  Rogers,  Decem- 
ber, 1856;  Abijah  Barker,  December,  1856;  Jacob  Brooks,  July, 
1856.  Sec.  8.  Haldor  Sateren,  April,  1856 ; Simon  Mires,  Novem- 
ber, 1856;  James  C.  Miller,  May,  1856.  Sec.  9.  Peter  Mornany, 
May,  1856;  John  Lee,  July,  1857;  John  Thomas,  December,  1856. 
Sec.  10.  James  McKinney,  June,  1857 ; Charles  Fry,  November, 
1856 ; John  Ackerman,  May,  1856.  Sec.  11.  ■ Solomon  Demming. 
July,  1856;  Henry  Tupper,  June,  1856.  Sec.  12.  James  0.  Judd, 
April,  1856;  Henry  Putnam,  April,  1856;  Loren  Rice,  November. 
1856 ; Roland  F.  Maxwell.  June,  1857 ; "William  B.  Tiffany,  April, 
1856.  Sec.  13.  Urial  T.  Thomas,  July,  1857 ; Ann  Stowell,  May, 
1856;  Ezra  Tupper,  September,  1857.  See.  14.  Alvin  M. 
McHawn,  August,  1856;  John  F.  Hall,  May,  1857.  Sec.  15. 
Richard  G.  Ketcham,  October,  1856;  Nathan  B.  Holden,  July, 
1856;  Frederick  Ackerman,  August,  1857;  Daniel  McAlpin,  May, 
1856.  Sec.  17.  John  Wr.  Conat.  April,  1856;  John  Harper,  July, 
1856;  William  S.  Haskins,  July,  1857;  Phebe  Conat.  June.  1857. 
Sec.  18.  Garret  Van  Schaick,  November,  1856;  Henry  Harper, 
July,  1856;  George  W7atts  Hayward,  June,  1857.  Sec.  19.  Simeon 
D.  Clark,  May,  1856;  Chester  Rhineliart,  July,  1856;  Robert  Cum- 
mins, May,  1856 ; Charles  Cogswell,  May,  1856.  Sec.  20.  David 
IT.  Arnold,  June,  1856 ; Daniel  Dickey,  Jr.,  April,  1856 ; Benjamin 
P.  Parks,  June,  1856.  See.  21.  Oscar  E.  Smith,  May, -1856; 
Asahel  IT.  Wilber,  June,  1856;  Hiram  W.  Merrill,  May.  1856; 
James  E.  Cronk,  May,  1856.  Sec.  22.  Hugh  McKenzie,  May, 
1856;  Volney  W.  Arnold,  May,  1856;  Luther  WT.  Holman,  May, 
1856.  Sec.  23.  Henry  Ahneman,  May,  1856;  Christian  Ahneman, 
August,  1856 ; Charles  Ahneman.  August,  1857.  Sec.  24.  Orson 
Bump,  July,  1857 ; Benjamin  C.  Crandall,  July,  1857.  Sec.  25. 
John  Biland,  August,  1857 ; Seymour  A.  Stearns,  October.  1857. 
Sec.  26.  James  T.  Kennedy,  October,  1857 ; Alonzo  C.  Morehouse, 
May,  1856 ; Leonard  Scott,  March,  1856 ; John  WT.  Dean,  October, 
1856.  Sec.  27.  Charles  S.  "Wheelwright.  December,  1856;  Sydney 
WTheelwright,  July,  1857;  John  0.  Brown,  September,  1857.  Sec. 
28.  Orrin  Dickey,  May,  1857;  Reuben  Bowles,  May.  1856;  Isaac 
Cate,  August,  1856;  Lorenzo  D.  Quimby,  May,  1856.  Sec.  29. 
Henry  C.  Clark,  June,  1856 ; John  II.  Salmon.  June,  1856.  Sec. 
30.  Mary  L.  Taylor.  October.  1857 ; Henry  G.  Devoe,  April,  1856 ; 
Charles  Smith,  June,  1856.  Sec.  31.  Samuel  IIoAvard,  May,  1856; 
John  Chance.  October,  1856;  William  H.  Hardman,  May.  1856; 
Henry  B.  Powers,  April,  1856 ; Azariah  A.  Keran,  February,  1856. 


386 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Sec.  32.  Granville  Kirk,  March,  1856;  Moses  Sewell,  May,  1856; 
Solomon  C.  Jewell,  March,  1856;  John  A.  Tarbox,  May,  1856. 
Sec.  33.  Baldwin  B.  Hathaway,  May,  1856;  Norval  Bishop,  Sep- 
tember, 1856;  Joseph  A.  Marsten,  March,  1856;  William  N.  Den- 
nison, March,  1856;  Erastns  Dennison,  June,  1856.  Sec.  34.  Ed- 
win N.  Maynard,  October,  1857 ; Martin  S.  Chandler,  June,  1856 ; 
Nathaniel  Kellogg,  May,  1856;  John  W.  Chandler,  August,  1856. 
Sec.  35.  Joseph  B.  Hartley,  September,  1857 ; James  F.  Langdon, 
May,  1856. 

Roscoe  (Range  16,  Town.  109).  Sec.  1.  Joseph  Leybold, 
August,  1856;  Samuel  R.  Ellis,  November,  1856;  Joseph  Rowan, 
August,  1857 ; Thomas  P.  Killett,  July,  1857 ; Harvey  George, 
June,  1857.  Sec.  2.  Andrew  McWaters,  July,  1857 ; Leander 
Tobey,  November,  1856;  James  II.  Mills,  May,  1857;  Elven  G. 
Burlingame,  November,  1856.  Sec.  3.  AYarren  Libbey,  Decem- 
ber, 1857;  II  oward  Lothrop,  November,  1856.  Sec.  4.  George 
F.  Shattuck,  September,  1857 ; Elizabeth  Andrews,  August,  1857 ; 
Luther  F.  Meacham,  December,  1856.  Sec.  5.  George  Kirk,  May, 
1857;  Thomas  Barber,  June,  1857;  Thomas  W.  Barker,  Decem- 
ber, 1856;  Nathaniel  S.  Libbey,  August,  1857.  Sec.  6.  Avilda 
Schofield,  July,  1857 ; Daniel  L.  Fish,  June,  1857 ; Albert  D.  Giff- 
ord. October,  1857.  Sec.  7.  AVilliam  C.  Blanchard,  August,  1857; 
David  Mathews,  November,  1856.  Sec.  8.  Edward  Twiner,  June, 
1857 ; John  Canada,  June,  1857  ; James  Evans,  May,  1857.  Sec.  9. 
John  Shields,  October,  1856;  Roswell  AY.  Fish,  June,  1857;  James 
Allen,  May,  1857.  Sec.  10.  Charles  AAL  Libbey,  November,  1856; 
Leander  AUets,  September,  1856;  Henry  Dettmering,  June,  1857; 
Henry  Youngman,  October,  1857.  Sec.  11.  James  M.  Elwell, 
June,  1857 ; Samuel  Main,  December,  1857 ; Emery  S.  Cowdin, 
November,  1856.  Sec.  12.  John  Clinch,  June,  1857;  John  T. 
Mischell,  1857.  See.  13.  William  I.  Anderson,  June,  1857;  Phil- 
ander Salmon,  October,  1856;  Giles  Hayward,  October,  1856; 
Renselear  West,  May.  1857.  Sec.  13.  John  W.  Denton,  July,  1856. 
Sec.  14.  William  R.  Bertelot,  May,  1856;  William  AAL  Clark,  Feb- 
ruary, 1857.  Sec.  15.  Henry  Dettmering,  June,  1857 ; John  S.  Dick- 
inson, June,  1856;  Samuel  B.  Johnson,  June,  1856;  Conrad  Durst, 
June,  1856.  Sec,  17.  Eli  A.  Twitchell,  July,  1857;  John  H. 
Slater,  December,  1856  ; William  L.  Shaw,  May,  1856  ; Jonathan  D. 
Glass,  July,  1856.  Sec.  19.  John  Ilepner,  July,  1857.  John  God- 
dard, October,  1856;  Hannah  Blanchard,  June,  1857;  Samuel  T. 
Good,  September,  1857 ; Charles  Dana,  June,  1857.  Sec.  20. 
Samuel  W.  Blanchard,  August,  1857 ; John  Emery,  May,  1856 ; 
George  W.  Harding,  May,  1856;  Hannah  Blanchard,  June,  1857. 
Sec.  21.  David  G.  Dodge,  April,  1856.  Sec.  22.  Fountain  Id. 
Barnes,  July,  1856;  William  Bitner,  July,  1856;  AYarren  Braley, 
June,  1857.  Sec.  23.  Lyman  R.  West,  July,  1856;  Enoch  Ham- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


387 


lin,  June,  1857.  See.  24.  George  Townsend,  July,  1856;  Fred- 
erick C.  Boland,  June,  1856;  William  Brooks,  September,  1856. 
Sec.  25.  William  G.  Smith,  April,  1856 ; Samuel  Denton,  July, 
1856 ; Robert  T.  Freeman,  March,  1856 ; Reuben  Freeman,  March, 
1856.  Sec.  26.  Lorenzo  D.  Hart,  April,  1856;  Sarah  II.  Stevens, 
July,  1857 ; John  Convess.  -July,  1857 ; Lorenzo  D.  West,  April, 
1856;  David  F.  Stevens,  March,  1856.  Sec.  27.  John  Albright, 
November,  1856 ; Abram  Pearce,  February,  1856 ; Simon  Sackett, 
February,  1856.  Sec.  28.  Mahala  Soule,  February,  1856 ; Joseph 
Rutherford,  July,  1856.  Sec.  29.  David  A.  Ives,  March,  1856; 
Fletcher  Hagler,  June,  1857;  William  E.  Webb,  October,  1857; 
John  T.  West,  October,  1857.  Sec.  30.  George  Washington  Scott. 
June,  1857 ; Jacob  R.  Good,  June,  1857 ; Cyrus  Renfro,  May,  1856. 
Sec.  31.  Cyrus  Scott,  May,  1856;  Charles  W.  Smith,  July,  1856; 
Thomas  D.  Hall,  November,  1856;  Pythagoras  Willson,  June, 

1856.  Sec.  32.  Alexander  Lang,  May,  1856.  Sec.  33.  Lewis  A. 
Ivirk,  March,  1856;  William  S.  Bradley,  March,  1856.  Sec.  34. 
William  E.  Wheaton,  March,  1856;  Elijah  E.  Penny,  March,  1856; 
Elijah  Soule,  March,  1856;  Klaas  Alberts,  November,  1856.  Sec. 
35.  Daniel  F.  Stevens,  March,  1856 ; John  Evans,  September, 
1856;  William  IT.  Conners,  June,  1856;  John  I.  Reinnhardt,  Feb- 
ruary, 1856;  William  M.  Wood,  June,  1856. 

Cherry  Grove  (Range  17,  Town.  109).  Sec.  1.  Samuel  C. 
Richards,  November,  1857.  Sec.  2.  George  K.  Haines,  July,  1857 ; 
John  Handsaker,  September,  1857.  Sec.  4.  Levi  Chilson,  August, 

1857.  Sec.  5.  Nels  K.  Feune,  June,  1857.  Sec.  6.  Ferris  John- 
son, May,  1856 ; Darius  Johnson,  May,  1856.  Sec.  7.  Rodney  C. 
Gould,  September,  1857.  Sec.  7.  Franklin  S.  Eaton.  September, 
1857 ; Walter  Carpenter,  September,  1857.  Sec.  9.  Winslow 
Corbett,  November,  1857 ; Lyman  Sackett,  October,  1857.  Sec. 
10.  John  Wattes,  November,  1857.  Sec.  11.  James  W.  Emery, 
September,  1857  ; Nathan  W.  Wheeler,  July,  1857  ; Smith  Palmer, 
July,  1857.  Sec.  12.  Freeman  Goodwater,  November,  1857 ; 
Samuel  Emery,  December,  1857;  George  P.  Pearson,  September, 
1857 ; Harvey  Ellis,  October,  1856.  Sec.  13.  Charles  Hill,  July, 
1857;  Fayette  Beach,  May,  1856.  Sec.  14.  Richard  Hoagland, 
Jr.,  August,  1857 ; Jefferson  Cates,  September,  1857 ; AYilliam  P. 
Hoyt,  April,  1856 ; David  Simpson,  July,  1857.  Sec.  17.  Fred- 
erick C.  Furgeson,  July,  1857 ; Lawrence  Hanson,  July,  1857. 
Sec.  18.  Christ  Sammierstall,  June,  1857 ; Wallace  Wood,  Novem- 
ber, 1857.  Sec.  19.  Jacob  Kent,  November,  1857 ; Laurin  S. 
Pease,  November,  1857 ; John  Wilson,  November,  1857.  Sec.  20. 
Milton  Haggard,  October,  1856;  Juliate  Sanders,  June,  1857; 
Freeman  C.  Stevens,  June,  1857.  See.  21.  Orrin  P.  Lambert, 
July,  1857 ; David  T.  Stevens,  June,  1857 ; Franklin  C.  Stevens, 
June,  1857.  Sec.  22.  Elbridge  G.  Comstock,  October,  1856 ; 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


388 

Joseph  Dumas,  December,  1857 ; John  R.  Linn,  September,  1856. 
See.  23.  William  P.  Hoyt,  April,  1856;  Israel  Comstock,  July, 
1857 ; David  Simpson,  July,  1857 ; Taft  Comstock,  October,  1856. 
Sec.  24.  Erust  Vaux,  October,  1856.  Sec.  25.  Samuel  Sheets, 
May,  1856;  George  Lantz,  November,  1856;  David  Haggard, 
April,  1856;  James  Haggard,  March,  1856.  Sec.  26.  Charles 
Nicholls,  June,  1857.  Sec.  27.  Samuel  Winston,  October,  1856. 
Sec.  28.  Samuel  Dobson,  July,  1856.  Sec.  29.  William  Dillon, 
July,  1857;  David  II.  Smith,  November,  1856;  Jesse  FI.  Winslow, 
July,  1857 ; John  Needham,  July,  1857.  Sec.  30.  Frederick  S. 
Hutchins,  November,  1857 ; Edward  A.  Hodge,  July,  1857.  Sec. 
31.  Conrad  Hart,  July,  1857 ; Benjamin  E.  Morton,  November, 
1856;  Abram  Gulick,  May,  1857;  Homer  B.  Leavitt,  May,  1857.. 
Sec.  32.  Freeman  Beckwith,  May,  1857 ; Nelson  A.  Patterson, 
May,  1857 ; Benjamin  Woodward,  July,  1857 ; John  Hart,  August, 
1856.  Sec.  33.  Jeremiah  Ray,  July,  1856 ; David  M.  Haggard, 
July,  1857;  Abner  Beackmer,  November,  1856;  Reading  Wood- 
ward, November,  1855.  Sec.  34.  John  P.  Woodbury,  July,  1857 ; 
Henry  I.  Norton,  July,  1857;  Lorander  F.  Blackmer,  July,  1856; 
Silas  I).  Merriman,  November,  1855.  Sec.  35.  William  Lantz, 
May,  1856;  William  AA7ood,  July,  1856;  Thomas  B.  Haggard, 
February,  1856;  George  Wise,  May,  1856. 

Kenyon  (Range  18,  Town.  109).  Sec.  1.  John  Peterson,  June, 
1857 : Freeman  F.  Colamose,  August,  1857 ; Anthony  Chapman, 
Jr.,  August,  1857.  Sec.  2.  Samuel  Barker,  June,  1857 ; Stephen 
Hilton,  May,  1857 ; Henry  F.  Day,  June,  1857.  Sec.  3.  Warren 
Packard,  June,  1856;  Charles  A.  Jones,  October,  1856;  Knute 
Torsen,  September,  1856;  Eben  B.  Hilton,  November,  1856.  Sec. 
4.  Mary  Hateling,  September,  1855 ; Knud  Knudson,  November, 

1855.  Sec.  4.  Lysander  A.  Felt,  May,  1856 ; Benjamin  Cope, 
May,  1856;  James  M.  LeDue, 'June,  1856;  James  H.  Day,  May, 
1856 ; Rasselae  M.  Barnett,  June,  1856.  Sec.  5.  Benjamin  F. 
Mann,  June,  1856;  Fillman  Day,  July,  1857;  Aaron  Hollenbeck, 
May,  1857;  John  Byers,  August,  1856;  John  AY.  Miller,  Septem- 
ber, 1857 ; Eli  Hollenbeck,  July,  1856.  Sec.  6.  Levi  AY.  Burn- 
ham. June,  1857 ; Ollif  Tolef,  July,  1856.  Sec.  7.  Lars  Neilson, 
June,  1856;  James  Patterson,  September,  1856;  Christian  IFalvor, 
August,  1856;  Syver  Halverson,  November,  1855;  Iver  Pederson, 
November,  1855.  Sec.  8.  John  Crowley,  October,  1856;  David  IF. 
Butler,  May,  1856;  Oley  Erickson,  January,  1857.  Sec.  9.  Karnes 
E.  Hussey,  June,  1857;  Benjamin  Day,  June,  1857.  Sec.  10. 
Valentine  Castle,  June,  1856;  Joel  Winter,  August,  1856;  Eben 
B.  Hilton,  November,  1856;  Mary  Flotaling,  September,  1856; 
Roscoe  Hilton,  September,  1856;  Luther  R.  AVeld,  December, 

1856.  Sec.  11.  Alfred  Townson,  September,  1857;  Andrew  J. 
Dennison,  December,  1856.  Sec.  12.  Charles  F.  Barnard,  June, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


3S9 


1857 ; George  W.  Richardson,  September,  1857 ; Temple  C.  Child, 
May,  1857.  See.  13.  John  Pitcher,  August,  1857;  Jefferson  AY. 
Ivnapp,  November,  1856;  Sylvester  A.  Chaffee,  November,  1856. 
Sec.  14.  James  M.  Gear,  August,  1857.  Sec.  15.  Marion  P.  Page, 
June,  1856;  George  Elliot,  July,  1856;  AYm.  Crowley,  October, 
1856.  Sec.  17.  Elling  Halgrenson,  May,  1857 ; Louis  Markers, 
August,  1856 ; Richard  D.  Travers,  August,  1856.  Sec.  18.  Severt 
Marcpiason,  October,  1856 ; Oley  G.  Gunham,  August,  1856.  Sec. 
19.  Clinton  AYolfe,  October,  1856.  Sec.  20.  James  FI.  Rounds, 
October,  1856;  Truman  McNull,  July,  1857;  AYade  AYilliams, 
July,  1857.  See.  21.  Dwight  F.  Harley,  August,  1857.  Sec.  22. 
Strong  B.  Moody,  October,  1857.  Sec.  23.  Herman  E.  Cosey, 
August,  1857.  See.  24.  Benjamin  D.  Bullis,  July,  1857 ; Stephen 
Bullis,  July,  1857 ; Flenry  G.  Church,  July,  1857 ; Timothy  R. 
Bullis,  June,  1857.  Sec.  25.  Henry  B.  Martin,  August,  1857 ; 
Joseph  B.  Masters,  September,  1857 ; Samuel  Shaw,  August,  1857. 
Sec.  26.  Jarvis  H.  Steadman,  July,  1857 ; Charles  AY.  S.  Skinner, 
August,  1857.  Sec.  27.  Freeman  Cunningham,  December.  1857. 
Sec.  30.  Phillip  S.  Kingsley,  October,  1857.  Sec.  31.  Henry 
Balton,  June,  1857 ; Chai’les  E.  Abbott,  September,  1857 ; Isaac 
Jacobs,  June,  1857.  Sec.  33.  Langdon  II.  Nichols,  September. 
1857 ; Jacob  Korsew,  October,  1857 ; Thomas  Stevens,  December, 
1857;  David  Tayman,  August,  1857. 

Zumbrota  (Range  15,  Town.  110).  Sec.  2.  IFazen  AI.  Brown, 
August,  1857 ; Mary  A.  Brown,  August,  1857.  Sec.  4.  John  Q. 
MeLellan,  July,  1857.  Sec.  5.  Henry  II.  Leonard,  July,  1857 ; 
Harvey  P.  Bickford,  July,  1857.  Sec.  7.  Alarnes  Fenton,  August, 
1857;  Orris  II.  AYarren,  August,  1857.  Sec.  8.  Joseph  C.  Dow, 
September,  1856.  Sec.  9.  Nelson  Cheney,  July,  1857 ; Lewis 
AAThite,  September,  1856 ; Leonard  B.  Alooer,  September,  1857 ; 
Duncan  Graham,  September,  1857.  Sec.  10.  Asa  N.  Grant.  June, 
1857;  Cornelius  Boves,  June,  1856.  Sec.  14.  Hiram  B.  Patter- 
son, November,  1857.  Sec.  17.  John  C.  Bullard,  November,  1856; 
Amos  S.  Myrick,  November,  1856.  Sec.  18.  John  McCarter. 
August,  1857 ; Ann  Morrell,  July,  1857.  Sec.  19.  Samuel  Kel- 
lett,  July,  1857 ; Charles  AYard,  June,  1857 ; AVilliam  H.  Crowell, 
October,  1857 ; Joseph  Bailey,  Alay,  1857 ; Evander  L.  Kingsley, 
May,  1857.  Sec.  20.  AYillis  E.  AYinter.  September,  1857.  Sec. 
21.  Robert  H.  Hunt,  June,  1857 ; AYilliam  AY.  Simpson,  Novem- 
ber. 1857 ; Edward  Richardson,  November,  1856.  See.  22.  Nor- 
man F.  Smith,  June,  1856.  Sec.  23.  AYillard  L.  Glidden,  June, 
1857;  Jemima  Lindsey,  November,  1856;  Asa  Dutton,  November, 
1856.  Sec.  24.  John  AYeleh.  Alay,  1856.  Sec.  25.  Freeman 
Pearson,  November.  1857 ; Harrison  AI.  Stanton.  Alay,  1856.  Sec. 
26.  Rodulphus  S.  Record,  November,  1856.  Sec.  27.  Jay  O. 
Smith.  November.  1856;  Henry  B.  Washburn.  June,  1857 ; Lyman 


390 


II I ST  OB  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


E.  Thorp,  November,  1856.  See.  28.  Jesse  E.  Patterson,  Novem- 
ber, 1856;  Nathan  Pritchard,  November,  1856;  William  R.  Dor- 
man, July,  1857 ; Charles  S.  Spindley,  July,  1857.  Sec.  29.  Aus- 
tin Hawks,  November,  1856;  Willis  E.  Winter,  September,  1857; 
Daniel  B.  Goddard,  November,  1857 ; Charles  Jewett,  Novem- 
ber, 1857.  Sec.  30.  Augustus  L.  Blake,  November,  1856;  C. 
Page  Bonney,  July,  1856;  Ira  Perry,  September,  1857.  Sec.  31. 
Joseph  A.  Thatcher,  November,  1856;  Sydney  P.  Gambria,  May, 
1857 ; Aaron  Doty,  July,  1856 ; Samuel  W.  Chaffee,  June,  1857. 
Sec.  32.  Benjamin  P.  Palmeter,  June,  1857 ; Reuben  E.  Fitch, 
December,  1856;  Ann  Garrett,  November,  1856;  James  Spencer, 
November,  1856;  Andrew  Johnson,  July,  1856.  Sec.  33.  David 
Overpick,  December,  1856 ; Charles  Rammelsburg,  July,  1856 ; 
John  W.  Carpenter,  July,  1856 ; Joseph  Beralinger,  November, 
1856;  Ole  Clemetson,  November,  1856.  Sec.  34.  Lyman  Stod- 
dard. July,  1856;  John  Geary,  November,  1856.  Sec.  35.  Levi 
L.  Fletcher,  May,  1856;  Frederick  Moore,  July,  1856;  Sprague 
Barber,  June,  1856. 

Minneola  (Range  16,  Town.  110).  Sec.  1.  Otis  Towne,  July, 
1857 ; Windsor  Newton,  August,  1857.  Sec.  2.  Henry  Warren, 
September,  1856 ; Henry  White,  September,  1856 ; John  E.  Cooke, 
August,  1857.  Sec.  5.  John  Bodkins,  September,  1856 ; John  I. 
Byrne,  September,  1856.  Sec.  4.  Morris  Rees,  July,  1857 ; Milton 
AY.  Drew,  July,  1857 ; William  B.  Williams,  July,  1857 ; James 
II.  Feleh,  October,  1856;  Warren  Bristol,  October,  1856.  Sec.  6. 
Isaac  C.  Swift,  August,  1857;  Clinton  Gernes,  Jr.,  October,  1856; 
William  Maires,  September,  1856;  Patrick  Keough,  September, 

1856.  Sec.  7.  Christoff  Ehle,  September,  1856.  Sec.  8.  Eldridge 
AY.  Guilford,  October,  1856;  John  Thomas,  June,  1857.  Sec.  9. 
Jerome  Clark,  July,  1857 ; Robert  McWaters,  July,  1857 ; Charles 
Wilber,  October,  1856.  Sec.  10.  Russel  Stoddard,  September, 

1857.  Sec.  11.  Albert  G.  Hawks,  August,  1857;  Luther  Peck, 
June,  1857 ; Isaac  C.  Stearns,  August,  1857.  Sec.  12.  Lucius  C. 
Taft,  October,  1857 ; Daniel  McLaughlin,  September,  1857 ; Elery 
R.  Person,  September,  1857.  Sec.  13.  William  Jellison,  Septem- 
ber, 1857;  Charles  AY.  Wentworth,  September,  1857;  Isaac  FI. 
Cutler,  September,  1856.  Sec.  14.  Luther  G.  Cate,  September, 
1856.  Sec.  15.  Peter  P.  Porter,  October,  1857 ; Caroline  I. 
Hewitt,  October,  1857.  Sec.  17.  William  S.  Grow,  June,  1857; 
John  11.  Brand.  June,  1857;  William  II.  Bell,  June,  1857.  Sec. 
18.  Franklin  S.  Lamson,  October,  1857;  George  Baseom,  Octo- 
ber, 1857 ; George  L.  Van  Solen,  October,  1857.  Sec.  19.  Myron 
Briggs,  June,  1857 ; Jared  Yan  Solen,  October,  1857 ; William 
Martins,  July,  1856 ; Leonard  Sillson,  1856.  Sec.  20.  Lucius 
A.  Guild,  June,  1857 ; Woodbury  Coil,  July,  1857.  Sec.  21.  Her- 
man AAA  Wickwere.  July,  1857 ; Sutton  Green,  June,  1857 ; Hans 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


391 


Paulson,  May,  1856 ; Ole  Swenson,  April,  1856.  Sec.  22.  Daniel 
Earnes,  May,  1857;  Thomas  Adams,  July,  1857.  Sec.  23.  Na- 
thaniel A.  Willey,  October,  1856 ; Timothy  C.  Burley,  August, 
1857 ; Christian  Peterson,  July,  1856.  See.  24.  William  II. 
Crowen,  October,  1857;  Evander  L.  Kingsbury,  July,  1857;  John 
Hanson,  July,  1857.  Sec.  25.  Albert  Bai*rett,  June,  1857 ; Erick 
Svenson,  June,  1856;  Ben.j.  S.  Bonney,  July,  1856.  Sec.  30.  Barnt 
Thompson,  July,  1857 ; George  Morton,  June,  1857 ; Isaac  AYick- 
ard,  August,  1857.  Sec.  31.  David  Jillson,  November,  1857; 
Charles  Webster,  September.  1857 ; Augustus  Nims,  August,  1857. 
Sec.  32.  Oscar  F.  Jackson,  December,  1856;  Henry  C.  AYebster, 
August,  1857 ; Sarah  Cheing,  August,  1857.  See.  33.  Joseph 
Walters,  September,  1856 ; George  M.  Cunningham,  August,  1856. 
See.  34.  C'hristofer  Hovel.  October,  1857.  Sec.  35.  Abraham 
Reed,  November,  1856 ; Peter  Nielson,  July,  1857. 

Wanamingo  (Range  17.  Town.  110).  Sec.  1.  Shnbel  AYales, 
June,  1856.  Sec.  2.  Savillion  F.  Johnson,  July,  1857 ; Henry  W. 
Boyer,  June,  1856;  Harvey  Davis,  June,  1856;  James  C.  Swift, 
June,  1856 ; Lucius  Dunn,  August,  1857 ; George  W.  Duffev,  Sep- 
tember, 1856 ; George  F.  Sargent,  June,  1857.  Sec.  3.  Amon 
Chittelson,  June,  1857 ; Torkel  Ommundson,  June,  1856 ; Hans 
M.  Iloelfstad,  August,  1856 : Knud  Sjurson,  August,  1856.  Sec. 
4.  Colben  Torkelson,  April,  1856;  Henry  Sands,  September, 
1857;  John  Swenson.  April,  1856.  Sec.  5.  Torger  0.  Ruj,  Octo- 
ber, 1855;  Ann  Peterson,  October,  1857.  Sec.  6.  Andrew  Thom- 
son, February,  1856;  Swan  Hamilton,  October,  1856;  Steffen 
Johanneson,  October,  1855 ; Peder  Arlesson,  December,  1857 ; 
John  Olson.  June,  1856.  Sec.  7.  Lasse  Olson.  April,  1856;  Knute 
Knutson,  July,  1857 ; Peder  Einerson  Halse,  April,  1856.  Sec.  8. 
Andrew  Mageson,  June,  1856;  John  Johnson,  June,  1856;  An- 
drew Knutson,  October,  1855.  Sec.  9.  Lai’s  Anderson,  May, 
1856;  Colbron  Olson,  August,  1856;  Gander  Nelson,  May,  1856. 
Sec.  10.  Gulbran  Gudmunson,  July,  1856;  Kjostot  Gunderson, 
July,  1856;  Charles  Wagner,  July,  1856.  Sec.  11.  Joseph  Jan- 
son,  September,  1856;  Warren  Cheney,  August,  1857;  Alex- 
ander Faribault,  August,  1857.  Sec.  12.  John  Bear,  Sep- 
tember, 1856.  Sec.  13.  Andrew  P.  Larson,  September,  1856 ; 
Moses  Sharimers,  August,  1857 ; Nels  Nelson,  September,  1856. 
Sec.  14.  Stephen  N.  Beaubur,  June,  1856 ; George  R.  Adams, 
November,  1856 ; John  G.  Moffett,  October,  1856.  Sec.  15.  Ole 
A.  Oleson,  November,  1856.  Sec.  17.  John  Williams.  June,  1856; 
Thomas  Knudson,  June,  1856 ; Christian  Holland,  August,  1856 ; 
William  Johnson,  June,  1856.  Sec.  18.  Ole  Aslakon,  June,  1856 ; 
Lars  Sorenson,  July,  1857 ; Tone  Svenson.  May,  1856 ; Ilalvor 
Augenson.  May,  1856.  Sec.  19.  Dorti  Maria  Larson.  June,  1856 ; 
Thosten  Anderson,  October,  1855 ; Andrus  Naglin.  September, 


I-IISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


392 

1857;  Erick  Ovalson,  April,  1856;  Grinder  Bjorguson,  May,  1856; 
ITalvor  Olson,  June,  1856.  Sec.  20.  Lene  Maria  Thompson,  June, 
1856;  Iver  Nielson,  September,  1857;  Nelson  Severson,  July, 
1856;  Erick  Erickson,  June,  1857.  Sec.  22.  Gustave  Peterson, 
November,  1856.  Sec.  23.  Peter  G.  Ballingall,  August,  1856. 
Sec.  24.  Kendall  B.  Swift,  June,  1856 ; Martin  Roberts,  June, 
1856;  Cynthia  Rice,  August,  1857.  Sec.  26.  James  G.  Brown, 
August,  1857 ; William  Williamson,  May,  1856.  Sec.  27.  Ole 
Anfinson,  May,  1856;  Thor  Erickson,  July,  1856.  Sec.  28.  Henry 
Nelson,  April,  1856;  Johannes  Olson,  August,  1856;  Ole  Jacob- 
son, May,  1856.  Sec.  29.  Samuel  Knutson,  May,  1856;  Christof 
Evenson,  June,  1856 ; Samuel  Lee,  June,  1857 ; Toge  Nielson, 
May,  1856.  Sec.  30.  Ole  Johnson,  May,  1856 ; Gunder  Olson, 
November.  1855;  William  Honewell,  November,  1856.  Sec.  31. 
Patrick  Cassity,  February,  1857.  Sec.  32.  Nels  Iv.  Fenne,  June, 
1857.  Sec.  33.  Jens  Nilson,  July,  1857;  Seur  Knutson,  July, 
1857;  James  AY.  Yost,  November,  1856;  Lars  Larson,  May,  1856; 
Andrew  Battelson,  August,  1857.  Sec.  35.  Solymon  C.  Osborn, 
November,  1857 ; George  L.  Baker,  August,  1857. 

Holden  (Range  18,  Town.  110).  Sec.  1.  John  Helgeson, 
April,  1856;  Ole  Olson  Neseth,  April,  1856;  John  A.  Hayes,  Sep- 
tember, 1856.  Sec.  2.  Sarah  Knudson,  October,  1857;  William 
Phelps,  October,  1857 ; Tosten  Thompson,  October,  1857.  Sec.  3. 
Ole  Knudson  ITeen,  November,  1856;  Anfind  Anderson,  June, 
1856;  Iver  Haagenson,  October,  1856;  Martha  Hinkinsdotter, 
May,  1857.  Sec.  4.  Lars  Nelson,  June,  1857 ; Hiver  Nelson, 
May,  1857 ; Knud  Johnson,  November,  1857.  Sec.  5.  Jacob  L. 
Bittinger,  August,  1857;  Alary  Thompson,  July,  1857;  Orange 
Lillie,  June,  1857.  Sec.  6.  John  G.  Marvin,  November,  1856; 
Christian  Knudson,  November,  1857 ; Mary  E.  Murray,  Novem- 
ber, 1856;  Mikkel  Alickelson,  July,  1856.  Sec.  7.  Michael  Ander- 
son, July,  1857;  John  Kirts,  October,  1856;  Tomas  Oleson,  Octo- 
ber, 1856.  Sec.  8.  John  Torkelson,  October,  1856;  Carlton 
Lackey,  September,  1856.  Sec.  9.  Erick  Anderson  Ogordon, 
July,  1857.  Sec.  10.  Kittle  Torgenson,  July,  1857.  Sec.  11. 
Johannes  Jacobson,  December,  1857.  Sec.  12.  AVilliam  Walker, 
December,  1857.  Sec.  13.  Halvor  Gunderson,  November,  1857. 
Sec.  14.  Nelson  Hare,  July,  1857.  Sec.  17.  Charles  H.  Nelson, 
September,  1857 ; Frederick  Aleyer,  November,  1857 ; Solomon 
L.  Tracy,  June,  1857.  Sec.  18.  John  Dieter,  August,  1856;  Henry 
Barber,  Alay,  1857.  Sec.  19.  Augustus  Tray,  November,  1857. 
Sec.  20.  Henry  Allis  Meyer,  June,  1857 ; Francis  A.  Gleason, 
Aiigust,  1857 ; Charles  Fogleson,  November,  1857.  Sec.  21. 
Thomas  Ashbornson,  November,  1857;  William  A.  Mead,  1856; 
Hartwell  Butler,  November,  1856.  Sec.  22.  Hans  Christenson, 
September.  1857.  Sec.  23.  Christin  Larson,  June,  1856.  Sec.  24. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


393 


Hans  Ovalson,  October,  1857.  Sec.  25.  Tosten  Tostenson,  August, 
1857;  Henry  Taylor,  October,  1856.  Sec.  26.  Carry  Nelson, 
October,  1857 ; Ole  J.  Solberg,  June,  1857 ; Segur  Gunderson, 
November,  1856.  Sec.  27.  John  Einertson,  July,  1856;  Halvor 
Emmerson,  November,  1857.  Sec.  28.  Thomas  I.  Smith,  Sep- 
tember, 1857.  Sec.  29.  Lemuel  W.  Pickard,  November,  1857 ; 
Hubbard  Nichols,  September,  1857 ; Henry  Liclite,  November, 
1857 ; August  Petersmyer,  July,  1857.  Sec.  31.  Henry  Turner, 
September,  1857;  John  W.  Sharp,  June,  1857;  William  Heine, 
June,  1857.  Sec.  33.  Freeman  Day,  July,  1857 ; ITerbrand  Knut- 
son, October,  1856.  Sec.  35.  Thorburn  Einertson,  November, 
1855. 

Belvidere  (Range  14,  Town.  111).  Sec.  5.  Charles  Osia,  July, 
1857.  Sec.  8.  Josephine  Osia,  July,  1857.  Sec.  20.  Thomas  Mc- 
Nair, August,  1857.  Sec.  22.  Margaret  A.  McNair,  August, 
1857.'  Sec.  25.  Josephine  Racieot,  September,  1857.  Sec.  26. 
Joseph  Trudell,  September,  1857.  Sec.  27.  Mary  F.  McNair, 
September,  1857 ; Eleanor  Racieot,  September,  1857.  Sec.  35. 
Flora  Racieot,  September,  1857.  Sec.  36.  Leon  Trudell,  June, 
1857 ; Peter  Trudell,  June,  1857. 

Goodhue  (Range  15,  Town.  111).  Sec.  1.  Henry  Trudell, 
June,  1857.  Sec.  2.  Edward  Mogean,  June,  1857;  Harriet  Mo- 
gean,  May,  1857.  Sec.  5.  John  Gillis,  May,  1856.  Sec.  6. 
Robert  Lawler,  April,  1856;  Jonathan  Melott,  April,  1856;  Cor- 
nelius Bennett,  June,  1856;  Gideon  DeGroff,  September,  1856; 
James  McDonough,  May,  1856.  Sec.  7.  John  Warren,  May, 
1856;  Austin  Iddings,  October,  1856;  Timothy  PI.  Prindle,  Sep- 
tember. 1856.  Sec.  8.  John  Jarvis,  June,  1857;  Watts  Sherman, 
May,  1857;  John  Mansur,  September,  1857.  Sec.  11.  Madeline 
Renville,  May,  1857.  Sec.  13.  Joseph  Montour,  May,  1857;  Vital 
Bouiere,  May,  1857.  Sec.  IP.  Mary  Bouiere,  May,  1857;  Fred- 
erick LaChappelle,  May,  1857.  Sec.  16.  Augustin  Trudell.  June, 
1857 ; Laura  C.  Brown,  June,  1857.  Sec.  17.  John  H.  Jones, 
November,  1856.  Sec.  18.  Samuel  M.  Weeden,  August,  1856. 
Sec.  19.  Sarah  Barnes,  November,  1856;  James  T.  Chamberlain, 
August,  1857 ; Eleanor  Cowan,  December,  1856.  Sec.  20.  Pat- 
rick McGinnis,  January,  1857.  Sec.  22.  Amelia  Montour,  May, 
1857.  Sec.  23.  Lucy  Cratt,  April,  1857 ; Madeline  Cratt,  April, 
1857 ; Franklin  Cratt,  April,  1857 ; Mary  L.  Montour,  May,  1857. 
Sec.  24.  Angelic  Bouiere,  May,  1857.  Sec.  26.  Sylvester  Mon- 
tour, May,  1857.  Sec.  30.  James  E.  Simmons.  March,  1857.  See. 
36.  Antoine  Bouiere,  May,  1857. 

Belle  Creek  (Range  16,  Town.  111).  Sec.  1.  Joseph  F.  Ben- 
nett, February,  1856;  Alfred  I.  Hill,  November,  1856;  Samuel  J. 
IPasler,  November,  1856;  Samuel  I.  Gambrell,  June,  1856.  Sec. 
2.  Asaph  Pattengill,  May,  1856;  Edward  D.  Pattengill,  May, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


394 

1856;  Jesse  A.  Johnson,  April,  1856;  Timothy  Cavenaugh,  Sep- 
tember, 1856;  James  Melloy,  January,  1856.  Sec.  3.  Michael 
Doyle,  December,  1856.  Sec.  4.  Reed  Burdick,  May,  1856 ; 
Anders  G.  Kempe,  June,  1856;  Nicolas  Peterson,  July,  1857.  Sec. 
5.  Frederick  Areskog,  September,  1856;  Bemong  Hill,  Novem- 
ber, 1856.  Sec.  6.  Swan  Buckland,  September,  1856 ; Andrew 
Aroicson,  October,  1856;  AVilliam  Fitzpatrick,  September,  1856; 
Paul  F.  Berg,  September,  1856.  See.  7.  John  P.  Pierce,  June, 
1856;  Carl  Nilson,  August,  1856;  Charles  Perry,  April,  1856; 
John  G.  Gustafson,  October,  1856.  Sec.  8.  Laban  Falk,  June, 
1856 ; Reason  A.  Burge,  September,  1856.  Sec.  9.  Aaron  C. 
Yoeman,  September,  1856;  Andrew  Clark,  January,  1857..  Sec. 
10.  James  C.  Hutchins,  June,  1856;  Oliver  W.  Reynolds,  De- 
cember, 1856.  Sec.  11.  Patrick  Kavenaugh,  December,  1856 ; 
Timothy  Kavanaugh,  September,  1856.  Sec.  12.  Laplata  Cor- 
nell, July,  1856;  George  D.  Whitcomb,  October,  1856;  Patrick 
IJeney,  July,  1856.  Sec.  13.  Ransom  G.  Ayer,  September,  1856 ; 
Peter  M.  Heeney,  June,  1857 ; Henry  C.  Monroe,  June,  1856. 
Sec.  14.  Patrick  McHugh,  May,  1857 ; James  Kelly,  May,  1856. 
Sec.  15.  Mathew  Igoe,  May,  1857 ; Bridget  Ward,  May,  1857. 
Sec.  17.  James  Kirkpatrick,  October,  1856.  Sec.  18.  John  AY. 
Dunn,  May,  1856;  Henry  Ervay,  April,  1856;  Charles  H.  Ervay, 
April,  1856 ; Edward  Dickinson,  March,  1856.  Sec.  19.  William 
Herbert,  July,  1856;  Andrew  Stromberg,  October,  1856.  Sec. 
21.  Michael  Coon,  July,  1857;  Reuben  Kramm,  November,  1856; 
Daniel  Gallagher,  April,  1857.  Sec.  22.  Robert  Chase,  Jr.,  July, 
1856.  Sec.  23.  William  Cave,  June,  1856;  Simon  Love,  June, 
1857 ; James  Myles,  September,  1856 ; Edmonds  Conners,  Octo- 
ber, 1856.  Sec.  24.  George  Jenkins,  June,  1856;  John  Murphy, 
April,  1857;  John  Lyons,  May,  1857.  Sec.  25.  Patrick  Drudy, 
January,  1857;  Thomas  Fagan,  April,  1857;  Peter  Schlekter, 
May,  1857.  Sec.  26.  John  Paullin,  October,  1856;  James  L. 
Allen,  April,  1857.  Sec.  27.  George  Fletcher,  June,  1856.  Sec. 
28.  AVilliam  Curtis,  January,  1857;  John  P.  Thomas,  October, 
1856;  Gabriel  Olson,  November,  1856.  Sec.  29.  George  G.  Waltz, 
September,  1856.  Sec.  30.  Samuel  Jones,  August,  1856.  Sec. 
31.  Franklin  A.  Barnes,  November,  1856;  Joseph  M.  Forward, 
Jr..  November,  1856;  Eben  0.  Stevens,  October,  1856.  See.  32. 
George  Newkirk,  May,  1857 ; James  I.  Burns,  September,  1857. 
Sec.  33.  Charles  Storm,  July,  1857;  Joseph  Williams,  June, 
1857;  Abram  B.  Miller,  September,  1857.  Sec.  34.  Edwin  AV. 
Bryant,  January,  1857.  Sec.  35.  John  L.  Tucker,  October,  1856. 

Leon  (Range  17,  Town.  111).  Sec.  1.  Andrew  Dennison, 
October,  1856;  Andrew  Monson,  August,  1856;  Paul  P.  Bergh, 
September,  1856 ; Sara  A.  Powers,  May,  1857 ; Solomon  Ganans- 
son,  August,  1856.  Sec.  2.  John  Sumstig,  August,  1856 ; John 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


395 


Lagerstroin,  July,  1857.  See.  3.  Charles  B.  Messer,  September, 
1856;  John  F.  Whitaker,  April,  1856.  See.  4.  Homer  Z.  Barnes, 
August,  1856;  Cassandre  Wass,  December,  1856;  William  An- 
thony, June,  1855.  Sec.  5.  Benjamin  P.  Bartlett,  October,  1855 ; 
John  McDonough,  August.  1855.  See.  6.  Conrad  Beigler,  June, 
1856;  Eugene  D.  A.  Stone,  May,  1855;  Gordon  C.  Shepard.  Janu- 
ary, 1856;  Edy  Mulcake,  June,  1856;  John  Carey,  May,  1855. 
See.  7.  John  Bownell.  October,  1855;  Dewitt  C.  Kingston,  Au- 
gust, 1856 ; Abram  Holliday,  August,  1856 ; Christian  Nillson, 
August,  1855.  Sec.  8.  Martin  Corley,  August,  1856 ; Hans  P. 
Johanson,  December,  1856 ; Solomon  Teverbaugh,  May,  1856. 
See.  12.  Christian  Paugen  Barg,  September,  1856;  Ake  Johnson, 
September,  1856.  Sec.  13.  'Peter  Worrall,  May,  1856;  Thomas 
ITarker,  July,  1856 ; William  Kiddler,  January,  1857.  Sec.  4. 
Thomas  A.  Beard,  August,  1856.  See.  18.  Oscar  Stranahan. 
April,  1856;  Elias  P.  Lowater,  August,  1855.  Sec.  19.  Ranald 
Johnson,  May,  1856;  Michael  Fagan,  November,  1855;  Anders 
Larson.  October,  1855;  Manville  Comstock.  September.  1856.  Sec. 
20.  Oliver  Johnson,  September,  1855;  Spencer  Fellows,  June, 
1855;  Amond  Godskalk,  October.  1855;  James  Reville,  June, 

1856.  Sec.  21.  Elisha  A.  Dunham,  June,  1856;  John  Edwell, 
May,  1856.  Sec.  22.  Frederick  Kammerling,  May,  1856 ; Henry 
Terrell,  July,  1856;  James  Cox,  May,  1856.  Sec.  23.  John  A. 
Lessendon.  July,  1856 ; Richard  Hotchkiss,  July,  1856 ; Gen. 
Warren  McCain,  October.  1856.  Sec.  24.  George  W.  Hedges, 
April,  1856.  Sec.  25.  Michael  Lauver,  Sept.  1856 ; Moses  Bryant, 
August.  1856;  Genoa  S.  Brandage,  July,  1856.  Sec.  27.  Nathan 
Upham.  July,  1856.  Sec.  28.  Harvey  Dye,  April,  1856 ; John 
Andrist,  May,  1856;  William  Wallace,  May,  1856.  Sec.  29.  Carl 
Rinkenberger,  June,  1856;  Nute  Anderson,  November,  1855; 
George  McGaughey,  October,  1856.  Sec.  30.  John  Barrow,  Au- 
gust, 1856;  George  AY.  King,  February,  1856.  Sec.  31.  Gutram 
Peterson,  October,  1855 ; Thor  Gunderson.  December,  1855 ; Ge- 
randes  Smith,  February,  1857.  Sec.  33.  Samuel  Randall,  Octo- 
ber, 1856;  John  Butholdson,  November,  1856;  Lewis  Lewiston, 
May.  1857.  See.  34.  Samuel  Freeland,  May,  1856.  Sec.  35 
John  Teverbaugh.  May,  1856;  Samuel  I.  Caldwell,  A lay.  1856. 

Warsaw  (Range  18,  Town.  111).  See.  1.  Nathan  Pearson, 
October.  1855;  Eben  N.  Sumner.  July,  1856;  Stephen  R.  Searle, 
June,  1856;  Robert  McCorkell,  May,  1856;  Ira  Webber,  March, 

1857.  Sec.  2.  Frank  Chambers,  March,  1857.  See.  3.  Frederick 
Adee.  May.  1857;  James  C.  Nixon,  March,  1857;  John  Tepner, 
August,  1856;  James  Wright,  Jr.,  November,  1857.  Sec.  4.  Ro- 
land AVeeks.  July,  1856;  John  Ridgway,  February,  1857;  Martin 
Terry,  July.  1856.  Sec.  5.  Hugh  AYoodley,  Jr..  May,  1856;  Hor- 
ace Pronby,  June,  1856 ; Joseph  Giles,  October,  1855.  Sec.  6. 


396 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


James  E.  Breckenridge,  October,  1855.  Sec.  7.  Harrison  Cooper, 
October,  1857 ; Moses  Merrill,  May,  1857.  Sec.  8.  Jacob  Daniels, 
October.  1856;  Williams  George,  November.  1856;  Shepard  Whit- 
comb, October,  1856.  Sec.  9.  Joseph  E.  Charles,  February,  1857 ; 
James  Dixon,  December,  1856.  Sec.  10.  W.  Mclntire,  March, 
1857 ; Francis  Ridgeway,  March,  1857 ; Horace  D.  Swan,  May, 
1857.  Sec.  11.  John  DeLine,  November,  1855;  Harris  W.  Cole, 
November,  1855.  Sec.  12.  Silas  Dibble,  October,  1855.  Sec.  13. 
Andrew  T.  Culbertson,  June.  1855.  Sec.  11.  John  F.  Spaulding, 
July,  1856;  Francis  M.  McKee,  September,  1855;  Christian 
Shrompf,  November,  1857.  Sec.  15.  James  R.  Magee,  January, 
1857;  John  Kinnan,  September,  1856;  Philander  T.  Shepard, 
January,  1857 ; Norman  W.  Shepard,  January,  1857.  Sec.  17. 
Moses  George,  July,  1855;  Lucius  Morse,  November,  1856;  Wash- 
ington King.  November,  1855;  Willard  B.  Spaulding,  August, 
1856;  Martin  Detrick,  August,  1856.  Sec.  18.  David  Reed,  July, 
1856;  Allen  V.  Ellis,  June,  1856;  George  Rowe,  August,  1856.  Sec. 
19,  John  AY.  Slee,  July,  1856;  Joseph  Moore,  October,  1856;  Calvin 
Cleveland,  July,  1856;  John  A.  Davis,  October,  1856; 
George  AY.  Vinton,  July,  1856;  Morris  P.  Dennison,  July,  1856. 
Sec.  20.  Delno  D.  King,  June,  1856.  Sec.  21.  Coryclon 
P.  Bevans,  May,  1857;  Lewellyn  Wakman,  May,  1857.  Sec.  23. 
Adam  AYilliams,  May,  1857.  Sec.  24.  Charles  AY.  Ayers, 
August,  1855.  Sec.  26.  Simeon  Wescott,  May,  1857;  Eli  Abram 
Damon.  June,  1857.  Sec.  27.  Solon  A.  Bevans,  May,  1857 ; Horace 
E.  Owen,  October,  1856.  Sec.  28.  Samuel  Carpenter,  August, 
1856;  Nelson  D.  Townsend,  September,  1856.  Sec.  29.  Edward  S. 
Townsend,  September,  1856;  Ephraim  Lockwood,  May,  1857; 
John  Stanley,  August,  1856.  Sec.  30.  Joseph  A.  Stowe,  August, 

1856.  See.  31.  Alclen  E.  Lamb,  June,  1857.  Sec.  32.  Joseph 
Slee,  September,  1856.  Sec.  35.  Austin  Austinson,  August,  1856. 
Range  12.  Town.  112,  Sec.  29.  Sophia  Iluot,  June,  1856.  See. 
30.  Scholastic  Fuller,  June,  1857 ; Paul  Grignon,  May,  1857 ; 
Joseph  Labatte.  April,  1857.  Sec.  31.  Thomas  Robinson,  April, 
1857 ; Daniel  Farribault,  June,  1857 ; David  Farribault,  June, 
1857 ; Oliver  A.  Farribault,  June,  1857. 

Florence  (Range  13,  Town.  112).  Sec.  1.  Jane  Wells,  April, 

1857.  Sec.  2.  Pierre  Larivire,  April,  1857 ; Elizabeth  Farribault, 
April,  1857.  Sec.  3.  Harriet  Larivire,  April,  1857.  Sec.  6. 
Peter  LeClair.  September,  1857.  Sec.  13.  Esther  A.  Farribault, 
April,  1857 ; Catherine  Farribault,  April,  1857 ; Charles  Farri- 
bault. April,  1857.  Sec.  14.  Emily  R.  Fowler,  April,  1857.  Sec. 
15.  Marguerite  Farribault,  April,  1857.  Sec.  23.  Cecilia  Ed- 
wards. April,  1857.  Sec.  34.  Mary  F.  McNair,  August,  1857; 
Rachel  McNair,  August,  1857.  Sec.  36.  Clement  Farribault, 
April.  1857. 


HI  ST OK Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


397 


Hay  Creek  (Range  14,  Town.  112).  Sec.  4.  Sophie  Cour- 
meyer,  June,  1857.  Sec.  5.  Mary  Demarais,  June,  1857.  Sec.  6. 
Lafayette  B.  Morrow,  April,  1856.  Sec.  7.  Farris  Mogean,  May, 
1857.  Sec.  8.  Joseph  Provincial,  April,  1857.  Sec.  19.  George 
Provincial.  May,  1857. 

Featherstone  (Range  15,  Town.  112).  Sec.  1.  Cornelius  C. 
Vanclerbaugh,  April,  1856;  Mathias  Woodley,  June,  1856;  Henry 
Suigerstra,  May,  1857;  John  W.  Koch,  August,  1856;  Victor 
Dumes,  December,  1857;  Frederick  Koch,  May,  1856;  George 
Droummershousen,  February,  1857.  See.  2.  Maria  M.  Hoffman, 
September.  1856;  Mathew  Sorin.  March,  1857;  Sarah  Tiekner. 
June,  1856 ; Emanuel  Zeller,  April.  1856 ; Ferdinand  Shoemaker. 
October,  1856.  Sec.  3.  Ole  Hawkinson,  July,  1857.  Sec.  4.  Har- 
sten  E.  Perkins,  June,  1856.  See.  5.  Gisel  Martinson,  June. 
1856 ; George  AY.  T.  AVright,  September,  1856.  Sec.  6.  George 
AAT.  Tilton,  May,  1857;  Timothy  Jewett,  April,  1856;  Elisha  A. 
Hoyt,  April,  1856.  Sec.  7.  John  F.  Enz,  May,  1857;  Solomon 
Anderson,  December,  1856.  Sec.  8.  Simon  P.  Monroe,  Alay, 
1857.  Sec.  7.  Patrick  Harrigan,  April,  1856.  Sec.  9.  Jeremiah 
Meacham,  August,  1856.  Henrietta  Cox,  September,  1856 ; Ben- 
jamin Cox,  March,  1856.  Sec.  10.  Andrew  J.  McCormick,  Alay. 
1857 ; Frederick  Mack,  April.  1857.  Sec.  11.  William  D.  Chill- 
son,  October,  1856;  Alexander  F.  Dowell,  January,  1857.  See. 
12.  Lydia  Allen,  March,  1856;.  Judith  Wood,  Dec.,  1856.  Sec. 
14.  Gustavus  AVitte,  November,  1856;  Johannes  Kress,  Septem- 
ber, 1856.  Sec.  15.  Aclin  Brooks,  August,  1856 ; Calvin  Frizzell. 
June,  1856;  Faland  Sindofar,  May,  1856;  Isaac  F.  Balding,  April, 

1856.  Sec.  17.  William  Coleman.  July,  1856;  Mathew  S.  Tyler. 
April,  1856.  Sec.  18.  Andrew  Bankson,  April,  1856.  Sec.  19. 
John  Storkel,  April,  1856;  Jeffrey  C.  Weatherby,  May,  1856.  Sec. 
20.  William  Fryberger,  July,  1856;  AGncent.  Goldsmith,  April, 
1856;  Phillip  Storkel,  November,  1856.  See.  21.  Jesse  Cole- 
man, August,  1856;  Tlieron  McCord,  April,  1856;  Asahel  D. 
Roberts,  January,  1856.  Sec.  22.  John  Correll,  October,  1856; 
Herbert  Scott,  Alay,  1856.  Sec.  23.  Sofie  Kassonbie,  April,  1857 ; 
Christian  Ruttger,  August,  1856.  Sec.  24.  Mary  Forcier,  April. 

1857.  Sec.  25.  George  Campbell.  April.  1857.  Sec.  26.  Sophia 
Langie,  December,  1857 ; Jacob  Ileitt,  January,  1857.  Sec.  28. 
LeRoy  Doud,  August,  1856;  John  AYatson,  Alay,  1856.  Sec.  29. 
AYilliam  L.  AYatson,  October,  1856;  John  Bully,  Alay,  1856;  AYil- 
liam Robson,  January,  1856.  Sec.  30.  Robert  II.  Stutson,  August. 
3856:  Bridgett  Day,  Alay,  1856;  William  Stephens,  June,  1856. 
See.  31.  LeAvis  J.  Bennett,  June,  1856 ; Orestes  A.  Spickerman, 
June,  1856.  Sec.  32.  August  Reighert.  December,  1856 ; Seth 
Norton.  Alay,  1856;  Jacob  Alarty,  May,  1856.  Sec.  33,  James 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


398 

McMahon,  May,  1856;  Peter  McManus,  September,  1856.  Sec. 
36.  Jennette  D.  Brown,  June,  1857. 

Vasa  (Range  16,  Town.  112).  Vasa  also  includes  all  of  Sec- 
tions 33  and  34  and  portions  of  Sections  25,  27,  28,  36,  35  and 
32,  in  Range  16,  I own.  113,  for  which  see  Welch.  Sec.  1.  Hooper 
Crews,  July,  1856.  See.  2.  Johnson  Kennedy,  April,  1856.  Sec. 
3.  Charles  L.  Rotliacher,  June,  1856;  John  Freeman,  October, 

1856.  Sec.  4.  Phineas  S.  Fish,  December,  1856.  Sec.  5.  Peter 
Gustafson,  November,  1856;  Anna  Johnson,  November,  1856. 
Sec,  7.  John  A.  Ilollem,  August,  1856.  Sec.  8.  Bengt  Nilson, 
December,  1856.  Sec.  9.  John  Gusterson,  March,  1857;  Simon 
Erick,  June,  1857.  Sec.  10.  Gustaf  Carlson,  March,  1857;  J. 
Swant  Osberg,  September,  1856 ; Andrew  Malmstrom,  February, 

1857.  Sec.  11.  Loren  B.  Wolcott,  August,  1856.  Sec.  14.  Ileili- 
rich  Stratman,  May,  1856.  Sec.  15.  John  Bergdahl,  June,  1856; 
Swant  J.  Willard,  May,  1856;  Hans  Mattson,  May,  1856.  Sec.  17. 
Lars  Westerson,  July,  1856;  Andrew  Westerson,  August,  1856. 
Sec.  18.  August  W.  Esping,  September,  1856;  Ole  Swanson,  July, 
1856.  Sec.  19.  Charles  Peterson,  April,  1875;  Charles  W. 
IJimmelman,  January,  1857;  John  Border,  July,  1856;  Swan 
Tufeson,  May,  1857.  Sec.  21.  Nils  P.  Ofelt,  December,  1856; 
Ann  Bergdahl,  October,  1856;  John  P.  Ofelt,  December,  1856. 
Sec.  22.  Peter  Nilson,  May,  1857 ; Burt  Cliilberg,  May,  1857.  Sec. 
23.  William  Wilson,  June,  1856;  Peter  Monson,  April,  1857.  Sec. 
25.  David  L.  Spencer,  May,  1857 ; Laura  Babcock,  May,  1857. 
Sec.  26.  Tliure  J.  Semblad,  September,  1856 ; John  Melander, 
May,  1857 ; Elisha  Rich,  March,  1857.  Sec.  27.  Charles  Back- 
man,  May,  1857;  Christina  Swenson,  July,  1856;  Ola  Pehr- 
son,  August,  1856;  Edward  Wyman,  July,  1856.  Sec.  28.  Mathias 
Flodgrast,  October,  1856;  Lars  Mattson,  May,  1857;  Jacob  Rob- 
ertson, October,  1856.  Sec.  29.  Jacob  B.  McCove,  April,  1856; 
Christopher  McClure,  July,  1856 ; Charles  McClure,  April,  1857 ; 
Henry  Edgecomb,  December,  1857 ; Sec.  30.  Luther  Dodge, 
March,  1857.  Sec.  31.  Charles  E.  Bolander,  May,  1857 ; Gullick 
Halvorson,  November,  1856.  Sec.  32.  Erick  Norelius,  August, 
1857 ; Granville  Pierson,  August,  1857.  Sec.  33.  Anders  Berg- 
man, October,  1856.  Sec.  34.  Edwin  Lampson,  June,  1856; 
Thomas  Foley,  August,  1856 ; Polly  Arnold,  February,  1857. 

Cannon  Falls  (Range  17,  Town.  112).  Sec.  4.  Job  W.  Brown- 
ell, July.  1856;  Lorenzo  D.  Hatch,  December,  1856;  Oscar  I.  Cone, 
March,  1857;  Andrew  R.  Bryant,  September,  1856.  Sec.  5.  Ber- 
nard Osborne,  November,  1855;  John  N.  Murdock,  July,  1855; 
Thomas  F.  Towne,  November,  1855;  William  I.  Paul,  March,  1857. 
Sec.  6.  Nicholas  Miller,  October,  1855;  John  D.  Brown,  July, 
1855 ; John  D.  Wheats,  October,  1855 ; Hugh  A.  Colville,  October, 
1855;  Eli  St.  Clair,  October,  1855;  Oscar  IJ.  Towner,  November, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


399 


1856;  Electa  Barnes,  January,  1856.  Sec.  7.  Russell  T.  Good- 
win, June,  1856;  Benjamin  St.  Clair,  August,  1855;  Carl  Ander- 
son, November,  1855;  William  B.  Barton,  January,  1856;  Wil- 
liam P.  Scofield.  May,  1855.  Sec.  8.  Noali  O.  Robinson,  April, 
1856;  Clark  S.  Pierce,  August,  1856;  John  Dunkein,  March,  1857 ; 
Joseph  M.  Culbertson,  August,  1857.  Sec.  9.  Andrew  Swenson, 
April,  1857 ; Lavina  Golf,  January,  1857 ; Alvin  B.  YanCampen, 
March,  1856.  Sec.  10.  William  C.  Baugh,  April,  1857 ; Thomas 
B.  Kittle,  August,  1856 ; Cynthia  E.  Carieo,  August,  1856 ; John 
B.  F.  Durfee,  April.  1857.  Sec.  11.  Andrew  Lasehen,  May,  1857. 
Sec.  12.  Andrew  B.  Carlson,  November,  1856;  Kittel  Asbiorson, 
November,  1856;  Myron  B.  Hutchinson,  August,  1856.  Sec.  13. 
Elihu  Kinder,  February,  1857 ; Thomas  Scale,  April,  1856 ; Lewis 
J.  Hargrave,  August,  1855.  See.  11.  John  Heath,  August,  1857; 
John  Mattson,  November,  1856;  Henry  S.  AYilson,  August,  1856. 
Sec.  15.  Isaac  P.  Osborn.  September,  1856;  Joseph  Allison,  May, 
1856 ; James  H.  Payton,  October,  1855.  Sec.  17.  Frederick 
Hartman,  August,  1855;  Jared  Boughton,  October,  1855;  August 
Knapp.  February,  1856;  Washington  R.  Culbertson,  August,  1855; 
Sec.  18.  Warren  Hunt,  June  1855;  James  McGinnis,  February, 
1855;  Richard  Freeborn,  Jr.,  April,  1855;  Hugh  Montgomery, 
December,  1856 ; George  B.  Roberts,  August,  1855 ; Franklin  D. 
Clark,  July,  1855.  Sec.  19.  William  J.  St.  Clair,  March,  1856; 
John  Dordan,  July,  1856 ; Henry  Geir,  February,  1856 ; Andrew 
J.  Sanders,  June,  1856.  Sec.  20.  Zadoc-k  L.  Carrier,  June,  1855 ; 
Horace  A.  Tanner,  October,  1855;  Thomas  Ryan,  September,  1856; 
John  Fling,  August,  1857.  Sec.  21.  Abraham  Mallett,  April, 
1857;  Samuel  Proctor,  January,  1857.  Sec.  22.  Charles  Morris, 
December,  1855;  AYilliam  Bragg,  August,  1857;  Van  R.  Clark, 
April,  1855;  John  Gertsh,  April,  1856.  Sec.  23.  Frank  Bred- 
bury,  October,  1856;  Swen  Louis,  March,  1857;  Nils  Louis,  Feb- 
ruary, 1857.  Sec.  21.  John  Johnson,  October,  1856.  Sec.  26. 
Thomas  Patterson,  November,  1856;  John  Preston,  November, 
1855.  Sec.  27.  Elihu  Briddell.  May,  1856 ; Francis  Chiquet,  May, 
1856;  Casper  Barolinger,  May  1856;  Edward  Strange,  May,  1856. 
Sec.  28.  Henry  Winship,  September,  1856 ; George  F.  Jones,  De- 
cember, 1856;  Wesley  Hardwick,  May  1856;  Harvey  Partridge, 
December,  1856.  Sec.  29.  Robert  W.  Hamilton,  August,  1856 ; 
AAulliam  Henderson,  August,  1856 ; Robert  Fotherby,  June  1856 ; 
James  A.  Robson.  July,  1856.  Sec.  30.  Plioeby  James,  May,  1857 ; 
Stephen  A^an  Guilder.  February,  1857 ; Aquilla  Carey,  December, 
1855;  Julia  Chase,  October.  1855.  Sec.  31.  Albert  E.  AAreed,  May, 
1857 ; Samuel  E.  Higham,  October,  1855 ; Edward  Reilly,  Feb- 
ruary, 1856 : Elijah  Gass,  May.  1856.  Sec.  33.  Isaac  B.  Tozer, 
May,  1857;  James  L.  Carieo,  April,  1857 ; Calvin  E.  Kellogg,  July, 


400 


HISTOBY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1856.  Sec.  34.  Ira  S.  Bose,  June,  1856.  Sec.  35.  Levi  Briddell, 
May,  1857;  John  Cockroft,  December,  1856. 

Stanton  (Range  18,  Town  112).  None  of  Sections  1,  2,  3,  4, 
5,  6,  and  but  parts  of  7,  8,  9,  10,  11,  12  are  in  Goodhue  county. 
See.  1.  William  Fleseh,  October,  1855;  George  W.  Smith,  June, 
1856;  Joseph  Daniels,  June,  1856;  David  W.  Humphrey,  October, 

1856.  Sec.  3.  Malissa  Simond,  September,  1855 ; Robert  Mings, 
May,  1857;  William  D.  P.  Berry,  December,  1856;  Charles  Hitcli- 
ings,  May,  1857.  Sec.  4.  William  F.  Pool,  August,  1856;  James 
Rountree,  July,  1856;  Henry  R.  Hutchinson,  July,  1856;  William 
II.  Bennett,  June,  1857.  Sec.  5.  Theodore  Swen,  October,  1856; 
William  II.  Sansom,  February,  1857;  John  Travis,  May,  1856; 
Chauncev  D.  Tuttle,  October,  1856.  Sec.  6.  Amos  Dickerman, 
July,  1856;  John  S.  Copley,  August,  1856.  Sec.  7.  David  H. 
Morrill,  May,  1856 ; Richard  Morrill,  May,  1856 ; Alfred  M. 
Hardy,  September,  1856.  Sec.  8.  James  A.  Jacobs,  May,  1856 ; 
John  Richmond,  December,  1856;  Janies  Workman,  May,  1857; 
George  W.  Brownell,  May,  1856 ; Allen  Richmond,  October,  1857. 
Sec.  10.  Eli  Ellsworth,  June,  1857 ; Charles  Curran,  July,  1857 ; 
Mighill  II.  Patten,  July,  1857.  Sec.  11.  Willis 'Yarrvlut,  Novem- 
ber, 1856 ; Horace  A.  Kendall,  July,  1857 ; Angeline  Moody,  May, 

1857.  Sec.  12.  Jane  Paxton,  November,  1856;  Richard  0.  Etting, 
September,  1856.  Sec.  12.  Luther  Scofield,  June,  1855;  George 
A\r.  Gifford,  November,  1856.  Sec.  13.  Jeremiah  E.  Tebbets, 
May,  1857 ; Eliza  W.  Merrill,  November,  1856.  Sec.  14.  Charles 
Parks,  June,  1855.  Sec.  15.  Ilosea  Bradford,  November,  1855; 
Andrew  J.  Crooker,  July,  1857.  Sec.  17.  Charles  H.  Neally,  July, 
1857.  Sec.  19.  Samuel  B.  Yiuton,  October,  1855;  AVilliam  T. 
Mussey,  November,  1855;  William  B.  Dickerson,  July,  1856.  Sec. 
20.  Michael  Waldhier,  June,  1856;  Seth  Harris,  September, 
1856 ; Charles  II.  Owen,  October,  1855.  Sec.  21.  Oliver  W.  Lull, 
July,  1855;  Hugh  AAroodens,  February,  1857.  Sec.  22.  Eli  Van 
Guilder,  February,  1857;  Sherman  Hale,  August,  1856;  Peter  D. 
NcNutt,  October,  1855.  Sec.  23.  Henry  Pearson,  August,  1855. 
Sec.  25.  Daniel  Holland,  March,  1857.  Sec.  26.  Joseph  Peckham, 
August,  1856.  See.  27.  Simon  L.  Chapman,  September,  1856. 
Sec.  28.  George  W.  Gould,  September,  1855 ; Frederick  Odell. 
• May,  1856;  Samuel  Daniels,  January,  1856.  Sec.  29.  Willard 
Kenyon,  June,  1856;  Darius  McNeal,  August,  1855;  Norman  Dan- 
iels, September,  1855.  Sec.  30.  Winthrop  E.  Blair,  November, 
1855;  Franklin  H.  Blair,  November,  1855;  John  M.  Drown,  No- 
vember, 1856.  Sec.  31.  Daniel  Goodhue,  May,  1857.  Sec.  32. 
Robert  Deakiu,  September,  1855.  Sec.  33.  Ulysses  Tanner,  Sep- 
tember, 1856;  Josiali  Lyon,  May,  1856;  Ira  Peck,  May,  1857; 
James  Pollard,  February,  1857.  Sec.  34.  Edwin  H.  Chapman, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


40 1 

January,  1857 ; John  Tepner,  August,  1856.  Sec.  35.  Charles  P. 
Haines,  August,  1856;  George  Season,  July,  1855.  Range  13, 
Town  113,  Sec.  31.  Lucy  Pettijon,  October,  1857.  Range  14, 
Town.  113,  Sec.  31.  Hiram  B.  Middaugh,  March,  1856.  Sec.  32. 
Mary  Forcier,  May,  1857. 

Burnside  (Range  15,  Town.  113).  A few  of  these  sections  are 
across  the  river  in  Wisconsin.  Sec.  4.  David  Y.  Nethern,  June, 
1855  ; Andrew  T.  Prible,  June,  1855.  Sec.  5.  William  Ennis,  Novem- 
ber, 1855;  Henry  B.  Plant,  November,  1855;  Henry  McKenty,  Sep- 
tember, 1856;  Frederick  W.  Breed,  December,  1856;  Michael  Mc- 
Cue,  April,  1856.  Sec.  6.  Patrick  Gafney,  February.  1857 ; Davis 
Ferguson,  November,  1856.  Sec.  9.  Freeborn  F.  Hoyt,  Septem- 
ber, 1855;  Mathew  Sorin,  November,  1855.  Sec.  10.  Obadiah 
Eames,  October,  1855 ; Pascal  H.  Shaw,  October,  1855 ; Benjamin 
Sexton,  July,  1855.  Sec.  12.  Frances  Ives,  September,  1855. 
Sec.  13.  William  Royce,  November  1855;  Willard  Wood,  Novem- 
ber, 1855;  Daniel  Brooks,  December,  1855.  Sec.  14.  William  S. 
Sexton,  October,  1855;  Abraham  Florentine,  September,  1856. 
See.  15.  Lucy  Heald,  November,  1856;  Caleb  Smith,  October, 
1855;  Thomas  J.  Smith,  March,  1855.  Sec.  17.  John  Brownson, 
October,  1855.  Sec.  19.  Asher  0.  Moore,  October,  1855;  Eliza- 
beth A.  Sorin,  August,  1856;  George  P.  Iluclspith.  August,  1856; 
Alexander  Rawson,  October,  1856;  Emmeline  Arnold,  January, 
1856.  Sec.  20.  Dwight  Fillotson,  October,  1855;  Justin  Chamber- 
lin, October  1855;  Lewis  Quinnelle,  October,  1855;  Andrew  Cot- 
ter, October,  1855;  Charles  C.  Hardy,  February,  1855.  Sec.  21. 
Daniel  Bovenmyer,  October,  1855 ; Erasmus  R.  Loar,  October, 
1855 ; Marshall  Cutler,  November,  1855.  Sec.  22.  Charles  Smith, 
October,  1855 ; Lemon  Bates,  June,  1855 ; Rezin  Spates.  June, 

1855.  Sec.  23.  Leverett  A.  Morrison,  September,  1856.  Sec.  24. 
Daniel  Sherman,  September,  1856;  Thomas  M.  Lowater,  January, 

1856.  Sec.  25.  William  Simmons,  May,  1855.  (Sec.  25  is  now 
in  Red  AYing.)  Sec.  26.  William  Rock,  October,  1855;  William 
S.  Grow,  November,  1855.  Sec.  27.  Cliauncey  Hobart,  November, 
1855;  Warren  Bristol,  November,  1855;  Peter  Green,  October, 
1855.  Sec.  28.  Daniel  C.  Hill,  October,  1857;  Caleb  J.  F.  Smith, 
June,  1855;  John  Stearns,  June,  1855.  See.  29.  Amelia  Wright, 
July,  1855;  Mathias  Streeter,  October,  1855;  Simon  AY.  Arnold, 
October,  1855 ; John  Leeson,  September,  1855.  Sec.  33.  Norris 
Hobart.  June,  1855;  William  IT.  Willington,  October,  1855.  Sec. 
35.  Silas  Sawyer,  March,  1856;  Stephen  A.  Hart,  November, 
1855 ; Elias  P.  Lowater,  December,  1855.  Range  15,  Town  114, 
Secs.  29,  30,  31,  32,  are  in  Burnside  township.  Sec.  19.  Juliet  M. 
Snell.  October,  1855.  Sec.  29.  Charles  Walbridge,  October,  1855. 
See.  30.  Phineas  C.  AA7ilcox,  November,  1855. 

AVelch  (Range  16,  Town  113),  including  portions  of  A7asa. 


402 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Sec.  1.  William  Conaway,  October,  1855;  Benjamin  Bevers, 
June,  1855.  Sec.  2.  John  Creigh,  May,  1856.  Sec.  3.  Charles 
Ladd,  April,  1856;  John  0 ’Shaughnessy,  May,  1856;  Edward  B. 
Munsell,  October,  1855;  Michael  O'Rourke,  May,  1856.  Sec.  4. 
Edward  Soderland,  October,  1855.  Sec.  5.  Mark  Howard, 
November,  1855 ; Michael  Finley,  October,  1855.  Sec.  7.  Daniel 
Twitched,  October,  1855.  Sec.  9.  Joseph  AVeaver,  November, 
1855.  Sec.  10.  Isaac  II.  Harriet,  October,  1855 ; David  A.  Gib- 
son, October,  1855.  Sec.  12.  Nathaniel  S.  Eaton,  June,  1856. 
Edward  Nilan,  May,  1857;  Jacob  Todd,  October,  1855.  Sec.  13. 
Joshua  R.  Balme,  May,  1856;  John  0.  Carter,  May,  1856;  Still- 
man Wells,  October,  1855;  Jacob  Freystadt,  November,  1855. 
Sec.  14.  Otis  B.  Pasco,  January,  1855 ; Robert  Colby,  October, 
1855.  Sec.  15.  John  R.  Dutch,  October,  1855;  Delano  F.  Smith, 
October,  1855.  Sec.  18.  Dennis  Harbaugh,  November,  1855. 
Sec.  22.  Curtis  Tomlinson,  December,  1855 ; Jacob  B.  Bausman, 
July,  1856;  Sec.  25.  Clinton  Gurnu,  Jr.,  August,  1856.  Sec.  26. 
David  Hancock,  October,  1855.  Sec.  27.  Nancy  Fish,  February, 
1856;  Phineas  S.  Fish,  February,  1856.  Sec.  28.  William  McFar- 
land. June,  1856;  A.  Gould  Blackman,  July,  1856.  Sec.  29.  Mar- 
garette  Balme,  January,  1856.  Sec.  31.  L.  Rounsevil,  July,  1856; 
J.  M.  Gleddon,  July,  1856.  Sec.  34.  David  Finch,  September,  1855 ; 
Dudley  F.  Langley,  October,  1855.  Sec.  35.  Royal  Lovell,  July, 
1856;  Samuel  Doughty,  November,  1856. 

Range  16,  Town  114.  Sections  25,  26,  27,  and  34,  35,  36  of 
this  township  are  in  AYelch,  the  rest  in  Dakota  county.  Sec.  10. 
Rial  Irish,  October,  1855.  Sec.  14.  James  Chambers,  July,  1856. 
Sec.  15.  Juliana  Miller,  September,  1856.  Sec.  22.  Charles  Near, 
October,  1855 ; Samuel  Ilammel,  October,  1855 ; Daniel  Keeley, 
July,  1855.  See.  23.  Edmund  Doak,  July,  1855.  Sec.  24.  Wil- 
liam Deppen,  July,  1856.  Sec.  27.  Asa  P.  Manning,  October, 
1855;  Seth  Washburn,  April,  1856.  Sec.  34.  Ebenezer  Sherman, 
May,  1856. 

Central  Point,  in  part.  (Range  12,  township  112.)  Sec.  29. 
Sophia  Huot,  June,  1857.  Sec.  30.  Scholastica  Fuller,  June, 
1857 ; Paul  Grignon,  May,  1857.  Sec.  31.  Joseph  Labatte,  April, 
1857 ; Thomas  Robinson,  April,  1857. 

Red  Wing  and  Wacoota,  in  part.  (Range  14,  township  113.) 
Much  of  the  village  of  Red  Wing  had  been  claimed  before  the 
land  office  opened,  that  part  of  the  property  mentioned  in  the 
folloAving  list  which  is  now  included  in  Red  Wing,  having  at  that 
time  been  farm  land  in  the  outskirts. 

Sec.  26.  Rosalie  Lambert,  April,  1857.  Sec.  27.  Henry  Ful- 
ler, July,  1857 ; Clemment  Farribault,  April.  1857.  Sec,  29.  Lor- 
enzo D.  Chillson,  April.  1857 ; William  H.  Welch,  March,  1856. 


HISTORY  OF  GOOHIIUE  COUNTY 


403 


Sec.  31.  Hiram  B.  Middaugh,  March,  1856;  Nels  Nelson,  March, 

1856.  Sec.  32.  Mary  Lambert,  April,  1857 ; Mary  Forcier,  May, 
1857 ; Antoine  La  Chappelle,  April,  1857 ; Vital  Bouire,  May, 

1857.  Sec.  34.  Henry  Fuller,  July,  1857 ; Clemment  Farribault, 
April.  1857.  Sec.  36.  Cecilia  Edwards,  April,  1857. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


GOODHUE  COUNTY  CHURCHES. 

Religious  Influence — Norwegian  Lutheran — Norwegian  Metho- 
dist— Swedish  Lutheran — English  Lutheran — Swedish  Mis- 
sion — German  Churches  — German  Methodism  — Swedish 
Methodists  — Roman  Catholic  — Congregational  — Presby- 
terian— Episcopal— Baptist — Swedish  Baptist. 

Religious  influence  has  ever  been  tremendously  powerful  in 
Goodhue  county.  Father  Hennepin,  a Franciscan  priest,  bore  the 
crucifix  when  he  landed  at  the  foot  of  Barn  Bluff  in  1680.  The 
stockade  at  Frontenac  in  1827  enclosed  a mission  house  of  the 
Jesuit  order.  The  first  modern  settlers  of  the  county  were  the 
Swiss  missionaries,  Denton  and  Gavin.  Their  successors  Avere 
Aiton  and  Hancock,  Presbyterian  clergymen.  Wherever  the  pio- 
neers settled  they  no  sooner  had  their  houses  roofed  over  than 
they  began  to  hold  religious  services.  With  so  large  a Scandina- 
vian and  German  .population,  it  is  natural  that  the  Lutheran 
faith  should  hold  a leading  position  in  the  county.  Not  all  the 
people  of  Scandinavian  and  German  birth,  however,  subscribe  to 
the  tenets  of  that  faith,  as  the  Swedish,  Norwegian  and  German 
Methodists,  and  the  German  and  SAvedish  Baptists  are  also  repre- 
sented. The  Roman  Catholic  church  is  important,  and  the  Episco- 
pal and  Methodist  Episcopal  chapels  and  churches  are  scattered 
throughout  the  county.  There  are  also  a number  of  Congrega- 
tional churches  and  one  Presbyterian  church.  The  Christian  Sci- 
entists hold  services  at  Red  Wing,  and  the  Salvation  Army  has  at 
various  times  endeavored  to  gain  a foothold  here. 

NORWEGIAN  LUTHERAN. 

The  United  Church  of  the  Norwegian  Evangelical  Lutheran 
faith  is  represented  in  Goodhue  county  by  tAvelve  congregations, 
Lands  (Zumbrota  Chapel),  Minneola,  Holden,  Dale,  Yang,  Urland, 
Yang’s  Prairie,  Gol,  Molancl,  Kenyon  and  Hoff. 

Holden  Congregation  Avas  organized  September  12,  1856,  on 
lot  6,  section  19,  in  Wanamingo  township,  in  a grove  where,  in 
more  recent  years,  the  residence  of  Dr.  Charles  Gronvold  Avas 

404 


Rev.  L.  M.  Biorn. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


405 

erected.  The  circuit  of  the  congregation  then  reached  within  ten 
miles  of  Faribault  and  east  to  Zumbrota,  and  consisted  of  upwards 
of  seventy  heads  of  families.  The  organization  was  effected  under 
the  supervision  of  the  Rev.  H.  A.  Stub.  The  trustees  were  Knut 
K.  Finseth.  Kjostel  G.  Naeset,  Halvon  0.  Huset  and  Christopher 
Lockrem.  The  trustees  secured  100  acres  of  land,  on  section  19, 
for  church  purposes,  which  they  afterward  improved  by  the  erec- 
tion of  a good  parsonage,  -barn,  granary  and  outbuildings.  After 
their  organization  they  had  no  regular  pastor,  but  were  occasion- 
ally visited  by  Revs.  J.  S.  Munck,  L.  Larson  and  A.  C.  Preus,  until 
the  arrival  of  Rev.  B.  J.  Muus,  in  1859.  In  1861  they  built  their 
present  church,  a fine  building  capable  of  seating  at  least  500. 
The  Rev.  Fjelstad  is  pastor. 

Lands  and  Minneola  Congregations  were  originally  a part  of 
the  Holden  Congregations  and  were  served  by  the  Rev.  B.  J. 
Muus.  In  1868  the  two  congregations  were  organized  as  a sepa- 
rate charge  and  the  Rev.  N.  Th.  Ylvisaker  chosen  as  minister. 
The  church  in  Lands  was  built  in  1868  and  the  church  in  Minneola 
in  1871.  Rev.  N.  Th.  Ylvisaker  died  in  1877  and  his  brother.  Rev. 
John  Ylvisaker,  was  called,  remaining  until  1879,  when  he  be- 
came a theological  professor.  In  1879,  Rev.  L.  M.  Biorn  was 
called  and  he  served  the  charge  twenty-nine  years.  He  died  in 
June,  1908,  and  is  buried  at  Lands  Church.  Rev.  G.  S.  Froiland 
was  chosen  as  his  successor  and  still  remains.  In  the  controversy 
in  the  Synod,  these  congregations  sided  with  the  anti-Missou- 
rians. The  minister  has  free  use  of  a beautiful  piece  of  land  of 
about  fifty-sis  acres,  upon  which  is  situated  the  pleasant  parson- 
age. Lands  has  a membership  of  about  1,000  souls.  The  present 
church  is  too  small  and  the  congregation  is  contemplating  build- 
ing a new  church.  Parochial  schools  are  held  about  eight  months 
in  the  year,  divided  between  the  several  school  districts.  Minne- 
ola has  a membership  of  about  500  souls,  and  also  maintains  paro- 
chial school  eight  months  of  the  year.  The  congregations  have 
young  people's  societies,  a young  ladies’  society  and  several 
ladies’  aid  societies. 

Ludvig  Marinus  Biorn.  now  deceased,  was  born  in  Moss,  Nor- 
way, September  7.  1835.  His  father  ivas  a minister  in  the  state 
church  of  Norway,  and  some  of  his  ancestors  held  high  military 
and  ecclesiastical  positions  in  Slesvig.  Biorn  became  a student 
at  the  University  of  Norway  in  1855.  graduating  as  a theological 
candidate  in  1861.  The  following  year  he  emigrated  to  America, 
being  called  as  pastor  by  the  congregation  of  the  Norwegian 
Synod  in  Manitowoc  county,  Wisconsin.  Here  Rev.  Biorn  met  all 
the  hardships  incident  to  pioneer  life.  The  war,  too,  added  to  the 
difficulty.  Company  F,  of  the  Fifteenth  Wisconsin  Regiment,  was 
mostly  taken  from  his  congregation.  In  1879  he  removed  to  Good- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


406 

hue  county,  to  the  congregations  of  Land  and  Minneola.  The 
year  before  the  crops  of  the  Northwest  were  a failure,  and  Good- 
hue,  with  the  rest  of  the  counties  of  this  section,  Avere  suffering 
from  that  failure.  With  his  parishioners,  he  set  to  Avork  with  a 
will,  enlarging  his  congregations,  establishing  schools,  forming 
missions  and  other  societies  in  connection  with  the  church.  He 
taught  the  young  and  the  old,  visited  the  sick,  assisted  the  poor 
and  buried  the  dead.  Reverend  Biorn  Avas  one  of  the  leaders  of 
the  Anti-Missourians  in  the  great  predestination  controversy,  and 
Avhen,  after  the  division  of  the  synod,  the  United  Church  was 
organized  out  of  three  Norwegian  Lutheran  denominations,  Rev- 
erend Biorn  became  the  vice-president  of  the  neAv  body.  The 
North,  in  1893,  said:  “Reverend  Biorn  has  a frank,  honest,  pre- 
possessing face.  He  is  a thoroughbred  gentleman,  a popular 
preacher,  an  able  writer,  and,  last  but  not  least,  there  is  a vein 
of  true  poetry  in  his  psychical  makeup,  which  has  found  expres- 
sion in  a number  of  poems,  tAvo  or  three  of  which  are  gems  of 
their  kind.”  Reverend  Biorn  died  June  14,  1908,  and  a grave  in 
Land’s  church  cemetery  marks  the  resting  place  of  his  body,  but 
his  life  still  lives,  and  aauII  continue  to  live  as  long  as  those  who 
knew  him  live.  The  result  of  his  labor  will  live  much  longer. 
He  was  first  married  to  Bollette  Fleisher,  avIio  died  in  September, 
1881.  In  1884  he  married  Mathilda  Johnson,  of  Wittenburg,  Wis. 
Eleven  children  survive:  Ragnar  Biorn,  of  Minot,  No.  Dak.;  Mrs. 
Anna  Foxen,  residing  in  Norway;  Herman,  a practicing  attorney 
at  St.  Paul ; Nels,  a physician  of  Ada,  Minn. ; Mi's.  Mellby,  wife  of 
Professor  Mellby,  of  Northfield;  Sigurd,  Aimar,  Yalborg,  Harold, 
Nina,  and  Inga,  of  Zumbrota. 

Dale  Congregation  was  organized  in  1856  or  1857  by  the  Rev. 
P.  A.  Rasmussen,  of  Lisbon,  111.  The  church  is  located  in  Cherry 
Grove  township.  ReA^.  Fjelstad  is  the  pastor. 

Vang’s  Congregation  consists  of  Norwegian  farmers  who 
believe  in  the  faith  professed  by  Luther,  and  who  reside  in  the 
north  of  Holden  and  south  of  Warsaw.  Until  1862  the  farmers 
in  that  vicinity  had  no  public  place  of  worship,  and  the  log  cabins 
of  the  farmers  had  to  be  used;  but  in  1862  the  farmers  in  that 
vicinity  organized  as  a “Sogn,”  and  commenced  building  a small 
church.  The  church  was  completed  in  the  fall  of  1867,  and  dedi- 
cated October  18,  the  following  year.  It  Avas  located  one  mile 
south  of  the  town  line  between  Warsaw  and  Holden,  and  at  the 
southwest  corner  of  section  4.  of  Holden.  The  congregation  Avas 
not  at  that  time  incorporated,  and  was  largely  controlled  by  the 
Holden  congregations,  and  Rev.  B.  J.  Muus  served  them  all  as 
their  minister.  They,  however,  adopted  a separate  name,  and 
called  themselves  the  Vangs  congregation.  The  word  Vangs  means 
in  English  a wing,  and  is  used  here  because  most  of  its  members 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


407 

hail  from  a congregation  in  Norway  called  Vang,  in  Valders.  In 
1883  the  congregation  was  incorporated,  the  following  persons 
signing  the  articles  of  incorporation : Peter  E.  Bakke,  Simon  0. 
Gjellnm,  Halvor  L.  Lilleskov,  Torgor  Thompson  and  Nils  Torsten- 
son.  On  the  south  of  Vangs  church  reside  a fine  settlement  of 
Germans,  who  are  very  prosperous,  and  came  to  stay,  but  on  the 
north  side  were  a good  many  other  nationalities,  wlio  wanted  to 
sell ; and  as  the  Norwegians  are  generally  industrious  and  pros- 
perous farmers,  they  were  always  ready  to  buy,  and  as  a result 
the  congregation  continued  growing  north,  leaving  the  church  in 
the  south  part  of  the  congregation.  Finding  the  old  church  too 
small  for  the  large  increase,  they  built  a new  church  nearly  in  the 
center  of  the  member’s  homes.  Two  years  ago  the  congregation 
bought  a beautiful  and  high-grade  pipe  organ.  An  expensive 
parsonage  is  located  near  the  old  church  site. 

The  following  pastors  have’served  the  congregation:  B.  J. 
Muus,  M.  O.  Bookman,  T.  Aug.  Hanson,  J.  N.  Kildahl,  N.  Oefste- 
dahl,  C.  A.  Mellby,  and  A.  Hauge,  the  present  pastor. 

The  church  maintains  parochial  schools  in  several  districts. 
It  has  four  auxiliaries.  The  present  membership  is  over  600.  It 
belongs  to  the  United  Norwegian  Lutheran  Church  of  America. 
The  present  trustees  are : Ingebright  Bakke,  M.  0.  Mering,  Tli. 
Bakken,  B.  Swenson  and  0.  Kumperud;  treasurer,  C.  T.  Haugen; 
secretary,  0.  Flaten ; organist,  E.  Rude. 

Wangen’s  Prairie  is  a congregation  located  in  Warsaw  town- 
ship. Reverend  Hauge  is  pastor.  It  was  organized  and  incorpo- 
rated January  9,  1908.  Its  members  belonged  formerly  to  the 
Urland  congregation.  The  first  trustees  were  : Joh.  Lillskov,  Hans 
Loven,  and  John  P.  Wangen.  Its  church  building  Avas  dedicated 
in  1902.  It  is  in  connection  with  Vang  and  Urland  congregations 
as  one  call,  the  present  pastor  being  Rev.  A.  Hauge.  The  church 
maintains  a parochial  school  and  Iavo  auxiliaries.  The  present 
membership  is  over  eighty.  The  congregation  belongs  to  the 
United  Norwegian  Lutheran  Church  of  America.  The  treasurer 
is  Joh.  Lillskov,  and  the  secretary  is  Oliver  Fretten. 

Urland  Congregation  originally  belonged  to  Ilolden  congrega- 
tion. In  1868  it  Avas  decided  to  organize  Urland  as  a “Sogn,” 
and  in  1872  it  Avas  incorporated  as  a congregation.  Articles  of 
incorporation  Avere  signed  by  E.  L.  Otterness,  Ragnald  Johnson 
and  William  Olson.  The  trustees  were  Lars  Flom,  Torsten  A. 
Melhouse,  Ole  A.  Melhouse,  Ragnald  J.  Ohnstad  and  Johannes 
Ingebritsen. 

A church  building  Avas  erected  in  Leon  township  in  1872,  and 
Avas  dedicated  in  1874,  and  capable  of  seating  500  people.  The 
building  committee  consisted  of  Ragnald  J.  Ohnstad,  Ed.  L.  Otter- 
ness and  A.  A.  Flom. 


408 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


This  summer — 1909 — a beautiful  and  high-grade  pipe  organ 
was  bought  and  placed  in  the  church,  and  dedicated  by  Dr.  C.  A. 
Mellby  the  18th  of  July. 

As  Urland  forms  a call  together  with  Vang,  the  parsonage  is 
a joint  property.  The  following  pastors  have  served  the  congre- 
gation : Revs.  B.  J.  Muus,  M.  0.  Bookman.  Th.  Aug.  Hanson, 

J.  N.  Kildahl,  N.  Osfstedahl,  C.  A.  Mellby  and  A.  Hauge,  the  pres- 
ent pastor.  The  church  maintains  parochial  schools  in  several 
districts.  It  has  three  auxiliaries.  The  present  membership  is 
over  600.  It  belongs  to  the  United  Norwegian  Lutheran  Church 
of  America.  TJie  present  trustees  are  P.  J.  Otterness,  O.  E. 
Ohnstad.  R.  0.  Underdahl,  J.  E.  Flom,  and  S.  Charleson,  trustee- 
at-large  and  treasurer ; secretary,  I.  D.  Hustvedt,  who  lias  also 
been  the  parochial  teacher  and  organist  in  the  congregation  for 
more  than  thirty  years. 

Gol’s  Congregation  is  located  in  Kenyon  township,  and  the 
Reverend  Simonson  is  pastor.  See  Kenyon. 

Moland  Congregation  includes  both  Goodhue  and  Rice  county 
people.  The  Reverend  Simonson  is  pastor.  See  Kenyon  town- 
ship. 

Kenyon  Congregation  has  a flourishing  village  congregation. 
The  Reverend  Simonson  is  pastor.  See  Kenyon  village. 

Hoff  Congregation  erected  a church  in  Belvidere  township  in 
1867.  The  Reverend  Mellby  is  pastor.  See  Belvidere  township. 

Rev.  B.  J.  Muus,  the  venerable  old  patriarch  of  the  Norwegian 
churches  of  the  county,  was  born  in  Norway,  March  15,  1832.  He 
graduated  from  Christiania  University  in  1854,  and  a few  years 
afterward  immigrated  to  Minnesota.  In  1859  he  came  to  Goodhue 
county  and  took  charge  of  all  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  congrega- 
tions at  that  time  organized  in  Minnesota,  including  the  congre- 
gation of  Holden.  He  was  the  first  minister  of  the  established 
church  of  Norway  to  locate  here,  and  for  some  years  had  sole 
charge  of  the  congregations  in  eight  counties  in  Wisconsin  and 
Minnesota.  His  work  resulted  in  the  formation  of  new  parishes, 
until  his  district  included  seven  congregations,  as  follows : 
Holden  congregation,  in  Wanamingo;  Dale,  in  Cherry  Grove; 
Urland,  in  Leon;  Vang’s,  in  Holden;  Gol  and  Halgre  in  Kenyon, 
and  Moland,  on  the  county  line.  All  these  congregations,  except 
Moland.  owned  fine  church  buildings,  and  in  taking  charge  of  the 
congregations  Rev.  Muus  was  aided  by  two  assistants.  Over 
twenty  parochial  schools  were  also  conducted  in  connection  with 
these  churches.  Under  the  care  of  Pastor  Muus  these  congrega- 
tions grew  and  prospered,  and  in  the  course  of  time  many  secured 
pastors  of  their  own,  one  after  another.  Reverend  Muus  retained 
charge  of  the  Holden  congregation  until  a short  time  before  his 
death,  in  Norway,  May  25,  1900.  He  served  as  president  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


40  y 

Minnesota  Synod  of  the  Norwegian  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church, 
as  president  of  St.  Olaf’s  school,  at  Nortlifield,  and  for  many 
years  occupied  a high  place  of  honor  and  respect  in  the  counsels 
of  the  church  with  which  he- affiliated.  In  1876,  when  the  Nor- 
wegian synod  was  divided  into  three  districts,  Mr.  Muus  was 
elected  president  of  the  one  embracing  Minnesota  and  the  states 
to  the  west.  He  was  the  founder  and  first  president  of  St.  Olaf 
college,  at  Nortlifield.  In  his  latter  years  he  differed  with  his 
synod  on  doctrinal  questions,  and  was  finally  expelled,  but  was, 
in  spite  of  this,  respected  for  his  learning  and  high  character. 

Prof.  F.  A.  Schmidt,  D.  D.,  is  professor  of  theology  at  the 
United  Lutheran  Seminary  at  St.  Anthony  Park.  He  is  one  of 
the  best  known  Lutheran  scholars  in  the  northwest.  He  was 
born  in  Leutenberg,  Rudolstadt,  Germany,  January  3,  1837,  and 
came  to  America  in  1841,  after  the  death  of  his  parents.  After 
spending  six  years  in  the  parochial  schools  in  St.  Louis,  he  en- 
tered college,  and  graduated  in  1853.  He  studied  theology  three 
years,  served  a congregation  in  Eden,  N.  Y.,  and  later  another  at 
Baltimore,  Md.  After  two  years  he  was  called  as  professor  in 
the  first  Norwegian  high  school  in  America,  uoav  known  as  Luther 
College,  in  Decorah,  Iowa.  This  was  in  1861.  Later  he  taught 
theology  five  years  at  Concordia  Seminary,  St.  Louis,  and  then 
removed  to  Madison,  Wis.,  teaching  there  eleven  years  in  the 
Norwegian  Theological  Seminary.  When  the  United  Norwegian 
Lutheran  church  was  formed  in  1890,  he  was  transferred  from 
Nortlifield,  whither  he  had  gone  in  1886  to  teach  in  the  seminary 
of  the  Anti-Missourians,  to  Minneapolis,  where  he  is  still  teach- 
ing, although  he  is  uoav  seventy-two  years  of  age.  In  1883  he  re- 
ceived the  D.  D.  degree  in  recognition  of  his  honorable  services. 
His  Avife,  Mrs.  Schmidt,  formerly  Caroline  Allwardt,  is  still  liv- 
ing. On  Tuesday,  December  8,  1908,  the  aged  couple  celebrated 
their  golden  Avedding.  Mrs.  F.  A.  Schmidt  Aims  born  in  Mecklen- 
burgh-Schwerin,  Germany,  October  11,  1842,  and  came  to  Chat- 
tanooga county,  NeAv  York,  when  she  Avas  eight  years  old.  She 
was  married  to  Dr.  F.  A.  Schmidt  fifty-one  years  ago  at  Olean, 
N.  Y.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Schmidt  have  a number  of  sons  and  daugh- 
ters, among  whom  is  Prof.  E.  W.  Schmidt,  of  the  Red  Wing 
Seminary. 

The  Norwegian  Synod  lias  three  churches  in  this  county — - 
Trinity,  at  Red  Wing;  Little  Cannon,  in  Holden,  and  the  Zum- 
brota  church. 

The  Evangelical  Lutheran  Trinity  Church,  of  Red  Wing,  at 
one  time  known  as  the  First  Norwegian  Evangelical  Church,  of 
Red  Wing,  belongs  to  the  Synod  of  the  NorAvegian  EA'angelical 
Lutheran  Church  of  America.  The  first  Lutheran  sermon  in  the 
Norivegian  language  Avas  preached  in  Red  Wing  in  1858  by  ReAr. 


410 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


L.  Larsen.  A faithful,  but  small,  body  of  believers  continued  to 
bold  services  at  the  homes  of  members,  in  halls,  at  the  courthouse, 
and  in  various  other  places,  Rev.  Larsen  continuing  as 
religious  instructor  and  pastor.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  B.  J. 
Muus,  under  whose  pastorate  the  church  was  formally  or- 
ganized as  a Norwegian-speaking  church,  in  the  basement  of 
the  German  Lutheran  church,  February  18,  1864.  The  original 
organization  had  a membership  of  eight  families.  In  1865  the  lot 
on  the  corner  of  Bush  and  Sixth  streets  was  bought,  and  a church 
erected.  The  cornerstone  was  laid  October  10,  1866,  and  the 
church  was  dedicated  October  18,  of  the  same  year.  On  the  same 
day  the  Rev.  Nels  Th.  Ylvisaker  was  ordained,  and  became  the 
first  resident  pastor.  He  Avas  succeeded  in  1875  by  Rev.  R.  Lar- 
son, Avho  the  next  year  Avas  folloAved  by  the  Rev.  K.  Berven. 
During  his  pastorate  the  predestination  controversy  divided  the 
congregation,  and  twenty-eight  families  severed  their  connection 
with  the  church.  Reverend  Berven  remained  pastor  to  1887. 
Then  for  a year  the  congregation  AAras  served  from  Minneapolis 
by  Rev.  0.  P.  Vangsnes.  In  1888  the  Rev.  K.  Bjorgo  Avas  installed 
as  pastor.  In  1891  he  was  elected  president  of  the  Minnesota 
district  of  the  Synod.  He  had  the  folloAving  assistants:  D.  P. 
GroAve,  1891-94;  P.  A.  Kittelsby,  1894-96;  C.  Doring,  1896-97.  It 
was  during  Reverend  Bjorgo ’s  pastorate  that  English  work  was 
begun  in  the  congregation.  The  English  Mission  Society  was 
organized  in  1890  with  Rev.  J.  A.  Detzer,  of  St.  Paul,  in  charge 
from  1890  to  1892.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  E.  F.  ILaertel,  avIio 
served  from  1892  to  1897.  In  1897  the  English  Mission  Society 
Avas  merged  into  the  congregation  proper,  and  the  congregation 
adopted  its  present  name  and  the  English  language  as  its  official 
tongue.  The  duties  of  district  president  required  more  and  more 
of  Reverend  Bjorgo ’s  time.  He  therefore  resigned  as  pastor,  and 
Avas  succeeded  in  1897  by  Rev.  PI.  G.  Magelssen.  Reverend 
Bjorgo  remained  as  assistant  pastor.  Reverend  Magelssen ’s  pas- 
torate extended  to  January,  1903,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  the 
Rev.  E.  I.  St-rom.  In  1900  the  corner  of  Fifth  and  Dakota  streets 
Avas  purchased  for  a site  for  the  neAAr  church  and  parsonage.  In 
1902  the  house  on  the  property  was  remodeled  for  a parsonage. 
In  September,  1904,  the  excavation  for  the  new  church  Avas  com- 
menced. The  cornerstone  Avas  laid  April  9,  1905,  and  the  church 
was  dedicated  July  15,  1906.  The  new  church  is  of  Red  A¥ing 
stone,  84  x 48,  with  a seating  capacity  of  400.  It  is  heated  Avith 
steam  and  lighted  by  gas  and  electricity.  The  basement  extends 
under  the  whole  church,  and  is  used  for  school  and  societies. 
The  church  property  as  it  now  stands  cost,  in  round  numbers, 
$30,000.  A regular  day  school  has  been  conducted  since  the  fall 
of  1903,  with  the  pastor  and  Elizabeth  Clausen  as  teachers.  The 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


411 


Ladies’  Aid  Society  meets  on  the  first  Thursday  of  every  month. 
The  Young  People’s  Society  and  +he  Priscillas  meet  at  the  call 
of  the  presidents.  The  Sunday  school  meets  regularly  every  Sun- 
day after  service. 

Rev.  Eimar  Ingvald  Strom,  who  resigned  as  pastor  in  May, 
1909,  and  is  now  pastor  of  two  churches  in  Chippewa  county, 
Minnesota,  was  born  in  Zumbrota,  this  county,  June  9,  1871.  In 
the  fall  of  1886  he  entered  Luther  College,  at  Decorah,  la.,  where 
he  was  graduated  in  1895.  He  was  ordained  August  19,  1895,  in 
the  church  at  Zumbrota.  His  first  parish  was  in  Ward  and 
McHenry  counties,  North  Dakota.  In  1897  he  became  principal 
of  Luther  Academy,  Albert  Lea,  Minn.,  where  he  remained  until 
1902.  He  then  served  the  Crow  River  parish,  in  Kandujohi 
county,  for  one  year,  and  came  to  Red  Wing  in  May,  1903.  Dur- 
ing his  stay  in  Red  Wing  he  served  as  trustee  of  the  Lutheran 
Ladies’  Seminary  and  as  trustee  and  treasurer  of  St.  John’s 
Hospital.  He  was  married  in  1897  to  Helina  Marie  Nedrud.  This 
union  has  been  blessed  with  six  children,  Kristine,  Carl,  Agnes, 
Nora,  Ingvald  and  Solveig. 

Zumbrota  Congregation  was  organized  in  1889  by  the  Rev. 
0.  P.  Yangsnes,  of  Minneapolis.  Among  the  members  at  that 
time  were  K.  L.  Strom.  A.  Erstad,  Andrew  Ylvisaker,  C.  A. 
Erstad,  John  Fylken,  Christ  Tolleffrud.  Albert  Erstad,  Iver 
Lunde,  Hans  C.  Lunde,  Bernt  Lunde,  Michael  Gullerud,  Ole  Fin- 
stuen,  Henry  Goplen,  P.  P.  Finstuen,  Hans  Bjugan,  Thos.  Avels- 
gaard,  Nels  0.  Rostacl  and  Th.  Raaen.  In  1893  a new  church 
was  erected  on  the  outskirts  of  Zumbrota  and  dedicated  July  30 
by  Rev.  Joh.  Ylvisaker,  assisted  by  Rev.  1.  A.  Thorsen.'K.  B.jorgo, 
D.  P.  Gi’owe  and  Rev.  Skabo.  The  church  cost  about  $4,000,  is 
42  by  30  feet,  with  a chancel  18  by  22  feet.  The  tower  is  12xl2x 
85.  O.  P.  Yangsnes  served  the  congregation  from  1889  to  1890. 
Then  for  ten  years  the  pastor  was  Rev.  K.  B.jorgo,  assisted  by 
D.  P.  Growe,  P.  A.  Kittelsbv,  C.  Doring  and  II.  G.  Magelssen. 
John  Linnevold  served  a short  time  in  1900;  II.  G.  Magelsson 
served  from  1900  to  1901  and  the  Rev.  S.  J.  N.  Ylvisaker  served 
until  August  31.  1908.  Rev.  E.  J.  Strom  served  as  pastor  three 
months  and  then  came  the  present  pastor.  Rev.  S.  Bervin.  The 
church  has  about  thirty  families,  has  a Saturday  school,  two 
ladies’  aid  societies,  a church  choir  and  other  organizations.  The 
officers  are : Chairman,  Rev.  S.  Bervin ; deacon,  Iver  Lunde : trus- 
tees. Albert  Erstad.  Th.  Avelsgaard,  IJ.  Goplen : secretary.  Peter 
II.  Lunde;  treasurer,  O.  E.  B.jorgo.  The  church  is  constantly 
growing  and  has  a splendid  future.  In  1903  this  church,  in  con- 
nection with  the  Little  Cannon  church,  purchased  a fine  parson- 
age, adjoining  the  church. 

Little  Cannon  Congregation  originally  affiliated  with  the  con- 


413 


HISTORY  OF  OOOJDIiUE  COUNTY 


gregation  at  Hayfield,  Minn.,  and  the  pastor  was  the  Rev.  John 
Linnevold.  Later  the  congregation  associated  with  the  Zum- 
brota  congregation,  at  that  time  in  charge  of  Rev.  S.  J.  N.  Ylvis- 
aker.  In  the  fall  of  1908  the  congregation  was  served  a short 
time  by  the  Rev.  Tli.  Norman,  of  Hayfield.  Since  that  time  the 
pastor  has  been  the  Rev.  S.  Bervin.  The  church  has  a parochial 
school  and  the  usual  societies.  The  church  building  was  dedi- 
cated September  22,  1901,  by  Rev.  K.  Bjorgo,  assisted  by  Prof. 
Hans  Allen,  Rev.  H.  G.  Magelssen,  Prof.  J.  U.  Xavier  and  Rev. 
S.  J.  N.  Ylvisaker.  Among,  the  early  members  were:  G.  K. 

Norsving,  Bk.  Norsving,  K.  K.  Tasa,  Th.  0.  Quam,  T.  T.  Hover- 
stead,  Ole  J.  Broen,  J.  O.  Broen,  H.  0.  Broen,  John  Broen,  Ole 
Nesseth,  Ole  0.  Braaten,  Erik  Odegaard,  Roar  0.  Nesseth,  Iver 
0.  Nesseth,  Martin  Jjellum,  IT.  B.  Underdahl,  Bernt  Nesseth, 
Baard  Nesseth  and  Knute  Tasa.  The  parsonage  is  at  Zumbrota. 

Rev.  Sven  Berven  Avas  born  in  Bergen,  Norway,  September 
21,  1874,  son  of  Kristen  and  Ingeborg  (Sexe)  Berven,  natives  of 
Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1875  and  located  in  Springfield, 
111.,  where  the  father  attended  a theological  seminary,  graduat- 
ing in  the  folloAving  year.  He  received  a call  from  the  Trinity 
Lutheran  church  of  Red  "Wing  and  served  as  their  pastor  until 
the  fall  of  1888.  He  then  Avent  to  Day  county,  South  Dakota,  and 
had  charge  of  a church  until  1899,  when  he  resigned  from  the 
ministry.  Rev.  Sven  Berven  recerved  his  education  at  Luther 
Normal  School  at  Sioux  Falls,  S.  D.,  and  at  Luther  College,  De- 
corah, IoAva,  graduating  in  1903.  In  the  fall  of  1901  he  entered 
Luther  Seminary  at  Hamline ; graduated  in  1904  and  was  or- 
dained to  the  ministry.  He  received  a call  to  Luverne,  Minn., 
which  he  served  until  December,  1908,  when  he  Avas  called  to 
take  charge  of  the  churches  of  Zumbrota,  Little  Cannon  and 
Valley  Grove.  He  was  married,  April  26,  1905,  at  Minneapolis, 
to  Luella  Erickson,  daughter  of  E.  M.  and  Johanna  (Hjort) 
Erickson,  the  father  a traveling  salesman  out  of  Minneapolis, 
Avhere  they  reside.  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Berven  have  two  children. 

Haitge’s  Synod  has  four  churches  in  Goodhue  county,  at  Red 
Wing,  Kenyon,  Roscoe  Center  and  Aspelund. 

St.  Peter’s  Evangelical  Lutheran  Congregation,  of  Red  Wing, 
was  organized  April  9,  1866,  and  incorporated  under  the  state 
laAvs  of  Minnesota.  The  first  board  of  trustees  consisted  of  the 
following  members : Ole  0.  ITegna,  Lars  Siverson  and  Nils  Jacob- 
son. The  first  year  the  congregation  had  about  thirty  communi- 
cant members.  In  1866  a lot  between  Sixth  and  Seventh  streets, 
on  Bluff  street.  Avas  bought,  and  a building  erected  on  same, 
Avhieh  served  as  the  place  of  worship  till  1886,  when  the  present 
church,  situated  on  the  corner  of  Seventh  and  Bush  streets,  Avas 
dedicated. 


H1ST0EY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY  413 

Several  years  before  the  organization,  in  1866,  of  the  congre- 
gation of  the  so-called  Ilauges  people,  Rev.  0.  Hanson  had  served 
those  who  later  composed  the  St.  Peter’s  congregation  by  monthly 
visits  to  Red  Wing,  and  the  meetings  were  generally  held  in  the 
old  firemen’s  hall,  then  situated  on  Third  street,  between  Bush 
and  Plum  streets.  Rev.  0.  Hanson  was  the  first  regular  pastor, 
and  was  present  at  the  meeting  when  the  congregation  was 
organized.  He  continued  to  serve  until  January  3,  1876,  when 
Rev.  Chr.  O.  Brohough  was  elected  to  the  charge.  May  9,  1881, 
Reverend  Brohough  resigned,  and  the  congregation  called  Rev.  I. 
Eistenson,  who  served  but  one  year.  From  August  10,  1882,  till 
April  30,  1885,  St.  Peter’s  congregation  was  served  by  Rev.  A. 
Weenaas.  For  a few  years  the  congregation  had  no  regular  pas- 
tor, but  in  1889  a call  was  extended  to  Rev.  0.  S.  Meland,  who 
accepted,  and  preached  his  introductory  sermon  Sunday,  July  1, 
1889.  Rev.  0.  S.  Meland  has  since  been  the  regular  pastor  of  St. 
Peter’s  congregation.  The  present  membership  of  the  congrega- 
tion is  about  500. 

Rev.  Ole  S.  Meland,  pastor  of  St.  Peter’s  Norwegian  Lutheran 
church,  was  born  in  Norway,  October  6,  1854.  He  received  his 
education  in  the  public  and  high  schools  of  his  native  town,  and 
later  attended  the  seminary  at  Balestrand.  In  1875  he  emigrated 
* to  America,  and  located  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  where  he 
worked  on  a farm  in  the  summer,  attending  school  in  the  winter. 
He  engaged  in  teaching  for  three  years,  after  which  he  entered 
Augsburg  Seminary,  at  Minneapolis,  where  he  studied  for  five 
years.  On  account  of  failing  health  he  left  school  and  went  to 
Norway.  Pie  entered  college  at  Christiania,  and  remained  two 
years.  Later  he  received  a call  to  the  Red  Wing  Seminary,  as 
instructor,  to  succeed  Prof.  Sven  R.  Gunderson.  This  position  he 
held  for  eight  years,  and  was  principal  the  last  two  veai's.  In 
1889  he  was  called  to  become  the  pastor  of  St.  Peter’s  Norwegian 
Lutheran  church,  which  he  still  serves.  Mr.  Meland  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Seminary  board  and  the  pastor  of  the  school. 
September  1,  1887,  Rev.  Meland  was  married  to  Elida  C.  Sim- 
mons, daughter  of  Thor  K.  and  Hannah  S.  (Hawkins)  Simmons, 
of  Red  AViug.  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Aleland  have  four  children : Alvin 
Simmons,  born  June  20,  1888,  a student  at  Williams  College, 
Massachusetts;  Aneva  Maria,  born  September  10,  1892;  Norman, 
born  June  20,  1894,  and  Jennette,  born  May  11,  1897,  all  of  whom 
are  attending  school.  Reverend  Meland  is  Republican  in  his 
politics,  and  is  an  active  and  interested  worker  in  the  Anti-Saloon 
League. 

Immanuel  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  of  Aspelund,  was 
organized  in  1859  by  Rev.  A.  E.  Boyum.  Although  not  ordained, 
Oesten  Hanson  took  charge  of  the  congregation,  and  in  1861  was 
ordained,  remaining  until  his  death.  At  the  time  of  the  organiza- 


414 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


tion  the  membership  was  about  thirty-five,  and  the  officers  were : 
Deacons,  Stephen  Lee  and  Ole  J.  Lee;  trustees,  Ole  J.  Lee,  Flans 
M.  Sande  and  Knut  Sanden.  The  present  pastor  is  the  Rev.  C.  C. 
Hotter,  who  has  been  in  charge  of  the  congregation  about  eleven 
years.  The  church  has  a membership  of  350,  and  the  meeting 
place  is  a fine  church  building,  erected  at  a cost  of  $5,000.  The 
present  secretary  of  the  church  is  0.  S.  Haugen,  of  Wanamingo. 

A board  of  trustees  and  a board  of  elders,  and  the  other  cus- 
tomary officers,  constitute  the  governing  board. 

Hauges  Evangelical  Lutheran  Congregation,  at  Kenyon,  has  a 
membership  of  210,  and  two  churches,  one  in  the  village  and  the 
other  in  the  country.  The  two  churches  are  valued  at  about 
$8,000.  The  secretary  is  A.  Anonby,  of  Kenyon,  and  the  other 
officers  are  as  usual.  These  churches,  like  the  others  of  Ilauge’s 
synod  in  their  vicinity,  were  organized  about  fifty  years  ago,  and 
were  for  many  years  in  charge  of  Rev.  O.  Hanson,  now  being 
served  by  Rev.  C.  C.  IFolter,  who  has  been  the  pastor  about  eleven 
years.  The  Kenyon  congregation,  the  Stordal  church  and  the 
Immanuel  church  unite  in  a parsonage  at  Kenyon  village  valued 
at  about  $5,000. 

Stordal  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  at  Roscoe  Center,  is  one 
of  the  old  churches  of  the  county,  and  has  a membership  of  about 
300.  The  church  building  cost  $5,000,  and  the  secretary  is  O.  G.  * 
Romo,  of  Zumbrota.  Like  the  other  two  congregations  now  in 
charge  of  Reverend  Hotter,  this  congregation  was  for  many  5rears 
served  by  Rev.  O.  Hanson. 

Rev.  C.  C.  Holter,  pastor  of  the  congregations  at  Kenyon,  Ros- 
coe Center  and  Aspelund,  is  a clergyman  of  acknowledged  ability, 
and  took  up  his  present  parishes  about  eleven  years  ago.  He  is 
the  editor  of  the  “Budbaeren,”  a 24-page  weekly  church  paper, 
which  has  a wide  circulation  among  the  communicants  of  the 
Hauge  synod. 

Rev.  Oesten  Hanson  was  born  July  8,  1836,  in  Norway,  and 
died  August  4.  1898.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  emigrated  with  his 
parents  to  this  country,  and  with  them  lived  for  a time  in  Wis- 
consin. In  1856  they  moved  to  this  county,  and  here  Reverend 
Hanson  was  ordained,  in  1861,  serving  the  congregations  at  Aspe- 
lund, Kenyon  and  Roscoe  Center  until  his  death.  In  1875-76  he 
Avas  president  of  Hauge ’s  synod,  was  its  vice-president  for  about 
twenty  years,  was  president  of  the  board  of  regents  of  the  Red 
Wing  Seminary  for  se\reral  years,  and  Avas  again  elected  president 
of  the  synod  in  1887. 

The  Free  Church,  which  has  a congregational  form  of  govern- 
ment, is  represented  in  this  county  by  two  churches,  one  in  Wana- 
mingo, and  Hegre  in  Kenyon,  near  Skyberg. 

Wanamingo  Congregation  was  organized  July  27,  1869,  and 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


415 


the  following  officers  elected:  Erick  Erickson  (chairman),  E.  T. 
Sandstrom  (secretary),  Otto  Thoreson,  Nils  Ghristofferson,  Erick 
Erickson  and  John  Swenson,  deacons.  The  constitution  of  the 
Augustana  synod  was  adopted  with  no  changes.  August  31,  1869, 
a meeting  was  held  for  the  purpose  of  calling  a pastor,  and  Rev. 
L.  E.  Green,  of  Forest  City,  la.,  was  chosen.  Johannes  E.  Skaar 
presided  at  this  meeting,  with  Herman  C.  Sorum  as  secretary. 
The  first  annual  meeting  was  held  January  3,  1870,  when  Tosten 
Thoreson,  John  A.  Skaar,  John  Swenson  and  Carl  Swenson  were 
chosen  to  serve  as  trustees,  and  Herman  C.  Sorum  as  treasurer. 

January  13,  1872,  Rev.  N.  E.  Vickre,  of  Christinia,  Minn., 
was  called.  He  accepted,  and  remained  until  1881.  December  2, 
1872,  a meetng  was  held  to  discuss  the  building  of  a church,  and 
a subscription  was  taken  among  those  present,  which  amounted 
to  $898.00.  At  the  annual  meeting,  held  March  3,  1873,  at  the 
home  of  Ilaagen  Saetran,  they  decided  to  build  a church 
40  x 32  x 16,  with  a balcony  for  the  choir  18  x 18.  A committee 
was  chosen,  consisting  of  Johannes  Skaar  (chairman),  H.  Ener- 
son,  Lars  Sorenson,  Haagen  Saetran  and  Tosten  Thoreson.  May 
26th  a meeting  was  held  at  the  home  of  Edward  Larson  for  the 
purpose  of  choosing  a delegate  to  the  annual  conference.  Ole 
Anfinson  was  elected  as  the  first  representative  of  the  church. 

In  the  fall  of  1877  the  church  was  finished  and  dedicated  the 
twenty-fifth  Sunday  after  Trinity.  The  tower  was  built  in  1886. 
August  14,  1881.  Rev.  Gerhard  Gjertsen,  of  Rochester,  Minn.,  was 
called  to  succeed  Reverend  Vickre.  December  27,  the  same  year, 
the  members  met  again  for  the  purpose  of  selecting  a pastor. 
A question  arose  of  joining  with  the  Dale  church,  and  calling 
Reverend  Munck,  of  Norway,  but  it  was  finally  decided  to  join 
with  Rochester,  and  call  Rev.  L.  Lund  to  serve  both  churches. 
In  November,  1890,  the  Rochester  church  severed  her  connection 
with  AYanamingo,  and  that  left  them  again  without  a pastor,  so  a 
meeting  was  held  September  13,  1891,  when  Student  R.  Halvorson 
was  called.  He  remained  two  years.  In  the  fall  of  1892  AYanamingo. 
Hoff  and  Hegre  churches  joined,  and  called  Student  R.  Halvor- 
son to  assume  charge  of  the  three  churches.  He  served  until 
September,  1901,  and  Reverend  Rislov,  the  present  pastor,  was 
called. 

At  a meeting  October  14,  1889,  the  constitution  of  the  United 
Norwegian  Lutheran  Church  of  America  was  adopted,  and  a reso- 
lution passed  to  take  part  in  the  effort  to  raise  the  sum  of  $22,000 
in  the  conference.  S.  S.  Hommedal  and  Ole  Sletten  were  elected 
as  delegates  to  attend  the  conference  at  Minneapolis  in  1890. 
March  25,  1897,  the  AYanamingo  church  separated  from  the 
United  church.  There  are  at  present  about  230  members,  and  of 
the  founders,  only  one — Edward  Larson — is  living.  The  church 


416 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


is  affiliated  with  do  definite  synod,  but  is  what  is  known  as  a 
"free  church,”  having  a distinctly  congregational  form  of 
government. 

Hegre  Congregation  was  organized  in  the  year  1878.  Among 
the  first  members  were  P.  P.  Hegseth,  A.  II.  Hegseth,  J.  P.  Heg- 
seth,  Haagen  Danielson,  N.  O.  Rodningen,  L.  A.  Jarstad,  S.  A. 
Ofstedal,  L.  J.  Kyllo,  P,  J.  Borstad,  P.  H.  Satran,  A.  Kinsetli  and 
P.  J.  Kyllo.  The  erection  of  the  church  building  was  started 
about  1880,  but  was  not  completed  before  1902.  It  was  dedicated 
November  2,  of  the  same  year.  The  present  membership  is  200 
souls  and  123  confirmed  members.  The  following  pastors  have 
been  in  charge  of  the  congregation : B.  J.  Muus,  M.  0.  Backman, 
A.  Whither,  N.  Ofstedal,  R.  Ilalvorson  and  S.  Rislov,  the  latter 
of  whom  is  now  in  charge.  The  church  is  located  in  Kenyon. 

The  United  Brethren  have  two  churches  in  the  county,  one  at 
Kenyon  and  the  other  at  Ilader. 

NORWEGIAN  METHODIST. 

There  are  two  Norwegian  Methodist  churches  in  the  county, 
one  in  Belvidere  and  one  in  Leon. 

The  Eidsvold  Norwegian  Methodist  Church  of  Leon.  The  first 
meetings  were  held  in  the  homes  of  the  members,  in  the  school 
house,  or  under  the  trees  when  the  weather  permitted,  in  the  year 
1859,  and  the  church  was  organized  a year  later.  In  1875, 
through  the  efforts  and  liberality  of  one  of  its  charter  members,  ■ 
Gulbrand  Nelson,  a church  was  erected,  and  has  since  been  sup- 
plied by  the  pastor  of  the  church  of  Belvidere.  It  is  located  in 
section  20.  The  present  membership  numbers  eleven,  and  its 
leading  member  and  main  supporter  is  John  Ring. 

The  Norwegian  Methodist  Church  of  Belvidere.  (By  Mrs. 
David  A.  Larson.)  The  first  meetings  were  held  in  the  homes 
and  in  the  schoolhouse  as  early  as  1858.  These  meetings,  led  by 
a local  preacher,  Knut  Knutson,  were  usually  well  attended,  the 
old  settlers  sometimes  walking  a distance  of  eight  to  fifteen 
miles  to  be  present.  In  1874  a church  was  erected  and  dedicated 
the  following  year,  July  11,  by  the  presiding  elder,  J.  II.  Johnson, 
assisted  by  the  pastor  of  the  church,  Rev.  G.  Oleson,  also  Revs. 
C.  F.  Lindquist  and  A.  Olaveson.  The  first  members  were : Knut 
Knutson,  a local  preacher;  Amund  Larson,  a preacher  who  was 
a soldier  in  the  Civil  War,  and  died  September  2,  1865,  of  disease 
contracted  in  the  service;  Hans  IT.  Danielson,  also  an  old  soldier, 
who  suffered  the  loss  of  a limb  in  the  war,  and  his  wife,  both 
active  church  workers,  and  whose  home  was  always  open  to 
friends  and  strangers;  Swen  Hendrickson,  a soldier  who  died 
after  the  war,  and  his  wife;  Thor  Erickson,  also  a soldier,  and 


HJSTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


417 


liis  wife,  both  of  whom  have  passed  to  the  Great  Beyond;  Her- 
man Hanson,  now  deceased,  and  his  wife,  who  resides  in  Wis- 
consin. The  pastors  who  have  served  this  church  are : Revs. 

Nicholas  S.  Olstrom,  who  enlisted  in  1861,  as  chaplain  in  the 
army  and  died  there;  P.  M.  Johnson,  who  served  the  church  dur- 
ing the  war;  Rev.  Long,  C.  F.  Lindquist,  nowr  living  at  Red  Wing; 
Rev.  Borgeson,  E.  Arveson,  now  deceased;  Arue  Johnson,  Chris- 
tian Oman,  who  died  in  1894;  A.  Knutson,  now  of  Minneapolis, 
who  was  the  prime  factor  in  the  erecting  of  the  church  in  1874, 
but  did  not  stay  until  it  was  dedicated;  Paul  Seim,  1885;  B.  E. 
Olin,  1886 ; C.  Christoferson,  1887,  now  of  Deer  Park,  Wis. ; Axel 
Olsen,  who  was  a preacher  and  farmer,  and  is  now  dead;  Rev. 
Gustav  Thoner,  who  served  one  year;  N.  C.  Hanson,  1896;  Nels 
Jacobson,  1897-99;  0.  S.  Holland,  1900;  A.  W.  Rosness,  1901-02; 
Arnt  M.  Anderson,  1903 ; O.  A.  Doblougli,  1904 ; 0.  A.  Hofstecl, 
1905.  L.  A.  Larson,  who  served  in  1907,  died  August,  1908,  and 
is  buried  beside  the  church  in  Belvidere.  His  mother,  Bertha 
Larson,  donated  the  lot  on  which  the  church  stands  in  section  20. 

Rev.  J.  A.  Jacobson  is  the  present  pastor,  and  is  serving  his 
second  year.  He  was  born  in  Norway,  and  came  to  America 
when  a youth,  and  received  his  education  in  Chicago.  Since  his 
ordination  to  the  ministry,  he  has  had  several  charges.  He  served 
the  Norwegian  Methodist  church  in  St.  Paid  and  was  presiding 
elder  for  six  years.  He  preaches  equally  well  in  both  the  Eng- 
lish and  Norwegian  languages.  He  was  married  in  1888  to 
Hannah  Bernson,  of  Minneapolis,  and  has  two  daughters : Ruth 
is  a school  teacher,  and  Gertrude  attends  school.  They  have  also 
adopted  an  orphan  boy. 

The  present  officers  of  the  church  are  David  A.  Larson,  Mrs. 
IT.  IT.  Danielson  and  Otto  Larson.  There  is  a Sunday  school  of 
three  classes,  of  which  David  Larson  is  the  superintendent  and 
secretary,  and  Caleb  Larson,  treasurer.  The  church  also  supports 
a society  called  the  Band  of  Helpers,  the  officers  of  which  are 
President,  Edna  Danielson;  vice  president,  Mrs.  A.  B.  Larson; 
secretary,  Alison  B.  Larson ; treasurer,  Otto  Larson.  Mrs.  H.  II. 
Danielson  is  the  only  surviving  charter  member  of  the  church, 
and  is  still  an  active  worker. 

SWEDISH  LUTHERAN. 

The  Augustana  Synod  of  the  Swedish  Evangelical  Lutheran 
church  is  represented  in  Goodhue  county  by  eight  congregations, 
Vasa,  Zion  (Goodhue),  Red  Wing,  Cannon  River,  Welch,  Prairie 
Island,  Spring  Garden  and  St.  Ansgars  (Cannon  Falls). 

The  history  of  the  churches  at  Vasa  and  Red  Wing  is  a part 
of  the  early  history  of  this  county,  and  a full  record,  written  by 


418  HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 

Rev.  E.  Norelius  and  Rev.  E.  G.  Chinlund,  is  found  in  another 
chapter. 

Cannon  River  Church  was  established  May  11,  1857,  by  the 
Rev.  E.  Norelius.  The  first  members  were  Andrew  Swanson, 
Nels  ITawkinson,  Gustof  Anderson,  A.  P.  Johnson,  Andrew  Lind- 
strom,  C.  F.  Johnson,  Magnus  Nelson,  John  Peterson,  Jacob  An- 
derson, Magnus  Lundell,  August  Peterson,  Swan  Nelson,  Gustof 
Johnson,  Olof  Ostberg,  John  Johnson  and  Jonas  Engberg,  Jr. 
The  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Andrew  Swanson,  on  block 
51,  in  the  Cannon  Falls-  city  addition,  where  the  mill  was  after- 
ward erected.  The  trustees  elected  at  this  meeting  were  Andrew 
Swanson,  Nels  ITawkinson  and  Jonas  Engberg.  The  latter  was 
also  elected  treasurer.  It  was  decided  to  build  a church  and 
subscriptions  were  raised  to  the  amount  of  $465.  At  a later 
meeting,  held  June  8,  1857,  it  was  arranged  to  build  a frame 
church,  30x40,  eighteen  feet  high,  with  a tower.  Andrew  Lind- 
strom  laid  the  foundation  in  June,  1857,  but  the  church  was  not 
completed.  In  1862  the  congregation  built  a church  in  the  town- 
ship, on  section  3,  20x26.  This  edifice  was  used  until  the  summer 
of  1878,  when  the  congregation  erected  a frame  church  on  section 
1 , 30x60,  with  a tower,  at  an  estimated  cost  of  $4,000. 

An  interesting  story  once  related  by  G.  Westman  is  to  the 
effect  that  during  the  year  1858,  the  congregation  was  to  have 
the  Lord’s  supper  administered,  and  a collection  was  taken  up 
and  a bottle  of  wine  procured.  On  the  morning  of  that  eventful 
Sabbath  the  wine  was  to  be  brought  from  the  south  side  of  the 
Little  Cannon  to  the  north  side.  The  river  being  high,  the  seven 
members  residing  on  the  south  side  were  to  be  taken  over  in  a 
skiff.  With  them  was  the  wine.  When  they  reached  the  middle 
of  the  stream,  the  boat  was  upset.  With  the  assistance  of  the 
people  on  either  shore,  all  were  saved  except  old  Mrs.  Angberg, 
whose  body  was  recovered  several  months  later,  eight  or  nine 
miles  down  the  stream.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  the  wine  also 
was  lost. 

Spring  Garden  Church  was  organized  July  19,  1858,  at  the 
residence  of  Peter  Johnson,  on  section  15,  Leon  township,  under 
the  charge  of  Rev.  P.  Beckman,  who  continued  for  some  time 
thereafter  as  pastor.  The  first  congregation  was  composed  of  the 
following  members : M.  Edstrom  and  family,  C.  A.  Haggstrom 

and  family,  John  G.  Wanberg  and  family,  Jacob  Johnson  and 
family,  John  P.  Johnson  and  family,  A.  W.  Johnson  and  family, 
Isaac  Holm  and  family,  Peter  Johnson  and  family,  Nils  Chalberg 
and  family,  Peter  Lundell  and  family,  Bengt  Anderson  and  fam- 
ily, A.  Enberg  and  family,  Paul  Nelson,  John  Holm,  G.  Holm, 
P.  O.  Holm,  C.  Holm,  Johannes  Holm.  John  Edwall,  John  Lager- 


KLSTOKY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


419 


strorn  and  S.  Anderson.  The  officers  were : Deacons,  M.  Edstrom, 
for  one  years;  John  P.  Johnson,  for  two  years;  Peter  Johnson,  for 
three  years.  Trustees,  Jacob  Johnson,  for  one  year;  Nils  Chall- 
berg,  for  two  years,  and  S.  Anderson,  for  three  years.  For  a time 
the  congregation  met  in  private  houses  or  in  schoolhouses.  In 
1862  a small  church  was  built  on  section  11.  This  church  was 
later  replaced  by  a fine  edifice,  erected  on  the  site  of  the  original 
structure,  with  a capacity  of  600  people. 

According  to  the  official  reports  of  the  church,  the  present 
edifice  was  erected  in  1876,  the  present  value  of  the  property 
being  $13,800.  There  are  563  members,  of  whom  398  are  com- 
municants. 

St.  Ansgar’s  Church,  of  Cannon  Falls,  was  organized  August 
15,  1869,  at  the  school  house,  by  the  Rev.  P.  A.  Cederstam. 
Among  the  early  members  of  the  church  were  G.  Westman,  A.  P. 
Johnson,  John  Matson,  Gustof  Bergman,  Magnus  Anderson,  John 
Anderson,  Gustof  Wedestrom,  John  Beck,  Otto  Johnson,  A.  AY. 
Carlson,  Lewis  Larson,  C.  Jackson,  C.  P.  Swanson,  John  Moline, 
Gustof  Thumberg  and  Swan  AYidholm.  The  first  trustees  were 
G.  AVestman,  A.  P.  Johnson  and  John  Matson.  At  a meeting 
held  February  17,  1872,  it  was  resolved  to  build  a frame  build- 
ing, 34  by  50.  The  structure  was  started  in  the  spring  of  1872 
and  completed  the  same  year.  Including  furniture  and  an  addi- 
tion bruit  in  1874,  the  cost  was  $3,000.  This  church  was  rebuilt 
in  1909  at  a cost  of  some  $7,000,  enlarging  its  capacity  and  mak- 
ing it  modern. 

Zion  Church,  in  Goodhue,  was  organized  in  1869  and  incorpo- 
rated in  1873.  A frame  building  was  erected  in  1874,  the  entire 
valuation  at  the  present  time  being  $3,000.  There  are  127  .mem- 
bers, of  whom  91  are  communicants.  Dr.  E.  Norelius  has  for 
several  years  served  this  church  as  pastor. 

Welch  Church,  in  AVelch  township,  was  organized  and  incorpo- 
rated in  1873,  and  in  1878  a frame  church  was  erected,  the  pres- 
ent valuation  of  the  church  property  being  $8,000.  There  are 
334  members,  of  whom  258  are  communicants.  The  parochial 
school  has  about  thirty  pupils. 

Prairie  Island  Church  was  organized  and  incorporated  in  1876, 
and  in  1897  a frame  church  was  built,  the  present  value  of  the 
property  being  $1,500.  There  are  ninety-five  members,  of  whom 
sixty-five  are  communicants.  The  parochial  school  has  about 
twenty  pupils. 

ENGLISH  LUTHERAN. 

The  English  Lutheran  denomination  has  four  flourishing 
churches  in  the  county,  at  Red  Wing,  Goodhue,  Zumbrota  and 
Cannon  Falls. 


420 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


St.  Paul’s  Church,  at  Red  Wing,  was  organized  November  20, 
1886,  by  the  Rev.  G.  11.  Trabert,  D.  D.,  of  Minneapolis,  who  con- 
tinued to  serve  the  congregation  every  two  weeks.  The  congre- 
gation at  first  held  its  services  in  the  Swedish  church,  then  in  the 
school  house  belonging  to  the  church.  Later  the  services  were 
transferred  to  a hall  at  the  corner  of  Third  and  Bush  streets, 
and  from  there  to  the  chapel  of  the  Episcopal  church.  The  pres- 
ent lot  was  secured  in  the  summer  of  1889  and  the  building 
erected.  This  was  enlarged  in  the  year  1899.  The  congregation 
began  with  seven  members  and  has  increased  to  300.  There  are 
200  scholars  in  the  Sunday  school.  Services  are  held  each  Lord’s 
day  morning  and  evening.  Five  pastors  have  served  the  congre- 
gation: Revs.  G.  It.  Trabert,  D.  D.,  1883-89;  C.  B.  Lindtwed, 

1889-92;  A.  Steimle,  1893-95;  J.  A.  Leas,  1896-01.  The  present 
pastor  is  Rev.  A.  J.  Reichert,  who  has  served  the  congregation 
since  May  1,  1901.  The  congregation  has  now  no  indebtedness. 

First  English  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  of  Cannon  Falls. 
In  the  early  part  of  January,  1899,  several  persons  of  Cannon 
Falls,  among  whom  was  F.  R.  Anderson,  were  desirous  of  having 
English  Lutheran  services  held  in  Cannon  Falls.  Mr.  Anderson 
conferred  with  Rev.  J.  A.  Leas,  Avho  was  then  pastor  of  St.  Paul’s 
church,  of  Red  Wing.  Rev.  Leas  made  arrangements,  and  the 
first  service  was  held  in  the  Methodist  church  at  Cannon  Falls  on 
a Sunday  evening.  A goodly  number  was  present  at  the  service, 
and  many  expressed  a desire  that  services  be  continued  at  the 
convenience  of  the  pastor.  In  a few  weeks  another  service  was 
held,  but  after  that  service  Reverend  Leas  was  so  occupied  with 
the  duties  of  his  own  parish  that  no  further  services  were  held 
for  several  months.  In  May,  1899,  Reverend  Leas  and  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Boulton  visited  Cannon  Falls,  and,  having  found  a number 
of  families  that  desired  the  continuance  of  English  Lutheran  serv- 
ices, arrangements  were  made  to  hold  Sunday  evening  services 
every  two  weeks  in  the  Methodist  church.  These  services  were 
conducted  by  Revs.  Leas  and  Boulton  from  May  9 to  October  15. 
About  the  first  of  October,  1899,  a meeting  was  held  for  the  pur- 
pose of  organizing  an  English  Lutheran  church,  but  owing  to  the 
fact  that  one  or  two  of  those  who  were  the  prime  movers  of  the 
work  at  first,  becoming  somewhat  fainthearted,  and  being  inclined 
to  enter  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church,  which  had  formerly 
refused  to  admit  them  to  membership,  the  other  persons  inter- 
ested thought  it  not  advisable  to  organize  at  that  time.  However, 
arrangements  were  made  to  hold  services  regularly  every  other 
Sunday,  both  morning  and  evening,  in  a hall  rented  for  the  pur- 
pose. P.  A.  Peterson,  postmaster,  kindly  offered  the  use  of  a 
small  hall  near  his  place  of  business.  The  first  service  was  held 
October  15,  1899.  These  services  were  so  well  attended  that  after 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


421 


on  Sunday  evenings  the  hall  was  found  to  be  too  small,  and  many 
had  to  stand  during  the  entire  service.  In  March,  1900,  arrange- 
ments were  made  to  use  the  hall  of  the  A.  0.  U.  AY.  The  hall 
being  large  and  comfortably  furnished,  the  attendance  at  serv- 
ices continued  very  satisfactorily.  In  May,  1900,  at  a meeting 
called  by  Reverend  Boulton,  who  had  conducted  the  services  from 
October  15,  1899,  the  First  English  Evangelical  Lutheran  church, 
of  Cannon  Falls,  was  organized  with  nine  charter  members,  as 
signers  of  the  articles  of  organization.  The  total  membership 
was  twenty-five  communicants.  The  congregation  elected  the  fol- 
lowing named  persons  as  its  first  officers : Secretary,  P.  S.  Aslak- 
son ; treasurer,  B.  R.  .Johnson;  deacons,  S.  J.  Edlund.  O.  L.  Ben- 
son. A.  -J.  Ullevig;  trustees,  S.  J.  Backlund,  N.  A.  Winslow,  A.  E. 
Gilbertson.  The  congregation  was  received  into  the  Synod  of  the 
Northwest  at  the  synodical  meeting  in  Goodhue,  June.  1900.  On 
the  first  Sunday  in  Advent,  December  2.  1900,  Rev.  Merrill  E. 
Boulton  was  installed  as  pastor  by  the  Rev.  G.  H.  Trabei't.  D.  D., 
of  Minneapolis.  Rev.  Al.  E.  Boulton  served  as  pastor  of  the 
congregation  until  May,  1903,  when  he  resigned,  to  accept  the 
pastorate  of  the  First  English  Evangelical  Lutheran  church,  of 
Mishawaka,  Ind.  In  June,  1903,  Rev.  R.  A.  Helms  accepted  the 
call,  and  served  as  pastor  until  1906,  when  he  tendered  his  resig- 
nation. During  the  pastorate  of  Reverend  Helms  a lot  was  pur- 
chased, and  a new  church  erected  thereon  at  a cost  of  $2,500.  It 
was  dedicated  in  May,  1905.  Rev.  AYillis  Beck  assumed  the  pas- 
torate in  December,  1906,  aud  is  its  present  pastor,  serving  it 
from  Zumbrota.  The  present  communicant  membership  is  100. 
It  has  an  energetic  ladies  ’ aid  society  of  thirty  members,  a Luther 
league,  and  a Sunday  school  of  ninety  members,  of  which  P.  S. 
Aslakson  is  superintendent. 

First  English  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  of  Zumbrota. 
On  October  5,  1905.  Rev.  R.  A.  Helms,  who  had  been  requested 
by  J.  A.  Langslorf.  Herman  Kalass  and  others  to  hold  English 
Lutheran  services  at  Zumbrota,  came  here  and  conducted  a meet- 
ing in  Anderson  Hall.  The  attendance  at  this  time  was  forty 
persons.  At  the  next  meeting,  two  weeks  later,  the  attendance 
was  eighty-three.  Services  were  then  held  every  two  weeks,  until 
November  27,  1905,  when  the  church  was  regularly  organized  as 
the  First  English  Lutheran  Church  of  the  Redeemer  by  the  Rev. 
R.  A.  Helms,  assisted  by  Rev.  J.  A.  Reichert,  of  Red  Wing.  The 
original  signers  of  the  constitution  were  Herman  Kalass.  Mrs. 
Herman  Kalass,  Julia  Frederich.  Harnett  Abend.  Mrs.  Anton 
Johnson,  Anton  Johnson,  Fred  Lohmann.  Lizzie  Lohmaun. 
August  King.  Elinor  Klug,  J.  II.  Langsdorf.  Augusta  Langsdorf, 
William  Langsdorf,  IT.  E.  AYeiss,  B.  A.  Kolbe  and  Anna  Kolbe. 

Reverend  Helms  resigned  as  pastor  in  the  early  part  of  1906. 


422 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Rev.  Willis  Beck  became  pastor  in  December  of  the  same  year, 
and  is  the  present  pastor.  Services  were  continued  in  Anderson’s 
Hall  until  the  beginning  of  1907,  when  the  congregation  secured 
the  use  of  the  United  Norwegian  chapel,  which  it  used  until  the 
spring  of  1909,  and  then  rented  the  Episcopal  church,  where  it 
worships  at  the  present  time.  The  membership  has  steadily 
grown.  At  the  present  time  it  is  seventy-five.  It  has  a ladies’ 
aid  society  of  twenty-five  members,  and  a Sunday  school  of 
eighty  members,  of  which  Anton  Johnson  is  the  superintendent. 
In  May,  1909,  subscriptions  were  raised  for  two  church  lots. 

St.  Luke’s  English  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church.  On  Janu- 
ary 5,  1897,  Rev.  John  A.  Leas,  pastor  of  St.  Paul’s  English 
Lutheran  church,  of  Red  AA7ing,  visited  Goodhue  and  met  K.  L. 
Anderson,  H ein  Prigge  and  others,  with  a view  to  learning  the 
prospects  of  holding  English  Lutheran  services  in  the  village. 
The  project  was  so  favorably  received  that  a business  meeting 
was  called  for  January  8,  on  which  occasion  C.  A.  Erickson,  of 
Red  Wing,  accompanied  the  pastor;  and  in  the  room  of  K.  L. 
Anderson  a meeting  was  held  with  a view  of  discussing  further 
the  proposed  project.  Those  present  were  K.  L.  Anderson,  Hein 
Prigge,  William  Hennings,  Henry  Holst,  Fred  Meyer  and  William 
Kurschinsky,  all  of  whom  manifested  a great  interest  and  desire 
to  begin  such  English  services,  with  the  further  view  of  organiz- 
ing a congregation.  Arrangements  were  made  for  weekly  services, 
and  the  first  service  was  accordingly  held  in  L.  K.  Anderson ’s  hall, 
above  the  postoffice,  January  14,  1897,  with  an  attendance  of 
about  eighty-five  persons.  Services  were  then  held  each  week,  usu- 
ally on  Friday  evening,  until  February  19,  1897,  when  a congre- 
gation was  organized  after  the  services  with  the  following  charter 
members:  K.  L.  Anderson,  Hein  Prigge,  John  H.  Boxrucl,  Henry 
Holst,  William  Hennings,  Fred  Meyer,  William  Kurschinsky, 
John  Schaeffer,  F.  AA\  Alms  and  Ole  Tlolte.  The  pastor  presided, 
and  after  explaining  the  synodical  connections  which  he  main- 
tained. and  which  the  proposed  English  Lutheran  church  should 
sustain,  the  following  elections  were  reported:  Deacons,  William 
Hennings,  Ole  Holte  and  Hein  Prigge;  trustees,  Hein  Prigge,  Ole 
IJolte  and  Henry  Holst;  president,  Henry  Holst;  secretary,  F.  W. 
Alms;  treasurer,  Hein  Prigge.  The  secretary-elect,  Mr.  Alms, 
withdrew  from  the  organization,  and  K.  L.  Anderson  was  elected 
to  fill  the  vacancy  on  May  30.  1897.  Regular  services  were  held 
at  stated  times  by  Pastor  J.  A.  Leas  until  arrangements  were 
made  to  secure  a supply  for  the  new  congregation.  On  April  2, 
1897,  the  church  council  of  St.  Luke’s  congregation  met  and 
unanimously  elected  Student  M.  E.  Boulton,  of  the  Lutheran 
Theological  Seminary  of  Chicago,  to  supply  the  pulpit  during  the 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


423 


summer.  Student  Boulton  served  the  congregation  from  May  9, 
1897,  to  September  26.  1897,  leaving  then  to  return  to  the  theo- 
logical seminary  at  Chicago,  to  finish  his  course.  During  the 
winter  of  1897-98  the  congregation  was  supplied  by  Rev.  J.  A. 
Leas,  of  Red  Wing,  and  Student  L.  L.  Mastad,  of  the  Red  Wing 
Seminary.  On  March  4,  1898,  at  a congregational  meeting, 
M.  E.  Boulton  was  given  a unanimous  call  to  act  as  pastor  as  soon 
as  his  seminary  work  would  permit.  Mr.  Boulton  having  com- 
pleted his  theological  studies,  and  graduated  April  27,  1898, 
accepted  the  call,  and  began  his  labors  in  the  congregation  May 
16,  1898.  He  was  ordained  at  the  meeting  of  the  synod  in  St. 
John’s  church,  Minneapolis,  June  16,  1898,  and  on  June  23,  1898, 
was  installed  as  pastor  at  Goodhue  by  Rev.  W.  K.  Frick,  of  Mil- 
waukee, president  of  the  synod;  Rev.  C.  L.  Warstler,  of  St.  Paul, 
secretary  of  the  synod,  and  by  Rev.  J.  A.  Leas,  of  Red  Wing. 
During  the  winter  of  1898-99,  Reverend  Boulton  completed  his 
seminary  course  at  Chicago,  and  again  returned  to  his  Goodhue 
congregation  May  14,  1899.  He  continued  as  pastor  until  May, 
1903,  during  which  time  the  membership  gradually  increased,  and 
a neat  frame  church  was  erected  at  a cost  of  $2,000.  Rev.  R.  A. 
Helms  served  as  pastor  from  June,  1903.  until  May,  1906,  when 
it  was  vacant  until  December,  1906.  At  this  time  Rev.  Willis 
Beck  became  pastor,  and  continues  to  serve  it  from  Zumbrota. 
In  the  early  part  of  the  summer  of  1908  there  was  erected  on  the 
church  a new  steeple  and  a 1,000-pound  tin-copper  bell,  installed 
at  an  expense  of  $1,000.  The  congregation  is  in  a flourishing 
condition,  with  a membership  of  150,  a faithful  ladies’  society, 
and  a Luther  league,  which  meets  regularly. 

Rev.  Willis  Beck  was  born  in  Stone  Church,  Pennsylvania, 
February  12,  1876.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  school  of  his 
native  village,  Muhlenberg  College,  Allentown,  Pa.,  and  Lutheran 
Theological  Seminary,  Philadelphia,  Pa.  Before  entering  college 
he  taught  in  the  public  school  for  one  term.  He  was  ordained  in 
the  ministry  in  May,  1902,  and  served  English  Lutheran  churches 
in  Derry,  Pa.,  from  1902  to  1905.  In  the  spring  of  1905  he  organized 
the  first  English  Lutheran  church  of  Superior,  Wis.,  and  served 
until  December.  1906,  when  he  became  pastor  of  what  is  known 
as  the  Goodhue  parish,  consisting  of  congregations  in  Goodhue, 
Cannon  Falls  and  Zumbrota.  July  7,  1903,  he  was  married  to 
Grace  I.  Klingensmith,  and  they  have  two  children : Isabel  R., 

born  September  25,  1904,  and  Mary  C.,  born  January  11,  1906. 
In  politics  he  is  a Republican. 

SWEDISH  MISSION. 

There  is  one  Swedish  Mission  church  in  Red  Wing. 


424 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Swedish  Mission  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  of  Red  AVing. 
In  August,  1868,  a few  persons  gathered  at  the  home  of  Nels 
Nelson,  who  lived  near  the  Milwaukee  depot,  and  held  a prayer 
meeting,  which  was  led  by  Nels  Sylvander,  who  had  arrived 
from  Sweden  two  Aveeks  before.  After  that,  meetings  were  held 
every  AYednesday  evening  and  Sundays,  and  were  usually  con- 
ducted by  Air.  Sylvander,  except  for  an  occasional  visit  by  Revs. 
P.  Undeen  and  J.  Al.  Sangren,  of  Chicago.  The  meetings  Avere 
Avell  attended  and  in  1869  the  society  was  organized  and  the  fol- 
loAving  officers  elected:  President,  Nels  Sylvander;  deacon,  G. 

Bordson ; trustees,  G.  E.  Kjellstrom,  P.  Johnson  and  L.  Larson, 
Avho  with  their  A\uATes  and  J.  Johnson  and  wife,  constituted  the 
society.  In  1873,  a lot  was  purchased  on  Sixth  street,  west  of 
AVest  avenue,  at  a cost  of  $400,  and  a small  frame  church  30x40 
AAras  erected  the  following  year,  and  as  soon  as  the  building  Avas 
enclosed  the  meetings  were  held  there.  In  1875  the  church  was 
finished,  and  aauis  dedicated  by  Revs.  C.  A.  Bjork,  J.  M.  Sangren, 
S.  AT.  Youngcjuist  and  P.  AYedin.  In  1877,  Rev.  J.  M.  Sangren 
was  called  to  become  the  first  pastor  and  he  served  until  1878, 
Avhen  he  died.  The  pastors  A\ffio  have  served  are : Revs.  J.  M. 
Sangren,  A.  Soderstrom,  C.  AY.  Boquist,  A.  Sundberg,  L.  Sundin, 
J.  A.  Nyvall,  J.  A.  Jacobson,  N.  J.  Lindquist,  Rev.  C.  AAr.  Holm, 
Avho  died  here  in  October,  1907,  and  Henry  Soderholm,  who  is 
the  present  pastor.  During  Rev.  Boquist ’s  service,  the  church 
became  too  small  and  an  addition  Avas  built,  also  a small  school 
room.  In  1900  the  church  AAras  repaired  and  improvements  made 
at  a cost  of  $800,  and  the  corner  lot  on  Sixth  and  AYest  avenue, 
adjoining  the  church  lot,  Avas  purchased  at  a cost  of  $750.  In  the 
fall  of  1908  the  church  Avas  moved  to  this  lot  and  remodeled. 
A stone  basement  Avas  built  which  is  used  for  the  Sunday  school. 
The  church  is  lighted  by  gas  and  electricity,  and  is  heated  by 
steam.  All  this  Avas  done  at  a cost  of  nearly  $6,000.  This  church 
is  one  of  the  feAv  that  is  free  from  debt.  It  Avas  dedicated  March 
28,  1909,  by  Revs.  C.  A.  Bjork.  president  of  the  conference,  G. 
Anderson,  Prof.  K.  E.  Forsell,  J.  A.  Palmquist.  Of  the  first  mem- 
bers only  three  remain,  Nels  Sylvander,  G.  F.  Kjellstrom,  and 
J.  Johnson.  The  present  membership  is  about  150.  The  present 
officers  are:  President,  Gustaf  SAvanson ; vice  president,  John 

Compton ; secretary,  E.  Boye ; treasurer,  Aug.  Lindstrom ; dea- 
cons, John  Compton,  A.  E.  Sundby,  B.  A.  Olson.  Edward  Boye; 
trustees,  John  Compton,  John  Nord.  The  church  has  a prosper- 
ous Sunday  school,  which  was  organized  in  1869,  with  G.  F. 
Kjellstrom  as  the  first  superintendent.  The  present  superintend- 
ent is  B.  A.  Olson,  Avho  has  held  that  position  for  twenty-six 
years.  There  is  a Y.  P.  S.  and  tAvo  ladies’  aid  societies,  a senior 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  CO  UVl  V 


425 


and  junior.  A parochial  school  is  held  a few  weeks  every  sum- 
mer for  the  purpose  of  teaching  the  children  the  Swedish  lan- 
guage. The  church  belongs  to  the  Swedish  Mission  Covenant  of 
America. 

Rev.  Henry  Soderholm  was  born  in  Sweden  in  1866  and  came 
to  this  country  in  1885.  He  entered  the  Chicago  Theological 
Seminary,  graduating  in  the  spring  of  1890.  He  has  served  as 
pastor  in  three  churches  previous  to  coming  to  Red  Wing,  two 
in  Connecticut  and  one  in  Chicago.  He  is  married  and  has  a 
family  of  five  children. 

GERMAN  CHURCHES. 

The  history  of  the  German  churches  of  the  county  will  be 
found  under  the  head  of  “The  Germans,”  an  article  by  Prof. 
F.  W.  Ivalfahs,  which  appears  in  this  work. 

Rev.  Christian  Bender.  There  are  probably  but  few  names 
that  are  recalled  in  Red  Wing  with  so  much  love  and  so  deep  a 
veneration  as  that  of  the  Rev.  Christian  Bender.  For  nearly 
thirty-five  years  he  was  the  leading  German  pastor  of  the  county, 
and  the  older  Germans  remember  him  as  the  one  who  married 
them,  who  gave  advice  and  help  to  the  well,  sympathy  and  con- 
solation to  the  afflicted,  and  whose  voice  spoke  the  last  sad  words 
when  their  loved  ones  were  laid  to  their  eternal  rest.  His  influ- 
ence on  the  parishes  in  his  charge  will  never  be  forgotten, 
although  the  real  extent  of  the  vast  good  he  accomplished  in  his 
quiet,  unostentatious  way  can  never  be  fully  measured.  He  was 
born  in  Germany  September  11,  1838,  and  as  a boy  attended  the 
public  schools  of  his  neighborhood.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two 
years  he  entered  the  Mission  College  at  Basel,  Switzerland,  and 
graduated  in  1866.  He  was  ordained  at  Wittenburg,  and  preached 
in  his  native  country  about  one  year.  During  that  time  he 
became  interested  in  the  stories  of  the  American  Northwest,  and 
learned  that  there  was  among  the  pioneers  from  his  own  country 
a vast  field  for  religious  work.  Accordingly,  in  1867,  he  came  to 
this  country,  and  after  a week  at  Minneapolis,  located  in  Red 
AYing,  where  he  at  once  received  the  appointment  as  pastor  of 
St.  John’s  German  Lutheran  church,  also  taking  charge  of  St. 
John’s  church  at  Frontenae  and  Grace  church  at  Goodhue.  He 
died  in  February,  1901,  and  his  death  caused  deep  mourning 
among  all  denominations,  all  classes  and  all  nationalities.  Rev- 
erend Bender  was  married  in  October,  1868,  to  Christina  Diek- 
hudt,  born  at  Quincy,  111.,  March  7,  1850.  To  this  union  six 
children  were  born : Lyclia,  Christian,  Anna,  Christina,  Freda 

and  Adolph. 


426 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


GERMAN  METHODISM. 

The  first  missionary  to  work  among  the  Germans  in  the 
United  States  was  Dr.  William  Nast.  The  territory  assigned  to 
him  was  the  whole  state  of  Ohio,  and  his  salary  the  first  year  was 
$100.  The  first  society  was  organized  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and 
had  thirty  members,  among  whom  were  many  who  became  very 
influential  in  church  work  in  later  years.  Mention  might  be  made 
here  of  Rev.  Henry  Nuelsen,  whose  son,  Rev.  John  L.  Nuelsen, 
D.  D.,  was  the  first  German  to  be  elected  a bishop  of  the  Metho- 
dist church.  He  was  elected  bishop  by  the  General  Conference  in 
May,  1908.  The  field  of  labor  among  the  Germans  was  so  large 
and  promising  that  other  missionaries  were  sent  out,  ancl  soon 
societies  were  organized  throughout  the  state  of  Ohio,  and,  follow- 
ing the  course  of  immigration  westward,  it  has  expanded,  till 
now  German  Methodism  comprises  ten  general  conferences,  with 
605  preachers  and  63,500  communicants. 

It  was  about  fifty-five  years  ago  that  large  numbers  of  Ger- 
mans came  to  Minnesota  in  search  of  new  homes.  As  there  were 
no  railroads,  the  majority  of  them  settled  along  the  Mississippi 
and  Minnesota  rivers.  The  pioneer  preachers  followed  them,  to 
preach  to  them  the  Gospel,  to  minister  to  their  spiritual  needs 
and  to  organize  them  into  societies.  The  first  preacher  in  Minne- 
sota was  Jacob  Haas,  who,  in  the  fall  of  1850,  was  sent  to  St. 
Paul,  and  organized  the  first  German  Methodist  Society  in  Minne- 
sota, and  built  a smaffl  church.  The  first  presiding  elder  was 
Rev.  John  Plank,  a resident  of  the  state  of  Iowa,  who  made  a 
journey  of  four  hundred  miles  to  St.  Paul  and  vicinity  to  hold 
communion  services  and  quarterly  conferences. 

Societies  were  organized  in  Minnesota  before  the  German 
work  became  a separate  branch  of  the  Methodist  church.  The 
first  preachers  were  members  of  the  Upper  Iowa  Conference,  and 
were  organizers  of  some  of  our  most  prosperous  societies.  The  work 
grew  rapidly,  and  societies  were  formed  at  Winona,  Red  Wing,  St. 
Paul,  Stillwater,  Salem,  St.  Anthony  (now  Minneapolis),  Jordan, 
Le  Suer,  New  Ulm,  etc.  It  soon  became  evident  that  the  work  could 
be  carried  on  more  effectually  if  it  were  under  German  supervision. 
The  General  Conference  therefore,  in  1864,  organized  German 
conferences.  The  societies  in  Minnesota,  Wisconsin,  northern 
Iowa,  and  northern  Illinois,  including  Chicago,  formed  the  North- 
west German  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Eight,  years  later  a division  was  made,  and  AVisconsin  and  the 
Chicago  district  were  organized  as  the  Chicago  German  Confer- 
ence. Sixteen  years  later  another  division  of  the  Northwest 
German  Conference  was  advisable.  The  southern  part  retained 
the  old  name,  while  the  northern  part  Avas  organized  as  the 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


427 

Northern  German  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

In  1855  the  Red  Wing  society  was  organized,  with  Rev.  Gustav 
Zollman  as  pastor  and  Gottlieb  Ziebrasse  as  local  preacher;  and 
the  following  persons  as  members : A.  Koch,  Fredrich  and  Mary 
Koch,  AVilliam  and  Katherine  Koch,  Margeretta  Koch,  Lena  Hoff- 
man, Otto  Kaschube  and  Katherina,  his  wife ; Henry  Banze,  Fred- 
erich  and  William  Siebrasse,  Margeretta  Siebrasse,  Anna  M.  Sie- 
brasse,  Herman  Kalterjohn,  Gottlieb  Post,  Anna  Post,  Conrad 
Singenstrue,  Charles  Ahlers,  Sr.,  Louise  Alders,  and  Charles 
Alders.  Jr. 

After  the  organization  of  the  society,  and  until  the  erection 
of  a house  of  worship,  their  meetings  were  held  at  the  residence 
of  A.  Koch.  In  the  summer  of  1856  the  Red  Wing  town  proprie- 
tors donated  the  society  a lot  for  a church  building  at  the  corner 
of  West  avenue  and  Seventh  street.  This  society  has  the  distinc- 
tion of  erecting  the  first  church  building  in  the  village  of  Red 
Wing,  a small  frame  structure  24x36  feet,  which  cost  $400.  The 
church  was  dedicated  in  November.  1856.  by  the  presiding  elder. 
Rev.  Id.  Roth.  For  many  years  this  building  served  as  a place  of 
worship.  It  was  finally  sold  to  M.  B.  Lewis,  who  moved  it  up  the 
hill  to  Sturtevant  street,  where  it  still  stands  as  one  of  the  old 
landmarks  of  Red  Wing.  The  society  then  erected  a new  build- 
ing at  a cost  of  $2,500,  which  was  dedicated  in  1892,  and.  with 
some  improvements  made  later,  is  still  the  place  of  worship  of  the 
society  today. 

A parsonage  had  also  been  built  on  the  church  lot.  This  was 
remodeled  in  1902,  to  a large  and  roomy  house,  at  a cost,  of 
$1,000. 

Besides  the  above  described  property  in  Red  Wing,  there  is 
also  a large,  church  at  Hay  Creek  and  one  at  Belvidere.  The 
statistics  not  being  at  hand,  we  cannot  give  the  details  as  to  time 
,and  cost  of  erection.  These  two  churches  now  form  a part  of  the 
Red  Wing  circuit,  and  have  promising  congregations.  For  a time 
services  were  also  held  in  Cannon  Falls  and  Minneola,  and  these 
places,  together  with  Belvidere,  formed  a separate  circuit,  with 
the  pastor  resident  at  Belvidere.  Cannon  Falls  and  Minneola, 
however,  have  been  dropped,  and  Belvidere  was  restored  to  the 
Red  Wing  circuit. 

The  following  are  the  pastors,  in  succession,  since  1855 : 
G.  Zollman,  1855-56;  Philipp  Funk,  1856-58;  II.  Ivolbe,  1858-59; 
C.  Hollman,  1859-61;  J.  G.  Speekman,  1861-63;  A.  Lamprecht, 
1863-65;  II.  Boetcher,  1865-67;  II.  Schnittker,  1867-70;  C.  Holl- 
man. 1870-72;  G.  Iloerger,  1872-75;  Adam  Mueller,  1875-76; 
George  Hartung,  1876-79;  William  Schriener,  1879-82;  C.  F. 
Stroeter,  1882-84;  J.  C.  Jahn,  1884-86;  George  Hartung,  1886-87: 
G.  Raihle,  1887-89;  H.  Ziegler.  1889-91  ; A.  Biebighauser,  1891-94; 


428 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Jacob  Durbahn,  1894-99;  E.  J.  Funk,  1899-1900;  C.  IT  Sauter, 
1900-01 ; Anton  Peik,  1902-04 ; H.  J.  Hobert,  1904-06 ; W.  H.  Miller, 
1906-07 ; AY.  F.  Koerner,  1907. 

Sabbath  schools  are  maintained  at  all  three  churches.  The 
superintendent  in  Red  AVing  is  Peter  Tubbesing;  in  Play  Creek, 
Edward  Meyer,  and  in  Belvidere,  Claus  Fitschen. 

Rev.  William  F.  Koerner,  who  has  pastoral  charge  of  the 
German  Methodist  Episcopal  churches  at  Red  AVing,  Belvidere 
and  Hay  Creek,  is  a native  of  Nora  Spring,  Iowa,  born  February 
4,  1872,  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Vennekolt)  Koerner,  the 
former  born  in  Germany  and  the  latter  in  America  of  German 
parents.  The  father  received  his  education  in  Germany  and  upon 
coming  to  this  country  located  in  Freeport,  111.  In  1870  he  en- 
tered the  Northwest  Conference  as  a clergyman  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  denomination,  and  has  since  continued  in  ministerial 
duties.  His  present  location  is  at  Reinbeck,  Iowa,  where  he  is 
pastor  of  a large  church.  AVilliam  F.  attended  the  public  schools 
of  Iowa,  and  graduated  from  the  Charles  City  College^.  Charles 
City,  Iowa,  in  1894.  In  1901  he  entered  the  ministry  and  was 
stationed  successively  at  Dows,  Iowa ; Schaller,  Iowa,  and  Mason 
City,  Iowa,  after  which  he  returned  to  the  Charles  City  College 
and  took  a post-graduate  course.  For  Uvo  years  he  occupied  a 
pastorate  at  St.  Paul  and  in  1906  took  up  his  present  duties  in 
this  county,  being  a member  of  the  Northern  German  confer- 
ence, St.  Paul  district.  Rev.  Koerner  is  a Republican  in  politics. 
He  was  married  July  10,  1901,  at  Charles  City,  Iowa,  to  Pauline 
Mathews,  daughter  of  Christopher  and  Elizabeth  (Young)  Math- 
ews. The  father,  who  was  a shoe  dealer,  died  October  29,  1908.. 
To  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Koerner  has  been  born  one  son,  Allan  M.,  No- 
vember 26,  1905. 


SWEDISH  METHODIST. 

The  Swedish  Methodists  have  three  churches  in  the  county,  at 
Vasa,  R’ed  Wing  and  Goodhue. 

The  Vasa  Congregation  was  organized  in  1860,  when  some 
Methodists  from  Sugar  Grove,  Pa.,  immigrated  there.  The  organi- 
zation consisted  of  twelve  persons.  In  1862  a church  was  erected, 
which  in  1885  was  replaced  by  a new  and  better  one.  The  first 
minister  was  N.  S.  Ahlstrom.  He  remained  there  from  1859  to 
1862.  and  was  succeeded  by  P.  Long,  P.  M.  Johnson,  C.  F.  Lind- 
quist. P.  M.  Johnson,  B.  Borgeson,  A.  Olson,  J.  A.  Johnson,  C.  C. 
Forsberg  and  C.  F.  Graner.  In  1883  Vasa  was  visited  by  J.  A. 
Palmquist,  pastor  in  Red  Wing;  later  by  C.  J.  Peterson,  1884-86; 
C.  G.  Johnson.  1886-91 ; A.  J.  Forsberg,  1891-93 ; C!  M.  Holmberg, 
1893-98;  J.  A.  Palmquist,  1898-99;  01  f Nelson,  1899-1901;  K. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNI  T 


429 


Selin,  1901-03;  0.  W.  Ostrom,  1903-04;  C.  M.  Holmberg,  1904-06. 
In  1906  Vasa  was  connected  with  Red  Wing,  and  L.  G.  Edgren 
became  pastor,  residing  in  Red  Wing. 

The  Goodhue  Congregation  was  organized  in  1868,  when  some 
members  from  Massachusetts  immigrated  there.  The  first  mem- 
bers were  Gustaf  Newman  and  his  wife,  John  A.  Peterson,  Anna 
Peterson,  Daniel  Larson  and  Kathrine  Larson.  In  1877  a church 
was  erected  a mile  and  a half  northwest  of  Goodhue.  It  has  been 
in  connection  with  Vasa  until  recent  years. 

Red  Wing  Congregation.  The  first  Swedish  Methodist  minis- 
ter that  preached  in  Red  Wing  was  C.  P.  Lindquist,  in  August, 
1859.  Later,  preachers  from  Vasa  visited  Red  Wing  and  preached 
in  a little  chapel,  which  was  built  in  1870  on  a lot  belonging  to 
C.  P.  Lindquist.  A congregation  was  organized  September  15, 
1873,  and  the  little  chapel  was  used  as  a church  until  1877,  when 
a church  was  erected  on  the  corner  of  East  avenue  and  Seventh 
street,  where  it  is  at  present  standing.  The  following  ministers 
have  served  this  congregation:  A.  J.  Wicklund,  L.  Dahlgren, 
J.  A.  Johnson,  C.  G.  Nelson,  O.  J.  Stead,  C.  G.  Forsberg,  C.  Nord, 
J.  A.  Palmquist,  A.  A.  Dahlberg,  J.  O.  Alven,  C.  J.  Melberg,  J.  A. 
Palmquist,  J.  W.  Swenson,  E.  A.  Wahlquist,  and  L.  G.  Edgren, 
the  present  pastor,  who  came  here  in  1906,  and  remains  here  when 
this  is  written. 

ROMAN  CATHOLIC. 

The  missionary  spirit  bequeathed  the  world,  when  the  Savior 
sent  the  Apostles  to  teach  all  nations  what  He  had  taught  them, 
first  manifested  itself  in  these  regions  in  the  summer  of  1860.  It 
was  then  that  Father  Hennepin,  of  the  great  Franciscan  Order, 
passed  up  Lake  Pepin  and  the  Mississippi  river  to  the  falls  which 
he  named  in  honor  of  his  patron,  St.  Anthony  of  Padua. 

More  directly  connected  with  our  immediate  vicinity  is  the 
arrival  of  the  Jesuit  missionaries,  Fathers  Guignas  and  DeGonor, 
with  a French  exploring  and  trading  expedition  in  1727.  The 
French  authorities  were  seeking  a location  for  a fort  to  protect 
their  interests,  suitable  for  carrying  on  trade  with  the  Indians. 
The  site  of  the  Villa  Maria,  near  Frontenac,  seemed  ideal,  and 
thereon  was  erected  Fort  Beauliarnois.  A log  chapel  for  the 
missionaries  was  built,  and  dedicated  to  St.  Michael  the  Arch- 
angel, being  the  first  Christian  temple  in  this  vast  northwestern 
region.  For  a time  the  expectations  were  realized.  An  extensive 
trade  in  furs  and  Indian  products  was  carried  on.  Priests  minis- 
tered to  the  soldiers  and  traders,  and  reached,  as  best  they  could, 
the  Indians  who  came  to  the  post. 

The  political  changes  at  that  period,  in  the  old  world  as  well 
as  in  the  new,  made  progress  in  evangelizing  the  natives  slow  and 


430 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


difficult.  Soon  the  work  had  entirely  ceased.  Strife  amongst  the 
rival  claimants  to  the  new  world  engaged  the  minds  and  energies 
of  men.  The  struggle  for  existence  in  the  colonies  developed 
strength  of  character,  and  the  increasing  number  of  inhabitants 
fostered  the  natural  desire  for  independent  nationhood,  just  as 
the  passing  from  childhood  and  adolescence  begets  a desire  for 
the  rearing  of  new  families.  Thus  came  about  the  birth  of  the 
new  republic  and  the  severing  of  political  ties  with  all  outside 
powers,  that  brought  out  in  youthful  vigor  and  aspirations  the 
United  States  of  America. 

The  extensive  territory  of  the  then  Northwest  offered  golden 
opportunities  to  those  seeking  temporal  gain,  and  an  abundant 
spiritual  harvest  for  those  whose  life’s  work  was  to  bring  the 
Gospel  of  Peace  and  the  saving  means  of  Grace  to  roving  inhabi- 
tants of  this  vast  section.  The  opening  of  the  nineteenth  century 
turned  the  eyes  of  the  nation  to  the  upper  Mississippi  valley. 
President  Jefferson,  in  1805,  sent  Lieutenant  Pike  with  a few  sol- 
diers, who  prepared  the  way  for  founding  Fort  Sniffling,  in  1819. 
This  gave  greater  security  to  the  adventurous,  who  felt  a strong 
attraction  for  the  good  things  offered.  Canadians,  owing  to 
drought  and  grasshoppers,  drifted  south  from  the  Selkirk  colony 
in  Manitoba.  Thus  a twofold  tide  of  immigration  set  in  towards 
Minnesota,  centering  around  Fort  Snelling  and  St.  Paul. 

In  July,  1839,  Bishop  Loras,  of  Dubuque,  accompanied  by 
Father  Pelamorgues,  came  up  Lake  Pepin  and  the  Mississippi 
river,  and  found  a large  number  of  Catholics  in  St.  Paul  and  the 
surrounding  country.  The  bishop  was  enthusiastically  received, 
and  arrangements  were  at  once  made  for  building  a church.  The 
need  of  a priest  who  could  speak  the  French,  English  and  Sioux 
languages  was  imperative,  and  in  the  following  year  Father 
Galtier  arrived  to  take  charge. 

Rev.  A.  Ravoux,  a young  French  priest,  was  commissioned  by 
Bishop  Loras,  of  Dubuque,  in  1841,  to  visit  the  Sioux  in  Minne- 
sota. Accordingly,  Father  Ravoux  entered  upon  his  heroic  mis- 
sion of  converting  the  Sioux  of-  Lac  qui  Parle  and  Chaska.  He 
returned  to  the  vicinity  of  Mendota  and  St.  Paul  to  relieve  Father 
Galtier,  while  the  latter  was  making  a missionary  tour  among  the 
scattered  Catholics  along' Lake  Pepin  and  the  Chippewa  river. 
Father  Ravoux  called  at  Red  Wing  on  the  fifth  of  April,  1843, 
when  traveling  afoot  to  Dubuque. 

The  great  influx  of  Europeans,  dissatisfied  with  conditions  in 
their  native  land,  made  necessary  the  formation  of  the  diocese  of 
Milwaukee  in  1843,  and  of  St.  Paul  in  1850.  The  Rt.  Rev.  Joseph 
Cretin,  D.  D.,  was  the  first,  bishop  of  St.  Paul,  the  erection  of 
which  diocese  Avas  proposed  to  the  Apostolic  See  by  the  Fathers 
of  the  Seventh  Provincial  Council  of  Baltimore,  in  1849.  Several 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


431 


priests  were  ordained  by  Bishop  Cretin,  and  administered  to  the 
faithful  dispersed  throughout  the  diocese.  Priests  from  St.  Paul 
and  Hastings  occasionally  visited  Red  Wing,  reading  mass  at  the 
home  of  Thomas  Taylor  till  1859.  It  was  at  this  time  that  Minne- 
sota was  admitted  to  statehood. 

In  1858  Rev.  Felix  Tissot  was  given  charge  of  the  Catholics 
living  in  Wabasha  and  Goodhue  counties,  with  residence  in 
Wabasha.  From  the  latter  village  the  youthful  missionary  began 
regular  trips  through  his  extensive  parish.  The  baptismal  rec- 
ords in  Wabasha  bear  witness  of  a goodly  number  of  Catholics  in 
Goodhue  county  at  that  time.  On  his  visit  to  Red  Wing,  January 
12,  1859,  two  children  were  baptized  by  Father  Tissot. 

The  Rt.  Rev.  Thomas  L.  Grace  was  appointed  successor  of 
Bishop  Cretin  in  '1859.  The  opening  of  government  land  for  set- 
tlers then  attracted  a large  number  of  Catholics  from  the  older 
states.  The  glowing  accounts  sent  to  Germany  and  Ireland  by 
Catholics  who  first  came  induced  others  to  follow.  In  conse- 
quence, Father  Tissot ’s  labors  seem  to  have  materially  increased 
in  1860  throughout  the  county.  The  number  of  the  faithful 
became  too  large  in  Red  Wing  for  services  in  private  houses. 
Lots  five  and  six,  at  the  corner  of  Fifth  and  Park  streets,  noAv 
occupied  by  St.  Joseph’s  school,  were  secured,  and  organization 
of  the  parish  was  begun.  Arrangements  to  build  a suitable  church 
were  made  during  the  periodical  visits  of  Father  Tissot.  On 
April  14,  1860,  he  baptized  three  in  Red  Wing,  and  on  the  25tli 
two  more.  On  the  26th,  he  baptized  one  in  Cherry  Grove,  return- 
ing to  Red  Wing  on  the  27th  to  baptize  another.  On  July  6,  1860, 
we  find  an  account  of  his  visit  to  Pine  Island,  where  he  adminis- 
tered the  sacrament  of  baptism  to  twelve,  whose  plighted  vows 
were  faithfully  observed  by  the  Martins,  Kenneclys,  Doyles,  Gor- 
mans and  Keanes,  the  pioneers  of  the  church  in  that  section.  In 
Belle  Creek  he  placed  an  O’Reilly  upon  his  record,  July  10.  The 
same  day  saw  four  added  to  the  church  in  Hay  Creek.  Frontenac 
furnished  three  in  December,  Koch,  Miller  and  Schlundt.  Father 
Tissot,  in  1861,  continued  to  make  the  same  rounds  through  the 
county.  On  April  13,  1862.  Red  Wing  gave  evidence  of  the  need 
of  a place  of  Avorship,  \Arhen  eleAren  Avere  presented  for  enrollment 
as  Christians. 

The  folloAving  interesting  statistics  from  the  records  at 
Wabasha  present  to  our  Anew  the  busy  life  of  this  early  mission- 
ary: May  1.  baptized  at  Red  Wing,  1;  May  13,  baptized  at  Pine 
Island,  4 ; May  14,  baptized  at  Cherry  GroAre,  2 ; May  15,  baptized 
at  Belle  Creek,  2;  May  16,  baptized  at  Red  Wing,  1 : May  17,  was 
at  Wabasha.  Upon  his  visit  to  Red  Wing,  in  June,  that  town 
redeemed  itself  by  having  five  for  him.  On  his  visits,  which  seem 
to  liaATe  become  monthly,  he  labored  among  the  eATiclently  increas- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


432 

ing  number  of  Catholics  by  administering  not  only  the  sacrament 
of  baptism,  but  all  the  other  sacraments  as  well,  save  holy  orders 
and  confirmation.  July  11,  1865,  being  Trinity  Sunday,  was 
indeed  a red-letter  day  for  the  Catholics  of  Red  Wing.  Upon  that 
occasion  the  Rt.  Rev.  Thomas  L.  Grace,  assisted  by  Rev.  L.  Cailliet 
and  Father  Tissot,  dedicated  their  new  church,  placing  it  under 
the  patronage  of  St.  Joseph.  The  right  reverend  bishop  adminis- 
tered confirmation  to  a class  of  fifty-five. 

The  rapid  increase  of  the  Catholic  population  rendered  it 
impossible  for  Father  Tissot  to  attend  to  the  spiritual  needs  of 
both  counties.  The  Rev.  Chr.  Joseph  Knauf  was  appointed  by 
Bishop  Grace  as  pastor  of  Goodhue  county,  with  residence  at  Red 
Wing.  Father  Knauf,  with  Red  Wing  as  a center,  took  up  the 
rounds  to  Belle  Creek,  Cherry  Grove  and  Belvidere.  The  number 
of  Catholics  increasing  with  the  flow  of  immigration,  Father 
Stariha,  now  bishop  of  Lead,  S.  D.,  succeeded  Father  Knauf  in 
June,  1872,  as  pastor  of  Red  Wing  and  its  adjoining  missions. 
Father  Stariha  erected  a school  building  in  the  following  year, 
and  secured  as  teachers  three  zealous  School  Sisters  of  Notre 
Dame,  from  Milwaukee.  Sister  Bathildis,  acting  as  superioress, 
remained  at  St.  Joseph’s  until  1892. 

The  missions  in  charge  of  Father  Stariha  were  now  too  large 
to  admit  of  his  attending  them;  accordingly,  Revs.  C.  Walter, 
A.  Holzer  and  J.  Meier  Avere  assigned  as  assistant  priests.  About 
this  time  a number  of  Catholic  churches  Avere  erected  throughout 
Goodhue  county.  At  Belvidere  and  Cherry  Grove  stone  structures 
Avere  built.  The  Belle  Creek  Catholic  church  Avas  erected  in  1860. 
In  1877,  the  frame  building  of  St.  Joseph’s  church  at  Red  Wing 
having  grown  too  small,  Avas  replaced  by  the  present  stone  struc- 
ture at  the  corner  of  Sixth  and  Park  streets.  Upon  the  removal 
of  the  parish  to  the  neAv  church,  the  old  structure  was  annexed 
to  the  school  building,  to  furnish  better  accommodations  for  the 
sisters  and  school  children. 

During  the  year  1878  Rca^.  W.  T.  Roy  tvas  assigned  as  resident 
pastor  of  Belle  Creek,  with  missions  at  Cannon  Falls  and  Cherry 
Grove.  In  the  same  year  Rev.  John  Meier,  assistant  to  Father 
Stariha,  was  assigned  as  resident  pastor  at  Belvidere.  Father 
Stariha,  relieved  of  the  care  of  the  missions,  retained  charge  in 
Red  Wing  until  January,  1884,  when  he  was  called  by  Archbishop 
Ireland  to  organize  the  parish  of  St.  Francis,  in  the  city  of  St. 
Paul.  He  was  consecrated  first  bishop  of  Lead,  S.  D.,  in  1902, 
but,  broken  down  in  health,  he  resigned  in  1909,  and  returned  to 
Austria. 

Rev.  John  Meier  assumed  charge  of  the  Red  Wing  parish  upon 
the  transfer  of  Father  Stariha,  and  remained  until  August,  1885. 
The  old  parsonage  built  by  Father  Knauf,  and  located  on  the 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


433 


school  lot,  being-  at  too  great  a distance,  Father  Meier  erected  a 
new  parochial  residence  adjoining  the  church.  Shortly  after  this 
he  was  promoted  to  St.  Joseph’s  church,  Winona.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  the  Rev.  W.  M.  Stulz,  who  exercised  pastoral  care  until 

1889.  Father  Stulz  was  then  given  charge  of  the  large  church  of 
St.  Mark,  Shakopee.  Rev.  I.  Dinberg  followed  for  a short  time 
as  pastor  of  St.  Joseph’s,  Red  Wing.  Rev.  George  Pax  was  next 
placed  over  this  parish,  and  acted  as  pastor  until  September. 

1890,  when  he  was  transferred  to  the  larger  and  more  important 
parish  of  Sleepy  Eye.  September  27,  1890,  Rev.  James  H. 
Gaughan  was  transferred  from  St.  Mary’s  church,  Shakopee,  to 
St.  Joseph’s  church.  Red  Wing. 

Intimately  connected  with  the  church  is  the  school  and  cause 
of  education.  Centuries  ago,  in  compliance  with  the  Savior’s 
mandate  to  teach  all  nations,  the  Apostles  set  out  to  rude  and 
illiterate  peoples,  and  by  the  sweet  influence  of  the  Gospel,  won 
them  to  Christ,  so  that  their  hitherto  unbridled  passions  were 
brought  into  submission  to  the  Christian  law.  Schools  were  estab- 
lished as  soon  as  practicable  to  train  and  develop  the  mind  and 
heart.  There  grew  up  in  every  Christian  land  monasteries  and 
convents  that  were  schools  and  colleges  for  training  the  young  in 
letters  and  Christian  virtue.  Father  Stariha  and  the  people  of 
St.  Joseph’s  parish  realized  the  need  of  that  auxiliary  for  the 
little  ones  committed  to  their  charge.  Having  erected  the  portion 
of  the  present  St.  Joseph’s  school  building,  facing  Park  street,  for 
a convent  and  two  school  rooms,  Sister  M.  Bathildis  and  two  sis- 
ters were  secerned  from  the  mother  house  of  the  great  teaching 
order,  the  School  Sisters  of  Notre  Dame,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

November  4,  1873,  the  school  was  formally  opened  after  sol- 
emn high  mass  by  the  pastor,  Rev.  J.  N.  Stariha,  assisted  by  a 
deacon  and  sub-deacon,  and  an  appropriate  sermon  by  Rev.  James 
Trobec,  of  Wabasha,  now  bishop  of  St.  Cloud.  Ninety  pupils  were 
at  once  enrolled.  On  the  completion  of  the  new  church,  on  Sixth 
and  Park  streets,  the  old  church  building  was  converted  into  an 
addition  to  the  school,  and  a third  schoolroom  was  fitted  up  and 
opened  in  1878.  In  1884  a special  music  teacher  was  required, 
and  Sister  M.  Hildegard  took  charge.  The  work  has  since  then 
been  ably  carried  on  by  Sister  M.  Prudence,  Sister  M.  Euthemia, 
Sister  M.  Edgar  and  Sister  M.  Illidia.  The  careful  and  judicious 
training  given  by  the  sisters  lias  done  much  to  develop  the  musi- 
cal talent  of  Red  Wing’s  youth,  and  contributed  not  a little  to 
the  reputation  enjoyed  by  the  ladies  of  Red  Wing  for  their  ability 
to  appreciate  good  music,  and  on  occasions  to  delight  others  by 
their  cultivated  talents.  Painting,  decorating  and  needlework 
receive  special  attention,  instruction  in  the  latter  being  given  to 
all  the  girls. 


434 


HI  ST  OB  Y'  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


For  eighteen  years  Sister  M.  Bathildis,  so  well  known  for  her 
success  as  a teacher  and  rare  skill  in  needlework,  directed  the 
schools.  She  was  succeeded  by  Sister  M.  Capistran  in  1891,  Sister 
M.  Edwardine  in  1895,  and  Sister  M.  Ignatia  in  1898,  all  cultured 
and  brilliant  women,  who,  with  an  able  corps  of  assistants,  have 
carried  on  the  arduous  work  of  training  the  youth  of  the  parish. 
Owing  to  the  generosity  of  Mrs.  Anna  M.  Busch,  the  large  brick 
residence  so  long  the  home  of  the  Frederick  Busch  family,  on 
Seventh  street,  was  given  in  1908  for  the  use  of  the  sisters,  and 
fitted  up  as  a convent.  At  the  same  time,  to  accommodate  the 
increasing  number  of  children,  a fourth  room  was  ecpiipped,  and 
140  pupils  enrolled.  The  sisters  teach  German  and  the  eight  usual 
common-school  grades,  preparing  the  children  for  high-school 
work.  They  endeavor  also  to  give  specific  training  in  Christian 
life,  that  prepares  for  useful  citizenship;  to  “render  to  Caesar  the 
things  that  are  Caesar’s,  and  to  God  the  things  that  are  God’s.” 
The  present  community  of  sisters  (1909)  consists  of  Sister  M. 
Ignatia,  superioress,  Sister  M.  Beilina,  Sister  M.  Mildgintha,  Sis- 
ter M.  Ulidia,  Sister  M.  Arnica,  Sister  M.  Cuthburga,  and  Sister 
M.  Alonza.  The  munificent  gift  of  the  Fred  Busch  homestead  on 
Seventh  street  for  school  purposes  opens  up  a still  more  propitious 
future.  Arrangements  are  under  way  for  the  erection,  next  to 
the  convent,  of  a $20,000  school  building,  with  all  modern  con- 
veniences, thus  adding  another  gem  to  the  crown  of  educational 
institutions  of  Bed  Wing. 

Belle  Creek  and  Goodhue.  As  a mission  in  Bed  Wing,  Belle 
Creek  flourished  with  the  surrounding  country.  The  great  tem- 
perance, or  total  abstinence,  movement  inaugurated  in  Minnesota 
by  Father  Ireland,  now  archbishop  of  St.  Paul,  Vas  early  and 
earnestly  taken  up  by  Belle  Creek  parish.  Fidelity  to  the  cause 
of  Father  Mathew  has  made  the  name  of  Belle  Creek  prominent 
at  every  Catholic  total  abstinence  state  convention.  Even  when 
general  apathy  threatened  abandonment  of  organized  effort,  the 
delegates  from  St.  Columbkill’s  parish  were  in  the  forefront  to 
carry  on  this  battle  against  the  demon  Drink.  The  power  of  per- 
sistent and  unrelenting  opposition  to  intemperance  by  the  pio- 
neer members  of  the  Total  Abstinence  Society  has  shown  itself  in 
the  rising  generation’s  temperate  and  edifying  lives.  The  flour- 
ishing community  requiring  greater  attention  than  could  be  ren- 
dered by  the  pastor  of  Bed  Wing,  Bev.  W.  T.  Boy  was  appointed 
first  resident  pastor  in  1878,  with  Cannon  Falls  and  Cherry  Grove 
as  missions. 

Rev.  James  O’Reilly,  Rev.  Hugh  McDevit  and  Father  Ansbro 
followed,  until  1886,  when  Rev.  Robert  Fitzgerald  took  charge, 
and  beside  the  two  missions  above,  visited  Zumbrota,  holding 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


435 


services  in  the  home  of  Leo  Shafer.  During  Father  Fitzgerald’s 
pastorate  was  erected  the  imposing  brick  church  whose  lofty 
spire  can  be  seen  for  miles. 

In  Cannon  Falls  the  Catholic  faith,  and  hope  of  the  pastor  and 
people,  blossomed  into  the  beautiful,  commodious  brick  church 
that  added  so  much  to  the  prospects  of  the  progressive  city. 

The  growing  communities  of  Belle  Creek,  Cannon  Falls, 
Cherry  Grove  and  Zumbrota,  being  so  widely  separated,  made  the 
required  services  too  difficult  for  the  pastor.  On  the  arrival  of 
Father  Gaughan  in  Red  Wing,  1890.  Zumbrota  was  detached,  and 
made  a mission  of  Red  Wing;  later  on  Cherry  Grove  was  annexed 
to  Pine  Island.  After  thirteen  years  of  devoted  service  in  Belle 
Creek  and  its  missions,  one  of  the  most  important  country  par- 
ishes in  the  diocese,  Father  Fitzgerald,  at  the  request  of  Arch- 
bishop Ireland,  took  up  the  work  of  higher  education  for  boys  in 
connection  with  St.  Thomas  College,  Merriam  Park. 

Immediately  upon  the  transfer  of  Father  Fitzgerald,  Rev.  J.  II. 
Prendergast — that  pious,  active,  young,  assistant  priest  of  the 
largest  parish  in  Minneapolis,  the  Immaculate  Conception — was 
placed  in  charge.  The  zealous  care  of  the  pastor  and  thorough 
Christian  spirit  of  the  people  fostered  development,  so  that  Good- 
hue.  the  thriving  and  ambitious  burg  on  the  Chicago  & Great 
Western  railroad,  secured  the  beautiful  home  and  spacious 
grounds  of  John  L.  Davis  for  a new  church  home.  A chapel  was 
fitted  up  in  1902,  in  which  service  is  regularly  held  since  the 
pastor  was  relieved  of  Cannon  Falls.  As  the  good  mother 
rejoices  to  see  her  grown  daughter  establish  a new  home  and  fam- 
ily, so  did  the  congregation  and  pastor  of  Belle  Creek  rejoice  at 
the  advance  of  Cannon  Falls  from  a mission  to  an  independent 
parish  in  1905. 

Though  greatly  reduced  in  territory,  the  pastor  finds  much 
scope  for  the  exercise  of  his  ministry  in  the  two  places,  Belle 
Creek  and  Goodhue.  The  thrift  and  religious  spirit  of  the  parish 
is  clearly  shown  in  its  zeal  for  the  house  of  God.  A fine  hall  has 
been  erected,  and  the  grounds  and  cemetery  beautified  and  care- 
fully kept,  while  a cement  walk,  lately  constructed,  makes  Belle 
Creek  a veritable  village  gem  ornamenting  the  prairie. 

Belvidere.  From  Red  Wing,  Father  Knauf  attended  other 
parishes  in  Goodhue  county.  Among  these  was  Belvidere,  where 
some  thirty  Catholic  families  bought  farms.  Under  his  direction, 
forty  acres  of  land  were  bought  and  a small,  frame  church 
erected  thereon,  which  later  on,  in  1877,  was  replaced  under  the 
pastorage  of  Rev.  J.  N.  Stariha  by  the  present  stone  edifice.  Rev. 
J.  M.  Meier  succeeded  Father  Stariha  in  1878,  and  was  the  first 
resident  pastor  of  Belvidere,  and  established  the  second  Catholic 


436 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


school  in  Goodhue  county.  This  school,  as  the  school  in  Red 
Wing,  was  also  given  in  charge  of  the  School  Sisters  of  Notre 
Dame  with  Sister  Norbert  as  its  first  superior.  In  1884  Father 
Meier  was  appointed  pastor  of  Red  Wing,  and  then  followed  in 
quick  succession  Father  J.  Tori  and  Father  Pius  Schmidt.  During 
the  charge  of  the  latter  an  addition  to  the  church  was  built,  and 
a commodious  two-story  brick  residence  erected.  After  nearly 
twelve  years  of  labor  in  Goodhue  county,  Father  Linberg  was 
transferred  to  Winsted,  where  he  died,  in  1908,  and  Reverend 
Roemer  was  appointed  pastor  in  1901 . Finding  that  the  old 
school  building  was  inadequate  to  serve  its  purpose,  he  replaced 
it  by  the  present  two-story  brick  edifice,  which  was  erected  in 
1902,  at  a cost  of  $13,000.  The  new  sclioolhouse  was  a gracious 
recognition  by  the  parish  of  the  noble  sacrifice  made  by  the  sisters 
when  accepting  the  Savior’s  invitation — they  left  all  to  follow 
Him,  in  the  Christian  education  of  the  young. 

Cannon  Falls.  Feeling  the  need  of  more  than  mission  service, 
Cannon  Falls,  in  1905,  sprung  into  a parish,  receiving  as  its  first 
resident  pastor  the  energetic  young  priest,  Rev.  Francis  X. 
McDermott.  At  once  new  life  and  hopes  took  possession  of  the 
Catholics  of  that  lively  little  city.  Realizing  that  the  temporal 
and  spiritual  go  hand  in  hand,  the  pastor  and  people  saw  the  need 
and  the  advantage  of  a parochial  residence.  With  the  natural 
reluctance  and  sorrow  at  parting  from  old  friends,  the  first  stone 
church  building  was  torn  down,  and  there  arose  on  the  site  the 
present  beautiful  residence.  The  pastor,  the  people  of  the  parish, 
as  well  as  of  the  city  at  large,  have  reason  to  rejoice  at  the  change 
wrought,  for  it  adds  materially  to  the  beauty  of  the  thriving  and 
progressive  city.  God,  who  blesses  the  least  sacrifice  in  His  honor, 
quickens  the  faith  of  the  cheerful,  generous  giver,  so  that  it  is  not 
surprising  to  find  that  the  pastor  and  his  people  of  the  Church  of 
St.  Pius,  though  small  in  number,  are  large  in  that  strong  faith 
and  living  charity  that  is  a help  and  encouragement  to  their 
fellow-men. 

Zumbrota.  The  few  Catholic  families  of  Zumbrota  were 
attended  from  Belle  Creek  and  Red  Wing  until  Rev.  O.  F.  Rice, 
of  Pine  Island,  took  charge.  Under  his  zealous  and  self-sacrificing 
administration,  the  generosity  of  the  members  and  their  friends 
was  so  aroused  that,  an  elegant  and  fully  equipped  church  was 
erected.  It  was  dedicated  October,  1902,  with  due  solemnity,  by 
Archbishop  Ireland,  assisted  by  the  pastor,  Father  Rice,  and  the 
former  attendants,  Revs.  R.  J.  Fitzgerald,  J.  IT.  Gauglian  and 
J.  H.  Prendergast.  The  grand  outpouring  from  the  neighboring 
parishes  and  cities  was  a tribute  of  praise  to-  the  builders  of  the 
seventh  Catholic  church  in  Goodhue  county. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


437 


Note. — For  the  above  article  on  the  Catholic  church  in  Goodhue 
county  this  work  is  indebted  to  the  Rev.  James  TI.  Gaughan. 

Pine  Island.  The  history  of  this  church  is  found  elsewhere. 

METHODIST  EPISCOPAL. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  has  ever  taken  a prominent 
position  in  pioneer  life,  and  it  is  therefore  natural  that  this 
denomination  should  have  been  well  represented  in  this  county 
since  the  earliest  settlement.  There  are  now  Methodist  churches, 
or  chapels,  in  Red  Wing,  at  Cannon  Falls,  Goodhue,  Kenyon,  Pine 
Island,  Zumbrota,  Featherstone,  Dennison  and  Stanton. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Goodhue  was  organized  in 
1857,  with  Rev.  J.  G.  Johnson,  pastor,  and  Rev:  T.  M.  Kirkpatrick, 
presiding  elder.  Services  were  first  held  in  schoolhouses,  after- 
wards in  the  Presbyterian  church,  about  two  miles  east  of  Good- 
hue,  on  the  Red  Wing  and  Zumbrota  road.  In  August,  1893,  serv- 
ices were  held  in  Anderson’s  Hall,  Goodhue,  and  during  the  sum- 
mer of  1895  the  present  church  building  was  erected.  The  church 
was  dedicated  October  20,  1895.  Dr.  W.  K.  Marshall  was  presid- 
ing elder  at  this  time,  and  Rev.  H.  J.  Harpington  pastor  in  charge. 
The  pastors  who  have  served  from  the  time  of  organization  are : 

J.  G.  Johnson,  1857-58;  Samuel  Spates,  1859; Meyer,  1860; 

Thomas  Day,  1863 ; Ezra  Tucker,  1864 ; Peter  Akers,  1865 ; 
C.  Hobart,  1866;  G.  W.  Richardson,  1868;  J.  C.  Rich,  1869;  John 
Kerns,  1872;  B.  F.  Kephart,  1873;  Levi  Gleason,  1874;  C.  Hobart, 
1876;  S.  Bolles,  1879;  C.  II.  Hobart,  1881;  Ezra  Tucker,  1883; 
L.  P.  Smith,  1885;  J.  W.  Stebbins,  1889;  Joseph  Hall,  1892;  IJ.  J. 
Harrington,  1895;  Joseph  Hogg,  1896;  A.  L.  Umpleby;  G.  A. 
Cahoon,  1898;  O.  W.  Trast,  1904;  Ralph  Carlton,  1904;  S.  W. 
Kemerer,  1906;  C.  N.  Harnrin,  1907.  The  parsonage  was  first  built 
in  the  summer  of  1905.  The  present  pastor  is  C.  N.  Harnrin. 
Trustees:  L.  Johnson,  C.  B.  Johnson,  W.  H.  H.  Bruce,  H.  M. 
Seovell,  F.  L.  Kempf,  George  Tether,  R.  C.  Arpke,  A.  R.  Kempf; 
stewards,  William  Hope,  G.  R.  Ericson,  A.  C.  Kempf,  L.  Johnson, 
C.  R.  Johnson,  A.  E.  Osgood,  Dr.  C.  E.  Gates;  Sunday  school 
superintendent,  F.  L.  Kempf ; assistant  superintendent,  A.  E. 
Osgood;  treasurer,  Zoa  Parker;  secretary,  May  Kempf;  organist, 
Marion  Seovell.  Epworth  League — President,  Mrs.  C.  E.  Gates.; 
first  vice-president,  Mrs.  William  Hope;  second  vice-president, 
Marion  Seovell ; third  vice-president,  Effa  Bruce ; fourth  vice- 
president,  May  Kempf.  Ladies’  Aid — President  Mrs.  William 
Hope;  secretary,  Mrs.  Frank  Kempf;  treasurer,  Mrs.  G.  B. 
Erricson. 

Rev.  Ezra  Tucker,  one  of  the  early  Methodist  clergymen, 
was  born  June  29,  1819,  at  Tunbridge,  Vt.,  in  which  state  his 


438 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


parents,  Ezra  and  Mary  Ann  Tucker,  spent  the  entire  span  of 
their  years.  He  lived  as  a boy  in  his  native  town,  and  later 
located  successively  in  Sheboygan  and  Beaver  Dam,  both  in  the 
state  of  Wisconsin.  In  1861  he  was  sent  to  Red  Wing  as  pastor 
of  the  Methodist  church  and  served  in  the  pulpit  twTo  years. 
Filled  with  patriotism  at  the  opening  of  the  Civil  War,  he  in  1862 
offered  his  services  as  chaplain,  and  was  assigned  to  the  108th 
United  States  Colored  Infantry,  with  whom  he  spent  a year. 
Upon  his  return  to  Red  Wing  he  was  appointed  presiding  elder 
of  the  district.  After  several  years  in  this  capacity,  he  occupied 
the  pulpit  at  Faribault,  this  state,  and  in  1878  went  to  Cannon 
Falls,  this  county,  where  he  built  a, church.  He  next  rode  a circuit 
for  a time,  and  then  went  to  Chattfield,  Minn.,  where,  under  his 
pastorate,  as  at  Cannon  Falls,  a church  was  built.  After  this 
work  he  retired  and  was  placed  on  the  superannuated  list,  occa- 
sionally acting  as  a supply  pastor  until  his  death  in  Red  Wing, 
February  16,  1892.  His  widow  still  resides  at  Red  Wing  and  is 
uoav  in  her  eighty-eighth  year. 

The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  Red  Wing,  had  its 
real  beginning  in  1852,  when  services  were  held  by  pioneers  be- 
lieving in  the  faith  of  that  denomination.  The  first  pastor  to 
whom  was  assigned  charge  of  the  Methodist  Avork  of  Red  AYing 
was  Rev.  S.  L.  Leonard.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  Matthew  Sorin, 
who  in  the  fall  of  1853  is  said  to  have  officially  organized  a class 
of  twenty-four  members,  composed  of  W.  D.  Chilson,  Annie  S. 
Chilson,  Maria  Sweney,  Matilda  Freeborn,  Julia  A.  Bevans, 
Thomas  J.  Smith,  Betsey  P.  Smith,  Rezin  Spates,  Margaret 
Spates,  Charles  Spates,  Mary  E.  Spates,  Maria  Sorin,  Elizabeth 
Sorin,  Emily  R.  Sorin,  Mary  Sorin,  John  E.  Sorin,  Susan  Sorin, 
Solomon  Rouse,  Caroline  Rouse,  Edward.  Rouse,  Charles  Rouse  and 
E.  Hoyt.  During  the  early  days  Rev.  C.  Hobart  preached  a num- 
ber of  sermons.  The  first  pastor  sent  to  Red  Wing  as  a separate 
and  independent  appointment  Avas  ReAv  Jabez  Brooks  in  1854. 
He  was  also  principal  of  the  preparatory  department  of  Ham- 
line University.  At  that  time  the  congregation  only  numbered 
twenty-two  persons.  During  that  conference  year  the  member- 
ship increased  to  ninety-five.  The  pastor  this  year  organized 
the  Sunday  school  and  the  board  of  trustees.  Regular  services 
Avere  first  held  for  a little  more  than  a year  in  the  schoolroom  of 
the  university,  in  C.  J.  F.  Smith’s  store  building,  near  the  river. 
When  the  university  building  was  completed,  services  com- 
menced and  Avere  held  in  the  college  chapel,  until  a fine  edifice 
costing  $11,000  was  completed  and  dedicated  in  the  summer  of 
1858.  June  2.  1859.  the  tower,  nearly  one  hundred  feet  in  height, 
blew  down,  falling  lengtlnvise,  and  carrying  to  the  ground  nearly 
the  Avhole  building  Avith  it.  It  AAms  immediately  rebuilt,  at  a cost 


HISTORY  OF  OOODHUE  C(H  XT^ 


439 


of  .$1,400,  making  the  entire  cost  of  the  building  $12,400.  In 
1855  Rev.  Chauncy  Hobart  was  appointed  pastor  and  continued 
in  that  relation  for  two  years. 

In  July,  1857,  Rev.  Peter  Akers  became  preacher  in  charge, 
and  at  the  close  of  his  term,  April,  1858,  reported  to  the  confer- 
ence 135  full  members  and  108  probationers.  Rev.  J.  W.  Stod- 
gill  succeeded  to  the  work  and  remained  on  the  field  until  May, 
1859.  In  May,  1859,  Rev.  Jabez  Brooks  Avas  for  the  second  timg 
made  preacher  in  charge  and  continued  in  that  relation  until 
succeeded  by  Rev.  Silas  Bolles  in  1860.  Brother  Bolles  reported 
to  the  conference  157  full  members  and  28  probationers.  The 
next  pastor  of  the  charge  was  Re\r.  Ezra  Tucker,  who  remained 
two  years  and  Avas  succeeded  by  Rev.  George  W.  Richardson. 
One  year  later  Rev.  T.  M.  Gossard  Avas  appointed  to  the  charge. 
In  1865  ReAr.  Cyrus  Brooks  began  a three-year  pastorate  and  at 
its  close  reported  211  full  members  and  23  probationers.  The 
conference  of  1868  made  ReAr.  John  Kerns  pastor.  ReAr.  T.  Mc- 
Cleary  came  to  the  charge  in  1869  and  remained  two  years.  ReA\ 
Ezra  Lathrop . was  sent  to  the  charge  by  the  conference  in  1871; 
Rev.  Charles  GrisAvold  by  the  conference  of  1872;  Rev.  S.  A. 
Winsor  by  the  conference  of  1874.  The  conference  of  1876  ap- 
pointed Rev.  J.  H.  Macomber  to  the  field.  During  this  pastorate 
the  two-storv  brick  parsonage  Avas  erected  at  a cost  of  .$2,200. 
It  is  partially  furnished  by  the  congregation,  which  obviates  the 
necessity  of  the  preachers  sent  to  the  Avork  from  time  to  time 
moving  heavy  articles  of  furniture  Avith  them.  In  1878  Rca\  W. 
C.  Rice  Avas  appointed  to  the  charge  and  continued  three  years. 
Rev.  A.  G.  Wilson  became  preacher  in  charge  in  1881  and  Rev. 
W.  S.  MattheAV  in  1882.  Rev.  William  McKinley  succeeded  in 
1883  and  remained  three  years.  Rev.  Aaron  Tucker  came  next 
in  order  and  filled  a three-year  term.  The  conference  of  1889 
appointed  ReAr.  II.  C.  Jennings  to  the  work.  His  pastorate  con- 
tinued for  free  years.  Rev.  F.  D.  Newhouse  followed  and  one 
year  later,  1895,  Rev.  L.  L.  ITanscom  became  preacher  in  charge. 
In  May,  1896.  he  Avas  made  presiding  elder  of  the  Marshall  dis- 
trict of  the  Minnesota  conference.  ReAr.  W.  S.  Cochrane  Avas 
transferred  from  Tracy  to  fill  the  vacancy.  ReAc  J.  F.  Stout  be- 
came pastor  in  1897  and  remained  in  that  relation  until  made 
presiding  elder  of  the  AVinona  district  of  the  Minnesota  confer- 
ence. The  conference  of  1899  appointed  Rca\  John  Stafford.  At 
the  conference  of  1901  Rev.  J.  M.  Drfcer  began  a one-year  term 
as  preacher  in  charge.  In  1902.  Rev.  M.  G.  Shuman  Avas  appoint- 
ed pastor  in  charge  and  remained  five  years,  and  in  1907  Rev. 
E.  H.  Goodell  was  appointed  and  is  still  serAung.  December  22, 
1907,  the  church  was  destroyed  by  fire  and  a fine  neAA;  stone 


440 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


church  is  now  under  construction  on  the  old  site,  which  will  be 
dedicated  in  the  winter  of  1909-10. 

Rev.  Sias  Bolles  was  born  in  Williamstown,  Vt.,  September  5, 
1810.  In  1836  he  was  called  to  preach,  and  became  a member  of 
the  Genessee,  N.  Y.,  conference.  From  there  he  was  transferred 
to  the  Rock  River,  111.,  conference,  to  which  he  became  attached 
in  1840.  In  1860  he  came  to  Minnesota.  He  was  stationed  one 
.year  at  Red  Wing  and  then  a year  at  Winona.  After  that  he 
entered  the  war  as  chaplain  of  a Missouri  regiment  and  continued 
in  the  service  till  peace  was  declared.  He  was  agent  of  Hamline 
University  for  a time  and  afterwards  engaged  in  Bible  work  for 
three  years.  lie  then  had  charge  of  the  Red  Wing  and  Cannon 
Falls  circuits.  After  that  he  was  at  Money  Creek.  For  about 
twenty  years,  on  account  of  advancing  age,  he  has  been  engaged 
in  active  work,  leading  a quiet  and  retired  life,  making  his  home 
in  Red  Wing,  where  he  had  a residence  on  South  Park  street. 
Rev.  Bolles  was  twice  married.  He  first  married  in  1840,  his 
wife  dying  in  1856.  He  married  again  the  same  year.  His  second 
wife  survived  him  seven  years.  He  had  three  daughters,  Mrs. 
E.  FT.  Wood,  of  West  St.  Paul;  Mrs.  H.  A.  Campbell,  of  Macales- 
ter,  and  Mrs.  C.  A.  Robson,  of  this  city. 

Charlotte  Huckins  Bolles  was  born  in  Ohio,  September  4,  1830. 
Her  parents  Avent  from  New  England  to  Ohio,  which  at  that  time 
was  considered  the  Far  West.  She  was  married  at  the  early  age 
of  sixteen  years  to  a Mr.  Darby,  and  lost  her  husband  and  an  in- 
fant son  before  attaining  her  majority.  In  1856  she  was  married 
in  Chicago  to  Rev.  Sias  Bolles.  From  the  organization  of  the  W. 
C.  T.  U.,  Mrs.  Bolles  was  a constant  member.  She  attended  the 
first  meeting  of  the  State  Woman’s  Suffrage  Association  and  for 
several  years  was  a member  of  the  executive  committee.  She 
taught  the  Freedmen  in  the  South  when  her  husband  was  a chap- 
lain in  the  army,  and  for  several  years  Avas  a member  of  the 
AY.  R.  C.  She  died  in  October,  1908,  at  the  home  of  her  daughter, 
Mrs.  C.  A.  Robson. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Cannon  Falls  was  organ- 
ized in  1856,  and  erected  a church  in  1878.  It,  is  now  in  a flour- 
ishing condition  Avith  a large  congregation.  The  present  pastor 
is  Rev.  R.  J.  L.  McKelvey. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Pine  Island  is  closely 
connected  with  the  early  history  of  this  section  of  the  state. 
Early  in  1857  ReAr.  J.  M.  Rogers  formed  a Methodist  class  in  Pine 
Island,  with  William  Rock  as  class-leader.  In  the  same  year  at 
the  annual  conference,  Avhich  convened  at  Winona,  July  30,  Pine 
Island  circuit  is  first  named.  Its  territory  is  said  to  contain 
“indefinitely,  more  or  less,  the  south  two-thirds  of  the  counties 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


441 


of  Goodhue  and  Wabasha,  and  the  north  half  of  the  counties 
of  Dodge  and  Olmsted,  extending  east  to  Winona  county  and 
west  to  near  the  village  of  Kenyon.”  Rev.  G.  W.  T.  Wright  was 
the  first  preacher  appointed  to  Pine  Island  circuit.  He  found 
within  the  bounds  of  his  circuit  seven  local  preachers,  viz. : Revs. 
A.  E.  Standish,  of  Mazeppa;  C.  McMannus  and  M.  Woodly,  of 
Pine  Island;  J.  M.  Gates  and  H.  Webb,  of  Roscoe;  N.  Moon,  of 
New  Haven;  S.  A.  Wing,  south  of  Oronoco,  and  R.  L.  Fraser,  of 
Bear  Valley.  Instead  of  trying  to  spread  himself  over  the  entire 
territory,  Mr.  Wright  preached  regularly  at  Pine  Island,  Roscoe, 
Oronoco  and  Center  Grove,  and  he  prepared  a plan  by  which  the 
other  preaching  places  were  supplied  by  the  local  preachers.  He 
arrived  on  this  new  field  of  labor  on  Friday,  September  18,  1857, 
and  preached  at  Pine  Island  and  near  Roscoe  the  following  Sun- 
day. “The  first  service  was  held  in  a log  cabin  on  the  south  bank 
of  the  Zumbro,  opposite  the  hotel.”  Afterwards  the  dining  room 
of  the  hotel  and  private  houses  were  used  until  the  school  house 
was  built,  in  1858.  When,  after  several  weeks,  Mr.  Wright 
finally  secured  rooms  in  Pine  Island  to  live  in,  the  moving  of  his 
family  is  thus  described  by  himself  years  afterwards  : ‘ ‘ The  trip 
from  Red  Wing  to  Pine  Island,  November  19  and  20,  1857,  over 
trackless  prairie,  with  a wife  not  well,  and  a babe  sick,  was  the 
most  perilous  I ever  made.  The  snow  Avas  deep,  the  wind  terrible, 
the  cold  intense.”  During  the  second  year  of  his  pastorate  a 
wonderful  religious  revival  swept  over  the  community,  resulting 
in  about  130  accessions  to  the  Methodist  society.  But  eAren  at 
that  early  date  with  the  opening  of  spring  a large  portion  of 
these  moved  in  different  directions  in  search  of  neAV  homes  for 
themselves.  At  the  annual  conference  of  1859  Pine  Island  cir- 
cuit Avas  divided  into  three  circuits : Greeirvvoocl,  Oronoco  and 

Pine  Island.  Rev.  G.  W.  Richardson  Avas  appointed  to  Pine  Is- 
land. He  Avas  succeeded  in  1860  by  Rev.  Thos.  M.  Kirkpatrick, 
during  Avhose  pastorate  of  two  years  a parsonage  property  was 
bought.  In  1862  Rev.  Thos.  P.  Morse  Avas  appointed  to  the 
charge,  and  it  Avas  during  his  pastorate,  in  1864,  that  the  first 
church,  a brick  building,  was  erected  on  the  lot  just  east  of  the 
present  parsonage.  In  the  fall  of  1864,  Rev.  J.  W.  PoavcII  be- 
came pastor.  In  1865-66  Mr.  PoAvell  had  as  his  associate  pastor 
Rev.  J.  L.  Farber.  They  Avere  succeeded  by  the  following  pas- 
tors, respectively,  appointed  in  the  years  indicated:  Rev.  Boyd 
Phelps,  appointed  in  1869;  Rev.  A.  V.  Hiscock,  in  1870;  Rev.  AY. 
A\r.  Rork,  in  1872;  Rev.  Chas.  T.  Barkuloo,  in  1875;  ReA^.  .John 
Bernard,  in  1877;  ReA^.  B.  F.  Kephart,  in  1879;  ReAr.  Noah  Lath- 
rop,  in  1880:  Rev.  -J.  AY.  Mower,  in  1882;  Rca\  J.  Milton  Akers, 
in  1884;  ReAr.  J.  AY.  Raveill,  in  1887 ; Rev.  A.  J.  Roberts,  in  1880; 


442 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Rev.  R.  R.  Jennison,  in  1889;  Rev.  Israel  Putnam,  in  1890;  Rev. 
J.  J.  Elftman,  in  1891;  Rev.  C.  J.  St.  Hill,  in  1892.  During  Mr. 
St.  Hill’s  pastorate  of  two  years  the  old  parsonage  property, 
which  had  served  as  a home  for  the  preachers  for  over  thirty 
years,  was  sold,  and  a new  building  erected  on  the  lot  directly 
west  of  the  church,  which  constitutes  the  main  part  of  the  pres- 
ent parsonage.  Rev.  II.  I.  Pharo  was  placed  in  charge  in  1894, 
and  in  1896  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  W.  M.  Gillis,  whose  pas- 
torate continued  for  six  years.  The  parsonage  was  enlarged  and 
improved  during  his  pastorate  into  the  commodious  and  com- 
fortable house  it  is  at  present.  And  it  was  during  this  pastorate 
that  the  old  brick  church,  which  had  accommodated  the  society 
for  thirty-four  years,  displaced  by  the  splendid  frame  church 
now  standing  on  the  east  corner  of  the  block  on  which  the  par- 
sonage stands.  This  church  stands  as  a monument  to  the  tireless 
energy  and  faithful  work  of  Mr.  Gillis,  and  also  of  the  liberality 
and  loyalty  of  the  people  of  the  church  and  community.  It  was 
dedicated  by  Bishop  Isaac  Joyce  on  August  26,  1900.  The  value 
of  this  church  and  parsonage  property  is  upwards  of  $10,000. 
In  1902  Rev.  Herbert  Jones  was  appointed  to  this  charge,  and  he 
was  succeeded  in  1903  by  Rev.  R.  O.  Lawrason,  who  remained 
until  the  fall  of  1906,  when  the  present  pastor,  Rev.  W.  J.  Robin- 
son, was  placed  in  charge.  At  the  time  of  this  writing  a complete 
list  of  the  church  officials  from  the  beginning  is  not  available. 
The  present  board  of  trustees  is  .as  follows : T.  IT.  Bunn,  IT.  A. 
Castle,  C.  E.  Hutchinson,  George  M.  Rogers,  T.  S.  Mellinger,  C. 
W.  Coleman,  W.  W.  Jewell,  L.  L.  Cornwell  and  Dr.  C.  B.  McKaig. 
At  the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  church  a Sunday  school 
was  also  organized,  which  has  continued  for  over  half  a century 
as  a center  of  religious  instruction  and  influence  in  the  commu- 
nity. M.  R.  Hopper  is  at  present  the  popular  and  efficient 
superintendent.  The  ladies  of  the  church  and  congregation  are 
organized  into  a Ladies’  Aid  Society,  which  affords  opportunity 
for  social  intercourse,  and  has  proven  a strong  factor  in  improv- 
ing and  keeping  the  church  property  in  repair  as  well  as  con- 
tributing generously  towards  the  current  expenses.  The  officers 
for  the  year  just  closing  are  as  follows:  Mrs.  F.  A.  Howard, 

president ; Mrs.  T.  LI.  Bunn,  vice  president ; Mrs.  A.  Burpee,  sec- 
retary; Mrs.  LI.  H.  McCray,  treasurer.  At  this  writing  the 
church  in  all  departments  is  in  a prosperous  condition. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Zumbrota  was  organized 
in  the  fall  of  1869  with  Zumbrota,  Roscoe  and  Goodhue  as  ap- 
pointments, being  at  that  time  in  the  Red  "Wing  district.  Rev. 
Boyd  Phelps  was  pastor  and  Rev.  J.  O.  Rich  presiding  elder. 
Both  remained  in  the  same  capacity  for  the  following  three  years. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


443 


In  the  fall  of  1872,  Zumbrota  Avas  placed  in  the  Rochester  dis- 
trict and  with  the  Rev.  Henry  Goodsell  as  pastor  and  Re\r.  W.  C. 
Rice  as  presiding  elder.  In  1873  plans  were  proposed  for  build- 
ing a church  and  the  present  edifice  Avas  erected  in  the  spring 
of  1874  and  dedicated  August  2,  1874.  A wing  has  since  been 
added.  Since  the  Rev.  Goodsell  the  pastors  have  been  as  fol- 
1oaats  : 1875,  H.  P.  Satchwell;  1877,  E.  R.  Lathrop ; 1880,  Noah 

Lathrop;  1880,  R..  Washburn ; 1883,  William  B.  Bowdish ; 1885, 
S.  G.  Briggs;  1886,  W.  L.  Langrow;  1887,  Joseph  Hall;  1889,  John 
Watson;  1892,  W.  L.  Rice;  1897.  W.  S.  Cochran;  1898,  George 
H.  Wareham;  1900,  J.  A.  Hovis;  1902,  C.  E.  Hawkins;  1905,  E.  A. 
Palmer;  1908,  John  Loavc.  The  church  has  the  usual  societies 
and  is  in  a prosperous  condition.  The  congregation  oavus  a neat 
parsonage  in  the  same  block  AA’ith  the  church. 

CONGREGATIONAL. 

There  are  two  Congregational  churches  in  this  county,  one 
at  Cannon  Falls  and  the  other  at  Zumbrota. 

First  Congregational  Church,  Zumbrota.  In  April,  1857,  the 
spring  following  the  first  settlement  of  the  village  of  Zumbrota, 
the  Rev.  Charles  Shedd  gathered  around  him  a few  Christians 
and  commenced  preaching  services  in  the  village.  This  resulted 
in  the  formation  of  the  First  Congregational  church,  June  28, 
1857,  the  Revs.  Richard  Hall,  of  the  American  Home  Missionary 
Society,  anti  Charles  Shedd,  officiating.  They  took  into  the  fel- 
loAvship  of  the  church  Josiah  and  Nancy  W.  Thompson,  of  the 
John  Street  church,  LoAvell,  Mass. ; Charles  C.  and  Elizabeth  D. 
Webster,  of  the  Congregational  church,  of  Canaan,  N.  IT. ; George 
and  Abby  R.  Sanderson,  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  Red  Wing, 
Minn.  Ter. ; Charles  and  Harriet  E.  Ward,  of  the  High  Street 
church,  LoAvell,  Mass. ; Albert  and  Lucy  Ann  Barrett,  of  the  Con- 
gregational church,  of  Staffordville,  Conn. ; D.  Berkley  and  Sarah 
H.  Goddard,  of  the  Old  South  church,  Worcester,  Mass. ; Nathaniel 
Mullihen,  of  the  Congregational  church,  of  Brookline,  Mass.; 
and  Thomas  P.  Kellett,  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of 
LoA\rell,  Mass. 

The  organization  Avas  completed  September  4,  1857,  by  the 
election  of  Alpheus  Hall,  clerk;  Charles  Ward,  treasurer;  Josiah 
Thompson,  Charles  Ward  and  Joseph  Bailey,  prudential  com- 
mittee. Later  Albert  Barrett  Avas  elected  deacon  for  the  term  of 
one  year,  and  Charles  Ward  for  tAAm  years. 

Rev.  David  Andrews  AAras  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  church 
July  12,  1857,  commencing,  his  work  in  October  and  serving  for 
one  year.  History  made  fast  for  the  small  organization,  hardly 
a Sunday  passing  without  seeing  neAv  names  added  to  the  roster 


444 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


of  members.  The  first  recorded  baptism  was  that  of  Anna  Myra, 
the  infant  daughter  of  Charles  and  Myra  W.  Jewett,  Sunday, 
November  15,  1857. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  January  28,  1860,  the  question  of 
a permanent  home  was  discussed  and  a committee  consisting  of 
Henry  Blanchard,  T.  D.  Rowell,  Charles  Ward  and  Charles  C. 
Webster  was  appointed  to  locate  a suitable  site  for  the  building. 
The  present  edifice  was  the  result,  it  being  erected  in  1862.  The 
building  was  lengthened  and  the  vestry  added  during  the  sum- 
mer of  1880.  In  April,  1869,  four  lots  as  a parsonage  site  were 
donated  by  I.  C.  Stearns.  The  building  was  erected  the  next 
year. 

The  Zumbrota  church  has  been  host  to  the  Southeastern  Min- 
nesota Conference  twice — June  21,  1859,  and  May  23  to  25,  1882. 

Emily  Hartwell,  missionary  to  Poo  Chow,  China,  is  a member 
of  this  church,  she  having  joined  on  confession  of  her  faith  July 
7,  1867.  She  was  at  that  time  attending  school  at  this  place 
and  she  has  never  severed  her  connection  with  the  church 
organization. 

The  present  officers  are  the  Rev.  John  Hayes  Barnett,  pastor; 
Mrs.  Emma  P.  Freeman,  clerk;  N.  T.  Wedge,  treasurer;  Henry 
Scofield,  James  Cram,  Waiter  C.  Rowell  and  Edward  P.  Mahaffy, 
deacons,  Messrs.  Scofield  and  Cram  having  been  elected  to  the 
office  for  life,  as  an  appreciation  of  their  faithful  services ; Mrs. 
Henry  Scofield,  deaconess;  and  James  Cram,  Lewis  Scofield  and 
Prof.  J.  T.  Puller,  trustees. 

The  church  lias  the  following  active  auxiliaries : 

A Ladies’  Aid  Society,  organized  during  the  early  days  of 
the  church.  Its  officers  are  Mrs.  N.  T.  AYedge,  president;  Mrs. 
Nora  Scofield,  vice-president;  Mrs.  Florence  Mosher,  secretary, 
and  Mrs.  Lettie  Mclntire,  treasurer. 

A Women’s  Missionary  Society,  organized  August  19,  1882, 
with  Mrs.  C.  II.  Rogers,  directress ; Miss  Hattie  Rogers,  secretary, 
and  Miss  Cornelia  Chaffee,  treasurer.  Its  work  is  now  under  the 
supervision  of  Mrs.  Florence  Mosher,  president ; Mrs.  Emma 
P.  Freeman,  vice-president;  Airs.  Nora  M.  Barnett,  secretary,  and 
Miss  Nettie  Barrett,  treasurer. 

A Sunday  school,  with  Prof.  J.  T.  Fuller,  superintendent ; Mrs. 
Emma  F.  Freeman,  assistant  superintendent,  and  Mrs.  E.  F. 
Mahaffy,  secretary- treasurer. 

A Christian  Endeavor  Society,  officered  by  Percy  Ward,  presi- 
dent; Cora  AVedge,  vice-president;  Lawrence  Mahaffy,  secretary, 
and  Blanche  Scofield,  treasurer. 

A Brotherhood,  organized  in  November,  1908,  with  Lewis 
Scofield,  president;  Abel  Anderson,  vice-president,  and  S.  DeFor- 
rest  Warren,  treasurer. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


445 


During  the  fifty-two  years’  work  of  the  church  it  has  been 
ministered  to  by  pastors  as  follows : 

April,  1857,  to  October  1,  1857 — Rev.  Charles  Shedd;  October, 
1857,  to  October,  1858 — Rev.  David  Andrews ; September  2,  1859, 
to  September,  1863 — Rev.  Henry  Willard;  August  15,  1864,  to 
August,  1866 — Rev.  Edward  Brown ; Benjamin  A.  Dean  served,  as 
stated,  supply  for  two  or  three  months ; March,  1867,  to  Sep- 
tember, 1868 — Rev.  Charles  Seccombe;  September,  1868,  to 
September,  1869 — Rev.  Joseph  S.  Coggswell;  May  15,  1870,  to 
May  1,  1877 — Rev.  Sidney  H.  Barteau;  November  1,  1877,  to  May 
1,  1879 — Rev.  Augustus  A.  Joss;  June  8,  1879,  to  fall  of  1883 — - 
Rev.  Charles  H.  Rogers ; December,  1883,  to  October,  1889 — Rev. 
William  C.  Rice;  January  1,  1890,  to  December,  1892 — John  W. 
Hargrave;  December  1,  1893,  to  April  1,  1898 — Rev.  James  Oakey; 
September  25,  1898,  to  July  18,  1899 — Rev.  S.  W.  Dickinson ; 
November  19,  1899,  to  December  31,  1902 — Rev.  S.  E.  Lynd;  April 
15,  1903,  to  April  27,  1904 — Rev.  C.  II.  McIntosh ; August  29,  1904, 
to  September  3,  1906- — Rev.  Frank  G.  Wilcox;  October  8,  1906, 
to  March  2,  1908 — Rev.  IT.  C.  Todd.  Rev.  John  Hayes  Barnett; 
the  present  pastor,  commenced  service  with  the  church  July  15, 
1908. 

Of  the  above,  Rev.  Joseph  S.  Coggswell  was  ordained  to  the 
ministry  by  a council  convened  in  the  church  November  18,  1868. 
The  council  was  composed  of  Rev.  N.  AY.  Grover,  of  Mantorville ; 
the  Rev.  W.  B.  Dada,  of  Lake  City;  the  Rev.  E.  P.  Dada,  of 
Rockford,  111. ; I.  C.  Stearns,  of  Zumbrota,  and  George  AV.  Allen, 
of  Mazeppa. 

Rev.  John  Hayes  Barnett,  born  in  Bridgeton,  Cumberland 
county,  New  Jersey,  May  15,  1871,  is  the  pastor  of  the  First  Con- 
gregational church,  of  Zumbrota.  By  the  death  of  his  father, 
March  22,  1872,  his  mother  was  left  with  the  care  of  two  boys, 
the  elder  of  whom  was  four  years  of  age.  Their  mother  pre- 
sented them  with  a new  father  in  April,  1877.  They  moved  to 
Colehour,  now  a part  of  Chicago,  111.,  in  March,  1881.  In  1885 
they  settled  in  the  northwest  corner  of  Indiana,  on  what  is  now 
the  site  of  Indiana  Harbor.  Leaving  school  at  the  age  of  four- 
teen, after  having  completed  the  grammar  school  course,  he 
became  car  accountant  and  timekeeper  for  the  George  P.  Benton 
Gravel  & Sand  Company.  AAUien  the  Standard  Oil  Company 
started  to  erect  their  refinery  at  Whiting,  Ind.,  he  entered  the 
pipe  department  of  the  company,  remaining  with  them  until  June, 
1893.  In  1894  he  commenced  to  learn  the  printer’s  trade,  using 
this  to  pay  his  way  in  the  Moody  Bible  Institute,  of  Chicago, 
and  the  Ridgeville  (Ind.)  College,  which  he  entered  in  the  fall 
of  1897.  He  received  his  first  preacher’s  license  in  September, 
1896,  it  being  granted  by  the  Michigan  City,  Indiana,  Association. 


446 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


He  Avas  sent  ont  as  a student  missionary  for  the  American  Sunday 
School  Union,  in  Wisconsin,  during  the  summer  of  1897.  Shortly 
after  leaving  college  he  became  lessee  and  managing  editor  of 
the  Whiting  (Ind.)  “News,”  leaving  this  to  take  up  the  active 
ministry  in  1901,  his  first  charge  being  at  Shipshewana,  ind. 
Since  then  he  has  been  pastor  of  the  Congregational  churches 
at  Andrews,  Ind.;  Brightwood  (Indianapolis),  Ind.;  Doon,  Iowa, 
and  his  present  charge.  Ordination  was  conferred  upon  him 
October  23,  1903,  while  pastor  at  Andrews,  Ind.  His  theological 
training,  aside  from  five  months  at  the  Moody  Institute,  was 
secured  by  home  study,  as  was  the  preparatory  work  for  college. 
He  is  an  active  member  of  Typographical  Union  No.  1,  of  Indian- 
apolis, and  while  pastor  in  ’that  city  was  honored  by  the  State 
Association  of  Churches  and  Ministers  by  being  elected  a member 
and  secretary  of  the  State  Association  industrial  committee.  The 
Federated  Ministers’  Association  of  the  Congregational,  United 
Brethren  and  Methodist  Protestant  churches,  of  that  city,  sent 
him  as  a fraternal  delegate  to  the  Indianapolis  Central  Labor 
Union,  to  study  its  methods  and  carry  fraternal  greetings.  He 
commenced  his  labors  at  Zumbrota  July  15,  1908. 

He  was  married  July  2,  1899,  at  South  Bend,  Ind.,  to  Nora  M. 
Welbaum,  by  whom  he  has  one  daughter,  Laura,  born  in  Laporte 
county,  Indiana,  April  8,  1900. 

The  First  Congregational  Church  of  Cannon  Falls  was  or- 
ganized July  31,  1856,  at  the  school  house.  Rev.  R.  Hall,  of  the 
American  Missionary  Society,  conducted  the  first  service  and  was 
assisted  by  J.  R.  Barnes.  The  first  members  were  J.  R.  Barnes, 
Caroline  M.  Barnes,  Julia  Barnes,  Jos.  Peckham,  Mark  Id.  Peck- 
ham,  Charles  AY.  Gellett.  Jane  R.  Gellett,  Sherman  Hale,  Jonathan 
L.  Clifford.  Mrs.  J.  L.  Clifford,  Sidney  Munson,  Mrs.  H.  G.  Mun- 
son, Joseph  E.  Chapman,  Hannah  A.  Chapman,  Levi  Hillman, 
Mary  Hillman  and  Mrs.  Paxton.  J.  L.  Clifford  and  Sherman  Hale 
were  deacons,  Luther  Scofield,  treasurer,  and  H.  Peckham,  clerk. 
At  a meeting  held  in  January,  1857,  S.  Munson  was  chosen  treas- 
ured in  place  of  Luther  Scofield,  resigned.  At  a meeting  held 
for  that  purpose,  January  31,  1857,  Sherman  Hale,  J.  E.  Chapman 
and  Eli  Ellsworth  Avere  elected  trustees.  April,  1862,  Rev.  John 
N.  Williams  was  called  as  regular  pastor,  but  resigned  in  1864 
and  Rev.  J.  R.  Barnes  Avas  elected  in  his  place.  March  28,  1866, 
the  church  was  re-organized  under  the  state  Mav  and  entitled  the 
First  Congregational  Church  of  Cannon  Falls.  The  trustees  were 
S.  L.  Chapman,  AY.  H.  Scofield  and  Sherman  Hale.  Under  the  ad- 
ministration of  these  trustees  a church  edifice  was  erected  and 
completed  in  1868,  in  size  35x48,  at  a cost  of  $3,000.  It  Avas  dedi- 
cated by  the  ReAr.  E.  S.  Williams,  of  Northfield,  January  2,  1868. 
September  23,  1867.  Rev.  E.  W.  Merrill  was  called,  and  chosen 


Charles  Betciiee  Memoeial  Ciiapel. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


447 


February  23,  1870.  September  3,  1874,  Rev.  C.  A.  Ruddock  be- 
came acting  pastor,  holding  that  position  until  September  3, 
1877.  B.  Fay  Mills  was  also  pastor  for  a short  time.  In  1908  a 
new  church  building  was  erected  on  the  northeast  corner  of  Main 
and  Third  streets  at  a cost  of  about  $14,000.  The  building  is  of 
stone  and  is  a handsome  modern  structure.  The  present  pastor 
is  Rev.  C.  Vincent. 

PRESBYTERIAN. 

The  First  Presbyterian  Church,  of  Red  AVing,  was  organized 
January  13,  1855,  by  seven  persons — C.  J.  F.  Smith,  O.  F.  Smith, 
AVilliam  H.  AVellington,  J.  AY  Hancock,  Mrs.  Margaret  Culbert- 
son, Mrs.  Rachael  Vandenburg  and  Mrs.  Sarah  R.  Hancock.  Of 
this  number,  J.  AY.  Hancock  was  the  first  pastor  and  C.  J.  F. 
Smith  the  first  clerk  and  elder.  The  records  show  that  in  the 
early  days  this  church  and  congregation  worshiped  in  a carpen- 
ter’s shop,  at  another  period  in  a dwelling,  at  another  in  a hall 
over  a store  and  at  another  in  a little  brown  schoolhouse,  the 
first  and  only  public  school  then  in  the  place  and  in  the  county. 
In  1856  a brick  church  was  commenced,  and  finished  in  1857 ; this 
was  the  first  church  building  in  Red  AVing  and  contained  the 
first  church  bell  in  the  city.  After  some  years  this  original  build- 
ing was  increased  about  one-third  in  length  by  an  addition  in  the 
rear.  The  statements  would  indicate  that  much  sacrifice  was 
endured  in  meeting  the  cost  of  this  original  church  building, 
which  was  something  near  $5,000.  D.  C.  Hill  did  the  carpenter 
and  mason  work  and  was  also  the  first  janitor.  The  church  was 
lighted  with  candles  until  the  early  sixties,  when  oil  was  intro- 
duced. The  property  of  the  church  now  consists  of  half  a block 
of  land,  a large  parsonage,  a barn  and  the  church  building. 
The  lawn  surrounding  all  these  buildings  is  attractive  and  well 
kept.  In  1884  Martha  Ilarger,  upon  the  marriage  of  Rev.  R.  J. 
Service,  provided  the  wrays  and  means  for  repairing  the  par- 
sonage, at  a cost  of  about  $500,  so  as  to  make  a pleasant  place 
for  the  new  bride.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Service  organized  the  Y.  P.  S. 
C.  E.  of  the  church  in  1886.  During  this  administration,  also, 
money  was  raised  to  repair  the  interior  of  the  old  church,  the 
church  was  recushioned  at  a cost  of  $300,  and  a new  pipe  organ 
was  installed  at  a cost  of  $1,700.  In  1890  the  present  Sunday 
school  and  prayer  meeting  room  and  the  new  tower  were  con- 
structed at  a cost  of  about  $10,000.  In  the  meantime  the  ladies 
entirely  renovated  the  parsonage.  A Sunday  school  has  been 
maintained  throughout  the  existence  of  the  church.  AVhen  the 
fiftieth  anniversary  was  celebrated,  in  January,  1905,  there  had 
been  413  members  admitted  to  the  church  by  letter  apd  601  by 
profession  of  faith,  and  the  contributions  to  various  objects  had 


448 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


amounted  to  $139,898.  George  H.  Cook,  who  has  been  closely 
identified  with  the  history  of  the  church  for  many  years,  delivered 
at  the  semi-centennial  a speech  which  embodied  the  foregoing 
facts.  He  closed  with  this  appreciation  of  the  work  of  some  of 
the  prominent  members  and  workers:  “I  wish  to  mention  C.  J. 
h . Smith,  who  was  one  of  the  first  members  and  who  acted  as 
trustee,  elder,  senior  Bible  class  teacher,  and  who  was  always 
present  at  all  the  meetings ; E.  W.  Brooks,  elder,  trustee,  junior 
Bible  class  teacher  and  a liberal  contributor,  who  by  his  gentle 
manner  and  great  fund  of  anecdotes  was  able  to  hold  and  mould 
the  lives  of  all  young  people  who  came  under  his  charge;  D.  C. 
Hill,  for  his  faithfulness  in  attendance  during  nearly  fifty  years 
and  for  his  work  as  officer  in  different  departments  during  that 
time;  W.  II.  Putman,  who  for  years  has  been  treasurer  of  the 
church  and  whose  work  in  that  office  alone  lias  taken  weeks  in 
time  in  entering  the  Sunday  collections,  and  who  has  acted  as 
trustee,  elder  and  adviser  through  all  these  years  and  never  at 
any  time  has  anyone  heard  a word  against  him,  the  things  done 
by  him  for  the  upbuilding  of  the  church  unknown  to  its  members 
being  greater  than  the  known  things;  Charles  E.  Sheldon,  who 
for  years  lias  sung  in  the  choir  both  morning  and  evening  and  in 
the  Sunday  school  at  each  session,  and  who  set  a high  standard 
for  the  young  singers  who  are  to  enter  into  the  nest  fifty  years’ 
history  of  the  church ; L.  II.  Stiles  for  his  universal  kindly  ways 
and  sympathetic  manner,  who  seemed  to  know  beforehand  that 
you  were  in  trouble  and  who  always  was  at  your  side  to  give 
you  comfort;  M.  B.  Lewis,  for  his  loyal,  faithful  service  in  many 
departments  of  the  church  and  whose  ministrations  have  been 
tender,  loving  and  helpful,  far  beyond  the  knowledge  of  the 
average  member.  As  I mention  these  names  the  list  begins  to 
grow  so  rapidly  in  my  mind  that  I must  stop  at  once,  for  to 
mention  the  helpful  labors  of  all  those  whom  I have  known  would 
be  to  lengthen  this  historical  sketch  to  too  great  a length.”  The 
pastors  of  the  church  have  been  as  follows:  J.  W.  Hancock, 

1855-1861 ; P.  II.  Snow,  1861-1862 ; Sanford  H.  Smith,  1862-1866 ; 
J.  A.  Annin,  1866-1867;  D.  E.  Wells,  1867-1873;  R.  F.  McLaren, 
1873-1879;  Walter  Condit,  1880-1882;  Robert  J.  Service,  1883- 
1888;  Plato  T.  Jones,  1888-1892;  J.  II.  Sammis,  1892-1898;  Eliot  H. 
Moore,  1899-1904;  Charles  D.  Darling,  1905-1908;  and  John  T. 
Fulton,  1908. 

PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL. 

Another  pioneer  church  is  the  Protestant  Episcopal.  There 
are  churches  or  chapels  of  this  denomination  in  Belle  Creek, 
Red  Wing,  Florence,  Cannon  Falls,  Holden  and  Kenyon.  There 
was  formerly  one  in  Zumbrota,  which  is  now  rented. 


Eight  Eev.  Edward  E.  Welles,  S.  T.  D. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


419 


Christ  Church,  of  Red  Wing,  had  its  beginning  November  17, 
1855,  when  services  were  conducted  by  a missionary,  Rev.  Timothy 
Wilcoxsoij,  an  associate  of  James  Lloyd  Breck,  who  started  the 
famous  Associate  Mission  movement  at  the  General  Theological 
Seminary,  of  New  York.  This  first  service  was  held  in  a build- 
ing occupied  as  a law  office  by  Colonel  William  Colvill,  at  the  foot 
of  Broadway,  near  the  present  site  of  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  & 
St.  Paul  railroad  station.  Rev.  AVilcoxson  was  accompanied  on 
one  of  his  trips,  April  28,  1858,  by  Bishop  Kemper.  The  record 
Bishop  Kemper  made  of  his  visit  here  was  that  he  found  “a  few 
zealous  members  of  the  church  preparing  to  organize  a parish 
and  build  a church.”  The  preparatory  work  to  which  the  bishop 
referred  in  that  record  was  the  meeting  of  some  citizens  held  in 
Judge  E.  T.  Wilder’s  office  on  Christmas  day,  1857.  The  notice 
of  this  meeting  was  circulated  by  Judge  Wilder  and  Dr.  Hawley, 
and  besides  them  there  were  present  AY.  C.  Williston,  Dr.  W.  AY. 
Sweney,  Warren  Bristol,  George  Wilkinson,  II.  C.  Hoffman,  AY. 
AY.  DeKay,  Judge  AYeleli,  Colonel  AYilliam  Colvill,  James  Ham- 
ilton, Ira  McClenthen,  AYilliam  Freeborn,  P.  M.  Wright,  N.  B. 
Bennett  and  Isaac  Green.  At  the  instance  of  Dr.  Hawley  a call 
was  extended  to  the  Rev.  Edward  R.  Welles,  then  a deacon  of 
the  diocese  of  western  New  ATork.  In  the  following  June  (1858) 
Dr.  YYelles  made  his  first  visit  to  the  parish  and  held  his  first 
service  in  the  Presbyterian  church,  permission  having  been 
granted  by  the  Rev.  J.  AY.  Hancock.  At  that  time  arrangements 
were  made  for  perfecting  the  organization  of  the  parish  and  for 
the  return  of  Dr.  AYelles  in  the  early  autumn,  to  be  its  pastor. 
On  Sunday,  October  3,  1858,  the  first  service  of  Dr.  Welles’ 
rectorship  was  held  in  Philleo  Hall,  he  having  in  the  meantime 
been  ordained  a priest  by  Bishop  DeLancey.  All  the  early  serv- 
ices were  held  in  the  hall.  The  salary  of  the  pastor  the  first 
year  was  fixed  at  $700  a year.  No  missionary  aid  of  any  kind' 
was  ever  given  to  this  parish.  During  the  winter  the  matter 
of  building  a church  was  thoroughly  canvassed,  plans  were 
examined  and  a church  lot  secured  at  the  head  of  Broadway, 
one-half  of  the  lot  being  given  by  Dr.  W.  AY.  Sweney.  On  June 
1,  1859,  the  vestry  entered  into  a contract  with  the  Messrs.  Whit- 
ney and  McClenthen  to  build  a church  edifice  for  the  parish. 
The  first  Episcopal  visitation  of  the  parish  was  on  June  26,  1859, 
at  which,  in  the  morning,  Bishop  Kemper  preached,  and  con- 
firmed ten  persons.  At  6 o’clock  evening  prayer  was  read,  and 
directly  after,  the  bishop,  rector,  wardens  and  vestrymen  pro- 
ceeded with  the  congregation  from  the  hall  to  the  church  lot, 
an  event  which  is  always  referred  to  as  the  “laying  of  the  corner- 
stone,” although  no  cornerstone,  as  such,  was  ever  laid.  On 
November  29,  1859,  Bishop  Whipple  made  his  first  visitation 


450 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


and  consecrated  the  new  church.  The  entire  cost  of  the  church, 
church  lot,  furnishing's,  etc.,  was  $2,967.  Of  this,  about  $401 
was  contributed  by  friends  in  the  East.  The  services  in  the  old 
church,  now  used  as  a parish  house,  were  of  more  than  ordinary 
interest  on  the  ordination  of  Rev.  C.  P.  Dorset,  in  1860,  the  con- 
vention services  of  1861,  the  ordination,  in  1865,  of  Rev.  H.  C 
Batterson  to  the  priesthood  and  of  Rev.  S.  P.  Chandler  to  the 
deaconate,  and  the  service  for  the  first  company  of  volunteers 
that  .enlisted  in  Red  Wing  for  the  war.  In  the  summer  of  1868 
it  was  felt  that  the  growth  of  the  parish  made  the  building  of 
a larger  church  edifice  an  absolute  necessity.  In  the  autumn  of 
that  year  work  was  commenced  on  the  neAv  building  in  accord- 
ance with  plans  furnished  by  Henry  Dudley,  of  New  York.  D. 
C.  Hill,  of  this  city,  contracted  to  do  the  carpenter  work,  except 
the  seats,  the  contract  for  which  was  let  to  E.  Simmons.  G.  A. 
Carlson  was  given  the  contract  for  the  stone  work.  The  corner- 
stone was  laid  June  24.  1869,  on  which  occasion,  in  addition 
to  Bishop  Whipple  and  a number  of  clergymen  of  the  diocese, 
the  Rt.  Rev.  Dr.  Armitage,  of  Wisconsin,  was  present  and  made 
an  address.  The  consecration  of  the  church  took  place  December 
19.  1871.  and  services  have  been  conducted  there  ever  since. 
The  church  cost  about  $23,000.  Its  walls  are  twenty  inches  thick. 
The  rectorship  of  Dr.  Welles  lias  been  the  longest  in  the  history 
of  the  parish.  During  the  sixteen  years  of  his  residence  in  Red 
Wing,  besides  building  up  around  him  a strong  and  vigorous 
parish,  his  work  reached  into  the  surrounding  towns  and  villages. 
In  Wabasha,  Lake  City,  Belle  Creek,  Zumbrpta,  Pine  Island  and 
Frontenac  parishes  were  organized  and  churches  built  under  his 
supervision.  His  rectorship  ended  only  with  his  elevation  to  the 
episcopate  as  bishop  of  Wisconsin,  September  27,  1874.  Bishop 
AYelles  was  succeeded  as  rector  of  Christ  church  by  the  Rev. 
George  AY.  AVatson,  D.  D..  who  had  been  his  friend  and  classmate 
at  Hobart  College.  Dr.  Watson’s  rectorship  lasted  ten  years. 
During  this  time  the  same  characteristics  of  strong,  conservative 
development  marked  the  parish  life  as  at  first.  Many  things 
were  added  to  the  church  in  the  way  of  substantial  improve- 
ments. A new  altar  was  set  in  the  chancel,  the  gift  of  Judge  E. 
T.  Wilder.  The  pipe  organ  was  placed  in  the  church  in  March. 
1880,  and  the  present  rectory  was  purchased  in  1881.  At  the 
close  of  Dr.  AATatson's  rectorship  the  parish  was  possessed  of 
a property  valued  at  $36,000.  The  parish  grew  steadily  in  com- 
muicants  until  about  the  year  1879,  when  the  exodus  from  Red 
Wing  began  and  continued  so  persistently  that  when  Dr.  Watson 
resigned,  in  1885.  in  spite  of  large  numbers  confirmed  every  year, 
the  communicants  numbered  196,  but  six  more  than  he  found  ten 
years  before.  When  Dr.  Watson  resigned  and  went  to  Smeds- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY' 


451 


boro,  N.  J.,  Rev.  Charles  H.  Plummer  became  rector  of  the 
parish,  and.  continued  until  September,  1889,  when  the  condition 
of  His  wife’s  health  compelled  him  to  resign.  During  his  rector- 
ship the  missionary  society  and  the  “Parish  Messenger”  came 
into  existence.  The  next  rector  was  Rev.  Dr.  Edwards,  and  from 
1890  to  1892  came  Rev.  Edward  II.  Clark.  The  .Daughters  of 
the  King  were  organized  under  his  rectorship.  Mr.  Clark  went 
to  the  church  at  Redwood  Falls.  In  October,  1892,  after  a short 
period  during  which  the  Rev.  E.  J.  Purdy  had  charge  of  the 
parish,  the  Rev.  Alfred  A.  Butler  became  rector  and  began  a 
vigorous  leadership.  The  Junior  Aid  Society  was  organized,  St. 
Andrew’s  Brotherhood  was  introduced  into  the  parish,  and  the 
Sunday  schools  and  choir  reorganized  and  strengthened.  When 
he  resigned,  in  1895,  to  become  warden  of  the  Seabury  Divinity 
School,  he  left  one  of  the  best  organized  parishes  in  the  West. 
The  parish  and  community  will  long  feel  the  impress  of  his  work. 
In  1895  the  Rev.  C.  C.  Rollit  took  charge  of  the  parish,  remaining 
until  January  31.  1901.  Dr.  Charles  Pool  then  had  temporary 
charge  until  August  1,  1909,  when  Rev.  Addison  Knickerbocker 
became  rector.  One  of  the  beautiful  features  of  the  church  build- 
ing is  the  Foot  Memorial  Chapel,  erected  in  memory  of  Mrs.  S.  B. 
Foot,  by  her  husband. 

Right  Reverend  Edward  Randolph  Welles,  S.  T.  D.,  third 
bishop  of  Milwaukee  and  first  rector  of  Christ  church.  Red 
Wing,  was  born  January  10,  1830,  at  Waterloo,  Seneca  county, 
New  York,  second  son  of  Gardner  Welles,  M.  D.,  and  Paulina 
Fullet  Welles,  the  former  of  whom  was  curator  of  the  Geneva 
Medical  College,  at  Geneva,  N.  Y.  Rev.  Welles  came  of  Puritan 
stock,  his  mother  being  from  Massachusetts  and  his  father  from 
Connecticut.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  his  early  edu- 
cation in  the  academy  at  Waterloo,  N.  Y.,  and  after  being  pre- 
pared for  the  sophomore  year  of  college,  entered  Hobart  College, 
at  Geneva,  in  1847,  graduating  in  1850.  After  graduation  he 
started  the  study  of  law,  although  convinced,  probably,  even  at 
that  time,  that  he  would  some  day  take  up  the  ministry.  He 
was  confirmed  March  7,  1852,  by  Bishop  DeLancey,  and  soon 
afterward  became  a tutor  in  a private  family  at  Bath,  Steuben 
county,  New  York,  where  he  was  admitted  as  a candidate  for 
orders,  October  31,  1853.  At  this  time  he  Avas  studying  under 
the  direction  of  Rev.  Dr.  Wilson.  In  November,  1854,  he  took 
charge  of  a school  for  young  ladies  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.  Tavo 
years  later  he  went  back  to  Waterloo,  N.  Y.,  and  after  a short 
visit  at  home  became  teacher  in  the  newly-opened  Deveauz  Col- 
lege, at  Suspension  Bridge,  N.  Y.,  remaining  from  May,  1857,  to 
September  28,  1858.  During  this  period  (December  20,  1857) 
he  Avas  admitted  to  the  deaconate,  and  aside  from  his  duties  as 


452 


HI  ST OK Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


teacher,  supplied  the  pulpits  of  the  churches  at  Lewiston,  Suspen- 
sion Bridge  and  Lockport,  N.  Y.  At  the  instigation  of  his  friend, 
Dr.  A.  B.  Hawley,  he  came  to  this  part  of  the  country  in  June, 
1858,  in  company  with  his  father.  He  held  a service  at  Red 
W ing  and  later  received  a call  as  pastor  of  the  newly-planned 
parish,  which  he  accepted  shortly  after  his  return  to  Deveaux 
College.  Bishop  DeLancey  ordained  him  priest  at  St.  Paul’s, 
Waterloo,  September  12,  1858,  and  on  September  28  of  the  same 
year  he  left  for  Red  \V  ing,  where  he  held  his  first  service  as 
rector  of  Christ  church  October  3,  1858.  At  once  he  took  the 
preliminary  steps  for  the  organization  of  a parish.  Such  organ- 
ization was  perfected  October  26,  1858,  the  parish  at  that  time 
numbering  in  its  communicants  but  six  women  and  one  man. 
The  story  of  the  erection  of  buildings  is  related  in  the  history 
of  Christ  church  in  this  volume,  in  which  article  also  appears 
mention  of  the  parishes  organized  by  Dr.  Welles  in  the  neighbor- 
ing towns.  During  the  sixteen  yeai’s  of  his  administration  there 
were  559  baptisms,  263  confirmations,  and  contributions  made  to 
outside  purposes  to  the  amount  of  $7,456.98.  In  1865  Dr.  AVelles 
was  elected  secretary  of  the  diocesan  council,  and  in  1866,  when 
the  diocese  was  districted,  he  xvas  appointed  by  his  bishop  as 
dean  of  the  Southern  convocation.  To  the  first  of  these  offices 
he  was  thereafter  elected,  and  to  the  other  appointed,  annually, 
as  long  as  he  remained  in  this  diocese.  In  1865,  and  continuously 
until  he  became  a bishop,  he  was  elected  a deputy  to  the  general 
convention.  In  1874  he  was  elected  bishop  of  Milwaukee.  After 
many  years  of  faithful  service  in  that  diocese  he  died,  October  20, 
1888. 

Grace  Church  of  Pine  Island.  The  first  service  of  the  church 
of  Pine  Island  was  held  by  Bishop  Whipple  the  evening  of  Janu- 
ary  10,  1861,  when  he  baptized  three  children.  May  29  of  the 
same  year  he  held  a.  second  service  and  a third  on  February  13, 
1862,  and  on  February  14,  a special  service  was  held,  when  three 
adults  were  baptized.  Rev.  E.  R.  AVelles  visited  Piixe  Island  a 
number  of  times  during  the  year,  and  in  1863  Rev.  P.  S.  Ruth 
took  charge  of  Pine  Island  in  connection  with  the  church  at  Man- 
torville.  The  first  service  was  held  July  5,  1863,  in  the  Methodist 
chapel,  and  a Sunday  school  was  maintained.  Judge  Wilder,  of 
Red  Wing,  donated  a lot  for  the  church  and  the  xvoixk  of  erect- 
ing a church  was  commenced.  The  foundation,  was  laid  and  the 
laying  of  the  corner  stone  was  celebrated  by  Bishop  Whipple, 
in  the  presence  of  several  of  the  clergy,  September  26,  1867. 
After  this  several  of  the  families  interested  in  the  church  moved 
away,  the  building  was  never  erected,  and  later  sei'viees  were 
discontinued,  Rev.  Ruth  was  removed  and  only  one  family  re- 
mained. In  1874  Rev.  Charles  E.  Grover  visited  the  place  and 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


453 


held  his  first  service  March  1.  From  that  time  services  were 
continued  every  Sunday  evening  until  July,  when  Rev.  Grover 
was  elected  to  the  rectorship  and  preached  his  opening  sermon 
July  5,  1874.  The  parish  of  Grace  church  had  been  organized 
April  21  by  the  election  of  wardens  and  vestrymen  as  follows : 
Senior  warden,  Giles  Hayward;  junior  warden,  D.  E.  Sawyer; 
vestrymen,  Dr.  C.  Hill,  Mr.  Simmons,  II.  Ahneman,  AY.  E.  Sear- 
geant,  G.  W.  Parge,  and  Charles  Parker.  It  was  decided  to  build 
a church  at  once  at  a cost  of  $3,000,  and  the  building  was  erected 
on  the  spot  where  the  first  foundation  Avas  laid.  The  corner  stone 
Avas  laid  July  13,  by  ReAr.  Welles,  of  Red  Wing.  The  church 
building  Avas  begun  in  August  and  Avas  so  far  completed  that 
the  first  communion  service  Avas  held  in  the  church  on  Christmas 
morning.  It  Avas  formally  opened  February  1,  1875.  In  seven 
months  there  had  been  thirty-nine  baptisms,  of  Avliich  eighteen 
Avere  adults,  and  fourteen  persons  confirmed.  A Sunday  school 
had  been  gathered  numbering  over  one  hundred  children,  Avith 
an  average  attendance  of  sixty-nine.  December  6,  1875,  ReAT. 
Grover  resigned  and  Rev.  J.  Cormvall  took  charge,  holding  his 
first  service  the  fourth  Sunday  in  Advent.  He  resided  at  Ivasson, 
and  served  two  years.  Rev.  Robert  Reed  Goudy  then  took  up 
the  Avork,  serving  until  July  1,  1879,  when  he  Avas  succeeded  by 
Rcav  L.  F.  Cole,  Avho  served  until  1881.  He  was  succeeded  by 
Rev.  Higgins,  Avho  took  charge  for  one  year;  then  for  a number 
of  years  the  pulpit  Avas  filled  by  students  from  the  Seabury 
Divinity  School  at  Faribault,  the  last  to  serve  being  H.  S.  Street- 
er, who  gaAre  up  the  charge  August  31,  1895.  Bishop  Gilbert  then 
appointed  ReAr.  AY.  B.  Magnan,  aaTlo  took  charge  September  1. 
1895.  One  year  later  he  severed  his  connection  with  the  mission, 
and  September  27  ReA\  H.  D.  Chambers  took  charge  of  the  mis- 
sions at  Pine  Island,  Mazeppa  and  Zumbrota.  In  the  spring  of 
1897  a bishop’s  committee  Avas  appointed  and  they  immediately 
built  a rectory,  giving  their  personal  notes  for  $600,  the  building 
to  be  deeded  to  the  mission  Avhen  paid  for.  ReA^.  Chambers  re- 
signed in  March,  1878,  to  take  effect  June,  1898.  ReA\  E.  AYilson 
Avas  then  appointed,  served  until  October  16,  1899,  and  Avas  suc- 
ceeded by  ReA'.  Frederic  Pitts,  deacon,  avIio  remained  until  Au- 
gust 15,  1901.  Frederic  S.  Carson,  a student  at  Seabury  Divinity 
school,  kept  up  the  services  until  November,  when  the  archdea- 
con, Rev.  IToupt,  held  services  once  a month  until  June,  1902, 
after  which  ReA-.  J.  S.  Budlong,  deacon,  was  appointed  by  Bishop 
Edsall.  He  resigned  November  29,  1903.  on  account  of  failing 
health,  and  Stephen  Gotdd  Updyke,  a student  of  the  Seabury  Di- 
vinity school  at  Faribault,  took  up  the  work.  March  3,  1905,  he 
Avas  advanced  to  the  priesthood  at  Seabury  chapel.  April  22, 


454 


IIISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1906,  Rev.  Alex.  Coffin  was  assigned  to  Grace  church  and  closed 
liis  work  with  the  parish  May  10,  1908.  On  May  17,  Albert 
Twichell  was  appointed.  October  8 Bishop  Edsall  made  his 
annual  visitation  to  this  parish.  At  8 p.  m.  Grace  church  was 
Avell  filled  by  a congregation  of  125  people.  The  Rev.  Charles  W. 
Holmes,  of  AY est  Concord,  assisted  Mr.  Twichell  in  the  service. 
Mr.  Twichell  presented  a class  of  six  adults  for  confirmation. 
October  9 at  9 a.  m.,  Bishop  Edsall  ordained  Albert  Twichell  to 
the  deaconate.  The  candidate  was  presented  by  the  Rev.  Frank 
A.  McAlwain,  warden  of  Seabury  Divinity  school.  A student 
from  Seabury  Divinity  School  took  up  the  work  as  a lay  reader 
by  appointment  of  Bishop  Edsall.  The  sermon  was  preached  by 
the  Rev.  AVilliam  Wilkinson,  of  Minneapolis;  Revs.  Roll i tt,  Fow- 
ler and  Holmes  taking  part  in  the  service.  After  the  ordination 
services,  by  invitation  the  clergy  with  the  vestry  and  their  wives 
repaired  to  the  house  of  L.  F.  Irish,  where  they  were  entertained 
at  a sumptuous  banquet,  which  Avas  followed  by  a most  delight- 
ful social  hour.  On  Sunday  afternoon,  November  15,  1908,  fire 
caused  by  a defective  flue  broke  out  in  the  church  edifice,  which 
ruined  the  interior.  Services  Avere  continued  without  a break  in 
the  Guild  hall  with  a constantly  groAving  congregation.  As  soon 
as  the  matter  of  insurance  on  the  church  edifice  Avas  settled  they 
immediately  commenced  the  renovation  of  the  church.  In  March, 
1909,  one  Sunday  before  Easter,  services  Avere  resumed  in  the 
renovated  church.  The  pastor.  Rev.  Twichell,  having  completed 
his  studies  and  examinations  for  priest’s  orders,  Avas  advanced  to 
the  priesthood  on  Easter,  April  11,  1909,  by  Bishop  Edsall,  in  All 
Saint’s  church,  Minneapolis.  The  rectory  project,  which  was 
planned  before  the  fire,  Avas  again  taken  up  and  sufficient  money 
raised  by  the  rector  to  pay  the  purchase  price  of  a property  that 
Avas  originally  built  for  the  rectors  of  the  church.  The  latter 
part  of  August,  the  rector  moved  into  the  rectory  after  it  had 
been  thoroughly  renovated. 

The  Church  of  the  Redeemer  (Episcopal),  of  Cannon  Falls, 
was  the  outgrowth  of  the  labor  of  Timothy  Wilcoxson,  who 
walked  all  the  way  from  Hastings.  Minn.,  a distance  of  nineteen 
miles,  for  the  purpose  of  preaching  a sermon  in  a small  frame 
house  OAvnecl  by  William  P.  Tanner.  This  event,  important  in  the 
religious  annals  of  Cannon  Falls,  took  place  November  3,  1857. 
At  that  time  there  Avere  but  four  communicants  in  the  village 
of  that  faith : Mrs.  William  P.  Tanner,  Mrs.  A.  E.  AYest,  Miss  IT. 
A.  Love  and  Mrs.  J.  D.  AAGieat.  Rev.  Wilcoxson  continued  hold- 
ing monthly  services  until  September,  1865,  when  the  Rev.  S.  S. 
Burlson,  of  Northfield,  took  charge  until  June  24,  1866.  Febru- 
ary 20,  1866,  a meeting  Avas  held  at  the  school  house,  at  Avhich 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


455 


time  it  was  arranged  to  build  a stone  church..  The  building 
committee  named  was : J.  E.  Chapman,  Eli  Ellsworth,  J.  D. 
Wheat,  J.  D.  Jennings  and  W.  P.  Tanner.  This  committee  solic- 
ited subscriptions  and  bought  lots  3,  4 and  5,  block  34,  in  Cannon 
Falls.  This  building  was  begun  on  February  28,  1866.  The  par- 
ish was  duly  organized  under  the  state  statutes,  April  16,  1866, 
with  J.  E.  Chaplain  and  J.  D.  Wheat  as  wardens.  Eli  Ellsworth, 
W.  P.  Tanner,  James  H.  Abbott  and  A.  J.  Phelps  were  elected 
vestrymen. 

The  corner  stone  of  the  church  was  laid  June  28.  1866,  by 
Bishop  II.  B.  Whipple,  the  Rev.  S.  S.  Burlson  assisting.  The 
stone  was  laid  on  the  northeast  corner.  It  contained  a copper 
box,  in  which  was  deposited  a New  Testament,  prayer  book,  and 
the  usual  newspapers  and  specimens  of  coin.  The  edifice  was 
completed  in  March,  1867.  The  first  services  were  held  on  the 
last  Sunday  in  March,  1867,  Rev.  S.  S.  Burlson  officiating.  The 
communicants  at  that  time  numbered  fifteen.  In  February,  1867, 
a call  Avas  extended  to  this  divine  to  become  the  rector,  but  he 
declined.  Rev.  G.  W.  Dunbar  became  rector  on  Easter  day,  1867. 
The  church  was  consecrated  by  Bishop  Whipple,  May  1,  1867. 
The  cost  of  the  edifice  as  reported,  including  lots  and  furniture, 
Avas  $3,577.86,  of  which  $300  Avas  raised  outside  the  parish.  De- 
cember 11.  1870,  ReAr.  G.  W.  Dunbar  resigned,  and  J.  D.  Wheat, 
a parishioner,  conducted  the  services  until  June,  1872,  Avlien  the 
Rev.  William  John  Carley  became  rector.  He  resigned  in  1875 
and  again  Mr.  Wheat  conducted  the  services  until  July,  1877. 
when  ReAT.  P.  J.  Tassell  Avas  called.  In  1877  a rectory  Avas  built 
at  a cost  of  $1,300.  The  present  pastor  is  ReA\  T.  G.  Crump. 

BAPTIST. 

The  First  BaptisJ,  church  of  Red  Wing  was  organized  January 
21,  1855,  at  the  home  of  Rev.  T.  R.  Cressey,  in  a house  located  on 
Avliat  is  noAv  Fourth  street,  between  East  avenue  and  Bush  street. 
At  this  meeting  the  Rev.  Cressey  acted  as  presiding  officer  and 
W.  S.  GroAV  was  chosen  secretary,  the  organization  being  per- 
fected under  the  title  “First  Baptist  Church  of  Red  Wing,” 
Avith  the  following  charter  members : W.  S.  Grow,  Martha  M. 

Grow,  Mary  A.  Whelan  and  Cecelia  A.  Brown,  admitted  by  letter, 
and  Jeremiah  and  Hannah  Fuller,  admitted  as  new  members. 
W.  S.  Grow  Avas  elected  as  first  clerk  and  the  Rev.  Cressey 
called  as  pastor.  First  services  were  held  in  a district  school- 
house  located  on  what  is  noAv  the  corner  of  East  aAnnue  and 
Fourth  street.  In  1869  a church  edifice  Avas  dedicated  on  the 
same  property.  Among  the  pastors  folloAving  Rev.  Cressey  were : 


456 


HI  ST  OB  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Enos  Hunger,  AY.  AAr.  Whitcomb,  AYilliam  E.  Stanley,  E.  R.  Pierce, 
AY.  S.  Tucker,  C.  AY.  Eede,  J.  Rounds,  C.  Raboteau,  J.  S.  Festerson, 
L.  R.  Thomas,  F.  R.  Morris  and  AYilliam  E.  Barker.  Several 
years  ago  services  were  discontinued.  In  1903  the  church  edifice 
was  purchased  by  the  Swedish  Baptist  people  and  remodeled  into 
the  present  church,  which  the  latter  congregation  occupies. 

The  Baptist  Church  at  Zumbrota  had  its  beginning  in  June, 
1858,  when  the  Rev.  Isaac  Waldron,  of  Northfield,  assisted  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Shephard,  held  services  in  a little  board  house  owned 
by  Joseph  Cate.  July  17,  1858,  the  church  was  organized  with 
a membership  of  thirteen,  and  Samuel  Person  was  the  first  dea- 
con. A church  edifice,  24x36,  was  built  in  1864.  This  church 
went  out  of  existence  many  years  ago. 

SAVEDISH  BAPTIST. 

First  Swedish  Baptist  Church  in  Red  Wing  was  organized 
March  4.  1892,  and  consisted  of  the  following  members : Thomas 
ITallberg,  Mrs.  Anna  Hallberg,  Alfred  Hallberg,  J.  A.  Oman, 
Mrs.  Matilda  Oman,  John  Seline,  Mrs.  August  Pehrson,  Mrs. 
A.  Johnson,  Gustaf  Falk,  Mrs.  Anna  Falk,  Fred  Johnson,  Lars 
P.  Sandberg,  Andrew  Sandberg,  Emil  Carlson,  Mrs.  Hanna  Alen. 
The  first  officers  were:  Chairman,  Emil  Carlson;  secretary,  L.  P.  . 
Sandberg;  treasurer,  Alfred  Hallberg;  deacons,  Emil  Carlson  and 
Thomas  Hallberg;  trustees,  John  Seline,  Fred  Johnson,  Emil 
Carlson.  The  Sunday  school  and  a Ladies’  Aid  Society  were 
also  organized  and  are  still  at.  work. 

The  first  pastor  was  Rev.  L.  J.  Walters.  Following  him  were 
Rev.  G.  R.  Anderson,  Rev.  Anton  Nelson,  Rev.  J.  0.  Backlund, 
Rev.  M.  Ohlin,  Rev.  August  Nordine,  and  the  present  pastor, 
Rev.  0.  S.  Lindberg,  who  took  charge  of  the  church  October  1, 
1906.  In  1893  a house  and  lots  were  purchased  on  the  corner 
of  Fifth  and  Potter  streets.  The  house  was  remodeled  into  a 
church,  where  the  services  were  held  until  the  summer  of  1903, 
when  a modern  church  building  was  erected,  which  was  dedicated 
September  27  of  the  same  year.  The  old  meeting  house  was 
again  remodeled  into  the  present  parsonage. 

A Young  People’s  Society  was  organized  in  April,  1895,  and 
now  numbers  thirty-one  members.  The  present  membership  of 
the  church  is  seventy-three,  and  the  present  officers  are : Chair- 

man, 0.  S.  Lindberg;  vice-chairman,  G.  Gustafson;  secretary, 
AAL  Stone ; treasurer,  C.  A.  Hanson ; treasurer  of  the  building 
fund,  A.  W.  Fredine;  deacons,  Thomas  Hallberg,  G.  Gustafson, 
John  Monson;  trustees,  Fred  Johnson,  G.  Gustafson  and  John 
Monson.  The  officers  of  the  Sunday  school  are:  Superintendent, 
Mrs.  Alma  Hopkins ; vice-superintendent,  Ingvar  Juhlin ; secre- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


457 


tary,  Roy  Hopkins ; treasurer,  Esther  Pehrson.  The  officers  of 
the  Young  People’s  Society  are:  President,  Ingvar  Juhlin;  vice- 
president,  Edith  Lindberg ; secretary,  Charles  Krantz ; treasurer, 
Fred  Johnson,  Jr.  The  officers  of  the  Ladies’  Aid  Society  are: 
President,  Mrs.  Hannah  Dahl,  treasurer,  Mrs.  G.  Gustafson. 

CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE. 

Christian  Science  in  Red  Wing  has  had  a history  parallel  to 
that  in  most  places.  On  April  15,  1905,  a few  Christian  Scientists 
met  and  held  services  at  a private  residence,  Ida  G.  Beauford 
acting  as  first  reader.  On  March  14,  1906,  they  organized  tem- 
porarily, to  be  enabled  to  transact  business.  In  the  same  month 
two  rooms  were  rented  in  the  Gladstone  building,  in  which  to 
hold  services  and  open  a reading  room.  Services  were  held  in 
these  rooms  from  March  25  until  July,  when,  larger  quarters 
being  needed,  Fraternal  hall  was  rented  for  the  Sunday  services, 
the  Wednesday  evening  meetings  being  held  in  the  reading  rooms. 
In  August,  1907,  Miss  Beauford  decided  to  make  her  home  in 
Chicago,  and  Mrs.  Sara  E.  Myers,  of  Ripon,  Wis.,  was  invited 
to  read.  In  November,  1908,  Mrs.  Myers  withdrew  from  the  so- 
ciety and  Mrs.  Clara  M.  Palmer  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy. 
In  March,  1909,  the  society  was  organized  in  conformity  with 
the  rules  and  by-laws  of  the  church  manual  of  the  First  Church 
of  Christ  Scientist,  in  Boston,  Mass.,  with  twelve  charter  mem- 
bers, as  follows:  Miss  Grace  Thoburn,  first  reader;  Mrs.  Laura 
Etta  Purdy,  second  reader;  Mrs.  Ellen  M.  Schuetz,  president; 
Mrs.  Clara  M.  Palmer,  treasurer ; Gena  Thoburn,  secretary ; G.  AY. 
Allison,  director;  Amos  Staples,  director;  Sybil  McConnell.  Mrs. 
Nellie  Yelander,  Mrs.  Mary  Staples,  Mrs.  Dora  Buel,  Jennie 
Erickson.  The  Sunday  services  at  Christian  Science  churches 
consist  of  similar  services  to  that  of  other  church  denominations, 
aside  from  the  sermon,  which  in  Christian  Science  churches  con- 
sist in  reading  from  the  Bible  and  the  Christian  Science  text 
book,  “Science  and  Health,  with  key  to  the  Scriptures,”  by  Mary 
Baker  Eddy,  and  the  lesson  sermon  is  uniform  throughout  the 
world.  At  the  reading  rooms  in  the  Gladstone  building  the  pub- 
lic are  always  welcome. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 


ANECDOTES  AND  ADVENTURES. 

Address  by  Judge  Wilder— Office  Experiences — A New  Setting  to 
an  Old  Tale — Pleasures  of  the  Early  Days — On  Thin  Ice — C. 
J.  F.  Smith’s  Adventures — His  Arrival — An  Early  Journey 
— Writings  of  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Hancock — Indians  and  Whisky 
— Difficulties  of  Travel — A Canoe  Trip  on  Land — The  Mys- 
terious Wild  Girl — Oil  Well  in  Red  Wing — Coal  and  Gold 
Also  Found. 

The  employments  and  diversions  of  the  early  settlers  are  well 
exemplified  in  an  address  delivered  before  the  Old  Settler’s 
Association  by  Judge  E.  T.  Wilder  in  January,  1883:  “In  May, 
1856,  in  company  with  Charles  Hall,  father  of  0.  M.  Hall,  I left 
Dubuque  for  Minnesota.  Traveling  with  our  team,  we  went  west 
to  Waterloo  on  Cedar  river,  then  up  that  stream,  visiting  Cedar 
Falls,  Waverly,  St.  Charles,  Osage  and  other  smaller  places, 
thence  through  Austin,  Owatonna,  Faribault,  Cannon  Falls  and 
smaller  places,  to  Red  Wing.  Returning  from  this  point  south, 
we  passed  Poplar  Grove,  Oronoco,  Rochester  and  Decorah,  to 
Dubuque.  The  incidents  of  this  trip  were  not  a little  diversified. 
Hotel  accommodations,  even  in  towns,  were  by  no  means  inca- 
pable of  improvement.  In  this  particular  Red  Wing  was  not  an 
exception.  The  regulation  diet  was  fresh  pork,  from  shoats  of 
the  racer  variety,  dried  apples  in  different  forms,  a decoction  of 
the  tea  plant  with  little  or  no  sugar,  and  now  and  then  a dish  of 
corn  coffee.  The  only  bright,  sunny  spot  we  found  on  the  whole 
route  was  Owatonna.  This  trip  was  purely  one  of  observation. 
No  point  pleased  me  as  well  as  Red  Wing,  and  no  section  equaled 
in  promise  what  we  saw  in  Goodhue  county.  In  a feAv  days  I 
returned  to  Red  Wing  to  look  over  the  ground  again,  and  with 
more  care.  This  was  about  June  20.  At  this  time  I formed 
numerous  acquaintances,  prominent  among  whom  were  Judge 
W.  II.  Welch,  Messrs.  Phelps  and  Graham,  J.  C.  Weatherby,  James 
Lawther  and  Messrs.  Smith,  Towne  & Co.  Of  the  latter  firm 
I then  saw  more  of  Mr.  Towne  than  of  his  partners.  My  inter- 
views were  mainly  with  him,  and  though  long  since  gone  to  his 
rest,  I am  pleased  to  say  that  in  all  my  intercourse  with  men,  few 

458 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


459 


as  strangers  have  ever  met  me  with  more  cordiality  and  gentle- 
manly courtesy  than  he.  The  result  of  these  investigations  was  a 
determination  to  remain  here.  I rented  an  office  in  the  second 
story  of  a wooden  building,  then  nearly  completed,  standing  on 
the  north  side  of  Main  street.  Red  Wing  at  that  time  contained 
a population  of  perhaps  600. 

“A  few  days  after,  I returned  to  Dubuque  and  sent  A.  W. 
Pratt  forward  with  our  office  furniture,  following  him  about 
July  10.  I found  the  building  before  referred  to  completed  and 
occupied.  In  the  west  compartment  on  the  lower  floor  was  the 
United  States  land  office ; in  the  east,  the  hardware  store  of  Clark 
& Cooper;  and  in  front,  over  them,  was  our  office.  In  front, 
over  the  land  office,  were  Messrs.  Smith,  Towne  & Co.,  and  back 
of  them,  the  law  office  of  Murdock  &'  Bristol.  From  that  office 
radiated  many  matters  of  practical  importance  to  this  land 
district.  From  well  nigh  all  parts  of  the  state  came  attorneys  to 
be  heard  in  eases  of  contest  in  the  land  office  court.  In  this 
block  were  concocted  the  thousand  and  one  practical  jokes  that 
contributed  not  a little  in  those  days  to  save  our  people  from 
ennui.  Those  who  are  familiar  with  that  period  in  our  history 
need  not  be  told  that  our  friend  Pratt  was  the  presiding  genius 
in  this  department,  supported  by  Phelps  Everett  as  his  efficient 
and  unfailing  aid.  While  a volume  could  be  filled  with  their 
efforts  in  this  field,  I will  only  give  a specimen.  Messrs.  Clark  & 
Cooper  had  ordered  and  received  the  bell  for  the  new  Presby- 
terian church.  It  stood  upon  the  sidewalk  in  front  of  their 
store ; its  position  was  such  that  it  could  be  easily  rung.  I had 
just  returned  from  the  East  Avith  memoranda  for  numerous 
business  entries  upon  our  books.  I was  seated  at  one  side  of  the 
table  in  our  office  and  Pratt  at  the  other,  making  entries  at  my 
dictation.  It  . was  a hot  day  in  summer  and  the  office  Avindows 
were  wide  open.  We  had  progressed  Avith  our  Avork  but  a little 
time,  when  clang,  clang,  in  full  tone,  went  the  bell ; not  a single 
tap  or  two,  but  persistently.  Of  course  it  disturbed  us.  An 
exclamation  of  annoyance  on  my  part  was  followed  by  Pratt’s 
quick  movement  to  the  AvindoAV  to  discover  by  whom  the  bell 
was  rung,  and  to  request  its  discontinuance.  From  him  came  the 
remark,  ‘ The  scamps  have  run ; they  must  be  the  same  cubs  Avho 
have  kept  the  bell  going  for  the  past  tAvo  nights.  They  don’t 
let  a fellow  sleep.  ’ Our  Avork  Avas  barely  resumed  when  the  boys 
gave  notice  of  their  return  by  interruption  number  two,  and 
with  increased  poAver.  Pratt  moved  rapidly  to  the  AvindoAV ; the 
boys  Avere  just  disappearing  around  the  corner.  This  game  was 
kept  up  two  or  three  times  more.  At  last  Pratt  left  his  seat, 
saying,  ‘Confound  them,  I Avill  catch  them  anyway!’  Going  to 
the  closet,  he  produced  a pitcher  of  Avater — the  best  part  of  a 


460 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


gallon — and  taking  position  behind  the  wall,  near  the  window, 
watched  the  movements  below.  Some  time  elapsed  with  no 
results.  Meantime  he  stood  and  watched.  At  length  came  the 
sound  of  the  bell  with  still  increased  volume,  and  simultaneously 
out  went  the  contents  of  the  pitcher,  followed  by  the  joyous 
outcry,  ‘I  hit  the  biggest  fellow  squarely  in  the  face!  I guess 
they’ll  stop  now.’  And  they  did. 

[Editors  Note — In  a published  account  of  this  affair,  appear- 
ing in  the  Rev.  Hancock’s  “History  of  Goodhue  County,”  Judge 
Wilder  has  made  the  following  annotation:  “Mr.  Hancock  omits 
the  point  of  this  story.  Ten  years  later  I learned  I had  been 
‘sold.’  Mr.  Pratt,  by  the  use  of  a cord,  rang  the  bell  himself. 
— E.  T.  W.”] 

“The  first  religious  seiwice  I attended  in  Red  Wing  was  in 
July,  1856,  in  the  seminary  building  of  the  Hemline  University. 
A local  preacher,  not  now  in  the  city,  officiated.  I remember 
nothing  of  his  sermon,  further  than  that  by  way  of  illustration 
he  presented  to  his  congregation  by  a word  picture  a pig  which, 
trying  to  force  itself  through  a rail  fence,  finds  itself  caught  so 
that  it  can  move  neither  forward  nor  backward.  On  his  way 
from  meeting,  Mr.  Pratt,  being  in  the  company,  suddenly  stopped 
and  with  a tone  and  expression  of  anxiety  said,  ‘Hold  on,  Judge, 
I have  to  go  back.’  ‘Why,  what’s  the  matter?’  ‘Why,  don’t 
you  hear  that  poor  pig  squal  ? I must  go  back  and  get  him  out 
of  the  fence.’ 

“In  those  days  the  range  of  amusements  was  limited,  and 
sports  of  the  field  and  streams  had  many  votaries.  Allow  me  to 
photograph  one  feature  of  a fishing  trip  and  a single  hunting 
•>  trip.  As  soon  as  the  ice  in  the  river  was  known  to  be  firm,  parties 
could  be  seen,  each  with  his  blanket,  spear  and  decoy,  at  an 
early  morning  hour,  moving  with  dignity  toward  the  favorite 
runway  for  the  day’s  sport.  The  language  of  the  thermometer 
was  ignored.  Twenty  or  twenty-five  below  prevented  no  one  from 
keeping  a previous  engagement.  Reaching  the  designated  point, 
the  first  step  was  to  build  upon  the  bank  a big  log  fire,  the  next 
to  cut  the  number  of  holes  and  then  commenced  the  work  of  the 
day.  Seated  upon  the  ice  under  his  blanket,  with  spear  in  one 
hand  and  the  string  of  his  decoy  in  the  other,  the  sportsman 
would  watch  for  his  prey,  until  by  reason  of  Ins  cramped  position 
his  limbs  uttered  their  protest,  then  join  his  comrades  at  the  fire, 
swap  yarns,  roast  and  eat  salt  pork,  and  then  again  take  up  his 
spear  and  decoy  for  the  second  installment  of  what  some  of  you 
would  characterize  as  discomfort  and  folly.  Again  and  again  I 
have  heard  the  question,  ‘What  pleasure  can  there  be  in  this?’ 
If  I could  take  one  of  the  skeptics  under  my  blanket  and  compel 
him  to  keep  perfectly  still,  the  answer  would  readily  be  given. 


HI  ST OB Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


461 


Like  a flash,  like  a ray  of  light  through  the  clear,  pellucid  water, 
striking  at  the  decoy  as  he  goes  under  and  beyond  the  hole,  darts 
a twenty-pound  muskalonge.  The  nerves  respond  as  to  a current 
of  electricity.  Now,  not  a motion,  not  a noise,  not  even  a long 
breath.  In  a moment  or  two  he  comes  moving  slowly,  cautiously, 
suspiciously  back.  You  see  the  very  tip  of  his  nose  as  it  pro- 
jects above  the  ice.  In  the  slowest,  most  cautious  manner  pos- 
sible, watching  everything,  he  moves  steadily  on  toward  the 
decoy,  and  then,  when  he  has  passed  so  far  under  the  hole  as  to 
present  his  head  and  shoulders  inside  the  wall  of  ice,  a quick, 
sharp  downward  blow  skillfully  given  with  the  suspended  spear, 
and  the  fellow  is  yours.  If  in  this  there  is  not  excitement,  if 
there  is  not  pleasure  which  a sportsman  feels  to  his  very  finger’s 
ends,  then  the  recollection  is  strangely  at  fault. 

“Occasionally  our  trips  were  made  to  points  some  distance 
away,  the  journeys  being  undertaken  by  teams.  One  trip  of  this 
sort  will  not  readily  be  forgotten.  The  party  consisted  of  Dr. 
Sweney,  Prof.  Wilson,  Teele,  Downing,  Brundage,  Abe  Thomas, 
Dr.  Hoyt  and  myself.  The  shoes  of  the  team  had  been  recently 
sharpened ; we  drove  up  the  river  some  distance  and  then  across 
the  island  and  struck  the  Vermilion  slough  at  a point  five  or  six 
miles  above  its  mouth.  We  had  in  that  neighborhood  a good 
day’s  sport,  Mr.  Downing  using  hook  and  line  and  catching 
‘snakes,’  the  balance  of  the  company  using  spear  and  decoy, 
taking  fish.  We  returned  by  the  Vermilion  slough.  Moving 
at  a good  round  trot,  without  Avarning  Ave  entered  upon  a sec- 
tion of  ice  so  thin  that  a jet  of  Avater  of  an  inch  or  more  in 
height  folloAved  each  cork  of  the  shoes  of  the  horses  as  they  Avere 
raised  from  the  ice  in  our  progress,  and  so  feeble  as  perceptibly 
to  yield  to  the  weight  of  the  load.  You  may  well  imagine  that  at 
that  moment  our  sleigh  contained  Avhite  faces,  pallid  lips  and 
nervous  men.  It  was  madness  to  stop;  our  only  chance  for  safety 
consisted  in  going  on  and  over  the  weak  ice  if  possible,  and  this 
the  driver  instinctively  appreciated.  Applying  the  whip  promptly 
and  smartly,  the  team  fairly  fleAv  until  solid  ice  Avas  reached  and 
safety  assured.  For  a brief  period  the  strain  was  painfully 
intense.  It  Avas  an  experience  no  one  of  that  party  was  ever 
ambitious  to  repeat. 

“In  the  summer  of  1857  a company  consisting  of  Mr.  Going, 
Mr.  Williston,  Brown  and  others  left  Red  Wing  for  an  extended 
chicken  hunt.  In  the  Adeinity  of  Hader  the  troop  Avas  ranging 
over  quite  an  area,  yet  within  sight  and  hearing.  Two  of  the 
company  fired  at  a covey  of  chickens,  and  in  a direction  not 
toward,  but  aAvay  from  Mr.  Going.  The  reports  of  their  guns 
had  barely  reached  us  Avhen  all  eyes  Avere  turned  to  Mr.  Going 
some  distance  away,  who,  howling  in  agony,  was  at  intervals 


462 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


hurling  curses  loud  aud  deep  at  the  heads  of  our  companions  for 
their  supposed  carelessness,  while  he  was  with  both  hands  holding 
up  one  leg,  and  at  the  same  time  trying  to  preserve  his  equi- 
librium by  hopping  and  jumping,  not  quite  gravely,  upon  the 
other.  All  feared  he  was  seriously  wounded  and  were  at  his 
side  with  the  least  possible  delay.  He  was  still  grasping  and 
rubbing  the  calf  of  his  injured  leg  and  obviously  suffering  intense 
pain.  We  placed  him  gently  upon  the  ground,  removed  his 
boots  and  so  much  of  his  clothing  as  was  necessary  for  a thorough 
examination,  when,  to  our  surprise  as  well  as  his,  no  blood,  no 
wound,  no  mark,  not  even  a scratch,  could  be  found.  Further 
examination  disclosed  the  fact  that  a single  shot  had  struck  him 
on  the  upper  lip.  had  passed  through  and  lodged  against  the  skin 
upon  the  inner  surface  of  the  lip,  and  that  .was  the  extent  of  the 
injury.  Two  questions  were  asked : First,  where  did  that  one 

shot  come  from?  and  second,  what  is  the  nervous  connection 
between  the  lip  and  the  calf  of  the  leg?” 


C.  J.  F.  Smith,  in  speaking  of  practically  the  same  year’s,  once 
said:  “In  the  month  of  June,  1854,  I first  set  foot  in  Red 

Wing.  I took  dinner  at  the  Red  AVing  House,  then  kept  by 
Andrus  Durand.  The  most  striking  feature  of  Red  Wing  was 
then,  as  it  is  now,  to  one  approaching  the  place  on  a steamer, 
the  bold,  isolated  Barn  bluff.  About  the  only  thing  I remember 
doing  on  my  first  visit  here  were : First,  to  climb  to  the  summit 
of  that  bluff,  right  up  to  its  precipitous  nose,  and  take  a view 
of  the  extended  landscape,  the  winding  river  skirted  with  timber, 
the  plateaus  and  bluffs  in  the  distance,  all  together  making  an 
enchanting  picture.  The  next  thing  I did  was  to  purchase  about 
two,  or  it  may  have  been  twelve,  acres  of  land.  The  said  land 
was  described  as  being  on  the  side  of  Sorin  bluff  and  was 
pointed  out  to  me  by  a wave  of  the  hand  while  standing  on  Bush 
street,  said  description  being  apparently  satisfactory  to  the  pur- 
chaser who  was  bound  to  make  an  investment  in  the  land  of 
promise.  Suffice  it  to  say  I have  never  heard  where  that  land 
lay,  or  that  the  seller  has  so  much  as  a shadow  of  a title.  Yet 
there  is  no  doubt  of  land  being  there  on  the  sides  of  the  bluff. 

“On  my  next  visit  I came  to  stay — on  July  3 of  the  same 
year-shaving  on  board  the  steamboat  from  St.  Louis  a small 
stock  of  merchandise,  which  I persuaded  the  captain  to  leave  on 
the  upper  side  of  the  Jordan,  the  usual  landing  being  a few  rods 
below.  A large  number  of  inhabitants  flocked  down  to  the  river 
as  the  boat  drew  to  the  shore.  The  goods  were  put  into  an  unfin- 
ished store  which  stood  at  the  foot  of  Broad  street,  near  the 
ground  now  occupied  by  the  Milwaukee  depot.  The  doors  not 
being  yet  hung,  I stayed  with  the  stuff  that  night,  which  was 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COTTXTY 


463 

perhaps  altogether  unnecessary,  as  everybody  was  imbued  with 
primitive  honesty  in  those  days.  In  fact  everybody  was  bent 
on  making  money  faster  and  easier  than  by  stealing.  The  exper- 
ience of  that  first  night  will  never  fade  from  my  memory.  I 
had  no  sooner  composed  myself  for  the  enjoyment  of  sleep  on  a 
pile  of  mattresses  than  a whole  battalion  of  mosquitoes  presented 
their  bills  in  battle  array,  accompanied  by  wierd  strains  of 
music,  which  awoke  me  to  the  necessity  of  immediate  fortifica- 
tion. So  I surrounded  my  couch  with  inverted  chairs,  barrels 
and  boxes,  spreading  over  the  whole  a web  of  mosquito  netting. 
I then  crawled  into  my  barrack,  but  my  hope  of  safety  was  soon 
dispelled.  My  attempts  at  self-defense  seemed  to  increase  the 
energy  and  fierceness  of  the  assailants ; and  if  only  a few  found 
their  way  in,  the  hungry  cry  of  the  ten  thousand  without  and  the 
possibility  of  all  soon  following  suit  forced  me  to  rise,  and  grasp- 
ing the  netting,  scatter  their  ranks  for  a few  moments.  But  the 
same  attack  and  counter  attack  were  enacted  over  and  over 
during  that  longest  of  long  nights,  and  I wonder  to  this  day 
whether  or  not  all  the  mosquitoes  in  the  neighborhood  were  not 
notified  that  a fresh  subject  had  arrived  in  town  that  day. 

“Our  communication  with  the  rest  of  the  world  was  by  the 
Mississippi  river  in  the  summer,  but  in  the  winter  this  means  was 
cut  off  most  effectually  by  the  ice.  True,  there  was  a post  route 
by  the  river  valley,  but  the  mail  was  carried  by  a one-horse  train. 
The  great  mail  route  from  St.  Paul  to  Galena  passed  through 
Oronoco,  out  back  from  the  river  some  twenty  or  thirty  miles. 
Hence  the  necessity  arose  for  a better  road,  or  rather  that  some 
definite  roadway  should  be  made  passable  for  teams  to  various 
points  in  the  interior,  which  then  were  tributary  to  Red  Wing 
for  steamboat  landing.  To  secure  this  desirable  result,  a party 
was  formed  consisting  of  William  Colvill,  Jr.,  who  was  later  the 
hero  of  more  dangerous  expeditions,  T.  J.  Smith,  Spencer,  Fellows 
and  one  or  two  others,  with  myself  and  a Mr.  Hunt,  a teamster. 
The  only  way  out  of  Red  Wing  to  the  back  country  was  then  by 
the  street  now  called  Central  avenue,  and  between-  the  Twin 
bluffs.  This  was  the  starting  point  for  Oronoco,  Featherstone, 
Cannon  Falls,  Faribault,  Owatonna  and  other  places  then  known. 
Our  object  in  this  expedition  was  to  find  the  shortest  practicable 
route  to  Oronoco,  including  a place  to  ford  the  north  branch 
of  the  river  Zurnbro.  We  were  to  be  met  by  another  party  from 
the  other  end  of  the  route,  supposed  to  be  as  much  interested 
as  ourselves.  About  six  miles  out  we  struck  the  bend  in  Hay 
creek,  and  some  five  miles  beyond,  on  the  prairie,  we  passed 
a large  burr  tree,  and  not  far  from  it  a kind  of  basin,  which 
seemed  to  be  a receptacle  for  the  surface  water.  These  land- 
marks have  since  been  largely  obliterated.  The  first  night  we 


464 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


camped  on  a little  level  spot  of  the  prairie,  near  the  banks  of 
the  Znmbro.  On  the  opposite  bank  from  our  camp  was  an  exten- 
sive piece  of  woods,  which  came  down  to  the  border  of  the  river. 
This  ford  was  somewhere  between  the  two  places  since  settled 
and  named  Zumbrota  and  Mazeppa.  We  drove  the  pins  to  our 
tent  in  a drenching  rain  and  thunder  storm.  Our  beds  that  night 
not  being  conducive  to  sleep,  we  had  an  early  breakfast.  While 
some  were  employed  in  grading  the  banks  of  the  stream,  others 
crossed  and  made  an  attack  on  such  trees  in  the  woods  as  would 
interfere  with  the  passage  of  a team.  We  spent  several  days 
in  clearing  a way  through  these  woods.  Returning  to  Hay  creek 
on  Friday,  we  put  up  our  tent  near  the  bend.  This  creek  had 
not  been  fished  dry  of  trout,  and  as  Mr.  Colvill  took  more  to  the 
department  of  commissary  and  cook  than  the  handling  of  axe, 
shovel  and  crowbar,  he  supplied  us  with  a nice  mess  of  speckled 
trout  for  dinner,  while  the  rest  of  the  party  worked  with  a will 
upon  the  ravines  that  led  down  to  the  creek.  We  spent  the 
following  night  tenting  on  that  spot.  My  ardent  friends,  the 
mosquitoes,  were  plentiful  and  hungry.  Choosing  the  least  of 
two  evils,  we  provided  a smudge  in  an  iron  kettle  and  tried 
sleeping  in  a smoke  house.  It  was  not  long  before  a suspicious 
smell  of  burnt  leather  greeted  us  and  aroused  us  to  the  fact 
that  we  were  in  danger  of  a conflagration.  One  rushed  out  of 
the  tent  with  the  kettle,  and  on  examination  we  found  a hole 
burned  in  one  of  the  buffalo  robes  the  size  of  the  bottom  of  the 
kettle.  Saturday  noon  found  us  within  fifteen  minutes’  reach  of 
a a dinner  at  Red  Wing’s  first  class  hotel.  But  the  romance  of 
the  trip  still  lingered  with  us,  till  we  had  finished  up  the  last 
delicacies  of  prairie  chicken  and  trout  under  some  shady  oaks 
near  the  base  of  the  Twin  bluffs. 

“Some  later  settlers  may  wish  to  know  what  we  found  to  do 
during  the  long  winters  and  winter  evenings,  cut  off  as  we  were 
from  the  rest  of  the  world.  AVe  had  lyceums,  lectures  and  a 
literary  society  paper  instead  of  the  opera.  We  had  regular 
church  services,  singing  schools  and  occasional  merrymakings. 
The  young  folks  enjoyed  sleigh  rides  in  primitive  style.  I will 
give  a short  account  of  one.  Early  in  the  spring  of  1855,  as  the 
snow  was  fast  melting  away,  one  afternoon  we  thought  it  would 
be  the  last  chance  of  the  season  for  a sleigh  ride,  so  a party  was 
arranged  for  that  evening  and  the  girls  invited.  A sleighing 
party  then  meant  a lot  of  girls  and  boys  piled  into  a lumber  box 
placed  on  runners.  But  in  this  case,  before  it  was  time  to  start 
it  commenced  to  rain,  and  we  spent  some  time  in  deciding 
whether  to  go  on  runners  or  wheels,  or  whether  not  to  go  at  all. 
Finally  we  decided  to  go  on  wheels,  and  by  the  time  Ave  had  got 
the  box  off  the  runners  and  back  on  wheels  and  driven  around 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


465 


and  collected  our  load  it  was  9 o’clock  and  pitch  dark.  Dr.  F.  F. 
Iloyt  and  his  brother  Frank  were  holding  a claim  and  occupying 
a shanty  near  where  Mr.  Danforth  now  lives,  on  the  road  to  the 
county  poor  farm.  Dr.  William  Brown  and  W.  S.  Grow  were 
living  with  their  families  in  shanties  three-fourths  of  a mile 
beyond.  The  party  was  destined  for  Mr.  Grow’s.  We  had  Rev. 
Mr.  Sorin’s  team,  and  his  hired  man  for  driver.  Coming  to 
Hay  creek  bottom,  we  found  the  road  and  bridges  submerged 
with  at  least  a foot  of  water.  We  crossed  one  bridge  safely,  but 
when  we  got  to  where  the  other  one  ought  to  have  been  we 
could  not  find  it,  and  our  driver  refused  to  go  a step  further. 
To  go  forward,  to  be  sure,  was  presumptuous ; to  attempt  to  turn 
around  on  that  narrow  pike  was  pretty  certain  to  spill  us  all 
out  into  the  overflowing  stream ; so  wp  sat  down  there  coaxing 
and  threatening  until  at  last  the  driver  was  induced  to  move  on. 
We  got  safely  over,  went  on  calling  at  the  Hoyt  shanty,  routed 
the  boys  up  and  took  them  aboard.  When  we  reached  the 
Grow  and  Brown  places  both  families  had  retired,  but  after  all 
our  troubles  we  could  not  be  cheated  out  of  the  expected  social 
enjoyment.  So  they  were  all  routed  out,  and  seemed  to  enjoy 
the  fun  as  well  as  we,  until  the  wee  small  hours  came  on  and  the 
light  of  the  moon  sent  us  home.” 


Near  the  village  of  Zumbrota  a difficulty  in  regard  to  land 
claims  occurred,  an  incident  of  which  is  thus  related  in  the 
words  of  C.  C.  Webster:  “Several  of  the  first  settlers,  members 
of  the  townsite  company,  had  not  only  selected  claims  for  them- 
selves but,  as  they  stated,  for  their  friends  also.  These  proxy 
claims  were,  for  a time,  respected.  Outsiders,  however,  soon 
found  out  about  them.  One  day  a load  of  lumber  came  in  sight 
from  Mazeppa.  It  was  watched  with  curiosity.  Presently  it 
was  unloaded  on  a claim  selected  by  Dr.  Perry  for  a friend  of 
his,  and  in  a brief  time  a shanty  Avas  erected.  This  was  con- 
sidered a bold  invasion  upon  the  rights  of  the  settlers.  Next 
morning  at  daylight  some  tAventy  of  us,  armed  with  axes  and 
clubs,  resolved  to  expel  the  invaders.  Upon  reaching  the  shanty 
a call  for  surrender  was  made  and  in  a feAv  moments  the  shanty 
Avas  leveled  to  the  ground.  There  was  no  one  inside.  A shout 
rang  through  the  valley  and  the  valiant  heroes  retired.  During 
the  day  the  man  Avhose  shanty  had  been  demolished  appeared 
upon  the  scene.  At  a distance  he  looked  somewhat  disconsolate 
and  we  fancied  he  would  disappear  and  not  return.  Not  so, 
hoAvever.  The  next  day  he  returned  with  some  companions. 
They  seemed  to  carry  something  which  looked  very  much  like 
shotguns.  The  shanty  was  not  again  disturbed.  We  thought  it 
best  to  bottle  up  our  wrath  and  not  take  any  chances.” 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


466 

I he  remainder  of  this  chapter  is  devoted  to  writings  of  the 
Rev.  J.  W.  Hancock. 

"The  Red  Wing  Indians  were  generally  peaceable,  but  occa- 
sionally we  had  a row  which  set  the  whole  village  in  commotion. 
Whisky  could  be  obtained  over  on  the  Wisconsin,  side  for  money, 
blankets,  or  anything  valuable  which  the  Indians  could  spare. 
Moderate  drinking  was  not  their  custom.  They  must  have  enough 
to  make  ‘drunk  come,’  or  none  at  all.  Several  of  them  would 
put  their  ‘mites’  together  and  go  over  and  buy  two  or  three 
gallons  at  a time,  which,  being  brought  home,  was  drunk  up 
in  a short  time.  This  was  followed  by  all  the  noise  and  quarrel- 
ing  imaginable,  and  usually  resulted  in  somebody  being  either 
killed  or  badly  wounded. 

“Shortly  after  a roAv  of  this  kind  had  taken  place,  and  while 
there  were  a number  of  very  sick  children  in  the  village,  whom 
I was  visiting  at  the  time,  I heard  a woman  cry  out,  ‘Now  they 
are  coming  with  it.’  ‘With  what?’  said  I.  She  immediately 
pointed  to  the  river  and  answered,  ‘Minni-wakan’  (spirit-water, 
or  whisky).  I saw  a canoe  approaching  from  the  other  shore, 
in  which  were  five  or  six  young  braves,  who.  soon  landed.  I 
placed  myself  where  the  path  led  up  the  bank,  ready  to  meet 
them.  The  leader  carried  a tin  pail  with  a cover,  holding,  I 
should  think,  about  two  gallons.  I asked  what  he  had  in  the 
pail,  and  he  replied  ‘Minne-wakan.’  Snatching  it  from  him,  it 
* was  the  work  of  a moment  and  the  contents  of  the  pail  were 
soaking  into  the  ground. 

“Loud  talk  followed  on  both  sides.  I tried  hard  to  convince 
them  that  whisky  was  contraband  on  the  Minnesota  side  of  the 
river  and  advised  them  not  to  bring  over  any  more.  After  leav- 
ing them  I understood  that  'one  of  the  braves  boasted  that  he 
would  bring  whisky  here  and  drink  it,  and  defying  me  to  spill  it. 

“But  a few  days  elapsed  before  he  made  the  trial.  The  first 
intimation  I had  of  it  was  when  an  Indian  called  at  my  house  and 
wished  me  to  come  to  the  door.  I looked  out  and  saw  the  young 
braves  coming  single  file,  singing  as  they  marched  along.  The 
first  one  carried  a two-gallon  jug,  which  he  was  anxious  that  I 
should  notice,  affirming  at  the  same  time  that  it  was  whisky.  I 
went  for  him,  got  hold  of  his  jug,  but  could  not  wrest  it  from 
his  grasp,  for  the  reason  that  he  had  it  tied  to  a strong  cord 
which  passed  around  his  neck  and  over  one  shoulder,  but  I 
managed  to  pull  out  the  cork  and  overturn  the  jug,  when  the 
liquor  commenced  to  run  qut.  He  let  go  the  jug  and  clenched 
me  by  the  hair  with  both  hands,  and  used  me  rather  roughly 
until  the  whisky  had  all  run  out,  as  it  took  both  my  hands  to 
keep  the  jug  inverted  while  he  was  dragging  me  about.  Well,  I 
had  but  partially  conquered.  There  were  many  witnesses  and  he 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


467 


did  not  like  to  give  up  as  entirely  beaten,  so  he  stretched  himself 
out  full  length  on  the  ground  near  the  door  of  the  mission  house. 
I entreated  him  to  leave  and  go  to  his  wigwam.  He  declared 
that  he  would  not.  After  waiting  for  some  time  for  him  to  go 
voluntarily,  and  fearing  that  he  might  stay  there  all  night,  I 
took  a piece  of  rope,  and  slipping  it  around  his  ankles,  tied  his 
feet  together,  took  the  other  end  over  my  shoulder  and  dragged 
him  toward  his  home.  After  being  drawn  five  or  six  rods  he 
begged  me  to  let  him  get  up,  promising  that  he  would  not 
trouble  me  any  more.  He  threatened  some  after  he  got  out  of 
my  reach,  but  never  did  me  any  harm.  The  prohibitory  law  was 
triumphant  at  that  time.” 


The  difficulties  of  going  from  one  point  to  another  in  a country 
where  there  are  neither  roads  nor  bridges,  hotels  nor  farm  houses, 
are  among  the  most  formidable  that  first  settlers  have  to  en- 
counter. I started  in  September,  1849,  alone  on  horseback,  to 
go  from  Red  Wing  village  to  another  Indian  village  on  the 
Minnesota  river,  to  attend  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Dakota 
mission.  I was  to  follow  the  Mississippi  river  up  to  the  mouth 
of  the  Minnesota  river,  and  then  the  latter  stream  some  eighty 
miles  to  my  place  of  destination,  which  was  near  the  place  now 
called  St.  Peter.  The  first  day  I expected  to  reach  Kaposia,  which 
was  an  Indian  village  a little  below  St.  Paul.  Dr.  T.  S.  William- 
son was  the  missionary  stationed  there,  and  from  that  point  I 
was  to  have  his  company  the  remainder  of  the  journey.  There 
were  no  human  habitations  between  Red  Wing  and  Kaposia  at 
that  time. 

“The  morning  was  warm  and  sultry  on  the  day  I set  out.  I 
was  directed  to  follow  ‘the  trail.’  After  fording  Hay  creek  I 
was  convinced  that  my  horse  had  not  been  accustomed  to  follow 
an  Indian  trail.  The  marshy  ground  on  the  sides  of  the  creek 
was  rather  soft  for  his  weight.  The  grass  had  grown  so  tall 
that  season  as  to  hide  the  trail  entirely  in  many  places,  and  I 
found  it  the  only  safe  way  to  lead  my  horse  over  the  marshy 
ground.  At  the  crossing  of  the  Cannon  river  the  same  difficulty 
occurred.  The  tall  grass  there  reached  above  my  shoulders  while 
I sat  on  my  horse.  Where  I crossed  that  stream  it  was  so  deep 
for  a short  distance  that  the  water  took  in  the  horse  except  his 
head  and  a part  of  his  neck. 

“After  reaching  the  high  prairie  between  the  Cannon  and 
Vermilion  rivers,  and  then  crossing  the  latter  without  trouble,  I 
could  see  a long  stretch  of  prairie  before  me,  and  knowing  there 
were  no  more  rivers  to  cross  that  day,  I began  to  feel  that  I 
should  reach  Kaposia  in  due  time.  Occasionally  I could  see 
plainly  a mark  where  the  Indians’  ponies  had  traveled,  and  tried 


468 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


to  keep  the  same  direction.  But  the  sun  shaded  with  clouds  and 
a storm  came  on  at  about  4 o’clock.  The  thunder  rolled  and  the 
lightning  flashed.  Soon  the  rain  fell  in  torrents  and  I could  no 
longei  see  the  trail.  The  prairie  grass  covered  it.  There  was  a 
giove  apparently  at  some  distance  on  the  left,  and  I made  toward 
it.  The  distance  was  greater  than  I expected,  but  I finally 
reached,  not  a grove,  but  a few  oak  trees  scattered  widely  apart, 
affording  no  shelter  from  the  wind  and  rain.  I rode  on.  Shower 
followed  shower;  night  came  on,  and  still  it  rained.  Finally  I 
reached  a grove  where  the  trees  stood  near  together  and  were 
filled  in  by  underbrush.  It  was  now  so  dark  that  it  was  impos- 
sible to  go  further  with  safety.  I stood  there  under  the  forest 
through  several  thunder  showers,  holding  my  horse  by  the  bridle, 
waiting  for  morning.  The  ground  was  too  wet  to  think  of  lying 
down,  and  I leaned  my  back  against  a tree  and  got  some  sleep. 
My  horse  was  still  near  me,  biting  the  herbage.  Reconnoitering 
the  ground,  I found  a path,  and  by  a streak  of  light  which  showed 
where  the  sun  was  going  to  rise  I knew  the  points  of  the  com- 
pass. Following  the  path  in  a northwesterly  direction  about  a 
mile,  I should  judge,  I came  to  the  village  of  Mendota,  at  that 
time  a trading  post  of  the  American  Fur  Company.  There  I 
was  shown  a full  trail  that  led  to  Kaposia,  some  five  or  six  miles 
below  on  the  Mississippi  river.  I took  that  trail  and  soon  after 
arrived  at  the  Kaposia  mission.  Both  horse  and  rider  were 
weary,  wet  and  hungry,  and  thanks  to  missionary  hospitality, 
our  wants  were  supplied.  For  the  remainder  of  the  trip  I had 
the  company  of  those  who  knew  the  way  and  had  experience 
in  the  methods  of  traveling.  Many  strange  incidents  occurred 
to  me  during  that,  journey,  but  the  trials  of  that  first  day  were 
the  most  severe.  It  was  the  occasion  of  the  annual  meeting  of 
the  Dakota  mission.  Once  a year  all  the  missionaries  to  that 
tribe  Avere  accustomed  to  meet  for  two  or  three  days  and  consult 
together  at  one  of  the  stations.  At  this  meeting  at  Traverse  des 
Sioux  I first  made  acquaintance  with  the  older  missionaries  and 
learned  much  of  their  methods  of  procedure. 

“I  learned  afterward  that  oxen  were  more  safe  and  reliable 
for  traveling  through  the  country  than  a horse.  The  Red  river 
trade  was  then  carried  on  between  the  United  States  and  Canada 
chiefly  by  means  of  oxen.  For  transportation  they  used  two- 
wheeled carts,  each  drawn  by  an  ox. 

“In  the  spring  of  1852  I started  for  Lac  qui  Parle,  the  mission 
station  among  the  Dakotas  farthest  distant  from  Red  Wing.  A 
young  man  who  Avas  engaged  to  go  there  to  assist  the  mission- 
aries accompanied  me.  Having  some  baggage,  consisting  of  a 
small  cloth  tent  and  a few  blankets  for  night  rests,  some  car- 
penter’s tools,  provisions  for  ten  days,  and  the  mail  for  the 


HI  ST  OB  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTS.' 


469 


mission  families  at  Lac  qui  Parle,  which  had  been  accumulating 
at  Fort  Snelling  all  winter,  we  loaded  all  into  an  ox  cart  and 
traveled  in  Keel  river  style.  We  were  nine  days  going  from 
Traverse  des  Sioux  to  our  destination,  and  no  sign  of  civilization 
did  we  meet  on  the  way.  There  were  plenty  of  sloughs  to  cross, 
streams  to  ford  and  rainy  days  and  nights  to  endure.  Sometimes 
we  were  mired  down  in  a marsh.  But  our  ox  was  patient.  He 
could  rest  a while  and  then  use  his  strength  again.  Often  did 
we  lift  at  the  wheels  to  help  release  them  from  the  mud.  The 
rains  and  melting  snow  had  raised  all  the  streams  to  full  banks, 
and  swimming  was  the  last  resort  in  order  to  cross  some  of 
them,  which  in  ordinary  times  could  easily  have  been  forded. 
We  came  at  last  to  what  was  them  called  the  Chippeway  river. 
This  was  skirted  with  timber  and  the  water  was  flowing  over 
the  timbered  bottom.  We  could  not  tell  where  the  regular  chan- 
nel was.  It  seemed  to  be  at  least  three-fourths  of  a mile  across 
that  valley  covered  by  a swift,  rushing  stream.  We  considered 
ways  and  means.  Finding  a tree  in  such  a position  as  to  be 
obtained,  Ave  cut  it  down  and  constructed  a small  raft,  with 
sections  of  the  trunk  fastened  side  by  side  and  branches  spread 
on  the  top.  But  this  raft  would  only  carry  one  of  us  at  a time. 
It  was  now  near  night  and  after  crossing  this  stream  it  would 
be  five  miles  to  the  mission,  and  our  provisions  were  exhausted, 
or  nearly  so.  My  companion  agreed  to  stay  there  with  the  ox 
and  cart  until  another  day,  while  I should  go  over  on  the 
raft  and  walk  to  the  station,  where  we  could  get  help.  I took 
the  satchel  which  contained  the  mail  with  me  and  placed  it 
upon  some  brush  near  the  middle  of  the  raft,  and  with  a pole  in 
my  hands,  standing  close  behind  the  satchel,  I commenced  my 
perilous  voyage.  Had  some  hard  hits  against  standing  trees 
for  a time,  and  when  I reached  the  real  bed  of  the  river  my 
frail  vessel  was  carried  down  the  stream  with  a rush.  I could 
only  use  my  pole  like  an  oar,  and  I went  down  much  faster  than 
across,  till  I came  to  a fallen  tree,  the  top  of  which  was  partly 
out  of  water.  I tried  to  steer  the  raft  around  under  the  tree 
top.  I caught  hold  of  the  satchel  and  followed  the  raft  by 
clinging  to  the  upper  branches,  and  before  it  had  become  disen- 
tangled from  the  tree  top  I was  on  board  again.  I had  evidently 
now  crossed  the  main  channel  and  by  clinging  to  passing  trees 
I made  the  opposite  shore.  Walking  along  up  the  stream  till  I 
found  the  track,  I pursued  my  way  through  a storm  of  sleet,  five 
miles,  to  the  mission,  arriving  some  time  after  dark.  The  next 
day,  by  means  of  a boat  belonging  at  the  station,  my  companion 
in  travel  was  relieved.  I remained  at  Lac  qui  Parle  more  than 
a week,  hoping  the  waters  would  assuage,  which  was  the  case  to 
some  extent. 


470 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


“On  returning  we  had  a yoke  of  oxen  attached  to  a lumber 
wagon  for  our  means  of  conveyance  as  far  as  Traverse  des 
Sioux.  Mission  supplies  were  sent  up  to  that  point  in  boats,  and 
to  convey  a load  of  such  supplies  to  the  mission  it  was  necessary 
for  this  team  to  go  down  at  that  season,  which  Avas  in  the  early 
part  of  May.  I Aims  entrusted  with  management  of  the  team 
and,  as  I had  only  a light  load,  expected  to  enjoy  the  trip.  The 
distance,  as  then  traveled,  between  the  tAvo  stations  was  a little 
over  one  hundred  miles.  No  human  habitation,  not  even  an 
Indian  hut,  to  be  seen  all  that  distance.  The  streams  Avere 
forded  on  this  occasion  without  difficulty.  Although  the  Avater 
Avould  sometimes  reach  the  backs  of  the  oxen  and  leak  into  the 
wagon  box,  there  Avas  a solid  bed  for  our  team  to  Avalk  on. 
Not  so  accommodating  Avere  many  of  the  marshes  or  sloughs. 
When  once  you  broke  through  the  turf  you  Avent  down,  at  least 
as  far  as  legs  would  reach.  There  seemed  to  be  no  bottom. 
On  coming  to  the  edge  of  a slough  it  was  necessary  to  halt  and 
reconnoiter.  It  was  never  safe  to  follow  any  former  track. 
There  the  turf  would  already  be  broken.  If  there  could  be  no 
way  found  to  get  around,  Ave  ventured  in  and  tried  to  keep  the 
team  upon  an  untrod  Avay.  But  just  at  that  season,  before  the 
neAv  grass  had  started,  the  old  turf  Avas  very  tender  and  very 
frequently  our  team  Avent  doAvn,  so  as  to  be  obliged  to  AvalloAV, 
until  the  wagon  (narrow-rimmed  AAffieels)  Avould  sink  to  the 
hubs,  when  the  oxen  Avould  become  discouraged  and  the  Avliole 
concern  Avould  cease  to  move.  The  next  thing  to  do  Avas  to  “rope 
out.  ’ ’ A strong  rope  sixty  or  seventy  feet  long  Avas  an  indispensible 
article  to  carry  coiled  up  in  one  corner  of  the  Avagon  box.  Thanks 
to  the  more  experienced,  Ave  Avere  provided  with  one.  “Unloose 
the  team  from  the  wagon  and  drive  them  ahead  to  a piece  of  firm 
ground,  fasten  the  rope  to  the  end  of  the  tongue  and  the  other 
end  to  the  ring  of  the  oxyoke.  Noav  you  can,  perhaps,  draAV  your 
load  out  of  the  mud.”  This  Avas  called  “roping  out,”  a process 
which  I had  become  pretty  Avell  accustomed  to  at  the  end  of  this 
journey.  Once  Ave  were  so  completely  fast  that  I had  to  unyoke 
the  team  and  let  each  ox  get  out  by  himself.  Then  I yoked  them, 
but  before  I could  get  them  to  draw  the  Avagon  out  I Avas  obliged 
to  unload  and  carry  the  loading  to  a dry  place  on  my  shoulders. 
1 took  the  wagon  box  off  and  the  team  drew  it  out  first.  Then 
I uncoupled  the  wheels,  and  by  the  strength  of  the  oxen  drew  each 
pair  out  separately.” 

It  took  time  and  patience  to  travel  in  those  days.  If  I remem- 
ber rightly,  Ave  Avere  eleven  days  performing  that  trip,  sleeping 
under  our  wagon  for  ten  nights  in  succession.  I could  never  since 
consider  camping-out  much  of  a pleasure.  Traveling  by  canoes 
and  steamboats  in  those  days  was  a more  comfortable  mode  than 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


471 


by  land.  We  could  only  avail  ourselves  of  the  last-named  craft 
when  we  wished  to  go  to  the  head  of  navigation  on  the 
Mississippi. 

For  two  years  and  a half  our  nearest  postoffice  was  Point 
Douglas,  twenty- five  miles  by  river  from  Red  Wing.  After 
learning  how  to  manage  a log  canoe,  I could  go  that  distance  in 
one  with  pleasure. 

The  missionaries  on  the  upper  Minnesota,- in  conjunction  with 
the  Indian  traders,  used  a large  boat,  carrying  several  tons,  for 
transporting  their  goods  and  supplies  from  Fort  Snelling  to  their 
several  stations  during  the  summer.  In  September,  1851,  I had 
the  pleasure  of  a trip  on  the  boat — named  Winona — on  its  return 
from  Traverse  des  Sioux  to  the  fort. 

It  had  been  raining  for  a week  or  more,  and  early  in  the  morn- 
ing of  the  day  fixed  upon  for  starting  the  rain  was  still  pattering 
upon  the  roof  of  the  mission  house.  By  eight  o’clock  the  storm 
ceased  and  the  clouds  began  to  disperse.  Preparations  were 
immediately  made  for  embarkation.  By  nine  o’clock  our  party 
were  all  snugly  packed  on  board  the  Winona,  a barge  of  eight 
tons  burden.  The  party  consisted  of  twenty-four  persons ; nine- 
teen were  missionaries  and  their  children.  Some  were  returning 
to  their  several  stations  at  Shakopee,  Oak  Grove,  Kaposia  and 
Red  Wing,  after  having  attended  the  annual  meeting.  To  com- 
plete the  number  were  two  Frenchmen,  employes  of  the  traders, 
and  three  Dakotas.  For  freight,  we  had  three  horses,  sixteen 
packs  of  furs  and  a considerable  quantity  of  baggage  belonging 
to  one  of  the  mission  families,  who  were  on  their  way  to  visit 
friends  in  Ohio.  When  all  were  ready,  farewells  Avere  exchanged 
with  those  left  behind,  and  our  little  vessel  moved  out  upon  the 
bosom  of  the  charming  river.  It  seemed  to  me  that  nothing  on 
earth  could  haAm  exceeded  the  variety  and  beauty  of  the  scenery 
by  which  Ave  Avere  surrounded  as  Ave  glided  down  the  “sky-colored 
water.”  The  dark  rain  clouds  had  disappeared,  and  the  golclen- 
edged  fleeces,  Avhich  appeared  in  their  stead,  were  moving  in 
majesty,  adorning  the  great  arcliAvav  Avith  their  richest  drapery, 
while  sheltering  the  traveler  ffom  the  too  constant  heat  of  the 
sun.  In  consequence  of  the  great  rain  the  banks  of  the  river  were 
full,  and  in  many  places  oAmrflowing.  No  ghastly  forms  of 
uprooted  trees,  no  shelves  of  dropping  mud,  nor  bars  of  yelloAV 
sand  Avere  visible.  EArery  object  that  could  be  thought  disagree- 
able Avas  covered  by  the  flowing  Avaters.  We  sailed  on.  in  our 
Avoiding  course,  through  banks  of  living  green.  The  AvilloAvs. 
AAffiich  skirted  the  stream  in  abundance,  bending  under  the  force 
of  the  current,  seemed  to  be  bowing  their  heads  and  kissing  the 
water,  like  things  of  intelligence  expressing  their  gratitude  for 
faArors  received.  Our  course  for  that  day  Avas  bounded  for  many 


472 


HISTOBY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


miles  by  dense  forests ; occasionally,  however,  we  were  greeted 
by  an  opening  meadow,  covered  by  tall  grass.  We  had  a view  of 
nature  unalloyed  by  the  hand  of  art.  Night  came  on  at  last,  and 
it  was  not  considered  safe  to  continue  our  journey  in  the  dark. 
Our  barge  was  directed  to  the  shore  and  made  fast  to  a stately 
elm. 

After  evening  prayers,  our  cheerful  company  spread  their 
blankets,  some  on  the  grassy  bank,  some  on  board  the  boat,  and 
laid  themselves  down  to  rest.  A little  past  midnight  our  rest  was 
disturbed.  The  moon  appeared  above  the  horizon  in  all  its  bright- 
ness. The  land  sleepers  were  aroused  and  summoned  on  board, 
the  line  was  hauled  in,  and  the  boat  began  again  to  move  down 
the  bold  current.  Before  sunrise  we  were  in  sight  of  what  was 
then  called  “Prairieville  Station,”  the  village  of  the  chief  called 
Little  Six,  now  Shakopee.  On  arriving  near  the  mission  house 
our  boat  was  again  tied  to  a tree,  and  all  accompanied  Rev.  Mr. 
Pond  to  his  house,  where  we  partook  of  a warm  breakfast,  seated 
at  a table  once  more.  After  tarrying  at  that  place  some  two 
hours,  having  parted  with  some  of  our  company,  we  reembarked 
and  wended  our  way  down  the  river.  The  day  was  fine  and  the 
views  most  enchanting.  AVe  had  left  the  big  woods,  and  the 
country  was  a rolling  prairie,  but  no  human  habitation  nor  culti- 
vated fields  were  to  be  seen,  until  we  came  to  “Oak  Grove  Sta- 
tion,” or  Black  Dog’s  village.  Here  we  halted,  and  left  Rev. 
G.  II.  Pond,  the  missionary  at  that  station.  At  about  three 
o’clock  in  the  afternoon  we  came  to  Mendota,  the  meeting  of  the 
waters  of  the  Minnesota  and  the  Mississippi.  When  Fort  Snelling 
was  described  in  the  distance,  those  missionary  children  began  to 
dance  for  joy.  Having  been  born  in  an  Indian  village,  they  had 
only  seen  pictures  of  really  civilized  habitations  before.  Who  can 
describe  the  feelings  of  those  children  on  that  occasion?  Our 
bark  was  soon  moored  under  the  battlements  of  the  fort,  and  we 
pursued  our  way  homeward  by  other  methods  of  conveyance. 

While  the  Dakotas  were  in  possession  we  had  no  lack  of  wild 
fresh  meat,  but  the  advent  of  white  hunters  soon  diminished  the 
amount  of  game  in  all  the  region.  The  Indians  were  skillful  in 
taking  their  game  by  stealth,  instead  of  chasing  it  with  hounds. 
They  Avere  careful  not  to  kill  more  than  necessary  at  one  time. 
1 have  seen  a Dakota  go  through  the  prairie  grass  on  all  fours, 
or  rather  on  threes,  for  he  held  a shotgun  near  the  ground  in  one 
hand.  At  a few  rods  distance  1 should  easily  have  taken  him  to 
be  a quadruped.  He  was  on  the  track  of  a deer.  I have  the 
impression  that  a fresh  sirloin  steak  of  elk  or  bear,  killed  by  an 
Indian,  in  those  days  was  much  finer  than  any  meat  I haAre  ever 
eaten  which  came  from  a butcher. 

John  Day  and  family  Avere  residents  of  Trenton,  AAris„  for  a 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


473 


time  previous  to  their  coming  to  Red  Wing.  The  story  we  now 
relate  is  told  by  Mr.  Day,  the  circumstances  occurring  while  they 
lived  at  Trenton. 

While  seated  at  breakfast  one  morning,  Mrs.  Day  called  the 
attention  of  her  husband  to  a large  black  object,  which  at  first 
they  thought  to  be  a black  hog,  but  which,  on  closer  inspection, 
proved  to  be  a bear.  Day  seized  a gun,  loaded  with  slugs,  and 
fired  at  the  bear,  but  the  slugs  fell  short  of  the  mark.  The  bear 
took  to  the  river  and  made  for  the  Minnesota  shore,  leaving  Mr. 
Day  standing  disappointedly  watching  his  movements.  While 
thus  engaged,  a splashing  of  the  water  near  attracted  his  notice, 
and  looking  in  the  direction  he  saw  his  wife  coming  towards  him 
with  a small  skiff.  As  soon  as  she  discovered  that  her  husband 
had  missed  his  aim,  and  that  the  bear  had  taken  to  the  water, 
with  a woman’s  forethought,  she  caught  up  an  axe,  and,  hurry- 
ing to  the  skiff,  unmoored  it,  and  started  to  the  aid  of  her  hus- 
band, determined  that  the  bear  should  not  escape.  As  soon  as  the 
skiff  touched  the  shore  Mr.  Day  jumped  in,  and,  following  Bruin’s 
wake,  succeeded  in  heading  him  off  and  turning  him  towards  the 
Wisconsin  shore.  When  nearly  opposite  his  home,  Mr.  Day  man- 
aged to  get  near  enough  to  his  game  to  use  the  axe.  A short  and 
desperate  struggle  ensued,  resulting  in  victory  for  Day.  The  bear 
was  towed  to  the  shore,  and  found  to  weigh  400  pounds.  Mr. 
Day  was  much  praised  by  the  Indians  for  his  daring  and  prowess. 
They  forgot  that  the  credit  for  the  success  of  the  adventure 
belonged  to  Mrs.  Day.  Had  it  not  been  for  her  forethought,  in 
taking  the  axe  and  canoe  when  she  did,  her  husband  would  have 
stood  there  looking  until  the  bear  had  crossed  the  river,  and  made 
his  escape.  Mrs.  Day  was  an  example  of  the  kind  of  stuff  many 
of  Minnesota’s  pioneer  women  were  made  of. 

The  Dakotas  of  Red  Wing  used  log  canoes  for  navigating  the 
rivers.  It  required  some  skill  to  manage  such  a craft  in  the  water. 
My  first  experience  in  canoe  traveling  was  rather  ludicrous. 
Being  at  the  landing  one  day.  when  a man  and  boy  were  about 
to  launch  one  of  these  vessels  for  a hunting  excursion,  I asked  the 
privilege  of  a ride  with  them,  which  was  readily  granted.  As  I 
attempted  to  board  the  thing,  it  slipped  from  me  so  quickly 
that  I came  near  falling  into  the  stream,  but  the  man  and  boy 
held  the  canoe,  so  that  I succeeded  in  the  next  attempt.  We  had 
not  gone  far  up  the  stream,  keeping  along  near  the  shore,  when 
I noticed  the  water  Avas  not  very  deep,  and  having  a long  stick  in 
my  hand,  which  I had  been  using  for  a staff,  I thought  I might 
increase  the  speed  and  help  the  rowers.  I put  my  stick  over  the 
side,  touched  the  bottom,  and  gaA^e  a good  push.  The  stick  stuck 
in  the  muddy  bottom,  and  when  I pulled  to  get  it  out,  quick, 
almost  as  lightning,  the  boat  rolled  OA^er,  and  all  three  Avere 


474 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


ducked  head  foremost  into  the  water.  When  I regained  a stand- 
ing position  the  two  Indians  were  fishing  for  their  guns  and 
powder  horns  from  the  river  bottom.  We  soon  secured  all  the 
lost  baggage,  as  the  water  was  not  more  than  three  feet  deep 
where  the  catastrophe  occurred.  It  was  fortunate  for  me  that  I 
had  but  little  acquaintance  with  the  language  at  that  time.  So 
the  scathing  rebuke  which  was  given  did  not  arouse  my  indigna- 
tion. Acknowledging  my  ignorance,  1 promised  to  keep  still  in 
the  future,  and  after  wringing  some  of  the  water  from  our  gar- 
ments, we  embarked  again,  and  finished  the  trip  without  further 
accident.  After  this  I learned  very  soon  how  to  paddle  the  canoe, 
and  frequently  took  short  journeys  in  one.  The  same  vehicle 
could  be,  and  was  sometimes,  used  for  traveling  on  land. 

On  the  Fourth  of  July,  1852,  Ave  celebreated  the  day  by  an 
excursion  down  to  the  head  of  the  lake,  A'isiting  Avith  the  trader, 
Mr.  Bullard,  and  family,  at  that  place.  The  party  consisted  of 
John  Bush,  Indian  farmer,  his  wife,  myself,  wife,  and  one  child. 
Mr.  Bush  considered  that  it  would  be  easier  to  take  a team  and 
go  by  land  than  to  go  on  the  river.  A large  canoe  was  brought 
into  requisition.  The  oxen  were  hitched  to  one  end  by  a log 
chain.  We  took  four  seats  on  quilts  in  the  canoe.  Mr.  Bush, 
driving  the  oxen,  walked  by  their  side.  The  Avild  grass  being 
quite  tall  and  thick,  the  canoe  glided  along  Avhere  the  ground  was 
level  like  a sleigh  0Arer  the  snow.  But  in  many  places  the  land 
was  uneven.  The  oxen  seemed  in  good  spirits,  and  Avalked  rather 
lively.  Frequently  the  canoe  struck  a 'stone  or  a sideling  place, 
and  Ave  Avere  immediately  turned  out.  These  turnovers  Avere 
often,  and  gave  us  great  merriment.  We  Avere  thrown  out  at 
different  times,  and  found  ourselves  in  all  sorts  of  positions 
imaginable.  Mr.  Bush  protested  that  he  tried  to  find  the  smooth- 
est places,  but  I rather  suspect  his  honesty.  We  accomplished  the 
trip,  however,  had  a good  time,  and  returned  in  the  evening  with 
the  same  consequences  of  turning  over — and  fun.  That  twelve 
miles  of  riding  in  a canoe  by  land  Avas  the  most  laughable 
experience  of  my  life. 

The  Dakotas  Avere  a kind  people  to  those  who  Avere  friendly 
and  kind  to  them.  During  several  years’  residence  among  them 
Ave  had  no  difficulty  with  them. 

Early  in  the  spring  of  1851  a new  scholar  came  to  our  school 
Avith  the  other  children.  Her  appearance  being  somewhat  strange, 
Ave  called  her  the  Avild  girl.  It  Avas  nothing  uncommon  for  boys 
and  girls  to  go  from  one  village  to  another,  to  stay  a month  or  so, 
and  return  again  to  their  parents.  The  severity  of  parental  dis- 
cipline, I think,  was  often  the  occasion  of  such  wandering.  To 
have  a new  scholar,  some  fourteen  or  fifteen  years  of  age,  make 
appearance  at  the  school  Avas  therefore  no  matter  for  Avonder. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


475 


But  this  one  was  somewhat  peculiar  in  her  manner,  and  attracted 
attention.  There  was  a wild  look  in  her  eyes,  and  though  in  girl’s 
dress,  her  hair  had  been  cut  off  in  front  like  an  Indian  boy’s  hair. 
She  appeared  very  anxious  to  learn  to  read,  applying  herself  with 
an  unusual  ardor,  but  would  not  say  anything  about  her  true  resi- 
dence and  former  history.  The  other  children  could  tell  us  noth- 
ing about  whence  she  came.  1 think  she  was  here  about  two 
months  or  more.  Her  departure  was  as  unexpected  as  her  coming. 

It  was  but  a short  time  after  the  wild  girl  left  that  the  follow- 
ing account  appeared  in  the  St.  Paul  “Pioneer”:  “In  the  spring 
of  1850,  at  one  of  the  villages  on  the  Minnesota  river,  a young 
girl,  fourteen  years  of  age,  shot  another  girl,  with  whom  she  was 
quarreling.  The  deceased  was  the  daughter  of  a sullen  man 
named  Black  "Whistle.  The  affrighted  girl,  after  she  had  fired  the 
gun,  fled  to  the  trader’s  house,  and  was  by  him  aided  to  make  her 
escape  down  to  Wabasha’s  village.  While  stopping  at  Red 
Wing’s  village,  some  hundred  miles  from  where  the  deed  was  com- 
mitted, the  incensed  father  overtook  her.  His  first  plan  was  to 
carry  her  home  and  sacrifice  her  at  his  daughter’s  burial  scaffold; 
but,  through  the  influence  of  some  advisors,  he  changed  his  plan, 
and  resolved  to  make  her  his  slave,  or  his  wife.  For  some  time 
she  endured  what  to  her  was  a living  death,  and  one  night  she 
suddenly  disappeared. 

“Not  many  days  after  there  appeared  at  Good  Road’s  village 
a young  Indian  boy,  stating  that  he  was  a Sissetonwan  just 
arrived  from  the  plains.  He  was  well  received,  no  one  dreaming 
that  he  was  the  fugitive  Indian  maiden. 

“While  in  this  disguise  she  went  out  one  day  to  spear  fish, 
when  her  enemy,  the  revengeful  father  of  the  girl  she  had  shot, 
met  her  and  recognized  her.  He  avowed  his  intention  to  kill  her. 
She  very  coolly  assented  to  the  justice  of  what  he  said,  and  left. 
She  next  appeared  at  Kaposia,  Little  Crow’s  village.  Here  she 
passed  herself  off  as  a Winnebago  orphan,  in  which  disguise  she 
succeeded  for  a time.  Her  sex  being  suspected,  she  was  again 
obliged  to  seek  for  safety  by  flight,  and  took  up  her  abode  at  Red 
Wing’s  village,  where  she  dressed  like  other  maidens,  and 
attended  the  mission  school.” 

The  subsequent  history  of  the  girl  is  not  known  to  anyone 
now  living. 

On  the  Wisconsin  side,  in  the  early  days,  there  lived  a man 
named  Hawley,  who  had  no  family  with  him.  He  lived  in  a 
shanty,  alone.  He  was  a cripple,  one  leg  bent  almost  double  at  the 
knee,  and  yet  could  walk  about  tolerably  well.  He  seemed  to  be 
holding  a claim  and  trading  with  woodchoppers,  but  deriving 
most  of  his  income  from  the  sale  of  whiskey  to  the  Indians.  Some 
of  the  latter,  having  returned  and  encamped  near  the  mouth  of 


476 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Spring  creek  in  the  summer  of  1854,  were  accustomed  to  visit 
Hawley’s  shanty.  One  day  they  had  a quarrel  with  him,  in  regard 
to  some  bargains,  in  which  he  had  deceived  them.  He  ordered 
them  to  leave  his  premises,  but  they  refused,  and  continued  to 
annoy  him,  till,  in  anger,  he  shot  at  them,  and  wounded  one  of 
them  so  that  he  soon  after  died.  There  was  now  a great  outcry  in 
the  Indian  camp.  Every  white  person  who  came  near  was  threat- 
ened and  ordered  away.  People  were  under  the  impression  that 
revenge  was  meditated  upon  somebody.  Hawley  had  fortified  his 
shanty  with  loaded  rifles.  It  was  reported  that  he  threatened  to 
shoot  the  first  man  who  came  to  take  him.  The  few  settlers  in 
Red  Wing,  Burnside  and  Yasa  were  very  much  alarmed.  The 
alarm  almost  created  a stampede.  A deputation,  consisting  of 
Dr.  AY.  AY.  Sweney,  Lawyer  P.  Sandford,  and  the  writer,  all  being 
well  known  by  the  Indians,  visited  their  camp  to  make  peace,  if 
possible.  AYe  were  kindly  received,  and  after  a short  talk,  were 
convinced  that  they  did  not  intend  to  injure  any  one  except 
Hawley.  Whatever  became  of  him  we  do  not  know.  It  was 
reported  that  his  shanty  was  deserted  very  soon  after.  The 
Indians  watched  him  day  and  night,  and  he  was  probably  killed 
in  his  last  attempt  to  make  his  escape. 

Early  in  March,  1866,  the  regular  weekly  papers  contained 
notices  headed  “Oil  Well  in  Red  AALng!”  “Steady  Flow  of  Petro- 
leum!” “A  Joint  Stock  Company  Organized.”  etc.  The  facts  of 
the  case  were  that  a party  of  men  had  been  engaged  in  digging 
for  water  for  household  purposes  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  vil- 
lage, between  Barn  and  Sorin  bluffs.  They  found  water  twenty 
feet  below  the  surface,  but  not  sufficient  in  quantity  for  the  pur- 
poses required.  Consequently,  they  continued  to  dig  deeper.  The 
next  morning,  after  having  found  water,  they  commenced  dipping 
out  that  which  had  run  in  during  the  night.  Immediately  the 
strong  odor  of  petroleum  was  realized,  but  they  kept  on  digging. 
And  the  next  morning  the  same  thing  happened.  There  was  clear 
evidence  of  oil  on  the  water  before  it  was  stirred.  A portion  was 
saved  for  visitors  to  smell  of  during  the  day.  Every  morning,  for 
several  days  in  succession,  some  signs  of  oil  were  apparent  in  the 
water  drawn  out  of  that  well. 

A joint  stock  company  was  actually  organized.  The  stock  was 
all  taken,  officers  chosen,  and  the  operations  commenced.  There 
were  some  doubting  Thomases,  however,  who  would  wait  for  .a 
clearer  view. 

Soon  after  the  news  had  gone  abroad  in  the  papers  under  the 
headline  “Steady  Flow  of  Petroleum  in  East  Red  AVing, ” and 
almost  everybody  seemed  to  have  oil  on  the  brain,  the  doubters 
set  a watch  over  the  famous  Avell  during  the  dark  and  black  night. 
And  when  the  stillness  of  midnight  had  settled  down  upon  all 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


477 


around,  behold ! the  soft  light  of  an  old-fashioned  lantern  drew 
gently  near  the  month  of  the  well.  The  watchers  soon  seized  hold 
of  the  midnight  light-bearer,  and  found  in  his  possession  a tin 
can  of  kerosene  oil!  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  add  that  the  Red 
Wing  Oil  Company’s  office  was  closed  very  soon.  The  expenses 
of  the  company  had  amounted  to  only  about  twenty-five  dollars 
when  the  business  wound  up.  There  was  a short  paragraph  in  the 
papers  the  following  week  headed,  “The  Oil  Well  a Sqll!”  which 
gave  the  report  of  the  night  watchmen. 

So  soon  after  the  discovery  of  gold  in  California,  and  the  oil 
wells  of  Pennsylvania  were  beginning  to  yield  so  abundantly  of 
the  means  for  artificial  light,  it  would  not  be  considered  at  all 
strange  if  the  first-comers  into  a new  region  should  be  constantly 
looking  for  something  beneath  the  soil  to  encourage  their  hope 
of  a future  fortune.  And  such  was  acutally  the  case  among  the 
early  settlers  in  this  county. 

Many  times  it  was  announced  in  the  Red  Wing  papers  that 
some  farmer  had  found  strong  indications  of  coal  on  his  place. 
Digging  for  the  precious  fuel  was  often  resorted  to,  but  it 
invariably  ended  in  disappointment.  Some  men  discovered  gold 
dust  among  the  sand  which  had  been  thrown  out  of  an  excava- 
tion made  for  a fence  post  in  Red  Wing  at  one  time,  which  raised 
excitement  enough  to  help  up  the  price  of  real  estate.  At  another 
time  gold  was  discovered  in  the  south  part  of  the  county  on  the 
Zumbro  river.  The  bed  of  that  stream  was  considered,  for  a few 
days,  a rich  find.  About  a bushel  of  the  yellow  sand  was  brought 
in  to  Red  Wing,  to  be  washed  and  tested  as  to  its  value  and 
purity.  The  test  proved  that  gold  was  actually  found,  but  not  in 
paying  quantities. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 


OFFICERS  AND  POPULATION. 

List  of  Men  Who  Have  Represented  Goodhue  County  at  St.  Paul 
Since  Territorial  Days — List  of  County  Officers — Men  From 
This  County  Who  Have  Occupied  Positions  of  Higher  Trust 
and  Honor — Population  of  the  County  by  Nationality,  and 
Occupation,  With  List  of  Growth  Since  the  Earliest  Census. 

On  July  17,  1849,  Alexander  Ramsey,  by  proclamation,  fixed 
the  council  districts  for  the  Territory  of  Minnesota,  which  had  not 
then  been  divided  into  counties.  The  St.  Croix  precinct  of  St. 
Croix  county,  and  the  settlements  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi, south  of  Crow  village  to  the  Iowa  line,  was  constituted 
the  First  district.  This  included  Goodhue  county. 

1849 — The  First  Legislature  assembled  September  3,  and 
adjourned  November  1.  The  First  district  was  represented  by 
James  S.  Norris,  of  Cottage  Grove,  in  the  counil;  John  A.  Furber 
of  Cottage  Grove,  and  James  Wells  in  the  house.  Wells  was  from 
Goodhue  county. 

1851 —  The  Second  Legislature  assembled  January  1,  and 
adjourned  March  31.  The  First  district  was  represented  by 
James  S.  Norris  in  the  council;  John  A.  Ford,  of  Red  Rock,  and 
James  AVells  in  the  house. 

1852 —  The  Third  Legislature.  By  the  apportionment  of  1851, 
the  territory  having  been  divided  into  counties,  the  counties  of 
Wabasha  and  Washington,  and  precincts  of  St.  Paul  and  Little 
Canada,  constituted  the  Fourth  district.  This  included  Goodhue 
county.  The  legislature  assembled  January  3,  and  adjourned 
March  6.  The  Fourth  district  was  represented  by  Lorenzo  A. 
Babcock,  of  St.  Paul  in  the  council,  and  Fordyce  Richards,  a 
Lake  Pepin  trader,  in  the  house. 

1853 —  The  Fourth  Legislature  assembled  January  5,  and 
adjourned  March  5.  The  Fourth  district  was  represented  by 
L.  A.  Babcock  in  the  council,  and  James  AVells  in  the  house. 

1854 —  The  Fifth  Legislature  assembled  January  4,  and 
adjourned  March  4.  The  Fourth  district  was  represented  by 
William  Freeborn  in  the  council,  and  0.  M.  Lord  in  the  house. 


478 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


479 


1855 —  The  Sixth  Legislature  assembled  January  3,  and 
adjourned  March  3.  The  Fourth  district  was  represented  by 
William  Freeborn  in  the  council,  and  Clark  W.  Thompson  in  the 
house. 

1856 —  The  Seventh  Legislature.  By  the  apportionment  of 
1855,  Goodhue,  Dodge  and  Freeborn  counties  constituted  the 
Fourth  district.  The  legislature  was  assembled  January  2,  and 
adjourned  March  1.  The  Fourth  district  was  represented  by 
William  Freeborn  in  the  council,  and  Charles  Gardner  and  J.  B. 
IJubbell  in  the  house. 

1857 —  The  Eighth  Legislature  assembled  January  7,  and 
adjourned  March  7.  The  Fourth  district  was  represented  by 
William  Freeborn  in  the  council,  Nelson  Payne  and  AY.  AY. 
Sweney  in  the  house. 

Under  the  enabling  act  of  congress,  approved  March  3,  1857, 
a constitutional  convention  of  108  members  (each  council  district 
to  elect  two  for  each  councilman  and  representative  it  was 
entitled  to)  was  authorized  to  meet  at  the  capital  on  the  second 
Monday  in  July,  to  frame  a state  constitution,  arid  submit  it  to 
the  people  of  the  territory.  The  election  was  held  on  the  first 
Monday  in  June.  On  July  13  the  delegates  met,  but  a disagree- 
ment arising  in  the  organization,  the  Republican  members  organ- 
ized one  body,  and  the  Democratic  members  organized  separately. 
Each  of  these  bodies,  claiming  to  be  the  legal  constitutional  con- 
vention, proceeded  with  the  work  of  forming  an  instrument  to  be 
submitted  to  the  people.  After  some  days,  an  understanding  was 
effected  between  them,  and  by  means  of  committees  of  confer- 
ence, the  same  constitution  was  framed  and  adopted  by  both 
bodies.  On  being  submitted  to  the  people,  October  13,  it  was 
ratified. 

The  Fourth  district  was  represented  in  the  Republican  wing 
by  Charles  McClure,  Aaron  C.  Hudson,  George  AVatson,  Frank 
Mantor  and  Joseph  Peckman.  The  member  from  this  district  in 
the  Democratic  wing  was  Edwin  C.  Stacy. 

1857 — First  Legislature.  By  the  apportionment  of  1857,  Good- 
hue  county  was  constituted  the  Sixth  district.  The  legislature 
assembled  December  2,  1857.  On  March  25,  1858,  it  took  a recess 
until  June  2.  and  finally  adjourned  August  12.  The  Goodhue 
county  representatives  were  Aaron  G.  Hudson  in  the  senate,  and 
Henry  L.  Bevans,  Joseph  Peckham,  C.  AY.  Libbey  and  Hans 
Hanson,  Jr.,  in  the  house. 

1859 — Second  Legislature.  Assembled  December  7,  1859,  and 
adjourned  March  12,  1860.  Goodhue  county  representatives  were 
R.  N.  Maclaren  in  the  senate,  and  Lewis  H.  Garrard,  I.  C.  Stearns, 
R.  II.  Ivnox  and  L.  K.  Aaker  in  the  house. 

1861— Third  Legislature.  By  the  apportionment  of  1860, 


480 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Goodhue  county  was  constituted  the  Ninth  district.  The  legisla- 
ture assembled  January  8,  and  adjourned  March  8.  The  Goodhue 
county  representatives  were  R.  N.  McLean  in  the  senate,  and 
J.  E.  Chapman  and  C.  R.  White  in  the  house. 

1862 —  Fourth  Legislature.  Assembled  January  7,  and 

adjourned  March  7.  Goodhue  county  representatives  were 
Charles  McClure  in  the  senate,  and  J.  A.  Thacher  and  L.  K.  Aaker 
in  the  house.  On  account  of  the  Indian  outbreak  in  1862,  an 
extra  session  was  called  by  the  governor,  which  assembled  Sep- 
tember 9,  and  adjourned  September  29. 

1863 —  Fifth  Legislature.  Assembled  January  6,  and 
adjourned  March  6.  Goodhue  county  representatives  were 
Charles  McClure  in  the  senate,  and  J.  A.  Thacher  and  A.  Hilton 
in  the  house. 

1864 —  Sixth  Legislature.  Assembled  January  5,  and 
adjourned  March  4.  The  Goodhue  county  representatives,  from 
the  Ninth  district,  were  J.  A.  Thacher  in  the  senate,  and  S.  S. 
Grannis  and  J.  M.  Gates  in  the  house. 

1865 —  Seventh  Legislature.  Assembled  January  3,  and 

adjourned  March  3.  The  Goodhue  representatives  were  J.  A. 
Thacher  in  the  senate,  and  J.  B.  Locke  and  William  Colville,  Jr., 
in  the  house. 

1862 — The  Eighth  Legislature  assembled  January  2,  and 
adjourned  March  2.  The  Goodhue  county  representatives  were 
J.  A.  Thacher  in  the  senate,  and  Sylvester  Dickey  and  AYarren 
Bristol  in  the  house. 

1867—  — Ninth  Legislature.  By  the  apportionment  of  1866, 
Goodhue  county  was  constituted  the  Ninth  district.  The  legisla- 
ture assembled  January  8,  and  adjourned  March  8.  The  Good- 
hue  representatives  were  Warren  Bristol  in  the  senate,  and  L.  K. 
Aaker,  J.  F.  Mitchell  and  R.  B.  Wilson  in  the  house. 

1868 —  The  Tenth  Legislature  assembled  January  7,  and 
adjourned  March  6.  Goodhue  county  representatives  were : AYar- 
ren Bristol  in  the  senate,  E.  C.  Comstock,  K.  Iv.  Finseth  and  J.  F. 
Pingrey  in  the  house.' 

1869 —  The  Eleventh  Legislature  assembled  January  5,  and 
adjourned  March  5.  Goodhue  county  representatives  were  War- 
ren Bristol  in  the  senate,  L.  Iv.  Aaker,  A.  J.  Grover  and  C.  C. 
AVebster  in  the  house. 

1870 —  The  Twelfth  Legislature  assembled  January  4,  and 

adjourned  March  4.  Goodhue  county  representatives  were 

Charles  Hill  in  the  senate,  John  Miller,  Orrin  Densmore  and  Giles 
Slocum  in  the  house. 

1871 —  The  Thirteenth  Legislature  assembled  January  8,  and 

adjourned  March  3.  Goodhue  county  representatives  were 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


481 


Charles  Hill  in  the  senate,  Orin  Densmore,  T.  G.  Pearson  and 
A.  P.  Jackson  in  the  house. 

1872 —  Fourteenth  Legislature.  By  the  apportionment  of  1871, 
Goodhue  county  was  constituted  the  Sixteenth  and  Seventeenth 
districts.  The  legislature  assembled  January  2,  and  adjourned 
March  1.  The  Goodhue  county  representatives  were:  Sixteenth 
District — Lucius  Hubbard  in  the  senate,  J.  C.  Pierce  and  J.  Fin- 
ney in  the  house.  Seventeenth  District — Giles  Slocum,  in  the 
senate,  T.  P.  Kellett,  G.  K.  Norsving  and  John  Stanton  in  the 
house. 

1873 —  The  Fifteenth  Legislature  assembled  January  7,  and 
adjourned  March  7.  Goodhue  county  representatives,  were : 
Sixteenth  District — L.  F.  Hubbard  in  the  senate,  AY.  C.  Williston 
and  H.  F.  Armstrong  in  the  house.  Seventeenth  District — John 
AY.  Peterson  in  the  senate,  T.  P.  Kellett,  G.  K.  Norsving  and 
Arthur  Flom  in  the  house. 

1874 —  The  Sixteenth  Legislature  assembled  January  6,  and 

adjourned  March  6.  Goodhue  county  representatives  were: 

Sixteenth  District — L.  F.  Hubbard  in  the  senate,  AY.  C.  AYilliston 
and  Leland  Jones  in  the  house.  Seventeenth  District — J.  AY. 
Peterson  in  the  senate,  C.  R.  AVliite,  N.  J.  Ottun  and  John 
Stanton  in  the  house. 

1875 —  The  Seventeenth  Legislature  assembled  January  5,  and 

adjourned  March.  5.  Goodhue  county  representatives  were : 

Sixteenth  District — L.  F.  Hubbard  in  the  senate,  Robert  Deakin 
and  Rudolph  Kruger  in  the  house. 

1876 —  The  Eighteenth  Legislature  assembled  January  4,  and 

adjourned  March  3.  Goodhue  county  representatives  were : 

Sixteenth  District — AY.  C.  AYilliston  in  the  senate,  Charles  R. 
Brink  and  Rudolph  Kruger  in  the  house.  Seventeenth  District — 
A.  K.  Finseth  in  the  senate,  Gustavus  AYestman,  Ole  P.  ILuleback 
and  B.  C.  Grover  in  the  house. 

1877 —  The  Nineteenth  Legislature  assembled  January  2,  and 

adjourned  March  2.  Goodhue  county  representatives  were: 

Sixteenth  District — AY.  C.  AYilliston  in  the  senate,  Jonathan  Fin- 

ney and  FI.  B.  AAulson  in  the  house.  Seventeenth  District — A.  K. 
Finseth  in  the  senate,  B.  C.  Grover,  0.  P.  Iluleback  and  T.  G. 
Pearson  in  the  house. 

1878 —  The  Twentieth  Legislature  assembled  January  8,  and 

adjourned  March  8.  Goodhue  county,  representatives  were : 

Sixteenth  District — J.  C.  McClure  in  the  senate.  AYilliam  Colvill 
and  N.  C.  Crandall  in  the  house.  Seventeenth  District — A.  K. 
Finseth  in  the  senate,  S.  C.  AA7ickey,  P.  N.  Langemo  and  S.  C. 
Holland  in  the  house. 

1879 —  The  Twenty-first  Legislature  assembled  January  7.  and 

adjourned  March  7.  Goodhue  county  representatives  were : 


482 


HI  ST  OK  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Sixteenth  District — H.  B.  Wilson  in  the  senate,  C.  B.  Brink  and 
Perry  George  in  the  house.  Seventeenth  District — J.  A.  Tliacher 
in  the  senate,  S.  C.  Holland,  N.  P.  Langemo  and  J.  A.  Bowman  in 
the  house. 

1881 — The  Twenty-second  Legislature  assembled  January  4, 
and  adjourned  March  4.  Goodhue  county  representatives  were: 
Sixteenth  District — H.  B.  Wilson  in  the  senate,  F.  AY.  Hoyt  and 
F.  Tether  in  the  house.  Seventeenth  District — F.  J.  Johnson  in 
the  senate,  II.  P.  Iluleback,  A.  A.  Flom  and  C.  Hill  in  the  house. 
An  extra  session  was  called  for  the  purpose  of  considering  the 
legislation  at  the  regular  session  relating  to  the  state  railroad 
bonds,  which  was  declared  unconstitutional  by  the  Supreme 
Court.  The  session  commenced  October  11,  and  closed  Novem- 
ber 13. 

1883 — Twenty-third  Legislature.  By  the  apportionment  of 
1881,  Goodhue  county  was  constituted  the  Twenty-first  and 
Twenty-second  districts.  The  legislature  assembled  January  2, 
and  adjourned  March  2.  Goodhue  county  representatives  were : 
Twenty-first  District — F.  I.  Johnson  in  the  senate,  IT.  P.  Hule- 
back  and  M.  Doyle  in  the  house.  Twenty-second  District — M.  S. 
Chandler  in  the  senate,  G.  P.  Sidener  in  the  house. 

1885 — The  Twenty-fourth  Legislature  assembled  January  6, 
and  adjourned  March  6.  Goodhue  county  representatives  were: 
Twenty-first  District — F.  1.  Johnson  in  the  senate,  0.  K.  Naeseth 
and  S.  C.  Holland  in  the  house.  Twenty-second  District — 0.  M. 
Hall  in  the  senate,  J.  AY.  Peterson  in  the  house. 

1887 — The  Twenty-fifth  Legislature  assembled  January  4,  and 
adjourned  March  4.  Goodhue  'county  representatives  were : 
Twenty-first  District — A.  K.  Finset.li  in  the  senate,  O.  K.  Naeseth 
and  0.  Nordvold  in  the  house.  Twenty-second  District — Peter 
Nelson  in  the  senate,  J.  G.  Anderson  in  the  house. 

1889 — The  Twenty-sixth  Legislature  assembled  January  8, 
and  adjourned  April  23.  Goodhue  county  representatives  were : 
Twenty-first  District — A.  K.  Finseth  in  the  senate,  AAT.  E.  Poe  and 
S.  B.  Barteau  in  the  house.  Twenty-second  District — Peter  Nel- 
son in  the  senate,  F.  AV.  Hoyt  in  the  house. 

1891 — Twenty-seventh  Legislature.  By  the  apportionment  of 
1889,  Goodhue  county  was  constituted  the  Twenty-first  district. 
The  legislature  assembled  January  6,  and  adjourned  April  20. 
Goodhue  county  representatives  were  J.  AY.  Peterson  in  the  sen- 
ate, William  F.  Cross,  M.  Doyle  and  Ole  0.  Iluset  in  the  house. 

1893 — The  Twenty-eighth  Legislature  assembled  January  3, 
and  adjourned  April  18.  Goodhue  county  representatives  were 
J.  AY.  Peterson  in  the  senate,  James  L.  Scofield,  John  IT.  Boxrud 
and  Frank  M.  Wilson  in  the  house. 

1895 — The  Twenty-ninth  Legislature  assembled  January  8, 


HI  ST  OK  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


483 


and  adjourned  April  3.  Goodhue  county  representatives  were 
0.  J.  Wing  in  the  senate,  J.  H.  Boxrud,  J.  K.  Grondahl  and  J.  S. 
Scofield  in  the  house. 

1897 — The  Thirtieth  Legislature  assembled  January  5,  and 
adjourned  April  21.  Goodhue  county  representatives  were  O.  J. 
Wing  in  the  senate,  C.  L.  Brusletten,  J.  K.  Grondahl  and  E.  A. 
Bigelow  in  the  house. 

1899 — Thirty-first  Legislature.  By  the  apportionment  of  1897, 
Goodhue  county  was  constituted  the  Twenty-ninth  district.  The 
legislature  assembled  January  3,  and  adjourned  April  18.  Good- 
hue  county  representatives  were  William  B.  Dickey  in  the  senate, 
C.  L.  Brusletten,  S.  B.  Barteau  and  J.  Iv.  Grondahl  in  the  house. 

1901 — The  Tliirty-secoud  Legislature  assembled  January  8, 
and  adjourned  April  12.  Goodhue  county  representatives  were 
William  B.  Dickey,  S.  B.  Barteau,  Christian  Von  Wald  and  Albert 
G.  Scherf  in  the  house.  An  extra  session  was  called  for  the  pur- 
pose of  considering  the  report  of  the  tax  commission,  created  by 
chapter  13,  general  laws  A.  D.  1901.  The  extra  session  convened 
February  4,  1902,  and  adjourned  March  11,  1902. 

1903 — The  Thirty-third  Legislature  assembled  January  6. 
Goodhue  county  representatives  were  Ole  Iv.  Naeseth  in  the  sen- 
ate, W.  H.  Putnam,  C.  Von  Wald  and  A.  J.  Rockne  in  the 
house. 

1905 — The  Thirty-fourth  Legislature  assembled  January  3. 
Goodhue- county  representatives  were  Ole  K.  Naeseth  in  the  sen- 
ate, W.  IT.  Putnam,  J.  A.  Gates  and  A.  J.  Rockne  in  the  house. 

1907 — The  Thirty-fifth  Legislature  assembled  January  8. 
Goodhue  county  representatives  were  Ole  Iv.  Naeseth  in  the  sen- 
ate, W.  II.  Putnam,  J.  A.  Gates  and  A.  J.  Rockne  in  the  house. 

1909 — The  Thirty-sixth  Legislature  assembled  in  January. 
The  Goodhue  county  representatives  were  Ole  Iv.  Naeseth  in  the 
senate,  W.  H.  Putnam,  J.  A.  Gates  and  A.  J.  Rockne  in  the  house. 

The  principal  county  offices,  up  to  1891,  were  filled  by  the 
following : 

Auditors — E.  Norelius,  in  1858,  but  did  not  qualify;  Jonathan 
Going  appointed  to  fill  vacancy,  Ilans  Mattson,  F.  Joss,  S.  J. 
Willard,  C.  C.  Webster,  E.  II.  Druse,  Carl  N.  Lien. 

Sheriffs— P.  S.  Fish,  Id.  C.  Hoffman,  M.  S.  Chandler,  Id.  F. 
Armstrong,  F.  A.  Carlson,  A.  F.  Anderson. 

Treasurers — M.  Sorin,  James  Lawther,  Thomas  F.  Towne, 
Charles  Connely,  Orrin  Densmore,  W.  P.  Brown,  Ole  Ilegna,  L.  A. 
Hancock,  D.  B.  Scofield,  Hiram  Howe. 

Judges  of  Probate- — W.  D.  Sliillson,  O.  F.  Smith,  William 
Ladd,  Leman  Bates,  Orrin  Densmore,  C.  G.  Reynolds,  Robert 
Deakin,  N.  O.  Werner,  O.  D.  Anderson. 

Register  of  Deeds — J.  W.  Hancock,  L.  F.  Hubbard.  C.  C. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


484 

'W  ebster,  T.  B.  McCord,  Charles  McClure,  Charles  Ward,  C.  H. 
Johnson,  J.  II.  Webster. 

Clerks  of  Court— P.  Sandfor<t,  William  Colvill,  J.  Going, 
'William  A\  . Clark,  J.  F.  Pingrey,  Robert  Deakin,  Plans  Johnson, 
Albert  Johnson. 

County  Attorneys— P.  Sandford,  J.  F.  Pingrey,  J.  H.  Parker, 
A\  . Bristol,  J.  C.  McClure,  C.  N.  Akers,  F.  M.  Wilson,  S.  J.  Nelson. 

Superintendents  of  Schools— J.  W.  Hancock,  IP.  B.  Wilson, 
J.  F.  Pingrey,  A.  E.  Engstrom. 

Since  then  the  officers  have  been  : 

1893 — Auditor,  Carl  N.  Lien,  Red  Wing;  treasurer,  Hiram 
Howe ; sheriff,  A.  Fred  Anderson,  Red  Wing;  register  of  deeds, 
John  II.  Webster,  Red  Wing;  judge  of  probate,  0.  D.  Anderson, 
Red  Wing:  attorney,  S.  J.  Nelson,  Red  Wing;  surveyor,  Louis  P. 
Wolff,  Red  AVing;  coroner,  Dr.  Otis  J.  Brown,  Red  Wing ; clerk 
of  district  court,  Albert  Johnson,  Red  Wing;  court  commissioner, 
S.  J.  Nelson,  Red  Wing;  superintendent  of  schools,  A.  E.  Eng- 
strom, Cannon  Falls.  County  commissioners,  J.  F.  Oliva  (chair- 
man), Red  Wing;  first  district,  Adolph  Grosse,  IPay  Creek;  sec- 
ond district,  Andrew  Larson,  Vasa;  third  district,  A.  T.  Kjos, 
Norway;  fourth  district,  Henry  Weiss,  Zumbrota;  fifth  district, 
J.  F.  Oliva. 

1895 — Auditor,  Carl  N.  Lien,  Red  Wing;  treasurer,  Hiram 
Ilowe,  Red  AALng;  sheriff,  P.  J.  Lundquist,  Red  AA7ing;  register  of 
deeds,  John  II.  AVebster;  judge  of  probate,  Axel  IPaller,  Red 
Wing;  county  attorney,  John  C.  McClure,  Red  Wing ; surveyor, 
AALlliam  Danforth,  Red  Wing;  coroner,  Dr.  F.  AAL  Dimmitt,  Red 
AVing;  clerk  of  court,  Charles  IP.  Booth,  Red  Wing;  court  com- 
missioner, John  McClure,  Red  Wing;  county  superintendent, 
A.  E.  Engstrom,  Cannon  Falls.  County  Commissioner,  second 
district.  Andrew  Larson,  Vasa;  fourth  district,  N.  A.  Stageberg, 
IPader;  first  district,  J.  F.  Oliva,  Red  AA7ing;  third  district,  A.  T. 
Kjos,  Norway;  fifth  district,  Adolph  Grosse,  IPay  Creek. 

1897 — Auditor,  Carl  N.  Lien,  Red  AVing;  treasurer,  Hiram 
Howe,  Red  Wing;  register  of  deeds,  John  H.-  Webster,  Red  AA7ing; 
sheriff,  P.  J.  Lundquist,  Red  AVing;  attorney,  Albert  Johnson, 
Red  Wing;  judge  of  probate,  Axel  Haller,  Red  AA7ing;  surveyor, 
William  Danforth,  Jr.,  Red  AVing;  coroner,  John  Seastrand,  Red 
AVing;  clerk  of  court,  Charles  IP.  Booth,  Red  Wing;  court  com- 
missioner, J.  C.  McClure,  Red  Wing;  superintendent  of  schools, 
A.  E.  Engstrom,  Cannon  Falls;  County  commissioners,  first  dis- 
trict. J.  F.  Oliva,  Red  AVing;  second  district,  Andrew  Larson, 
A7asa;  third  district,  A.  T.  Kjos,  Norway;  fourth  district,  N.  A. 
Stageberg,  IPader ; fifth  district,  Adolph  Grosse,  Play  Creek. 

1899 — Auditor,  Carl  N.  Lien,  Red  AVing;  treasurer,  Hiram 
Howe,  Red  AVing;  register  of  deeds,  John  TP.  AVebster,  Red  AVing; 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


485 


attorney,  Albert  -Johnson,  Red  Wing;  judge  of  probate,  Axel  Hal- 
ler, Red  Wing;  surveyor,  Wm.  Danforth,  Red  Wing;  coroner,  Dr. 
J.  E.  Crewe,  Zumbrota;  clerk  of  court,  Chas.  H.  Booth,  Red  Wing; 
superintendent  of  schools,  A.  E.  Engstrom,  Cannon  Falls ; court 
commissioner,  S.  J.  Nelson,  Red  Wing.  County  commissioners, 
first  district,  J.  F.  Oliva;  second  district,  P.  N.  Allen,  Cannon 
Falls;  third  district,  A.  T.  Kjos,  Norway;  fourth  district,  N.  A. 
Stageberg,  Hader;  fifth  district,  Adolphe  Grosse,  Hay  Creek. 

1901 — Auditor,  Carl  N.  Lien,  Red  Wing;  treasurer,  Hiram 
Howe,  Red  Wing;  register  of  deeds,  John  H.  Webster,  Red  Wing; 
sheriff.  P.  J.  Lundquist,  Red  Wing;  attorney,  Albert  Johnson. 
Red  Wing;  judge  of  probate,  Axel  Haller,  Red  Wing;  surveyor, 
Wm.  R.  McKinstry,  Red  Wing;  clerk  of  court,  Chas.  II.  Booth, 
Red  Wing;  court  commissioner,  Geo.  M.  Gulbranson,  Red  Wing; 
superintendent  of  schools.  Prof.  Julius  J.  Boraas,  Red  Wing. 
County  commissioners,  first  district,  AY.  C.  Ivrise.  Red  Wing;  sec- 
ond district,  P.  N.  Allen;  third  district,  A.  T.  Kjos,  Norway; 
fourth  district,  N.  A.  Stageberg,  Hader ; fifth  district,  A.  II. 
Dicke,  Red  Wing. 

1903 — Auditor,  Carl  N.  Lien.  Red  AATing;  treasurer,  Fred  See- 
bac-h.  Red  Wing;  register  of  deeds,  John  H.  AYebster,  Red  Wing; 
sheriff,  P.  J.  Lundquist,  Red  Wing;  attorney,  Albert  Johnson, 
Red  Wing;  judge  of  probate,  Axel  Haller,  Red  AWng;  surveyor, 
Wm.  R.  McKinstry,  Red  AYing;  coroner,  A.  H.  Allen.  Red  Wing; 
clerk  of  court,  Chas.  IT.  Booth.  Red  AATing;  court  commissioner, 
John  F.  Merrill,  Red  AATing;  superintendent  of  schools'.  Prof. 
Julius  J.  Boraas,  Red  AYing.  County . commissioners,  first  dis- 
trict, W.  C.  Ivrise.  Red  AYing ; second  district.  P.  N.  Allen,  Cannon 
Falls;  third  district,  A.  T.  Kjos,  Norway;  fourth  district,  N.  A. 
Stageberg,  Hader;  fifth  district,  A.  II.  Dicke,  Red  AAring. 

1905 — Auditor,  Carl  N.  Lien,  Red  AAHng;  treasurer,  Fred  See- 
bach.  Red  Wing;  register  of  deeds,  Gust  E.  Freeman.  Red  AATing; 
sheriff,  P.  J.  Lundquist,  Red  Wing;  attorney,  Albert  Johnson, 
Red  AA7ing;  judge  of  probate,  Axel  Haller,  Red  AYing;  surveyor, 
R.  W.  McKinstry,  Red  Wing;  coroner,  A.  IT.  Allen,  Red  Wing; 
clerk  of  court.  C.  II.  Booth.  Red  Wing;  court  commissioner,  John 
Merrill,  Red  Wing;  superintendent  of  schools,  Prof.  Julius  J. 
Boraas,  Red  Wing.  County  commissioners,  first  district,  L.  C. 
Stromberg,  Red  AYing ; second  district,  P.  N.  Allen,  Cannon  Falls; 
third  district,  W.  R.  Callister,  Skyberg;  fourth  district,  N.  A. 
Stageberg,  Hader;  fifth  district,  A.  H.  Dicke.  Red  Wing. 

1907 — Auditor,  Carl  N.  Lien.  Red  AATing;  treasurer,  Fred  See- 
bacli,  Red  Wing;  register  of  deeds,  Gust  E.  Freeman,  Red  Wing; 
sheriff,  P.  J.  Lundquist,  Red  Wing;  attorney,  Albert  Johnson, 
Red  Wing;  judge  of  probate.  Axel  Haller,  Red  Wing;  surveyor, 
W.  J.  Longcor,  Red  AYing;  coroner,  A.  H.  Allen,  Red  Wing; 


486 


IIISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


clerk  of  court,  Clias.  S.  Dana,  Red  Wing;  court  commissioner, 
John  F.  Merrill,  Red  Wing;  superintendent,  Julius  J.  Boraas, 
Red  Wing.  County  commissioners,  first  district,  L.  C.  Stromberg, 
Red  Wing;  second  district,  P.  N.  Allen,  Cannon  Falls;  third  dis- 
trict, AY.  R.  Callister,  Skyberg ; fourth  district,  P.  P.  Finstuen, 
Zumbrota;  fifth  district,  A.  H.  Dicke,  Red  AVing. 

1909 — Auditor,  Charles  II.  Meyer,  Red  AVing;  treasurer,  Fred 
Seebach,  Red  AAring;  sheriff,  P.  J.  Lundquist,  Red  Wing;  attorney, 
Wm.  M.  Eric-son,  Red  Wing;  clerk  of  court,  C.  S.  Dana,  Red 
AVing;  register  of  deeds,  Gust.  E.  Freeman,  Reel  AVing;  coroner, 
Robert  L.  C.  Geib,  Red  AVing;  surveyor,  Jorgen  M.  Simmons, 
Red  AVing;  judge  of  probate,  Axel  Haller,  Red  Wing;  superin- 
tendent of  schools,  Julius  Boraas.  County  commissioners,  first 
district,  Fred  A.  Sclierf,  Red  Wing;  second  district,  P.  N.  Allen, 
Cannon  Falls;  third  district,  W.  R.  Callister,  Skyberg;  fourth  dis- 
trict, P.  P.  Finstuen,  Zumbrota;  fifth  district,  A.  H.  Dicke,  Red 
Wing;  Henry  Johnson,  overseer  of  poor  farm,  Red  AVing. 

Goodhue  county  is  included  in  the  First  judicial  district  and 
the  district  court  is  organized  as  follows : Judges,  Hon.  F.  M. 
Crosby  of  Hastings;  Hon.  Albert  Johnson,  Red  AVing;  clerk,  Chas. 
S.  Dana;  attorney,  AVilliam  M.  Ericson;  sheriff,  P.  J.  Lundquist; 
court  reporters,  Loren  M.  Powers,  Owen  IT.  George. 

The  congressional  district  (the  Third),  including  Goodhue 
county,  is  represented  at  AA^ashington  by  Hon.  C.  R.  Davis,  of  St. 
Peter. 

AY.  IT.  Welch  ay  as  chief  justice  from  1853  to  1858.  AV.  AV. 
Phelps  (Democrat)  was  a member  of  Congress  from  1858  to 
1859.  0.  M.  Hall  (Democrat)  was  in  Congress  from  1891  to  1895. 
Charles  McClure  Avas  judge  of  the  First  judicial  district  court 
from  1864  to  1871.  AV.  C.  Willist.on  Avas  on  the  same  bench  from 
1891  to  1909.  Albert  Johnson  Avas  appointed  to  the  same  position 
in  1909.  II.  B.  Wilson  Avas  superintendent  of  public  instruction 
from  1870  to  1875.  William  Colvill  Avas  attorney  general  from 
1866  to  1869.  L.  F.  Hubbard  was  governor  from  1882  to  1887. 
John  Lind  was  governor  from  1899  to  1901.  Hans  Mattson  Avas 
secretary  of  state  from  1870  to  1872.  S.  P.  Jennison  occupied  the 
same  office  from  1872  to  1876.  S.  P.  Jennison  Avas  private  secre- 
tary to  the  governor  from  1860  to  1861  and  from  1867  to  1870; 
Tams  Bixby  was  private  secretary  to  the  governor  from  1890  to 
1897.  Charles  McClure  and  Aaron  G.  Hudson  Avere  delegates 
to  the  convention  that  framed  the  state  constitution  in  1857.  A. 
J.  Rockne  was  speaker  of  the  house  of  representatives,  session  of 
1909. 

Goodhue  county  has  a population  of  32,268  according  to  the 
census  of  1905  taken  by  the  state.  Of  these,  according  to  the 
report,  11,963  live  in  villages  and  20,305  in  the  country.  These 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


487 


figures,  however,  as  will  be  seen,  leave  a discrepancy  of  several 
hundred.  There  are  9,391  males  of  voting  age.  The  principal 
occupations  are  enumerated  as  follows : Farmers,  3,337 ; skilled 
laborers,  1,269  ; common  laborers,  3,935 ; lumbermen,  3 ; merchants 
and  dealers,  501 ; railroad  men,  117 ; liquor  dealers,  80 ; clerks, 
agents  and  salesmen,  558 ; professional  men,  196 ; teachers,  322 ; 
capitalists  and  retired,  174;  unclassified,  198.  The  nativity  of 
the  people  of  the  county  is  as  follows : Native  born,  3,303  ; Minne- 
sota born,  19,553;  German,  1,757;  Swedish,  3,013;  Norwegian, 
2,898;  Canadian,  148;  Irish,  168;  Danish,  114;  English,  89;  Bo- 
hemian, 7;  Polish,  8;  Finn,  7;  Russian,  12;  Scotch,  21;  French, 
3;  Welch,  1;  other  nationalities,  83.  Total  foreign  born,  8,329. 
The  nationality  of  the  fathers  of  those  now  living  in  the  county 
is  as  follows : United  States,  10.002 ; German,  5,259 ; Swedish, 

6,536;  Norwegian,  7,300;  Canadian,  297;  Irish,  766;  Danish,  217; 
English,  355;  Bohemian,  28;  Polish,  34;  Finn,  13;  Russian,  20; 
Austrian,  32;  Scotch,  10;  French,  8;  Dutch  (Holland),  11;  Swiss, 
152 ; Belgian,  27.  The  increase  in  the  population  6f  the  county  is 
told  in  the  following  table:  1860,  8,977;  1865,  14,860;  1870,  22,- 
618;  1875,  28,500;  1880,  29.651;  1885,  31,113;  1890,  28,806;  1895, 
32,268;  1900,  31,137;  1905,  31,628. 

The  officers  of  the  towns  and  villages  of  Goodhue  county  at 
the  present  time  are : 

Belvidere — Anton  Schaefer,  chairman,  Lake  City;  II.  E.  Bol- 
lum,  clerk,  Goodhue,  R.  3;  C.  AY.  Senkpiehl,  treasurer,  Goodhue; 
John  Brunkhorst,  assessor.  Lake  City. 

Burnside — A.  B.  Swanson,  chairman.  Red  Wing;  John  Tyler, 
clerk,  Red  Wing;  C.  A.  Sargent,  treasurer.  Red  Wing;  P.  L. 
ITeggstrom,  assessor,  Red  Wing. 

Belle  Creek — M.  J.  Barry,  chairman;  John  A.  Cavanaugh, 
clerk,  Goodhue;  D.  D.  Ryan,  treasurer,  Goodhue;  Charles  I. 
Doyle,  assessor,  Goodhue. 

Cherry  Grove — John  J.  Quam,  chairman,  Kenyon ; Ole  Ore- 
dalen,  clerk,  Kenyon;  K.  J.  Bergum,  treasurer,  Kenyon;  A.  L. 
Kolsum,  assessor,  Zumbrota. 

Central  Point — R.  M.  Merrill,  chairman,  Lake  City;  Charles 
Gould,  clerk  and  assessor.  Lake  City;  Edwin  Wilson,  treasurer, 
Lake  City. 

Cannon  Falls — J.  E.  Johnson,  chairman;  Emil  Blomberg, 
clerk,  Cannon  Falls ; O.  E.  Haime,  treasurer.  Cannon  Falls ; L.  A. 
Rapp,  assessor,  Cannon  Falls. 

Cannon  Falls  City — F.  B.  Seager,  mayor;  George  Wilson, 
clerk;  Ed.  Mattson,  treasurer;  W.  N.  Wilkerson,  assessor. 

Dennison  ALllage — J.  E.  Norswing,  president;  W.  R.  Daven- 
port, recorder;  W.  W.  Westcott.  treasurer;  Charles  Hoberg,  asses- 


sor. 


488 


HISTORY  OR  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Featherstone — Grant  Featherstone,  chairman;  C.  T.  Taylor, 
clerk ; B.  J.  Featherstone,  treasurer ; 0.  IT.  Bang,  assessor ; ad- 
dress all  Red  Wing. 

Florence — Louis  Carlson,  chairman ; Herman  Scherf,  clerk ; 
F.  J.  Sehloer,  treasurer ; E.  T.  Terwilliger,  assessor ; address  all 
Frontenac,  Minn. 

Goodhue — J.  IT.  Nibbe,  chairman,  Goodhue;  W.  J.  O’Reilly, 
clerk,  Goodhue;  M.  J.  Skramstad,  treasurer,  Red  Wing.  R.  9; 
Kurt  Diercks,  assessor,  Goodhue. 

Goodhue  Village — H.  M.  Scovell,  president;  A.  E.  Adler, 
clerk;  L.  N.  Schineert,  treasurer;  John  McHugh,  assessor. 

ITolden — M.  S.  Jellum,  chairman;  L.  IT.  Underdahl,  clerk;  E. 
T.  Odegaard,  treasurer;  K.  E.  Tasa,  assessor.  Address  all  Ner- 
strand,  Minn. 

Hay  Creek — I.  IT.  Giledorf,  chairman ; Albert  Helmeke,  clerk ; 
Dedrich  Deden,  treasurer;  Adolph  Grosse,  assessor.  Address  all 
Red  AA7ing,  Minn. 

Kenyon — G.  F.  Solberg,  chairman,  Kenyon;  John  F.  Grosse, 
clerk,  Kenyon;  N.  Nyhagen,  treasurer,  Skyberg;  E.  R.  Rosen, 
assessor,  Skyberg. 

Kenyon  Village — J.  C.  E.  Holmen,  president;  F.  A.  Ohe,  clerk; 
B.  J.  Borlaug,  treasurer;  O.  A.  Osdal,  assessor. 

Leon — F.  I.  Johnson,  chairman;  F.  J.  Vanberg,  clerk;  L.  J. 
Johnson,  treasurer;  M.  C.  Jacobson,  assessor.  Address  all  Can- 
non Falls,  Minn. 

Pine  Island — Henry  Ahneman,  chairman ; Louis  Starz,  clerk ; 
Oliver  Berg,  assessor ; John  Ihrke,  treasurer.  Address  all  to 
Zumbrota,  Minn. 

Minneola — Oscar  Steberg.  chairman ; Ed.  IT.  Starz,  clerk ; 
John  Starz,  treasurer;  Oscar  Loken,  assessor.  Address  all  Zum- 
brota, Minn. 

Pine  Island  Village — T).  0.  Sheldon,  president;  R.  W.  Holmes, 
clerk ; Aug.  Reiter,  treasurer ; L.  Ferber,  assessor. 

Roscoe — E.  M.  Matchan,  chairman ; P.  0.  Finstuen,  clerk ; 
Henry  G.  IToven,  treasurer;  S.  R.  Gresseth,  assessor.  Address  all 
Zumbrota,  Minn. 

Stanton — F.  J.  Deline,  chairman,  Cannon  Falls ; A.  AY.  Swin- 
ton,  clerk,  Stanton;  E.  A.  Dibble,  treasurer,  Cannon  Falls; 
Francis  Goudy,  assessor,  Stanton. 

Vasa — O.  E.  Samuelson,  chairman,  Red  Wing;  Arthur  AY. 
Peterson,  clerk.  Red  AYing;  Sam  Pearson,  treasurer,  Red  Wing; 
A.  J.  Velander,  assessor,  Cannon  Falls. 

Wacoota — John  Olson,  chairman;  IT.  J.  Alms,  clerk;  Fred 
Saupe,  Jr.,  treasurer;  Nels  Thornberg,  assessor.  Address  all  Red 
AYing.  Minn. 


HISTOBY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


489 


AYanamingo — John  J.  Bee,  chairman,  Zumbrota;  Peter  L. 
Paulsness,  clerk,  Kenyon;  H.  O.  Naeseth,  treasurer,  Wanamingo; 
S.  S.  Homedahl,  assessor,  Cannon  Falls. 

Warsaw — Carl  Yeek,  chairman;  J.  P.  Steelman,  clerk;  T.  L. 
Some,  treasurer;  S.  J.  Svien,  assessor.  Address  all  Dennison, 
Minn. 

Welch — J.  M.  King,  chairman;  Frank  Bootkroyd,  clerk;  John 
Berg,  treasurer;  John  Munson,  assessor.  Address  all  Bed  Wing, 
Minn. 

Zumbrota — M.  C.  Morgan,  chairman,  Goodhue;  Charles  A. 
Ward,  clerk,  Zumbrota;  AVilliam  Heydman,  treasurer,  Zumbrota; 
George  AV.  Giles,  assessor,  Zumbrota. 

Zumbrota  AGllage — At.  H.  Baskfield,  president;  Albert  Sever- 
son, clerk;  B.  J.  Staiger,  assessor;  A.  E.  Mosher,  treasurer. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 


CALAMITIES. 

Terrible  Cyclone — Vasa  the  Greatest  Sufferer — “Sea  Wing”  Dis- 
aster— List  of  Those  Who  Perished — The  Survivors — Ter- 
rible Blow  to  the  Whole  County — “Galena”  Burned  at  the 
Levee  in  Red  Wing — Shooting  of  Chief  Daily  and  Officer 
Peterson — Red  Wing  Fires  in  By-Gone  Days. 

Goodhue  county  lias  been  singularly  free  from  calamities. 
There  have  been  some,  however,  which  can  never  be  forgotten. 
The  most  terrible  of  these  was  the  “Sea  Wing”  disaster,  which, 
while  more  particularly  affecting  Red  Wing,  was  profoundly  felt 
throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  whole  county.  The 
“Galena”  bore  no  local  people,  but  its  burning  was  one  of  the 
important  events  of  the  early  days.  The  cyclone  at  Vasa  also 
caused  sorrow  throughout  the  entire  neighborhood,  and  the  shoot- 
ing of  Chief  Daily  and  Officer  Peterson  struck  horror  to  the  hearts 
of  the  farmers  as  well  as  to  the  residents  of  the  city.  Red  Wing 
fires  have  also  had  their  influence  on  county  life,  as  business  for 
many  miles  is  largely  affected  by  any  disaster  which  strikes  a 
blow  at  the  industrial  activity  of  the  county  seat. 

CYCLONE  AT  VASA. 

A terrible  cyclone  visited  this  locality  July  2,  1879,  and  spread 
death  and  desolation  in  its  path.  In  Burnside  several  buildings 
were  demolished,  in  Belle  Creek  buildings  suffered  greatly,  and 
in  Wanamingo  three  lives  were  lost.  Vasa  was  the  center  of 
the  storm.  The  following  account  of  the  disastrous  events  ap-- 
peared  in  the  Red  Wing  Republican : 

About  12  o’clock,  between  July  2 and  3,  1879,  a furious  hur- 
ricane commenced  its  destructive  course  near  the  center  of  the 
south  line  of  section  16,  in  Vasa,  going  in  a northeasterly  direc- 
tion, and  hitting  Featherstone  near  its  northwest  corner,  beating 
down  almost  everything  in  its  track,  varying  from  40  to  80  rods 
wide,  and  marking  its  course  with  terrible  destruction  of  life  and 
property.  Commencing  by  tearing  down  trees  in  the  school  sec- 
tion, it  crossed  the  Red  AVing  and  Cannon  Falls  road  at  the  house 

490 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


491 


of  Charles  Roos,  where  it  tipped  over  a granary.  Gathering  force 
and  volume  it  next  struck  the  house  of  M.  Turnquist,  cleaning 
the  place  entirely.  This  performance  it  duplicated  at  the  house 
of  Mr.  Lindstedt.  A young  son  of  Mr.  Lindstedt  was  killed  and 
the  rest  of  the  family,  four  in  number,  injured  severely.  Then  an 
unfinished  building  belonging  to  P.  Jonson  was  strewn  around 
and  the  house  of  N.  Anderson  was  cast  into  a wheat  field,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Anderson  being  slightly  injured.  The  Orphans’  Home  was 
scattered  in  all  directions  with  frightful  results.  Three  children 
was  found  dead,  one  died  later,  and  fifteen  Avere  severely  in- 
jured. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stranberg  and  Mr.  AYigman  were  injured. 
The  residence  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Holm  was  carried  past  the  Or- 
phans’ Home,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Holm  killed,  a son  of  the  family 
found  near  by.  dying  later.  The  hurricane  just  passed  the  Luth- 
eran church  but  lifted  the  roof  off  the  parsonage.  The  next 
victims  were  E.  Swenson  and  a four-year-old  daughter, 
who  were  killed  during  the  destruction  of  their  house.  Mr. 
Swenson  died  the  next  morning,  Mrs.  Swenson  was  badly  injured, 
and  the  daughter  escaped  injury.  Frank  Ilallberg  lost  a child 
eight  months  old  and  all  his  property.  Thence  in  due  course  Ola 
Anderson,  August  Peterson,  Peter  Larson,  Mr.  Gulbranson  and 
Peter  Johnson  lost  their  houses,  barns  and  other  property.  Other 
buildings  and  property  were  also  destroyed.” 

BURNING  OF  THE  “GALENA.” 

The  burning  of  the  “Galena,”  a large  Mississippi  river  steam- 
er, July  3,  1858,  Avas  a red-letter  eArent  in  the  early  days  of 
the  city  of  Red  'Wing.  The  fire  broke  out  a little  past  midnight, 
just  before  the  boat  reached  the  landing,  and  the  glare  of  the 
burning  boat  furnished  light  enough  for  a large  part  of  the  pas- 
sengers and  crew  to  seek  safety  in  the  water,  and  eArentually  to 
reach  the  land,  drenched  and  suffering  from  the  nervous  shock, 
but  otlienvise  unharmed.  A passenger  describes  the  disaster 
as  folloAA's : “The  boat’s  freight  had  all  been  discharged  at  the 

foot  of  Lake  Pepin.  An  attempt  was  made  to  gain  time  by 
increasing  the  speed.  Before  I retired  the  chimneys  appeared 
like  volcanoes  emitting  shoAvers  of  sparks,  and  the  upper  deck 
and  mid  air  presented  a scene  worthy  of  a pyrotechnic  of  the 
first  water.  But  this,  you  know,  is  not  uncommon.  No  danger 
Avas  anticipated  from  this  source,  and  it  is  not  knoAvn,  and  prob- 
ably never  Avill'be,  whether  the  disaster  originated  from  that, 
source.  My  impression  is  that  the  fire  Avas  communicated  from 
the  loAver  portion  of  the  chimney  to  the  surrounding  Avoochvork. 
About  1 o’clock,  to  give  my  oAvn  experience,  some  one  caught  my 
foot  and  shouted,  ‘The  boat  is  on  fire.’  My  state  room  door  Avas 


492 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


left  partly  open  for  ventilation.  Fortunately  I had  not  doffed 
my  trousers  and  vest.  Leaping  from  the  upper  berth,  I told 
my  wife,  who  was  also  aroused,  to  be  calm,  undoubtedly  with 
some  tremor  in  my  voice.  I seized  my  boots,  put  them  on,  also 
my  coat,  and  looked  out.  The  alarm  had  not  yet  become  general, 
and  I hoped  that  the  fire  might  not  prove  disastrous.  The  first 
look  I gave  to  the  bow  of  the  boat  was  sufficient.  The  red  flame, 
made  lurid  by  the  accompanying  smoke,  pierced  through  the 
cabin  like  a devouring  tongue  of  an  insatiate  demon  at  the  very 
instant.  One  look ! You  may  have  read  descriptions  of  burning 
ships ; you  may  have  become  in  imagination,  a participant  in  the 
sublime  horror  of  the  scene,  which  human  pen  can  never  portray; 
but  to  stand  as  I stood  there,  a living  present  witness,  and  a part 
of  the  scene  itself,  is  fearfully  and  wonderfully  different.  One 
look,  as  I said,  at  that  mad,  wonderfully,  hellish  looking  fiend 
tongue,  lapping  with  hot  greed,  the  ceiling,  doors,  curtains,  glass, 
and  stabbing  through  into  the  opposite  apartments,  produced  a 
strange  reaction  in  my  soul,  aweing  me,  as  it  Avere,  into  coolness 
and  deliberation.  It  was  but  for  an  instant.  Flurrying  up  and 
down  the  long  saloon  Avere  crazed  Avomen,  and  men  almost 
frantic.  ‘ Where  shall  I go  ? Save  me  ! Save  me!’  ‘Oh,  my  child, 
my  child!’  ‘Fire!  Fire!’  ‘We’re  all  lost!’  ‘This  way,  I Avill 
save  you  all!’  mingled  in  one  confused  uproar,  with  piercing 
shrieks  and  lacerating  cries  high  OArer  all.  If  I spoke  then,  I 
cannot  now  recall  more  words  than  these : ‘ Quick,  Mary,  give  me 
my  boy,’  and  those  little  boy  hands  are  still  clinging  around  my 
neck  and  the  quick  beat  of  that  baby  heart  still  meets  the  louder 
pulses  of  my  own,  as  I live  again  in  memory  that  thrilling  night. 
Just  at  this  moment,  when  a master  was  so  much  needed,  no  one 
knowing  just  what  to  do,  Captain  Laughton,  of  heroic  memory, 
appeared  like  an  apparition  in  the  midst  of  us  and  said  firmly, 
‘This  way  and  you  will  all  be  saved.  Steady,  this  way.’  The  tide 
turned  in  one  direction  at  the  master’s  command,  and  with  a feAV 
exceptions,  followed  Avithout  crowding,  through  the  side  entrance 
next  the  shore,  which  was  somewhat  obstructed  by  trunks,  which 
eager  men  were  anxious  to  get  ashore,  or  off  the  boat  at  least, 
and  to  our  joy  Ave  found  the  boat’s  bow  near  the  shore  and  a 
plank  launched.  A group  of  ladies  were  in  advance  of  me,  and 
I set  up  a six-foot  Iloosier  barrier  against  the  crowd  behind, 
holding  back  with  all  my  ability.  In  the  confusion  I missed  my 
Avife,  but  thought  her  in  advance,  and  Avas  satisfied,  so  walked  the 
plank  teetering  with  its  excited  burden,  and  struck  foot  on  shore 
Avith  my  boy  in  my  arms.  A moment  more  and  Mary  Avas  at  my 
side,  and  all  our  friends  were  saved.  We  turned  to  look  at  the 
scene  before  us.  Already  had  the  flames  reached  to  the  extreme 
ends  of  the  long  ship  extending  high  above  the  pilot  house,  still 


HISTOBY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


493 


occupied  by  the  brave  man  at  the  wheel,  holding  his  charge  hard  on 
the  shore,  and  the  whole  heavens  seemed  lighted  by  the  conflagra- 
tion. Still  amid  the  flames  could  be  seen  a flitting  form  and  heard 
a wild  shriek  of  agony;  and  now  a boy  leaps  from  the  cabin  deck 
and  swims  with  vigorous  stroke  down  the  stream  until  the  yawl 
reaches  him.  The  cry  of  ‘powder  on  board’  startles  with  a new 
fear,  and  the  crowd  recedes  far  up  the  bluff  and  down  the  shore. 
Down  falls  the  deck,  up  shoot  the  flames,  renewed  with  strength, 
vaulting  high  above  the  tall  black  chimneys ; crash  came  the  huge 
black  monsters  themselves  over  the  deck.  The  river  seethes  and 
hisses,  as  if  wounded  and  mad  with  pain;  the  high  wheel-house 
blazes  and  tumbles  into  the  water,  the  cylinder  head  ex- 
plodes and  the  liberated  steam  outrushes.  The  boilers  fail,  the 
flames  begin  to  droop,  the  hull  is  burning  low;  the  water’s  edge 
is  reached,  in  flows  the  adverse  element;  the  boat  fills  and  sinks, 
and  with  one  loud  hiss  the  flames  expire  and  all  is  silent  and  dark. 
Among  the  nore  notable  incidents  of  the  scene  is  the  pilot  stand- 
ing bravely,  coolly,  at  the  wheel,  enveloped  by  the  flame  until  the 
boat  was  safe  aground.  He  made  his  escape  over  the  decks  and 
down  the  rigging.  Captain  Laughton  was  twice  knocked  down 
by  trunks  thrown  from  the  decks  in  his  passage  up  and  down  to 
save  the  passengers.  He  had  several  children  on  board,  all  of 
whom  were  saved.  A poor  Norwegian  woman,  who  had  a cow 
tied  on  the  lower  deck,  in  attempting  to  liberate  the  poor  dumb 
animal,  lost  her  own  child.  There  were  several  oxen  and  cows  on 
board.  Most  of  them,  after  being  badly  burned,  broke  overboard 
and' swam  ashore.  The  greatest  distress  and  sympathy  was  felt 
for  a poor  girl  of  fourteen  years,  whose  mother,  with  two  younger 
sisters  and  a brother,  were  all  lost.  They  were  a plain,  honest, 
earnest  looking  family  on  their  way  from  Michigan  to  meet  the 
husband  and  father  at  Mankato,  Minn.  This  poor  girl  went  alone 
to  convey  the  sad  intelligence  to  her  father.  Perhaps  no  one- 
saved  suffered  more  than  William  Bradley,  of  Keokuk,  la.  He 
was  too  late  for  the  gang-way,  and  after  spending  his  best  exer- 
tions to  save  some  children  who  clung  to  his  limbs,  and  some 
women  who  persistently  refused  to  jump  into  the  water,  although 
small  boats  were  waiting  as  near  as  the  flames  would  permit,  lie 
let  himself  down  from  the  guard,  and  fell  exhausted  into  a skiff 
then  half  full  of  water.  He  reached  the  shore  and  was  saved, 
but  that  was  all.  The  boy  who  leaped  from  the  wreck  and  swam 
so  finely  said  he  never  swam  before  in  his  life,  but  preferred 
drowning  to  burning  and  so  sprang  overboard.  Instinct  taught 
him  how  to  swim.  A bridegroom  and  bride,  young  and  joyful, 
from  Orin,  N.  Y , got  ashore,  he  dressed  in  the  unique  costume 
of  a hat  and  shirt  and  she  ditto  minus  a hat.  Scarcely  any  bag- 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


494: 

gage  was  saved.  I have  ten  checks  in  my  pocket,  but  not  a trunk 
01  cat  pet  bag-.  My  little  boy  had  on  a night  gown,  and  his  mother 
was  costumed  after  the  manner  of  the  bride  above  mentioned. 
I nfortunately  for  me,  I had  deposited  my  money  in  the  safe,  and 
the  safe  proving  to  be  an  iron  box  only,  everything  within  it  was 
utterly  destroyed.  The  citizens  of  Red  Wing  were  a humane- 
hearted  people.  All  our  immediate  wants  were  relieved  and  cloth- 
ing supplied  in  abundant,  if  not  always  in  perfectly  fitting 
measure.  ’ ’ 

The  survivors,  after  being  properly  provided  for,  were  embarked 
on  the  next  boat  up  the  river,  going  to  their  several  destinations. 
The  charred  remains  of  the  five  persons  who  perished  were  ten- 
derly and  carefully  deposited  in  coffins  and  buried  with  the  usual 
Christian  burial  service  in  Oakwood  cemetery.  The  wrecked  hull 
was  drawn  up  on  the  sand  with  considerable  difficulty,  but  was 
not  removed  until  some  time  later.  On  October  31,  1859,  the 
prominent  citizens  of  Red  Wing,  realizing  that, the  wreckage  was 
both  unsightly  and  a menace  to  traffic,  petitioned  that  the  mayor 
of  common  council  appropriate  $300  to  be  used  in  connection 
with  what  would  be  contributed  by  the  packet  company,  to  have 
the  obstruction  removed.  Later  the  removal  was  accomplished. 
The  petition  is  still  in  existence,  and  the  list  of  signatures  is 
herewith  published,  as  it  shows  the  names  of  the  principal  men 
and  business  companies  living  in  the  city  at  that  time.  The 
signers  were : R.  N.  McLaren,  Peter  Meresole,  Andrew  A.  Teele, 
G.  I.  Cooper,  S.  B.  Poop  Edward  L.  Teele,  Orton  P.  Ward,  A. 
Daniels,  jr.,  II.  A.  Park,  Towne  & Pierce,  Clinton  G.  Reynolds, 
C.  II.  and  E.  L.  Baker,  P.  Sandfoi-cl,  H.  C.  Hoffman,  I.  S.  Kellogg, 
S.  W.  Chaffee,  T.  Le  Adams,  Jas.  C.  Hawes,  J.  E.  Simmons,  Mc- 
Intire  and  Sheldon,  W.  L.  Webster,  T.  B.  McCord,  J.  M.  Ilodgman, 
AY.  C.  Williston,  AY.  D.  Bevans,  Thomas  I.  Smith,  Albert  Hall,  S. 
A.  Bevans,  C.  E.  Bolander,  John  M.  Ives,  0.  B.  Rosco,  P.  Brun- 
dage,  Man  Comstock,  W.  AY.  DeKay,  AVilliam  Freeborn,  Eric 
Peterson,  William  Burrill,  J.  C.  Weatlierby,  J.  AY.  Brown,  E.  M. 
Borsil,  Seth  T.  Norton,  W.  W.  Sweney,  J.  M.  Friedrich,  Charles 
Kemp,  R.  B.  Smither,  S.  A.  Hart,  M.  Hickman  and  Bro.,  F.  P. 
Downing,  Jared  Sexton,  AVilliam  Sexton,  AY.  L.  Grow,  F.  AY.  Lit- 
tle, Smith  Meigs  & Co.,  Brown  and  Betcher,  Orin  Densmore,  Hub- 
hard  and  Davis,  M.  L.  Chamberlin,  E.  C.  Howard,  Geo.  AY.  Park, 
A.  AY.  Esping,  E.  P.  Lowater,  Q.  Bimeh  & Co.,  John  Carroll, 
George  AA7ilkinson,  W.  Bristol,  A.  B.  Hawley,  W.  W.  Phelps,  J. 
Going,  Fred  Joss,  Francis  Ives,  T.  I.  Little,  A.  G.  Littlefield, 
William  Lauver,  G.  W.  AYoodley,  II.  Pettibone,  James  G.  Stod- 
dard, Andrew  Cook,  J.  H.  Brand,  Phallappe  Hoffman,  E.  J. 
YYilder,  C.  McClure,  A.  B.  Miller  and  Watts  Sherman. 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


495 


“SEA  WING’’  DISASTER. 

About  8 o’clock  on  the  morning  of  the  thirteenth  day  of  July, 
1890,  the  steamer  “Sea  Wing,”  110  tons,  Captain  D.  N.  Wethern, 
with  a crew  of  ten  men,  of  Diamond  Bluff,  Wis.,  left  that  place, 
towing  a barge,  and  carrying  eleven  passengers,  bound  on  an 
excursion  to  the  encampment  of  the  First  Regiment,  M.  N.  G., 
at  Camp  Lakeview,  about  two  miles  below  Lake  City  on  Lake 
Pepin.  At  Trenton  twenty-two  persons  went  on  board,  and  at 
Red  AVing  about  165  others,  for  the  same  destination. 

The  day  was  intensely  hot,  with  low  barometric  pressure. 
From  about  5 o’clock  p.  m.,  for  over  two  hours,  storm  indica- 
tions were  visible  to  the  northwest  and  north,  a tornado  having 
in  fact,  in  that  time,  destroyed  several  houses  and  killed  five  or 
six  of  their  occupants,  near  St.  Paul.  Captain  Wethern,  although 
the  skies  were  threatening,  believed  it  safe  to  venture  out,  and 
the  boat  with  all  the  excursionists  and  some  others,  on  board, 
set  out  for  Lake  City  on  the  return,  a little  past  8 o’clock.  The 
storm  gathered  very  rapidly,  and  the  wind  was  blowing,  by  signal 
service  measurement,  sixty  miles  an  hour. 

When  near  the  middle  of  the  lake,  and  five  miles  above  Lake 
City,  the  “Sea  Wing”  was  suddenly  completely  capsized  by  the 
wind.  A cry  was  heard,  “Cut  the  barge  loose,”  and  an  employe 
of  the  boat  cut  the  ropes  which  bound  boat  and  barge  together; 
they  soon  drifted  apart  and  were  •separately  driven  ashore.  The 
people  who  were  upon  the  barge  were  all  saved.  Life  preservers 
had  been  pointed  out  to  passengers  and  many  had  put  them  on, 
before  the  boat  capsized,  but  some  had  not  done  so.  Many  were 
imprisoned  in  the  cabin,  and  some  were  otherwise  so  caught,  or 
injured,  that  they  were  unable  to  escape.  Planks,  boards,  life 
preservers,  chairs,  etc.,  were  floating  about,  and  many  saved  their 
lives  by  securing  some  of  them.  The  thick  clouds  made  the  night 
so  dark  that  only  by  the  lightning  flashes  could  one  see  to  gain 
help,  or  to  render  any.  Many  deeds  of  heroism  were  done  among 
these  people  suddenly  hurled  into  the  waves.  Men  able  to  swim 
supported  others,  until  they  could  be  drawn  upon  the  wreck, 
or  could  pick  up  some  plank  or  life  preserver,  or  even  swam  with 
them  until  picked  up  by  rescuing  skiffs.  The  efforts  of  swimmers, 
and  the  winds  and  waves  landed  them  at  widely  separate  points, 
two  boys  even  getting  to  shore  on  the  Wisconsin  side. 

When  the  barge  grounded,  men  jumped  out  and  hurried 
through  the  surf  to  the  shore  and  then  ran  to  Lake  City  and  to 
the  camp  for  help.  Skiffs  and  men  were  obtained  from  Lake  City 
and  scores  of  young  men  from  Lakeview.  The  skiffs  were  vig- 
orously employed  in  picking  up  the  survivors  and  bringing  off 
those  Avho  were  still  alive  on  the  Avreck.  The  night  Avas  spent  in 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


496 

the  rescue  of  the  living  and  the  recovering  of  the  dead.  A dis- 
patch was  sent  to  Red  Wing  and  on  the  request  of  the  chief  of 
police  a special  train  was  sent  by  Division  Superintendent  Under- 
wood, of  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  & St.  Paul  Railroad  Company, 
about  midnight. 

The  steamer  Ethel  Howard,  Captain  J.  G.  Howard,  arrived  at 
Red  Wing  about  6 o’clock,  Monday  morning,  with  forty-two 
bodies  of  the  dead,  #nd  the  steamer  Nettie  Durant  with  eight 
others  about  noon. 

Later  on  Monday  the  steamer  Luella,  Captain  Antoine  Rocque, 
of  Wabasha,  a powerful  raft-boat,  on  her  way  down,  came  oppo- 
site the  scene  of  disaster.  Captain  Rocque  made  his  raft  fast  to 
the  Wisconsin  shore,  steamed  across  the  lake,  and  placed  himself, 
boat  and  crew,  under  the  direction  of  those  in  charge  of  the 
search  for  the  lost.  It  was  through  his  labor,  continued  all  day 
and  until  nothing  more  remained  to  do,  that  the  wreck  was 
pulled  near  to  shore,  and  under  the  force  of  the  Ethel  Howard 
also,  so  pulled  to  pieces  that  the  cabin  could  be  opened  and  the 
whole  wreck  thoroughly  searched,  in  the  course  of  which  fifteen 
other  bodies  were  found  and  forwarded  to  friends  at  Red  Wing. 
Adjutant-General  J.  II.  Mullen  was  very  helpful  in  inspiring  and 
directing  the  work  on  Monday  and  Tuesday. 

The  lake  was  vigilantly  patrolled  on  Tuesday,  and  dynamite 
was  employed  in  the  hope  of. raising  the  bodies,  the  operations 
being  conducted  from.  Captain  Berkey’s  steam  launch  by  Lieuten- 
ant E.  F.  Glenn,  U.  S.  A.  Only  one  body  was  recovered,  however. 

On  Wednesday  the  same  watch  for  floating  corpses  was  main- 
tained by  skiffs  and  by  the  steamer  Wanderer.  The  passing 
of  the  steamer  Menomonee  over  the  place  of  the  disaster  caused 
one  of  the  bodies  to  appear,  and  the  services  of  the  boat  were 
bespoken  to  endeavor  to  raise  the  others.  She  continued  her 
movements  with  such  success  that  thirty-one  more,  making  all 
of  the  victims  but  one,  were  recovered  and  sent  to  Red  Wing. 
The  last,  the  ninety-eighth  body,  was  found  Thursday  morning, 
and  with  its  recovery  the  work  at  the  lake  was  finished. 

Through  Monday  the  work  upon  shore,  at  the  scene  of  the 
disaster,  was  mainly  in  the  hands  of  the  officers  and  men  of  Com- 
pany G,  First  Regiment,  M.  N.  G.,  Captain  C.  A.  Betelier,  the 
citizens  of  Lake  City,  and  other  members  of  the  soldiery  from 
the  camp.  During  subsequent  days  the  people  of  Lake  City  were 
led  by  Mayor  Stout,  and  the  soldiers  assisted,  operations  being 
then  in  charge  of  a force  sent  by  the  Red  Wing  City  Council, 
nineteen  men  under  the  charge  of  Street  Commissioner  William 
Llewellyn.  The  force  was  kept  constantly  at  work  by  proper 
reliefs.  A representative  of  the  city  council  was  present  nearly 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


4!J7 

all  the  time.  Aldermen  Hack,  Smith,  Friedrich,  Oliva,  and  Acting 
Mayor  Carlson  being  in  that  service. 

In  Red  Wing  business  was  practically  suspended  for  four 
days.  Upon  the  arrival  of  the  remains  of  victims  they  were  taken 
in  charge  by  the  coroner  until  properly  identified,  and  then  de- 
livered to  the  relatives,  friends,  or  associations  claiming  them  for 
burial.  Funerals  began  on  Monday  evening  and  continued 
through  that  and  three  following  days.  The  tolling  of  bells  was 
almost  incessant,  and  some  funeral  procession  was  traversing  the 
streets  every  hour. 

The  deceased  who  had  lived  in  Diamond  Bluff,  ten  in  number, 
and  those  who  had  resided  at  or  near  Trenton,  numbering  ten, 
were  taken  for  their  last  rites  to  their  former  homes. 

The  interments  in  Red  Wing  were : Three  on  Monday,  forty- 
four  on  Tuesday,  fifteen  on  Wednesday,  and  nine  on  Thursday. 

Thirty  were  laid  to  their  rest  in  Oakwood  cemetery,  thirty- 
three  in  the  German  Lutheran,  and  eight  in  the  Catholic  cemetery. 

The  societies  which  attended  to  the  obsequies  of  members,  or 
families  who  had  perished,  were  the  Odd  Fellows,  Sons  of  Her- 
man, Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  Women’s  Relief  Corps,  Sons 
of  Veterans,  Patriarchal  Circle,  Ancient  Order  of  United  Work- 
men. All  the  people  of  Red  Wing  were  diligent  and  untiring  in 
rendering  assistance  to  their  neighbors  so  suddenly  overwhelmed 
with  sorrow. 

The  services  at  the  respective  funerals  were  necessarily  brief. 
There  Avere  sermons  in  most  of  the  churches  on  the  following 
Sunday,  inspired  by  the  sad  experiences  of  the  week.  But  the 
public  demanded  something  more.  Memorial  services  on  a day 
set  apart  for  the  occasion  was  everyone’s  desire.  The  common 
council  appointed  a committee  of  arrangements  for  such  a service 
on  Monday  eA7ening,  the  committee  consisting  of  Aldermen  Fried- 
rich, Hack  and  Oliva.  The  board  of  trade  on  Friday  appointed 
a committee  consisting  of  Charles  Betcher,  L.  A.  Hancock,  Peter 
Nelson,  M.  S.  Chandler  and  *J.  H.  Rich,  to  co-operate  Avitli  the 
committee  of  arrangements  of  the  council;  and  a committee  on 
resolutions,  consisting  of  F.  M.  Wilson,  S.  J.  Willard,  W.  C. 
Williston,  S.  P.  Jennison,  E.  T.  Mallory. 

The  board  indicated  its  wish  that  the  services  be  held  on  Fri- 
day afternoon.  July  25,  and  that  Hon.  E.  T.  Wilder  be  requested 
to  deliver  the  oration,  or.  if  he  should  decline,  that  he  preside  on 
the  occasion.  The  committee  of  arrangements  met  together  and 
chose  Charles  Betcher  chairman  of  the  joint  committee. 

Those  Avho  perished  Avere : 

Belmont,  N.  D. — A.  0.  Anderson. 

Diamond  Bluff — William  Jorgenson,  Mrs.  Millie  Kremer,  Leon 


498 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Kremer,  R.  L.  Mero,  Austin  Mero,  Myrtle  Mero,  Millie  Niles, 
Florence  Smith,  Mrs.  D.  N.  Wethern,  Perley  Wethern. 

Graysville,  O. — Eliza  J.  Crawford. 

Hay  Creek — Kate  Burkard,  Martin  Scherf. 

Hartland,  Wis. — John  Adams. 

Red  Wing — Mrs.  AY.  H.  Blaker,  Cena  Blaker,  Dell  Blaker, 
Charles  D.  Brown,  Phoebe  Bearson,  John  Behrens,  Louis  Brenn, 
Fred  J.  Christ,  Joseph  Carlson,  Charles  Dinslage,  Kate  Daily,  Ira 
M.  Fulton,  Minnie  Fisher,  Mrs.  Merrit  Green,  Ida  Green,  Peter 
Gerken,  Henry  Gerken,  Mrs.  Peter  Gerken,  Emil  J.  Gerken,  Al- 
vina H.  Gerken,  Amandus  Gerken,  George  Gerken,  Fred  Ilatte- 
mar,  Theodor  IJorwedel,  Mrs.  F.  Hempftling,  Fred  E.  Ilempft- 
ling,  Lizzie  Hempftling,  Herman  Hempftling,  Mrs.  Herman 
Hempftling,  Mrs.  Hannah  Humpert,  Mabel  Holton,  Melissa  A. 
Harrison,  George  Hartman,  Edward  Ingebritson,  John  Ingebrit- 
son,  Thomas  Leeson,  Mrs.  Edward  Larson,  Gustaf  L.  Lillyblad, 
Airs.  Ole  Nelson,  Henry  Newton,  Emma  Nelson,  Geo.  Nelson,  Ran- 
dina  Olson,  Mary  Olson,  Peter  Olson,  Orrin  Oskey, Julia  Persig,  An- 
nie Persig,  Chas.  Peterson,  Knute  E.  Peterson,  Henry  Rehder,  Rosa 
Rehder,  John  Sehoeffler,  Airs.  John  Selioeffler,  John  Schoeffler,  Jr., 
Frederick  Sclioefflei*,  Mrs.  Sophia  Scliulenberg,  Mamie  Schulen- 
berg,  Henry  Scliulenberg,  Aunie  Schneider,  Annie  Staiger,  Fran- 
cis Staiger,  John  Straub,  Fred  Seivers,  Ida  Severs,  Mrs.  F.  Scherf, 
Hattie  Scherf,  Alary  Skoglund,  Henry  Steffenson,  Rikka  Yieths, 
Bertha  Winter. 

Trenton — Ella  Adams,  Alamie  Adams,  William  Adams,  Alattie 
’Flynn,  Cord  Johnson,  Nettie  Palmer,  Alice  Palmer,  Adda  Way, 
Edna  AVay,  James  AVilson. 

Welch — Thomas  0 ’Shaughnessy. 

Those  who  were  on  the  boat  and  survived  were : 

Red  AAGng — Jacob  Appenzeller,  Ernest  Axelson,  John  Ander- 
berg,  Arthur  Anderson,  Axel  Ake,  John  Ammon,  Oscar  Berlin, 
Oscar  Bowman,  Guy  Bertron,  Aggie  Bertron,  Gust  Beckmark, 
AYilliam  Blaker,  L.  D.  Bayrell,  Robert  Chellstrom,  Alary 
Casey,  George  PI.  Cook,  Charles  Carroll,  Frederick  Chellstrom, 
Albert  Carlstrom,  George  Diepenbrock,  Jr.,  AVill  W.  DeKay, 
Richard  Dannum,  E.  T.  Danielson,  AY.  J.  Eisenbrand,  George  Eis- 
enbrand,  Robert  Eisenbrand,  Oscar  Forsell,  Charles  Fisher,  Y. 
Freeman,  John  Gilbertson,  George  AY.  Hawkins,  Hugo  Plerder, 
Charles  Heidenrich,  Albert  Johnson,  C.  D.  Jacoby,  TReodore  F. 
Kempe,  YTill  Kenney,  Alfred  Kolberg,  Charles  A.  Lidberg,  Henry 
Luft,  George  Landeck,  Ed.  E.  Martins,  Eddie  Merkins,  E.  D. 
Morris,  Andrew  Monson,  Charles  Mueller,  Peter  Alalm,  Hendrick 
Nelson,  Axel  Nelson.  Jens  Oss,  August  Olson,  William  Purdy, 
Haskell  Purdy,  AYilliam  Plaas,  William  Patterson,  Frank  Perkins, 
John  Qual,  Ludwig  Rock,  Henry  Rehder,  George  Reeve,  Fred 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


499 


Scherf,  Ed.  Schenack,  George  Smith,  N.  K.  Simmons.  George 
Severs,  C.  S.  Sultzer,  Otto  Simon,  Claus  Sandstrom,  Herman 
Seastrand,  Charles  Trutman,  George  Thompson,  Sherman  Ward, 
James  Webb. 

Diamond  Bluff — E.  P.  Burke,  Francis  P.  Gartland,  Mrs.  Hill, 
daughter  and  son,  Henry  Hope,  Frank  Hope,  Charles  Neil,  E.  M. 
Niles,  H.  L.  Niles,  W.  R.  Niles,  M.  L.  Sparks,  Mrs.  M.  L.  Sparks, 
William  Sparks,  Warren  Sparks,  Jesse  Sparks,  Captain  D.  N. 
Wethern,  Roy  Wethern. 

Lake  City — Robert  Adams,  Will  Carver,  Henry  Mabey,  Theo- 
dore Minder. 

Burnside — W.  . Boner,  John  Boner,  Emma  Boner,  Thomas 
Callisehan. 

Trenton — Perley  Palmer,  Frances  Palmer,  Andrew  Seriber, 
Frank  Way. 

Minneapolis — F.  C.  Lampman,  Frank  Mero,  Ed.  Stevens. 

Prairie"  Island — Peter  Heckstrom. 

Argyle — A.  S.  Bayrell. 

Grand,  yet  simple,  solemn,  yet  comforting,  were  the  services 
commemorative  of  the  great  catastrophe.  The  day  surpassed  the 
promise  of  its  predecessor.  The  sun  shone  from  an  almost  cloud- 
less sky,  a haze  intercepting  the  full  force  of  the  rays.  A gentle 
breeze,  agitated  the  air,  the  sole  remaining  requisite  for  a perfect 
summer  day.  The  majority  of  the  business  establishments  were 
early  appropriately  draped  with  black  and  white,  expressive  of 
general  sorrow.  At  noon  the  stores  were  closed,  the  factories 
shut  down  and  the  citizens  as  a whole  prepared  to  join  in  the 
observance  of  the  day. 

Thanks  to  the  generous  co-operation  of  the  ladies  of  the  city, 
both  those  named  on  the  committee  and  others,  the  floral  decora- 
tions were  abundant  and  the  most  beautiful  ever  seen  in  our  city. 
From  the  north  gate  entrance  of  the  City  Park,  where  the  ob- 
servances were  held,  a picture  was  presented  that  brought  tears 
to  many  eyes.  Tributes  from  loving  hands  and  loving  hearts 
were  visible  everywhere.  Above  the  gate  itself  was  raised  a 
high  arch,  draped  in  mourning.  From  the  center  was  suspended 
a magnificent  star.  On  the  other  three  gates  were  raised  dark 
pillars  appropriately  draped  and  hung  with  wreaths  and  gar- 
lands. In  the  avenue,  leading  up  to  the  platform  in  the  center 
of  the  park,  garlands  were  festooned  from  the  trees  on  both  sides. 

Midway  between  the  speakers’  stand  and  the  main  entrance 
to  the  park,  stood  an  obelisk  twenty  feet  high  bearing  the  ninety- 
eight  names  of  those  in  whose  memory  the  services  were  held.  A 
dark  and  beautiful  ivy  encircled  the  obelisk  softening  its  marble 
hue  and  a tiny  bouquet  of  flowers  had  been  placed  by  each  in- 
scription. The  names  were  inscribed  on  one  side  of  diamond 


500 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


shaped  mourning  cards,  the  other  side  bearing  the  date  of  the 
disaster.  These  were  fastened  to  the  obelisk,  in  such  a manner 
that  at  the  close  of  the  services  they  could  be  removed  by  friends 
and  relatives  and  taken  home  as  souvenirs  with  the  tiny  bouquets 
and  a small  wreath. 

-lust  beyond  the  obelisk,  on  a stand  most  ingeniously  wrought 
of  rustic  birch,  stood  a magnificent  floral  tribute,  still  another 
proof  of  the  kind  and  sympathetic  hearts  of  the  citizens  of  Lake 
City.  It  was  a floral  mound  four  feet  square  and  about  a foot 
high.  Each  of  the  four  corners  bore  a different  design.  On  the 
front  side  of  the  mound,  looking  toward  the  large  gate,  was  the 
word  "Hope,  ’ most  artistically  fashioned  of  small  white  flowers 
and  forget-me-nots,  while  on  the  side  facing  the  obelisk,  the  word 
"Rest”  lay  imbedded  in  dark  moss.  In  the  center  of  the  mound, 
resting  on  a snowy  ground  of  white  roses,  stood  a cross  and 
anchor,  each  nearly  two  feet  high.  The  cross  was  of  yellow  roses 
and  the  anchor  was  of  tuberoses  with  a top  of  smilax. 

The  speakers’  stand  was  festooned  with  black  and  white 
draperies,  garlands  and  wreaths.  Over  the  top  floated  the  flag 
at  half-mast.  Across  the  canopy  in  front  was  an  arch  bearing 
the  motto,  “We  weep  together,”  made  flowers  over  a black 
background.  A large  platform  on  the  right  presented  a white 
wall  with  the  following: 

“For  youth  is  life’s  green  spring,  and  he  who  goes 
In  the  full  strength  of  years,  matron  and  maid 
And  the  sweet  babe  and  the  gray-headed  man, 

Shall  one  by  one  be  gathered  to  thy  side 
By  those  who  in  their  turn  shall  follow  them.” 

On  the  left  side  a similar  wall  had  the  words : 

“Let  us  be  patient,  these  severe  afflictions 
Not  from  the  ground  arise, 

But  oftentimes  celestial  benedictions 
Assume  the  dark  disguise.” 

Along  the  whole  front  of  the  speakers’  stand  was  a wide  me- 
morial bank  of  offerings.  Those  were  tributes  from  individuals 
and  societies  comprising  varied  and  numerous  designs,  of  crosses, 
wreaths,  anchors,  and  pilloAvs,  also  a beautiful  tribute  represent- 
ing “Gates  Ajar.”  At  the  close  of  the  exercises  these,  with  a 
large  number  on  several  adjoining  stands,  were  presented  to  the 
friends  and  relatives  of  the  departed  ones.  Besides  these,  crosses, 
three  and  four  feet  high,  were  arranged  around  the  park,  while 
many  beautiful  emblems,  presented  by  different  societies,  were 
suspended  from  the  surrounding  trees.  Upon  one  of  the  stands 
Avere  tablets  with  the  folloAving  Akerses : 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


501 


VIA  CRUCIS,  VIA  LUCIS. 

Through  night  to  light ; and  though  to  mortal  eyes 
Creation’s  face  a pall  of  horror  wear, 

Good  cheer ! good  cheer ! The  gloom  of  midnight  flies ; 

Then  shall  a sunrise  follow,  mild  and  fair. 

Through  cross  to  crown!  And  though  thy  spirit’s  life 
Trials  untold  assail  with  giant  strength, 

Good  cheer  ! good  cheer ! Soon  ends  bitter  strife, 

And  thou  shalt  reign  at  peace  with  Christ  at  length. 

Through  Avoe  to  .joy!  And  though  at  morn  thou  weep. 

And  though  the  midnight  find  thee  weeping  still, 

Good  cheer  ! good  cheer  ! The  Shepherd  loves  his  sheep, 
Resign  thee  to  the  watchful  Father’s  will. 

Through  death  to  life ! And  through  this  vale  of  tears, 
And  through  this  thistle  field  of  life  ascend 
To  the  great  supper  in  that  world  whose  years 
Of  bliss  unfading,  cloudless,  know  no  end. 

With  the  early  trains  there  came  people  to  the  city  from 
above  and  below,  residents  of  neighboring  cities,  old  citizens  of 
Red  Wing  and  friends  of  the  afflicted,  all  to  join  in  the  general 
expression  of  sorrow  and  sympathy. 

At  2 o’clock  the  bells  of  the  city  commenced  tolling.  It  was 
the  signal  for  assemblage.  The  mourners  came,  the  societies 
formed  at  their  headquarters  and  marched  to  the  park,  where 
all  were  received  by  the  members  of  the  park  reception  com- 
mittee and  conducted  to  seats.  Along  each  side  of  the  entrance 
were  drawn  up  a line  of  members  of  the  local  militia  company, 
while  the  members  of  the  fire  department  patrolled  the  grounds. 

Shortly  after  these  had  arrived  came  a special  train  from 
Lake  City,  and  almost  at  the  same  time  another  arrived  from 
Rochester.  With  the  foioner  came  about  500  people  from  our 
neighboring  city  by  the  lake,  and  with  the  latter  nearly  200  from 
Rochester  and  Zumbrota.  A large  delegation  also  came  in  from 
Cannon  Falls.  After  the  seating  of  the  visitors,  the  park  was 
thrown  open  for  general  admission.  Seats  had  been  provided 
for  2,500  people.  These  wTere  all  filled  and  as  many  more  people 
were  standing. 

In  the  grand  stand  were  seated  the  speakers,  ministers,  officers 
of  the  day,  and  members  of  the  committees.  Directly  to  the 
back,  in  the  temporary  stand,  were  the  ladies  of  th*e  decorating 


502 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


committee,  the  singers  and  the  invited  guests.  The  mourners 
occupied  seats  to  the  right  of  the  front. 

Tiie  services  were  opened  by  ITon.  E.  T.  Wilder,  president,  at 
3 o ’clock,  and  proceeded  in  the  following  order : Invocation, 

Rev.  J.  H.  Hancock;  reading  of  resolutions,  Hon.  F.  M.  Wilson; 
reading  of  messages,  ex-Governor  L.  F.  Hubbard;  hymn,  “Rock  of 
Ages,”  chorus;  oration,  General  S.  P.  Jennison;  selection,  “The 
Chapel,”  Company  G Glee  Club;  address,  Hon.  AY.  C.  AYilliston; 
hymn,  “Lead  Kindly  Light,”  Mrs.  Crouse  and  choir;  address, 
Hon.  AVesley  Kinney;  hymn,  “Latom  oss  for  Ilerren  Glacljas,” 
Swedish  Lutheran  Choir;  address,  Hon.  0.  M.  Hall;  hymn,  “In 
the  Hour  of  Trial,”  Company  G Glee  Club;  address  Rev.  AY.  C. 
Rice;  benediction,  Rev.  J.  AYynne  Jones;  Doxology. 

Thus  ended  the  public  observances,  but  to  this  day  in  the 
hearts  of  the  hundreds  is  cherished  the  memory  of  those  who  left 
Red  Wing  on  that  fated  day  so  cheery  and  full  of  life,  only  to  be 
brought  back  as  lifeless  clay. 

POLICE  OFFICERS  KILLED. 

The  shooting  of  Chief  of  Police  James  Daily  and  Police  Officer 
John  Peterson,  on  the  evening  of  January  14,  1907,  was  probably 
one  of  the  most  terrible  tragedies  ever  enacted  within  the  limits 
of  Reel  Wing.  A man  named  August  Bloom,  who  had  been  a Red 
Wing  barber,  escaped  from  the  insane  asylum  at  Rochester,  and 
appeared  about  his  old  haunts  in  Red  AY i tig.  The  Rochester  asy- 
lum authorities,  though  notified  of  his  presence  here,  failed  to 
take  any  measures  to  capture  him.  At  first  the  local  authorities 
allowed  him  his  liberty,  thinking  him  harmless,  but  when  he  be- 
gan making  threats  it  was  decided  to  place  him  in  confinement. 
At  a little  after  6 o’clock  on  the  afternoon  of  the  day  in  ques- 
tion Bloom  registered  in  the  Sibley  hotel,  then  took  a walk,  and 
at  about  9 o’clock  again  entered  the  hotel,  followed  shortly  after 
by  Chief  Daily  and  Officer  Peterson.  They  had  scarcely  gotten 
into  the  office  when  Chief  Daily  asked  Bloom  how  long  he  was  go- 
ing to  stay  in  Red  Wing  and  if  he  was  going  to  St.  Paul.  To  this 
Bloom  answered  no,  and  backed  up  toward  the  counter  in  the 
hotel  office.  Chief  Daily,  facing  him,  said:  “I  understand  that 

you  have  been  threatening  people,”  and  Bloom,  still  retreating, 
stepped  into  the  doorway  of  the  hall  leading  from  the  office  room 
to  the  main  stairway,  and  said  in  reply : “Go  away  or  I will — 
The  chief  drew  his  club,  but  Bloom  was  quicker  and  in  an  instant 
drew  a revolver  from  his  pocket  and  aimed  point  blank  at  the 
chief.  The  first  shot  missed  fire,  but  he  fired  again  and  the  second 
shot  struck  the  chief  in  the  left  shoulder  and  Daily  staggered 
back,  and  as  he  fell  the  third  shot  was  fired  by  the  insane  man, 
taking  effect  in  the  abdomen.  Bloom  then  fired  again,  striking 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


503 


Officer  Peterson,  who  was  coming  up  the  steps.  Officer  Peterson 
walked  to  the  office  of  a physician  nearby  and  notified  him  of 
the  tragedy.  The  men  were  taken  to  St.  John’s  hospital,  the  best 
local  medical  and  surgical  talent  was  summoned  and  a specialist 
came  on  a special  train  from  St.  Paul.  The  efforts,  however, 
were  unavailing,  and  the  two  officers  died  on  the  evening  of  Janu- 
ary 15.  The  funerals  were  held  at  the  Catholic  and  Presbyterian 
churches,  and  the  city  went  into  mourning.  Bloom  was  captured 
in  a house  where  he  had  sought  shelter  a few  hours  after  the 
tragedy  and  was  committed  to  the  asylum  at  Rochester. 

RED  WING  FIRES. 

Disastrous  fires  were  frequent  in  Red  "Wing  before  the  present 
system  of  water  works  was  completed  in  1885.  The  first  fire  was 
the  burning  of  the  Indian  bark  houses  in  the  spring  of  1853,  an 
account  of  which  has  already  been  given.  The  first  dwelling 
house  among  the  whites  which  was  burned  to  the  ground  was 
built,  owned  and  occupied  by  Thomas  M.  Lowater.  It  stood  on 
the  corner  of  Third  and  Fulton  streets.  A defective  flue  was  sup- 
posed to  have  been  the  cause.  Loss,  $2,500 ; insurance,  $1,000. 

The  next  fire  of  any  importance  was  the  burning  of  a block  of 
stores,  corner  of  Main  and  Bush  streets,  together  with  the  stable 
and  barn  of  the  Red  Wing  house,  which  stood  near  the  block  on 
Bush  street.  This  fire  broke  out  about  noon,  October  28,  1857. 
This  block  was  at  the  time  the  finest  business  structure  in  the 
town.  It  was  built  by  James  Lawther  less  than  a year  previous. 
The  stores  were  occupied  as  follows : Peter  Meserole,  hardware ; 
S.  B.  Foot,  ready-made  clothing;  II.  Lowater,  books  and  station- 
ery; J.  M.  Sylvester  and  W.  L.  Webster,  jewelry.  Offices  in  the 
second  story  were  occupied  by  Charles  McClure,  a lawyer,  and 
C.  H.  Connely,  a physician.  The  greater  part  of  the  goods  in  the 
stores  were  saved,  but  the  building  was  a total  loss,  estimated  at 
$5,000. 

A hook  and  ladder  company  had  been  organized  at  this  time, 
which  did  effective  work  in  preventing  the  flames  from  spreading. 
Water  was  brought  from  the  river  in  buckets  by  hand  to  stop  the 
flames  from  spreading.  Not  men  only  but  women  and  children 
were  employed  in  this  bucket  brigade. 

The  year  following  the  Kelly  house  barn  was  totally  consumed 
by  fire.  This  house  was  afterward  named  Central  house  and 
situated  on  Plum  street.  The  barn  stood  just  in  the  rear  of  the 
house  on  the  alley,  and  the  contents,  hay,  grain,  harness  and  car- 
riages, were  all  consumed.  Total  loss,  $2,500.  The  house  was 
kept  by  W.  L.  Webster  and  was  saved  with  great  difficulty.  The 
furniture  was  much  damaged  by  hasty  removal.  ' This  fire  was 
the  work  of  an  incendiary,  at  least  so  reported. 


504 


H1STOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


In  June,  1865,  the  hotel,  which  was  the  first  frame  building 
erected  in  Red  Wing,  was  wholly  consumed  by  fixe.  This  hotel 
stood  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Bush  streets  and  was  called  the 
“Teepetonka,”  owned  and  kept  by  Jacob  Bennett.  The  fire 
broke  out  early  in  the  morning.  When  first  discovered  the  kitchen 
in  the  rear  was  all  in  flames.  The  furniture  in  the  front  part 
was  nearly  all  saved,  but  the  house,  with  several  contiguous 
buildings,  was  reduced  to  ashes.  It  was  through  the  utmost 
energy  of  our  citizens  that  the  whole  row  of  wooden  structures 
on  the  south  side  of  Main,  between  Bush  and  Plum  streets,  was 
not  consumed.  The  hook  and  ladder  company  did  efficient  work 
on  the  occasion,  as  also  did  the  volunteer  bucket  brigade. 

January  15,  1880,  in  the  evening,  a building  on  Bush  street, 
which  had  been  occupied  by  Mclntire  & Sheldon  as  a store,  was 
burned.  The  building  had  been  unoccupied  for  a long  time  and 
belonged  to  Charles  Bryant.  Before  the  fire  could  be  put  out 
there  was  nothing  left  but  the  bare  walls.  Insured  for  $1,000. 

On  the  evening  of  April  9,  1882,  a fire  started  between  Main 
and  Third  streets,  which,  before  it  could  be  subdued,  swept  over 
and  destroyed  nearly  half  a block  of  buildings  in  the  business 
part  of  Red  Wing. 

About  8 o’clock  Easter  Sunday  evening  fire  was  discovered 
in  an  unused  shed  standing  in  the  rear  of  Henry  Nelson’s  tailor 
shop  and  adjoining  Webster  & Perkins’  livery  stable.  Mr.  Nel- 
son ’s  foreman  was  in  the  shop  and  notified  the  men  at  the  stable, 
who  gave  the  first  alarm.  The  shed  Avas  half  filled  Avith  straw  at 
the  time,  and  the  flames  spread  very  rapidly.  In  less  than  fifty 
minutes  the  whole  cluster  of  buildings  Avas  a seething  mass  of 
ruins,  reaching  from  the  livery  stable  east  on  Third  street  to  the 
blacksmith  shop  of  Robertson  & Mathews,  Avest  to  Broachvay, 
and  north  to  Main  street.  Every  building  was  destroyed  with  the 
exception  of  the  brick  block  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Broad- 
Avay.  The  large  opera  house,  on  the  corner  of  Broadway  and 
Third  street,  was  the  most  valuable  building  destroyed  by  this 
fire.  The  original  cost  of  this,  with  the  lot,  Avas  $24,000.  Sev- 
eral costly  improvements  had  been  recently  added.  Nothing  of 
importance  Avas  saved  of  its  furniture  and  fixtures.  Insurance, 
$6,000.  A number  of  families  were  deprived  of  a home  for  a time 
by  this  fire.  C.  P.  Belin  and  family  occupied  rooms  in  the  upper 
story  of  Webster  & Perkins’  livery  stable.  Mrs.  Belin  had  gone 
to  church,  leaving  her  infant  child  in  care  of  an  aged  invalid 
mother.  The  two  Avere  saved  Avith  difficulty.  G.  Easterly  and 
Tilda  Carlson,  sewing  girls,  occupying  rooms  adjoining,  saved 
their  lives  but  lost  all  their  effects  except  one  sewing  machine. 
A Mr.  Bragg  and  family,  occupying  rooms  over  one  of  the  build- 
ings on  Main  street,  escaped  with  their  lives,  yet  lost  most  of  their 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


505 


furniture.  -J.  Kuhn,  occupying  the  basement  of  the  opera  house 
as  a residence  and  restaurant,  saved  but  a small  portion  of  his 
goods.  Dr.  G.  Allen  lived  in  a brick  house  on  Broadway,  which 
was  burned  with  the  barn,  and  the  contents  of  both  were  nearly 
all  destroyed,  the  family  barely  escaping.  Another  brick  house, 
occupied  by  A.  Steinerson  and  family,  was  also  destroyed,  with 
most  of  the  furniture ; lives  saved.  Among  the  buildings  con- 
sumed on  Main  street  at  this  time  were : An  omnibus  stable,  Ray- 
mond & Wright;  the  express  office  of  S.  W:  Roberts;  the  second- 
hand store  of  J.  J.  Quale;  and  Mr.  Bragg’s  meat  market.  On 
Third  street,  besides  the  opera  house  and  livery  block,  the  tailor 
shops  of  IT.  Nelson  and  John  Norquist  and  the  hardware  store 
of  John  Delano  were  consumed  and  the  blacksmith  shop  next  to 
the  hardware  store  damaged  materially.  During  the  time  of  this 
fire  the  wind  blew  from  the  east  a perfect  gale.  The  air  for  a 
considerable  distance  was  filled  with  flying  cinders.  Watchers; 
were  apprehensive  of  a more  extensive  conflagration.  There,  had 
been  a heavy  rainstorm  the  night  before  and  the  roofs  of  buildings 
were  so  thoroughly  wet  that  the  holocaust  was  prevented. 

In  1882,  June  13,  a fire  broke  out  about  1 o’clock  a.  m.  in  the 
drug  store  in  the  brick  block  on  the  same  corner  of  Bush  and 
Main  streets,  where  the  old  Tepee-tonka  had  formerly  stood.  The 
drug  store  was  kept  by  J.  L.  Kellogg.  When  first  seen  the  fire 
was  in  the  rear  end  of  the  building,  but  in  a few  minutes  the  in- 
side of  the  salesroom  was  a seething  mass  of  flames,  which  soon 
burst  out  both  in  front  and  rear  with  great  fury.  In  the  second 
story,  just  over  the  drug  store,  Dr.  W.  W.  Sweney  had  an  office, 
which  was  considerably  damaged.  Adjoining  the  block  was  C.  E. 
Sheldon’s  jewelry  store,  fronting  Bush  street,  whose  stock,  con- 
sisting chiefly  of  fine  crockery,  was  taken  out  with  such  haste  as 
to  be  damaged  to  the  amount  of  $800.  On  the  Main  street  side, 
adjoining,  was  the  large  dry  goods  store  of  C.  Belanger.  His 
stock  was  also  injured  by  removal  and  the  water  so  as  to  occasion 
a loss  of  $500.  Goods  Avere  removed  from  several  other  stores 
and  offices  before  the  progress  of  the  fire  was  arrested,  and  the 
total  loss  by  this  fire  was  estimated  at  $12,000 ; mostly  covered 
by  insurance. 

The  same  year  a series  of  fires  occurred  on  September  18.  At 
about  7 p.  m.  a room  in  the  second  story  of  the  Scandinavian 
hotel,  on  Potter  street,  was  discovered  on  fire,  which  was  soon 
extinguished  by  a few  buckets  of  water.  The  fire  was  on  a lied 
which  stood  near  an  open  window.  It  Avas  supposed  that  some 
one  t.hreAV  fiery  missiles  from  the  street  in  at  the  AvindoAV.  About 
an  hour  later  another  alarm  Avas  sounded,  and  the  Lyon’s  house 
stable  Avas  found  burning  on  the  corner  of  Third  and  Plum  streets. 
All  efforts  to  save  this  building  Avere  unavailing,  but  Avhile  it  Avas 


506 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


still  burning  another  cry  of  fire  was  heard  over  on  Broadway. 
This  fire  commenced  in  the  rear  of  the  barn  belonging  to  the  Na- 
tional hotel.  Soon  the  barn  was  on  fire,  and  the  hotel,  with  a 
building  adjoining,  were  ail  reduced  to  ashes.  It  seemed  that  all 
the  firemen  could  do  Avas  to  prevent  the  destruction  of  the  furni- 
ture factory  and  the  dwelling  of  Mr.  Hastings.  The  National 
hotel  was  owned  at  the  time  by  Charles  Beteher.  His  loss  was 
estimated  at  $5,000;  insured  for  $1,000. 

March  1,  1883,  the  Diamond  and  Bluff  mills,  with  several  ad- 
joining buildings,  were  totally  destroyed.  These  mills,  together 
with  the  Bluff  saw  mill,  were  all  owned  by  a joint  stock  company, 
which  employed  about  one  hundred  men  and  turned  out  one  thou- 
sand barrels  of  flour  per  day.  The  saw  mill  only  Avas  saved  from 
the  devouring  element.  These  mills  occupied  the  Avhole  front  of 
Levee  streets  from  Barn  Bluff  to  the  foot  of  Potter  street. 

At  about  twenty  minutes  after  midnight  George  King,  engineer, 
and  Charles  Bailey,  fireman  on  the  yard  engine  of  the  Mihvaukee 
railroad,  noticed  an  unusual  light  through  the  windows  of  the 
fourth  floor  of  the  Diamond  mill.  They  immediately  started  their 
engine  down  the  track  to  get  a clearer  vieAv  and  soon  decided  that 
the  mill  was  on  fire.  They  commenced  giving  the  alarm  by  blow- 
ing the  engine  whistle.  . The  mill  Avhistle  commenced  sounding  at 
almost  the  same  time,  and  very  soon  the  bells  of  the  city  added 
to  the  dismal  chorus.  The  fire  had  evidently  been  set  by  some 
person  avIio  Avas  familiar  with  the  construction  of  the  mills  during 
the  change  of  the  night  watchmen.  The  early  watchman  had  com- 
pleted his  rounds  at  1 1 :30,  as  shown  by  his  time  detector,  an 
instrument  Avhich  the  Avatchmen  were  required  to  carry.  He  had 
turned  over  the  Avatch  to  the  other  watchman  and  gone  home. 
The  later  watchman  had  come,  put  on  his  detector,  examined  the 
Avater  gauge,  looked  into  the  fire  room,  went  to  the  engine  door  to 
lock  it,  and,  looking  out,  discovered  the  fire  and  immediately 
gave  the  alarm.  Engineer  W.  A.  Potter  was  the  first  at  the  mill 
and  W.  II.  Norris  Avas  there  soon  after.  Potter  started  the  pump 
and  Norris  rushed  to  the  fourth  floor  to  turn  on  the  water,  but 
Avas  driven  back  by  the  smoke.  E.  C.  Boynton  made  a similar 
attempt,  but  failed  in  the  same  manner.  The  fire  engine  was  soon 
on  hand  and  throwing  water,  but  the  flames  had  obtained  such  a 
headway  that  the  elevator  and  Avarehouses,  with  the  Bluff  mill, 
were  soon  destroyed  with  the  contents.  The  firemen  succeeded  in 
saving  the  saw  mill  by  wetting  it  down.  The  fire  raged  fully  five 
hours  before  it  was  under  control.  The  total  loss  was  estimated  at 
$240,000.  The  total  insurance  was  $173,000. 

An  account  of  the  more  recent  fires  in  Red  Wing  will  be 
found  in  the  history  of  the  city  of  Red  Wing,  which  appears  in 
this  volume. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 


MILITARY  HISTORY. 

First  War  Meeting’ — Colonel  Colvill  First  Man  to  Enlist — Muster- 
ing1 in  of  First  Companies — First,  Second,  Third,  Fourth, 
Fifth,  Sixth,  Seventh,  Eighth,  Ninth  and  Tenth  Volunteer 
Infantry — First,  Second,  Brackett’s  and  Independent  Cav- 
alry— Heavy  Artillery — Light  Artillery — Colonel  Hubbard’s 
Bravery — Colonel  Colvill’s  Charge — Spanish- American  War 
— History  of  Local  Company — Complete  Roster  of  Soldiers 
and  Officers  from  Goodhue  County  in  the  Philippines. 

Both  in  the  Civil  and  the  Spanish- American  wars  Goodhue 
county  soldiers  took  an  important  place.  Although  the  former 
is  becoming  a thing  of  the  distant-  past,  the  part  taken 
in  it  by  the  heroes  from  this  county  will  never  be  forgotten, 
the  famous  charge  of  the  1st  Minnesota  at  Gettysburg,  under 
the  brave  Colonel  'William  Colvill,  being  one  of  the  fadeless  inci- 
dents of  United  States  history. 

The  first  war  meeting  in  Goodhue  county  was  held  April  25, 
1861,  at  the  court  house  in  Red  Wing,  and  Avas  organized  by  the 
election  of  the  following  officers:  President,  Hon.  W.  H.  Welch; 
vice-presidents,  W.  S.  Grow  and  C.  TI.  Baker ; secretaries,  M. 
Maginnis  and  L.  P.  Hubbard.  On  motion,  a committee  of  five, 
consisting  of  Messrs.  L.  F.  Hubbard,  William  Colvill,  II.  B.  Wil- 
son, W.  C.  AVilliston  and  George  Wilkinson,  was  appointed  to 
report  resolutions  expressive  of  the  sense  of  the  meeting  upon 
the  existing  crisis.  The  audience  was  entertained  until  a late 
hour  with  stirring  speeches  by  the  president,  Messrs.  McClure, 
Sorin,  AVilliston,  Crary,  Colvill,  Iloyt,  E.  A.  Welch  and  others. 
A call  was  made  for  volunteers,  which  was  responded  to  by  up- 
wards of  fifty,  who  placed  their  names  to  a paper,  “pledging 
their  lives,  their  fortunes  and  their  sacred  honor  in  upholding  the 
stars  and  stripes  against  the  rebellious  assaults  now  made  upon 
them.” 

William  Colvill,  then  known  as  AYilliam  Colvill,  Jr.,  was  the 
first  man  to  enlist  in  Red  Wing  and  one  of  the  first  men  to 
enlist  in  the  state.  The  story  is  thus  told  by  Charles  N.  Akers, 

507 


HI  ST  OK  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


•‘»08 

of  St.  Paul,  formerly  of  Red  Wing:  “William  Colvill  wrote  liis 
name  for  the  Union  army  at  a meeting  held  at  the  court  house  in 
Red  Wing  immediately  after  the  fall  of  Sumter.  The  state  was 
then  new,  and  Red  Wing  a frontier  town,  but  made  up  of  rep- 
resentative Americans.  They  had  at  that  time  almost  the  only 
institution  of  higher  learning  in  the  Northwest  west  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi, namely  Hamline  University.  Among  the  residents  of 
Red  Wing  at  that  time  were  Judge  E.  T.  Wilder,  a prince  of 
lawyers;  AY.  AY.  Phelps,  an  orator  for  any  occasion;  Judge 
Charles  McClure,  one  of  the  sponsors  at  the  birth  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  whose  clarion  voice  and  patriotic  utterances  were 
heard  in  the  constitutional  convention  as  well  as  many  gather- 
ings of  a patriotic  and  religious  nature  in  the  early  days;  Jabez 
Brooks,  profound  scholar,  who  for  many  years  held  the  chair  of 
Greek  in  the  state  university ; Edward  Eggleston,  professor  at 
Hamline,  and  well  known  the  nation  over  by  his  ‘The  Hoosier 
Schoolboy.’  Then,  too,  there  was  the  Rev.  Peter  Akers,  whose 
eloquence  so  impressed  Abraham  Lincoln  with  one  of  his  anti- 
slavery sermons  that  he  said:  ‘Mr.  Akers  is  one  of  the  most  im- 
pressive preachers  I ever  heard.  Somehow  I feel  that  I Avill  have 
something  to  do  with  the  abolition  of  slavery.’  Colonel  Robert 
Ingersoll  said  that  Lincoln’s  soul  took  fire  on  that  occasion. 
Then,  too,  there  was  the  Rev.  Matthew  Sorin,  the  idol  of  the 
rostrum.  His  Avords  were  flaming  swords  and  set  fire  to  all 
hearts.  Of  such  men,  and  scores  of  bright  young  felloAVS  from 
the  village  and  Hamline  University,  the  meeting  was  made  up. 
AYhen  the  call  came  for  volunteers  at  the  close  of  the  appeal, 
tAvo  young  men  rose  and  ran  over  the  backs  of  their  seats  in  their 
haste  to  get  through  the  crowd.  They  were  EdAvard  Welch  and 
William  Colvill.  Welch  slipped  and  fell  on  the  last  seat  and 
in  falling  reached  for  the  pen.  But  Colvill  seized  it,  saying,  ‘You 
are  next,  Ed.’  Then  followed  many  others. 

“The  company  thus  commenced  Avas  the  first  company  out- 
side of  the  organized  state  militia  to  be  offered  to  the  governor 
under  his  call  for  one  regiment.  As  soon  as  the  governor’s  proc- 
lamation was  issued,  enlistments  Avere  commenced,  and  Avithin 
five  days  the  ranks  of  the  Goodhue  county  volunteers  Avere  full, 
with  men  to  spare.  On  Monday,  April  22,  1861,  the  county  com- 
missioners being  in  session,  a petition  signed  by  numerous  citi- 
zens, asking  for  an  appropriation  by  the  county  of  the  sum  of 
five  hundred  dollars  for  the  support  of  Goodhue  volunteers  dur- 
ing the  time  they  are  preparing  and  filling  up  their  ranks,  and 
for  the  support  of  their  families  during  their  absence,  was  re- 
ceded, ‘whereupon,  on  motion,  the  sum  of  three  hundred  dollars 
was  appropriated  for  the  purpose.’  It  Avas  further  ordered  that 
a committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  see  to  the  Avants  of  said 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


509 


volunteers  and  families,  and  to  expend  said  money,  or  so  much 
thereof  as  should  be  deemed  by  them  necessary,  and  that  the 
county  auditor  be  authorized  to  issue_  orders  on  the  treasury 
on  the  certificate  of  said  committee  for  the  amounts,  which  motion 
prevailed.  The  following  citizens  were  elected  to  act  as  such 
committee:  W.  H.  Welch,  W.  Featherstone,  Pascal  Smith.  On 
Tuesday,  April  23,  lid  men  had  enlisted — fourteen  more  than 
wanted.  Friday,  the  26th,  the  company  was  fully  organized  and 
ready  for  service.  The  following  was  the  organization  and  list 
of  members : Captain,  William  Colvill,  Jr. ; first  lieutenant,  A. 

E.  Welch;  second  lieutenant,  M.  A.  Hoyt;  first  sergeant,  Martin 
Maginnis ; second  sergeant,  C.  P.  Clark;  third,  sergeant,  Hezekiah 
Bruce;  fourth  sergeant,  II.  T.  Bevans ; first  corporal,  John  Bar- 
row;  second  corporal,  A.  E.  Scofield;  third  corporal,  George 
Knight ; fourth  corporal,  Charles  Harris ; bugler,  R.  N.  Bevans. 
Privates : Jonas  P.  Davis,  C.  L.  Davis,  Elijah  Thomas,  Fred  E. 
Miller,  J.  C.  McClure,  J.  C.  McClenthon,  Theodore  S.  Wood, 
Robert  W.  Seeson,  Williamson  Crary,  Paul  Nelson,  Lewis  Cannon, 
William  D.  ILubbs,  R.  C.  Barnes,  W.  AY.  Wilson,  AY.  B.  Kitchell, 
Frank  Snyder,  L.  McManus,  Edward  Ash,  J.  Ahneman,  Asa 
Howe,  W.  S.  Workman,  Fred  Crossman,  George  Harrison,  S.  B. 
Dilley,  Lewis  Quinnell,  James  A.  Wright,  Christopher  Eastman, 
C.  E.  Hudson,  William  Duling,  T.  Thompson,  E.  A.  Jackson, 
J.  C.  F.  Hobart,  A.  Baniber,  J.  R.  Brown,  AY.  W.  Clark,  William 
Gordon,  Henry  Bennett,  D.  C.  Smith,  C.  Burgh,  C.  AAr.  Scott,  A. 
Glazier,  A.  P.  Baker,  R.  E.  Jacobs,  S.  E.  Baldwin,  E.  F.  Grow, 

F.  J.  Bachelor,  J.  M.  Underwood,  0.  AY.  Sudden,  C.  AY.  Mills, 
Drik  Metseder,  P.  R.  Hamlin,  J.  P.  Kirkham,  Richard  McGee, 
George  Mozer,  Jefferson  Banner,  C.  AY.  Merritt,  German  Ander- 
son, John  Lindquist,  John  Williams,  Ferris  Johnson,  Hiram  J. 
Rush,  M.  B.  Milliken,  John  H.  Smith,  P.  T.  Galloway,  James  AY. 
Day,  T.  G.  Leeson,  AAr.  D.  Bennett,  George  Atkinson,  Charles 
Adams,  George  AAL  Wright,  S.  B.  Nilson,  William  Esclon,  Marion 
Abbott,  George  L.  Lewis,  C.  S.  Bonderont,  E.  F.  Pitcher,  David 
Schwieger,  Edward  Berdan,  George  Noormer,  Fred  Rembronclt, 
Hans  Hoelstadt,  W.  C.  Riddle,  M.  S.  Standish,  AYilliam  Bryant, 
P.  T.  Davidson,  E.  0.  Williams. 

“Saturday  afternoon,  April  27,  the  Goodhue  volunteers  left 
Red  AYing  by  the  steamer  Ocean  Wave,  for  St.  Paul  and  Fort 
Snelling,  where  the  regiment  (the  1st)  to  which  they  were  as- 
signed, was  mustered  in.  Their  departure  was  witnessed  by  a 
speed  to  the  gallant  fellows  in  the  glorious  mission  that  called 
them  away.  Among  the  throng  were  a large  number  of  the  rela- 
tives and  near  friends  of  members  of  the  company,  who  had 
large  number  of  citizens,  who  gathered  on  the  levee  to  bid  God 
come  to  give  them  a parting  word  of  counsel  and  cheer,  and  per- 


510 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


haps  take  the  last  look  upon  those  they  loved.  Many  an  eye 
dimmed  and  many  a lip  quivered  as  they  filed  aboard  the  boat, 
and  not  infrequently  might  have  been  noticed  a tear  stealing 
down  the  cheeks  of  those  who  had  just  bid  farewell  to  friends. 
As  the  boat  moved  from  the  levee,  the  crowd  ashore  cheered 
lustily,  which  was  heartily  responded  to  by  the  volunteers,  and 
amid  the  waving  of  flags  and  handkerchiefs  and  the  hurrahs  of 
the  multitude,  the  Ocean  Wave  passed  out  of  sight.” 

Of  the  reception  at  St.  Paul  of  this  first  company  raised  in 
Minnesota  and  offered  as  a sacrifice  in  defense  of  the  integrity 
and  perpetuity  of  the  American  Union,  the  “Press”  of  May  2 
said  : “They  Avere  received  at  the  landing  by  the  Pioneer  Guards, 
avIio  escorted  them  to  their  temporary  quarters  in  the  city.  An 
immense  crowd  of  citizens  Avere  at  the  levee  to  Avelcome  their 
arrival,  and  as  the  companies  filed  through  the  streets  to  their 
quarters,  the  sidewalks  were  lined  with  ladies  and  gentlemen, 
avIio  kept  up  a continuous  cheer  as  the  brave  volunteers  passed 
along.  The  ranks  returned  the  salutations  Avith  hearty  goodAvill. 
The  Red  Wing  brass  band  came  up  with  the  company  from  that 
place,  and  added  materially  to  the  enthusiasm  of  the  occasion. 
The  company  is  more  than  full,  and  composed  of  the  very  bone 
and  sineAv  of  the  stalwart  farmers  of  Goodhue  county.” 

No  sooner  Avas  the  above  company  full,  in  fact  even  before 
its  organization  was  nearly  perfected,  a movement  was  started 
for  the  organization  of  a second  company  in  Red  Wing,  and  up 
to  Friday,  May  3,  fifty  names  were  reported.  Patriotic  enthu- 
siasm was  at  fever  heat.  Saturday  evening,  the  4th,  this  second 
company  met  and  perfected  its  organization  by  the  election  of 
the  folloAving  officers : Captain,  A.  D.  Whitney ; first  lieutenant, 
E.  L.  Baker ; second  lieutenant,  H.  Mattson ; third  lieutenant, 
J.  F.  Pingrey;  first  sergeant,  Andrew  A.  Teele ; second  sergeant, 
AY.  E.  Hawkins;  third  sergeant,  J.  IT.  Mues;  fourth  sergeant, 
C.  R.  Brink ; first  corporal,  C.  Berg ; second  corporal,  M.  J. 
Chamberlain ; third  corporal,  J.  S.  Allyn ; fourth  corporal,  C. 
C.  Johnson;  ensign,  W.  W.  Phelps;  bugler,  J.  C.  HaAves.  Pri- 
vates: F.  A.  Meredith,  T.  B.  McCord,  William  Philleo,  Charles 
Betcher,  AY.  P.  Brown,  L.  F.  Hubbard,  Harvey  Miller,  A. 
Johnson,  W.  C.  Williston,.  Benjamin  Densmore,  Daniel  Dens- 
more,  PI.  B.  Wilson,  W.  W.  Rich,  T.  R.  Sterling,  J.  M.  IPodgman, 
S.  B.  Morrow,  L.  IP.  Girard,  C.  PI.  Baker,  A.  Thomas,  Allen  Swain, 
W.  AY.  DeKay,  C.  C.  Webster,  R.  N.  McLaren,  G.  AY.  Baldwin, 
John  Foot,  D.  Mellen,  Watts  Sherman,  IP.  C.  Hoffman,  J.  Ashton, 
IT.  Hickman,  D.  IPeald,  F.  P.  Downing,  Herman  Betcher. 

The  country  districts  were  not  idle.  All  over  the  county  the 
people  Avere  full  of  patriotic  fervor.  Meetings  Avere  held  in 
almost  every  schoolhouse,  at  which  spirited  addresses  Avere  made 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


511 


by  the  representative  men  of  the  county.  But  few  speeches, 
however,  were  needed.  The  flag  of  the  country  had  been  grossly 
insulted;  the  people  were  indignant  and  resolved  that  the  insult 
should  be  resented,  even  if  it  took  the  last  man  and  the  last 
dollar  in  the  northern  states  to  punish  the  traitors  and  subdue 
the  rebellion  they  had  inaugurated.  And  among  the  people  of 
the  patriotic  North  none  were  braver  or  more  devoted  to  the 
cause  of  the  Union  than  the  sons  of  Norway  and  Sweden  who 
had  found  homes  in  Goodhue  county.  Not  even  native-born 
Americans  made  a better  record.  They  were  true  to  their  oaths 
of  allegiance  and  gallantly  joined  the  ranks  of  the  “boys  in 
blue”  and  marched  away  to  help  defend  the  country  of  their 
adoption. 

Following  is  a brief  resume  of  the  service  of  the  Minnesota 
regiments  and  companies  in  which  Goodhue  county  men  were 
mustered : 

FIRST  INFANTRY. 

The  1st  Infantry  was  organized  in  April,  1861,  went  into 
camp  at  Fort  Snelling;  mustered  in  by  Captain  Anderson  D. 
Nelson,  U.  S.  A.,  on  the  29th;  ordered  to  Washington,  D.  C., 
June  14,  1861.  The  following  is  a sketch  of  the  marches,  battles, 
sieges  and  skirmishes  in  which  this  regiment  participated:  First 
Bull  Run,  July  21,  1861 ; Edwards  Ferry,  October  22,  1861 ; 
Yorktown,  May  7,  1862;  Fair  Oaks,  June  1,  1862;  Peach  Orchard, 
June  29,  1862;  Savage  Station,  June  29,  1862;  Glendale,  June  30, 
1862;  Nelson’s  Farm,  June  30,  1862;  Malvern  Hill,  July  1,  1862; 
Vienna,  September  2,  1862;  Antietam,  September  17,  1862;  first 
Fredericksburg,  December  11,  12  and  13,  1862;  second  Fred- 
ericksburg, May  3,  1863;  Gettysburg,  July  2 and  3,  1863;  and 
Bristow  Station.  October  14,  1863.  Discharged  at  Fort  Snelling 
May  5,  1864.  The  commissioned  officers  from  Goodhue  county 
were : Company  F,  Colonel  William  Colvill,  enlisted  and  com- 

missioned captain  April  29,  1861;  promoted  major  August  28, 
1862:  lieutenant  colonel  September  26,  1862,  and  colonel  May  6, 
1863 ; discharged  with  regiment  May  5,  1864.  Major  A.  Edward 
Welch,  commissioned  first  lieutenant  April  29,  1861;  promoted 
major  November  5,  1861,  and  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  February 
1,  1864.  Lieutenant  Mark  A.  Hoyt,  commissioned  second  lieu- 
tenant April  29,  1861;  promoted  to  first  lieutenant  January  8, 
1862 ; resigned  July  18,  1862.  Captain  Martin  Maginnis,  en- 
listed April  29,  1861 ; promoted  second  lieutenant  September  17, 
1862 ; first  lieutenant  September  17,  1862,  and  captain  July  28, 
1863 ; discharged  with  regiment  May  4,  1864.  Lieutenant  Heze- 
kiah  Bruce,  enlisted  April  29,  1861 ; promoted  second  lieutenant 
July  28,  1863';  first  lieutenant  July  28,  1863;  discharged  with  regi- 


512 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


ment  May  4,  1864.  Goodhue  county  had  ninety-five  soldiers  in 
Company  F and  one  in  Company  G. 

SECOND  INFANTRY. 

The  2nd  Infantry  was  organized  in  July,  1861.  Ordered  to 
Louisville,  Ivy.,  October,  1861,  and  assigned  to  the  Army  of  the 
Ohio.  The  following  embraces  a sketch  of  the  marches,  battles 
and  skirmishes  in  which  this  regiment  participated : Mill  Spring, 
January  19,  1862;  Siege  of  Corinth,  April,  1862;  transferred  to 
the  Army  of  the  Tennessee.  Bragg’s  Raid;  Perryville,  October 
8,  1862;  skirmishes  of  the  Tullahoma  campaign;  Chickamauga, 
September  19  and  20,  1863;  Mission  Ridge,  November  25,  1863. 
Veteranized  January,  1864.  Battles  and  skirmishes  of  the  At- 
lanta campaign,  viz. : Resaca,  June  14,  15  and  16,  1864 ; Kenesaw 
Mountain,  June  27,  1864;  Jonesboro;  Sherman’s  march  through 
Georgia  and  the  Carolinas ; Bentonville,  March  19,  1865.  Dis- 
charged at  Fort  Snell  in  g July  11,  1865.  The  commissioned 
officers  from  Goodhue  county  were : Assistant  surgeon,  William 
Brown,  commissioned  September  5,  1862 ; promoted  surgeon 
September  5,  1862;  no  record.  Company  I,  Captain  John  Foot, 
mustered  in  July  30,  1861 ; resigned  March  9,  1862.  First  Lieu- 
tenant William  S.  Grow,  mustered  in  Jvdy  30,  1861;  appointed 
quartermaster.  Lieutenant  William  W.  Wilson,  enrolled  June  26, 
1861;  promoted  second  lieutenant  April  1,  1862,  and  first  lieu- 
tenant July  19,  1862 ; resigned  September  12,  1864.  Goodhue 
county  had  twenty  soldiers  in  Company  I,  eight  in  Company  Iv, 
two  in  Company  B,  six  in  Company  C,  one  in  Company  F,  and  one 
in  Company  G. 

THIRD  INFANTRY. 

The  3rd  Infantry  was  organized  in  October,  1861.  Ordered  to 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  March,  1862.  Captured  and  paroled  at  Mur- 
freesboro July,  1862.  Ordered  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  thence  to  Min- 
nesota. Engaged  in  the  Indian  expedition  of  1862.  Participated 
in  the  battle  of  Wood  Lake,  September,  1862.  Ordered  to  Little 
Rock,  Ark.,  November,  1863.  Veteranized  January,  1864.  En- 
gaged in  battle  of  Fitzhugh’s  Woods,  March  30,  1864.  Ordered 
to  Pine  Bluff,  Ark.,  April,  1864,  and  from  there  to  Duvall ’s  Bluff, 
September  2,  1865.  Discharged  at  Fort  Snelling.  The  commis- 
sioned officers  from  Goodhue  county  were : Company  D,  Colonel 
Hans  Mattson,  commissioned  captain  Company  D October  22, 
1861  ; promoted  major  May  29,  1862;  promoted  lieutenant  colonel 
July  15,  1863,  and  colonel  April  15,  1864;  discharged  with  the 
regiment  September  2.  1865.  First  Lieutenant  Lars  Iv.  Aakers, 
commissioned  October  3,  1861;  resigned  March  30,  1862.  Second 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


513 


Lieutenant  Hans  Enstrom,  commissioned  October  16,  1861 ; pro- 
moted first  lieutenant  March  30,  1862,  and  captain  May  30,  1862 ; 
resigned  August  2,  1862.  Company  E,  Captain  Clinton  Gurnee, 
enrolled  October  23,  1861 ; dismissed  December  1,  1862.  First 
Lieutenant  Edward  L.  Baker,  enrolled  October  10,  1861 ; pro- 
moted captain  December  1,  1862;  resigned  February  10,  1864. 
Second  Lieutenant  Willit  W.  DeKay,  enrolled  October  23,  1861; 
promoted  first  lieutenant  December  1,  1862,  and  captain  February 
11,  1864;  resigned  January  9,  1865.  Goodhue  county  had  eighty- 
five  soldiers  in  Company  D.  ninety  in  Company  E,  six  in  Company 
F,  two  in  Company  G,  one  in  Company  II  and  one  in  Company  K. 

FOURTH  INFANTRY. 

The  4tli  Infantry  was  organized  December  23,  1861.  Ordered 
to  Benton  Barracks,  Mo.,  April  19,  1862.  Assigned  to  Army  of 
the  Mississippi  May  4,  1862.  Participated  in  the  following 
marches,  battles,  sieges  and  skirmishes : Siege  of  Corinth,  April, 
1862;  Iuka,  September  19,  1862;  Corinth,  October  3 and  4,  1S62; 
siege  of  Vicksburg,  Raymond,  Jackson,  Champion  Hills,  assault 
of  Vicksburg,  capture  of  Vicksburg,  July  4,  1863.  Transferred 
to  17th  corps,  to  15th  corps.  Mission  Ridge,  November  25,  1863. 
Veteranized  January,  1864.  Alatoona,  July,  1864;  Sherman’s 
march  through  Georgia  and  the  Carolinas ; Bentonsville',  March 
20,  1865.  Mustered  out  at  Louisville,  Kv.,  July  19,  1865.  Dis- 
charged at  Fort  Snelling.  The  commissioned  officers  from  Good- 
hue  county  were : Company  D,  Second  Lieutenant  Harrison  M. 

Stanton,  enrolled  October  10,  1861 ; died  at  Benton  Barracks, 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  June  8.  1862.  Solomon  F.  Brown,  enrolled  October 
8,  1861;  promoted  second  lieutenant  June  9,  1862;  first  lieutenant 
November  4,  1862;  resigned  by  reason  of  wounds,  March  16,  1864. 
Goodhue  county  had  forty-two  soldiers  in  Company  D and  one  in 
Company  F. 

FIFTH  INFANTRY. 

The  5th  Infantry  was  organized  in  May,  1862.  Ordered  to 
Pittsburg  Landing  May  9,  1862.  A detachment  of  three  com- 
panies remained  in  Minnesota,  garrisoning  frontier  posts.  Par- 
ticipated in  the  following  marches,  battles,  sieges  and  skirmishes : 
Siege  of  Corinth,  April  and  May,  1862.  The  detachment  in  Min- 
nesota engaged  in  battle  with  Indians  at  Redwood,  Minn.,  August 
18,  1862.  Siege  of  Fort  Ridgely,  August  20,  21  and  22,  1862; 
Fort  Abercrombie.  D.  T.,  August,  1862.  Regiment  assigned  to 
16th  army  corps.  Engaged  in  the  battles  of  Iuka.  September  18, 
1862;  Corinth,  October  3 and  4.  1862;  Jackson,  Tenn.,  May  14, 
1863.  Siege  of  Vicksburg;  assault  of  Vicksburg,  May  22,  1863; 
Mechanicsburg,  June  3,  1863;  Richmond,  June  15,  1863;  Fort 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


514 

De  Russey,  La.,  March  14,  1864;  Red  River  expedition,  March, 
April  and  May,  1864;  Lake  Chicat,  June  6,  1864;  Tupelo,  June, 
1864.  Veteranized  July,  1864.  Abbeyville,  August  23,  1864. 
Marched  in  September,  1864,  from  Brownsville,  Ark.,  to  Cape 
Girardeau,  Mo.,  thence  by  boat  to  Jefferson  City,  thence  to  Kan- 
sas state  line,  thence  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.  Ordered  to  Nashville, 
Teun..  November,  1864.  Engaged  in  battles  at  Nashville,  Decem- 
ber 16  and  17,  1864;  Spanish  Port  and  Port  Blakeley,  April,  1865. 
Mustered  out  at  Demopolis,  Ala.,  September  6,  1865.  Discharged 
at  Port  Snelling.  The  commissioned  officers  from  Goodhue  county 
were : Company  A,  General  L.  P.  Hubbard,  enlisted  as  a private 
December  19,  1861;  promoted  to  captain  February  20,  1862;  lieu- 
tenant colonel  March  25,  1862;  colonel  October,  1862,  and  brig- 
adier general  December  16,  1864.  First  Lieutenant  Andrew  A. 
Teele,  enrolled  December  19,  1861;  promoted  to  captain  of  Com- 
pany I November  18,  1862;  resigned  April  3,  1863.  Second  Lieu- 
tenant William  Arkins,  enrolled  March  24,  1862;  promoted  first 
lieutenant  November  10,  1862;  captain  April  12,  1863;  resigned 
August  22,  1864.  Company  II.  Captain* Otis  S.  Clark,  enrolled 
March  31,  1862;  resigned  July  7,  1863.  First  Lieutenant  Alonzo 
Morehouse,  enrolled  January  23,  1862 ; promoted  captain  Septem- 
ber 2,  1863 ; discharged  with  the  regiment.  Goodhue  county  had 
forty-six  soldiers  in  Company  A,  one  in  Company  D,  three  in 
Company  G and  thirty-nine  in  Company  LI. 

SIXTH  INFANTRY. 

The  6th  Infantry  was  organized  in  August,  1862,  and  ordered 
on  the  expedition  against  the  Indians.  Detachment  of  200  en- 
gaged in  battle  at  Birch  Cooley,  September  2,  1862.  The  regi- 
ment participated  in  the  battle  at  Wood  Lake,  September  22, 
1862,  and  garrisoned  frontier  posts  from  November,  1862,  until 
May,  1863,  when  ordered  upon  Indian  expedition ; engaged  with 
Indians  July  24,  26  and  28,  1863.  Stationed  at  frontier  posts 
from  September  18,  1863,  to  June  5,  1864,  when  ordered  to 
Helena,  Ark.  Ordered  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  November,  1864;  to 
New  Orleans  January,  1865.  Assigned  to  the  16th  army  corps. 
Participated  in  engagements  of  Spanish  Fort  and  Fort  Blakely-, 
April,  1865.  Discharged  at  Fort  Snelling  August  19,  1865.  The 
commissioned  officers  from  Goodhue  county  were : Company  F, 

Captain  Horace  B.  Wilson,  mustered  in  October  1,  1862 ; dis- 
charged with  the  regiment.  First  Lieutenant  George  W.  Parker, 
mustered  in  October  1,  1862;  discharged  with  the  regiment.  Sec- 
ond Lieutenant  Joseph  F.  Pingrey,  mustered  in  October  1,  1862; 
discharged  with  the  regiment.  Goodhue  county  had  ninety-two 
soldiers  in  Company  F and  one  in  Company  I. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


515 


SEVENTH  INFANTRY. 

The  7th  Infantry  was  organized  in  August,  1862,  and  ordered 
on  expedition  against  the  Indians.  Engaged  in  battle  of  Wood 
Lake,  September  22,  1862.  Stationed  at  frontier  posts  until  May, 
1863,  when  again  ordered  on  an  Indian  expedition.  Engaged 
with  Indians  July  24,  26  and  28,  1863.  Ordered  to  St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  October  7,  1863,  thence  to  Paducah,  Ivy.,  April,  1864,  thence 
to  Memphis,  Tenn.,  and  assigned  to  16th  army  corps  June,  1864. 
Participated  in  the  following  marches,  battles,  sieges  and  skir- 
mishes: Tupelo,  July,  1864;  Tallahatchie,  August.  7 and  8,  1864. 
Marched  in  pursuit  of  Price  from  Brownsville,  Ark.,  to  Cape 
Girardeau,  thence  by  boat  to  Jefferson  City,  thence  to  Kansas 
line,  thence  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.  Battles  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  De- 
cember 15  and  16,  1864;  Spanish  Fort  and  Fort  Blakely,  April, 
1865.  Discharged  at  Fort  Snelling  August  16,  1865.  The  com- 
missioned officers  from  Goodhue  county  were : Company  G, 

Captain  William  C.  Williston,  enrolled  August  13,  1863;  rej 
signed  January  20,  1864.  First  Lieutenant  Herman  Betcher,  en- 
rolled August  14,  1862;  promoted  captain  February  6,  1864;  dis- 
charged with  the  regiment.  Second  Lieutenant  Daniel  Dens- 
more,  enrolled  August  14,  1862;  promoted  first  lieutenant  Feb- 
ruary 6,  1864;  commissioned  major  in  68th  U.  S.  C.  Infantry. 
Goodhue  county  had  ninety-one  soldiers  in  Company  G and  two 
in  Company  F. 

EIGHTH  INFANTRY. 

The  8th  Infantry  was  organized  August  1,  1862.  Stationed  at 
frontier  posts  until  May,  1864,  when  ordered  upon  Indian  expe- 
dition. Engaged  in  the  following  battles,  sieges,  skirmishes  and 
marches : Tat-cha-o-ku-tu,  July  28,  1864 ; battle  of  the  Cedars 

and  Overall’s  Creek.  Ordered  to  Clifton,  Tenn.,  thence  to  Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio,  thence  to  Washington,  thence  to  Wilmington, 
thence  to  Newbern,  N.  C.  Battles  of  Kingston,  March  8,  9 and 
10,  1865.  Mustered  out  at  Charlotte,  N.  C.,  July  11,  1865.  Dis- 
charged at  Fort  Snelling.  The  commissioned  officers  from  Good- 
hue  county  were : Company  H,  Captain  George  G.  McCoy,  en- 

rolled August  29,  1862 ; resigned  March  16,  1865.  Goodhue 
county  had  five  soldiers  in  Company  F,  one  in  Company  G and 
thirty-five  in  Company  H. 

ELEVENTH  INFANTRY. 

The  llth  Infantry  was  organized  in  August,  1864.  Ordered 
to  Nashville,  Tenn.  Engaged  in  guarding  railroad  between 
Nashville  and  Louisville  until  mustered  out  of  regiment,  June 
26,  1865.  The  commissioned  officer  from  Goodhue  county  was 


HI  STORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


516 

Major  Martin  Maginnis,  enrolled  August  13,  1864,  as  quarter- 
master; promoted  major  September  13,  1864;  discharged  with 
regiment. 

TENTH  INFANTRY. 

The  10th  Infantry  was  organized  in  August,  1862.  Stationed 
at  frontier  posts  until  June,  1863,  when  ordered  upon  Indian 
expedition.  Engaged  with  the  Indians  July  24,  26  and  28,  1863. 
Ordered  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  October,  1863,  thence  to  Columbus, 
Ivy.,  April,  1864,  thence  to  Memphis,  Tenn.,  June  1864,  and  as- 
signed to  the  16th  army  corps. Participated  in  the  following 
battles,  marches,  sieges  and  skirmishes : Battle  of  Tupelo,  July 
13,  1865;  Oxford  expedition,  August,  1864.  Marched  in  pursuit 
of  Price  from  Brownsville,  Ark.,  to  Cape  Girardeau,  thence  by 
boat  to  Jefferson  City,  thence  to  Kansas  state  line,  thence  to  St. 
Louis,  Mo.  Battles  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  December  15  and  16, 
1864;  Spanish  Fort  and  Fort  Blakely,  April,  1865.  Discharged 
at  Fort  Snelling  August  19,  1865.  The  commissioned  officers 
from  Goodhue  county  were : Company  D,  Captain  William  W. 

Phelps,  enrolled  September  8,  1862;  resigned  November  8,  1862. 
First  Lieutenant  Charles  L.  Davis,  enrolled  August  27,  1862;  pro- 
moted captain  February  16,  1864;  discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Second  Lieutenant  William  B.  Williams,  enrolled  September  8, 
1862;  promoted  first  lieutenant  February  16,  1864;  discharged 
with  the  regiment.  Goodhue  county  had  one  soldier  in  Company 
A and  seventy  in  Company  D. 

FIRST  MOUNTED  RANGERS  CAVALRY. 

The-  1st  Mounted  Rangers  Cavalry  was  organized  in  March, 
1863.  , Stationed  among  frontier  posts  until  May,  1863,  when 
ordered  upon  Indian  expedition.  Engaged  with  Indians  on  July 
24,  26  and  28,  1863.  Stationed  at  frontier  posts  upon  return  of 
expedition  until  mustered  out,  between  October  1,  1863  and  De- 
cember 30,  1863.  The  commissioned  officer  from  Goodhue  county 
was  Major  John  H.  Parker,  commissioned  November  20,  1862; 
discharged  with  the  regiment. 

BRACKETT’S  BATTALION  CAVALRY. 

Originally,  the  first,  second  and  third  companies  of  this  cav- 
alry organized  October  and  November,  1861.  Ordered  to  Ben- 
ton Barracks,  Mo.,  December,  1864.  Assigned  to  a regiment 
called  Curtis’  Horse.  Ordered  to  Fort  Henry,  Tenn.,  February, 
1862.  Names  of  regiment  changed  to  5th  Iowa  Cavalry,  April, 
1862,  as  companies  G,  D and  K.  Engaged  in  the  siege  of  Corinth, 
April,  1862.  Ordered  to  Fort  Herman,  Tenn.,  August,  1862.  Vet- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


517 


eranized  February,  1864.  Ordered  to  Department  of  Northwest, 
1864.  Ordered  upon  Indian  expedition.  Engaged  with  Indians 
July  28.  and  August,  1864.  Mustered  out  by  companies  between 
May  and  June,  1866.  The  commissioned  officer  from  Goodhue 
county  was — Company  D — Captain  Ira  Barton,  commissioned 
December  4,  1863;  discharged  with  the  company.  Goodhue 
county  had  two  soldiers  in  company  A,  one  in  Company  C and 
two  in  company  D. 


SECOND  CAVALRY. 

The  2d  Cavalry  was  organized  in  January,  1864.  Ordered 
upon  Indian  expedition  May,  1864.  Engaged  with  Indians  July 
28,  1864- August,  1864.  Stationed  at  frontier  posts  until  mustered 
out  of  regiment  by  companies  between  November,  1865,  and  June, 
1866.  The  commissioned  officer  from  Goodhue  county  was  Colonel 
Robert  M.  McLaren,  commissioned  January  13,  1864;  discharged 
with  the  regiment.  Goodhue  county  had  three  soldiers  in  Com- 
pany A,  one  in  Company  F,  nine  in  Company  C,  one  in  Company 
I,  two  in  Company  K and  twelve  in  Company  M. 

INDEPENDENT  CAVALRY. 

The  Independent  Cavalry  was  organized  July  20,  1863.  Or- 
dered to  Pembina,  D.  T.,  October,  1863.  Ordered  to  Fort  Aber- 
crombie, D.  T.,  May,  1864.  Stationed  at  above  fort  until  mus- 
tered out  in  April  and  June,  1866.  The  commissioned  officer  from 
Goodhue  county  was  Second  Lieutenant  William  F.  Cross,  Com- 
pany A,  commissioned  July  10,  1863 ; promoted  first  lieutenant 
June  5,  1864;  discharged  with  Company.  Goodhue  county  had 
twenty-one  soldiers  in  Company  A,  twelve  in  Company  C and 
nine  in  Company  D. 

FIRST  REGIMENT  HEAVY  ARTILLERY  INFANTRY. 

The  1st  Regiment  Heavy  Artillery  was  organized  in  April, 
1865.  Ordered  to  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  and  stationed  at  that  post 
until  mustered  out  of  regiment,  September,  1865.  The  commis- 
sioned officers  from  Goodhue  county  were : Colonel  William  Col- 
vill,  commissioned  February  25,  1865 ; discharged  by  order,  May 
6,  1865.  Company  I,  Captain  Thomas  Carney,  commissioned 
February  10,  1865 ; discharged  with  company.  Senior  Second 
Lieutenant  James  II.  Carney,  commissioned  February  10,  1865; 
discharged  with  company.  Goodhue  county  had  one  soldier  in 
Company  C,  eight  in  Company  G,  four  in  Company  II  and  one 
in  Company  I. 


518 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


SECOND  BATTERY  LIGHT  ARTILERY. 

The  2d  Battery  of  Light  Artillery  was  organized  in  December, 
1861.  Ordered  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  April,  1862,  thence  to  Corinth, 
May,  1862.  Participated  in  the  following  marches,  battles,  sieges 
and  skirmishes:  Siege  of  Corinth,  April,  1862;  Bragg’s  raid. 

Assigned  to  Army  of  the  Tennessee.  Battle  of  Perryville,  October 
8 and  9,  1862 ; Lancaster,  October  12,  1862 ; Knob  Gap,  December 
20,  1862 ; Stone  River,  December  30,  1862 ; Tullahoma.  Marched 
to  Rome,  Ga.,  via  Stephenson,  Ala.,  Caperton’s  Ferry  and  Look- 
out Mountain ; Chickamauga,  September  19  and  20,  1863 ; Mission 
Ridge;  Ringgold,  Ga.  Marched  to  relief  of  Knoxville,  December 
15  and  16,  1864.  Mustered  out  July  13,  1865 ; discharged  at  Fort 
Snelling.  Goodhue  county  had  three  soldiers  in  the  2d  Battery. 

COLONEL  HUBBARD’S  BRAVERY. 

Two  instances  of  remarkable  bravery  evinced  by  soldiers 
from  this  county  have  become  a part  of  our  national  history. 
The  first  was  at  the  battle  of  Corinth,  in  October,  1862.  The 
report  says  that  the  “5th  Minnesota  closed  the  gap  which  saved 
the  day  at  Corinth.”  The  5th  Minnesota  was  at  that  time  under 
the  leadership  of  Colonel  L.  F.  Hubbard,  of  this  county.  General 
Stanley,  who  commanded  the  division  to  which  this  regiment 
was  attached,  accords  the  above  credit  to  it  on  the  field  of 
battle.  The  following  extract  from  a letter  from  General  Rose- 
crans  tells  how  the  act  was  accomplished : 

“Colonel  Mower  had  ordered  the  5th  Minnesota  to  guard  the 
bridge  across  the  Ruscumbia,  when  with  the  remainder  of  the 
brigade  he  went  to  help  Davies.  Late  in  the  evening  Colonel 
Hubbard  brought  up  his  regiment  and  formed  facing  westward 
on  the  Mobile  & Ohio  railway,  with  its  left  near  the  depot,  where 
they  bivouacked  for  the  night.  On  the  next  morning,  when  the 
enemy  from  the  north  assaulted  our  line  and  forced  it  back  a 
few  hundred  yards  into  the  edge  of  the  town,  Colonel  Hubbard, 
moving  by  his  right  flank,  faced  the  coming  storm  from  that 
quarter,  and  by  his  promptitude  anticipated  General  Stanley’s 
order  from  me  to  use  the  reserves  of  his  division  in  meeting  the 
enemy’s  charge.  He  drove  back  the  fragments  of  his  columns, 
overtaking  and  bringing  back  some  pieces,  without  horses,  of 
our  reserve  artillery,  which  the  enemy  had  seized,  and  cover- 
ing the  retiring  of  a battery  which  had  gone  too  far  to  the 
front.  Veterans  could  hardly  have  acted  more  opportunely  and 
effectively  than  did  the  gallant  5th  Minnesota  on  that  occa- 
sion.— W.  S.  Rosecrans.” 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


519 


COLONEL  COLVILL’S  CHARGE. 

The  second  was  an  act  of  the  1st  Minnesota  at  the  battle  of 
Gettysburg,  in  July,  1863.  It  appears  that  two  companies  had 
been  detached  as  skirmishers,  while  the  remaining  eight  com- 
panies, consisting  of  262  men,  were  sent  to  the  center  of  the  line, 
just  vacated  by  Sickles’  advance  to  support  battery  C of  the 
4th  United  States  Artillery.  The  following  is  quoted  from  the 
history  of  the  regiment:  “No  other  troops  were  then  near  us, 

and  we  stood  by  this  battery  in  full  view  of  Sickles’  troops  in 
Peach  Orchard,  half  a mile  to  the  front.  With  the  gravest  appre- 
hension we  saw  Sickles’  men  give  Avay  before  the  heavier  forces 
of  Longstreet  and  Hill  and  come  back  slowly  at  first  and  rallying 
at  short  intervals,  but  at  length  broken  and  in  utter  disorder, 
rushing  down  the  slope,  across  the  low  ground  and  up  the  slope 
on  our  side  and  past  our  position  to  the  rear,  followed  by  a 
strong  force.  There  was  no  organized  force  to  oppose  them 
except  our  handful  of  262  men.  Most  soldiers  in  the  face  of  the 
near  advance  of  such  an  overpowering  force  would  have  caught 
the  panic  and  joined  the  retreating  masses.  But  the  1st  Minne- 
sota had  never  yet  retired  without  orders,  nor  deserted  any  post, 
and  desperate  as  the  situation  seemed,  and  as  it  was,  they 
stood  firm  against  whatever  might  come. 

“Just  then  General  Hancock,  Avith  a single  aid,  rode  up  at 
full  speed  and  for  a moment  vainly  endeavored  to  rally  Sickles’ 
retreating  force.  Resewes  had  been  sent  for  but  Avere  too  far 
away  to  hope  to  reach  the  critical  position  until  it  Avould  be  occu- 
pied by  the  enemy,  unless  that  enemy  were  stopped.  Quickly 
leaving,  the  fugitives,  Hancock  spurred  to  AA’liere  Ave  stood,  call- 
ing out  as  he  reached  us,  ‘ What  regiment  is  this?’  '1st  Minne- 
sota,’ replied  Colonel  Colvill.  ‘Charge  those  lines,’  commanded 
Hancock.  Every  man  realized  in  an  instant  Avliat  that  order 
meant — death  or  wounds  to  us  all;  the  sacrifice  of  the  regiment 
to  gain  a feAv  minutes’  time  and  save  the  position,  and  probably 
the  battlefield,  and  every  man  accepted  the  sacrifice,  responding 
to  Cohdll’s  orders,  rapidly  given.  The  regiment,  in  perfect  line, 
with  arms  at  'right  shoulder  shift, ’was  in  a moment  SAveeping 
down  the  slope  directly  upon  the  enemy’s  center.  No  hesitation, 
no  stopping  to  fire,  though  the  men  fell  fast  at  every  stride, 
before  the  concentrated  fire  of  the  Avhole  Confederate  force  di- 
rected upon  us  as  soon  as  the  movement  Avas  observed.  Silently, 
without  orders,  and  almost  from  the  start,  double-quick  had 
changed  to  utmost  speed,  for  in  utmost  speed  lay  the  only  hope 
that  any  of  us  would  pass  through  that  storm  of  lead  and  strike 
the  enemy.  ‘Charge!’  shouted  Colvill.  as  we  neared  their  first 
line ; and  Avith  leA^eled  bayonets  at  full  speed,  we  rushed  upon  it ; 


520 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


fortunately  it  was  slightly  disordered  in  crossing  a dry  run  at 
the  foot  of  the  slope.  The  men  were  never  made  who  will  stand 
against  leveled  bayonets  coming  with  such  momentum  and  evi- 
dent desperation.  The  first  line  broke  as  we  reached  it,  and, 
rushed  back  through  the  second  line,  stopping  the  whole  ad- 
vance. We  then  poured  in  our  first  fire,  and  availing  ourselves 
of  such  shelter  as  the  low  bank  of  the  dry  brook  afforded,  held 
the  entire  force  at  bay  for  a considerable  time,  and  until  our 
reserves  appeared  on  the  ridge  we  had  left.  Had  the  enemy 
rallied  quickly  to  a countercharge,  its  great  number  would  have 
crushed  us  in  a moment.  But  the  ferocity  of  our  onset  seemed 
to  paralyze  them  for  a time,  and  although  they  poured  upon  us 
terrible  and  continuous  fire  from  the  front  and  enveloping  our 
flanks,  they  began  to  retire,  and  we  were  ordered  back.'  What 
Hancock  had  given  us  to  do  was  done  thoroughly.  The  regiment 
had  stopped  the  enemy,  held  back  its  mighty  force  and  saved 
the  position.  But  at  what  a sacrifice!  Nearly  every  officer  was 
dead  or  lay  weltering  with  bloody  wounds,  our  gallant  colonel 
and  every  officer  among  them.  Of  the  262  men  who  made  the 
charge,  215  lay  upon  the  field  stricken  down  by  the  rebel  bul- 
lets ; forty-seven  were  still  in  line,  and  not  a man  was  missing.  ’ ’ 
General  Hancock,  speaking  of  this  charge,  is  reported  to  have 
said:  “There  is  no  more  gallant  deed  recorded  in  history.  I 

ordered  those  men  in  there  because  I saw  I must  gain  five  min- 
utes time.  Reinforcements  were  coming  on  the  run,  but  I knew 
before  they  could  reach  the  threatened  point  the  Confederates, 
unless  checked,  would  seize  the  position.  I would  have  ordered 
that  regiment  in  if  I had  known  that  every  man  would  be 
killed.  It  had  to  be  done,  and  I was  glad  to  find  such  a gallant 
body  of  men  at  hand  willing  to  make  the  terrible  sacrifice  that 
the  occasion  demanded.” 

Colonel  William  Colvill,  who  was  a figure  of  national  prom- 
inence, by  reason  of  his  memorable  feat  at  Gettysburg,  was  of 
Scotch  descent  on  his  father’s  side  and  Irish  on  his  mother’s, 
his  ancestors  on  both  sides  having  participated  in  the  American 
Revolution.  He  was  born  in  Chautauqua  county,  New  York, 
read  law  in  the  offices  of  Fillmore  & Haven,  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1851.  He  became  a resident  of  Red 
Wing  in  1854,  and  the  following  year  established  the  Red  Wing 
“Sentinel,”  a Democratic  paper,  which  he  conducted  until  the 
outbreak  of  the  Civil  War.  He  enlisted  as  captain  in  the  1st 
Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry  and  was  promoted  for  gallantry,  , 
to  the  colonelcy  of  the  regiment,  and  finally  mustered  out  of  the 
service  by  reason  of  wounds,  with  the  brevet  rank  of  brigadier 
general.  He  was  elected  attorney  general  of  the  state  in  1865, 
and  was  appointed  register  of  the  land  office  at  Duluth  by  Presi- 


Col.  William  Colvill 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


521 


dent  Cleveland.  He  served  in  the  house  in  1878.  His  death 
occurred  June  12,  1905.  Memorials  to  his  fame  have  not 
been  lacking.  A part  of  his  farm  is  now  the  Colvill  Memorial 
park,  at  Red  Wing.  In  1907  the  state  of  Minnesota  appropriated 
$10,000  for  the  erection  in  the  capitol  building  of  an  heroic  bronze 
figure  of  Colonel  Colvill.  A replica  was  also  erected  at  the 
place  of  Colonel  Colvill ’s  burial  in  Cannon  Falls.  It  is  a lasting 
regret  to  Red  Wing  people  that  his  remains  did  not  find  their 
last  resting  place  in  the  city  where  he  spent  the  greater  part  of 
his  life. 

SPANISH-AMERICAN  WAR. 

The  preliminary  meeting  for  the  organization  of  a company 
of  militia  in  Red  Wing  was  held  February  10,  1883,  and  on  Feb- 
ruary 17  of  the  same  year  it  was  mustered  into  the  state  service 
as  “Company  G,  National  Guard,  State  of  Minnesota,”  by 
Colonel  W.  B.  Bend,  the  company  at  that  time  comprising  forty- 
three  enlisted  men.  From  that  date  until  October  13,  1899,  the 
roster  of  its  commissioned  officers  was  as  follows : A.  P.  Pierce, 
captain,  February  17,  1883,  to  June  13,  1887;  G.  C.  Davis,  cap- 
tain, June  13,  1887,  to  March  7,  1888 ; C.  A.  Betcher,  captain, 
March  7,  1888,  to  June,  1891 ; W.  H.  Grow,  captain,  June,  1891, 
to  July,  1892;  J.  H.  Friedrich,  captain.  July  1,  1892,  to  March 
7,  1897;  Oscar  F.  Seebaeli,  captain,  March  7,  1897;  E.  A.  Kempe, 
first  lieutenant,  February  17,  1883,  to  June  13,  1887 ; F.  T.  King- 
man,  first  lieutenant,  June  13,  1887,  to  November  27,  1888;  W. 
H.  Gi'oav,  first  lieutenant,  November  27,  1888,  to  June  1,  1891 ; 
Jens  Loye,  first  lieutenant,  June  1,  1891,  to  July,  1892;  O.  F.  See- 
bach,  first  lieutenant,  July,  1892,  to  March  9,  1897 ; F.  A.  Morley, 
first  lieutenant,  March  9,  1897,  to  death.  G.  C.  Davis,  second 
lieutenant,  February  17,  1883,  to  June  13,  1887;  PI.  A.  Willard, 
second  lieutenant,  December  7,  1887,  to  February  17,  1888;  A. 
H.  Boxrud,  second  lieutenant,  June  13,  1887,  to  December  7, 
1887 ; Jens  Loye,  second  lieutenant,  March,  1888,  to  June,  1891 ; 
J.  H.  Friedrich,  second  lieutenant,  June,  1891,  to  July  1892; 
F.  A.  Morley,  second  lieutenant,  July,  1892,  to  March,  1897 ; E. 
S.  Mellinger,  second  lieutenant,  March,  1897,  to  November  11, 
1898;  C.  A.  Anderson,  second  lieutenant. 

After  being  mustered  into  the  United  States  service,  the  regi- 
mental field  officers  of  the  13th  Minnesota  were  as  follows : 
Charles  McC.  Reeve,  colonel,  promoted  to  brigadier  general  of 
volunteers;  Westcott  W.  Price,  lieutenant  colonel,  resigned; 
Frederick  W.  Ames,  major,  promoted  to  colonel;  John  H.  Fried- 
rich, major,  promoted  to  lieutenant  colonel;  Edwin  S.  Bean, 
major;  Arthur  Diggles,  major;  Charles  A.  Cressy,  captain  and 
chaplain ; Edward  G.  Falk,  first  lieutenant  and  regimental  adju- 


522 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


tant;  William  IT  Hart,  first  lieutenant  and  quartermaster;  Mil- 
ton  S.  Mead,  first  lieutenant  and  battalion  adjutant;  Monroe  D. 
Gareelon,  first  lieutenant  and  battalion  adjutant;  Edwin  M. 
Conrad,  first  lieutenant  and  battalion  adjutant;  Reynaldo  J. 
Fitzgerald,  surgeon;  Harry  P.  Ritchie,  first  lieutenant  and  assist- 
ant surgeon ; Arthur  Ayer  Law,  first  lieutenant  and  assistant 
surgeon;  Feodor  E.  Kremhs,  regimental  sergeant  major;  Herbert 
A.  Leavitt,  regimental  quartermaster  sergeant;  Harry  B.  Dyer, 
battalion  sergeant  major;  Burt  ITenaston,  battalion  sergeant 
major;  Englehart  G.  Grau,  hospital  steward;  John  N.  Loye,  bat- 
talion sergeant  major;  Robert  J.  Miles,  Jr.,  hospital  steward; 
Austin  L.  Ward,  hospital  steward;  Charles  Id.  Watson,  chief 
musician  (died  at  Honolulu)  ; Charles  U.  Towel’s,  principal 
musician. 

The  roster  of  officers  and  members  of  Company  G during  the 
conflict  is  as  follows : Captain,  Oscar  Seebach,  wounded  at  battle 
of  Manila,  August  13,  1898 ; first  lieutenant,  Frank  A.  Morley, 
died  at  division  hospital  Aug  30,  1898;  second  lieutenant,  Edward 
G.  Mellinger,  promoted  to  first  lieutenant  November  11,  1898; 
Carl  Axel  Anderson,  quartermaster  sergeant,  promoted  to  second 
lieutenant  November  11,  1898;  Arthur  D.  Danielson,  sergeant; 
Charles  Burnson,  sergeant,  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Manila, 
August  13,  1898,  died  at  the  brigade  hospital,  Camp  Dewey, 
August  16,  1898;  Edward  L.  Skoglund,  sergeant;  Edmund  P. 
Neill,  sergeant ;.  C.  K.  Reckner,  sergeant,  discharged;  Frank  A. 
Anderson,  corporal,  promoted  to  sergeant  August  13,  1898;  Frank 
II.  Erickson,  corporal,  promoted  to  quartermaster  sergeant  No- 
vember 11,  1898;  John  T.  Ek,  corporal;  Elmer  M.  Bassett,  cor- 
poral, promoted  to  sergeant ; Sidney  S.  Lundquist,  corporal  ; 
George  W.  A.  Buel,  corporal  ; William  A.  Jones,  musician,  trans- 
ferred from  musician  to  private  July  1,  1898,  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Manila,  August  13,  1898;  Charles  A.  Wendler,  musician; 
John  E.  Johnson,  artificer,  sick  at  division  hospital,  transferred 
from  artificer  to  private  July  1,  1898,  discharged  for  disability 
January  20,  1899,  cause  chronic  Bright’s  disease,  service  honest 
and  faithful,  died  on  way  home,  buried  at  sea;  William  Roberts, 
wagoner;  Charles  J.  Alders,  private,  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Manila,  August  13,  1898,  promoted  to  corporal;  Gottlieb  Amenda, 
private ; Olaf  A.  Anderson,  private ; Fred  C.  Allen,  private ; 
Henry  Bammert,  private ; Olaf  Benson,  private,  promoted  to  cor- 
poral ; Ludvig  R.  Berg,  private;  Henry  IT.  Bearbaum,  private; 
Frank  A.  Brecht,  private;  Carl  J.  Bland,  private;  William  IT. 
Bell,  private,  re-enlisted  36th  United  States  Volunteers;  Frank 
M.  Crowel,  private,  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Manila,  August  13, 
1898;  Albert  F.  Chinnock,  private;  Albert  Carlstrom,  private; 
Hjalmar  Danielson,  private;  John  W.  Ellstrom,  private,  trans- 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


523 


ferred  to  musician;  Charles  AY.  Fisher,  private;  John  C.  Foughty, 
private;  Henry  Freedlund,  private;  John  A.  Fisher,  private, 
promoted  to  corporal;  Emerson  Flonsberg,  private,  re-enlisted  in 
36th  United  States  Volunteers;  Iver  Fosse,  private;  John  G. 
Gerdes,  private;  Christian  E.  Gilbertson,  private,  transferred  to 
hospital  corps,  muster  roll.  November  30,  1898,  mustered  out 
March,  1899 ; Eobert  L.  C.  Geib,  private,  wounded  in  right  thigh, 
north  of  Calocan.  March  25,  1899,  while  with  the  10th  Pennsyl- 
vania regiment,  detailed  on  special  duty  with  quartermaster  de- 
partment, 8tli  army  corps ; Michael  Hemftling,  private,  mustered 
out ; George  J.  IJaustein,  private,  promoted  to  corporal : Carl  J. 
Heglund,  private,  promoted  to  corporal ; Everett  J.  Harding, 
private;  John  C .G.  Johnson,  private;  Eugene  S.  Judd,  private; 
Theodore  Johnson,  private;  Victor  C.  Johnson,  private,  sick  at 
division  hospital,  muster  roll,  November  30.  1898;  Henry  N. 
Jones,  private,  promoted  to  corporal  November  11,  1898;  Andrew 
Jackson,  private ; Edward  E.  Kappel,  private ; Eobert  C.  Keefe, 
private,  re-enlisted  in  37th  United  States  Volunteers;  John  AAr. 
Lovgren,  transferred  to.  hospital  corps,  United  States  army,  mus- 
ter roll,  November  30,  1898;  Gustaf  P.  Lundgren.  private,  re- 
enlisted in  37th  United  States  Volunteers;  Balph  S.  Mellendy, 
private,  promoted  to  corporal  August  18.  1898 ; Alvie  Mannix, 
private;  James  F.  Morrison,  private;  Eudolph  Nelson,  private; 
Aaron  B.  Newberg,  private,  transferred  from  private  to  artificer 
July  1,  1898,  transferred  from  artificer  to  private  September  7. 
1898,  discharged;  John  AY.  Newton,  private,  mustered  out,  re- 
enlisted 37th  United  States  Volunteers;  Otto  B.  Olson,  private; 
Edward  E.  Olson,  private,  promoted  to  corporal  November  11, 
1898;  Francis  J.  O’Neill,  private;  Fred  Delford,  private,  dis- 
charged April  28,  1899  ; LaAvrence  Penfold,  private  ; Gustaf  Peter- 
son, private;  John  T.  Pewters,  private;  Christ  Quail,  private; 
Frederick  AY  Reichert,  private,  promoted  to  corporal,  discharged 
August  19,  1899;  AVilliam  G.  Reid,  private;  George  T.  Rice, 
private,  transferred  from  private  to  musician  July  1,  1898,  dis- 
charged; John  H.  Sell,  private,  missed  from  “City  of  Para” 
August  2,  1898,  supposed  accidental  drowning,  nothing  further 
known ; Albert  M.  Schouweiler,  private ; Charles  AY  Stewart,  pri- 
vate; Gottfried  Swanberg.  private;  Charles  E.  Stoekwell,  private; 
August  Swanson,  private ; George  Tebbe,  private ; Benjamin  F. 
Tubbesing,  private,  discharged  at  Manila  March  7,  1899 ; James 
B.  AArebb,  private,  transferred  to  wagoner.  The  recruits  mus- 
tered in  June,  1898,  all  privates,  were : Harry  Bolus ; Christ  E. 
Bracher,  transferred  to  cook;  Alfred  II.  Baldwin . re-enlisted  in 
37th  United  States  Volunteers;  Carl  O.  Bakke;  George  AY.  Baker, 
shot  through  back  of  neck  at  Tonda,  February  23,  1899,  dis- 
charged: Homer  C.  Carey;  John  C.  Clark;  Arthur  R.  Clement; 


524 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Ernest  II.  Dahlberg;  Oscar  Fjellman,  sick  at  division  hospital 
November  30,  1898,  discharged  at  San  Francisco  March  10, 
1899;  Thomas  Head,  re-enlisted  in  36th  United  States  Volun- 
teers; Charles  J.  Hartman;  Victor  Johnson;  Emil  E.  Jorgenson; 
Hugh  Kennedy ; Owen  Leeson,  transferred  to  artificer ; Ralph  L. 
Munger,  promoted  to  corporal;  Cecil  M.  Nichols;  Fred  Newcomb, 
discharged;  Frank  D.  Putnam;  Leonard  S.  Phelps,  sick  at  divi- 
sion hospital,  muster  roll  of  November  30,  1898,  discharged  at 
Manila  for  disability  February  2,  1899,  cause,  malarial  fever  and 
dysentery;  Conrad  F.  Risch,  mustered  into  Company  H at  Camp 
Ramsey  and  transferred  to  Company  G at  Manila  October,  1898 ; 
Burt  E.  Stoekwell ; Charles  Sundberg ; Henry  Seebach ; Fred  H. 
Scobie,  re-enlisted  in  36th  United  States  Volunteers. 

Following  is  a brief  resume  of  the  war  service  of  Company  G : 
1898 — April  23  President  McKinley  issued  a call  for  125,000  vol- 
unteers to  serve  in  the  war  against  Spain,  Minnesota’s  quota 
under  this  call  being  2,874  men;  April  29  Company  G left  Red 
Wing  for  St.  Paid;  April  29,  entered  Camp  Ramsey  at  state  fair 
grounds ; May  7,  mustered  into  United  States  service  as  Com- 
pany G,  13th  Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry;  May  16,  left  St.  Paul 
for  San  Francisco ; June  27,  sailed  from  San  Francisco  for  Manila 
on  steamer  “City  of  Para”  (Sergeant  Neill  and  Corporal  Elk, 
with  recruits,  sailed  on  transport  “St.  Paul”  July  29  and  arrived 
at  Manila  August  30)  ; July  5,  arrived  at  Honolulu,  three  days’ 
stop;  July  31,  anchored  off  Cavite;  August  7,  regiment  disem- 
barked and  camped  at  Camp  Dewey,  near  Cavite;  August  10,  first 
active  duty,  in  the  trenches  before  Manila;  August  13,  battle  of 
Manila,  the  13th  Minnesota,  in  General  McArthur’s  division,  sup- 
ported the  Astor  battery,  Sergeant  Burnson  was  killed,  Captain 
Seebach,  Privates  W.  A.  Jones,  Ahlers  and  Crowell  wounded,  and 
the  flag  of  the  13th  Minnesota  was  the  first  regimental  flag 
raised  on  the  walls  of  Manila;  for  seven  months  thereafter  the 
regiment  acted  as  military  guard  of  Manila,  Company  G being 
in  the  walled  town. 

1899 — January  5,  General  Otis  issued  a proclamation  to  the 
Filipinos  announcing  the  treaty  of  peace  with  Spain,  and  that 
the  islands  had  come  into  the  possession  of  the  United  States ; 
February  4,  the  war  with  the  natives  began;  February  22,  fire 
broke  out  in  Santa  Cruz  district,  patrolled  by  Company  G,  and 
in  other  parts  of  the  city;  March  19,  regiment  relieved  from 
provost  guard  duty  as  the  military  police  of  Manila  and  caused 
to  form  a part  of  separate  brigade  under  command  of  Brigadier 
General  R.  P.  Hughes,  being  by  general  orders  made  a part  of 
the  3d  brigade,  2d  division,  8th  army  corps,  under  command 
of  Brigadier  General  R.  II.  Hall,  each  company,  as  it  ivas  re- 
lieved by  the  20th  United  States  Infantry,  proceeding  to  its  camp- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


525 


mg  ground  on  Paseo  Santa  Lulia,  commonly  known  as  the  Lu- 
netta;  May  22,  the  2d  battalion,  consisting  of  companies  Iv,  L, 
M and  G,  in  command  of  Captain  Masterman,  proceeded  to  the 
Mariguina  road  to  the  north  of  the  Depository,  camping  sepa- 
rately at  from  one-half  to  one  mile  apart.  March  25,  at  5 p.  m., 
the  entire  regiment  took  position  in  a skirmish  line  along  the 
Mariguina  road  and  participated  in  the  attack  upon  the  insur- 
gents to  the  north  of  the  road,  meeting  with  considerable  resist- 
ance and  routing  the  rebels,  advancing  a distance  of  about  four 
miles  through  the  country.  During  this  skirmish  thirteen  en- 
listed men  were  wounded,  Robert  L.  Geib,  of  Company  G,  in  the 
right  thigh.  March  28  the  regiment  assembled  at  the  Depository 
and  at  7 p.  m took  up  the  march  to  Calocan  by  way  of  Manila, 
arriving  at  Calocan  at  11 :15  p.  m.,  a distance  of  fifteen  miles, 
and  resting  for  the  night.  March  29  the  regiment  proceeded 
by  train  to  Mariola  and  went  into  camp.  The  report  for  April 
says  this  regiment  formed  part  of  the  3d  brigade,  1st  division, 
8th  army  corps,  under  Brigadier  General  Wheaton,  stationed  at 
various  points  along  the  M.  & D.  railroad  track  from  Mariola 
to  Santa  Isabel,  a distance  of  about  twelve  miles,  guarding  and 
patrolling  its  track  and  bridges.  Scouting  and  reconnoitering 
parties  were  sent  out  daily  by  all  the  companies.  On  the  night 
of  April  10  a determined  attack  was  made  upon  the  entire  regi- 
ment, the  idea  of  the  enemy  being  to  destroy  the  track  and 
bridges,  and  thereby  cut  off  the  base  of  supplies.  The  force 
of  the  enemy  was  estimated  at  2,500.  Fighting  continued  during 
the  whole  night.  At  daybreak  the  troops  drove  the  natives  a 
distance  of  five  miles  toward  the  hills,  after  which  the  regiment 
returned  to  camp.  The  American  casualties  were  two  killed  and 
twelve  wounded.  April  11  this  regiment  formed  a part  of  the 
forces  assembled  at  Bocave,  under  Brigadier  General  Wheaton, 
in  action  against  Santa  Marie.  On  the  following  day  that  city 
was  captured  and  burned.  One  man  in  the  regiment  was 
wounded.  After  this  engagement  the  regiment  returned  to  the 
station  along  the  railroad  tracks.  From  this  time  up  to  April 
22  a number  of  sharp  engagements  took  place,  two  enlisted  men 
in  the  regiment  being  wounded.  April  22  orders  were  received 
to  have  the  2d  and  3d  battalions  ready  to  join  an  expedition. 
The  1st  battalion  remained  on  the  railroad  track,  guarding  and 
patrolling  it,  from  Santa  Isabel  to  Bigua,  a distance  of  six  miles. 
No  trouble  occurred.  April  20  the  2d  and  3d  battalions,  com- 
prising companies  K,  L,  M and  G,  under  command  of  Captain 
Masterman,  and  companies  C,  D,  E and  FI  as  the  3d  battalion, 
under  command  of  Captain  Spear,  Major  Arthur  Diggles,  com- 
manding the  regiment,  formed  a part,  of  the  provisional  brigade 
assembled  at  Bocave  April  22  to  29.  April  23,  at  5 :15  a.  m.,  the 


526 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


company  was  started  on  the  road  leading  to  Noragageray,  and 
marched  within  one  and  a half  miles  of  that  town.  Next  morn- 
ing the  regiment  engaged  the  enemy  and  routed  them,  taking 
possession  of  the  town  after  a short  engagement.  Two  enlisted 
men  of  the  regiment  were  wounded.  April  25  the  3d  battalion, 
under  command  of  Captain  Spear,  with  others,  captured  the  town 
of  Angot.  One  enlisted  man  was  wounded.  The  troops  returned 
to  Noragageray  in  time  to  take  part  in  the  attack  upon  the  camp 
from  across  the  river,  the  engagement  lasting  the  entire  day. 
April  26  orders  were  received  making  Company  G a part  of 
provisional  brigade,  1st  division.  April  27,  at  6 a.  m.,  the  com- 
pany marched  to  Angat.  On  arriving  at  Angat  the  2d  battalion 
of  the  13th  and  a battalion  of  Oregon  volunteers  under  command 
of  Major  Higgles,  forded  the  river.  Several  hot  skirmishes  took 
place,  the  rebels  being  driven  toward  the  foothills.  The  return 
to  Marengo,  which  the  3d  battalion  took  without  resistance, 
was  made  at  1 p.  m.  April  29  the  company  took  part  in  the  cap- 
ture of  Polo  and  San  Raphael,  afterward  returning  to  Marengo. 
May,  1 the  regiment,  with  Major  Diggles  commanding,  consti- 
tuted a part  of  the  provisional  brigade,  1st  division,  8th  army 
corps.  The  1st  battalion,  consisting  of  companies  A,  B,  F and  I, 
Captain  McWade  commanding,  remained  stationed  guarding  the 
line  of  railroad  communication  from  Bigaa  railroad  bridge  to 
Santa  Isabel,  while  headquarters.  2d  and  3d  battalions,  consist- 
ing of  companies  K,  L,  M,  G,  C,  D,  II  and  E,  under  command  of 
Major  Diggles,  then  at  Marengo,  broke  camp  at  7 a.  m.  on  May 
1,  and  with  other  troops,  took  up  the  return  march  to  San 
Raphael,  where  the  enemy  was  again  encountered  and  routed. 
May  2 the  advance  was  continued  toward  Baliuag,  terminating 
in  its  capture  and  occupation  by  the  Americans.  May  4 the 
village  of  Maasin,  strongly  fortified,  was  captured  after  severe 
fighting.  May  5 the  3d  battalion,  constituted  reconnoitering  par- 
ties, resulting  in  the  capture  and  destroying  of  some  15,000  bush- 
els of  rice  stored  for  the  insurgents.  May  8 Company  Iv  consti- 
tuted part  of  the  escort  of  the  brigade  commander  on  personal 
reconnoisance,  accompanied  by  Major  Diggles  at  his  own  request. 
The  party  was  fired  upon,  and  Major  Diggles  was  fatally 
wounded,  dying  May  26,  1899.  May  12,  Co.  D with  Oregon  troops 
formed  a reconnoitering  party  and  captured  San  Ildefonso.  May 
13,  the  balance  of  the  command  (seven  companies  under  command 
of' Captain  Masterman)  moved  to  San  Ildefonso.  From  this  place, 
Co.  II  with  one  company  of  an  Oregon  regiment  moved  north- 
ward, supporting  Young  and  Harrington,  scouts,  and  after  a 
slight  resistance  captured  the  town  of  San  Miguel,  driving  the 
enemy  three  or  four  miles  northward.  Upon  report  of  capture 
the  regiment  moved  forward  and  reached  San  Miguel  at  5 p.  m. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


527 


May  15,  the  troops  received  orders  to  move  north  toward  San 
Isidro  within  an  hour.  The  provisional  brigade,  with  the  13th 
regiment  in  advance;  the  2d  Battalion  with  Captain  Seebacli 
forming  the  advance  guard  moved  forward  at  3 p.  m.  The  scouts 
encountered  the  enemy  near  Salicot,  and  Co.  K,  as  advance  guard, 
drove  the  natives  from  their  entrenched  position.  Cos.  L and 
M were  deployed  on  left  and  right,  and  Co.  G covered  the  inter- 
val between  Cos.  Iv  and  M.  May  15,  at  3 p.  m.,  the  march  north- 
ward was  resumed  in  the  direction  of  Salacot,  the  13th  in  the  ad- 
vance. Nearing  Salacot,  the  troops  encountered  the  enemy,  and 
after  a sharp  engagement  the  insurgents  were  routed,  leaving 
nineteen  dead  on  the  field.  The  American  troops  were  quartered 
in  the  village  for  the  night.  May  16,  the  brigade  moved  forward 
and  occupied  Bularte,  and  while  at  this  place  the  scouts  found 
the  enemy  in  strong  force  in  front  of  San  Isidro.  May  17,  the 
13th  acted  as  support,  deployed  skirmishers,  covering  the  advance 
of  Scott’s  and  Utah  batteries.  The  regiment  took  no  active  part 
in  the  action  and  entered  San  Isidro  with  the  column.  In  the 
afternoon  the  3d  battalion  formed  part  of  command  and  cap- 
tured Gapan  without  resistance,  afterward  returning  to  San 
Isidro.  May  18-19,  the  regiment  was  in  camp  at  San  Isidro  and 
on  May  20,  marched  to  Cobia.  May  21  the  march  to  Ayayat 
was  continued.  May  22  Candaba  was  reached,  and  May  23  San 
Simon  was  the  objective  point.  May  21  the  march  to  Calumpit 
was  continued  without  resistance.  At  Calumpit  the  2d  battalion, 
under,  command  of  Captain  Masterman,  quartered  in  shelter 
tents,  awaiting  further  orders.  May  25  the  regiment  was  re- 
lieved from  service  with  Provisional  Brigade.  May  26  the  regi- 
ment resumed  guard  of  the  railroad  from  Colocan  to  Bigaa  bridge. 
Major  Bean  assuming  command  on  May  27,  relieving  Captain 
Masterman.  May  31.  1899,  the  regiment  was  assigned  to  the  2d 
brigade,  under  Brigadier-General  Hall,  and  on  June  3,  1899, 
with  other  troops,  was  constituted  into  a separate  and  independ- 
ent command  under  Major  V.  A.  Kobbe.  August  10  the  regiment 
sailed  on  transport  “Sheridan”  from  Manila  for  San  Francisco. 
September  7 the  “Sheridan”  was  sighted  from  San  Francisco, 
and  the  news  reached  Red  Wing  at  8 p.  m.  October  3 the  regi- 
ment was  mustered  out  at  Camp  Presidio,  San  Francisco,  and 
the  journey  home  was  a continuation  of  fetes  and  celebrations. 


The  first  year  after  the  return  of  Company  G from  the  war, 
the  officers  were : Captain,  Oscar  Seebacli ; first  lieutenant,  E.  S. 
Mellinger;  second  lieutenant,  Edward  Skoglund.  The  following 
year  Oscar  Seebacli  remained  as  captain,  and  Edward  Skoglund 
became  first  lieutenant,  the  second  lieutenant  being  E.  M.  Bassett. 


5:28 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


January  6,  1902,  Edward  Skog'lund  was  elected  captain,  but  de- 
clined. A.  P.  Pierce  accordingly  was  elected  captain,  and  Lieu- 
tenants Skog'lund  and  Bassett  retained  tlieir  respective  positions. 
July  7,  1905,  while  in  camp,  F.  J.  Seebach  was  elected  first  lieu- 
tenant. Captain  Seebach  remained  in  command  of  the  company 
until  May  21,  1909.  July  7,  1906,  C.  J.  Heglund  was  elected  first 
lieutenant  and  served  until  May  24,  1909,  when  he  became  cap- 
tain, a position  he  still  retains.  July  7,  1906,  F.  W.  Foot  was 
elected  second  lieutenant.  He  served  until  May  4,  1908.  At  that 
date  was  elected  I).  J.  Metzler,  who  served  until  May  24,  1909. 
The  present  officers  are:  Captain,  C.  J.  Plegluncl;  first  lieuten- 

ant, R.  G.  Rehder;  second  lieutenant,  H.  S.  Huron.  The  beauti- 
ful armory  was  erected  in  1900  and  completed  in  1901.  The  com- 
pany is  at  present  in  a prosperous  condition. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 


RED  WING  AS  A HAMLET. 

Origin  of  the  Village — First  Settlement — Rev.  Hancock’s  Arrival 
— The  Early  Settlers — Claim  Hunters — Incidents  of  Village 
Life — Great  Events  of  Those  Days — Burning  the  Indian 
Tepees — First  Farming — First  Stores — First  Churches — 
Pioneer  Politics — Principal  Events  from  1852  to  1859 — Busi- 
ness Directory  Published  in  1869 — Poem  by  Julia  B.  Nelson. 

The  origin  of  Red  Wing  as  a village  is  shrouded  in  obscurity. 
It  is  certain  that  as  early  as  1806  Lieutenant  Z.  Pike  found  here 
a village,  with  a Red  Wing  as  chief.  Of  this  chief  little  is  known, 
and  the  fact  probably  is  that  Red  Wing  (or  Hhoo-pa-koo-doo-ta, 
the  Wing  of  Scarlet)  was  a title  applied  to  successive  chiefs  of 
the  tribe.  The  Indian  name  for  their  village  was  Ilem-menne- 
cha,  meaning  the  place  of  hill,  wood  and  water,  surely  an  appro- 
priate location  for  the  winter  quarters  of  a large  band  of  Indians. 
The  sign  of  the  tribe  was  a staff,  from  which  were  pendant  many 
bright  colored  feathers,  with  a wing  dyed  in  blood  at  the  top. 
This  staff  was  borne  in  battle  by  the  chief. 

The  modern  history  of  the  village  begins  in  1837,  when  there 
arrived  here  two  Swiss  missionaries,  sent  out  by  the  Evangelical 
Society  of  Lausanne,  Switzerland.  To  these  devout  souls,  Samuel 
Denton  and  Daniel  Gavin,  sufficient  credit  has  never  been  given. 
They  were  the  ones  who  really  planted  the  standard  of  civiliza- 
tion here,  and  infused  their  personality  among  the  Indians,  so 
that  those  who  came  after  had  only  to  move  into  their  houses 
and  take  up  the  broken  threads  of  their  work.  For  many  years 
these  missionaries  labored  faithfully  and  well,  building  two  sub- 
stantial log  houses  and  teaching  the  Indians  the  tenets  of  reli- 
gion and  the  customs  of  civilization.  In  1846,  owing  to  ill  health, 
their  effort  was  abandoned.  In  the  fall  of  1848,  Rev.  John  Aiton, 
sent  out  by  the  American  Board  of  Christian  Missions,  arrived 
in  the  village,  took  up  his  residence  in  the  mission  houses  built 
by  Denton  and  Gavin,  and  continued  their  work.  These  houses 
stood  near  what  is  uoav  Bush  street,  about  one-third  of  the  dis- 
tance from  Third  to  Main  street.  In  June,  1849,  came  Rev.  J. 

529 


530 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


AY.  Hancock,  sent  out  by  the  same  board  to  co-operate  with  Mr. 
Aiton  in  Christian  endeavor. 

Of  his  arrival  here  as  a missionary,  the  Rev.  Hancock  wrote : 
" While  we  were  still  somewhere  in  Lake  Pepin,  there  was  pointed 
out  to  us  the  top  of  Barn  Bluff,  which  we  were  told  was  the  place 
where  we  were  to  land.  Peculiar  sensations  were  felt  by  us  at 
the  sight  of  that  bold  bluff  standing  in  the  middle  of  that  great 
valley  through  which  our  steamer  was  plowing  its  way.  But 
there  was  not  much  time  to  indulge  in  sentiment.  It  was  incum- 
bent upon  us  to  gather  up  our  loose  and  scattered  belongings 
that  we  might  be  ready  for  debarkation.  AYe  kept  as  cheerful 
as  possible  while  making  preparations  and  saying  good  bye  to 
our  companions  in  travel.  The  bell  rang  to  announce  that  the 
boat  would  soon  make  a short  stop.  As  it  began  to  draw  near 
the  shore  strange  faces  began  to  appear.  Nearly  the  whole 
village  came  down  to  the  landing  place  to  give  us  a welcome. 
Some  were  fantastically  dressed  and  ornamented  with  feathers 
and  paint,  while  others  were  almost  destitute  of  clothing.  Two 
pale  faces  appeared  among  the  motley  crowd,  our  former  friends, 
Rev.  J.  F.  Aiton  and  John  Bush.  The  boat  hands  made  short 
work  in  dumping  out  our  luggage  upon  the  beach.  But  when 
the  turn  came  for  the  live  stock,  especially  the  horse  and  cow, 
there  was  labor.  Both  these  animals  strongly  objected  to  going 
ashore.  The  admiring  crowd  of  men,  women  and  children  had 
no  attraction  for  them.  No  coaxing  could  prevail.  Human 
strength  and  skill  finally  accomplished  the  work.  The  only  road 
up  the  river  bank  seemed  a sort  of  gully  through  a thicket  of 
bushes.  The  mission  premises  consisted  of  two  substantial  log 
buildings  a few  rods  in  the  rear  of  the  native  houses.  The  latter 
were  built  of  poles  covered  with  bark  and  stood  along  the  river 
bank  near  what  is  now  Main  street,  between  Bush  and  Pot- 
ter streets.  The  mission  houses  were  near  the  junction  of 
Bush  and  Third  streets.  Narrow  paths  were  crossing  each  other 
in  various  directions  among  the  hazel  bushes.  There  was  a 
ravine  just  back  of  the  mission  houses  in  which  many  springs  of 
cool  water  gushed  forth,  forming  a small  creek,  afterwards  called 
the  Jordan.  The  mouth  of  this  creek  was  then  the  safest  hai’bor 
for  canoes.  Beyond  the  creek,  on  rising  ground  extending  some 
sixty  rods  east  and  Avest,  Avere  the  Indian  corn-fields.  Each  fam- 
ily had  a separate  patch  of  corn,  the  whole  being  fenced  around 
by  stakes  and  willoAVS.  Ponies  and  dogs  being  the  only  animals 
kept  in  the  village  at  that  time,  no  domestic  fences  were  needed. 
There  Avas  a fine  meadow  of  Avild  grass  between  Sorin  and  Barn 
bluffs.  AYe  Avere  obliged  to  keep  our  horse  and  coav  tethered  or 
confined  in  a rude  stable.  The  poor  coav  seemed  to  suffer  much 
before  being  reconciled  to  the  neAV  home.  Once  she  got  aAvay 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


531 


and  swam  the  river  in  her  fright.  We  soon  found  her  on  the 
island  opposite  the  village,  and  with  the  aid  of  a canoe  brought 
her  home.  Some  time  passed  before  she  could  understand,  seem- 
ingly, that  the  evil  one  did  not  wear  a blanket.  Some  privations 
were  suffered  by  being  cut  off  from  the  rest  of  the  world.  Our 
nearest  postoffi.ee  was  twenty-five  miles  up  the  river.  From 
thence  we  received  our  mail  by  going  or  sending  for  it  by  canoe. 
Many  weeks  often  elapsed  without  news  from  the  outside  world. 
However,  there  were  some  things  to  balance  the  disagreeable. 
Plenty  of  work  studying  a new  language,  trying  to  teach  the 
children,  and  talking  with  the  older  people.  The  assessor  did 
not  trouble  us.  For  about  five  years  we  had  no  special  taxes  to 
pay.  For  the  use  of  a garden  spot  we  paid  the  natives  in  vege- 
tables.” 

Soon  after  Mr.  Hancock’s  arrival  an  Indian  school  was  started, 
and  Mr.  Hancock  set  about  learning  the  Sioux  language.  He 
even  compiled  a dictionary  in  the  Sioux  language.  When  the 
novelty  of  the  school  wore  off,  the  interest  among  the  red  children 
waned  most  perceptibly  and  the  school  seems  somehow  to  have 
fallen  into  disfavor  among  the  Indians.  Mr,  Aiton  and  Mr. 
Hancock  seem  to  have  had  different  ideas  as  to  the  management 
of  the  school,  and  in  1850  the  latter  went  to  Long  Prairie,  some 
150  miles  northeast  from  St.  Paul.  Mr.  Hancock  remained  in 
charge  at  Red  Wing  and  became  a permanent  resident  of  the  city. 

Preceding  the  Messrs.  Aiton  and  Hancock,  but  at  a date  not 
positively  known,  came  John  Bush,  who  was  one  of  the  men 
sent  under  the  provisions  of  one  of  the  Indian  treaties  to  teach 
the  red  men  farming.  The  two  missionaries  found  him  here  and 
learned  to  highly  value  his  friendship  and  aid,  as  well  as  his 
understanding  of  Indian  character. 

In  the  autumn  of  1850  a man  named  Snow,  having  secured 
from  the  United  States  government  a license  to  trade  with  the 
Indians,  built  a trading  house  of  logs  near  the  river,  using  the 
upper  part  for  a residence,  while  in  the  lower  part  he  kept  his 
Indian  goods  for  sale. 

Calvin  Potter  came  in  1851  and  entered  into  partnership  with 
Mr.  Snow.  A short  time  afterward,  Snow  died  of  cholera  while 
on  a trip  to  St.  Paul,  and  Mr.  Potter  succeeded  to  the  manage- 
ment of  the  business,  continuing  until  the  Indians  sold  their  lands 
to  the  whites  by  treaty. 

It  was  this  same  year  (1851)  that  a postoffice  was  established 
here  through  the  friendly  agency  of  Hon.  H.  H.  Sibley,  the  Min- 
nesota delegate  in  congress.  J.  W.  Hancock  was  appointed  post- 
master. He  was  under  the  necessity  of  performing  a journey  to 
St.  Paul  to  be  qualified  and  execute  the  required  bond  at  an 
expense  of  over  five  dollars..  His  pay  for  the  next  two  years 


532 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


hardly  covered  that  expense,  but  the  office  was  a great  conven- 
ience. Up  to  that  time  the  nearest  postoffice  was  twenty-five 
miles  away.  The  mail  was  carried  in  those  days  to  and  from  St. 
Paul  easterly,  by  steamboats  in  the  summer  and  by  a one-horse 
train  in  the  winter.  The  few  people  here  usually  expected  a mail 
as  often  as  every  week,  lint  it  was  sometimes  delayed  three  weeks 
on  account  of  storms  or  floating  ice  in  the  river.  In  the  spring 
of  1852  the  one-horse  mail  train  was  by  accident  totally  wrecked 
in  crossing  Spring  creek,  •three  miles  west  of  Red  Wing.  The 
mail  bags,  some  five  or  six  in  number,  were  left  several  hours 
in  the  water.  After  being  fished  out  they  were  brought  to  the 
Red  Wing  postoffice  and  a whole  day  was  spent  in  opening  and 
drying  the  contents. 

In  1851  also  occurred  the  first  death.  In  the  words  of  the 
Rev.  J.  II.  Hancock:  “The  first  white  person  known  to  have 

been  buried  within  the  limits  of  this  county  was  the  dear  wife 
who  accompanied  me  hither  from  our  eastern  home  and  shared 
in  the  labors  and  privations  of  the  situation  for  the  first  two 
years.  She  was  a daughter  of  New  England  and  of  Puritan 
stock.  We  were  joined  in  marriage  at  her  father’s  house  in 
Worcester  county,  Massachusetts,  in  1846.  In  the  latter  part  of 
the  year  1848  we  received  the  appointment  to  go  and  labor 
among  the  Dakotas  Avest  of  t-he  Mississippi  river.  For  several 
reasons  we  did  not  start  for  the  west  until  the  following  spring. 
The  health  of  my  wife  seemed  greatly  improved  for  a time  after 
our  arrival  at  Red  Wing’s  village.  She  entered  upon  the  task 
of  acquiring  a knoAAdedge  of  the  Dakota  language  Avith  great 
zeal.  She  attracted  the  attention  of  the  Indian  children,  taught 
the  girls  knitting  and  sewing  and  soon  had  three  of  them  washed 
and  dressed  like  white  folks,  living  in  the  family  Avith  us.  But 
I think  she  labored  beyond  what  her  strength  could  endure.  In 
the  autumn  of  1850  her  health  began  to  decline  and  she  died 
March  21,  1851.  At  her  OAvn  request  she  Avas  buried  on  Indian 
ground  at.  the  foot  of  the  towering  bluff.  When  a more  advanced 
civilization  came  to  found  a city  on  the  site  of  this  Indian  vil- 
lage and  the  ground  Avas  wanted  for  business  blocks,  a city  for 
the  dead  AAras  platted  on  the  summit  of  the  southern  bluff  over- 
looking the  place,  and  to  this  cemetery  her  remains  Avere  re- 
moved. A marble  slab  at  Oakwoocl  cemetery  noAV  marks  the  last 
resting  place  of  this  devoted  woman.” 

Early  in  the  spring  of  1852,  John  Day  came  over  from  Dia- 
mond Bluff,  Wis.,  and  made  a claim  in  the  upper  part  of  the 
town.  Benjamin  Young,  a French  half-breed,  also  settled  here  at 
about  this  time,  and  Day,  Young,  Bush  and  Potter  staked  out 
claims  on  the  land  iioav  occupied  by  the  city,  in  anticipation  of 
the  Indian  treaty  which  was  then  being  discussed  and  anticipated. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


533 


About  the  middle  of  May  in  this  year  came  those  two  sturdy 
pioneers,  William  Freeborn  and  Dr.  W.  W.  Sweney.  Later  in 
the  season  Dr.  Sweney  brought  his  family  here,  as  did  also  -James 
McGuinness,  and  later  E.  C.  Stevens.  The  story  of  Dr.  Sweney ’s 
coming  is  told  in  his  own  words  in  the  general  history  of  the 
county  which  appears  in  this  volume.  To  Dr.  Sweney  and  his 
brother-in-law,  William  Freeborn,  belong  the  honor  of  selecting 
the  place  as  a village  site.  The  former  purchased  the  claim  right 
of  Bush  and  Potter  and  the  latter  that  of  Young,  which  adjoined 
the  Bush  and  Potter  claim  on  the  west  or  upper  side. 

All  these  events  occurred  before  the  Indians  had  received 
word  that  the  treaty  had  been  ratified,  and  when  as  a matter  of 
fact,  the  whites  had  no  real  rights  here,  though  Dr.  Sweney,  the 
“medicine  man,”  was  a most  welcome  settler,  and  the  others, 
for  one  reason  or  another,  as  the  ease  might  be,  were  tolerated. 

In  this  year  came  the  real  influx  of  population.  A raft  of 
lumber  from  the  saw  mills  at  Stillwater  was  floated  down  and 
taken  out  of  the  river  for  building  purposes  and  two  young  men 
were  employed  as  carpenters  during  the  winter  of  1852-53.  They 
were  Hiram  and  Joseph  Middaugli.  They  prepared  the  timber 
and  finishing  wood  for  a hotel,  which  was  erected  and  made 
ready  for  the  reception  of  guests  as  soon  as  the  weather  would 
permit  in  the  spring.  That  hotel  was  the  first  frame  building 
erected  here.  It  stood  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Bush  streets 
and  was  kept  open  for  the  accommodation  of  travelers  for  about 
two  years  by  Andrus  Durand.  While  Mr.  Durand  was  the  land- 
lord it  was  the  Red  House,  afterward  it  was  called  the  Tee-pee- 
tonka,  or  “big  house,”  and  was  kept  by  Jacob  Bennett  until 
destroyed  by  fire  in  1865. 

In  the  words  of  Mr.  Hancock:  “Troops  of  claim  hunters 

came  in  this  season  (1852)  and  many  and  amusing  were  the 
strifes  about  who  should  hold  this  or  that  favored  claim  in  the 
surrounding  county.  At  that  time  there  had  been  no  United 
States  survey  and  each  man  was  permitted  to  mark  off  liis  160 
acres.  It  was  astonishing  to  see  how  long  some  men  could  pace. 
Then,  every  one  had  a host  of  friends  coming  after,  for  each  of 
whom  he  must  have  a claim  selected,  and  in  duty  bound  must 
see  that  their  rights  were  protected.  All  this  made  business 
lively  in  our  embryo  city.  Arbitrations  and  appeals  to  the  court 
of  Justice  Lynch  were  everyday  occurrences.  A slight  skirmish 
was  not  infrequent,  but  to  the  honor  of  the  first  settlers  of  Red 
Wing,  no  lives  were  lost  and  none  to  our  knowledge  were  seri- 
ously injured.  Yerv  few  of  the  first  claim  hunters  remained  as 
permanent  residents.  They  had  come  too  soon.  It  was  dull 
business  to  wait  until  the  land  could  be  surveyed  and  brought 
into  market,  boarding  one’s  self  in  a log  cabin  eight  or  ten  feet 


534 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


square,  without  any  floor  or  window.  Nobody  thought  of  rais- 
ing wheat  at  that  time.  Our  flour,  pork  and  butter  all  came 
from  down  the  river.” 

At  the  opening  of  navigation  in  the  spring  of  1853,  the  pros- 
pects of  the  future  city  were  brightened.  The  arrival  of  the 
first  boat  was  looked  for  with  great  expectations,  and  these  ex- 
pectations were  to  a measure  realized.  It  brought  needed  sup- 
plies of  provisions.  It  also  brought  some  friends,  who  had  come 
to  remain  as  permanent  settlers.  In  fact,  all  that  season  and 
for  several  years  following,  the  landing  of  the  steamer  at  this 
port  was  hailed  with  delight.  It  was  not  an  uncommon  sight 
to  see  the  larger  part  of  the  population  hastening  toward  the 
river  when  a steamer  was  heard  approaching.  Among  those  who 
came  to  make  the  place  their  home  this  year  were  the  following : 
William  Freeborn,  who  having  built  the  first  frame  dwelling  in 
the  city  moved  his  family  here ; Isaac  Lauver,  James  Akers,  Revs. 
Mathew  Sorin,  Norris  Hobart  and  Rezin  Spates.  These  all 
brought  their  families.  Several  other  families  came  later  in  the 
season,  among  whom  were  W.  D.  Chilson,  Warren  Hunt  and  T.  J. 
Smith.  The  young  men  who  were  here  as  residents  without  fami- 
lies were  Nels  Nelson  (known  as  Dr.  Sweney’s  Nels),  Mathias 
Petersen  (Ringdahl),  the  Middaugh  brothers,  Hugh  Adams,  S. 
A.  Hart,  E.  P.  Lowater  and  David  Puckett.  Several  built  for 
themselves  houses  this  year.  Besides  Mr.  Freeborn’s,  already 
mentioned,  William  Lauver,  James  Akers,  Mathew  Sorin,  Norris 
Hobart  and  Warren  Hunt  had  each  of  them  a frame  dwelling 
house  completed  during  the  autumn  of  1853.  The  remainder  of 
the  population  occupied  shanties  or  log  cabins  except  the  boarders 
at  the  hotel. 

In  August  of  this  year  the  first  company  of  Scandinavians 
who  colonized  the  town  of  Vasa  landed  here.  These  were  the 
pioneers  of  practical  farming  in  this  county:  S.  J.  Willard,  Hans 
Mattson,  Peter  Green,  Charles  Roos  and  A.  G.  Kempe.  These 
men  were  so  often  seen  in  Red  Wing  for  several  months  after 
their  coming  they  were  generally  considered  citizens,  but  they 
were  the  real  founders  of  Vasa  township. 

It  was  in  this  year  also  that  the  village  was  surveyed  and 
platted  by  J.  J.  Knauer  for  the  proprietors,  who  were  the  follow- 
ing: William  Freeborn,  Benjamin  F.  Hoyt,  Charles  L.  Willis  and 
Alexander  Ramsey. 

The  great  event  of  the  year,  which  did  most  towards  trans- 
forming the  old  village  into  the  new,  was  the  first  great  confla- 
gration. By  this  the  style  of  architecture  was  wholly  changed. 
It  must  be  remembered  that  at  this  time  the  Indians  had  sold 


HISTORY  OF  GOODIIUE  COURT Y 


535 


their  land  by  treaty  and  had  agreed  to  move  to  a reservation. 
However  they  still  maintained  their  tepees  here.  The  great  fire 
occurred  near  the  time  when  the  Indians  were  accustomed  to 
return  from  their  winter  hunting  grounds  to  occupy  the  summer 
tepees  and  be  ready  to  plant  corn,  which  usually  was  early  in 
May.  The  day  was  serene  and  cloudless ; carpenters  were  en- 
gaged on  the  new  houses  that  were  being  constructed.  Between 
12  and  1 o’clock  the  cry  of  fire  was  heard  Avliile  nearly  all  the 
people  were  eating  dinner.  Leaving  their  tables  immediately, 
they  saw  smoke  rising  from  the  bark  wigwams,  which  was  quickly 
followed  by  flames  bursting  from  the  roof  of  every  structure  of 
the  kind.  Nobody  seemed  to  know  what  to  do.  All  stood  look- 
ing as  if  paralyzed  with  amazement.  In  less  than  an  hour  all  the 
bark  covered  houses  in  the  place  disappeared.  This  evidently 
was  the  work  of  incendiaries,  but  they  were  not  discovered. 
There  was  no  policeman  and  no  magistrate  to  bring  them  to 
justice.  The  few  log  houses  then  occupied  by  the  white  settlers 
escaped  the  conflagration,  as  did  the  new  frame  buildings.  Only 
a few  days  after  some  of  the  natives  returned,  looking  somewhat 
disappointed  at  the  change,  but  took  it  all  as  a matter  of  course 
and  fixed  their  habitations  temporarily  at  other  points  in  the 
vicinity. 

W.  B.  Hancock,  who  arrived  in  Red  Wing  in  October,  1853, 
thus  describes  the  city  at  that  time,  after  speaking  of  the  rather 
starting  appearance  of  the  Indians : ‘ ‘ The  whole  town-site  was 

covered  with  bushes  some  ten  or  twelve  feet  high.  The  hotel 
on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Bush  streets  was  nearly  finished  and 
occupied  by  Mr.  Durand.  William  Freeborn  had  a fairly  large 
frame  house.  II.  L.  Bevans  had  some  goods  in  a board  shanty 
on  Main  street.  Warren  Hunt  had  a small  house.  That  is  all 
the  buildings  on  Main  street  that  I can  think  of.  William  Lauver, 
Squire  Akers,  and  a man  by  the  name  of  Smith,  had  small  frame 
houses  on  the  other  side  of  Jordan,  as  it  was  then  called.  John 
Day  lived  on  his  claim  all  the  time.  I do  not  think  the  city  ex- 
tended that  far.  His  shanty  stood  on  the  bank  of  the  bay  where 
the  Red  Wing  Stoneware  Company  now  has  its  works.  Rev. 
Sorin  had  a frame  house.  Calvin  Potter  had  a hewed  log  house 
with  a store  in  the  same  bnilding.  The  same  was  afterward 
used,  with  a new  front  built  on,  for  a hotel  called  the  Metropoli- 
tan, burned  many  years  ago.  There  were  some  mission  houses, 
which  stood  on  Bush  street  (what  would  now  be  about  the  mid- 
dle of  the  street,  a little  to  the  south  of  mid-way  between  Main 
and  Third  streets).  H.  L.  Bevans  lived  in  one,  J.  W.  Hancock, 
the  other.  The  latter  was  two  stories  and  double,  one  end  being 
used  as  a school  and  meeting  house.  Dr.  W.  W.  Sweney  lived  in 
a log  house  near  the  river  bank.  A man  by  the  name  of  Hoyt 


536 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


liad  a log  house  somewhat  further  back.  Mr.  Cliilson,  who  after- 
ward built  the  Cliilson  House,  was  here.  Jim  McGuires  moved 
into  the  school  house  and  lived  in  it  that  winter.  The  family 
of  Rezin  Spates  lived  out  on  Spring  creek.  The  house  stood 
where  the  poor  farm  now  is.  These  are  all  the  married  families 
I ®an  recollect,  but  there  were  several  bachelors’  establishments 
in  and  around  Red  Wing  at  that  time.” 

Some  farming  was  done  this  year.  Wheat,  oats,  corn,  pota- 
toes and  rutabagas  were  grown  within  the  limits  of  the  present 
city.  Probably  the  first  wheat  raised  in  Minnesota  south  of  the 
Minnesota  river  ivas  raised  here  at  that  time.  A notable  event 
was  the  first  Christmas  dinner  (1853),  Avhen  the  town  proprietor, 
William  Freeborn,  invited  the  entire  population  to  a Christmas 
dinner  at  his  home.  With  one  or  tAVO  exceptions,  all  accepted, 
making  an  event  at  which  practically  the  entire  population  of 
Red  Wing  Avas  present. 

An  incident  of  this  year  is  related  as  follows : A number  of 
Indian  families  Avere  encamped  in  the  vicinity  of  Red  Wing,  a 
feAv  miles  up  the  river,  on  the  Minnesota  side.  A man  named 
IJaAvley  had  a shanty  on  the  Wisconsin  side,  just  above  the  site 
of  the  present  village  of  Trenton.  Some  trouble  occurred  be- 
tween Hawley  and  Ta-sha-ta  (Deer  Hoof),  in  which  the  Indian 
received  a fatal  stab  with  a knife.  Word  was  brought  to  the 
feAv  settlers  at  Red  AYing  that  Hawley  had  killed  an  Indian  and 
the  settlers  were  seriously  alarmed,  for  it  had  been  the  boast  of 
Red  Wing’s  people  that  none  of  that  band  had  ever  killed  a 
AAdiite  man,  and  it  Avas  naturally  expected  that  they  might  now 
seek  retaliation  in  vengeance  on  the  Avliites.  Some  of  the  settlers 
went  up  to  the  Indian  encampment  and  assured  the  Indians  that 
IlaAvley  should  be  punished  as  he  deserved,  and  they  Avere  satis- 
fied, manifesting  no  desire  to  wreak  vengeance  on  the  innocent 
settlers.  Hawley  fled  from  his  shanty  and  Avas  never  afterwards 
seen  in  the  country.  A report  subsequently  came  back  that  he 
had  been  shot  and  killed  by  an  IoAva  sheriff. 

The  little  community  at  Red  Wing  spent  the  AAunter  of  1853 
in  peace  and  safety.  Religious  services  Avere  held  each  after- 
noon Sabbath  in  the  school  room  of  the  old  Mission  house.  Hiram 
Middaugh  was  leader  of  the  choir  and  also  teacher  of  singing. 
Debates  and  social  parties  were  held  occasionally.  As  soon  as 
the  ice  on  the  river  became  strong  enough  to  bear  up  teams, 
travelers  began  to  pass  up  and  down  the  river,  frequently  tarry- 
ing for  the  night  in  this  little  village.  In  the  fall  of  this  year, 
Dr.  AY.  AY.  Sweney  was  appointed  postmaster. 

The  spring  of  1854  opened  early.  That  year  the  steamer 
D.  Hillman  passed  through  the  lake,  April  5,  1854,  on  its  Avay  to 
St.  Paul.  Early  this  spring  came  a number  of  new  s'ettlers. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


537 


Hon.  W.  H.  Welch,  then  chief  justice  of  the  territory  of  Min- 
nesota, visited  the  place  and  decided  to  make  his  home  here. 
Among  others  who  came  to  stay  were  AY.  W.  DeKay,  P.  Sand- 
ford,  W.  H.  Wellington,  C.  J.  F.  Smith,  William  Colvill,  Jr.,  P.  S. 
Fish  and  S.  J.  Hasler.  A large  number  of  private  houses  were 
erected.  The  American  House  (at  first  Mrs.  Allen’s  hoarding 
house)  was  opened,  and  J.  C.  Weatlierhy’s  dry  goods  and  grocery 
store,  E.  P.  Lowater’s  shoe  store  and  Iioyt  & Smith’s  warehouse 
all  commenced  business.  Wheat  raised  this  year  was  found  to 
be  of  a most  superior  quality,  and  the  marketing  and  shipping 
of  this  cereal  gave  Red  Wing  its  first  start  as  a business  point. 
A few  years  after,  and  before  any  railroads  had  found  their  way 
into  this  territory,  Red  Wing  was  claimed  to  be  the  greatest 
primary  Avheat  market  in  the  world. 

Red  Wing  this  year  was  made  the  county  seat  of  the  new 
county  of  Goodhue.  A full  complement  of  county  officers  were 
appointed  by  the  territorial  governor,  nearly  all  being  citizens  of 
Red  Wing.  The  burdens  of  office,  however,  were,  easily  borne. 
Philander  Sanford,  the  first  lawyer  in  Red  Wing,  built  an  office  on 
Main  street,  where  practically  all  the  public  business  of  the 
county  Avas  transacted. 

One  thing  that  gave  the  place  some  reputation  abroad  at 
the  early  beginning  Avas  the  probability  that  it  Avould  soon  be 
the  seat  of  an  institution  of  learning  of  a high  order.  It  Avas 
knoAvn  that  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  Avas  about  to  estab- 
lish a university  somewhere  in  the  nortliAvest  and  that  Red  Wing 
had  been  selected  as  the  proper  place  for  it.  The  hopes  of  the 
people  in  regard  to  such  an  enterprise  began  to  be  realized 
toAvard  the  end  of  the  year  1854,  when  Prof.  Jabez  Brooks,  on 
November  16,  opened  a school  in  the  hall  over  Smith,  Hoyt  & 
Co.’s  store.  This  school  was  called  the  preparatory  department 
of  Hamline  University. 

The  prevalence  of  chol.era  on  the  river  during  the  summer  of 
this  year  had  retarded  the  growth  of  the  town  someAvhat.  Per- 
sons Avere  frequently  landed  here  from  boats  who  were  in- 
fected with  the  disease,  and,  though  cared  for  as  tenderly  and 
patiently  as  possible,  many  of  them  died.  It  Avas  remarkable  that 
the  pestilence  did  not  spread  among  the  residents. 

The  Indians  had  been  formally  removed  by  the  government 
in  the  fall  of  1853,  to  their  reservations,  but  many  stragglers 
came  back  again  and  encamped  near  the  place  during  the  fol- 
iOAAung  season.  Considering  that  this  Avas  the  home  as  Avell  as 
the  burial  place  of  their  ancestors,  this  is  not  surprising.  No 
danger  Avas  apprehended  by  those  acquainted  with  the  ways  of 
the  Reds,  but  some  of  the  neAV  comers  had  their  fears.  It  would 
have  been  A^ery  easy  for  the  Indians  to  have  taken  the  place  by 


538 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


surprise  and  murdered  all  the  inhabitants  in  a single  night  had 
they  been  so  disposed.  The  distance  between  Eed  Wing  and 
their  new  home  was  not  great.  Very  few  white  settlements  then 
intervened.  The  Indians  were  fully  acquainted  with  the  country, 
but  greatly  dissatisfied  with  the  change  that  they  had  been  com- 
pelled to  make.  But  their  patience  was  not  quite  exhausted  and 
the  settlers  were  not  molested.  One  man  was  badly  scared,  how- 
ever. Awakened  suddenly  in  the  night  by  a hideous  noise,  he 
thought  the  Indians  had  certainly  come  and  that  the  work  of 
death  was  going  on  at  his  neighbors’  houses.  Believing  that  all 
was  lost,  he  resolved  nevertheless  to  sell  his  life  as  dearly  as 
possible.  Snatching  his  revolver,  which  was  ready  loaded,  he 
bounded  into  the  street  in  his  night  dress,  and,  rushing  to  a 
clump  of  bushes  which  stood  between  his  house  and  the  others, 
he  awaited  the  attack,  hoping  to  kill  at  least  three  or  four 
Indians  before  they  should  kill  him.  An  interval  occurred  in 
the  noise,  revealing  the  sound  of  familiar  voices  among  those  who 
were  imitating  the  savage  war  whoop,  and  he  was  convinced  of 
his  mistake.  It  was  only  a party  of  boys  paying  their  respects 
to  a newly  married  couple. 

The  winter  of  1854-55  was  very  mild  for  this  latitude,  and 
the  usual  intellectual  and  social  enjoyments  of  the  season  were 
passed  with  all  the  pleasures  incident  to  such  scenes.  But  though 
mild  and  pleasant,  it  seemed  to  extend  unusually  long  into  the 
spring.  The  first  boat  from  below  was  never  waited  for  more 
anxiously  than  at  that  time.  With  a large  majority  of  the  in- 
habitants it  had  been  the  first  winter  of  their  experience  in 
Minnesota.  Along  in  the  spring  the  winter  supply  of  meat,  flour, 
vegetables  and  fruit  began  to  fall  short.  There  was  money 
enough,  but  for  a month  or  so  pork  and  flour  could  not  be  had 
in  Red  Wing  for  money.  The  ice  in  the  river  was  too  weak  for 
traveling.  No  one  was  in  actual  danger  of  starvation,  fish  were 
plentiful,  and  as  the  ice  began  to  melt  in  places,  wild  ducks  came 
to  the  rescue,  yet  the  settlers  craved  a change  of  meat  and  more 
bread.  The  proprietor  of  the  Red  AA7ing  House  had  his  diffi- 
culties in  supplying  his  guests.  With  a flour  pail  in  his  hand 
he  was  frequently  seen  calling  on  some  private  family  to  borrow 
a few  pounds  of  stuff  to  make  bread  of,  promising  to  return  it 
in  full  when  the  first  boat  should  arrive.  The  puffing  steamboat 
came  at  last  and  landed  a stock  of  groceries  and  provisions  for 
the  firm  of  Jackson  and  Enz,  a firm  which  had  just  opened  a 
store  on  Bush  street.  Among  the  goods  landed  at  this  arrival 
were  eleven  barrels  of  flour  and  a large  hogshead  filled  with 
smoked  hams  and  shoulders.  These  articles  found  so  ready  a 
sale  that,  although  they  did  not  arrive  until  Friday  evening,  they 
were  all  sold  out  before  Monday.  Under  the  circumstances,  the 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


539 


firm  prudently  limited  each  family  to  a certain  portion.  Thus 
all  were,  for  the  time,  supplied.  Settlers  living  on  claims  far 
from  town  came  in  as  soon  as  they  heard  of  the  arrival  of  a boat. 
Other  boats  came  in  a few  days,  bringing  needed  supplies  for 
other  firms,  and  plenty  now  reigned  among  those  who  had  the 
money  with  which  to  buy. 

The  United  States  land  office  for  the  Red  AYing  land  district 
was  opened  here  about  the  beginning  of  the  year  1855 ; AY.  AY. 
Phelps,  register,  and  Christopher  Graham,  receiver.  They  first 
occupied  the  office  of  P.  Sanford  and  were  kept  busy  in  filing 
the  declaration  of  intention  of  pre-emptors  and  “ proving  up” 
until  the  time  of  the  first  public  sale. 

The  same  year,  some  time  in  the  summer,  the  Red  AVing 
“Sentinel,”  the  first  weekly  newspaper,  made  its  appearance. 
It  was  a very  creditable  appearing  sheet,  published  by  Merritt 
& Hutchins.  The  printing  was  done  in  a building  on  Alain  street 
which  was  used  as  a carpenters’  shop  and  a house  of  worship, 
being  afterward  remodeled  into  a private  residence. 

This  was  the  year  of  the  first  liquor  agitation  in  the  village. 
To  quote  from  a previous  history:  “The  most  remarkable  event 
of  this  year  was  the  advent  of  whiskey.  The  town  proprietors 
and  nearly  all  the  early  settlers  were  professedly  temperance 
men.  Liquor  selling  was  to  be  forever  prohibited.  But,  at  a 
time  least  suspected,  the  evil  made  its  appearance.  A building, 
afterward  occupied  by  the  “Argus”  on  Bush  street,  had  been 
erected  by  Jared  Bougliton,  and  was  rented  to  a dry  goods  mer- 
chant named  Parish.  This  store  began  to  be  a place  of  frequent 
resort  by  those  who  loved  to  talk.  After  a while  it  was  told  to 
one  of  the  unsuspecting  citizens  that  this  dry  goods  merchant 
kept  ‘hardware’  in  his  cellar.  More  than  two  years  had  passed 
since  the  town  was  begun  and  no  intoxicating  liquors  had  been 
kept  for  sale  here  openly.  How  the  whiskey  ever  got  in  the 
cellar  of  that  dry  goods  store  was  a mystery.  It  was  soon  evi- 
dent that  it  was  there.  Alen  were  seen  coming  from  that  store 
with  unsteady  step  and  flushed  visages.  A public  meeting  was 
called.  Alen  of  every  profession  and  trade  met  together  to  ex- 
press their  indignation.  Long  speeches  were  uttered,  and  poli- 
ticians joined  their  voices  against  the  illegal  sale.  A committee 
of  five  was  appointed  to  wait  on  the  merchant  who  had  the  hard- 
ware in  his  cellar  and  inform  him  that  the  sale  of  the  stuff  could 
not  be  allowed.  The  committee  visited  the  offender,  going  in  a 
body  to  the  store,  stating  the  object  of  their  visit  and  the  author- 
ity under  which  they  acted.  The  man  Avinced  somewhat  under 
the  influence  of  popular  feeling  thus  boldly  expressed,  denied 
the  charge  of  selling  it,  but  admitted  that  men  could  go  to  his 


540 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


place  and  get  as  much  as  they  wanted.  This  man  soon  after 
closed  his  business  and  left  the  place.” 

The  first  sale  of  public  lands  occurred  at  the  United  States 
land  office  in  Red  Wing,  beginning  August  29,  1855.  W.  LeDuc, 
of  Hastings,  was  the  auctioneer.  The  notice  of  this  sale  had  been 
previously  given  in  the  newspapers  and  many  strangers  were  in 
the  village  at  the  appointed  time.  The  settlers  had  formed  a 
claim  association  in  this  immediate  vicinity  for  the  purpose  of 
protecting  themselves  from  landsharks  and  speculators.  David 
Hancock  was  president ; P.  Sandford,  secretary,  and  Rezin  Spates, 
assistant  secretary  of  this  association.  Royal  Lovell  was  ap- 
pointed to  represent  the  settlers  at  this  sale.  He  stood  close  by 
the  auctioneer  and  bid  in  all  the  lands  that  they  respectively  had 
claimed.  Mr.  Lovell  held  a description  of  every  claimant’s  land, 
ready  to  bid  the  moment  the  numbers  were  called  by  the  gov- 
ernment agent.  The  settlers  stood  by,  ready  to  back  him  if  the 
occasion  required.  Though  a large  number  of  speculators  were 
present  ready  to  take  advantage  of  such  opportunities  as  offered 
for  picking  choice  tracts,  they  dared  not  bid  against  the  settlers 
after  being  informed  of  the  combination. 

The  first  brick  yard  in  the  county  was  opened  for  the  manu- 
facture of  brick  in  East  Red  Wing  by  George  Wilkinson  in  the 
summer  of  1855.  He  had  taken  the  contract  for  the  erection  of 
Hamline  University  and  came  and  commenced  the  manufacture 
of  brick  for  that  structure  chiefly,  however  furnishing  material 
for  others  also.  Besides  the  university  building  there  were  two 
brick  dwellings  erected  that  same  year.  The  university  building 
was  completed  and  dedicated  early  in  January,  1856.  The  pre- 
paratory department  was  immediately  opened  for  students  and 
a college  class  Avas  soon  afterward  formed.  Before  the  year 
closed  two  teachers,  besides  Professor  Brooks,  Avere  added  to  the 
faculty.  The  institution  soon  obtained  a Avide  reputation  and 
students  flocked  hither  from  a distance  to  enjoy  its  advantages. 
The  lectures  given  by  the  professors  from  time  to  time  and  the 
debates  of  the  literary  societies  Avere  often  attended  by  citizens 
and  contributed  much  to  make  the  new  home  attractive  to  all. 

A large  immigration  from  other  states  and  from  Europe  came 
to  this  place  in  1856.  Many  new  enterprises  were  begun.  Mer- 
chants and  mechanics  flocked  hither  and  buildings  of  various 
size  and  materials  AA^ere  constructed.  The  north  side  of  Main 
street,  between  Bush  and  Plum  streets,  Avas  filled  with  business 
blocks,  mostly  of  wood,  the  south  side  of  the  same  street  having 
hut  tAvo  or  three  vacancies.  A boarding  house  Avas  built  by  Mrs. 
Huldali  Allen,  who  soon  afterward  became  Mrs.  Richard  Free- 
born. The  first,  machinery  for  the  manufacture  of  sash  and 
blinds  Avas  put  in  operation  this  year  by  Hasler  & Todd.  They 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


541 

used  a one-liorse  tread  mill  power.  The  land  office  did  a flour- 
ishing business  and  called  many  strangers  to  this  place  during 
the  three  years  it  remained.  Hotels  and  boarding  houses  multi- 
plied and  were  well  patronized.  Barnes  & Vanhouten  opened  a 
brick  yard  at  the  west  end,  and  commenced  the  manufacture 
of  that  article,  while  Mr.  Wilkinson’s  yard  was  still  supplying 
brick,  but  not  in  sufficient  quantities  to  meet  the  demand.  The 
first  sawmill  here  was  put  in  operation  by  Pettibone  & Knapp. 
It  was  afterwards  conducted  by  Freeborn  & Pettibone.  Cogel 
& Blakely  built  a mill  for  the  manufacture  of  sash,  doors  and 
blinds.  The  machinery  for  this  mill  was  sunk  in  the  Mississippi 
with  the  steamer  Itasca  while  on  its  way  hither.  Other  ma- 
chinery was  soon  purchased  and  the  mill  put  in  operation  before 
the  close  of  the  year.  The  following  year  the  same  firm  com- 
menced the  manufacture  of  wheat  flour,  with  one  set  of  stone. 
The  prominent  firms  doing  business  here  so  early  as  1856,  besides 
those  already  mentioned,  were:  J.  C.  Weatherby,  dry  goods  and 
groceries ; Mclntire  & Sheldon,  F.  F.  Pliilleo,  Richter  & Sher- 
man, general  merchants;  Betcher  & Brown,  hardware;  AY.  E. 
Hawkins  and  W.  TI.  AYellington,  painters;  William  Colvill,  Mur- 
dock & Bristol,  Charles  McClure  and  E.  T.  Wilder,  attorneys  at 
law;  Smith,  Towne  & Co.,  dealers  in  real  estate.  The  last  named 
firm  consisted  of  Otis  F.  Smith,  Thomas  F.  Towne  and  J.  C. 
Pierce.  There  was  a hall  over  a business  block  on  the  north 
side  of  Main  street,  called  Philleo  hall,  which  was  finished  and 
devoted  to  the  use  of  the  public  during  the  year  1856.  This  hall 
was  for  some  time  the  place  of  holding  conventions,  public  lec- 
tures, concerts,  church  festivals,  etc.,  by  the  Presbyterians,  Epis- 
copalians and  Baptists  in  succession,  until  each  had  built  churches 
for  themselves.  The  Methodists  occupied  the  chapel  of  Hamline 
University  for  Sunday  services  until  their  church  edifice  was 
completed.  The  fourth  day  of  -July  was  duly  celebrated  for  the 
first  time  in  Red  Wing  in  1856.  There  was  a grand  procession 
following  a band  of  musicians,  three  in  number.  First  came  the 
officers  of  the  day,  officers  and  reader;  second,  school  children 
and  teachers ; last,  citizens  generally.  This  procession  marched 
to  a grove  near-by,  where  the  usual  exercises,  appropriate  to  the 
occasion,  delivered,  were  listened  to  with  attention.  Hon.  W.  AY. 
Phelps  delivered  the  oration.  Long  tables  had  been  prepared  by 
the  ladies,  loaded  with  the  best  eatables  the  times  could  furnish, 
and  a free  dinner  was  partaken  of  by  all  present. 

The  Presbyterians  commenced  building  a brick  church  this 
year.  The  outer  walls  were  finished  and  the  roof  completed 
when  the  winter  set  in.  The  interior  was  finished,  furnished 
with  a bell  and  dedicated  the  following  summer.  This  pioneer 


542 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


church  still  remains  on  the  corner  of  Sixth  street  and  East  ave- 
nue and  serves  the  purpose  of  its  founders. 

The  spring  of  1857  was  backward  in  its  approaches,  but  it 
brought  a larger  number  of  new  citizens  to  the  town  and  county 
than  during  any  previous  year.  The  work  of  building  new  houses 
and  stores  was  pushed  with  vigor  through  most  of  this  season. 
The  financial  crisis  which  prevailed  throughout  the  country  began 
to  be  felt  in  full  measure  here  toward  the  close  of  1857.  The 
stringency  in  the  mouey  market  did  not  check  the  growth  of  this 
new  city  entirely.  A high  rate  of  interest  was  allowed  for  the 
use  of  money,  but  the  farmers  were  raising  golden  wheat.  Large 
quantities  of  that  product  found  a market  here.  Wheat  buyers 
were  in  the  street  ready  to  meet  teams  as  they  entered,  and 
prepared  to  pay  cash  for  the  loads.  Wheat  drawn  by  oxen  from 
fifty  and  even  100  miles  away  was  marketed  here  in  the  early 
days.  This  caused  a demand  for  a repository  for  money,  and 
the  first  bank  in  the  county  was  opened  here  by  Pascal  Smith 
under  the  name  of  Smith,  Meigs  & Co.  It  was  this  year  that, 
by  an  act  of  the  territorial  legislature,  a charter  was  granted  to 
the  citizens  of  Red  Wing  for  a city  form  of  government.  The 
first  charter  election  was  also  held  this  year  and  resulted  in  the 
election  of  J.  C.  Weatherby  as  mayor  and  James  Lawther,  F.  F. 
Hoyt  and  Charles  Beers  as  councilmen.  The  same  year  another 
weekly  newspaper  commenced  its  publication,  under  the  name 
the  “Red  Wing  Republican.”  The  first  number  was  dated  Sep- 
tember 4,  1857,  and  Lucius  F.  Hubbard  was  editor  and  proprietor. 
A convention  had  been  held  in  St.  Paul  to  frame  a constitution 
for  the  new  state  in  order  to  be  admitted  into  the  Union  at  the 
next  session  of  congress.  The  work  of  that  convention  having 
just  been  completed,  the  full  copy  of  that  constitution  was  pub- 
lished in  the  initial  number  of  the  “Red  Wing  Republican.” 
The  first  regular  convention  of  the  Republican  party  was  held 
in  Red  Wing,  September  1 of  the  same  year.  Until  this  time 
party  politics  had  made  very  little  show  in  the  county.  The  paper 
which  had  been  published  every  week  since  August,  1855,  the 
“Sentinel,”  was  a newspaper  which  served  the  wants  and  neces- 
sities of  all  the  people,  but  it  Avas  Avell  known  that  its  editor  was 
a Democrat  in  national  politics.  As  a matter  of  course,  when 
Minnesota  should  become  a state  the  former  party  affiliations 
would  become  manifest.  This  first  Republican  convention  was 
presided  over  by  William  Stanton  as  chairman,  and  II.  L.  Bevans 
acted  as  secretary.  Hon.  Charles  McClure  made  the  principal 
speech  at  the  convention.  A full  ticket  was  nominated.  The 
Democrats  held  a party  convention  also  and  nominated  a strict 
party  ticket.  The  latter  ticket  was  sanctioned  by  a vote  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


513 


people  with  one  exception.  Since  that  time  until  the  present  the 
Republican  party  has  generally  been  victorious. 

In  1857  came  a great  impetus  to  building  activity.  Previous 
to  this  year  cut-stone  used  for  door  and  window  sills  in  brick 
structures  had  to  be  imported  from  St.  Paul,  and  lime  for  plas- 
tering was  imported  from  down  the  river.  Phineas  S.  Fish  made 
the  first  experiment  of  producing  lime  from  the  stone  in  Barn 
bluff  this  year.  The  article  lie  produced  was  considered  inferior 
and  he  did  not  continue  the  work. 

One  of  the  most  important  events  of  the  early  days  of  Red 
Wing  was  the  burning  of  the  Galena,  July  3,  1858.  Notwith- 
standing the  dull  times  in  reference  to  business  matters  through- 
out the  country  on  account  of  the  money  panic,  many  new  build- 
ings were  added  to  the  city  this  year.  The  contract  for  building 
a court  house  and  jail  was  let  in  June.  The  work  on  the  founda- 
tion was  soon  after  begun  and  pushed  on  until  winter  set  in.  A 
goodly  number  of  professional  men,  mechanics  and  laborers  were 
added  to  the  permanent  population.  Immigration  from  the  old 
country  increased.  Stages  began  to  run  in  various  directions, 
roads  and  bridges  were  constructed  to  accommodate  travelers 
and  visitors.  After  harvest,  wheat  began  to  pour  in  for  sale,  and 
wheat  buyers  multiplied.  The  custom  of  having  free  public  lec- 
tures was  inaugurated  in  the  fall,  and  continued  throughout  the 
winter  from  November  to  April,  about  two  lectures  a month 
being  given.  These  lectures  were  given  for  the  most  part  by  men 
who  resided  here.  This  custom  prevailed  up  to  the  beginning 
of  the  Civil  War  and  added  much  to  the  social  and  intellectual 
enjoyment  of  the  people.  Occasionally  the  lecture  appointment 
was  filled  by  some  one  outside  the  city.  Among  the  latter  were 
Bayard  Taylor,  J.  G.  Holland  and  Edward  Eggleston. 

June  16,  1859,  was  made  memorable  by  the  first  graduating 
exercises  of  IJamline  University.  In  connection  with  these  exer- 
cises it  might  be  mentioned  that  the  first  music  teacher  in  Red 
Wing  was  Harriet  Kellogg,  now  Mrs.  Jesse  M.  Hodgman.  She 
gave  lessons  on  the  piano  in  1856  and  for  several  years  following 
was  the  only  teacher  in  that  line.  The  first  teachers  in  singing 
were  Hiram  Middaugh,  S.  A.  Hart,  C.  L.  Davis  and  J.  C.  Hawes. 

A project  was  set  on  foot  here  at  an  early  date  to  improve 
the  methods  of  communication  with  the  country  further  west, 
navigation  of  Cannon  river.  The  plan  was  never  consummated, 
though  an  act  of  incorporation  was  obtained  from  the  legislature. 

H.  B.  Wilson,  in  his  recollections,  says  of  the  early  stores  in 
Red  Wing:  “The  early  stores  consisted  of  various  sorts  and 

varieties.  Gambia  & Smith  were  among  the  first.  Their  store 
was  on  the  west  side  of  Jordan,  near  the  river,  and  occupied  the 


544 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


present  site  of  the  C.,  M.  & St.  P.  railroad  station.  It  was  above 
this  store  that  the  preparatory  department  of  Ilamline  Univer- 
sity was  opened  by  the  Rev.  Jabez  Brooks,  November  16,  1854. 
About  the  same  time,  M.  B.  Lewis  and  Charley  Beers  conducted 
a warehouse  on  Levee  street.  J.  C.  Weatherby  and  H.  L.  Bevans 
had  stores  on  Main  street.  But  the  principal  store  in  Red  Wing 
in  1858  was  kept  by  Mclntire  & Sheldon.  It  stood  on  the  east  side 
of  Bush  street,  between  Main  and  Levee  streets,  nearly  opposite 
the;  St.  James  Hotel,  the  building  having  been  long  since  de- 
stroyed by  fire.  In  this  store  was  purchased  everything  that 
the  families  of  Red  Wing  ate  or  drank  or  wore.  One  could  buy 
anything  from  a steamboat  anchor  to  a mouse  trap,  and  Mrs.  C. 
J.  F.  Smith  says  she  bought  her  wedding  dress  there.  In  this 
store  were  a number  of  clerks  who  afterward  became  prominent 
citizens.  They  were  Thomas  F.  Towns  (bookkeeper),  Jesse 
Hodgman,  Sidney  Allen  and  T.  B.  McCord.  Mclntire  & Sheldon 
conducted  the  store  until  about  the  beginning  of  the  war,  and 
then  sold  out  to  T.  K.  Simmons,  who  made  a fortune  out  of  the 
war  rise  in  prices.  The  first  book  store  in  Red  Wing  was  kept 
by  E.  P.  Lowater  in  a story  and  a half  building  at  the  corner  of 
Main  and  Bush  streets,  the  site  on  which  the  St.  James  now 
stands.  Mr.  Lowater  was  at  one  time  postmaster  and  the  mail 
was  distributed  from  his  store. 

Following  is  a business  directory  of  Red  Wing,  published  in 
1869 : Attorneys — P.  Sandford,  65  Main  street ; Phelps  & Tabor, 
corner  Main  and  Bush  streets;  J.  C.  McClure,  Postoffice  block, 
Bush  street;  Wilder  & Williston,  Main  street;  Parker  & Hoyt, 
Postoffice  block,  Bush  street;  William  Colvill,  Postoffice  block, 
Bush  street ; R.  B.  Smithers,  Postoffice  block,  Bush  street ; Sturges 
& Hodgson,  corner  of  Main  and  Bush  streets;  Ives  & Skillman, 
corner  Main  and  Bush  streets ; B.  B.  Herbert,  corner  Main  and 
Bush  streets;  William  R.  Snider,  Republican  office.  Auctioneers 
— B.  W.  Bixby,  Main  street ; E.  Enz,  Main  street.  Agricultural 
implements — Alley  & Rockwell,  Bush  street;  E.  W.  Brook,  Main 
street;  R.  IT.  Downing,  Plum  street;  C.  Betelier  & Co.,  Main  street; 
E.  L.  Baker,  Main  street;  M.  Herschler  & Co.,  Levee  street. 
Books  and  stationery — E.  P.  Lowater,  corner  of  Main  and  Bush 
streets;  Jones  & Cole,  Bush  street.  Banks — First  National,  cor- 
ner Main  and  Plum  streets ; Pierce,  Simmons  & Co.,  Main  street. 
Barbers — Eli  Field,  Postoffice  block.  Billiards — Webster  Bros., 
Music  Hall  block;  Fred  Kerns,  62  Main  street;  J.  Christ,  Main 
street;  J.  White,  71  Main  street.  Bakers — B.  W.  Bixby,  73  Main 
street;  John  Kuhn,  Plum  street;  Jones  & Co.,  Bush  street.  Brew- 
eries— William  Heising,  corner  Bush  and  Fifth  street;  J.  Haw- 
kins, Bush  street;  Mrs.  P.  Hawkins,  Main  street;  John  Landon, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


545 

Main  street;  -John  Hartman,  Featherstone  road.  Builders — Booth 
Bros.,  Bush  street;  D.  C.  Hill,  Main  street.  Clothing — W.  Eisen- 
brand,  Main  street;  A.  Gross,  Bush  street;  John  Norquist,  Bush 
street;  Julius  Elson,  Bush  street;  Wilkinson  & Hodgman,  Main 
street.  Cigar  factory — FI.  Pamperin,  Main  street.  Boots  and 
shoes — G.  R.  Sterling  & Co.,  corner  Main  and  Plum  streets;  John 
Hisler,  Plum  street;  John  Friedrich,  Main  street;  T.  B.  and  B. 
F.  Sheldon,  Main  street;  Charles  Wilson,  Main  street;  A.  J. 
Meacham,  Main  street  ; Welchman  & Blakely,  Bush  street  ; Sim- 
mons, Olson,  Bush  & Co.,  Main  street ; A.  Thomas,  Main  street ; 
C.  Clauson,  Plum  street.  Groceries — John  Friedrich,  Main  street ; 
H.  A.  Park,  Main  street;  O.  B.  Dodge  & Co.,  Main  street;  Wil- 
kinson & Hodgman,  Main  street;  E.  Enz,  Main  street;  J.  F. 
Wright,  Main  street;  Sexton  Yeeder,  Plum  street;  S.  C.  Skinner 
& Co.,  Plum  street ; J.  N.  AYyer,  Main  street ; Simmons,  Olson, 
Bush  & Co.,  Main  street ; A.  B.  Hawley,  Main  street ; Bevans  & 
Parker,  Bush  street;  Welchman  & Blakely,  Bush  street;  Andrew 
Johnson,  Bush  street;  C.  Carlson  & Co.,  Plum  street;  Charles 
Wilson,  Plum  street ; A.  Thomas,  Main  street,  S.  C.  Skinner, 
Plum  street.  Hardware — C.  Betcher,  Main  street;  E.  L.  Baker, 
Main  street;  Towne  & Wilkinson,  Main  street;  J.  S.  Allyn,  Plum, 
street.  Harness  shops — G.  R.  Sterling  & Co.,  Main  street;  E.  F. 
Watson,  Main  street;  L.  C.  Smith,  Plum  street.  Hotels — Metro- 
politan, Le.vee  street;  National,  corner  Broad  and  Third  streets; 
Lyon  House,  Plum  street;  Goodhue  House,  Plum  street;  Union 
House,  Plum  street ; Exchange  House,  Bush  street ; Hickman 
House,  Bush  street ; Scandinavian  House,  Potter  street.  Insur- 
ance agents — P.  Sandford,  65  Main  street;  Williston  & Joss,  Main 
street.  Jewelers — E.  P.  Lowater,  Main  street;  J.  AY.  Peterson. 
Main  street ; Lindquist  Bros.,  Plum  street.  Livery  stables — Ray- 
mond & Wright,  Plum  street;  Burpee  & Hanson,  Plum  street; 
W.  L.  Webster  & Co.,  Main  street.  Leather  and  findings — G.  R. 
Sterling  & Co.,  Main  street.  Lumber  dealers — Howe,  Graves  & 
Co.,  Main  street ; Cogel  & Betcher,  Main  street : Daniels  & Sim- 
mons. West  avenue.  Milliners — Mrs.  S.  E.  Charles,  Bush  street; 
Miss  Patterson,  Main  street.  Meat  markets — Paul  Wallauer, 
Bush  street;  J.  0.  Dow,  Main  street;  G.  Breyer,  Plum  street; 
Braeber  & Remshardt,  Plum  street;  N.  Lunclquist.  Plum  street. 
Physicians — A.  B.  Hawley,  Alain  street ; Sweney  & Hoyt,  Bush 
street;  C.  N.  Hewitt,  Alain  street;  E.  S.  Parker,  Fifth  street.  Print- 
ing offices — “Republican,”  newspaper  and  job  office,  corner  Plum 
and  Alain  streets;  “Argus,”  newspaper  and  job  office,  Plum 
street.  Boots  and  shoes — George  Kissinger,  Thomas  AleSorley, 
C.  Heddrich,  Alain  street;  John  Dunnell,  Plum  street;  P. 
Carlson.  Plum  street.  Blacksmiths — J.  F.  Schartze.  Plum  street; 
M.  Neagle,  Plum  street;  Lorgen  & Peterson.  Plum  street;  John 


546 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Gorman.  Plum  street.  Brass  foundry — Brown  Bros.,  Fourth 
street.  Gunsmiths — Brown  Bros.,  Fourth  street;  Lovgren  & Pe- 
terson, Fifth  street.  Crockery- — Thomas  McSorley,  Main  street. 
Dry  goods — John  Friedrich,  Main  street;  J.  G.  Diepenbrock, 
Main  street;  Richter  Bros.,  Main  street;  C.  Berg,  Main  street; 
T.  B.  and  B.  F.  Sheldon,  Main  street;  Charles  Wilson,  Main 
street;  A.  J.  Meacham,  Main  street;  J.  C.  Weatherby,  Main 
street;  Julius  Elson,  Main  street;  Andrew  Johnson,  Bush  street; 
Bevans  & Parker,  Bush  street;  Welchman  & Blakely,  Bush  street; 
Simmons,  Olson,  Bush  & Co.,  Main  street;  Mrs.  P.  C.  Hall,  fancy 
store,  Bush  street;  Wilkinson  & Hodgman,  Main  street;  A. 
Thomas,  Main  street ; C.  Clauson  & Co.,  Plum  street ; Thomas 
McSorley,  Main  street.  Drugs  and  medicines — Jones  & Cole, 
Bush  street;  A.  B.  Hawley,  Main  street;  J.  Wyer,  Main  street. 
Dentist — II.  F.  Wilkinson,  Main  street.  Eating  house — B.  W. 
Bixby,  Main  street ; Adam  Shore,  Main  street.  Express  offices 
— A.  M.  U.,  on  Levee.  Furniture  dealers — E.  K.  Sparrell,  Main 
street;  S.  Butturf,  Bush  street;  Jacob  Keyser,  Third  street;  Haw- 
kin  Oleson,  Fourth  street;  Andrew  Cook,  Main  street.  Foundries 
— Densmore  Bros.,  Levee  street ; Brown  Bros.,  Fourth  street. 
Flouring  mills — Hawley  & Hastings.  Forwarding  and  commis- 
sion— T.  B.  Sheldon,  Levee;  M.  IJerschler,  Levee;  James  Warner, 
Levee;  Hubbard  & Brown,  Levee;  P.  B.  Mann,  Levee;  H.  C. 
Hoffman,  Levee;  F.  R.  Sterritt,  F.  R.  Ives  & Co.,  Levee;  F.  A. 
Carlson  & Co.,  Levee.  Flour  and  feed — S.  C.  Skinner,  Plum 
street ; E.  Alley,  Plum  street ; Kellogg,  Bush  street ; Armstrong, 
Bush  street ; Danielson  & Bowman,  Main  street ; Cogel  & Betcher, 
Main  street.  Fanning  mills — Ashton  & Purdy,  Bush  street;  C. 
Betcher  & Co.,  Main  street.  Our  Friend  and  Companion  and 
Good  Templar,  at  “Argus”  office.  Photographers — W.  W. 
Washburn,  Bush  street;  Sumner  & Berg,  Main  street;  Kellogg, 
Main  street.  Planing  mills — D.  C.  Hill,  Main  street;  Cogel  & 
Betcher,  Levee.  Paint  shops — W.  E.  Hawkins,  Bush  street;  G. 
AY.  Davis,  Park  street;  W.  Id.  Wellington,  Dakota  street.  Real 
estate  dealers — P.  Sandford,  65  Main  street ; J.  C.  Pierce,  Main 
street.  Pump  manufacturer — Carpenter  & Quale,  Levee  street. 
Shingle  and  saw  mills — Howe,  Graves  & Co.,  Levee  street;  Cogel 
& Betcher,  Levee  street.  Telegraph  offices — Northwestern,  Music 
Hall  block;  Mississippi  Valley,  Music  Hall  block.  Variety  stores 
— E.  P.  Lowater.  Wagon  shops — Lovgren  & Peterson,  Fifth 
street;  P.  & N.  Hickman,  Bush  street;  S.  A.  Freestedt,  Plum 
street ; F.  F.  Schutze,  Plum  street ; M.  & J.  Kappel,  Third  street. 
AVines  and  liquors — John  Friedrich,  Main  street  ; J.  Batlo,  Plum 
street;  J.  I.  Wyer,  Main  street;  A.  B.  Hawley,  Main  street;  Tobial 
Nullesbach,  Plum  street. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


547 


RED  WING  REMEMBERED. 


When  Red  Wing  led  his  dusky  band 
Through  what  was  then  Dakota  land 
But  now  is  Minnesota, 

In  picking  out  a village  site, 

For  commerce  great  or  money’s  might, 

He  cared  not  one  iota. 

But,  savage  chieftain  as  he  was, 

He  well  deserves  a sketch  by  Boz, 

Or  other  able  writer; 

Not  for  the  feathers  that  he  wore 
To  signify  his  thirst  for  gore 
Or  prowess  as  a fighter. 

But  all  who  view  the  lovely  spot, 

Where  teepees  were  which  now  are  not, 
Will  say  from  sense  of  duty : 

Old  Red  Wing  knew  a thing  or  two, 
Though  void  of  culture,  and  a Sioux, 

He  had  an  eye  for  beauty. 

He  saAv  a landscape  passing  fine, 

Tinted  and  framed  by  hands  divine, 

And  failed  not  to  admire  it ; 

He  saw  a charming  place  to  rest 
When  winter  hunts  had  lost  their  zest, 

Nor  vainly  did  desire  it. 

Beside  the  Mississippi  blue, 

Year  after  year  his  tents  anew 

Were  pitched,  and  Red  Wing’s  village 
Sprang  up  like  crocuses  at  morn, 

Or  like  the  blades  of  Indian  corn 
To  which  the  squaws  gave  tillage. 

The  hills  arose  in  grandeur  high. 

The  mighty  river  flowing  by 
Well  mirrored  the  Great  Spirit; 

It  showed  his  smile,  the  sunshine  bright, — 
His  frown,  the  storm  cloud  like  a night 
So  dark  that  braves  might  fear  it. 


Ill  ST  OK  Y 01'  GOODHUE  COUNTY" 


518 


The  arch  o’er  Red  Wing’s  summer  home 
Was  higher  than  St.  Peter’s  dome, 

And  lit  with  heaven’s  tapers, — 

The  stars,  a Hash  with  diamond  sheen, 

Than  which  more  glorious  ne’er  was  seen 
Since  fled  creation’s  vapors. 

Before  the  words,  ‘‘Let  there  be  light,” 

The  King  of  Day  and  Queen  of  Night 
Ushered  into  the  places 
Which  they  have  held  from  age  to  age, 
While  monarclis  on  earth’s  shifting  stage 
Have  hid  in  dust  their  faces. 

And  Red  Wing  brave  has  passed  away 
Like  potentates  of  wider  sway, 

And  cruelty,  and  pillage ; 

His  trail  is  covered  by  the  years 
Of  peace  and  war,  of  thrift  and  tears ; 

And  what  of  Red  Wing’s  village? 

The  landscape  shows  divinely  fair 
The  beauty  that  it  used  to  wear 
On  hill  and  vale  and  river ; 

The  ether  clear  makes  background  yet 
For  sun  and  moon  and  stars  that  set 
A poet’s  heart  aquiver. 

Where  rose  the  wigwam’s  curling  smoke, 
The  factories’  fume  of  coal  and  coke 
Ascends  in  mighty  pillars ; 

The  whir  of  mills  is  daily  heard 
Where  leaped  the  fawn  and  sang  the  bird 
When  squaws  alone  were  millers. 

Now  mansions  rise  where  tents  were  spread, 
A growing  “City  of  the  Dead” 

Bears  witness  to  the  living 
That  toil  and  strife  must  sometime  cease, 
That  life  is  held  by  doubtful  lease, 

For  getting  or  for  giving. 

But  while  the  kilns  of  potteries  burn, 

And  while  the  wheels  of  traffic  turn. 

To  strenuous  life  inciting, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


549 


Let  none  forget  what  Eecl  "Wing  saw 
When  spelling  out  the  higher  law 
Of  Manitou’s  handwriting. 


JULIA  B.  NELSON, 

Red  Wing,  Minn. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 


THROUGH  FIFTY-TWO  YEARS. 

Principal  Events  in  the  Government  of  Red  Wing  Since  Its  In- 
corporation— List  of  Mayors,  Aldermen  and  Other  Officers — 
Railroads,  Telegraph,  Street  car  and  Other  Franchises — 
Sewerage  System — Water  Works — Fire  Department— Public 
Buildings  — Bonds  and  Improvements  — Memorials  — Red 
Wing  Township — Veterans. 

1857- 58 — The  first  meeting  of  a city  council  in  the  city  of  Red 
Wing  was  held  May  25,  1857.  The  records  contain  the  following 
report  of  this  meeting:  “The  city  council  of  Red  Wing  met  ac- 
cording to  notice.  Present  were:  J.  C.  Weatherby,  mayor;  F.  F. 
Hoyt  and  Charles  W.  Beers,  councilors,  and  S.  A.  Bevans,  clerk. 
On  motion  of  Councilor  Beers  the  council  proceeded  to  ballot  for 
a city  attorney,  whereupon  William  Colvill,  Jr.,  having  received 
all  the  votes,  was  duly  declared  city  attorney  of  Red  AYing  On 
motion  of  Councilor  Beers,  Councilor  Hoyt  and  the  city  attorney 
were  appointed  to  draft  rules  and  by-laws  for  the  government  of 
the  council.  On  motion  the  council  adjourned  to  Monday,  June  8, 
1857 — J.  C.  Weatherby,  mayor;  S.  A.  Bevans,  city  clerk.”  At 
the  next  meeting  in  addition  to  the  above  mentioned,  Councilor 
Lauver  handed  in  his  resignation,,  and  James  Lawther  was  ap- 
pointed to  fill  the  vacancy.  William  Rock  was  elected  city  en- 
gineer for  one  year,  I.  H.  Brand  and  B.  Brundage  city  assessors, 
D.  S.  Merritt  city  printer,  James  D.  Chamberlain  city  treasurer. 
At  the  meeting  on  June  15  F.  F.  Philleo  was  elected  city  marshal. 

1858- 59 — The  election  was  held  April  6,  1858,  with  the  result 
that  the  following  officers  were  declared  elected : Mayor,  William 
Freeborn;  councilmen,  S.  S.  Grannis,  Seth  Washburn  and  Joshua 
Ashton.  Owing,  however,  to  the  fact  that  the  votes  counted  were 
in  excess  of  the  names  checked,  there  was  considerable  question 
as  to  the  legality  of  the  election.  The  councilmen  were  sworn  in 
April  9,  and  on  April  12  William  Freeborn  took  his  seat  as  mayor, 
the  judicial  opinion  sought  being  to  the  effect  that  the  election 
was  legal.  Charles  McClure  was  appointed  attorney,  Ben  A.  Cox 
city  marshal,  J.  F.  Chamberlin  treasurer  and  Francis  Ives  clerk. 

550 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


551 


Mayor  Freeborn  resigned  in  September  and  F.  F.  Philleo  was 
chosen  to  fill  the  vacancy.  In  January,  1859,  Hans  Mattson  was 
appointed  clerk  in  place  of  Francis  Ives,  resigned.  During  this 
year  the  question  of  fire  protection  was  taken  up.  Protection 
Hook  and  Ladder  Company  rendered  a report  showing  that  the 
following  officers  had  been  elected : Chief  engineer,  Jesse  Meln- 
tire  ; first  assistant,  R.  N.  MeClaren ; second  assistant,  J.  C.  Pierce ; 
secretary,  T.  N.  Lee ; treasurer,  T.  J.  Clark. 

1859- 60 — The  city  government  was  now  well  established  and 
the  question  of  streets  and  bridges  became  an  important  one  for 
the  council,  as,  indeed,  it  has  remained  in  the  years  that  have 
passed  since  then.  During  this  year  the  liquor  license  was  fixed 
at  $50.00.  The  officers  were:  Mayor,  Charles  H.  Connell;  coun- 
cilmen,  S.  S.  Grannis,  A.  A.  "Whitney  and  C.  J.  F.  Smith ; clerk 
Hans  Mattson;  city  printer,  L.  II.  Hubbard;  treasurer,  Frederick 
Jopp;  marshal,  John  H.  Brand;  attorney,  Charles  McClure. 

1860- 61 — The  volume  of  city  business  continued  to  increase 
and  to  occupy  the  attention  of  the  board  in  many  special  meet- 
ings. The  license  this  year  was  fixed  at  $50.00,  the  same  as  dur- 
ing the  previous  year.  The  officers  were:  Mayor,  P.  Vandenberg; 
councilmen,  W.  P.  Brown,  E.  L.  Baker  and  H.  B.  Wilson;  clerk, 
P.  M.  Wright ; marshal,  M.  Comstock ; treasurer,  F.  Ives ; attor- 
ney, Hans  Mattson ; printers,  Hubbard  and  Davis.  One  of  the 
amusing  features  of  the  minutes  is  that  the  mayor  evidently 
added  an  “h”  to  his  name  during  his  term  of  office.  He  signs 
himself  as  P.  Vandenberg  for  several  months,  and  then  evidently 
takes  a vacation  for  a few  weeks,  a pro-tem  mayor’s  name  being 
signed  to  the  minutes.  AVlien  the  real  mayor’s  signature  again 
appears  he  signs  his  name  P.  Vandenbergh,  having  acquired  the 
additional  letter  some  time  during  his  absence. 

1861- 62 — This  was  the  year  of  the  outbreak  of  the  war,  and 
the  village  board  was  depleted  from  time  to  time  by  resignations. 
The  original  board  consisted  of  the  following:  Mayor,  E.  L. 
Baker ; councilmen,  AY.  AY.  Sweney,  AY.  W.  DeKay  and  M.  S. 
Chamberlin;  clerk,  A.  E.  AYelch;  printer,  Martin  Maginnis;  mar- 
shall, M.  Comstock;  treasurer,  F.  F.  Hoyt;  attorney.  AY.  C.  Wil- 
liston.  April  24,  1861,  the  council  voted  to  present  the  Goodhue 
Volunteers  with  a flag.  Soon  afterward  A.  E.  AYelch  resigned  as 
clerk  and  his  place  was  taken  by  P.  Sandford.  E.  L.  Baker  re- 
signed as  mayor  and  his  place  was  taken  by  James  Lawther.  V. 
Blumdye  took  the  place  of  M.  S.  Chamberlin  and  William  Lauver 
the  place  of  AY.  AAL  DeKay  in  the  council.  The  gallant  gentlemen 
who  thus  left  their  places  on  the  city  board  all  enlisted  in  the 
army.  The  license  fee  for  saloons  was  this  year  reduced  to  $25. 

1862- 63 — In  spite  of  the  war  the  village  improvements  con- 


552 


HISTORY  OF  GOOUIIUE  COUNTY 


tinned  to  be  carried  on,  and  the  streets  were  beginning  to  mul- 
tiply. The  officers  this  year  were : Mayor,  Christopher  Graham ; 
councilmen,  C.  C.  Johnson,  James  Lawther  and  R.  N.  McLaren; 
clerk,  AY.  C.  AA7illiston ; treasurer,  J.  AA7.  Hancock ; attorney,  P. 
Sandford;  surveyor,  H.  B.  AVilson;  marshal,  M.  Hersehler;  printer, 
J.  II.  Parker,  of  the  Goodhue  ‘‘Volunteer.”  In  October  S.  S. 
Grannis  took  the  place  of  R.  N.  McLaren  on  the  council  and 
J.  II.  Brand  took  the  place  of  AA7.  C.  Willistoh  as  clerk,  both  of 
the  gentlemen  who  resigned  doing  so  for  the  purpose  of  enlisting 
in  the  army.  The  license  fee  this  year  remained  at  $25.00. 

1863- 64 — During  this  year  the  cemetery  began  to  occupy  the 
attention  of  the  board.  The  lots  were  platted,  roads  laid  out,  a 
financial  system  started,  a sexton  appointed  and  bodies  ordered 
removed  from  lots  which  the  newly  laid-out  roads  were  to  cross. 
Resolutions  and  by-laws  in  regard  to  the  cemetery  Avere  adopted 
and  placed  on  the  records.  This  year  also  a plan  was  adopted  for 
surveying  a railroad  from  AVinona.  to  St.  Paul,  the  city  offering 
to  pay  seven  per  cent  interest  to  anyone  who  Avould  advance 
money  for  this  project.  The  officers  this  year  Avere : Mayor,  AY.  L. 
Hastings;  councilmen,  AA7.  B.  BroAvn,  Francis  Ives  and  AYilliam 
IIoAve ; treasurer,  J.  AA7.  Hancock;  marshal,  J.  II.  Brand;  printer, 

( '.  II.  Davis;  clerk,  T.  J.  Clark.  Mr.  Clark  later  resigned  and 
J.  II.  Brand  was  appointed  in  his  stead. 

1864- 65 — A system  Avas  this  year  adopted  whereby  the  coun- 
cilmen  Avere  to  serve  for  three  years  and  the  three  gentlemen 
elected  clreAv  cuts  as  to  which  ones  should  fill  the  one,  tAvo  and 
three-year  terms,  respectively.  The  justices  also  drew  cuts  to 
determine  Avhich  should  fill  a one-year  term  and  which  a two-year 
term.  The  same  procedure  was  adopted  in  the  case  of  the  con- 
stables. The  officers  were : Mayor,  AA7.  AA7.  Phelps;  councilmen, 
AYilliam  E.  Hawkins  (one  year),  George  AYilkinson  (tAvo  years), 
AA7.  P.  Brown  (three  years)  ; clerk,  Robert  Deakin ; printer,  James 
II.  Parker;  marshal,  Thomas  Taylor;  justices,  Francis  Ives  (one 
year),  James  IT.  Parker  (two  years)  ; treasurer,  J.  AA7.  Hancock; 
constables,  Thomas  Taylor  (one  year),  Morris  Hirschler  (two 
years).  A feAv  days  after  being  elected  treasurer,  J.  AY.  Hancock 
resigned  and  -1.  C.  Pierce  was  appointed.  In  November,  E.  F. 
Philleo  took  the  place  of  M.  Hersehler  as  constable.  At  the  last 
meeting  of. the  board,  April  3,  1864.  Mr.  AA7ilkinson,  Avho  had  yet 
a year  to  serve,  resigned  in  order  that  his  successor  might  be 
named  at  the  annual  election,  which  occurred  a few. days  later. 
During  the  term  of  this  board  the  German  Lutheran  Church 
asked  permission  to  establish  a cemetery  in  section  31.  This  Avas 
refused,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  location  suggested  was  likely 
to  soon  be  needed  for  building  purposes.  A short  time  later  the 


HISTORY -OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


553 


German  people  decided  on  the  present  location  of  their  cemetery, 
. and  to  this  location  the  city  board  had  no  objection.  Before  the 
close  of  the  1864-65  term  Charles  McClure  resigned  as  attorney 
and  W.  C.  Williston,  who  had  returned  from  the  army,  was 
named  in  his  place.  It  was  this  year  voted  to  reimburse  those 
who  had  contributed  for  the  railroad  survey,  the  amount  being 
$700. 

1865- 66 — This  was  the  year  of  Lincoln’s  surrender.  The  vil- 
lage officers  were:  Mayor,  AY.  AY.  Phelps;  councilmen,  William 
Howe,  AY.  P.  Brown  and  T.  B.  Sheldon;  recorder,  A.  AY.  Pratt; 
treasurer,  A.  H.  Jones;  constables,  R.  H.  Doming  and  S.  AY.  Rob- 
erts; justices,  AY.  AY.  DeKay  and  Francis  Ives;  surveyor,  D.  M. 
Tabor;  attorney,  AY.  C.  Williston;  official  printer,  “The  Argus.” 
At  the  session  of  April  10,  1865.  M.  S.  Chandler  received  a tele- 
gram from  R.  N.  McLaren  announcing  the  surrender  of  Lee  to 
Grant.  The  council  appointed  a day  of  celebration.  April  17 
came  the  news  of  the  assassination  of  Lincoln,  and  a committee 
consisting  of  Charles  Betcher,  M.  S.  Chandler  and  C.  C.  AYebster 
Avas  appointed  to  arrange  for  appropriate  memorial  services. 
The  cemetery  proposition  again  came  up  this  year,  also  the  matter 
of  building  a road  on  the  island  to  connect  with  the  ferry  at  that 
time  in  operation  across  the  Mississippi. 

1866- 67 — The  officers  this  year  were  as  folloAA'S:  Mayor,  AYill- 
iam  Howe  ; councilmen,  John  Friedrich,  AY.  P.  BroAvn  and  T.  B. 
Sheldon;  recorder,  T.  B.  McCord;  treasurer,  A.  H.  Jones;  con- 
stable, Leman  Bates;  attorney.  D.  M.  Tabor;  health  officer  (also 
constable),  W.  W.  DeKay;  city  surveyor,  Benjamin  Densmore ; 
city  printer,  Charles  L.  Davis.  C.  J.  F.  Smith  Avas  appointed  as- 
sessor in  place  of  T.  T.  ToAATne,  resigned,  and  John  AY.  Jefferson 
was  sworn  in  as  constable  after  the  resignation  of  Leman  Bates. 
J.  Van  Schvik  Avas  appointed  ferryman. 

1867- 68 — The  officers  this  year  w^ere : Mayor,  E.  L.  Baker; 
councilmen,  William  HoAve,  T.  B.  Sheldon  and  John  Friedrich; 
treasurer,  W.  S.  Brill ; recorder.  Thomas  AYilkinson ; attorney, 
W.  C.  AYilliston;  justices,  Francis  Lves  and  R.  B.  Smithers ; con- 
stables, AY.  AY.  DeKay  and  J.  AAr.  Jefferson;  city  physician.  Dr. 
E.  S.  Parker;  street  commissioner  and  marshal,  W.  W.  DeKay. 
Jeremiah  Yan  Schvik  and  William  Hutchinson  were  engaged  to 
run  the  ferry,  one  across  the  main  channel  and  the  other  across 
the  Wisconsin  channel.  This  year  a short  sewer  Avas  built  from 
Fifth  street  down  Bush,  to  connect  with  one  that  already  ex- 
tended part  of  the  Avay  to  Fourth  street.  Many  sideAvalks  Avere 
ordered  in  the  residence  portions.  A resolution  Avas  presented 
this  council  by  AY.  L.  AYebster,  J.  IT.  Parker,  AY.  C.  Williston, 
Jesse  Mclntire  and  others  asking  that  the  city  bond  itself  for 


554. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


$75,000  for  the  Chicago  and  St.  Paul  railroad,  then  contemplating 
building  a line  from  Winona  to  St.  Paul,  passing  through  Red  • 
Wing. 

1868- 69 — J.  M.  Ilodgman  was  this  year  elected  mayor.  The 
other  officers  were:  Councilmen,  William  Howe,  John  Friedrich 
and  E.  W.  Brooks ; recorder,  0.  Densmore  ; treasurer,  Andrew 
Swanson;  constable,  James. C.  Hawes;  attorney,  AY.  C.  AVilliston; 
surveyor,  Benjamin  Densmore;  physician,  ,W.  AAr.  Sweney;  as- 
sessor, T.  T.  Towne.  AY.  AY.  DeKay  served  a short  time  as  city 
marshal  and  as  health  officer  this  year.  He  was  also  street  com- 
missioner. James  C.  Hawes  was  city  marshal  the  greater  part  of 
the  year  and  also  ran  the  ferry.  He  was  also  health  officer  the 
greater  part  of  the  year.  The  “Nellie  Sheldon,”  having  been 
deemed  a failure,  was  ordered  laid  up,  its  trips  to  Bay  City  being 
discontinued.  Three  policemen  were  appointed  this  year,  John 
C.  Peterson,  L.  H.  Luce  and  Martin  Ansbro.  During  this  year 
itinerate  auctioneers  caused  much  trouble  to  the  local  merchants 
and  it  was  decided  that  outside  auctioneers  should  be  charged 
$30  a week  in  advance  for  pursuing  their  business  here.  The 
minutes  this  year  contain  the  first  intimation  as  to  where  these 
early  meetings  were  held,  “a  room  on  Plumb  street”  being  the 
designation  given  the  meeting  place.  The  proposition  that  the 
city  should  bond  itself  for  $75,000  at  6 per  cent  for  twenty  years 
occupied  the  serious  attention  of  the  council  for  several  meetings 
during  this  term  of  office. 

1869- 70 — This  is  the  year  in  which  Francis  Ives,  a justice  of 
the  peace,  fined  a man  $15  and  then  accepted  the  prisoner’s 
promissory  note  for  the  amount.  The  matter  was  brought  before 
the  council  for  investigation,  and  that  body  decided  that  under 
the  circumstances  the  justice  had  pursued  the  proper  course. 
The  officers  were : Mayor,  AY.  P.  Brown ; councilmen,  John  Fried- 
rich, AVilliam  Howe  and  E.  AV.  Brooks;  recorder,  James  Lawther ; 
treasurer,  A.  AV.  Pratt;  attorney,  AV.  C.  Williston;  physician, 
AV.  AV.  Sweney;  justices,  Francis  Ives  and  Christopher  Graham; 
marshal,  street  commissioner,  health  officer  and  constable,  W.  AV. 
DeKay.  J.  C.  Hawes  resigned  as  constable  and  Dwight  M.  Bald- 
win was  named  in  his  place.  The  railroad  proposition  had  not 
proven  acceptable  to  the  company,  so  a new  plan  was  adopted. 
By  this  plan  the  city  was  to  bond  itself  for  $75,000,  one-tenth  to 
be  paid  in  twenty  years  and  one  tenth  each  succeeding  year  until 
paid,  the  rate  of  interest  to  be  six  per  cent.  It  was  also  proposed 
that  $10,000  be  raised  for  a depot  in  the  same  manner.  The  road 
was  to  he  completed  and  cars  running  from  St.  Paxil  to  AVinona 
through  Red  AVing  before  1871.  This  year  the  “Nellie  Sheldon” 
sunk  and  the  city  expended  a considerable  sum  in  raising  it.  It 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY  ' 555 

was  decided  that  the  steam  ferry  boat  system  had  proven  a suc- 
cess. The  city  receipts  this  year  were  about  $18,000,  while  the 
expenses  were  only  half  that  amount.  Among  the  receipts  is 
noted  an  item  of  $2,044.06  for  wharfage,  a neat  source  of  income 
in  those  days. 

1870- 71 — The  officers  this  year  were:  Mayor,  IV.  P.  Brown; 
eouneilmen,  W.  E.  Hawkins,  E.  "W.  Brooks  and  .John  Friedrich ; 
marshal  and  health  officer,  W.  W.  DeKay;  attorney,  AY.  C.  Wil- 
liston;  physician,  AY.  AY.  Sweney;  constable,  M.  C,  Fifield;  treas- 
urer, A.  J.  Meachum;  recorder,  James  Lawther.  AYilliam  P. 
Hutchinson  and  J.  J.  Hemphill  made  a contract  with  the  city  for 
running  the  ferry.  A contract  was  made  with  Stephens  & Daniels 
to  build  a lock-lip  for  prisoners.  The  “Red  AYing, ” out  of  com- 
pliment to  its  name,  was  voted  free  wharfage  at  the  levee.  A 
fire  alarm  bell  was  purchased.  A.  AY.  Pratt  took  the  place  of 
A.  J.  Meachum,  who  resigned  as  treasurer.  AY  AY.  DeKay  re- 
signed as  constable.  M.  Ansbro  and  M.  C.  Fiheld  were  dismissed 
from  the  police  force.  Thomas  Taylor  and  Peter  Glardon  were 
given  their  positions.  The  officers  of  the  fire  department  this 
year  were  William  E.  Hawkins,  chief  engineer;  Timothy  McCue, 
first  assistant ; S.  AY  Roberts,  second  assistant.  Francis  Ives, 
after  nine  years’  service  as  a justice,  resigned  and  left  the  city. 
A number  of  fire  policemen  were  appointed  this  year,  and  the  list 
is  appended,  nearly  every  name  being  one  that  is  now  honored 
and  revered  in  the  city  of  Red  Wing.  These  fire  policemen,  repre- 
senting the  most  prominent  citizens  of  that  period,  were : James 
Lawther,  W.  C.  Williston,  Frank  Cole.  T.  B.  Sheldon,  S.  B.  Foot. 
Henry  Brown.  J.  C.  AYeatherby,  AY.  AY  Phelps,  T.  Iv.  Simmons, 
James  Marshall,  AY.  AY  Sweney,  William  Graves,  L.  C.  Smith, 
Frank  Sterrett,  E.  P.  Lowater,  Thomas  Towne,  A.  Wright,  II.  C. 
Hoffman.  J.  M.  Hodgman,  Charles  Betcher,  Jesse  Mclntire.  P. 
Sandford,  J.  J.  Richter  and  M.  Herschler. 

1871- 72 — The  officers  this  year  were:  Mayor,  E.  II.  Alley; 
eouneilmen,  John  Friedrich,  AA7.  E.  Hawkins  and  AY.  AY.  Sweney: 
recorder,  S.  J.  Willard;  justices,  S.  J.  Hasler  and  Chris  Graham; 
street  commissioner,  Y".  W.  DeKay;  attorney,  AA".  C.  Williston; 
physician,  E.  S.  Parker;  treasurer,  A.  W.  Pratt;  constable,  D.  M. 
Baldwin;  marshal,  AY.  W.  DeKay.  Jeremiah  Aran  Schvik  was  em- 
ployed to  run  the  ferry  on  the  Wisconsin  channel  and  J.  J.  Hum- 
phrey on  the  Red  AYing  channel.  O.  C.  Serum,  M.  C.  Fifield  and 
Thomas  Taylor  were  appointed  policemen.  During  this  year  the  ■ 
Hamline  University  property  was  purchased,  the  building  re- 
moved and  the  land  converted  into  a city  park.  A steam  engine 
was  also  purchased  for  the  fire  department.  George  J.  Richards 
was  appointed  sexton  of  the  cemetery.  AA".  C.  Ydlliston  was  ap- 


556 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


pointed  chief  engineer,  E.  L.  Baker  first  assistant,  T.  J.  Clark 
second  assistant  and  Nelson  0.  Thomas  secretary  of  the  fire  de- 
partment. Jesse  M.  Hodgman  brought  suit  against  the  city 
restraining  it  from  paying  the  $85,000  bonds  to  the  Chicago  and 
St.  Paul  railroad  on  the  ground  that  the  latter  had  not  fulfilled 
its  contract.  An  injunction  was  secured,  then  a compromise 
reached  by  the  depositing  of  the  bonds  “in  escrow”  with  the 
First  National  Bank.  The  reason  for  this  trouble  was  the  fact 
that  while  the  company  had  agreed  to  have  its  cars  running  from 
Winona  to  St.  Paul  by  1871,  it  had  not  kept  its  agreement  in 
that  there  was  no  railroad  bridge  at  Hastings,  and  passengers  had 
to  pay  ferryage  in  order  to  connect  with  the  trains  that  stopped 
on  either  side  of  the  river. 

1872- 73 — At  the  annual  election  Charles  McClure  became 
mayor.  The  other  officers  were : Councilmen,  S.  J.  Willard,  W.  W. 
Sweney  and  W.  E.  Hawkins ; recorder,  James  Lawther ; treasurer, 
A.  AY.  Pratt;  marshal,  W.  W.  DeKay.  The  policemen  appointed 
were  M.  C.  Fifield  and  A.  C.  Serum.  The  latter’s  place  was  taken 
a few  months  later  by  Jacob  A.  AA7estby.  Dr.  C.  N.  Hewitt,  hav- 
ing been  elected  secretary  of  the  state  board  of  health,  attempted 
to  establish  some  sanitary  regulations  in  the  city.  This  year  is 
distinguished  by  the  formation  of  the  gas  company,  by  T.  B. 
Sheldon,  J.  C.  Pierce,  L.  F.  Hubbard,  W.  AAr.  Phelps  and  Charles 
Id.  Nash,  and  November  11  a contract  was  let  to  this  company  for 
lighting  the  streets.  The  fire  department  officers  this  year  were: 
Chief  engineer,  B.  C.  Stephens;  first  assistant,  James  A.  Wright; 
second  assistant,  T.  S.  Mills;  secretary,  I.  S.  Kellogg;  treasurer, 
T.  J.  Clark. 

1873- 74 — The  officers  this  year  were:  Mayor,  W.  P.  Bimwn; 
councilmen,  Christopher  Cogel,  W.  W.  Sweney  and  S.  J.  AVillard; 
recorder,  Thomas  Wilkinson;  treasurer,  A.  AAT.  Pratt;  justices, 
Christ.  Graham  and  S.  J.  IJasler;  constable,  Jacob  Westby  (after 
resignation  he  was  succeeded  by  D.  M.  Baldwin)  ; marshal,  W.  W. 
DeKay;  attorney,  W.  C.  Williston;  assessor,  Ferdinand  Joss; 
street  commissioner,  Andrew  Danielson ; policemen,  Moses  Fifield 
and  David  Kempe.  The  “Nellie  Sheldon”  was  sold  to  David 
Hancock,  and  arrangements  made  with  AAr.  W.  DeKay  for  its 
use  at  seasons  of  high  water,  he  still  having  a contract  for  run- 
ning the  ferry.  Mr.  DeKay  was  also  named  as  health  officer  in 
place  of  Dr.  W.  AAT.  Sweney,  resigned.  Hose  Company  No.  1 was 
organized  during  the  year.  The  officers  of  the  fire  department 
were:  Chief  engineer,  Jacob  Christ;  first  assistant.  J.  A.  Wright; 
second  assistant,  W.  A.  Orsen ; secretary.  Aug.  Rhiner ; treasurer, 
T.  J.  Clark. 

1874- 75 — AAr.  P.  Brown  succeeded  himself  as  mayor  and  the 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


557 

councilmen  were  AY.  AAT.  Swenev,  Christopher  Cogel  and  S.  J. 
AVillard.  The  other  officers  were:  Recorder,  Thomas  AYilkinson; 
treasurer,  A.  AY.  Pratt;  constables,  J.  A.  Bowman  and  Stiles  Ray- 
mond; marshal,  AY.  AAA  DeKav;  street  commissioner,  Andrew 
Danielson.  The  policemen  appointed  were  David  Kemp,  Moses 
Fifield  and  Jacob  AYestby.  The  saloons  were  ordered  to  close  at 
10  o’clock  during  this  administration.  Janies  AY.  Day  was  given 
a ten  years’  contract  to  run  the  ferry.  Red  Wing  Hook  and 
Ladder  Company  No.  1 was  organized.  Dr.  AY.  AAA  Sweney  of- 
fered to  present  the  city  with  Barn  Bluff  as  a park,  provided  a 
road  was  built  to  the  top.  No  action  was  taken  on  this  offer. 

1875- 76 — The  officers  this  year  were:  A lay  or,  AY.  P.  Brown; 
councilmen,  G.  A.  Carlson,  AY.  AY.  Sweney  and  Christopher  Cogel; 
recorder,  Jorgen  Simmons;  justices,  C.  Phillips  and  Christ.  Gra- 
ham; treasurer,  A.  AY.  Pratt;  treasurer,  D.  AI.  Baldwin;  attorney, 
AAA  C.  AYilliston ; assessor,  F.  Joss;  health  officer  and  marshal, 
AY.  AAA  DeKay.  The  policemen  were  D.  Ivempe,  J.  A.  West  by  and 
AI.  Fifield.  A $900  fire  alarm  bell  was  purchased  and  installed. 
The  committee  appointed  to  consider  Dr.  AY.  AY.  Sweney ’s  offer  to 
the  city  of  a park  at  the  top  of  Barn  Bluff  consisted  of  C.  C. 
AVebster,  E.  L.  Baker,  J.  C.  Pierce,  Jesse  Alclntire  and  E.  T. 
AYilder.  The  fire  department  officers  were : Chief  Engineer,  AAA  E. 
Hawkins;  first  assistant.  J.  N.  Zenklebach;  second  assistant.  F. 
Seebacli ; secretary,  H.  A.  AVillard  and  T.  J.  Clark. 

1876- 77 — F.  R.  Sterrett  was  elected  mayor.  The  councilmen 
were:  T.  K.  Simmons,  G.  A.  Carlson,  AAA  AY.  Sweney  and  Fred- 
erick Seebaeh.  The  other  officers:  Recorder,  AY.  AY.  Day;  treas- 
urer, A.  AAA  Pratt ; constable,  Stiles  Raymond ; marshal.  David 
Kemp;  city  engineer.  Will i am  Danford.  John  Seastrand  was 
added  to  the  police  force.  A compromise  was  effected  with  the 
Chicago  and  St.  Paul  railroad  by  which,  in  lieu  of  the  $85,000 
bonds  voted,  the  railroad  company  agreed  to  accept  the  bonds  of 
the  city  to  the  amount  of  $45,000.  These  bonds  were  executed 
and  became  a part  of  the  indebtedness  of  the  city.  The  fire  de- 
partment officers  this  year  were : Chief  engineer.  AI.  Kappel ; 
first  assistant,  John  Veecler;  second  assistant.  Philip  G.  Gal- 
loway; secretary,  Tams  Bixby;  treasurer,  T.  J.  Clark. 

1877- 78 — F.  R.  Sterrett  succeeded  himself  as  mayor,  and  the 
new  councilman  elected  this  year  was  Allen  Howe.  The  other 
officers:  Treasurer,  A.  AAA  Pratt;  justices,  C.  Graham  and  C. 
Phillips;  treasurer.  D.  AI.  Baldwin;  attorney,  F.  AI.  AYilson;  re- 
corder, Philip  Skillman ; street  commissioner  and  health  officer, 
AY.  AY.  DeKay;  assessor,  H.  B.  AYilson;  marshal.  David  Kemp. 
Some  new  sewers  were  laid  this  year.  One  of  the  most  important 
acts  of  this  board  was  the  issuing  of  $25,000  bonds  for  the  pur- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


558 

pose  of  purchasing  stock  of  the  Red  Wing  & Trenton  Transit 
Company,  which  since  that  date  has  been  an  auxiliary  of  the  city 
council.  Some  of  the  city  bonds  were  this  year  paid  and  de- 
stroyed. The  receipts  from  all  sources  this  year  were  $32,926.08, 
while  the  expenses,  including  the  redemption  of  bonds,  were 
$37,928.2-4.  The  members  of  the  Red  Wing  & Trenton  Transit 
Company  this  year  approved  by  the  city  council  were:  T.  K. 
Simmons,  T.  B.  Sheldon,  Jesse  Mclntire,  D.  C.  Hill,  E.  L.  Baker 
and  C.  Co  gel. 

1878- 79 — The  city  was  divided  into  four  wards  and  two  aider- 
men  elected  from  each  ward,  foun  to  serve  one  term  and  four 
to  serve  two  terms.  The  officers  were:  Mayor,  J.  M.  Hodgman; 
recorder,  Phil.  Skillman  ; attorney,  Frank  M.  Wilson;  treasurer, 
A.  AY.  Pratt;  constable,  Stiles  Raymond;  assessor,  Fred  Joss; 
marshal,  David  Kemp ; street  commissioner  and  health  officer, 
W.  AY.  DeKay;  councilmen,  T.  K.  Simmons  and  M.  Kappel  in  the 
first  ward,  Fred  Seebach  and  John  AVoodcock  in  the  second  ward, 
Jared  Sexton  and  John  Seastrand  in  the  third  ward,  Jesse  Mcln- 
tire  and  N.  0.  Werner  in  the  fourth  ward.  The  first  named  coun- 
cilman in  each  ward  was  elected  for  the  term  of  two  years.  Will- 
iam Llewellyn  was  named  as  sexton  of  the  cemetery.  On  April 
27  of  this  year  the  bonds  of  the  city  were  officially  delivered  to 
the  First  National  Bank  for  the  benefit  of  the  Red  Wing  & Tren- 
ton Transit  Company.  A committee  was  appointed  to  tender  a 
reception  to  President  Hayes  on  Sept.  9.  The  fire  officers  this 
year  were : Chief  engineer,  B.  C.  Stephens ; first  assistant,  J.  S. 
Scliroeder ; second  assistant,  Swante  Anderson ; secretary,  Tams 
Bixby;  treasurer,  T.  J.  Clark.  AVilliam  Danford  was  appointed 
city  engineer.  The  Minnesota  Central  railroad  appeared  before 
the  board  and  asked  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $50,000  for  assistance 
in  constructing  a line  to  Mankato  via  Cannon  Falls.  The  matter 
was  referred  to  a special  meeting  of  the  voters. 

1879- 80 — J.  M.  Hodgman  succeeded  himself  as  mayor  and  the 
four  new  aldermen  were : M.  Kappel,  John  AYoodcock,  A.  See- 
back  and  N.  O.  AYerner.  Philip  Skillman  was  recorder,  O.  L. 
AYestergaard  constable,  Christopher  Graham  and  C.  Phillips  jus- 
tices, T.  B.  Sheldon  street  commissioner,  John  Seastrand  mar- 
shal and  health  officer,  and  F.  M.  AYilson  attorney.  On  May  13, 
1879,  a vote  was  taken  on  the  matter  of  issuing  $50,000  bonds 
for  assisting  in  the  constructing  of  a railroad  from  Red  Wing  to 
Mankato  via  Cannon  Falls.  The  vote  was  682  to  128,  making  a 
majority  of  554  in  favor  of  the  proposition.  It  might  here  be 
noted,  however,  that  the  bonds  under  this  vote  were  never  issued. 
A few  years  later  bonds  were  again  voted  for  the  same  purpose 
and  resulted  in  the  building  of  the  line.  License  this  year  was 


HISTORY  OS’  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


559 


placed  at  $100.  According  to  the  minutes  there  was  some  dispute 
this  year  as  to  which  lot  in  the  cemetery  had  been  purchased  by 
the.  family  of  C.  Pelirson.  Two  bodies  which  the  family  buried  in 
a certain  lot  were  removed  without  the  knowledge  of  the  family 
and  the  lot  sold  to  L.  F.  Hubbard.  The  investigation  which  en- 
sued Avas  one  of  the  sensations  of  the  year  and  resulted  in  better 
conditions  at  the  cemetery,  the  sexton  being  dismissed.  Later  in 
the  year  George  AY.  Humphrey  wras  named  as  sexton.  The  police- 
men this  year  Avere  Z.  T.  Burnell,  F.  Rembolt,  J.  A.  AYestby  and 
Timothy  McCue.  The  latter’s  place  was  taken  after  several 
months  by  John  Schroeder.  AYilliam  Danford  Avas  city  engineer 
this  year  and  James  Day  conducted  the  ferry.  A committee  Avas 
appointed  to  again  take  up  the  offer  of  Dr.  AY . AY.  SAveney  to 
donate  Barn  Bluff  to  the  city  as  a park.  The  fire  officers  as  re- 
ported to  the  board  were:  Chief,  B.  C.  Stephens;  first  assistant, 
John  Kuhn;  second  assistant,  James  Day;  secretary,  Tams  Bixby; 
treasurer,  T.  J.  Clark.  A section  of  sewer  Avas  built  and  much 
work  Avas  done  on  the  streets  by  reason  of  bad  washouts  at 
various  points.  A franchise  Avas  granted  the  Nortlnvestern  Tele- 
phone Exchange  January  28,  1880. 

1880-81 — AY.  E.  Hawkins  started  his  tAvo  years  ’ term  as  mayor. 
The  neAv  aldermen  Avere  YVilliam  Busch,  Robert  L.  Berglund, 
Frank  B.  Howe  and  Henry  C.  Hodgman.  George  P.  Sjoblora  Avas 
treasurer,  D.  M.  BaldAvin  constable,  Philip  Skillman  recorder, 

F.  M.  AYilson  attorney,  John  Seastrand  marshal,  C.  C.  AYebster 
assessor,  B.  C.  Stephens  street  commissioner  and  health  officer. 

G.  AAA  Humphrey  Avas  appointed  sexton  of  the  cemetery.  AA7.  AY. 
Sweney  became  health  officer  in  place  of  B.  C.  Stephens,  resigned. 
The  liquor  license  was  placed  at  $300.  O.  K.  Simmons  Avas  given 
permission  to  remoA'e  clay  from  the  upper  end  of  Third  street. 
The  officers  of  the  fire  company  Avere:'  Chief.  B.  C.  Stephens; 
first  assistant,  John  Kuhn;  second  assistant,  J.  AY.  Day;  secretary, 
Tams  Bixby;  treasurer,  T.  J.  Clark.  The  principal  eArent  of  this 
year  AATas  the  attempt  to  build  a city  hall,  or  at  least  to  purchase 
land  for  same.  The  site  proposed  Avas  a part  of  block  22,  Avhich 
in  time  became  the  actual  site  of  the  city  building.  The  citizens 
agreed  to  assist  in  buying  what  Avas  then  knoAvn  as  the  Green- 
Avood  and  Bentz  property,  the  price  of  the  former  being  $7,500 
and  of  the  latter  $1,100.  Other  sites  Avere  proposed  as  folloAvs : 
The  site  of  Opera  Hall,  owned  by  A.  AAT.  Pratt.  $12.000 ; J.  S. 
Hoard,  block  22,  Fourth  street;  E.  R.  AYeleh,  three  quarters  of 
block  29,  $5,000 ; Thomas  McSorley,  four  lots  on  Plum  street, 
$2,500;  J.  AY.  Luce,  two  lots  in  block  28,  $6,000;  T.  B.  Sheldon, 
northern  part  of  lots  one  and  two,  block  27.  $1.500 ; C.  Cogel, 
corner  of  Alain  and  Broadway,  $10,000;  D.  C.  Hill,  foot  of  Alain 


560 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


street,  free.  The  council  decided  that  the  time  was  not  then  ripe 
for  the  purpose  of  buying  land  or  erecting  a city  hall. 

1881- 82 — TV.  E.  Hawkins  served  his  second  term  as  mayor,  and 
the  new  aldermen  were : M.  Kappel,  Allen  Howe,  Jared  Sexton 
and  C.  Cogel.  Philip  Skillman  was  recorder,  F.  M.  Wilson  at- 
torney, John  Seastrand  marshal,  J.  A.  Webster  constable,  S.  J. 
Hasler  and  Chris.  Graham  justices,  John  Hawkinson  assessor. 
The  police  force  consisted  of  Jacob  TVestby,  Pat  Malloy  and 
Charles  Bolton.  The  Phoenix  Hook  and  Ladder  Company  No.  1, 
a reorganization  of  the  Champion  Fire  Extinguisher  Company, 
filed  its  first  report,  giving  the  following  board  of  officers : Fore- 
man, Tams  Bixby ; first  assistant,  E.  F.  Metton ; second  assistant, 
Peter  0.  Johnson;  secretary,  A.  IT.  Boxrud;  treasurer,  Swante 
Anderson ; steward,  O.  0.  Lovgren.  The  Mutual  Union  Tele- 
phone Company  was  given  a franchise  August  20,  1881.  The 
streets  were  ordered  numbered  throughout  the  city.  At  the  meet- 
ing held  September  21,  1881,  word  came  that  Garfield  had  been 
assassinated  and  September  26  was  appointed  as  a day  of  mourn- 
ing in  the  city.  The  fire  department  officers  this' year  were:  Chief 
engineer,  B.  C.  Stephens;  first  assistant,  George  Hawkins;  second 
assistant,  J.  W.  Day;  secretary,  TV-  S.  Scott;  treasurer,  T.  J. 
Clark.  During  the  term  C.  Cogel  resigned  as  alderman  from  the 
fourth  ward  and  his  place  was  taken  by  William  Robson. 

1882- 83 — S.  B.  Foot  became  mayor  and  the  new  aldermen 
were : T.  K.  Simmons,  William  Bevers,  George  Diepenbrock  and 
William  Robson.  Jesse  Mclntire  was  elected  to  fill  a one-year 
term  from  the  fourth  ward.  John  Hawkins  was  treasurer,  D.  M. 
Baldwin  constable,  F.  A.  Cole  assessor,  John  Seastrand  marshal, 
W.  C.  Williston  attorney,  C.  F.  Peterson  street  commissioner. 
IT.  B.  Wilson  surveyor,  George  W.  Humphrey  sexton  of  cemetery, 
John  Seastrand  health  officer  (in  place  of  TV.  W.  Sweney,  re- 
signed). On  June  26,  1882,  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $50,000  were 
voted  to  the  Minnesota  Central  railroad  by  a vote  of  660  to  136. 
Bonds  to  the  same  amount  and  for  the  same  purpose  had  been 
voted  several  years  previous,  but  had  never  been  called  for  by 
the  railroad  to  which  they  were  voted.  With  the  reorganization 
of  the  railroad  company  and  the  determination  to  get  trains 
running  from  Red  Wing  to  Mankato  as  soon  as  possible,  it  was 
decided  by  the  voters  to  give  the  reorganizers  the  same  assistance 
that  they  had  previously  proposed  to  the  original  company.  The 
franchise  granted  to  the  Northwestern  Telephone  Exchange  in 
1880  was  nullified  and  a new  franchise  granted.  The  fire  depart- 
ment officers  this  year  were : Chief  engineer,  John  Kuhn  (in  place 
of  TI.  A.  Parks,  who  refused  to  serve)  ; first  assistant,  F.  B.  Howe ; 
second  assistant,  Ira  Fulton ; secretary,  TV.  S.  Scott ; treasurer, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


561 


T.  J.  Clark.  A committee  was  appointed,  to  investigate  the  fire 
which  destroyed  the  property  of  the  Red  Wing  Milling  Company, 
on  the  levee.  FI.  B.  Wilson,  F.  B.  Howe,  W.  E.  Hawkins,  D.  Dens- 
more  and  Andrew  Danielson  were  appointed  a committee  to  con- 
sider the  matter  of  a complete  Avater  works  system  for  the  city. 

1883- 84 — F.  B.  Howe  began  an  administration  as  mayor  which 
Avas  designed  to  be  one  of  the  most  important  in  the  history  of 
the  city.  The  new  aldermen  Avere : A.  Seebach,  R.  II.  Boxrud,  G. 
A.  Carlson,  J.  S.  McCart.  The  other  officers  were : Treasurer, 
John  IJaAvkanson ; justices,  C.  Graham  and  0.  D.  Anderson ; con- 
stable, J.  II.  AATebster;  recorder,  0.  M.  Hall;  attorney  AY.  C.  Wil- 
liston;  marshal,  AY.  W.  DeKav;  surveyor,  II.  B.  AAdlson ; sexton  of 
cemetery,  G.  AY.  Humphrey.  The  police  this  year  Avere  Charles 
P.  Battan,  P.  Malloy,  E.  II.  Meyers  and  John  Seastrand.  On 
July  2,  1883,  the  city  Anted  $35,000  bonds  for  a Avater  works  sys- 
tem. II.  E.  Harrison  of  Stillwater  was  appointed  to  prepare  the 
plan  for  the  system.  The  city  Anted-  $500  to  the  sufferers  of  the 
recent  disaster  at  Rochester.  The  officers  of  the  fire  department 
were:  Chief  engineer,  John  Kuhn;  first  assistant,  J.  II.  AATebster; 
second  assistant,  E.  S.  Hudson;  secretary,  AAU  S.  Scott;  treasurer, 
I.  J.  Clark. 

1884- 85 — This  year.  Avitli  F.  B.  IIoavc  as  mayor,  the  first  A\rater 
board  Avas  elected,  the  board  of  health  established,  the  fire  de- 
partment reorganized,  plans  made  for  a sewerage  system,  a fire 
alarm  system  recommended,  and  the  price  of  licenses  raised. 
The  aldermen  elected  Avere : John  Hack,  C.  N.  Akers,  N.  J.  IFolm- 
berg  and  YYilliam  Robson.  Other  officers  Avere:  Treasurer,  L.  C. 
Smith;  constables,  D.  M.  Baldwin  and  I.  E.  Anderson;  recorder, 
S.  J.  Willard ; attorney,  YY.  C.  Williston ; surveyor,  William  Dan- 
forth ; marshal.  John  Seastrand;  street  commissioner,  C.  F.  Peter- 
son ; sexton  of  cemetery,  G.  AY.  Humphrey.  The  policemen  were 
C.  Battan,  AY.  W.  DeKay,  P.  Malloy  and  C.  II.  Meyer.  The  lat- 
ter was  removed.  The  liquor  license  Avas  raised  from  $300  to  $500 
while  the  beer  license  was  placed  at  $250.  F.  A.  Cole  Avas  ap- 
pointed assessor.  E.  II.  Blodgett  took  the  place  of  T.  S.  McCart 
(resigned)  on  the  council  and  S.  J.  Easier  took  the  place  of  O.  D. 
Anderson  as  a justice  of  the  peace.  In  a letter  addressed  to  the 
council,  Mayor  IIoAve  pointed  out  that  the  installation  of  the 
Avater  system  necessitated  the  construction  of  a seAverage  system. 
At  this  time  the  various  sewers  which  had  been  constructed  Avere 
for  the  purposes  of  surface  drainage  only  and  not  for  domestic 
sanitation.  Mayor  Howe  also  advised  the  reorganization  of  the 
fire  department  and  the  installation  of  a fire  alarm  system.  These 
recommendations  met  with  general  favor.  March  25,  1885, 
Samuel  Rockwell  Avas  asked  to  prepare  a plan  for  a sewerage  sys- 


562 


HI  ST  OK  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


tem.  March  6,  1885,  the  lire  department,  which  has  been  or- 
ganized since  1858,  was  reorganized.  No  company  was  to  have 
more  than  fifteen  or  less  than  ten  members  and  the  chief  and 
assistant  chief  were  to  be  appointed  by  the  council.  Each  ward 
was  to  have  one  company,  as  follows : First  ward,  Cataract  Hose 
Company ; second  ward,  Athletic  Hose  Company ; third  ward,  Red 
Wing  Hose  Company;  fourth  ward,  LaGrange  Ilose  Company. 
The  hook  and  ladder  company  was  to  be  called  the  Phoenix  Hook 
and  Ladder  Company.  The  board  of  health  named  this  year  con- 
sisted of  Dr.  13.  Jaelmig,  AAA  AAA  DeKay  and  J.  W.  Delano.  The 
new  water  board  consisted  of  Fred  Buch,  T.  Iv.  Simmons,  William 
Robson,  F.  W.  Hoyt,  F.  B.  Howe  and  Daniel  Densmore. 

1885- 86 — F.  B.  Howe  remained  mayor  and  the  important  work 
inaugurated  under  his  administration  was  continued.  The  new 
aldermen  were:  Ernest  Reliefer,  AAA  II.  Putnam,  G.  A.  Carlson  and 
E.  PI.  Blodgett.  The’ other  officers  were:  Treasurer,  John  Haw- 
kanson ; justices  of  the  peace,  Chris.  Graham  and  S.  J.  Hasler ; 
attorney,  AY.  C.  AVilliston;  surveyor,  IP.  B.  Wilson;  marshal, 
John  Seastrand;  street  commissioner,  AYilliam  Llewellyn;  sexton 
of  cemetery,  J.  AY.  Humphrey;  assessor,  F.  A.  Cole.  The  police- 
men appointed  Avere  AY.  AY.. DeKay,  Charles  Battan,  E.  F.  Grow 
and  P.  Malloy.  C.  J.  Kempe  was  made  chief  of  the  fire  depart- 
ment and  John  IP.  AYebster  the  assistant.  The  water  works  sys- 
tem was  accepted  from  the  contractors  May  22,  1885.  A com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  encourage  legislation  toward  locating 
the  reform  school  in  or  near  this  city.  The  old  Red  Wing  Hose 
Company  No.  1,  which,  under  the  reorganization  of  the  fire  de- 
partment, had  refused  to  take  the  name  Red  Wing  Hose  Company 
of  ward  No.  3,  disbanded  and  its  place  in  the  third  ward  was 
taken  by  the  German  Ilose  Company.  July  20,  1885,  Samuel 
Rockwell  of  St.  Paul  Avas  engaged  to  outline  and  map  out  a 
sewerage  system  for  the  city  at  a compensation  of  $800.  This 
Avas  done  and  work  on  the  system  AA’as  soon  afterward  started. 
July  20,  1885,  AAA  A.  Potter  was  made  superintendent  of  the 
AvaterAvorks.  In  August  PA  M.  AYilson,  AAA  II.  Putnam,  J.  C. 
Hawes,  G.  A.  Carlson  and  S.  J.  AYillard  were  appointed  a com- 
mittee to  attend  the  waterways  convention  in  St.  Paul.  January 
8,  1886,  a fire  alarm  system  was  installed,  with  J.  L.  Hastings  in 
charge.  March  15,  1886,  the  Red  AAAng  board  of  trade — the  first 
mention  of  such  an  organization — Avas  granted  the  use  of  the 
council  chambers. 

1886- 87— This  term  marks  the  purchase  of  the  land  upon 
which  the  city  hall  is  noAv  located.  AY.  E.  Hawkins  was  the  mayor 
and  the  new  aldermen  were  John  Hack,  G.  M.  Harlow,  P.  Gates 
and  W.  F.  Cross.  John  ITawkanson  was  treasurer,  C.  C.  Johnson 


HI  ST  OK  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


563 


constable,  S.  J.  Willard  recorder,  W.  C.  Williston  attorney,  Wil- 
liam Danfortk  city  surveyor,  John  Seastrand  city  marshal,  Will- 
iam Llewellyn  street  commissioner,  F.  A.  Cole  assessor.  The 
policemen  were  Charles  B.  Battan,  E.  F.  Grow,  C.  A.  Baldwin 
and  AY.  W.  DeKay.  A.  D.  Hoyt  was  appointed  justice  in  place  of 
S.  J.  Hasler,  resigned.  The  council  moved  into  the  room  at  the 
corner  of  Bush  and  Third  streets,  over  the  store  now  occupied  by 
the  Beckm'ark  Shoe  Company,  The  AY.  E.  Hawkins  Hose  Com- 
pany was  organized,  its  avowed  object  being,  however,  Uot  the 
extinguishing  of  fires,  from  which  they  were  to  be  excused,  but 
merely  the  participation  hi  certain  athletic  events  as  firemen. 
October  27,  1886,  the  Duluth,  Red  Wing  and  Southern  was  in- 
corporated. Two  electric  light  companies  appeared  asking  per- 
mission to  erect  poles  and  maintain  a system.  F.  M.  Wilson  urged 
the  claims  of  John  Collicott  of  the  New  London  Electric  Light 
Company,  while  J.  L.  Hastings  worked  in  behalf  of  the  Western 
Electric  Company.  This  agitation  resulted  in  the  franchise  by 
which,  under  certain  conditions,  any  electric  company  has  a right 
to  operate  in  the  city.  The  new  high  school  building  was  com- 
pleted January  14,  1887.  The  city  this  year  received  $105  into 
its  treasury  that  was  entirely  unexpected,  that  sum  being  re- 
turned out  of  the  amount  that  had  been  donated  for  the  cyclone 
sufferers  in  Rochester  and  elsewhere.  AY.  A.  Potter  was  made 
superintendent  of  the  water  works,  and  George  AAr.  Humphry  was 
appointed  sexton  of  the  cemetery.  C.  J.  Kempe  and  J.  H.  AYeb- 
ster  were  continued  as  chief  and  assistant  chief  of  the  fire  de- 
partment. The  question  of  land  for  a future  city  hall  again 
coming  up,  two  sites  were  proposed,  the  one  at  the  corner  of 
Third  and  Broad  and  the  other  the  present  site  of  the  city  hall. 
After  considerable  negotiation  and,  incidentally,  a flaw  in  the 
title,  the  northerly  half  of  block  22  was  purchased  from  H.  B. 
Baldwin  for  $5,400.  which  was  pai'd  February  4,  1887.  A small 
tract  owned  by  George  Bentz  was  purchased  by  private  indi- 
viduals at  a cost  of  $800  and  presented  to  the  city,  thus  com- 
pleting the  title  to  the  entire  half  of  the  block.  February  4, 
1887,  the  council  accepted  the  changes  which  the  legislature  had 
made  in  the  city  charter. 

1887-88 — W.  E.  Hawkins  was  elected  mayor  and  the  new  al- 
dermen were  M.  S.  Chandler,  John  Friedrich,  Andrew  Ellingson, 
B.  A.  Olson  and  L.  C.  Smith.  G.  A.  Carlson  received  an  equal 
number  of  votes  with  B.  A.  Olson  but,  lots  being  cast.  Mr.  Olson 
was  given  the  seat  in  the  council.  John  ILawkanson  was  elected 
treasurer,  and  C.  Graham  and  A.  D.  Hoyt  justices  of  the  peace. 
Upon  the  organization  of  the  council  (under  the  new  charter)  M. 
S.  Chandler  was  elected  president  and  AY.  F.  Cross  vice  president. 


564 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


S.  J.  Willard  was  appointed  clerk  for  two  years  and  W.  C.  Willis- 
ton  city  attorney  for  a similar  period.  William  Danforth  was 
appointed  city  engineer  and  AV.  A.  Potter  superintendent  of  the 
water  works.  John  Seastrand  was  made  chief  of  police  (the  first 
in  Red  Wing  to  bear  that  title),  Charles  B.  Battan  was  named  as 
assistant  and  the  police  force  consisted  of  E.  F.  Grow  and  C.  A. 
Baldwin.  William  Llewellyn  was  named  as  street  commissioner 
and  George  W.  Humphrey  as  sexton  of  the  cemetery.  J.  H. 
Webster  was  chief  of  the  fire  department  and  E.  D.  Morris  his 
assistant.  March  17,  1887,  the  city  board  voted  to  participate 
in  the  celebration  of  the  independence  of  Norway.  The  question 
of  locating  the  state  reform  school  here  again  came  up  and  a 
committee  appointed  to  consider  the  matter  consisted  of  F.  B. 
Howe,  E.  H.  Blodgett,  J.  C.  Pierce,  G.  A.  Carlson,  W.  F.  Cross, 
Tams  Bixby  and  0.  M.  Ilall.  June  8,  1887,  the  Globe  Electric 
Light  Company  asked  permission  to  operate  in  the  city.  July  28 
the  company  asked  permission  to  operate  a plant.  July  18,  1887, 
this  company  was  given  a contract  for  lighting  the  city  with 
electricity.  June  13,  1887,  by  a vote  of  652  to  92,  bonds  to  the 
amount  of  $50,000  were  voted  to  the  Red  Wing  and  Iowa  Railroad 
Company,  Duluth,  Red  Wing  and  Southern  Company,  which  pro- 
posed to  build  a line  southerly  from  this  city.  An  ordinance  was 
passed  ordering  the  houses  numbered.  John  Friedrich  died 
October  12,  1887,  and  his  place  on  the  council  was  taken  by  A. 
Remmler.  C.  C.  Hawes  was  named  as  assessor  and  Dr.  B.  Jaehnig 
was  named  as  a member  of  the  board  of  health. 

1888- 89 — Little  of  importance  transpired  this  year.  The  new 
aldermen  were  John  Hack,  George  M.  Harlow,  Peter  M.  Luft  and 
John  II.  Rich.  At  the  organization  of  the  council  M.  S.  Chandler 
was  named  as  president  and  John  Hack  as  vice  president.  P.  J. 
Lundquist  and  D.  M.  Baldwin  were  elected  constables.  The 
police  force  consisted  of  John  Seastrand,  chief ; Charles  B.  Bat- 
tan,  assistant ; C.  A.  Baldwin  and  E.  F.  Grow.  AVilliam  Llewellyn 
was  street  commissioner  and  William  Danforth  city  engineer. 
J.  V.  Anderson  and  B.  Jaehnig  were  named  as  members  of  the 
board  of  health.  The  Red  Wing  Gas  Company,  which  in  the 
meantime  had  changed  its  name  to  the  Red  Wing  Gas  & Electric 
Light  Company,  was  awarded  the  contract  for  lighting  the  streets 
with  electricity,  October  5,  188&. 

1889- 90 — During  this  administration  a more  economical  man- 
agement of  city  affairs  was  instituted.  F.  B.  Howe  was  elected 
mayor,  C.  C.  Graham  and  A.  D.  Hoyt  justices,  C.  E.  Friedrich,  A. 
Remmler,  Andrew  Ellingson,  G.  A.  Carlson  and  L.  C.  Smith  aider- 
men.  At  the  organization  of  the  council  John  FI.  Rich  was  elected 
president  and  G.  M.  Harlow  vice  president.  S.  J.  Willard  was  ap- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


565 


pointed  recorder  and  W.  C.  Williston  attorney.  Louis  P.  Wolff 
became  city  engineer,  William  Llewellyn  street  commissioner 
and  Herman  Hanisch  sexton  of  the  cemetery.  Since  that  date 
Mr.  Hanisch  has  continued  to  serve.  The  police  force  this  year 
consisted  of  John  Seastrand  (chief),  Charles  B.  Battan  and  Nels 
Luft.  E.  D.  Morris  Avas  chief  of  the  fire  department  and  P.  T. 
Hickman  assistant.  At  the  death  of  A.  D.  Hoyt,  F.  Joss  was 
named  as  justice.  The  old  engine  house,  standing  about  Avhere 
the  First  National  Bank  is  noAV  located.  Avas  removed  to  the  ucav 
city  property  and  the  location  sold  to  Matt  Anderson.  A build- 
ing fund  of  $2,000  Avas  established,  with  a AueAv  to  erecting  a 
city  hall  in  future  years.  F.  Joss  died  April  4,  1890,  making  the 
second  ATacancy  in  the  office  of  justice  to  occur  during  the  year. 
George  IT.  Diepenbrock  Avas  appointed  in  his  place  and  has  since 
continued  to  serve.  The  assessor  appointed  this  year  Avas  J.  C. 
Howes. 

1890- 91 — The  neAvly  elected  aldermen  this  year  Avere  John 
Hack,  J.  F.  Oliva,  William  Hendel  and  George  Cook.  The  con- 
stables elected  were  P.  J.  Lundquist  and  F.  H.  Stevens.  At  the 
organization  of  the  board  G.  A.  Carlson  Avas  elected  president 
and  L.  C.  Smith  Auce  president.  The  police  force  consisted  of 
John  Seastrand  (chief),  Charles  B.  Battan  and  Nels  Luft.  It  Avas 
during  this  administration  that  a government  building  for  this 
city  was  advocated.  The  chief  city  engineer  this  year  Avas  Louis 
P.  Wolff  and  the  street  commissioner  was  William  Llewellyn. 
May  9.  1890,  memorial  resolutions  were  passed  on  the  death  of 
T.  K.  Simmons.  The  disaster  on  Lake  Pepin.  July  14.  1890.  ne- 
cessitated many  extra  sessions  of  the  board.  Upon  the  resigna- 
tion of  E.  D.  Morris  as  chief  engineer  of  the  fire  department, 
August  1.  1890,  John  IT.  Webster  Avas  named  in  his  place.  Mayor 
Howe  resigned  from  Middlesborough,  Kentucky,  September  29. 
1890,  and  AY.  H.  Putnam  Avas  made  mayor  November  7,  1890. 

F.  M.  Wilson  became  city  attorney  in  place  of  W.  C.  Williston. 
resigned.  February  18,  1891,  a delegation  consisting  of  the  legis- 
lative committee  on  the  state  reform  school,  the  managers, 
superintendent,  GoA^ernor  W.  R.  Merriam  and  others,  came  to 
Red  Wing  and  looked  OATer  the  proposed  site  of  the  state  reform 
school.  A committee  of  ladies  consisting  of  Airs.  S.  B.  Foot.  Airs. 

G.  R.  Sterling,  E.  T.  HoAvard  and  Airs.  E.  H.  Hoard  this  year  se- 
cured an  appropriation  for  conducting  a city  hospital  in  the 
building  which  the  county  commissioners  had  vacated  after  using 
same  for  hospital  purposes.  In  Aracating  the  place  the  county 
commissioners  turned  the  furniture  and  equipment  over  to  the 
city. 

1891- 92 — W.  IT.  Putnam  was  elected  mayor  to  succeed  him- 


566 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


self.  The  new  aldermen  were  M.  S.  Chandler,  C.  E.  Friedrich, 
J.  C.  Seeback,  G.  A.  Carlson  and  C.  A.  Betcher.  N.  K.  Simmons 
was  elected  treasurer  and  Ch.  Graham  and  G.  II.  Diepeubroclt 
justices.  This  year  marks  the  recording  of  the  first  city  election 
of  a board  of  education.  The  board  consisted  of  E.  IT.  Blodgett, 
II.  S.  Rich.  D.  C.  Hill,  F.  J.  Linnej  A.  J.  Meacham,  Peter  Kempe 
and  A.  II.  Boxrud.  G.  A.  Carlson,  at  the  organization  of  the 
council,  was  made  president  and  William  Hendel  vice  president. 
S.  J.  Willard  was  appointed  clerk,  F.  M.  Wilson  city  attorney, 
Louis  P.  Wolff  city  engineer;  P.  J.  Lundquist  was  the  chief  of 
police  and  the  force  consisted  of  Charles  B.  Battan  and  Andrew 
Gunderson.  J.  II.  Webster  was  chief  of  the  fire  department  and 
C.  W.  Melander  his  assistant.  D.  M.  Baldwin  was  named  as  con- 
stable in  place  of  P.  J.  Lundquist,  resigned.  January  5,  1891, 
resolutions  were  passed  on  the  death  of  C.  Graham,  and  A.  L. 
Clum  was  appointed  in  his  place.  The  application  for  a franchise 
by  the  Red  Wing  Street  Railroad  Company  and  the  Red  Wing 
Telephone  Company  were  both  considered  this  year.  In  March, 
1892,  the  question  of  a public  library  was  brought  before  the 
board. 

1892- 93 — The  aldermen  elected  this  year  were : II.  L.  McKins- 
trv,  E.  II.  ’Druse,  J.  P.  Patterson  and  N.  Akenson.  John  Sea- 
strand  and  C.  AY.  Lee  were  elected  constables.  Bonds  for  the 
school  district  to  the  amount  of  $12,000  were  carried  by  a vote  of 
543  to  126.  At  the  organization  of  the  council  M.  S.  Chandler 
was  made  president  and  C.  E.  Friedrich  vice  president.  The 
police  force  consisted  of  P.  J.  Lundquist  (chief),  Charles  B.  Bat- 
tan,  Andrew  Gunderson  and  Frank  A.  Carlson.  A franchise  was 
granted  a new  telephone  company,  those  interested  being  J.  L. 
Hastings,  A.  P.  Pierce,  N.  K.  Simmons,  T.  B.  Sheldon  and  G.  R. 
Sterling.  The  library  question  came  up  for  consideration  this 
year.  November  11,  1892,  the  city  voted  on  the  question  of 
issuing  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $15,000  for  city  improvements. 
The  proposition  was  defeated  by  a vote  of  613  to  449. 

1893- 94 — This  was  the  year  of  starting  the  building  of  the 
bridge  across  the  Mississippi.  A.  P.  Pierce  was  elected  mayor, 
N.  K.  Simmons  treasurer,  S.  D.  Tandy  and  G.  IT.  Diepenbrock 
justices,  and  E.  II.  Druse,  William  Mendel,  D.  II.  Tandy.  Ed. 
Johnson  (to  fill. vacancy),  Charles  A.  Erickson  and  B.  F.  Seiz. 
At  the  organization  of  the  council  E.  IT.  Druse  was  elected  presi- 
dent, Charles  A.  Erickson  vice  president  and  J.  IT.  Diepenbrock 
clerk.  J.  C.  McClure  was  appointed  city  attorney,  Peter  M.  Luft 
street  commissioner  and  Louis  P.  AYolff  city  engineer.  The  police 
force  consisted  of  Charles  B.  Battan  (chief),  Andrew  Gunder- 
son, Frank  A.  Carlson,  John  Jansen  and  C.  P.  Belin.  John  H. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


567 


Webster  was  chief  .of  the  tire  department  and  C.  W.  Melander 
the  assistant.  Three  lots  were  set  aside  at  the  cemetery  for  the 
burial  of  the  sons  and  daughters  Of  civil  war  veterans.  October 
20,  1893,  the  bridge  question  came  up  for  'discussion ; bonds  for 
the  purpose  were  voted  February  9,  1894,  by  a ballot  of  1,352  to 
286.  Bids  were  received  April  26,  1894. 

1894- 95 — The  four  new  aldermen  this  year  received  a unani- 
mous election.  They  were : H.  L.  Mc-Kinstry,  Ed.  Johnson,  J.  P. 
Patterson  and  E.  PI.  Hoard.  The  constables  elected  AA-ere  P.  J. 
Lundquist  and  John  Seastrand.  At  the  organization  of  the  coun- 
cil, after  a number  of  ballots  at  the  first  meeting  of  the  city 
council,  D.  H.  Tandy  Avas  named  as  president,  B.  F.  Seiz  Arice 
president,  P.  M.  Luft  street  commissioner  and  L.  P.  Wolff  city 
engineer.  C.  A.  Erickson  Avas  made  chairman  of  the  bridge 
committee.  The  contract  for  the  sub-structure  of  the  neAv  bridge 
Avas  let  to  D.  D.  Smith  May  4,  1894.  The  mayor  appointed  Charles 
B.  Battan  as  chief  of  police  and  Andrew  Gunderson,  G.  H.  Ben- 
ton, John  Jansen  and  Andrew  Krai  as  members  of  the  force. 
May  11,  1894,  a franchise  was  granted  the  NortliAvestern  Tele- 
phone Company.  The  council  moved  its  headquarters  from  the 
corner  of  Third  and  Bush  streets  to  the  Lyons  building,  corner 
Third  and  Plum,  so  called,  May  29,  1894.  The  ordinance  in  re- 
gard to  the  building  of  the  high  bridge  across  the  Mississippi  and 
the  issuing  of  bonds  for  that  purpose  Avas  passed.  During  this 
term  the  building  of  the  bridge,  the  buying  of  land  and  the  let- 
ting of  contracts  occupied  much  of  the  time  of  the  council. 
August  10,  1894,  the  contract  for  building  the  superstructure 
was  given  to  the  Toledo  Bridge  Company.  An  appropriation  of 
$500  Avas  made  for  the  sufferers  from  the  Hinckley  fire.  George 
Hawkins  and  John  F.  Kayser  were  appointed  toll  gatherers  for 
the  new  bridge. 

1895- 96 — A.  P.  Pierce  AA7as  elected  mayor,  N.  K.  Simmons  treas- 
urer, D.  S.  Tandy  and  G.  IT.  Diepenbrock  justices  of  the  peace. 
The  aldermen  elected  Avere  Fred  Seebach.  A.  G.  Skoglund,  C.  A. 
Erickson,  B.  F.  Seiz  and  A.  Remmler.  George  Solberg  Avas  named 
as  toll  keeper  in  place  of  George  Hawkins,  resigned.  Benjamin 
W ay,  R.  J.  Reed  and  Allen  Adams  and  their  families  Avere  granted 
perpetual  free  passage  across  the  bridge.  At  the  organization 
of  the  council  C.  A.  Erickson  Avas  elected  president  and  H.  L. 
McKinstry  Auce  president.  P.  M.  Luft  was  named  street  com- 
missioner and  L.  P.  Wolff  city  engineer.  John  H.  Webster  Avas 
appointed  chief  of  the  fire  department  and  Charles  J.  Weieh  as- 
sistant. The  new  bridge  Avas  accepted  May  10.  1895.  May  29 
records  the  appointment  of  a deputy  city  clerk,  Mrs.  W.  E.  Tay- 
lor, at  a salary  of  $100.  Frank  CoAvell  and  family  Avere  granted 


568 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


free  passage  across  the  bridge.  L.  P.  Wolff  was  elected  city  as- 
sessor. 

1896- 97 — The  officers  elected  this  year  were : Aldermen,  M. 
Kappel,  Ed.  -Johnson,-  C.  A.  Carlson  and  E.  J.  Hoard ; constables, 
John  Seastrand  and  1).  M.  Baldwin.  At  the  organization  of  the 
council  B.  F.  Seiz  was  named  as  president  and  Fred  Seebach 
vice  president.  P.  J.  Peterson  was  elected  street  commissioner 
and  L.  I5.  Wolff  city  engineer.  May  15,  1896,  the  North  Ameri- 
can Telegraph  Company  was  granted  a franchise.  This  year  was 
largely  occupied  with  sewer  and  street  matters. 

1897- 98 — A.  P.  Pierce  was  elected  mayor,  J.  II.  Friedrich,  Otto 
A.  Remmler,  A.  G.  Skoglund,  W.  C.  Hawkins  and  B.  F.  Seiz  aider- 
men,  J.  II.  Friedrich  treasurer,  G.  H.  Diepenbrock  and  G.  E. 
Erickson  justices  of  the  peace.  The  vote  on  issuing  bonds  to  the 
amount  of  $15,000  for  an  addition  and  heating  plant  to  the  high 
school  was  452  to  222  in  favor  of  the  project.  At  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  council  Fred  Seebach  was  elected  president  and  E.  H. 
Hoard  vice  president.  -J.  C.  McClure  was  named  as  city  attorney 
and  P.  J.  Peterson  as  street  commissioner.  Dr.  B.  Jaehnig  was 
appointed  city  physician,  F.  II.  Davis  was  appointed  chief  of 
police  and  the  force  consisted  of  C.  P.  Belin,  John  Jansen,  Ole 
Gunderson  and  John  Peterson.  A franchise  was  granted  the 
Union  Electric  Telephone  Company.  During  the  year  the  matter 
of  ejecting  an  armory  on  the  present  site  of  the  city  hall  was 
seriously  considered.  February  11,  1898,  a committee  reported 
that  plans  had  been  drawn  for  erecting  a building  for  a city  hall, 
offices,  public  library  and  armory  at  a cost  of  $15,200  and  recom- 
mended that  the  city  issue  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $15,000  for 
the  purpose.  J.  C.  Hawes  was  elected  assessor. 

1898- 99 — M.  Kappel,  N.  Tufvesson,  Peter  Thompson  and  John 
A.  Rehder  were  elected  aldermen,  John  Seastrand  and  C.  W.  Ives 
constables.  The  proposition  to  issue  bonds  for  the  purpose  of 
erecting  a public  building  was  defeated  by  a vote  of  533  to  391. 
At  the  organization  of  the  council  B.  F.  Seiz  was  elected  president 
and  M.  Kappel  vice  president.  Fred  FI.  Davis  was  appointed 
chief  of  police  and  the  force  consisted  of  C.  P.  Belin,  John  Jansen, 
Ole  Gunderson  and  John  Peterson.  P.  J.  Peterson  was  named 
as  street  commissioner,  Dr.  B.  Jaehnig  as  health  officer  and  L.  P. 
Wolff  as  city  engineer.  May  13,  1898,  a franchise  was  granted 
the  Pierce  County  Telephone  Company;  July  1,  1898,  a franchise 
was  granted  H.  L.  Sumption  and  Irving  Todd,  Jr.,  of  Hastings, 
Minn.,  as  the  Red  AVing  Telephone  Company.  September  2,  1898, 
a petition  was  presented  asking  that  a plot  of  ground  be  set 
aside  at  the  head  of  Broadway  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a 
soldiers’  monument.  November  4 a resolution  was  passed  set- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


569 


ting  aside  as  a site  for  a soldiers’  monument  the  southerly  TO 
feet  of  Broad  street  (Broadway). 

T899-1900 — E.  H.  Blodgett  was  elected  mayor,  AY.  C.  Krise, 
Otto  Remmler,  C.  E.  Harrison.  Oscar  Fogelquist  and  Andrew 
Linclgren  aldermen,  L.  C.  Stromberg  treasurer,  G.  H.  Diepenbroek 
and  I.  S.  Kellogg  justices  of  the  peace.  At  the  organization  of 
the  council  M.  Kappel  was  elected  president  and  AY.  C.  Krise 
vice  president.  AY.  E.  Taylor  was  made  clerk,  F.  M.  AYilson  city 
attorney  and  J.  P.  Peterson  street  commissioner.  C.  J.  AYeich 
was  appointed  chief  of  the  fire  department  and  Fred  L.  Rischlag 
assistant.  Dr.  B.  -Jaehnig  was  appointed  city  physician.  June 
16,  1899,  the  council  voted  $250  for  the  relief  of  the  cyclone  suf- 
ferers in  New  Richmond,  AYis.  At  the  request  of  the  Red  AYing 
Business  Men’s  Association,  a license  of  $25  per  month  or  frac- 
tion thereof  was  imposed  upon  all  transient  merchants. 

1900- 01 — The  aldermen  elected  this  year  were  Air.  Kappel. 
N.  Tufvesson.  P.  Thompson  and  J.  A.  Rehder.  John  Seastrand 
and  C.  AY.  Ives  Avere  elected  constables.  Air.  Kappel  Avas  chosen 
as  president  of  the  council  and  AY.  C.  Krise  as  ATice  president. 
George  AY.  ITarloAv  Avas  appointed  street  commissioner.  William 
McKinstry  city  engineer  and  Dr.  B.  Jaehnig  health  officer.  Clar- 
ence AY.  Lee  Avas  appointed  chief  of  police  and  the  force  con- 
sisted of  C.  P.  Belin.  Ole  Gunderson.  John  Jansen  and  John  Peter- 
son. NoA'ember  9.  1900  (amended  April  5,  1901;  Alay  7,  1901)  an 
alley  Avas  vacated  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  the  armory  and 
Alasonic  Hall  on  Plum  street.  No  record  appears  on  the  minutes 
of  the  appointment  of  a fire  chief  this  year. 

1901- 02 — John  II.  Rich  Avas  elected  mayor,  L.  C.  Stromberg 
treasurer,  Ed  Johnson,  C.  E.  Friedrich,  S.  AY.  II.  Haynes,  F.  AY. 
Reichert  and  A.  R.  Brink  aldermen,  G.  II.  Diepenbroek  and  Ira 
S.  Kellogg  justices  of  the  peace.  At  the  organization  of  the  board 
AI.  Kappel  Avas  elected  president  and  N.  TufAresson  Arice  presi- 
dent; James  Daily  Avas  appointed  chief  of  police  and  the  force 
consisted  of  John  Peterson,  John  Jansen,  C.  P.  Belin  and  Carl 
K.  Reekner;  C.  E.  Harrison  AAras  appointed  city  clerk,  F.  AI.  AAdl- 
son  city  attorney,  George  AI.  HarloAv  street  commissioner,  AYilliam 
AIcKinstry  city  engineer  and  Dr.  B.  Jaehnig  health  officer.  C.  J. 
AYeich  Avas  appointed  chief  of  the  fire  department  and  August 
Olson  his  assistant.  June  7,  1901,  a petition  Avas  presented  ask- 
ing that  Broadway  be  graded  and  boulevarded  from  Levee  street 
to  Third  street,  and  that  a triangular  tract  be  set  aside  for  a 
soldiers’  monument.  G.  O.  Aliller  Avas  granted  a franchise  to 
string  wires  on  the  poles  of  the  Northwestern  Telephone  Ex- 
change Company.  Resolutions  Avere  passed  thanking  James 
Lawther  for  his  gift  of  a site,  and  AndreAV  Carnegie  for  his  offer 


570 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


to  build  a library,  apd  agreeing  to  devote  not  less  than  $1,500 
annually  to  the  maintenance  of  the  same.  Mr.  Danforth  was  ap- 
pointed city  assessor.  It  was  this  year  recommended  that  a fire 
department  be  placed  under  the  charge  of  a fire  board  of  five 
members.  The  new  armory  was  formally  opened  December  13, 
1901.  June  23,  1901,  the  Duluth,  Red  Wing  & Southern  was  sold 
to  the  Chicago  Great  Western. 

1902- 03 — The  new  aldermen  this  year  were  M.  Kappel,  N. 
Tufvesson,  Peter  Thompson  and  AY.  J.  Bach.  At  the  organization 
of  the  board,  M.  Kappel  was  made  president  and  N.  Tufvesson, 
vice-president.  George  M.  Harlow  was  appointed  street  commis- 
sioner, and  AYilliam  Danforth,  city  engineer.  James  Daily  was 
made  chief  of  police  and  the  force  consisted  of  John  Jansen,  John 
Peterson,  C.  P.  Belin  and  Carl  K.  Reckner.  Nels  Severson  was 
appointed  policeman  in  place  of  Reckner.  It  was  voted  to 
make  the  annual  library  appropriation  $1,700  instead  of  $1,500. 
March  6,  1903,  a communication  was  received  from  the  trustees 
of  the  T.  B.  Sheldon  estate,  setting  forth  the  conditions  upon 
which  a part  of  the  fund  bequeathed  by  the  late  T.  B.  Sheldon 
would  be  devoted  to  the  building  of  an  Auditorium.  This  matter 
was  referred  to  a committee  of  three  consisting  of  Aldermen 
Freclrich,  Tufvesson  and  Bach.  A.  AY.  Pratt  and  Peter  Nelson 
appeared  before  the  council  as  a committee  from  the  Commercial 
Club,  stating  that  the  trustees  of  the  Sheldon  estate  would  fur- 
nish a site  and  give  $6,000  of  the  Sheldon  Memorial  fund  pro- 
viding the  city  would  raise  enough  to  complete  a city  hall  to  cost 
from  $13,000  to  $15,000.  March  14,  1903,  a resolution  was  passed 
to  accept  the  offer  of  the  proffered  auditorium  from  the  Sheldon 
estate.  March  20,  1903,  the  request  of  the  old  soldiers  to  be  al- 
lowed to  move  the  old  Baptist  church  onto  the  city  property  and 
use  the  same  for  a hall  was  refused.  It  was  also  reported  that  all 
the  Sheldon  estate  would  do  toward  providing  a city  hall  would 
be  to  donate  the  site.  The  question  of  changing  the  location  of 
the  bath  house  on  the  levee  was  taken  up  and  considered.  No- 
vember 16.  1903,  the  now  famous  Civic  League  was  organized. 

1903- 04 — A.  P.  Pierce  was  elected  mayor;  A.  J.  Frenn.  treas- 
urer; G.  II.  Diepenbrock  and  Jared  Sexton,  justices  of  the  peace; 
Hiram  Howe,  O.  Remmler,  S.  D.  Haynes,  F.  AY.  Reichert  and  A. 
R.  Brink,  aldermen.  At  the  organization  of  the  council,  M.  Kap- 
pel Avas  elected  president  and  A.  R.  Brink  vice-president.  James 
Daily  was  appointed  chief  of  police,  and  the  force  consisted  of  C. 
P.  Belin,  John  Jansen,  John  Peterson  and  Nels  Severson.  C.  E. 
Hanson  was  appointed  city  clerk ; George  M.  Ilarlow.  street  com- 
missioner; AYilliam  Danforth.  city  engineer;  D.  M.  AYilson,  city 
attorney.  C.  J.  AYeich  was  appointed  chief  of  the  fire  department 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


571 


ancl  August  Olson,  assistant.  July  15,  1903,  it  was  decided  that 
the  service  of  the  Northwestern  Telephone  Exchange  was  so  poor 
as  to  warrant  the  withdrawal  of  the  right  given  them  to  use  the 
streets  and  alleys  for  their  poles.  Mr.  Danforth  was  elected  city 
assessor.  The  city  purchased  block  50,  on  the  river  bank,  from 
Mrs.  C.  J.  F.  Smith  for  $1,000,  preparatory  to  establishing  the 
beautiful  levee  park  which  is  now  so  prominent  a feature  of  Ked 
Wing’s  beauty.  The  Carnegie-Lawther  library  was  dedicated 
October  23,  1903.  A new  charter  was  adopted  February  23,  1904. 
by  a vote  of  567  to  352.  N.  Tufvesson  and  Peter  Thompson  re- 
signed as  aldermen  April  21,  1904. 

1904- 05 — The  new  aldermen  elected  were : M.  Kappel,  AY.  S. 
Scott,  C.  H.  Tiedeman  and  W.  J.  Back.  C.  A\T.  Ives  and  John 
Seastrand  were  elected  constables.  After  the  organization  of  the 
council,  James  Daily  was  appointed  chief  of  police,  and  the  force 
consisted  of  N.  Severson,  John  Jansen,  C.  P.  Belin  and  John  Peter- 
son. Permission  was  granted  H.  M.  Scoville  and  his  successors, 
the  Consolidated  Telephone  Company,  rights  to  make  certain 
additions  to  their  lines.  May  6 there  Avas  a discussion  of  the 
proposition  to  move  the  city  offices  to  the  basement  of  the  public 
library.  October  5,  1904,  Hart  N.  Cook  Avas  named  as  chief  en- 
gineer of  the  fire  department  and  also  fire  marshal.  October  7 
the  Sheldon  Memorial  Auditorium  Avas  accepted.  It  was  for- 
mally opened  October  11.  November  4,  1904,  C.  H.  Meyer  Avas 
appointed  deputy  clerk.  December  2,  1904,  the  president  Avas  re- 
quested to  appoint  a committee  of  aldermen  to  work  with  the 
board  of  commissioners.  After  many  applications  and  consider- 
able discussions,  D.  M.  Neill,  of  the  Ked  AYing  Telephone  Com- 
pany, Avas  granted  temporary  permission  to  string  and  operate 
a telephone  cable  on  certain  poles  of  the  Consolidated  Telephone 
and  Telegraph  Company.  March  3,  William  Danforth  resigned 
as  city  assessor.  March  8,  1905,  a motion  was  passed  that  a build- 
ing be  purchased  or  erected  for  a city  hall  and  central  fire  station, 
jail  and  other  purposes  at  a cost  not  to  exceed  $25,000.  April  7 it 
Avas  AToted  to  erect  a public  building  on  the  city  lot.  W.  A.  Gif- 
fin  Avas  appointed  city  assessor. 

1905- 06 — A.  P.  Pierce  Avas  elected  mayor;  A.  J.  Frenn,  treas- 
urer; G.  H.  Diepenbrock  and  J.  II.  Boustead.  justices;  Hiram 
Howe,  Otto  Kemmler,  J.  C.  Johnson.  F.  AY.  Reichert  and  F.  J. 
Crandall,  aldermen.  At  the  organization  of  the  council.  M.  Kap- 
pel Avas  made  president ; H.  IIoAve,  vice-president,  and  C.  E.  Har- 
rison, clerk  F.  M.  Wilson  was  appointed  city  attorney.  James 
Daily  wras  named  chief  of  police  and  the  force  consisted  of  C.  P. 
Belin,  John  Jansen,  John  Peterson  and  Nels  SeA’erson.  C.  II. 
Meyer  Avas  named  deputy  city  clerk.  Albert  E.  Rhame  Avas  ap- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


572 

pointed  city  engineer  and  Theodore  Carlson,  street  commissioner. 
An  ordinance  in  regard  to  the  terminal  of  the  Chicago  Great 
Western  railroad  was  passed  July  25,  1905.  This  was  followed 
by  the  building  of  the  new  Chicago  Great  Western  station  and 
terminal  offices,  completed  December  27,  1906.  October  23,  1906, 
the  city  purchased  two  more  blocks  on  the  river  front  where 
Levee  park  is  now  located.  Bids  were  received  for  the  new  city 
hall,  June  17,  1905.  October  6,  1905,  it  was  voted  to  sell  Hose 
Houses  2 and  3 and  the  old  Engine  House  No.  1.  W.  A.  Giffin 
was  named  as  city  assessor.  April  16,  1906,  a resolution  was 
passed  by  which  the  city  hospital  passed  into  the  possession  of  the 
city,  the  management  being  left  with  the  Red  Wing  Hospital 
Association. 

1906- 07 — The  officers  elected  this  year  were:  C.  W.  Ives  and 
J.  AY.  Nelson,  constables;  N.  Iv.  Simmons,  Oscar  Seeback,  C.  H. 
Tiedeman  and  William  J.  Back,  aldermen.  At  the  organization 
of  the  city  council,  AY.  J.  Back  was  appointed  president  and  F. 
AAA  Reichert  vice-president.  October  8,  1906,  Mrs.  Margaret 
Betcher’s  offer  to  the  city  to  erect  a memorial  chapel  at  Oakwood 
cemetery  was  accepted.  January  16,  1907,  resolutions  were 
passed  on  the  murder  of  Chief  of  Police  Daily  and  Officer  John 
Peterson.  N.  Severson  was  placed  in  temporary  charge  of  the 
police  force,  and  was  then  appointed  chief  for  the  remainder  of 
the  term.  A.  L.  Smith  and  J.  H.  Vanderhoof  were  added  to  the 
force. 

1907- 08 — A.  P.  Pierce  was  elected  mayor.  The  new  aldermen 
were : AAA  J.  Longcor,  II.  C.  Kohn,  G.  F.  Enz,  G.  S.  Fisk,  W.  M. 
Sweney.  At  the  organization  of  the  city  council,  C.  IT.  Tiedeman 
was  named  for  president  and  AAA  J.  Longcor  vice-president.  The 
officers  appointed  were  C.  H.  Meyer,  city  clerk;  C.  P.  Diepen- 
broek,  city  attorney ; George  F.  Gross,  city  treasurer ; Dr.  G.  C. 
Wellner,  health  officer.  Nels  Severson  was  appointed  chief  of 
police,  and  the  force  consisted  of  John  Jansen,  George  Tebbe,  A. 
Jackson  and  John  Loken.  The  justices  were  G.  IT.  Diepenbrock 
and  J.  IT.  Boustead.  C.  AAA  Ives  and  C.  P.  Schilling  were  con- 
stables. Hart  N.  Cook  was  chief  of  the  fire  department,  and 
August  Olson,  assistant.  The  principal  events  of  this  year  was 
the  offer  of  John  IT.  Rich  to  beautify  Broadway-  The  offer  was 
accepted  and  the  beautiful  little  park  which  now  ornaments  that 
portion  of  the  city  was  the  result. 

1908- 09 — The  new  aldermen  elected  were : T.  ITeiserman, 

Oscar  Seebach.  C.  IT.  Tiedeman  and  William  J.  Back.  At  the  or- 
ganization of  the  council,  C.  IT.  Tiedeman  was  named  president 
and  W.  J.  Longcor  vice-president.  This  year  was  characterized 
by  an  agitation  for  better  water,  which  resulted  in  a determina- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


573 


tion  to  sink  an  artesian  well.  The  officers  appointed  were:  C. 

H.  Meyer,  city  clerk;  C.  P.  Diepenbrock,  city  attorney;  George  F. 
Gross,  city  treasurer;  Dr.  G.  C.  AVellner,  health  officer.  Nels 
Severson  was  .appointed  chief  of  police  and  the  force  consisted 
of  John  Jansen,  George  Tebbe,  A.  Jackson  and  John  Loken.  The 
justices  were  G.  IT.  Diepenbrock  and  J.  IT.  Boustead.  C.  AY.  Ives 
and  C.  P.  Shilling  were  constables.  Hart  N.  Cook  was  chief  of 
the  fire  department  and  August  Olson,  assistant  ; Tlieo.  Carlson, 
street  commissioner ; AY.  A.  Giffin,  assessor,  and  Albert  E.  Rhame, 
city  engineer.  One  of  the  features  of  this  administration  was 
the  home-coming  celebrated  August  22,  23  and  21,  1908. 

1909-10 — A.  P.  Pierce  was  elected  mayor;  George  F.  Gross, 
treasurer;  C.  P.  Diepenbrock,  city  attorney;  L.  C.  Meyer,  city 
clerk;.  S.  T.  Irvine,  deputy  city  clerk;  Albert  E.  Rhame,  city 
engineer;  G.  IT.  Diepenbrock  and  J.  H.  Boustead,  justices,  and 
K.  R.  Seiler,  street  commissioner.  Nels  Severson  was  named  chief 
of  police,  and  the  force  consisted  of  John  Jansen,  George  Tebbe, 
A.  Jackson  and  AYilliam  Anderson.  C.  P.  Shilling  and  AY.  A. 
Scott  were  constables.  Hart  N.  Cook  was  the  chief  of  the  fire 
department  and  August  Olson  his  assistant.  At  the  organization 
of  the  council,  C.  PI.  Tiedeman  was  named  president  and  AY.  J. 
Longcor,  vice-president.  At  the  spring  election  school  bonds 
were  voted  to  the  amount  of  $50,000  and  water  bonds  to  the 
amount  of  $35,000.  The  voters  refused  to  sanction  the  issuing  of 
bonds  for  an  extension  of  the  sewer  system.  July  2.  1909,  a flow 
of  water  was  obtained  from  the  artesian  well  sunk  seventy-five 
feet  east  of  the  pumping  station,  and  in  the  fall  a contract  was 
let  for  a reservoir  eighty  feet  in  diameter,  twenty-three  feet  high, 
with  a capacity  of  three-quarter  of  a million  gallons.  The  city 
now  has  over  twenty-five  miles  of  cement  sidewalk,  more  than 
seven  miles  of  cement  curb,  over  five  miles  of  gutters  and  thir- 
teen miles  of  water  mains.  An  expenditure  of  over  $108,800  has 
been  made  for  sewers,  and  work  has  been  commenced  on  an  ex- 
tensive addition  to  the  sewer  system,  which  will  furnish  sanita- 
tion for  the  residents  of  the  west  end  of  the  city. 

PUBLIC  IMPROVEMENTS. 

Following  is  a recapitulation  of  the  more  important  municipal 
undertaking  as  contained  in  the  report  on  audit,  April  30.  1909 : 

The  City  Hall  was  built  during  1905-06.  and  includes  the  fire 
station,  jail  and  city  offices.  It  is  situated  on  the  northerly  half 
of  block  22.  The  ground  is  valued  at  $12,000  and  the  building 
at  $35,000. 

Parks — The  City  park  is  valued  at  $10,000,  and  the  Levee 
park,  beautifully  laid  out  with  retaining  walls,  walks  and  drives. 


574 


HI  ST  Oil  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


lawns  and  shrubbery,  is  valued  at  $25,000.  The  C.,  M.,  & St.  Paul 
station,  completed  in  1905,  gives  additional  beauty  to  the  levee 
locality. 

The  High  Bridge  was  built  between  1894  and  1896,  and  to 
meet  the  cost  of  construction,  bonds  were  issued  to  the  amount 
of  $60,000,  dated  June  1,  1894. 

The  Carnegie-Lawther  Library  really  originated  in  1893,  but 
the  present  building  was  erected  in  1902-03,  the  site,  then  valued 
at  $4,000,  being  donated  by  James  Lawtlier,  the  cost  of  the  build- 
ing being  met  by  a gift  of  $17,000  from  Andrew  Carnegie. 

The  T.  B.  Sheldon  Memorial  Auditorium  was  built  by  the 
trustees  of  the  late  T.  B.  Sheldon,  and  was  transferred  to  the  city 
October  10,  1904.  The  amount  contributed  by  the  trustees  was 
$77,641.67,  the  balance  being  acquired  from  the  revenue. 

Bonds — The  water  works  bonds  were  issued  October  1,  1883, 
the  original  issue  being  $85,000.  In  1877,  after  long  litigation, 
bonds  were  issued  to  the  amount  of  $45,000  for  the  Chicago,  Mil- 
waukee & St.  Paul  railroad.  The  bridge  bonds  were  issued  June 
1.  1894,  to  the  amount  of  $60,000.  April  20,  1878,  stock  in  Red 
Wing  and  Trenton  Transit  Company,  $25,000.  April  26,  1909, 
bonds  for  improvements  and  extend  water  works,  $35,000.  The 
Minnesota  railroad  bonds  were  issued  September  1,  1882,  to  the 
amount  of  $50,000.  The  Red  Wing  and  Iowa  bonds  were  issued 
January  1,  1889,  to  the  amount  of  $25,000. 

The  Charles  Betcher  Memorial  Chapel  was  built  by  Mrs. 
Beteher  in  memory  of  her  husband.  It  was  commenced  in  May, 
1907,  and  completed  in  July  1908.  The  dedication  services  were 
held  on  August  9,  1908.  The  cost  was  about  $15,000. 

The  E.  H.  Blodgett  Memorial  Entrance  was  erected  by  E.  Id. 
Blodgett  in  memory  of  his  deceased  wife,  Sarah  Blodgett.  It 
was  erected  at  the  same  time  as  the  Betcher  Memorial  Chapel,  at 
a cost  of  about  $5,000. 

Oakwood  Cemetery  is  located  on  the  summit  of  one  of  the  nu- 
merous bluffs  that  encircle  the  city,  about  one  and  a half  miles 
south  of  Main  street.  It  belongs  to  the  city  and  was  selected 
by  Stephen  A.  Hart  and  David  Hancock,  who  were  appointed  for 
that  purpose  by  the  early  settlers  in  September,  1854.  The  first 
burial  in  Oakwood  Cemetery  Avas  a child  named  Charles,  son  of 
William  Freeborn  and  Avife.  It  is  iioav  beautifully  laid  out,  with 
drives  and  laAvns,  as  beautiful  a repose  for  the  departed  as  could 
well  be  imagined.  At  the  entrance  stand  the  Blodgett  Memorial 
Arch  and  the  Betcher  Memorial  Chapel.  Thus,  amid  the  beauties 
of  nature,  the  loved  ones  who  have  been  laid  aAvay  are  awaiting 
the  resurrection  time,  “when  the  morning  breaks  and  the 
shadoAvs  flee  aAAray. ” Near  Oakwood  cemetery  the  Catholic  peo- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


575 

pie  have  a piece  of  consecrated  ground,  where  the  departed  of 
that  faith  are  laid  to  their  last  earthly  rest,  and  on  the  Burnside 
road  repose  in  silent  sleep  the  German  Lutherans  who  have 
finished  their  earthly  course. 

RED  WING  TOWNSHIP. 

Red  Wing-  township  was  in  existence  from  the  time  of  the 
regular  township  organization  throughout  the  county  in  1858  up 
to  March  31,  1861,  when  the  final  board  of  supervisors  adjourned 
for  the  last  time. 

The  first  annual  meeting  was  held  in  the  district  school  house 
July  5,  1858,  with  J.  C.  Pierce  in  the  chair.  Harmon  Pettibone 
was  named  as  moderator  and  James  II.  Parker  as  clerk.  The 
election  resulted  as  follows:  Supervisors,  0.  Densmore  (chair- 

man), T.  J.  Cooper  and  Hans  Mattson;  clerk,  T.  B.  McCord  (for 
some  reason  not  explained  James  IT.  Parker  served,  although  no 
record  is  made  of  a resignation)  ; assessor,  IT.  Pettibone;  col- 
lector, W.  W.  DeKay;  overseer  of  the  poor,  J.  Simmons;  justices, 
A.  J.  Littlefield  and  William  Brown ; constables,  J.  C.  Hawes 
and  J.  N.  Pettibone. 

In  1859  the  following  officers  were  elected : Supervisors,  W. 
P.  Brown  (chairman),  T.  J.  Cooper,  0.  B.  Pasco;  clerk,  AY.  P. 
Brown;  assessor,  II.  Pettibone;  collector,  Thomas  J.  Clark;  over- 
seer of  the  poor,  C.  F.  Gaylord.  The  1860  official  board  consisted 
of:  Supervisors,  Seth  Washburn  (chairman),  Christopher  Cogel 
and  Ira  Kellogg;  clerk,  Benjamin  Densmore;  treasurer,  T.  J. 
Clark ; assessor,  H.  Pettibone ; superintendent  of  schools,  S.  P. 
Snow;  justices,  P.  B.  Smithers  and  P.  M.  Wright;  constables,  M. 
Comstock  and  J.  N.  Pettibone ; overseer  of  the  poor,  Seth  Wash- 
burn.  During  this  year  the  records  contain  the  first  official  re- 
turns of  a vote  for  state  officers  in  this  county.  The  election  was 
held  in  the  fall  with  Seth  Washburn,  Ira  S.  Kellogg  and  William 
P.  Brown  as  judges  and  B.  Densmore  and  C.  J.  F.  Smith  as  clerks. 

In  1861,  officers  were  elected  as  follows : Supervisors,  T.  B. 
Sheldon  (chairman),  J.  AAC  Hancock  and  Charles  Betcher;  clerk, 
C.  E.  Bolander;  assessor,  A.  B.  Miller;  treasurer,  J.  C.  Pierce. 
Miss  Howell,  Miss  Steam  and  Miss  Washburn  were  appointed  as 
teachers  for  the  fall  term.  For  the  winter  term  the  board  ap- 
pointed as  teachers,  Mrs.  Chamberlain  for  the  center  school  at 
$24  a month.  Miss  Stearns  for  the  west  school  at  $16.66  per  month, 
and  Miss  Bennett  for  the  west  school  at  $16.66  per  month.  Miss 
Bennett  not  accepting,  Sarah  Pettibone  was  appointed  in  her 
place,  and  a fourth  district  being  apportioned,  J.  W.  Hancock 
was  named  as  a teacher  at  $16.66  per  month.  It  was  estimated 


576 


HI  ST  OK  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


that  the  total  expense  of  the  town  for  the  coming  year  would  be 
*700. 

In  1862,  the  officers  were:  Supervisors,  T.  B.  Sheldon  (chair- 
man), G.  C.  Dickinson  and  William  Howe ; treasurer,  J.  W.  Han- 
cock; assessor,  0.  F.  Smith;  clerk,  T.  B.  McCord;  justices,  Francis 
Ives  and  W.  II.  Welch;  constables,  F.  F.  Philleo  and  M.  ITersch- 
ler.  J.  IT.  Parker  was  appointed  clerk  and  justice  in  place  of 
T.  B.  McCord  and  W.  II.  Welch.  It  was  estimated  that  the  ex- 
penses of  the  town  for  the  coming  year  would  be  *1,000. 

In  1863  the  last  board  of  officers  the  township  ever  had  was 
elected  and  consisted  of:  Supervisors,  T.  B.  Sheldon  (chair- 

man), Christopher  Cogel  and  Orrin  Densmore;  treasurer,  J.  W. 
Hancock;  assessor,  J.  C.  Pierce;  clerk,  Dwight  M.  Baldwin;  jus- 
tice, James  IT.  Parker.  On  March  31,  186T,  the  board  met  for  the 
last  time,  and  the  township  of  Red  Wing  became  a thing  of  the 
past.  By  a revision  of  the  charter  of  the  city  of  Red  Wing,  which 
had  been  in  existence  since  1857,  the  western  half  of  township 
113,  range  14,  lying  in  this  county,  and  sections  24,  25  and  36, 
township  113,  range  15,  were  included  in  the  city,  and  sections 
13  and  14,  township  113,  were  set  oft'  as  a part  of  Burnside. 


The  soldiers  who  enlisted  in  the  Civil  War  from  Red  Wing 
were:  Gustus  Anderson,  Capt.  William  Arkins,  John  Arkins, 

James  Ardens,  William  G.  Allen,  Edward  Aman,  William  Aber- 
deen, Julius  Anlofit,  Lieut.  Henry  T.  Bevans,  Milton  L.  Bevans, 
John  Barrow,  Peter  Berg,  John  H.  Brown,  IT.  N.  Barber,  James 
F.  Batchelor,  Capt.  E.  L.  Baker,  C.  D.  Bevans,  Samuel  Beekman, 
A.  Barr,  Solon  A.  Bevans,  Grant  B.  Baker,  B.  N.  Bunch,  George 
Boothroyd,  C.  R.  Brink,  Frank  Broberg,  James  Barnes,  Nelson 
Berg,  Frank  Bergman,  Surgeon  William  Brown,  II.  W.  Barber, 
Byson  Batchelor,  Lyman  J.  Barris,  Capt.  Herman  Betcher,  Ole 
P.  Berg,  Col.  William  Colvill,  William  F.  Cross,  W.  W.  Clark, 
George  D.  Hartman.  Corbin  C.  Hill,  M.  A.  Hoyt,  John  II.  Jones, 
Frank  Johnson,  Samuel  Jones,  R.  E.  Jacobs,  Gustav  Johnson,  J. 
W.  Jefferson,  Andrew  Johnson,  Peter  Johnson,  John  A.  Johnson, 
Peter  Johnson,  Jr.,  George  W.  Knight,  Henry  Kulker,  John  Lind- 
quist, Lewis  B.  Littlefield,  Isaac  Lauver,  Charles  L.  Littlefield, 
Frank  W.  Little,  Albert  Little,  Joseph  Loekey,  Thomas  J.  Little, 
Jr.,  Eric  Lynloff,  Oliver  Larson,  Frank  Lewis,  Maj.  Martin  Ma- 
ginnis,  Maj.  Fred  E.  Miller,  Ira  McLeatham,  James  D.  Merrill, 
Harvey  Miller,  Col.  Hans  Mattson,  II.  P.  McIntyre,  Lieut.  Henry 
A.  McConnell,  Feron  B.  McCord,  Charles  P.  Miller,  John  II. 
Miller,  William  R.  Thompson,  George  A.  Todd,  John  A.  Trewer, 
Lieut.  John  Yanstrom,  John  T.  Veeder,  Maj.  A.  E.  Welch,  John 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


577 


William,  Theodore  A.  Wood,  Jesse  A.  Wasliburne,  Beverly  M. 
Wright,  Capt.  Abraham  Wright,  Jacob  White,  William  H.  Wel- 
lington, Joseph  A.  Woodbury,  Capt.  IT.  B.  AVilson,  Capt.  AY.  C. 
AVilliston,  Joy  E.  Wright,  John  Winter,  Gustav  Witte,  William 
R.  AVray,  Samuel  Baekman,  Byron  Bachelor,  William  H.  Wright, 
J.  I.  Tillotson,  Steven  G.  Cady,  Henry  Curry,  George  AAT.  Fletcher, 
David  IT.  Griffin,  John  A.  Graham,  August  G.  ITillig,  Lucius  H. 

* Hancock,  Orrin  C.  Leonard,  Eric  Oleson,  Frank  AY.  Robinson, 
E.  B.  Taylor,  Harvey  Miller,  James  D.  Merrill,  Alonzo  AY.  Cobb, 
Manville  Comstock,  Jacob  Christ,  Hiram  Cadwell,  Tim  R.  Cressy, 
IT.  K.  Carson,  E.  L.  Davis,  Jonas  P.  Davis,  Soloman  A.  Davis, 
Capt.  AY i 1 1 ett  AV.  DeKay,  James  AY.  Day,  Capt.  Benj.  Densmore, 
Lieut.  Col.  Daniel  Densmore,  Capt.  Charles  L.  Davis,  Capt.  Nor- 
ris H.  Dorsey,  George  AY.  Davis,  F.  J.  T.  Day,  AYilliam  Esden, 
Charles  Erickson,  Tilden  Ecker,  John  Foote,  Thomas  Fagen, 
James  Falls,  G.  AY.  Flint,  John  Farnhausen,  Charles  Falls,  J.  C. 
A.  Golchman,  George  AV.  Grinnell,  Amos  F.  Grow,  AYilliam  F. 
Grow,  Capt.  C.  Gurney,  Jr.,  John  A.  Graham,  John  G.  Gustav- 
son,  P.  M.  Gustavson,  Isaac  Green,  Francis  Goodman,  Frederick 
Gaskill,  AYilliam  D.  Galloway,  Aaron  Glazier,  C.  F.  C.  Gram, 
Charles  N.  Harris,  William  M.  Herbert,  William  Harrison,  George 
Hudson,  John  Hartman,  L.  F.  Hubbard,  Abraham  ITowe,  Jr., 
Daniel  Pleald,  Jr.,  Frederick  Holman,  Arnold  Holman,  Harmon 
ITamplin,  Ferdinand  ITamplin,  J.  C.  F.  Hobard,  Isaac  Hilton, 

i 

Chauncey  Hobart,  Clark  A7.  Hubbard,  John  F.  Hutchinson,  Ole 
0.  ITuss,  Nicholas  J.  Mageras,  Col.  B.  N.  McLaren,  Abraham 
Morel],  Paul  Nelson,  John  Nelson,  Charles  AV.  Newell,  Gudmund 
Naslung,  John  Nichols,  Nicholas  Nelson,  James  AV.  Noble,  Ole 
0.  Oskey,  E.  P.  Pliilleo,  Lieut.  George  AV.  Parker,  Lieut.  J.  F. 
Pingrey,  Christian  Peterson,  Hans  Peterson,  August  Peterson, 
John  II.  Pettibone,  AYilliam  M.  Pliilleo,  S.  AAL  Park,  Robert  Per- 
cival,  Capt.  AY.  AY.  Phelps,  Andrew  Polil,  Thomas  B.  Peterson, 
John  Pfeifer,  George  J.  Pitts,  Hiram  J.  Rush,  William  C.  Riddle, 
Fred  Remshardt,  John  Reinumd,  Amos  Swanson,  John  Storm, 
Joseph  Shoemaker,  N.  B.  Swartout,  George  Simmons,  Charles 
Sundall,  P.  M.  Stromberg,  William  S.  Seaton,  Ferdinand  Shoe- 
maker, Allen  Swain,  0.  M.  Sprake,  Ernest  Sempf,  John  Sharer, 
George  Shakespeare,  Russell  E.  Snell,  G.  S.  Sholes,  Ellsworth  Sut- 
ton, John  Sundblad,  Steven  J.  Smith,  Otis  Sandford,  Andrew 
Stramberg,  A.  C.  Tucker,  Andrew  A.  Teele,  Peter  Tubbesing, 
Dwight  Tillotson,  Ludwig  Turnquist,  David  E.  Todd,  Frederick 
Turquin,  Ole  J.  Peterson,  David  Petty,  Stephen  T.  Smith,  Isaac 
Sawnet,  James  AV.  Day,  S.  S.  Bliss,  Corridon  D.  Bevan,  Charles 
Truman,  John  Loy,  Andrew  Iranburg,  John  A.  Treae,  Charles  A. 
Erickson,  Frank  Lewis,  Peter  Anderson,  Lewis  J.  Bennett,  Henry 


578 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Benton,  Emerson  Beers,  Bennett  Cortland,  John  J.  Doyle,  Spencer 
L.  Davis,  William  W.  Davis,  John  S.  Dilley,  Byron  A.  Eker, 
Reuben  Eker,  James  C.  Flynn,  Francis  Green,  William  Gates, 
Albert  II.  Hardy,  George  M.  Jones,  Thomas  G.  Little,  Antoine 
Mulling’er,  Jeptan  Miller,  John  L.  Melvin,  John  B.  Meacham, 
Fred  Noble,  Charles  Ogburn,  Evan  E.  Pugh,  Eugene  Pliilleo, 
Joseph  Roserfield,  John  Richards,  Egbert  AY.  Reed,  John  D. 
Ross,  William  Rice,  Edward  Sharp,  John  Turner,  Melville  Tucker,  * 
F.  C.  Williams,  AY.  F.  Ward,  George  AY.  Phinney,  Oleson  Bonde, 
Harvey  Mills,  Benjamin  Chase,  William  Colvill. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 


‘ THE  DESIRABLE  CITY.” 

Its  Many  Advantages — Desirability  as  a Home  City — The  Car- 
negie-Lawther  Library — T.  B.  Sheldon  Memorial  Auditorium 
— Red  Wing  Civic  League — Fire  Department — Water  Works 
— Ferries — Wagon  Bridge — Associations  and  Clubs — Banks 
and  Banking — Business  and  Professional — Red  Wing  Fra- 
ternities. 

In  the  early  part  of  1903  the  Red  Wing  Public  Library  pro- 
ject burst  forth  from  its  chrysalis  of  hope  and  expectation  and 
became  a tangible  reality.  Early  in  1892  the  subject  began  to  be 
agitated  in  earnest,  but  it  was  not  until  January  6,  1893,  that  the 
library  board  was  created,  and  not  until  March  of  the  same  year 
that  organization  was  effected,  by  the  election  of  officers  and  the 
adoption  of  by-laws  and  the  necessary  rules  of  procedure.  Al- 
though the  projectors  of  this  public  enterprise  no  doubt  had 
faith  that  their  efforts  would  result  in  an  institution  of  continual 
growth,  had  the  gift  of  prophecy  revealed  to  them  that  in  one 
short  decade  Red  Wing  would  be  possessed  of  such  a beautiful 
edifice  as  graces  the  corner  of  Third  and  West  avenue,  it  would 
have  sounded  to  them  like  a tale  from  the  “Arabian  Nights.” 
As  soon  as  the  board  organized,  a special  meeting  of  the  business 
men  was  held  on  March  29,  in  the  council  chamber,  to  devise  ways 
and  means  of  raising  the  necessary  funds  for  the  support  of  the 
library.  A resolution  was  passed  that  $2,500  be  raised  by  sub- 
scription, that  being  the  amount  estimated  by  the  board  to  be 
necessary  to  purchase  books  and  maintain  the  library  for  one 
year,  after  which  the  council  was  to  be  asked  to  support  the 
institution  by  a tax  levy.  A soliciting  committee  was  appointed, 
but  it  was  the  panic  year  and  after  about  $600  had  been  sub- 
scribed the  plan  was  given  up.  Although  the  necessary  funds 
could  not  be  secured  by  subscription  the  members  of  the  board 
and  others  who  were  deeply  interested  in  the  work,  kept  a stout 
heart,  and  determined  to  overcome  all  obstacles.  The  members 


579 


580 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


determined  to  open  a reading  room  and  plod  along  as  best  they 
could  until  they  could  see  more  light.  At  one  of  their  meetings 
they  taxed  themselves  up  to  50  cents  each  to  carry  on  current 
expenses.  The  citizens  were  invited  to  contribute  old  books, 
magazines  and  any  old  reading  matter  to  start  a nucleus  for  a 
library.  Entertainments  were  given  for  the  benefit  of  the  library 
fund,  and  after  some  persuasion  the  council  made  a tax  levy 
which  yielded  for  the  first  year  the  sum  of  $100. 

On  New  Year’s  day,  1894,  at  2 p.  m.,  the  reading  rooms  in 
Gladstone  block  were  opened  to  the  public  for  the  first  time,  and 
about  300  visited  the  rooms  during  the  afternoon.  The  rooms 
were  airy,  well  lighted  and  heated,  and  furnished  with  chairs 
and  tables,  and  supplied  with  the  current  magazines  and  other 
literature.  The  first  president  was  1).  M.  Neill,  who  served  two 
years,  and  was  succeeded  by  W.  11.  Putnam,  who  has  since  served 
continuously  in  that  capacity,  W.  E.  Taylor  served  as  vice-presi- 
dent for  three  years,  E.  M.  Parker  one  year,  O.  M.  Hall  seven 
years,  W.  F.  Kunze  four  years,  and  S.  H.  Locken,  secretary. 
George  Ii.  Cook  has  been  secretary  since  the  beginning,  except 
one  year,  when  F.  M.  Parker  held  the  office.  The  first  members 
of  the  board  were  Id.  B.  Lovgren,  A.  R.  Brink,  D.  M.  Neill,  C.  L. 
Opsal,  George  II.  Cook,  W.  E.  Taylor,  R.  L.  Grondahl,  C.  E. 
Friedrich  and  Oscar  Forssell.  Mrs.  N.  J.  Jones  was  chosen  the 
first  librarian,  and  served  for  several  years.  She  was  succeeded 
by  Mrs.  Lillian  Tandy.  In  December,  1901,  the  city  received  an 
offer  from  Andrew  Carnegie  of  $15,000,  which  was  increased  to 
$17,000,  for  a suitable  public  library  building,  on  condition  that 
a fund  of  $1,500  (afterward  $1,700)  per  year  be  provided  for 
maintenance  and  that  a site  be  furnished.  Both  these  conditions 
were  easily  met.  James  Lawther  donated  the  lot  on  the  corner 
of  Third  street  and  West  avenue,  as  a suitable  location  for  the 
new  library,  in  memory  of  his  son,  which  was  gratefully  accepted. 
Plans  were  submitted  and  the  building  was  erected  and  dedicated 
October  23,  1903.  It  was  called  the  Carnegie-Lawther  library. 
It  is  built  of  brick  and  presents  a very  neat  appearance.  Upon 
the  right  of  the  main  entrance  is  the  cozy  reception  room,  fitted 
up  with  exquisite  taste  and  harmonious  coloring.  A wide  border 
of  thistle  and  shamrocks  is  a characteristic  design  in  the  f-resco 
work,  in  honor  of  the  nativity  of  Mr.  Carnegie  and  Mr.  Lawther. 
The  reading  room  is  a picture  of  light  and  cheerfulness  and  com- 
fort. In  the  rear  of  the  building  is  the  children’s  room,  decorated 
with  a handsome  fire-place  and  mantel,  and  surmounted  by  a 
plastic  frieze.  The  stock  room  and  librarian’s  quarters  corre- 
spond in  comfort  and  elegance  to  their  surroundings.  The  refer- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


581 


enee  books  fill  a room  on  the  left  of  the  entrance,  leading  into 
the  main  stock  room,  and  corresponds  in  size  and  general  features 
to  the  reception  parlor.  The  interior  finish  is  of  highly  polished 
golden  oak,  with  a delicate  color  scheme  of  pale  cream  and  olive 
green  combined  with  simple  Grecian  decorations,  form  a picture 
pleasant  to  the  eye,  and  in  harmony  with  the  highest  artistic  in- 
stinct. Mrs.  Tandy  resigned  from  the  position  of  librarian  in 
September,  1904,  and  was  succeeded  by  Lucia  Danforth,  who  in 
turn  was  succeeded  by  Arabella  Martin,  who  remained  two  years 
and  resigned  April  28,  1909,  and  Effie  Sands,  of  Lincoln,  Neb., 
was  chosen  to  fill  the  vacancy,  and  entered  upon  her  duties  in 
May.  November  2,  1906,  a branch  and  reading  room  was  opened 
in  the  western  part  of  the  city,  in  a building  on  Main  street,  next 
to  Akenson’s  grocery.  This  reading  room  is  open  every  day  from 
four  in  the  afternoon  to  ten  in  the  evening.  Books  are  issued 
once  a week.  The  public  library  is  open  every  day  from  two 
until  six  and  from  seven  until  half  past  nine  in  the  evening,  and 
books  are  issued  daily  except  Sunday. 

T.  B.  SHELDON  MEMORIAL  AUDITORIUM. 

The  T.  B.  Sheldon  Memorial  Auditorium  is  said  to  be  the  only 
municipal  theater  in  the  United  States.  It  is  the  gift  of  the  late 
T.  B.  Sheldon,  who  in  his  will  provided  that  a certain  part  of  his 
estate  should  be  used  in  erecting  a memorial  to  be  used  by  the 
city  of  Red  Wing.  The  trustees  were  Annie  L.  Sheldon,  Elijah 
H.  Blodgett  and  F.  Busch.  After  consulting  with  the  leading  citi- 
zens of  Red  Wing,  the  trustees  decided  that  the  wishes  of  the 
doner  and  the  desires  of  the  people  were  best  satisfied  by  the 
erection  of  a theater.  The  building,  a magnificent  structure  of 
gray  brick,  was  turned  over  to  the  city  authorities  October  7, 
1904,  and  formally  opened  May  11.  A tablet  in  the  entrance 
bears  a suitable  inscription,  and  the  interior  is  beautifully  decor- 
ated in  appropriate  designs.  The  architect  was  Lowell  A.  Lamor- 
eaux.  and  the  builders,  J.  and  W.  A.  Elliott.  The  Charles  Betcher 
Lumber  Company  furnished  the  lumber,  mill  work  and  wood- 
carvings  and  the  scenery  was  supplied  by  the  Twin  City  Scenic 
Company.  None  of  the  trustees  are  now  living.  The  present 
board  consists  of  B.  Gerlaeh,  0.  M.  Hall,  A.  P.  Pierce,  C.  A. 
Betcher  and  C.  E.  Sheldon.  W.  A.  Scott  is  the  manager,  suc- 
ceeding Ralph  G.  Taber,  the  first  manager.  The  aim  of  the  board 
is  to  supply  the  city  of  Red  Wing  Avith  the  best  of  theatrical  at- 
tractions. The  amount  received  from  the  estate  for  the  building 
of  the  auditorium  was  $77,641.67.  The  remainder  Avas  derived 
from  the  income  accruing  from  this  sum. 


582 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


RED  WING  CIVIC  LEAGUE. 

The  Civic  League  of  Red  Wing  lias  a reputation  that  is  more 
than  nation  wide,  its  distinguishing  characteristics  having  been 
copied  by  many  of  the  largest  cities  in  the  United  States,  includ- 
ing Chicago.  The  league  was  organized  November  15,  1903. 
John  H.  Rich,  who  \yas  one  of  the  prime  movers  in  the  organiza- 
tion, being  its  first  president.  At  that  time  Red  Wing  was  like 
many  other  cities  of  the  same  size — trees  disfigured  with  posters 
and  signs,  empty  lots  and  yards  grown  to  weeds,  sidewalks  and 
streets  littered  with  filth  and  rubbish,  and  its  one  park  in  a state 
of  sad  neglect.  The  league  wrought  a great  change  in  all  this. 
Mr.  Rich  inaugurated  a crusade  against  the  signs  and  posters, 
and  prizes  were  offered  to  the  boys  and  girls  who  on  a certain 
day  would  bring  the  most  torn-down  signs  to  the  basement  of 
the  library.  Lemonade  was  given  to  all  and  the  prizes  duly 
awarded.  In  the  meantime  George  IT.  Cook  was  stirring  the 
people  to  civic  pride  through  the  newspapers.  By  means  of  little 
paragraphs  calling  attention  to  such  yards  as  presented  a good 
appearance,  and  also  to  neglected  spots,  he  caused  people  to 
keep  their  lawns  in  good  condition  and  to  keep  down  the  weeds 
in  vacant  lots  as  well  as  to  otherwise  beautify  their  property. 
The  placing  of  rubbish  cans  at  various  intervals  along  the  streets 
and  the  encouragement  of  the  children  in  keeping  the  papers 
and  rubbish  picked  up,  soon  cleaned  the  streets  and  sidewalks. 
Prizes  were  offered  for  the  best  gardens  and  the  best  flower  gar- 
dens maintained  by  the  children  and  this  also  resulted  in  the 
brightening  up  of  the  city,  even  in  the  outskirts.  The  children 
planted  trees  with  appropriate  exercises  on  Levee  park,  Avhich 
was  completed  during  the  height  of  the  Civic  League  crusade, 
and  John  FI.  Rich,  one  of  the  leading  members,  gave  an  object 
lesson  in  civic  beauty  by  parking  the  waste  space  between  East 
and  West  avenues,  now  known  as  Broadway.  In  1909,  A.  W. 
Pratt  had  organized  a “bee”  of  business  men  and  on  a day  now 
historic,  the  stores  all  closed,  a band  discoursed  music,  Avhile  the 
business  and  professional  men  of  Red  Wing  donned  overalls  and 
built  a path  along  the  face  of  Barn  Bluff  ascending  to  the  very 
top.  The  path  has  since  been  called  “Webster’s  Way”  from  C. 
C.  Webster,  \aTio  during  his  life  often  expressed  a hope  that  such 
a path  might  be  built.  For  several  years  past,  the  path  has  been 
kept  up  by  the  successive  senior  classes  of  the  High  school  under 
the  leadership  of  George  H.  Cook.  Twice  a year  the  students 
spend  a half  holiday  in  Avorking  on  the  path  under  Mr.  Cook’s 
leadership,  after  which  they  enjoy  a picnic  at  the  top  of 
the  bluff.  As  a part  of  the  work  of  the  league,  Mr.  Cook  has  in 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


583 


the  past  few  years  planted  Virginia  creeper  around  nearly  every 
stone  and  brick  building  in  Red  Wing  with  the  exception  of  the 
Episcopal  church  and  the  malt  house  of  the  Red  AATing  Malting 
Company,  both  of  which  already  had  vines  in  profusion  when  the 
crusade  was  started.  To  hundreds  of  people  much  credit  is  due 
for  the  work  of  the  Civic  League,  but  those  who  have  been  most 
active  in  the  work  have  probably  been  John  II.  Rich,  Mrs.  C.  A. 
Betcher,  AAr.  F.  Ivunze,  George  H.  Cook,  Dr.  M.  AV.  Smith,  the 
Red  Wing  Daily  Republican  and  Frances  Densmore,  the  latter 
of  whom  has  devoted  her  interest  to  the  ledge  on  Barn  Bluff, 
which  now  provides  so  excellent  a spot  for  picnic  parties.  The 
organization  is  divided  into  a senior  and  junior  league.  The 
officers  are:  President,  Dr.  M.  AAr.  Smith;  vice-president,  Frances 
Densmore ; secretary,  K.  A.  Ilawkanson ; treasurer,  J.  H.  Peter- 
son. An  elaborate  park  system  has  been  planned  which  will  em- 
brace the  present  parks  of  Red  Wing,  the  entire  river  front  as 
far  west  as  the  Red  AVing  Boat  Company  property,  the  island, 
of  which  city  officials  already  owrn  a part,  and  all  of  Barn  Bluff. 
In  former  years  Barn  Bluff  was  offered  to  the  city  as  a park  by 
Dr.  AY  AY.  Sweney  and  efforts  were  made  to  plant  trees  and 
otherwise  beautify  the  spot.  People,  however,  persisted  in  cut- 
ting down  the  planted  saplings  for  whips  and  in  otherwise  de- 
spoiling the  place,  so  after  many  discouragements,  the  commit- 
tee decided  not  to  accept  the  proffered  gift.  Colville  Park  is 
situated  on  a neck  of  land  which  was  formerly  a part  of  the  farm 
of  Col.  William  Colville.  It  is  maintained  by  the  ladies  and  af- 
fords an  excellent  picnic  and  bathing  place. 

FIRE  DEPARTMENT. 

The  present  efficient  fire  department  of  Red  AVing,  consisting 
of  a paid  department  and  three  volunteer  companies,  dates  from 
the  earliest  days.  The  early  settlers  considered  it  a part  of  their 
duty  to  belong  to  a fire  company,  even  before  the  days  of  the 
bucket  brigade  and  the  hand  engine.  In  those  times,  to  hold  an 
office  in  a fire  company  in  Red  Wing  was  a great  honor,  and 
official  positions  were  eagerly  sought,  being  made  as  much  a mat- 
ter of  wire-pulling  as  the  municipal  offices. 

The  first  fire  company  organized  in  this  city  was  in  1858-59, 
and  was  called  the  “Protection  Hook  and  Ladder  Company.” 
The  first  officers  were:  Chief  engineer,  Jesse  Mclntire;  first  as- 
sistant, R.  N.  McLaren;  second  assistant,  J.  C.  Pierce;  secretary, 
T.  N.  Lee;  treasurer,  T.  J.  Clark.  The  organization  lasted,  in 
name  at  least,  until  1870. 

On  December  6,  1858,  “Torrent  Engine  Company  No.  1”  was 


584 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


organized,  this  being  in  some  respects  a reorganization  of  the 
first  named  company.  The  officers  were  : Foreman,  M.  B.  Lewis ; 
assistant,  W.  E.  Hawkins;  secretary,  J.  C.  Hawes;  assistant,  AV. 
IT.  Wellington ; treasurer,  T.  J.  Clark;  steward,  W.  B.  Philleo. 
This  organization  existed  up  to  June  7,  1865,  without  an  engine, 
and  failing  to  secure  one,  the  company  adjourned  sine  die. 

On  September  1,  1865,  a reorganization  of  the  Torrent  Com- 
pany took  place,  it  being  known  as  “Cataract  Engine  Company 
No.  1.”  The  officers  for  this  company  were : Foreman,  AV.  E. 

Hawkins;  first  assistant,  A.  Wri  ght ; second  assistant,  J.  A.  AVoocl- 
bury;  foreman  of  hose,  B.  C.  Stephens;  assistant.  John  Winter; 
secretary,  J.  A.  Wright;  assistant,  P.  Lovgren;  treasurer,  T.  J. 
Clark ; steward,  L.  Cornman. 

The  “Niagara  Engine  Company  No.  2”  was  organized  on  July 
26,  1869,  with  the  following  officers:  Foreman,  Stiles  Raymond; 
first  assistant,  J.  J.  Quayle;  second  assistant,  William  Graves; 
foreman  of  hose,  William  Jones;  assistant,  George  W.  Hawkins; 
secretary,  P.  Skillman ; assistant,  E.  F.  Grow ; treasurer,  C.  H. 
Bostworth;  steward,  S.  AAA  Park.  Later  this  company  was  reor- 
ganized and  became  “LaGrange  Company  No.  2.” 

In  May,  1875,  the  “Champion  Fire  Extinguisher  Company 
No.  1”  was  organized.  The  officers  were  as  follows:  Foreman, 
Oliver  Lovgren;  assistant,  Fred  James;  secretary,  D.  Cole;  treas- 
urer, Fred  Mclntire. 

“ Red  Wing  Hose  Company  No.  1“  was  organized  in  May, 
1873,  with  John  Luhn,  foreman;  George  Diepenbrock,  secretary, 
and  L.  Hoffman,  treasurer. 

In  1885  the  department  was  reorganized.  Companies  were 
limited  to  fifteen  men,  only  one  assistant  chief  was  provided  for, 
and  the  power  to  elect  the  officers  was  transferred  from  the  de- 
partment to  the  city  council. 

From  that  date  the  history  of  the  fire  department  appears  on 
the  records  of  the  city  council  found  in  this  volume. 

In  1906  a paid  department  was  organized.  The  present  de- 
partment Consists  of : Chief  engineer.  Hart  N.  Cook ; assistant 

engineer,  Aug.  P.  Olson;  fire  marshal.  Hart  N.  Cook,  superin- 
tendent fire  alarm  telegraph,  Hart  N.  Cook. 

Combination  Ladder  and  Hose  No.  2 — Louis  Kruger,  IT.  F. 
Warnson,  Herman  Saupe,  J.  II.  Kruger.  Karl  J.  Blad,  Karl  M. 
Lundgren. 

Cataract  Hose  Company  No.  1 (volunteer) — Captain.  Henry 
Risse ; first  lieutenant,  Charles  Fredell ; second  lieutenant,  Alfred 
Peterson;  secretary,  Otto  ITowe;  treasurer,  Edward  Vanberg; 
pipemen,  Henry  Bieg,  Henry  Maetzold,  George  Anderson,  Carl 
Erickson,  C.  B.  Phillips. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


585 


LaGrange  Hose  Company  No.  4 (volunteer) — Captain.  A.  G. 
Heglund ; first  lieutenant,  AY.  C.  Herlitz ; second  lieutenant,  Al. 
Johnson;  secretary,  H.  F.  Vanbronkhorst;  treasurer,  YY.  J.  Seiz; 
pipemen,  Al.  Anderson,  T.  Seiz,  Arno  Aletzler,  C.  A.  Estgaard, 
Charles  Bartlett;  teamster  (paid),  Edgar  Jackson. 

Phoenix  Hook  and  Ladder  Company  No.  1 (volunteer)  — 
Captain,  AYilliam  Johnson;  first  lieutenant,  J.  II.  Seastrand; 
second  lieutenant,  Charles  Nute;  secretary  and  treasurer,  John 
A.  Gross;  truckmen,  Joseph  Reinboldt,  Otto  Sell,  Jens  Loye,  IT. 
Nordholm,  IT.  A.  J.  Green,  William  Youngquist. 

The  officers  of  the  volunteer  fire  department  are : President, 
Otto  Sell;  vice-president,  Arthur  Heglund;  secretary,  Otto  Howe. 

Since  Chief  Cook’s  arrival  there  have  been  but  three  large 
fires,  and  in  every  instance  the  work  of  the  department  saved  the 
endangered  surrounding  property.  The  three  fires  were : Furni- 
ture factory,  corner  Main  and  Dakota  streets,  December  9,  1904; 
Betcher  saw  mill  and  lumber  yards,  October  5,  1905;  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  December  22,  1907. 

The  officers  of  the  Fire  Department  Relief  Association  are : 
President,  0.  IT.  Sell ; vice-president,  C.  II.  Phillips ; secretary, 
C.  A.  K.  Johnson;  treasurer,  AY.  J.  Diepenbrock.  The  officers  of 
the  relief  committee  are  PI.  F.  AYarnson,  AY.  J.  Deipenbrock,  F. 
L.  Rethschlag. 

WATER  WORKS. 

After  several  disastrous  fires  had  occurred  in  our  city,  which 
resulted  in  the  total  destruction  of  the  Diamond  and  Reel  AVing 
flouring  mills,  the  opera  house,  AYebster  & Perkins’  livery  stable, 
and  several  stores  and  dwelling  houses,  amounting  in  value  to 
nearly  or  quite  half  a million  dollars,  the  citizens  of  Red  Wing 
began  to  agitate  the  question  of  how  to  prevent  the  frequent 
recurrence  of  such  calamities.  These  discussions  among  the  peo- 
ple caused  the  city  council  to  move  in  the  matter.  Thereupon  the 
county  representatives  in  the  legislature,  at  its  session  in  the 
winter  of  1883,  were  asked  to  procure  the  enactment  of  a law 
granting  to  the  city  of  Red  Wing  the  power  to  issue  its  bonds  for 
the  purpose  of  constructing  a system  of  water  works,  and  for 
other  local  improvements  in  the  city,  to  an  amount  not  to  exceed 
the  sum  of  $100,000.  The  act  was  approved  March  1,  1883,  and 
provided  that  before  it  sliordd  become  operative  it  should  be  sub- 
mitted to  the  legal  voters  of  the  city  for  their  approval  or  other- 
wise, at  a special  election.  In  pursuance  of  such  provision  the 
city  council,  by  resolution,  fixed  the  time  of  such  election  on  the 
second  day  of  July,  1883,  and  at  the  same  time  fixed  the  amount 


586 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


of  bonds  to  be  issued  at  the  sum  of  $35,000.  The  vote  upon  the 
proposition  resulted  in  its  adoption  by  a large  majority.  On 
March  15,  1883,  by  resolution  of  the  city  council,  the  mayor  was 
instructed  to  appoint  a committee  of  five  citizens,  who,  with 
Mayor  S.  B.  Foot  and  Alderman  Jesse  Mclntire,  were  to  con- 
stitute a committee  on  water  works,  whose  duty  should  be  to 
examine,  devise  and  recommend  the  best  plan  for  an  efficient  sys- 
tem of  water  works  for  the  city.  Thereupon  the  mayor  appoint- 
ed as  such  committee  on  the  part  of  the  citizens,  IT.  B.  Wilson, 
F.  B.  Howe,  W.  E.  Hawkins,  Daniel  Densmore  and  Andrew  Dan- 
ielson. 

At  the  spring  election  of  1883,  Mayor  S.  B.  Foot  and  Aider- 
man  Jesse  Mclntire  having  retired  from  their  respective  city 
offices,  the  committee  was  reorganized,  by  resolution  of  the  new 
council,  by  substituting  for  the  old  committee,  Mayor  F.  B.  Howe, 
the  city  engineer,  and  Aldermen  William  Robson  and  G.  A. 
Carlson,  who  constitute  the  committee  making  this  report.  In 
the  discharge  of  its  functions  the  committee  visited,  by  sub-com- 
mittees, Decorali,  Iowa,  Stillwater,  Faribault,  Minneapolis  and 
St.  Paul  and  examined  and  carefully  inspected  their  systems  of 
water  works,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  the  best  plan ; and  did 
a large  amount  of  correspondence  with  cities  in  which  similar 
works  had  been  constructed,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  infor- 
mation and  ascertaining  what  their  experience  had  been.  Corre- 
spondence was  also  had  with  the  best  hydraulic  engineers  and 
contractors  of  large  experience  in  the  business  of  building  water 
works  in  different  sections  of  the  country.  During  these  investi- 
gations, IT.  IT.  Harrison,  the  superintendent  of  the  water  works 
at  Stillwater,  was  recommended  to  the  committee  as  a competent 
hydraulic  engineer.  He  was  accordingly  invited  to  visit  the  city, 
examine  its  location,  streets,  buildings  and  water  supply,  with 
the  view  of  devising  the  best  plan  of  affording  fire  protection 
to  the  city,  as  well  as  furnishing  her  citizens  with  wholesome 
water  for  domestic  use  and  manufacturing  purposes.  His  visit 
and  interview  with  the  committee  resulted  in  his  being  employed 
to  draft  and  recommend  suitable  plans  and  specifications  for 
prosecuting  the  work.  He  was  also  engaged  as  consulting  en- 
gineer during  its  progress. 

In  due  time,  the  plans  and  specifications  for  the  entire  work 
were  submitted  for  the  examination  and  consideration  of  the 
committee;  and  after  many  amendments  and  alterations  they 
were  adopted  and  recommended  to  the  city  council,  which  also 
approved  and  adopted  them.  By  resolution  of  the  council,  the 
committee  was  instructed  to  advertise  in  a New  York,  a Chicago 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


587 


and  a St.  Paul  newspaper  for  proposals  for  doing  tlie  work,  in 
accordance  with  the  plans  and  specifications.  Some  half  dozen 
or  more  proposals  were  received  in  due  time.  The  contract  was 
awarded  August  28,  1883,  to  the  Northwestern  Water  and  Gas 
Supply  Company,  of  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  it  being  the  lowest  re- 
sponsible bidder,  for  the  sum  of  $80,400. 

The  pump  house  is  of  stone,  facing  Levee  street,  at  the  foot 
of  Hill  street,  40  by  52  feet,  divided  into  a pump  room  and  a 
boiler  room,  and  a brick  coal  shed  adjoining.  The  water  is  taken 
from  the  main  channel  of  the  Mississippi  river,  through  a four- 
teen-inch cast  iron  intake  pipe,  extending  800  feet  from  the  pump 
house  across  the  bay.  The  water  is  conveyed  by  gravity  into  a 
screen  well,  where  it  is  cleared  of  leaves,  chips,  small  fish  and 
other  impurities ; thence  it  is  conveyed  through  an  arch  from 
the  bottom  of  the  filter  well  to  an  adjoining  pump  well;  thence 
it  is  pumped  into  the  street  mains,  and  forced  into  a 1,000,000 
gallon  reservoir  located  on  Sorin  bluff,  at  an  elevation  of  275 
feet  above  the  river.  By  the  original  contract  the  reservoir  was 
to  be  built  by  tunneling  into  the  side  of  Sorin  bluff,  but  after 
digging  and  experimenting  for  some  time,  expending  a consider- 
able sum  of  money,  and  laying  down  two  blocks  of  pipe  on  Fifth 
and  Bluff  streets,  and  the  fourteen-inch  pipe  from  the  foot  of  the 
bluff  to  the  mouth  of  the  tunnel,  which  they  had  excavated,  the 
contractors  made  a proposition  to  the  committee,  that  they  would 
build  a 1,000,000  gallon  reservoir  on  top  of  the  ground,  and  cover 
it  with  a good  substantial  roof,  on  such  site  as  the  city  might 
select  on  the  point  of  Sorin  bluff,  and  remove  and  relay  the  pipe 
already  laid,  so  far  as  to  conform  to  the  new  location,  without 
any  additional  expense  to  the  city.  Accordingly,  by  the  mutual 
agreement  of  both  parties,  a new  plan  and  specifications  were 
prepared  and  adopted  for  the  reservoir,  and  the  original  contract 
was  so  far  modified  as  to  conform,  to  the  new  arrangement.  F or 
the  new  site  of  the  reservoir,  the  city  purchased  three  acres  of' 
land,  and  the  right  of  way  thereto,  for  the  sum  of  $400,  on  which 
the  reservoir  now  stands.  It  is  constructed  circular  and  is  eighty 
feet  in  diameter,  and  averages  twenty-seven  feet  in  depth.  It  is 
covered  with  a conical  roof,  consisting  of  a very  strong  and  sub- 
stantial timber  truss,  supported  in  the  center  by  a stone  pier,  and 
is  covered  by  shingles  laid  on  light  board  sheeting. 

Plans  are  now  under  way  for  furnishing  the  city  with  water 
from  an  artesian  well  sunk  seventy-five  feet  east  of  the  pumping 
station  from  which  a flow  was  obtained,  -Lily  2.  1909.  A contract 
was  let  in  the  fall  of  1909  for  a reservoir  with  a capacity  of  some 
three-quarters  of  a million  gallons. 


588 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


FERRIES. 

■ The  history  of  transportation  across  the  Mississippi  river  has 
ever  been  an  interesting  one,  from  the  time  of  the  Indians  who 
paddled  their  canoes  from  the  foot  of  Barn  Bluff  to  the  islands 
of  Avhat  is  now  the  Wisconsin  shore.  So  near  as  can  be  learned 
the  first  means  of  communication  between  the  two  shores,  aside 
from  canoes  and  skiffs,  was  a horse  ferry  between  Red  Wing  and 
Trenton,  operated  by  Captain  Edward  Speck,  under  a charter 
held  by  Francis  Ives.  This  was  in  the  fate  fifties  or  early  sixties. 
The  ferry  was  an  old  flat  boat,  with  two  side  wheels,  each  wheel 
provided  with  a tramway,  worked  by  a horse.  Two  round  trips 
a day  were  made  and  the  charge  was  one  dollar  a trip,  each  way. 
Later  Mr.  Speck  installed  steam  as  motive  poAver  in  his  boat. 
About  1866  the  ferry  flat  boats  came  into  existence  as  a means 
of  transportation  here.  One  ferry  was  operated  from  the  foot 
of  Broadway,  Red  Wing  to  the  Island,  which  was  crossed  by  a 
rude  road,  swampy  and  often  flooded  during  the  wet  seasons. 
Across  the  Wisconsin  channel  another  ferry  was  in  operation. 
The  charter  for  these  ferries  was  held  by  William  Howe  and 
T.  B.  Sheldon,  and  among  the  early  operators  were  D.  W.  Carson, 
J.  Van  Slierk,  William  Hutcheson  and  Allen  Adams.  These 
ferries,  it  should  be  noted,  were  simply  flat  boats  attached  to 
cables,  by  which  they  were  pulled  across.  The  city  records  con- 
tain accounts  of  appropriations  for  the  purchase  of  cable,  and 
for  the  building  of  roads  and  bridges  across  the  island. 

In  1868,  a steamboat,  the  Nellie  Sheldon,  was  operated,  with 
David  Hancock  as  captain,  and  the  following  year  with  J.  C, 
Hawes  as  captain,  but  this  ventitre  did  not  prove  a success.  The 
next  plan  proposed  was  the  digging  of  a canal  into  Mud  lake. 
The  plan  of  building  a pile  bridge  across  the  island  to  be  opei’- 
ated  in  connection  with  the  ferries  met  with  greater  favor  than 
the  canal  project,  and  as  outcome  of  this  preference,  the  Red 
Wing  & Trenton  Transit  Company  came  into  existence  February 
15,  1875.  The  corporation  was  to  commence  business  April  1, 
1875,  and  the  capital  stock  was  fixed  at  $50,000,  divided  into 
2.000  shares  of  $25  each.  The  incorporators  were  William  P. 
Brown,  D.  C.  Hill,  T.  K.  Simmons,  E.  L.  Baker,  C.  Cogel,  Jesse 
Mclntire,  J.  C.  Pierce,  T.  B.  Sheldon  and  J.  M.  Hodgman.  The 
first  directors  were  Messrs.  Sheldon,  Cogel,  Simmons,  Baker, 
Brown  and  Hill.  T.  B.  Sheldon  was  the  first  president  and  W.  C. 
Williston,  secretary  and  treasurer.  On  December  31,  1877,  after 
obtaining  the  necessary  legislative  consent,  the  city  of  Red  Wing 
voted  to  issue  bonds  to  the  company  for  the  sum  of  $25,000  and 
thus  began  the  connection  of  the  municipality  with  the  corpora- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUKTY 


589 


tion  April  20,  1878,  the  .+25,000  in  bonds  was  given  by  Red  Wing 
to  the  treasurer  of  the  company  in  return  for  that  amount  in 
stock,  the  object  being  to  provide  the  people  of  Pierce  county 
with  an  easy  access  to  Red  Wing.  Contracts  for  the  work  were 
soon  let.  They  provided  for  a road  across  the  island,  ten  pile 
bridges  to  allow  the  passage  of  the  overflow  of  the  river  during 
high  water,  and  in  addition  to  this  a bridge  across  the  Wiscon- 
sin channel.  Lawrence  and  Lindell  did  the  grading  and  D.  C. 
Hill  built  the  bridges.  In  the  spring  of  1879  this  work  was  com- 
pleted and  the  flat  boat  which  had  previously  crossed  the  Wis- 
consin channel  was  brought  around  to  the  Minnesota  channel 
and  run  in  connection  with  the  one  already  running  there.  The 
company  leased  the  ferry  to  J.  W . Day  until  1884  and  to  W.  E. 
Hawkins  from  1884  to  1886.  In  the  latter  year,  the  company 
became  dissatisfied  with  the  leasing  arrangement  and  from  then 
until  the  completion  of  the  high  bridge,  ran  the  ferry  under  the 
direct  supervision  of  its  officers. 

The  date  of  the  beginning  of  the  bridge  agitation  in  Red  Wing 
lies  in  obscurity.  As  early  as  1872,  congress  authorized  the  build- 
ing of  a draw  bridge  here.  In  1883,  the  Minnesota  Central  rail- 
road asked  the  assistance  of  the  city  in  building  a combination 
wagon  and  railroad  bridge,  but  the  city  meeting  held  to  con- 
sider the  matter  ended  in  a row.  In  1889  the  Red  Wing  Pontoon 
Bridge  Company  was  organized,  but  nothing  came  of  this  ven- 
ture. In  1888  the  city  voted  $25,000  to  assist  the  Duluth,  Red 
Wing  & Southern  railroad  in  building  a bridge,  but  the  company 
did  not  take  advantage  of  the  offer.  The  agitation  which  resulted 
in  the  present  bridge  started  in  the  fall  of  1892.  On  January  6, 
1893,  the  matter  was  brought  before  the  city  council  and  Aider- 
man  C.  E.  Friedrich,  J.  C.  Seebaeh  and  G.  A.  Carlson  were  ap- 
pointed a committee  to  investigate.  This  committee,  after  in- 
vestigation, rendered  a favorable  report  and  drew  up  a resolu- 
tion for  submitting  to  the  voters  the  proposition  of  issuing  bonds 
to  the  amount  of  $50,000.  March  10,  the  officials  of  the  Duluth, 
Red  Wing  & Southern  railroad  asked  that  the  resolution  be  with- 
drawn making  the  bridge  a combination  one.  During  the  spring 
the  necessary  legislative  measures  were  taken,  and  on  October 
20  the  council  took  up  the  matter  with  renewed  vigor.  The  city 
voted  in  favor  of  $75,000  bonds  on  February  8,  the  vote  standing 
1,353  to  286.  Then  the  bonds  were  sold,  contracts  let  and  work 
started,  the  whole  reaching  a joyful  consummation  on  May  1, 
1895.  The  present  officers  of  the  Red  Wing  & Transit  Company 
are  Peter  Nelson,  president;  M.  Kappel,  vice-president;  S.  H. 
Haynes,  secretary,  and  W.  H.  Putnam,  treasurer.  In  addition  to 


59U 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


these,  C.  A.  Erickson  and  Hiram  Howe  are  also  directors  of  the 
company.  All  of  the  pile  bridges  on  the  island  have  been  removed 
and  the  places  filled,  making  a solid  roadway.  The  making  of 
a solid  fill  across  the  Wisconsin  channel  is  being  investigated 
and  may  be  done,  as  the  bridge  has  been  in  poor  condition  for 
some  time  and  a fill  would  not  be  of  much  more  expense  than  re- 
building the  bridge'. 

WAGON  BRIDGE. 

The  high  steel  bridge  spanning  the  Mississippi  is  the  realiza- 
tion of  a dream  that  was  entertained  since  the  days  of  the 
earliest  settlement,  and  was  the  natural  outcome  of  the  ferry  sys: 
tern  which  prevailed  for  so  many  yeai’S.  The  bridge  is  a magnifi- 
cent structure,  a veritable  triumph  of  the  bridge  builder’s  art. 
In  beauty  of  design  as  well  as  in  solidity  of  construction,  and  the 
carefulness  displayed  in  the  details,  the  bridge  has  few  ecpxals 
and  probably  no  superiors  in  this  part  of  the  country.  At  the 
point  where  the  bi’idge  crosses  the  river,  the  channel  is  about 
650  feet  wide,  with  a depth  of  seventeen  feet  in  mid-channel  at 
low  water.  On  the  Minnesota  side  an  earthwork  approach  com- 
mences at  the  intersection  of  Main  and  Bluff  streets  and  runs 
northerly  on  Bluff  street  a distance  of  333  feet.  The  bridge 
proper  consists  of  four  spans  and  a trestle  approach  on  the  Wis- 
consin  side,  all  constructed  of  steel  and  resting  on  masoniy  foun- 
dations. The  substructure  coxxsists  of  two  high  channel  piers,  a 
smaller  pier  on  the  Wisconsin  shore,  four  short  piers  under  the 
short  span  on  the  Mississippi  shore  and  sixty-two  small  piers 
under  the  Wisconsin  trestle  approach.  The  total  cost  was  $66,- 
800.  The  bridge  was  opened  with  appropriate  ceremonies  May 
•1.  1895.  The  work  on  the  substructure  began  in  June,  1894.  It 
was  practically  completed  in  November  of  the  same  year.  Work 
on  the  superstructure  began  in  January,  1895,  and  was  completed 
in  the  latter  part  of  April.  The  earthen  approaches  and  the  small 
piers  were  built  by  the  city  during  the  summer  and  fall  of  1894. 
The  three  large  piers  were  built  by  D.  D.  Smith,  of  Minneapolis; 
the  sixty-six  small  piers  were  built  under  the  direction  of  City 
Engineer  L.  P.  Wolff  and  Street  Commissioner  P.  M.  Luft,  the 
stone  being  furnished  by  Andrew  Danielson.  The  contract  for 
the  steel  superstructure  was  filled  by  the  Toledo  Bridge  Com- 
pany, of  Toledo,  Ohio. ' In  addition  to  that  provided  by  Mr.  Dan- 
ielson, stone  was  furnished  by  Gust  Lillyblad  and  John  Johnson. 
The  lumber  was  furnished  by  the  Charles  Betcher  Lumber  Com- 
pany. The  original  board  which  considered  the  advisability  of 
building  the  bridge,  and  had  much  to  do  with  the  successful 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


591 


carrying  out  of  the  plans  consisted  of  Aldermen  C.  E.  Friedrich, 
J.  C.  Seebaeh  and  G.  A.  Carlson.  The  board  under  whom  the 
bridge  was  completed  and  opened  consisted  of  Mayor  A.  P. 
Pierce,  City  Clerk  AY.  E.  Taylor  and  Aldermen  E.  II.  Druse,  AYil- 
liam  Hendel,  H.  L.  McKinstry,  D.  H.  Tandy,  Ed  Johnson,  C.  A. 
Erickson,  J.  P.  Patterson,  E.  H.  Hoard  and  B.  F.  Seiz. 

ASSOCIATIONS  AND  CLUBS. 

The  Red  Wing’  Manufacturers’  Association  was  organized 
April  25,  1900,  in  the  office  of  Charles  A.  Beteher,  who  was  the 
principal  advocate  of  its  formation.  Those  present  at  the  orig- 
inal meeting  were  John  IT.  Rich,  P.  Jorgenson,  D.  AI.  Neill,  B. 
Gerlach,  E.  H.  Blodgett  and  C.  A.  Betclier.  The  first  officers 
were:  President,  C.  A.  Betclier;  vice-president,  P.  Jorgenson; 
secretary,  C.  E.  Sheldon ; treasurer,  B.  Gerlach.  At  present  there 
are  about  twenty-five  members  representing  practically  all  the 
manufacturing  interests  of  Red  AYing.  The  present  officers  are : 
President,  C.  S.  Sultzer ; vice-president,  E.  IT.  Foot ; secretary, 
Hiram  Howe;  treasurer,  AYilliam  AATeiss.  The  object  of  the  asso- 
ciation is  the  promotion  of  the  manufacturing  interests  of  Red 
AAring  and  the  exploitation  of  the  city  in  general. 

The  Red  Wing  Yacht  Club  was  organized  July  20,  1903,  with 
about  eighty  boats  represented.  The  first  commodore  was  A. 
F.  Anderson.  His  successors  have  been:  C.  II.  Boxrud,  J.  II. 
Rich,  C.  E.  Sheldon,  Dr.  AT.  AY.  Smith  and  AYalter  Sheldon.  The 
present  officers  are:  Commodore,  AYalter  Sheldon;  vice  commo- 
dore, B.  A.  Herrick ; secretary,  AI.  E.  Chamberlain ; treasurer, 
E.  C.  Erb ; fleet  captain,  AY.  A.  Scott ; directors,  L.  Penfold,  AI. 
AY.  Smith  and  J.  Reichert.  In  1905  the  club  built  a landing  float 
at  a cost  of  $200.  This  wa§  wrecked  in  1908  and  a new  float  was 
at  once  built  at  a cost  slightly  in  excess  of  the  original  one.  The 
club  is  in  a prosperous  condition  and  has  done  much  to  encour- 
age aquatic  sport  in  Red  AYing  and  vicinity.  . 

The  Red  Wing  Commercial  Club  has  had  an  important  part  in 
the  civic  and  business  improvements  of  the  city.  Its  social  side 
lias  brought  the  business  men  of  the  city  in  closer  touch  with 
each  other,  while  its  more  serious  side  has  had  much  to  do  with 
every  public  movement  of  any  consequence  since  its  organization. 
After  the  organization  the  stone  house  at  the  corner  of  Fourth 
and  Fulton  streets  was  leased  for  a period  of  three  years.  The 
club  then  moved  to  the  upper  floor  of  the  Gladstone  block  and 
there  remained  until  January,  1905,  when  the  present  beautiful 
quarters  on  the  fourth  floor  of  the  Goodhue  County  National 


592 


HISTORY  OF  OOODI-IUE  COUNTY 


Bank  building-  were  secured.  There  are  now  about  175  active 
members  and  the  present  officers  are:  Jens  K.  Grondahl,  presi- 
dent; J.  L.  Silvernale,  vice  president;  0.  A.  Ulvin,  treasurer;  J. 

F.  Merrill,  secretary;  C.  F.  Iljermstad,  J.  E.  Kyllo  and  N.  A. 
Peterson,  directors.  At  the  first  meeting,  held  in  the  office  of 

A.  P.  Pierce,  October  23,  1894,  the  following  business  men  were 
present:  John  II.  Rich,  S.  B.  Foot,  J.  H.  AVebster,  E.  II.  Blodgett, 
Hiram  Howe,  R.  A.  Pratt,  C.  AA7.  Barber,  J.  S.  Brenneman,  E.  S. 
Hoyt,  George  D.  AA7illiston,  D.  M.  Baldwin,  Edwin  Foot,  J.  Y. 
Anderson,  F.  M.  Parker,  J.  AA7.  Brown,  Frank  Sherman,  John  D. 
Warner,  E.  II.  Hoard,  P.  Jorgenson,  FI.  L.  Iljermstad,  W.  C. 
Krise,  C.  Beckman,  T.  B.  Sheldon,  L.  J.  Boynton,  Joseph  S.  Wing, 

G.  AA7.  Hauenstein,  L.  F.  Hubbard  and  A.  P.  Pierce.  The  first 

officers  were:  President,  John  H.  Rich;  vice-president,  T.  B. 

Sheldon ; secretary,  A.  P.  Pierce ; treasurer,  Hiram  Howe ; direc- 
tors, E.  II.  Blodgett,  C.  AA7.  Barber,  C.  A.  Betcher,  R.  A.  Pratt 
an  d E.  TI.  II  oard.  Mr.  Rich  has  been  followed  as  president  by 
C.  A.  Rasmussen,  C.  AA7.  Barber,  A.  P.  Pierce,  C.  A.  Betcher,  J.  S. 
Pardee,  W.  S.  Vent,  D.  M.  Neill,  E.  H.  Foot,  AA7.  P.  Putnam,  E.  II. 
Foot  and  H.  J.  Iljermstad. 

The  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association  was  organized  April 
23,  1868.  with  seventy  members.  The  following  year  the  officers 
were:  President,  D.  C.  Hill ; first  vice  president,  J.  F.  Pingrey; 
second  vice-president,  0.  A.  Inseth ; recording  secretary,  B.  B. 
Herbert  ; corresponding  secretary,  Joseph  Lockey;  librarian,  T. 

B.  McCord;  treasurer,  F.  A.  Cole.  Rooms  were  rented  and  for  a 
time  the  association  flourished.  It  finally  went  out  of  existence. 
In  February,  1909,  the  state  convention  met  in  Red  AA7ing  and 
much  interest  was  aroused  in  again  starting  an  association  here. 
In  the  summer  of  1909  came  the  announcement  that  James  Law- 
ther,  whose  name  was  already  perpetuated  in  the  Carnegie-Law- 
ther  library,  had  donated  $50,000  for  the  erection  of  a building 
in  Red  Wing.  A site  at  the  corner  of  Broadway  and  Main  streets 
was  selected  and  purchased.  The  new  building,  complete  with 
all  the  modern  features  of  a city  Young  Men’s  Christian  Associa- 
tion, will  probably  be  completed  in  the  fall  of  1910. 

OLD  SETTLERS  ASSOCIATION. 

January  26,  1869,  a meeting  was  called  in  Red  Wing  for  the 
purpose  of  organizing  an  “Old  Settlers  Association.”  It  was 
held  in  the  Board  of  Trade  rooms  at  2 o’clock  in  the  afteimoon, 
and  those  present  were:  J.  C.  Weatherby,  John  Day,  William 

AY.  Sweney,  David  Hancock,  IT.  S.  Bevans,  AA7.  AY.  DeKay,  II.  C. 
Hoffman,  J.  C.  Pierce,  A.  AY.  Pratt,  S.  J.  Willard,  T.  J.  Clark, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


593 


F.  F.  Pliilleo  and  Chris  Graham.  At  a meeting  February  4,  1869, 
the  following  officers  were  chosen : Chairman,  George  Wilkin- 

son; secretary,  S.  J.  Willard;  treasurer,  J.  C.  Pierce.  E.  T.  Wil- 
der, AY.  AA7.  Sweney,  J.  AY.  Hancock,  J.  C.  Weatherby  and  F.  F. 
Pliilleo  were  appointed  a committee  to  report  a constitution  and 
by-laws  at  the  next  meeting.  Those  present  were : H.  C.  Hoff- 
man, J.  C.  Weatherby,  J.  AAT.  Hancock,  AY.  H.  Wellington,  E.  P. 
Lowater,  C.  Spates.  D.  Hancock,  F.  F.  Pliilleo,  C.  Cogel,  E.  T. 
Wilder,  T.  J.  Clark,  AY.  AY.  Sweney,  J.  C.  Pierce,  J.  Ashton,  Jared 
Sexton  and  S.  J.  Willard.  March  18  a meeting  was  held  and  the 
committee  on  constitution  submitted  their  report.  The  articles 
of  the  constitution  were  read  and  adopted.  The  officers  chosen 
were : President,  J.  AY.  Hancock ; vice-president,  Dr.  AY.  AA7. 
Sweney;  corresponding  secretary,  A.  AA7.  Pratt;  treasurer,  J.  C. 
Pierce.  The  executive  committee  was  composed  of  IJ.  L.  Bevans. 
Jesse  Mclntire  and  E.  T.  AVilder. 

The  next  meeting  of  the  “Old  Settlers  Association”  was  held 
March  i,  1882,  at  the  court  house  at  two  o’clock  in  the  afternoon. 
Rev.  J.  W.  Hancock  at  that  time  presented  to  the  association  the 
first  bell  ever  rung  in  the  county.  Another  meeting  was  held  in 
Zumbrota,  Minn.,  June  30  the  same  year.  January  3,  1883,  the 
association  met  in  the  court  house  and  the  following  officers  were 
elected:  President,  Rev.  J.  AY.  Hancock;  vice-president,  Hon. 

E.  T.  Wilder;  secretary,  L.  A.  Hancock;  corresponding  secretary, 
A.  AY.  Pratt ; treasurer,  Hon.  J.  C.  Pierce ; executive  committee, 
S.  J.  Willard,  Jesse  Mclntire  and  E.  T.  AVilder. 

In  1897  a notice  was  published  to  the  effect  that  a meeting 
would  be  held  at  the  court  house  June  14,  1897,  for  the  purpose 
of  organizing  an  Old  Settlers  Association,  and  extending  an  in- 
vitation to  all  those  who  came  to  Alinnesota  prior  to  its  admission 
as  a state  to  attend.  About  forty  old  settlers  were  present  at 
the  meeting.  J.  AA7.  Peterson  moved  that  the  association  be  known 
as  the  “Old  Settlers  Association,”  and  also  suggested  that  the 
books  and  copy  of  the  records  of  a former  organization  of  this 
nature  be  turned  over  to  this  organization.  A committee  of  five, 
composed  of  AA7.  C.  AATilliston,  J.  AY.  Hancock,  J.  AA7.  Peterson,  A. 
W.  Pratt  and  E.  H.  Druse,  was  appointed  to  draft  a constitution 
and  by-laws.  The  regular  meeting  was  held  July  17,  1897.  at 
the  old  opera  house,  and  the  meeting  called  to  order  by  Rev.  J. 
W.  Hancock.  The  committee  on  constitution  submitted  their  re- 
port, the  articles  of  the  constitution  were  read  and  adopted,  and 
the  association  was  called  the  “Territorial  Pioneers  of  Minne- 
sota.” The  officers  elected  were:  President,  Rev.  J.  W.  Han- 

cock ; vice-president,  Hon.  J.  AAr.  Peterson ; secretary,  E.  H. 


594 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Druse;  treasurer,  A.  W.  Pratt;  executive  committee,  William 
JBootliroyd,  W.  B.  Hancock,  H.  Blanchard,  D.  C.  Hill  and  J.  C. 
Bowman.  The  next  regular  meeting  was  held  at  the  city  park  in 
Red  Wing,  June  18,  1898.  June  23,  1899,  the  annual  meeting 
of  the  Territorial  Pioneers  was  held  at  Featherstone  Prairie,  at 
the  home  of  Thomas  Featherstone,  and  on  this  occasion  cele- 
brated the  semi-centennial  of  the  arrival  of  Rev.  J.  W.  Hancock 
in  Red  Wing.  The  following  officers  were  elected:  President, 

Hon.  J.  W.  Peterson;  vice-president,  Rev.  J.  W.  Hancock;  secre- 
tary, E.  II.  Druse;  treasurer,  A.  W-.  Pratt;  executive  committee, 
D.  C.  Dill,  AY.  Boothroyd,  J.  B.  Locke.  The  next  annual  meeting 
of  the  association  was  held  in  Vasa.  June  22,  1900.  The  officers 
chosen  were : President,  Thomas  Featherstone ; vice-president, 

J.  W.  Peterson;  secretary,  William  F.  Cross;  executive  commit- 
tee, Rev.  E.  Norelius,  J.  AA7.  Hancock,  William  Boothroyd.  A.  J. 
Grover  and  James  Scofield;  treasurer,  A.  AA7.  Pratt.  June  27, 
1901,  the  annual  meeting  and  picnic  of  the  Territorial  Pioneers 
was  held  at  the  home  of  Thomas  Featherstone.  The  officers 
elected  were : President,  Charles  Betcher,  Red  Wing ; vice-presi- 
dent, J.  W.  Peterson,  Vasa;  secretary,  D.  C.  Hill,  Red  AVing; 
treasurer,  A.  AY.  Pratt,  Red  Wing;  executive  committee,  William 
Boothroyd,  Welch;  Thomas  Featherstone  and  Harvey  Miller.  The 
next  regular  meeting  was  held  at  the  home  of  Charles  Betcher 
June  13,  190^.  The  officers  chosen  were  the  same  as  the  previous 
year,  with  the  addition  of  Lewis  Johnson  and  A.  J.  Grover  of 
the  executive  committee.  Mr.  Betcher  invited  the  association  to 
meet  at  his  home  the  next  year,  and  the  sixth  annual  meeting-  of 
the  association  was  advertised  to  meet  at  his  home  June  6,  1903, 
but  was  changed  an  hour  before  the  time  set  for  the  meeting  to 
the  city  park  by  the  sudden  death  of  Mr.  Betcher,  which  occurred 
at  nine  o’clock  on  the  morning  set  for  the  gathering.  The  fol- 
lowing officers  were  elected  by  acclamation:  President,  J.  W. 

Peterson,  Vasa;  vice-president,  Thomas  Featherstone,  Feather- 
stone ; secretary,  D.  C.  Hill ; treasurer,  A.  AA7.  Pratt ; executive 
committee,  A.  J.  Grover,  Minneola ; Lewis  Johnson,  Claybank ; 
AVilliam  Boothroyd,  Harvey  Miller,  Red  Wing;  Howard  Libbey, 
Featherstone.  The  seventh  annual  meeting  was  held  at  the  home 
of  Howard  Libbey  in  Featherstone,  June  22,  1901,  with  the  elec- 
tion of  the  following  officers:  President,  Howard  Libbey;  vice- 

president,  A.  AA7.  Pratt ; secretary,  Watts  Sherman ; treasurer, 
A.  AA7.  Pratt ; executive  committee,  J.  L.  Scofield,  Cannon  Falls ; 
A.  J.  Grover,  Minneola;  Lewis  Johnson;  Claybank;  Harvey  Mil- 
ler and  AVm.  Boothroyd,  Red  AA7ing.  The  next  annual  meeting 
was  held  in  Zumbrota,  June  16,  1905,  and  the  following  officers 
elected  : President,  A.  J.  Grover ; vice-president,  J.  W.  Peterson ; 


HI  ST  OK  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


595 


executive  committee,  Bond  Olson,  Zumbrota;  Charles  Miller,  Pine 
Island;  D.  C.  Hill,  William  Boothroyd,  Red  Wing,  and  J.  L.  Sco- 
field, Cannon  Falls.  The  association  met  again  the  next  year  at 
Zumbrota,  June  19,  1906,  and  the  officers  chosen  were : President, 
J.  AY.  Peterson;  first  vice-president;  AYiiliam  Boothroyd;  second 
vice-president,  Mrs.  Sarah  J.  Iiasler ; treasurer,  Harvey  Miller ; 
secretary,  J.  E.  Holman,  Kenyon.  June  19,  1907,  the  annual 
meeting  was  held  at  Cannon  Falls,  with  the  election  of  the  fol- 
lowing officers:  President,  J.  W.  Peterson;  vice-president,  A\7ill- 
iam  Boothroyd ; corresponding  secretary,  Mrs.  Sarah  J.  Hasler. 
June  20,  1908,  the  meeting  was  held  in  the  Red  AYing  Armory 
and  the  old  officers  were  re-elected.  At  the  annual  meeting  of 
the  Old  Settlers’  Association  at  Goodhue,  June  23,  1909,  the  fol- 
lowing officers  were  elected:  President,  AY.  E.  Mosher,  Zum- 

brota; secretary,  J.  E.  Smith,  Red  AA7ing;  treasurer,  Harvey  Mil- 
ler; corresponding  secretary,  Mrs.  Sarah  Hasler.  Judge  W.  C. 
Williston  celebrated  his  seventy-ninth  birthday,  also  the  fifty- 
second  anniversary  of  his  arrival  in  Red  Wing,  and  his  sudden 
death  at  three  o’clock  that  afternoon  while  speaking  cast  a gloom 
over  the  whole  assemblage. 

The  Lake  Pepin  A/alley  Old  Settlers’  Association  has  been 
in  existence  since  about  1873.  Meetings  are  held  twice  a year, 
the  annual  picnic  being  held  in  the  township  of  Florence.  0.  P. 
Francisco,  a resident  of  “Sugar  Loaf,”  in  Goodhue  county,  is 
the  president.  Charles  Gould,  who  since  1850  has  lived  near  the 
mouth  of  AY ells  creek,  is  the  treasurer,  and  Rosa  Gould,  his 
daughter,  is  the  secretary. 

W.  C.  T.  U. — The  state  organization  of  the  AYoman’s  Christian 
Temperance  Union  was  effected  in  Minneapolis  June  6,  1877.  The 
first  local  auxiliary  in  Goodhue  county  was  organized  at  Red 
AYing,  June  20,  1877.  This  was  the  first  local  auxiliary  in  the 
state  outside  of  Minneapolis.  The  report  made  of  the  first  year’s 
work  at  the  state  convention  held  in  Owatonna,  September  17. 
18  and  19,  1878,  was  as  follows:  President,  Airs.  C.  Hobart;  re- 
cording secretary,  C.  Chaffee ; corresponding  secretary,  Mrs.  C. 
B.  Wright;  treasurer,  Airs.  E.  S.  Wright;  number  of  members, 
38 ; number  of  saloons,  45  (two  licenses  have  been  taken  away 
from  saloons);  meetings  held  weekly;  average  attendance,  15; 
number  of  reclaimed  inebriates,  200 ; signers  to  total  abstinence 
pledge,  1,700.  There  is  a free  reading  room,  supplied  with  the 
need  of  the  day  and  temperance  literature,  and  sociables  are  held 
frequently;  thirteen  copies  of  “Our  Union”  and  five  of  the 
“Radical,”  besides  the  “Banner”  for  the  children.  Three  hun- 
dred signers  to  the  temperance  petition ; paid  state  treasurer 
$8.75. 


596 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


In  1881  Mrs.  Harriet  A.  Hobart,  wife  of  Dr.  Chauneey  Hobart, 
of  Red  Wing,  was  elected  president,  and  Mrs.  E.  S.  Wright,  of 
Red  Wing,  secretary  of  the  state  W.  C.  T.  U.,  which  offices  they 
held  for  thirteen  years.  Red  Wing  union  also  furnished  to  the 
state  one  vice-president  (Mrs.  Julia  B.  Nelson,  1888-90),  two  state 
lecturers  and  organizers  (Mrs.  Carrie  Knox  Godfrey  and  Mrs. 
Julia  B.  Nelson).  Mrs.  M.  A.  Dockstader  has  served  as  state 
superintendent  of  the  department  of  anti-narcotics,  and  Airs. 
Julia  B.  Nelson  as  superintendent  of  press  work,  of  the  franchise 
department,  work  among  the  Scandinavians  and  work  among 
colored  people. 

At  first  there  were  but  three  W.  C.  T.  U.  districts  in  the  state, 
then  five,  following  the  boundaries  of  the  congressional  districts. 
Until  there  ivas  sufficient  organization  for  conventions  and  regu- 
lar elections,  the  districts  were  in  a territorial  condition,  having 
presidents  appointed  by  the  state  executive.  Airs.  AI.  A.  Dock- 
stader was  the  first  president  of  the  district  to  which  Goodhue 
county  belonged.  Airs.  R.  C.  C.  Gale,  of  Faribault,  was  district 
president  from  1884  to  1886.  In  1887  the  state  had  been  divided 
into  sixteen  W.  C.  T.  U.  districts.  District  1 comprised  Goodhue, 
Rice,  Dakota,  Carver  and  AlcLeocl  counties.  Airs.  Dockstader 
was  president  of  this  district  for  two  years  and  was  succeeded 
by  Airs.  Jemima  A.  Clifford,  of  Northfielcl,  who  was  annually  re- 
elected until  1901,  when  an  amendment  to  the  state  constitution 
proposed  by  Airs.  Julia  B.  Nelson,  eliminated  county  organiza- 
tion and  divide  districts,  making  thirty- two  districts  in  the  state. 
Goodhue  and  Dakota  counties  formed  district  26.  Later  Rice 
and  Washington  counties  asked  to  become  a part  of  this  district 
and  at  a joint  convention  held  in  Hastings,  they  were  made  a 
part  of  district  26.  The  presidents  have  been : Mrs.  Julia  B. 
Nelson.  Red  Wing;  Airs.  M.  J.  Rust,  Hastings,  and  Olive  Mc- 
Naughton  of  St.  Paul  Park.  The  officers  elected  June  18,  1909, 
were : President,  Olive  McNaughton,  of  St.  Paul  Park;  vice  presi- 
dent, Airs.  A.  J.  Stauffer,  Faribault;  secretary,  Mrs.  C.  E.  Gates, 
Goodhue ; treasurer,  Jennie  Seasons,  Cannon  Falls,  a daughter  of 
Airs.  J.  AI.  Alitehell,  who  was  treasurer  either  of  the  county  or 
district  for  seventeen  years. 

AVliile  there  was  county  organization  (1887  to  1901),  Airs. 
Sarah  E.  Hasler,  of  Red  Wing,  was  president  for  four  years  and 
was  followed  by  Mrs.  Al.  E.  Ackerman  of  Stanton,  Airs.  M.  FI. 
Dack  of  Stanton  and  Mrs.  Alay  Taplin  of  Aliesville.  The  county 
secretaries  were : Alice  Brown  and  Airs.  Agnes  C.  Davis  of  Red 
AVing,  Airs.  Al.  E.  Ackerman  and  Airs.  Cora  Whitson  of  Stanton. 
The  county  treasurers  were : Mrs.  Alary  C.  Engstrom  and  Airs.  Al. 
J.  Mitchell,  Cannon  Falls;  Airs.  H.  E.  Ackerman,  Stanton,  and 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


597 


Mrs.  H.  E.  Conley,  Cannon  Falls.  There  are  local  unions  in 
Goodhue,  Oxford  (mail,  Cannon  Falls),  Pine  Island.  Red  Wing 
and  Stanton. 

BANKS  AND  BANKING. 

The  banking  business  in  Red  Wing  and,  in  fact,  in  Goodhue 
county,  was  started  by  Pascal  Smith,  who  loaned  money  to  the 
early  settlers  with  their  land  and  improvements  as  security.  In 
1857  a firm  was  started  under  the  name  of  Smith,  Meigs  & Co., 
the  partners  in  this  venture  being  Messrs.  Smith.  Meigs,  Fergu- 
son and  Knapp.  In  1859  the  Bank  of  Red  Wing  was  organized 
under  state  law  and  issued  currency.  In  1860  the  firm  of  Smith, 
Meigs  & Co.  was  changed  to  Smith  & Dickinson.  Soon  after  the 
Bank  of  Red  Wing  was  started  it  was  bought  out  by  Pascal 
Smith  and  conducted  from  1862  to  1865  by  Dickinson  and  Smith. 

The  First  National  Bank,  of  Red  Wing,  was  organized  in 
September,  1865,  with  a capital  stock  of  $50,000,  which  has  since 
been  increased  to  $100,000.  The  original  incorporators  were 
•Jesse  Mclntire,  Robert  B.  Miller,  T.  B.  Sheldon,  Jesse  M.  Ilodg- 
man,  John  Friedrich  and  T.  K.  Simmons.  The  first  president 
was  T.  B.  Sheldon  and  the  first  cashier  was  Jesse  Mclntire.  In 
1905  a new  charter  was  secured  and  the  company  was  reor- 
ganized. the  new  officers  being : President.  F.  H.  Wellcome ; vice 
president,  E.  FI.  Blodgett ; second  vice  president,  H.  FI.  Buck ; 
cashier,  FI.  P.  Mclntire ; assistant  cashier,  C.  IF  Crandall.  The 
board  of  directors  consisted  of  F.  IF.  Wellcome,  R.  L.  Grondahl. 
IF.  P.  Mclntire  and  H.  IF.  Buck.  January  1.  1906,  J.  Henry  Cross, 
who  has  since . taken  an  active  part  in  Red  Wing  affairs,  suc- 
ceeded Mr.  Wellcome  as  president.  The  present  officers  are : 
President,  J.  Henry  Cross;  vice  president,  F.  IF.  Wellcome; 
cashier,  Samuel  IF.  Lockin ; directors.  Dr.  J.  A".  Anderson.  W.  J. 
Featherstone,  August  J.  Becker.  The  report  at  the  close  of  busi- 
ness April  28,  1909,  was  as  follows : Resources — Loans  and  dis- 
counts, $392,050.07 ; overdrafts,  none ; United  States  and  other 
bonds,  $172,836.48;  real  estate,  furniture  and  fixtures,  $21,000.00; 
cash  and  due  from  banks,  $91,034.38;  total,  $676,921.73.  Lia- 
bilities— Capital.  $100,000.00 ; surplus  and  profits,  $26,239.30 ; 
circulation,  $100,000.00;  deposits,  $450,682.43;  total,  $676,921.73. 
The  list  of  stock  holders  contains  many  of  the  business  and  pro- 
fessional men  of  Red  Wing  and  vicinity. 

Pierce,  Simmons  & Co.  was  started  October  1,  1868,  when 
Messrs.  J.  C.  Pierce,  T.  K.  Simmons  and  A.  W.  Pratt,  all  resi- 
dents of  Red  Wing,  having  engaged  in  active  business  of  various 
kinds  for  some  ten  years  or  more,  associated  themselves  under 
the  firm  name  of  Pierce,  Simmons  & Company,  Bankers,  the  firm 


HISTORY  OR  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


598 

and  business  being  conducted  along  these  lines  until  1891.  AY.  IT. 
Putnam  entered  the  employ  of  the  firm  in  1873  and  was  elected 
cashier  in  1883.  Mr.  Simmons’  death  in  1890  necessitated  a re- 
organization, which  was  completed  July  1,  1891,  the  firm’s  busi- 
ness being  transferred  to  the  Bank  of  Pierce,  Simmons  & Co.,  a 
duly  incorporated  state  bank  with  a capitalization  of  $60,000,  the 
officers  being  J.  C.  Pierce,  president;  A.  AY.  Pratt,  vice  president; 
AY.  IT.  Putnam,  cashier,  and  AY.  II.  Grow,  assistant  cashier.  Pros- 
perity, due  to  good  management  and  liberal  snpport,  necessitated 
more  capital,  which  in  1892  was  increased  to  $100,000  and  in 
1904  to  $125,000.  On  the  death  of  Mr.  Pierce  in  June,  1904,  Mr. 
Pratt  was  chosen  his  successor  as  president,  Mr.  Putnam  assum- 
ing the  offices  of  vice  president  and  cashier.  At  the  annual  meet- 
ing held  in  January,  1908,  the  present  officers  were  elected,  as 
follows : President,  AY.  IP  Putnam ; vice  president,  AY.  PI.  .Grow; 
cashier,  R.  AAr.  Putnam;  assistant  cashier,  J.  AY.  Holliday.  A neat 
booklet  issued  by  this  bank  contains  much  historical  and  statis- 
tical information  in  regard  to  the  early  days  of  Red  AYing.  The 
report  of  the  bank  at  the  close  of  business,  April  28,  1909,  is  as 
follows : Resources — Loans,  $657,696.19  ; overdrafts,  $3,111.68 ; 
bonds,  $53,837.00 ; cash  and  due  from  banks,  $94,860.36 ; total, 
$809,405.23.  Liabilities — Capital,  $125,000.00;  surplus,  $50,- 

000.00;  undivided  profits,  $9,033.29;  reserve  for  interest  and 
taxes,  $8,000.00;  deposits,  $617,371.94;  total,  $809,405.23. 

Albert  W.  Pratt  for  many  years  Red  AYing ’s  most  prominent 
banker,  now  living  in  honored  and  respected  retirement,  has 
been  closely  identified  with  the  financial  interests  of  the  county 
since  the  early  days.  He  was  born  in  Chagrin  Falls,  Ohio,  July 
10,  1837,  son  of  Richard  and  Sarah  (Fitch)  Pratt,  who  located 
in  that  place  in  1835.  The  father  was  a native  of  Massachusetts 
and  the  mother  of  New  York  state.  At  Chagrin  Falls  Richard 
Pratt  engaged  for  many  years  in  the  boot  and  shoe  business.  For 
a time  he  lived  in  Keokuk,  Iowa,  but  later  returned  to  Chagrin 
Falls,  where  he  died  in  1868.  His  wife  died  at  Hamilton,  111.,  in 
1872.  Albert  AY.  received  his  early  education  in  the  schools  of 
his  native  town,  and  for  several  years  was  employed  in  the  post- 
office  at  Painsville,  Ohio.  He  came  to  Red  AYing  in  1856  and 
was  commissioned  by  Judges  II.  and  E.  T.  AYilder  to  sell  land 
warrants  and  loan  money  to  new  settlers  who  took  advantage  of 
the  preemption  law.  In  this  capacity  he  continued  until  1857, 
when  the  land  office  was  removed  to  Henderson,  Minn.,  Mr.  Pratt 
going  with  the  office  and  following  the  same  business  until  the 
Indian  outbreak  of  1862,  at  which  time  he  was  appointed  by  the 
state  to  adjust  claims  made  by  the  whites  for  property  destroyed 
by  the  Indians.  Locating  again  in  Red  AYing  in  1863.  he  entered 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


599 


the  office  of  Judge  Wilder,  at  the  same  time  working  in  the  bank 
of  Pascal  Smith  as  clerk.  In  1865,  when  the  banking  business  of 
Mr.  Smith  was  disposed  of  to  the  First  National  Bank,  Mr.  Pratt 
became  connected  with  the  latter  institution,  serving  as  book- 
keeper until  1868.  In  1868,  with  J.  C.  Pierce  and  T.  K.  Simmons, 
he  organized  the  Bank  of  Pierce,  Simmons  & Co.  Josiali  C.  Pierce 
was  the  first  president  and  Mr.  Pratt  the  cashier.  Upon  the 
death  of  Mr.  Pierce,  Mr.  Pratt  succeeded  him  as  president,  occu- 
pying that  position  until  January,  1908,  when  he  resigned  and 
retired.  In  addition  to  his  banking  interests,  Mr.  Pratt  opened 
what  he  called  “The  Old  Book  Store,”  on  Bush  street,  which  he 
later  sold  to  Arthur  D.  Danielson,  the  present  proprietor.  A 
Democrat  in  politics,  Mr.  Pratt  has  always  been  interested  in 
public  affairs,  and  for  many  years  he  served-,  as  treasurer  of  the 
city.  He  is  a member  of  the  Episcopal  Church  and  belongs  to 
the  Elks.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  at  Painsville, 
Ohio,  November  8,  1860,  to  Agnes  Y.  Russell,  of  that  place.  Four 
children  have  blessed  the  union.  Tracy  AY.  is  general  manager  of 
the  large  cotton  and  oil  works  at  Huntsville,  Alabama.  Henrietta 
S.  is  the  wife  of  Ralph  Taber,  a literary  man  of  some  note.  Rus- 
sell A.  is  manager  of  a bottling  establishment  at  Sheffield,  Ala- 
bama, .and  Arthur  P.  is  in  charge  of  the  Coca-Cola  Bottling  Com- 
pany, in  New  York  City.  Mrs.  Pratt  died  in  Red  Wing  in  1897. 

The  Goodhue  County  National  Bank,  of  Red  Wing,  was  or- 
ganized as  a private  bank  under  the  name  of  the  Goodhue  County 
Bank  January  1,  1878,  by  PI.  E Perkins,  E.  AY.  Brooks,  AYilliam 
Featherstone,  F.  AY.  Hoyt,  E.  S.  Hoard,  C.  Clauson,  T.  B.  Shel- 
don, with  a capital  of  $40,000.00.  The  first  officers  were : Presi- 
dent, T.  B.  Sheldon;  vice  president,  C.  Clausen;  cashier,  J.  S. 
Hoard.  May  14,  1887,  it  was  incorporated  as  a state  bank  and 
the  officers  elected  were : President.  T.  B.  Sheldon ; vice  presi- 
dent, A.  H.  Boxrucl ; cashier,  F.  Busch.  The  board  of  directors 
were:  T.  B.  Sheldon,  E.  AY.  Brooks,  F.  AY.  Hovt,  William  Feather- 
stone,  H.  E.  Perkins,  William  Busch,  F.  Busch  and  A.  H.  Boxrucl. 
Capital,  $51,000.  June  20,  1904,  it  was  incorporated  as  a national 
bank  under  the  name  of  the  Goodhue  County  National  Bank  of 
Red  Wing,  with  a capital  of  $150,000.00  and  the  following  of- 
ficers: President,  F.  Busch;  vice  president,  J.  II.  Rich;  cashier, 
C.  PA  Hjermstad ; assistant  cashier,  E.  L.  Lee.  The  directors 
were : F.  Busch,  J.  H.  Rich,  C.  A.  Beteher,  B.  Gerlach,  William 
Busch,  G.  Lillyblad,  E.  D.  Brooks  and  C.  F.  Hjermstad.  The 
present  officers  are : President,  J.  II.  Rich ; vice  president,  C.  F. 
Hjermstad;  cashier,  C.  J.  Sargent;  assistant  cashier,  E.  L.  Lee; 
assistant  cashier,  O.  A.  Ulvin.  The  present  directors  are : J.  IT. 
Rich.  C.  F.  Hjermstad,  C.  A.  Beteher,  B.  Gerlach,  William  Busch, 


600 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


E.  D.  Brooks,  G.  Lillyblad,  C.  J.  Sargent,  C.  II.  Boxrud.  Tlie 
capital  is  $150,000.00 ; surplus  and  profits,  $110,000.00.  The  bank 
moved  into  its  present  building,  costing  $80,000,  early  in  the 
year  1905.  This  building  is  one  of  the  architectural  beauties  of 
Red  Wing  and  aside  from  accommodating  the  Goodhue  County 
National  Bank  and  the  Goodhue  County  Savings  Bank,  also  has 
numerous  professional  and  business  offices,  the  headquarters  of 
two  telephone  companies  and  the  rooms  of  the  Red  Wing  Com- 
mercial Club. 

The  Goodhue  County  Savings  Bank  was  organized  September 
30,  1871,  by  T.  B.  Sheldon,  J.  S.  Hoard,  W.  W.  Brooks,  C.  Clausen, 
William  Wichman,  F.  AY.  Hoyt,  William  Featherstone,  who  were 
the  first  board  of  trustees.  The  first  meeting  was  held  in  the  of- 
fice of  E.  S.  Hoard,  and  the  officers  elected  were:  President,  T.  B. 
Sheldon;  vice  president,  E.  AY.  Brooks;  treasurer,  J.  S.  Hoard. 
It  was  opened  for  business  in  the  Music  Hall  block,  corner  of 
Plum  and  Main  streets.  The  present  board  of  trustees  are : J.  H. 
Rich,  C.  F.  Hjermstad,  B.  Gerlach,  William  Busch  and  C.  J.  Sar- 
gent. The  present  officers  are:  J.  II.  Rich,  president;  vice  presi- 
dent, C.  F.  Hjermstad;  secretary  and  treasurer,  C.  J.  Sargent. 
The  bank  occupies  quarters  in  the  Goodhue  County  National 
Bank  building. 

BUSINESS  AND  PROFESSIONAL. 

Even  before  the  arrival  of  the  actual  pioneer  settlers  in  this 
part  of  the  country  came  the  stores — kept  by  men  with  licenses 
from  the  United  States  government  to  trade  with  the  Indians, 
but  also  with  a view  to  doing  business  with  the  lumbermen  along 
the  river.  From  the  day  of  Snow,  the  first  storekeeper  in  Red 
Wing,  down  to  the  present  time,  the  retail  dealers  in  Red  Wing 
have  enjoyed  a prosperous  trade.  At  the  present  time  Red  Wing 
has  stores  which  would  be  a credit  to  cities  of  much  larger  size, 
and  the  business  judgment  and.  accommodating  spirit  of  the 
merchants  has  kept  the  majority  of  Red  Wing  trade  within  the 
limits  of  this  city,  even  though  the  large  city  stores  of  St.  Paul 
and  Minneapolis  are  not  far  away. 

While  it  is  not  the  intention  of  the  publishers  of  this  work  to 
include  a directory  in  the  covers  of  this  book,  it  is  nevertheless  a 
matter  of  justice  to  the  business  and  professional  men  of  the 
present  day  that  their  names  should  be  preserved  for  future 
generations. 

At  the  present  time  the  retail  interests  in  Red  Wing  are 
represented  as  follows : 

The  leading  dry  goods  stores  are : Boxrud  Bros.,  oldest  dry 
goods  store  in  Red  Wing,  111-419  Alain  (Christian  IT.  and  Rich- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


601 


ard  II.)  ; The  Leader  Dry  Goods  Co.,  325-329  Main  and  209  Bush 
(M.  Lee  Murphy,  prop.)  ; Grondahl  Bros.,  215  Bush  (R.  L.  Gron- 
dahl,  pres.;  G.  L.  Grondahl,  vice  pres.;  *1.  K.  Grondahl,  sec.  and 
treas.)  ; The  Fair,  405  Third  (Rob.  N.  Davenport).  The  grocery 
stores  are:  Ii.  L.  Hjermstad  & Co.,  417-419  Main  (H.  L.  Iijerm- 
stad)  ; Wintervold  Grocery  Co.,  228  Plum  (Ole  E.  Wintervold)  ; 
Hanson  & Gustafson,  224  Plum  (Charles  A.  Hanson,  Gust  A.  Gus- 
tafson) ; August  J.  Becker,  302  Plum;  Goodhue  County  Co- 
operative Co.,  301  Main  and  1530  West  Main  (George  F.  Gross, 
manager)  ; Sidney  S.  Lundquist,  305  Bush ; Henry  Maetzold,  501 
Plum ; Henry  C.  lvolm,  425-427  Plum ; Gust  Lillyblad,  306  Plum ; 
Irvine  B.  Harrison,  301  Seventh;  Morlev  & Stromberg,  1529  West 
Main  (Samuel  L.  Morley,  Louis  C.  Stromberg)  ; Peter  M.  Swan- 
son, 1619  West  Fifth;  Herman  E.  Akenson,  1424  Main;  C.  H. 
Tiedeman,  528  Plum;  Frank  Sherman,  413  Third  (oldest  retail 
grocery  in  Red  Wing)  ; Henry  AY.  Santelman.  1302  South  Park. 
The  hardware  stores  are : Augustine  & AVilson,  317 
(John  Augustine,  Harry  AY.  AYilson)  ; Swanson  & Anderson, 
312-314  Main  (J.  Fred  Swanson.  Joseph  L.  Anderson)  ; Adler  & 
Vihstadt,  320  Main  (Henry  F.  Adler,  Henry  F.  AUhstadt).  Fur- 
niture: Swanson  & Son,  316-318  Main  (Theodore  A.  Swanson, 
manager)  ; John  J.  Ferrin.  205  Plum.  Clothing:  Adler,  Sehacht 
& Co.,  315-317  Main  (Oscar  H.  Adler,  John  II.  Schacht,  Frank 
IL.  Erickson)  ; F.  A.  Bartron  & Co.,  310  Bush  (Fred  A.  Bartron. 
Theodore  F.  Becker)  ; Alfred  Josephson,  215-217  Bush  (oldest 
clothing  store  in  Red  Wing)  ; George  E.  Smith  Clothing  Com- 
pany, 208  Bush  (George  E.  Smith).  Bakeries:  Adolph  Berg,  313 
Main ; II.  M.  Swanson,  419  Third ; Bismark,  321  Bush  (John  AI. 
Peterson,  Edward  AI.  Dodd).  Boots  and  shoes:  Robert  Ring- 
strom,  322  Third. street ; Beckmark  Shoe  Co.,  corner  of  Bush  and 
Third  (F.  M.  Frye,  pres.;  Charles  E.  Beckmark,  sec.  and  treas.)  : 
Joseph  Beau.  219  Bush;  F.  A.  Sommers,  303  Bush;  F.  AY.  AIcNeil 
& Co.,  321  Alain  (Francis  B.  and  Francis  AY.  AIcNeil)  ; Goodhue 
County  Cooperative  Company,  301  Alain  (George  F.  Gross,  man- 
ager). Aleat  markets:  Christ  C.  Braclier,  524  Plum;  Jacob 
Brown,  1527  Alain;  D.  Wilkens  & Co.,  433  Alain  (Diedrich  Wil- 
kens)  ; Paul  Eames,  410  Third;  Victor  F.  Gustafson,  318  Plum. 
Jewelers:  Thor  Erickson.  308  Bush;  Albert  G.  Scherf,  403  Third; 
Frank  AI.  Schouweiler,  206  Bush;  Koch  & Co..  Third  (Bert  AA 
and  Frank  X.  Koch)  ; Alalcus  Q.  Lindquist,  331  Alain.  Harness 
shops:  H.  G.  Jansen,  307  Alain  (Gerhard  A.  Jansen,  manager); 
A.  G.  Skoglund,  322  Plum  (Clarence  L.  Skoglund,  manager)  ; 
Theodore  T.  Kruger.  310  Plum.  AYall  paper  and  paints:  B.  A. 
Olson.  209  Plum ; G.  S.  Fisk,  324  Alain  ; AY.  S.  Scott  & Son.  439 
Main  (Wilbor  S.  and  AYilbor  A.  Scott)  ; Benjamin  S.  Hawkins, 


602 


U1STOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


■120  Third.  Drug  stores : Sylvander  Bros.,  401  Third  (N.  J.  and 
C.  B.  Sylvander)  ; Christ  J.  Bender,  301  Bush;  John  A.  Hartman, 
221  Bush;  City  Drug  Store,  316  Bush  (Percy  Claydon,  prop.); 
Kyllo’s  Drug  Store,  412  Third  (J.  E.  Kyllo)  ; Kuhn  & Co.,  202 
Bush  (Arthur  M.  Kuhn).  Books  and  stationery:  Arthur  D. 
Danielson,  206  Bush;  Frank  J.  O’Neill,  411  Third.  Novelty 
stores:  The  Bee  Hive,  Blumricli  Bros.,  211  Bush  (Edward  W.  and 
Fred  AAA  Blumricli)  ; Golden  Rule,  311-313  Bush  (George  H. 
Cook).  Sporting  goods:  H.  M.  Bird,  304  Main.  Fruit  and  con- 
fectionery ; Thomas  Thompson,  204  Bush ; Henry  Sack  man,  523 
Plum.  Milk  station  and  fruit  and  confectionery : Harry  F.  Der- 
ickson,  312  Plum.  Butter  and  eggs:  Reel  Wing  Butter  and  Egg 
Company,  226-228  Main  (pres.-,  Edwin  Foot;  see.,  Mabel  Cole). 
Coal  and  wood:  Robson  & Tubbesing,  327  Third  (Charles  A.  Rob- 
son, Fred  Tubbesing)  ; W.  P.  Glardon,  209-211  Broadway;  North 
Star  Lumber  Company,  202  West  Third  (pres.,  C.  F.  AVells ; vice 
pres.,  L.  R.  Wells;  sec-,  and  treas.,  G.  P.  Thompson;  manager, 
Robert  C.  Wolforth).  Ice:  Red  Wing  Ic-e  Company,  822  Main 
(Clans  Wiggen,  Charles  J.  Weich,  Andr.  Pherson).  Music 
stores:  Koch  & Co.,  Third;  Martin  Olson,  327  Third;  Kimball 
Piano  Company,  319  Main.  Furriers:  Oscar  R.  Wermuth,  217 
Main.  Millinery:  Mrs.  Annie  Fitzsimmons,  326  Main;  Mrs.  Jen- 
nie M.  Dryden,  411  Main ; Mrs.  Randina  J.  Halvorson,  at  Boxrucl 
Bros.  Tea,  coffee  and  spices:  Jewel  Tea  Company,  230  Main 
(Augustus  M.  Clark,  manager)  ; Red  Wing  Tea  and  Coffee  Com- 
pany, 312  Plum  (Paul  J.  Nopp,  prop.). 

Others  identified  with  the  business  and  professional  life  of 
Red  Wing  are:  Physicians:  Bruno  Jaehnig,  217  Bush;  J.  V.  An- 
derson, 401  Third ; A.  W.  Jones,  409  Main ; F.  AAA  Dimmitt,  34 
Goodhue  County  National  Bank  building;  C.  N.  Hewitt,  928 
Third ; G.  C.  Wellner,  215  Bush ; N.  L.  AVerner,  36  Coodhue  County 
National  Bank  building;  M.  AY  Smith,  31  Goodhue  County  Na- 
tional Bank  building;  Grace  Gardner  Smith,  31  Goodhue  County 
National  Bank  building;  Cremer  & Haessly,  307(4  Bush  (M.  H. 
Cremer,  S.  B.  Haessly)  ; Claydon,  Johnson  & Weyrens,  318  Bush 
(L.  E.  Claydon,  A.  E.  Johnson,  P.  J.  Weyrens)  ; M.  A.  Stephens, 
434  Fourth;  C.  AAA  Ilartupee,  309  Bush.  Dentists:  F.  E.  Ander- 
son. 37  Goodhue  County  National  Bank  building;  C.  H.  Libbey, 
26  Goodhue  County  National  Bank  building;  Berton  Feather- 
stone,  32114  Third ; B.  A.  Herrick,  403  Third ; C.  A.  Lovgren, 
2 Gladstone  building;  H.  A\r.  Mclntire,  301  Bush;  C.  L.  Opsal, 
23-24  Goodhue  County  Bank  building;  A.  K.  Simmons,  206 
Bush.  Veterinary  surgeons:  A.  F.  Lees,  434  Third.  Opticians: 
C.  L.  Eckberg,  206  Bush ; J.  A.  Haustein,  Third ; E.  C.  Rob- 
erts, 204  Bush.  Photographers:  AArellington  J.  Phillips,  Third; 


Andrew  Swanson 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


603 


Charles  Staeffens,  316  Third;  The  Lidberg  Studio,  312-314 
West  avenue  (Andrew  Lidberg,  prop.).  Florists:  John  E.  Sten, 
584  East  Seventh;  Mrs.  Henry  Maetzold,  513  Bush.  Under- 
takers : A.  H.  Allen,  435  Main ; J.  J.  Ferrin,  205  Plum ; Robert 
L.  C.  Geib,  with  A.  Swanson  & Son,  316-318  Main.  Lawyers : 
Judge  Albert  Johnson,  I.  0.  0.  F.  building-  Thomas  Mohn,  I.  0. 

0.  F.  building;  A.  E.  Arntson,  20514  Bush;  C.  P.  Diepenbrock, 

1.  0.  0.  F.  building;  AY.  M.  Erickson,  7 Gladstone  building;  C.  P. 
Hall,  I.  0.  O F building;  J.  C.  McClure,  209  Bush;  S.  J.  Nelson, 
221  Bush ; J.  F.  Merrill,  223  Bush ; F.  M.  AYilson,  217  Bush.  Black- 
smiths: William  Remshardt,  409  Plum;  Charles  ITeidenreich,  327 
Bush;  J.  AW  Miller,  121  Alain.  Boat  liveries:  J.  AW  Nelson,  foot 
of  Broadway;  ATallis  S.  Lowater,  foot  of  Broadway. 

Hotels : The  St.  James,  corner  of  Main  and  Bush,  was  erected 
in  1874  and  opened  November  25,  1875;  Vollmer  Hotel  was 
erected  by  Joseph  Batlo  in  1874  and  was  then  known  as  the  Hotel 
de  Batlo ; the  Heiserman  Hotel  is  at  the  corner  of  Alain  and  Pot- 
ter streets  and  The  Sibley  at  the  corner  of  Fourth  and  Bush 
streets ; The  Pearl,  George  W.  AVyman,  proprietor,  is  at  409  Third. 
Some  of  the  early  hotels  were : The  Exchange  Hotel,  erected  by 
Joseph  Rice  in  1867 ; The  National,  built  in  1855  by  Sherman  & 
Richter;  Central  Hotel,  erected  in  1855  by  David  Kelly;  the 
Goodhue  House,  erected  in  1861  by  a Mr.  Henrichs,  and  the  Hick- 
man House,  built  by  Henry  Hickman  in  1872. 

The  newspapers  are;  The  Red  Wing  “Daily  Republican,”  the 
Red  Wing  “Weekly  Republican/’  and  the  “Free  Press,”  for- 
merly “Goodhue  County  News.” 

There  is  one  wholesale  establishment,  that  of  Friedrich  Kempe 
& Co*,  wholesale"  grocers. 

Red  Wing  has  two  telephones — Northwestern  Telephone  Ex- 
change Company,  second  floor  of  the  Goodhue  County  Bank 
building,  and  Red  Wing  Telephone  Co.,  first  floor  same  building. 
There  are  two  telegraph  companies  doing  business  here — Western 
Union  Telegraph  Company,  222  Main,  and  the  North  American  & 
Postal  Telegraph  Company,  207  Bush.  There  is  one  express 
company,  AYells  Fargo  & Co.,  414  Third.  The  barbers  are:  Peter- 
son & Otto  (Peter  and  Fred  C.),  314  Third  (this  is  the  oldest  bar- 
ber shop  in  Red  AVing.  Air.  Peterson  having  been  in  business  for 
thirty-two  years);  J.  A.  Hartnagle,  316  Plum;  G.  J.  Ilaustein. 
Goodhue  County  Bank  building;  Peterson  & Anderson,  408  Alain; 
Phillips,  C.  F„  308i/o  Bush;  A.  0.  Steffens,  213  Plum;  Frank 
Stroup,  Jr.,  1522  Alain. 

Andrew  Swanson,  of  Red  AA7ing.  was  born  in  IJudena  Soeken. 
Ellsboro  Land,  Sweden,  November  9,  1833,  and  died  March  16, 
1906.  His  father  was  a farmer  and  his  boyhood  days  were  spent 
upon  the  farm.  In  1852  he  emigrated  to  America,  located  at 


604 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Galesburg,  111.,  and  vicinity,  was  employed  at  farm  work,  in  the 
flour  mills,  on  the  C.  B.  & Q.  R.  R.,  and  in  other  general  work. 
In  3 857  he  moved  to  Red  Wing,  which  he  made  his  permanent 
home  until  the  time  of  his  death.  His  early  days  in  Red  AAUng 
were  the  pioneer  days  of  Goodhue  county  and,  being  a young 
man  without  means  or  a trade,  he  had  to  work  his  way  into  bet- 
ter things  and  grow  up  with  the  country.  He  was  ambitious  and 
frugal,  and  as  soon  as  he  had  acquired  a little  capital  engaged 
in  various  small  business  enterprises — draying,  small  contracting, 
etc.  In  1862  lie  formed  a partnership  with  J.  G.  Gustafson  under 
the  firm  name  of  Swanson  & Gustafson,  and  engaged  in  the  sell- 
ing of  grain,  flour  and  feed.  At  that  time  Goodhue  county  was 
sparsely  settled,  but  in  the  midst  of  an  active  imigration;  and 
these  products  were  shipped  here  in  large  quantities  from  the 
lower  and  older  Mississippi  river  points  in  Illinois.  They  did 
a strictly  retail  business,  but  a thousand-dollar  day  was  some- 
times reached.  In  after  years,  when  Red  AVing  became  a world 
famous  shipping  point,  one  would  hardly  believe  that  this  fertile 
country  at  one  time  imported  such  products  by  the  barge  load. 
Upon  disposing  of  this  business.  Messrs.  Swanson  & Gustafson 
joined  the  firm  of  Simmons,  Olsen,  Busch  & C-o.,  general  mer- 
chants, which  continued  for  several  years.  Air.  Swanson,  how- 
ever, took  no  active  part  in  this  firm.  He  engaged  in  the  shipping 
and  selling  of  horses,  and  later  entered  into  a partnership  with 
AAr.  F.  Cross  in  the  livery  business.  In  1874  he  became  associated 
with  Charles  Erickson  in  the  furniture  business  under  the  name 
of  Erickson  & Swanson,  and  soon  after  began  the  manufacturing 
and  wholesaling  of  furniture,  having  purchased  the  Kocji  fac- 
tory on  Dakota  street.  In  1880  their  business  was  formed  into 
a stock  company  and  incorporated  as  the  Red  AVing  Furniture 
Company,  Air.  Swanson  acting  as  manager  of  the  retail  branch 
of  the  business.  In  1882  the  Reel  AVing  Furniture  Company  dis- 
continued the  retailing  of  furniture  and  Mr.  Swanson  purchased 
this  branch  of  the  business,  which  he  conducted  for  a short  time, 
when  same  was  merged  with  Charles  Erickson’s  retail  store 
and  the  D.  C.  Hill  factory  and  a stock  company  formed  under  the 
name  of  the  Red  AVing  Alanufacturing  Company,  Mr.  Swanson 
taking  charge  of  the  retail  part  of  the  concern.  A few  years 
later  he  purchased  this  part  of  the  business,  which  he  continued 
until  the  time  of  his  death,  and  which  is  now  conducted  under 
the  firm  name  of  A.  Swanson  & Son.  Air.  Swanson  was  married 
December  3,  1859,  to  Oliva  Olsen,  daughter  of  Ilokan  and  Hannah 
Olsen,  Avho  came  to  America  in  1854,  locating  first  at  St.  Charles, 
Til.,  coming  in  1855  to  Red  AVing.  Here  Mr.  Olsen  followed  his 
trade  as  cabinetmaker.  He  died  in  1897  aged  87  years.  Airs. 
Olsen  died  in  1856.  Airs.  Andrew  Swanson  is  now  living.  In 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


605 


the  family  were  eight  children:  John  Frederick,  Henry  A.,  Theo- 
dore A.,  Charles  A.  are  now  living  and  four  daughters  are  de- 
ceased. 

John  Frederick  Swanson,  of  the  firm  of  Swanson  & Ander- 
son, dealers  in  hardware,  farm  machinery  and  vehicles,  was  born 
in  Red  Wing  January  19,  1861,  son  of  Andrew  and  Oliva  (Olson) 
Swanson.  He  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Red  Wing,  and  began  his  active  career  in  the  employ  of  Erick- 
son & Swanson  in  1879,  when  he  was  given  charge  of  a branch 
furniture  store  at  Cannon  Falls.  A year  later  he  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Red  Wing  Furniture  Company  (successors  of 
Erickson  & Swanson)  as  shipping  clerk,  and  subsequently  be- 
came connected  with  the  Red  Wing  Manufacturing  Company  as 
bookkeeper  and  secretary,  in  which  position  he  remained  until 
1888,  when,  on  account  of  failing  health,  he  was  forced  to  retire. 
In  1889  he  was  taken  into  the  retail  business  with  his  father,  the 
firm  being  known  as  A.  Swanson  & Son.  In  1891  he  became 
interested  in  the  hardware  business  with  John  Augustine,  under 
the  firm  name  of  Augustine  & Swanson.  In  September,  1896, 
J.  S.  Anderson  purchased  an  interest  in  the  business  and  the 
name  was  changed  to  Augustine,  SAvanson  & Co.  They  bought 
the  stock  of  A.  F.  Anderson  and  moA'ed  to  312-311  Main  street, 
and  this  relation  continued  until  July  1.  1905,  when  Mr.  Augus- 
tine withdreAV  and  the  firm  assumed  the  present  name  of  Swan- 
son & Anderson.  They  have  the  largest  store  of  the  kind  in  Red 
Wing  and  are  doing  an  increasing  business. 

RED  WING  FRATERNITIES. 

A.  E.  Welch  Post,  No.  75,  G.  A.  R.,  was  antedated  by  a post 
organized  in  1866.  but  the  records  have  been  mislaid  or  destroyed. 
The  organization  proved  to  be  Arery  short  lived,  as  it  met  but  on'ce 
or  twice.  The  first  meeting  for  the  organization  of  the  A.  E. 
Welch  Post  Avas  held  at  the  court  house  on  Saturday  evening. 
March  15,  1881,  and  was  called  to  order  by  A.  F.  Graves.  At  this 
meeting  Department  Commander  E.  C.  Babb,  of  Minneapolis,  was 
present  and  mustered  in  the  following  as  members  of  the  post : 
Nelson  Berg,  E.  D.  Brisbin,  F.  A.  Carlson,  William  CoIauII.  G.  AY. 
Crisler,  S.  Dahlberg.  AY.  AY.  DeKay,  E.  II.  Druse,  C.  A.  Erickson, 
P.  F.  Glardon,  A.  F.  Graves,  E.  F.  Grow,  L.  A.  Hancock,  J.  C. 
Hawes,  G.  .AY.  Hawkins,  George  Hudson,  George  AY.  Humphrey, 
J.  P.  Johnson,  Albert  Jones,  J.  M.  Jordan,  William  Llewellyn,  J. 
W.  McChesney,  A.  J.  McCracken,  H.  P.  Mclntire,  A.  AY.  Orser, 
Ole  Oskey,  W.  II.  Parsons,  J.  C.  Pfeiffer,  L.  F.  Quimby,  J.  F. 
Sawyer,  D.  B.  Scofield,  A.  Seebach,  Fred  Seebach,  George  Shakes- 
peare, G.  R.  SlaAvson,  Peter  Wagner,  H.  B.  Washburn,  John  Win- 


606 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


ter  and  J.  T.  Veeder.  At  the  election  the  following  officers  Avere 
named:  Post  commander,  L.  A.  Hancock;  senior  vice  commander, 
J.  T.  Veeder;  junior  vice  commander,  D.  B.  Scofield;  officer  of  the 
day,  A.  W.  Orser;  officer  of  the  guard,  J.  C.  Hawes;  surgeon,  W. 
W.  DeKay;  quartermaster,  II.  P.  Mclntire.  Among  the  early 
commanders  were:  L.  A.  Hancock,  1881  to  1886;  AV.  W.  DeKay, 
1887,  resigning  in  September  of  that  year,  L.  A.  Hancock  being 
elected  to  fill  the  vacancy;  A.  AV.  Orser,  1889,  1890,  1891;  A.  F. 
Graves,  1892;  AV.  II.  Blaker,  1893,  1894;  Charles  L.  Davis,  1895, 
1896;  J.  C.  IlaAves,  1897 ; F.  Seebach,  1898;  C.  A.  Erickson,  1899. 
Meetings  of  the  post  are  held  the  first  AArednesday  of  each  month 
at  1 p.  m.  in  Fraternity  Hall.  The  present  officers  are:  Com- 

mander, J.  E.  Smith;  senior  vice  commander,  F.  A.  Carlson; 
junior  vice  commander,  J.  C.  Johnson;  adjutant,  C.  E.  RoAvlen ; 
quartermaster,  Charles  A.  Erickson. 

A.  E.  Welch  Post,  No.  9,  W.  R.  C.,  Avas  organized  April  11, 
1887.  The  first  officers  Avere:  President,  Mrs.  E.  S.  Wright; 

senior  ATiee  president,  Mrs.  Matilda  GraAms ; junior  vice  president, 
Airs.  Alelphia  Jones;  secretary,  Sarah  E.  Hasler;  treasimer,  Lucy 
Norton;  chaplain,  Charlotte  Bolles ; conductress,  Agnes  C.  Davis; 
assistant  conductress,  Mary  Druse;  guard,  Lela  Allyn ; assistant 
guard,  Mary  Barrows.  There  Avere  thirty-nine  charter  members. 
The  present  officers  are : President,  Airs.  Rose  ITeiserman ; senior 
vice  president,  Airs.  Melissa  Hardy;  junior  vice  president,  Mrs. 
Gunda  Henning;  secretary,  Airs.  Nellie  I.  Cook;  treasurer,  Mrs. 
Sarah  E.  Hasler ; chaplain,  Airs.  Matilda  Graves ; conductress, 
Dora  Ataet.zold;  assistant  conductress,  Airs.  Dora  Roland;  guard, 
Airs.  Lou  HaAvkins ; assistant  guard,  Airs.  Alary  Malloy ; organist, 
Mrs.  Alelphia  Jones;  patriotic  instructress,  Signild  Carlson;  press 
correspondent,  Airs.  Julia  B.  Nelson;  color  bearers — First,  Nettie 
White ; second,  Lucy  Phillips ; third,  Lena  Gates ; fourth,  Eliza- 
beth Thompson.  The  corps  numbers  143  members. 

Colville  Camp,  No.  33,  S.  of  V.,  was  organized  October  30, 
1904,  with  the  following  charter  members:  John  ILempftling, 
Thomas  Heiserman,  W.  W.  DeKay,  J.  H.  Boustead,  C.  S.  Sultzer, 
Elmer  Hempftling,  Ferd  Johnson,  Frank  Johnson,  Ike  Allen,  F. 
AI.  Wilson,  E.  B.  Oakey,  J.  C.  Kruger,  Otto  Remmler,  C.  L.  Jones, 
C.  W.  Barber,  Fred  Seebach,  Sr.  The  first  officers  Avere : Cap- 

tain, John  Hempftling;  first  lieutenant,  J.  C.  Kruger;  second 
lieutenant,  Ferd  Johnson  ; chaplain,  J.  FI.  Boustead  ; first  sergeant, 
Elmer  Hempftling;  quartermaster  sergeant,  Thomas  Heiserman; 
color  guard,  J.  H.  Boustead;  sergeant  of  the  guard,  C.  S.  Sultzer; 
corporal  of  the  guard,  C.  L.  Jones;  picket  guard,  E.  B.  Oakey; 
camp  council,  C.  W.  Barber,  J.  H.  Boustead,  C.  S.  Sultzer;  rep- 
resentatives  to  state  encampment,  C.  S.  Sultzer,  J.  H.  Boustead, 
J.  C.  Kruger.  The  present  officers  are:  Commander,  S.  T.  Irvine; 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


607 


senior  vice  commander,  George  E.  Smith ; junior  vice  commander, 
C.  L.  Jones;  camp  council,  C.  S.  Sultzer,  Otto  Kemmler,  Thomas 
Heiserman ; chaplain,  Thomas  Ileiserman ; first  sergeant,  J.  II. 
Boustead;  quartermaster  sergeant,  George  E.  Smith;  corporal 
of  the  guard,  C.  D.  Wolf;  picket  guard,  C.  TI.  Phillips;  camp 
guard.  A.  II.  Hardy.  The  meetings  are  held  en  the  first  Wednes- 
day of  each  month,  at  215  Bush  street.  The  ^membership  is  35. 

Red  Wing  Memorial  Day  Association  was  organized  June  3. 
1908,  and  is  composed  of  three  members  from  each  of  the  follow- 
ing bodies : Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  Spanish- American 

War  Veterans,  Sons  of  Veterans,  City  Council  and  Commercial 
Club.  The  first  officers  were:  President,  W.  F.  Kunze;  vice 

president,  F.  A.  Carlson ; secretary,  S.  T.  Irvine ; treasurer,  S.  S. 
Lundquist.  The  first  members  were:  Grand  Army  of  the  Re- 

public, W.  II.  Blaker,  F.  A.  Carlson,  A.  H.  Hardy;  Spanish- 
American  War  Veterans,  S.  S.  Lundquist,  W.  F.  Reichert,  R.  L. 
C.  Geib ; Sons  of  Veterans,  J.  II.  Boustead,  George  E.  Smith.  S.  T. 
Irvine;  City  Council,  Oscar  Seebach,  N.  K.  Simmons,  J.  0.  John- 
son; Commercial  Club,  Oscar  Seebach.  AY.  W.  Foot,  AAT.  F.  Kunze. 
The  present  officers  are : President.  D.  M.  Neill : vice  president, 
F.  A.  Carlson ; secretary,  S.  T.  Irvine ; treasurer,  Henri  Dewitt. 
The  present  members  are : Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  J.  E. 

Smith.  F.  A.  Carlson.  J.  C.  Johnson;  Spanish- American  AYar  Aret- 
erans,  L.  Penfold,  C.  J.  Bracher,  George  E.  Tebbe ; Sons  of  Vet- 
erans, J.  H.  Boustead,  George  E.  Smith,  S.  T.  Irvine ; City  Council, 
Oscar  Seebach,  AAr.  K.  Back,  G.  F.  Eichinger;  Commercial  Club. 
J.  L.  Silvernale.  R.  L.  C.  Geib,  F.  PI.  Erickson.  The  meetings  are 
held  the  first  Tuesday  in  March  in  each  year. 

Red  Wing  Lodge,  No.  8,  A.  F.  & A.  M„  was  instituted  in  Red 
AVing  September  14,  1855.  Among  its  charter  members  were : 
AY.  AY.  Phelps,  A.  F.  Parker,  Norris  Hobart,  AY.  AY.  Sweney,  II.  B. 
Middaugh,  Thomas  Smith.  John  Day,  E.  M.  Bond.  Lemon  Bates. 
F.  F.  Hoyt,  William  P.  Wright.  Its  first  officers,  elected  Novem- 
ber 20.  1855,  were : William  Ladd.  AY.  M. ; AY.  AY.  Phelps,  S.  AY. ; 
William  Lawther,  J.  W. ; H.  C.  Hoffman,  secretary;  William  Free- 
born, treasurer;  A.  F.  Parker,  S.  D.;  N.  Hobart,  J.  D.  The  meet- 
ings are  held  the  first  Monday  of  each  month  in  Masonic  Hall. 
The  present  officers  are:  M.  W.,  H.  J.  Herder;  Sr.  W.,  C.  L.  Kel- 
logg; Jr.  W.,  W.  S.  Irvine;  treasurer,  M.  Kappel;  secretary,  G.  PI. 
Diepenbrock. 

La  Grange  Chapter,  No.  4,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  was  organized 
August  20,  I860,  with  the  following  officers : PI.  B.  Wilson,  E.  IP. 
P. ; J.  J.  Richter,  K. ; P.  Sandford,  C.  PI. ; AY.  AY.  Phelps.  P.  S. ; AY. 
W.  Sweney,  R.  A.  C. ; S.  B.  Foot,  third  V. ; P.  Messerole,  second 
V. ; V.  Brundridge,  first  V.  The  meetings  are  held  the  second 
Monday  of  the  month  in  Masonic  Hall.  The  present  officers  are : 


608 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


H.  P.,  E.  J.  IT.  Bredehorst;  Iv.,  W.  R.  Putnam;  scribe,  S.  T.  Irvine; 
treasurer,  8.  IT.  Lockin ; secretary,  G.  IT.  Diepenbrock. 

Tyrian  Council,  No.  4,  R.  & S.  M.,  was  instituted  February  20, 
1872,  with  the  following  officers:  F.  Joss,  T.  I.  M. ; S.  B.  Foot, 
R.  I.  M. ; D.  M.  Baldwin,  P.  C.  of  AY.;  Pascal  Smith,  treasurer; 
AY.  AY.  Phelps,  R. ; AY.  E.  Hawkins,  C.  G. ; B.  B.  Kellog,  C.  C. ; AAr. 
W.  Sweney,  S. ; D.  B.  Clark,  S.  The  meetings  are  held  the  third 
Monday  of  each  month  in  Masonic  Hall.  The  present  officers 
are : T.  I.  M.,  C.  B.  Johnson ; D.  M.,  T.  B.  Tripp ; P.  C.  AY.,  E.  IT. 
Foot;  treasurer,  FI.  P.  Mdntire ; secretary,  G.  IT.  Diepenbrock. 

Red  Wing  Commandery,  No.  10,  Knights  Templar,  was  organ- 
ized February  24,  1874,  with  the  following  charter  members : 
Dwight  M.  Baldwin,  John  M.  Richter,  William  E.  Hawkins,  AVil- 
liam  B.  Williams,  William  Eisenbrand,  Andrew  Allen,  Robert 
Kruger,  Charles  R.  Brink,  A.  H.  Allen,  L.  C.  Smith,  John  Fried- 
rich, Lyman  Kells,  Abraham  Howe,  S.  J.  AYillard,  A.  R.  Young, 
M.  ITersehler,  E.  Iv.  Sparrell,  S.  B.  Foot,  E.  L.  Baker,  R.  B.  Kel- 
logg, F.  Joss,  Charles  Griswold,  William  IT.  Brink,  0.  Whitman 
and  D.  B.  Clark.  Its  first  officers  Avere  as  folloAVS : D.  M.  Baldwin, 
E.  C. ; J.  M.  Richter,  G. ; William  E.  Hawkins,  C.  G. ; Charles  Gris- 
wold, P. ; William  B.  Williams,  S.  AAr. ; 0.  Whitman,  J.  W. ; L.  C. 
Smith,  treasurer ; AndreAv  Allen,  R. ; L.  M.  Kells,  Ltd.  B. ; John 
Friedrich,  SAvd.  B. ; Robert  Krieger,  AY. ; A.  IT.  Allen,  F.  G. ; Wil- 
liam Eisenbrand,  S.  J. ; S.  J.  Willard,  T.  G.  The  meetings  are 
held  the  fourth  Monday  of  each  month  in  Masonic  Temple.  The 
present  officers  are:  E.  C.,  C.  L.  Kellogg;  G.,  Jesse  Mdntire; 
second  C.  G.,  II.  J.  Herder;  treasurer,  IT.  P.  Mdntire;  secretary, 
G.  IT.  Diepenbrock. 

Red  Wing  Lodge,  No.  88,  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star,  Avas 
instituted  May  9,  1895,  with  the  following  charter  members : Mrs. 
Clara  Baldwin,  Earl  J.  North,  Mrs.  Charlotte  J.  SAvanson,  Flora 
Wilson,  TI.  B.  Wilson,  Pauline  North,  Catherine  Diepenbrock,  IT. 
Dora  Buell,  Izah  T.  Whitman,  Mathilda  Graves,  Theresa  Chap- 
man, Andrew  J.  Johnson.  IT.  A.  Buell,  Sarah  E.  Hasler,  DAvight 
M.  Baldwin,  J.  F.  Porter,  Mrs.  J.  F.  Porter,  E.  Arntson  and 
Charles  Beckman.  The  meetings  are  held  the  second  .and  fourth 
Wednesdays  at  Masonic  Hall.  The  present  officers  are:  AY.  M., 
Mrs.  Jennie  Lovgren;  A.  M.,  Mrs.  B.  Arntson;  AY.  P.,  John 
ITempftling ; secretary,  Mrs.  S.  Hasler;  treasurer,  Mrs.  Melphia 
Jones. 

The  Minnesota  Scandinavian  Relief  Association  was  incorpo- 
rated in  1879  and  in  its  thirty  years  of  existence  has  been  suc- 
cessful in  accomplishing  the  noble  aims  for  which  it  Avas  organ- 
ized, having  paid  in  death  claims  to  date  nearly  $2,000,000.  The 
present  membership  is  about  5,600  and  is  constantly  increasing. 
At  the  organization  of  the  society,  February  14,  1879,  the  officers 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


609 


were  as  follows:  President,  S.  J.  Willard;  vice  president,  Ole  0. 
ITegna;  treasurer,  II.  L.  Olson;  secretary,  N.  0.  Werner;  medical 
director,  Dr.  W.  AV.  Sweney.  The  present  officers  are : President, 
Hon.  Peter  Nelson;  vice  president,  C.  Lillethun;  treasurer,  C.  F. 
Hjermstad;  secretary,  Andrew  Lindgren;  medical  director,  Dr. 
J.  Y.  Anderson.  The  annual  meeting  of  the  association  is  held  on 
the  fourth  Tuesday  in  January  and  the  board  of  directors  meets 
bi-monthly  on  the  fourth  Tuesdays  of  March,  May,  July,  Sep- 
tember and  November.  The  directors  also  meet  on  the  Monday 
nest  preceding  the  annual  meeting  of  the  association,  and  hold 
their  annual  meeting  immediately  after  the  adjournment  of  the 
annual  meeting  of  the  association.  In  addition  to  the  officers 
mentioned  above,  Emil  Olund  is  the  superintendent  of  agencies, 
and  the  board  of  managers  consists  of  Hon.  Peter  Nelson,  Hon. 
0.  M.  Hall,  C.  F.  Hjermstad,  C.  H.  Boxrud  and  Andrew  Lindgren. 

Red  Wing  Tribe,  No.  31,  I.  0.  R.  M„  was  organized  November 
23,  1899.  The  first  officers  were:  Sachem,  J.  II.  AYebster;  senior 
sagamore,  J.  AY.  Eisenbrand ; junior  sagamore,  W.  A.  Jellineck ; 
prophet,  William  Hendel ; chief  of  records,  Carl  A.  Peterson ; 
keeper  of  wampum,  Joseph  Jellineck.  The  present  officers  are : 
Sachem,  Harry  Nordholm;  senior  sagamore,  Ivnute  Almquist; 
junior  sagamore,  Alfred  Peterson;  prophet,  J.  W.  Eisenbrand; 
chief  of  jcecords,  William  M.  Erickson;  keeper  of  wampum,  Alfred 
Ohellsdn.  The  meetings  are  held  the  second  and  fourth  AVeclnes- 
days  of  each  month  in  I.  0.  0.  F.  Hall. 

Red  Wing  Court,  No.  980,  Independent  Order  of  Foresters, 
was  organized  Janjiary  18.  1892,  with  a charter  membership  of 
twenty-two.  The  first  officers  were:  C.  D.,  William  L.  Beeman; 
C.  R.,  U.  Curtis ; V.  C.  R.,  C.  E.  Harrison ; S.  W.,  Henry  C.  Ahlers ; 
S.  B.,  David  AV.  Watson;  P.  C.  R.,.C.  E.  Harrison;  treasurer, 
Hiram  Howe;  financial  secretary,  Finley  Goodrich;  Jr.  W.,  J.  B. 
Melander;  recording  secretary,  C.  W.  Ives;  Ct.  Phys.,  Otis  J. 
Brown,  M.  D.  The  present  officers  are:  P.  C.  R.,  C.  Id.  Meyer; 
C.  D.,  C.  K.  Reckner ; C.  R.,  B.  Wilkinson;  C.  C.  R.,  Roy  Desso; 
financial  secretary,  F.  A.  Bartron;  recording  secretary,  John  G. 
Kappel;  treasurer,  W.  S.  Scott;  orator,  G.  E.  Gates;  S.  W.,  C.  A. 
Vanberg;  Jr.  W.,  Carl  Sutherland;  S.  B.,  Carl  Soderholm;  J.  B., 
Edward  Tebbe ; trustees,  AV.  A.  Giffin  and  Hiram  Howe ; fin.  com., 
Dr.  W.  M.  Smith  and  Hiram  Howe.  The  meetings  are  held  the 
second  and  fourth  Mondays  in  each  month  at  I.  0.  0.  F.  Hall. 
The  present  membership  is  215. 

Companion  Court  Mississippi,  No.  300,  Independent  Order  of 
Foresters,  was  organized  March  26,  1900.  The  first  officers  were: 
C.  R.,  Nellie  B.  Erb ; V.  C.  R..  Lottie  Sponable;  R.  S.,  Rose  Har- 
rison ; F.  S.,  Grace  Gardner  Smith ; treasurer,  Margaret  Gross ; 
orator,  Amelia  Ilendel;  organist,  Melphia  Jones;  Sr.  AA7.,  Grace 


610 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Dotterwick;  Jr.  AY.,  Mary  Bammert;  Sr.  B.,  Louise  Fisher;  Jr.  B., 
Anna  Lindberg;  P.  C.  R.,  Lelia  Harrison.  The  present  officers 
are:  C.  R.,  Lelia  Harrison;  Y.  C.  R.,  Bertha  Lidberg;  R.  S., 

Melpliia  Jones;  F.  S.,  Bertha  Arntson ; treasurer,  Lavinia  Jen- 
son; Sr.  AY.,  Carrie  Glardon;  Jr.  W.,  Dora  Merhkins ; orator,  Ma- 
tilda Zetterburg;  Sr.  B.,  Rose  Harrison;  Jr.  B.,  Frank  Desso;  C. 
D.,  Hattie  Gates;  P.  C.  R.,  Caroline  Schuetz;  physicians,  Dr. 
Grace  Gardner  Smith  and  Dr.  F.  AY.  Dimmitt.  The  meetings  are 
Held  the  first  Monday  of  each  month  at  Fraternal  Hall. 

Red  Wing  Council,  Knights  of  Columbus,  was  organized  May 
5,  1907,  with  a charter  membership  of  forty-four.  The  present 
membership  is  eighty-one.  The  first  officers  were : Grand  knight, 
John  F.  Diepenbacli;  deputy  grand  knight,  Frank  J.  O’Neill; 
chancellor,  Fred  W.  Foot ; financial  secretary,  Louis  AY.  Back ; re- 
cording secretary,  Paul  Janson;  treasurer,  John  Trautner;  advo- 
cate, Bernard  Gerlacli ; lecturer,  George  ILaustein ; chaplain,  Rev. 
J.  II.  Gaughan;  guards,  Joseph  Eichinger,  AY.  T.  Malloy;  trustees, 
J.  J.  Ferrin,  J.  A.  Scliouweiler,  S.  Aug.  Olson.  The  present  officers 
are : Grand  knight,  John  J.  Ferrin ; deputy  grand  knight,  Thomas 
G.  Kenny;  chancellor,  J.  J.  Bovey;  financial  secretary,  Louis  W. 
Back;  recording  secretary,  Henri  Dewitt;  treasurer,  Dr.  Joseph 
Haustein ; advocate,  Bernard  Gerlacli ; lecturer,  Fred  W.  Foot ; 
chaplain,  Rev.  J.  IT.  Gaughan ; guards,  Joseph  Eichinger,  Con. 
Schmalz;  trustees,  J.  A.  Scliouweiler,  S.  Aug.  Olson.  The'  meet- 
ings are  held  the  second  and  fourth  Tuesday  evenings  of  each 
month  at  I.  0.  0.  F.  Hall. 

Red  Wing  Lodgfe,  No.  845,  B.  P.  0.  E.,  was  organized  March 
20,  1908,  with  the  following  officers:  Exalted  ruler,  H.  AY.  Mc- 
Intire ; esteemed  leading  knight,  C.  AY.  Hartupee;  esteemed  loyal 
knight,  F.  A.  Sommer;  esteemed  lecturing  knight,  C.  E.  Lillyblad; 
secretary,  AY.  M.  Cline;  treasurer,  L.  C.  Stromberg;  trustees,  J.  IT. 
Friedrich,  T.  N.  Simmons,  F.  AAA  Reichert.  The  present  officers 
are : Exalted  ruler,  George  E.  Smith,  esteemed  leading  knight, 

AYilliam  M.  Ericson;  esteemed  loyal  knight,  George  F.  Eichinger; 
esteemed  lecturing  knight,  A.  F.  Lees ; secretary,  H.  AY.  Mclntire ; 
treasurer,  L.  C.  Stromberg;  trustees,  P.  J.  Lundquist,  C.  AY.  ITar- 
tupee,  F.  AY.  Reichert.  The  present  membership  is  130.  Meetings 
are  held  the  second  and  fourth  Tuesday  evenings  of  each  month 
in  the  hall  on  the  corner  of  Third  and  Bush  streets,  until  after 
November  1,  1909,  when  they  will  be  held  in  the  newly  remodeled 
rooms  on  the  third  floor  of  the  Gladstone  building,  on  Bush  street. 

Laurel  Lodge,  No.  17,  Knights  of  Pythias,  was  instituted  Feb- 
ruary 13,  1878,  by  the  Hon.  A.  Fredericks,  grand  chancellor.  The 
following  named  gentlemen  were  the  charter  members : F.  S. 

Field,  E.  W.  Shenton,  J.  AY.  Swanstrom,  AY.  H.  Crary,  J.  W. 
Delano,  R.  Kreiger,  J.  D.  Kellogg,  J.  F.  Taake,  A.  Messer,  A.  J. 


HISTOEY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNT Y 


611 


Robertson,  E.  J.  Garrison,  R.  A.  Bigliam,  H.  A.  Charles,  J.  Mc- 
Lean, A.  A.  Mathews,  H.  Martens,  M.  L.  Ecker,  Galen  Allen,  Hans 
Reinertson,  A.  P.  Graves,  George  H.  Benton,  L.  R.  Wellman,  J. 
Webb,  O.  Whitman,  Tams  Bixby,  B.  B.  Herbert,  B.  O.  Possum,  A. 
J.  Meacham,  E.  F.  Grow,  P.  S.  Webster,  J.  S.  Wing.  The  first 
officers  Avere : C.  C.,  0.  Whitman  ; V.  C.,  L.  R.  Wellman  ; P..  W.  H. 
Crary;  K.  of  R.  & S.,  J.  F.  Taake;  M.  of  P..  J.  W.  Delano;  M.  of 

E. ,  Tams  Bixby;  P.  C.,  R.  Kreiger;  P.  C.,  A.  G.  Robertson;  M.  at 
A.,  G.  H.  Benton;  I.  G.,  P.  S.  Field;  O.  G.,  II.  A.  Charles.  The 
meetings  are  held  Thursdays  in  I.  0.  0.  P.  Hall.  The  present 
officers  are : C.  C.,  O.  P.  Gard ; Y.  C.,  0.  B.  wrntson ; K.  of  R.  & S., 
S.  II.  Haynes ; M.  of  L.,  N.  II.  Peterson ; M.  of  E.,  L.  Penfold. 

Red  Wing  Tent,  No.  34,  Knights  of  the  Maccabees,  Avas  organ- 
ized March  30,  1895.  Its  charter  members  Avere : C.  B.  Johnson, 
P.  W.  Dimmitt,  E.  C.  Roberts,  AY.  AY.  Erb,  E.  C.  Erb,  A.  AAC  Jones, 
C.  A.  Phillips  and  S.  W.  Park.  The  first  officers  were : A.  AY. 
Jones,  P.  C. ; E.  C.  Erb,  C. ; S.  AY.  Park,  L.  C. ; C.  B.  Johnson,  R.  Iv. ; 

F.  W.  Dimmitt,  P.  K. ; E.  C.  Roberts,  C. ; C.  A.  Phillips,  M.  at  A. 
The  present  officers  are  : C.,  John  M.  BilloAv ; L.  C.,  M.  J.  Mueller; 
R.  and  P.  Iv.,  Charles  B.  Johnson.  The  meetings  are  held  the  first 
and  third  Tuesdays  of  each  month  at  222  Main  street. 

Red  Wing  Camp,  No.  1846,  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  was 
organized  Septenfber  19,  1890,  and  the  first  officers  Avere : AAr.  E. 
Tayler,  V.  C. ; AY.  J.  Eisenbrand,  AY.  A.;  George  W.  Crisler,  clerk; 
C.  G.  Norquist,  B.;  Henry  Phillips,  E. ; James  Webb,  AY. ; Gust 
Leback,  S. ; Dr.  H.  L.  McKinstry,  physician.  The  meetings  are 
held  Tuesdays  in  Fraternal  Hall.  The  present  officers  are : C., 

William  Schilling;  A.,  Arthur  Arntson;  clerk,  James  PI.  Doyle; 
hanker,  J. .Henry  Cross. 

Barn  Bluff  Council,  No.  1577,  Royal  Arcanum,  Avas  organized 
in  August,  1894,  with  about  twenty  charter  members.  The  first 
officers  of  the  society  were : P.  W.  Dimmitt,  P.  R. ; II.  B.  Lovgren, 

R.  ; E.  Iv.  Newton,  Y.  R. ; P.  J.  Jennings,  0.;  W.  M.  Cline,  C. ; C. 

S.  Dana,  chaplain ; George  Gorman,  G.  The  meetings  are  held  the 

first  and  third  Mondays  of  each  month  in  I.  0.  0.  P.  Hall.  The 
present  officers  are:  R.,  Peter  Nelson;  A7.  R.,  IP.  G.  Tiedeman; 

secretary,  C.  IT.  Phillips;  C.,  P.  AY.  Dimmitt;  treasurer,  Alfred 
Cliellson. 

Red  Wing  Lodge,  No.  57,  I.  0.  0.  F.,  Avas  organized  November 
27,  1876,  Avith  about  fifteen  charter  members.  The  first  officers 
were : W.  C.  AYilliston,  N.  G. ; C.  L.  Kellogg,  Y.  G. ; E.  F.  Grow, 
R.  and  P.  secretary ; C.  M.  Lawrence,  treasurer ; George  Hudson, 

C.  ; AY.  II.  White,  W. ; A.  J.  Robertson,  I.  G. ; T.  J.  Clark,  0.  G. ; 

D.  C.  Hill.  R.  S.  to  N.  G.;  E.  P.  PIoAvell,  L.  S.  to  N.  G.;  W.  S. 
Grow.  L./S.  S. ; P.  N.  McRostie,  R.  S.  S. ; J.  C.  Cook.  R.  S.  to  V.  G. ; 


612  HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 

A.  A.  Mathews,  L.  S.  to  V.  G.  It  is  now  consolidated  with  the 
L'Etoile  du  Nord  Lodge. 

L’Etoile  du  Nord  Lodge,  No.  23,  I.  0.  0.  F.,  was  organized 
October  I,  1868,  with  charter  members  as  follows:  IT.  J.  Mc- 

Giverin,  Charles  Brown,  Michael  Kappel,  John  Bryan,  AAA  Eisen- 
brand,  W.  C.  Williston  and  Henry  Pomperin.  The  meetings  are 
held  Fridays  in  I.  0.  O.  F.  Hall.  The  present  officers  are : N.  G., 

I.  B.  Harrison;  V.  G.,  Bert  Wilkinson;  secretary,  G.  IT.  Diepen- 
brock ; treasurer,  M.  Kappel. 

Rebekah  Lodge,  No.  86,  I.  0.  0.  F.,  was  organized  January  18, 
1893.  The  officers  were:  Noble  grand,  Lena  Christ;  vice  grand, 
Mrs.  Allyn;  secretary,  Mathilda  Winter;  treasurer,  Margaret 
Schuetz.  The  present  officers  are:  Noble  grand,  Freda  Kruger; 
vice  grand,  Caroline  Olson;  recording  secretary,  Clara  Peterson; 
financial  secretary,  Fern  Planer;  treasurer,  Sadie  Olson.  The 
meetings  are  held  the  first  and  third  Wednesdays  of  each  month 
in  I.  0.  0.  F.  Hall.  The  present  membership  is  seventy. 

Red  Wing  Council,  No.  33,  Modern  Samaritans,  was  organized 
August  17.  1900,  by  F.  B.  Chapman  and  C.  E.  Lovett,  and  the  first 
officers  were  as  follows:  G.  S.,  Dr.  M.  W.  Smith;  P.  G.  S.,  J.  S. 
Wing;  Y.  G.  S.,  Robert  Kjellstrom;  IT.  P.,  W.  J.  Longcor;  levite, 

J.  E.  Danielson;  F.  S.,  C.  W.  Ives;  S.,  A.  J.  Schunk;  C.  M.,  A.  G. 
Ilendel ; J.  M.,  Dr.  II.  K.  Horn ; treasurer,  E.  C.  Erb ; centurion, 
T.  O’Connell;  watchman,  John  Cebulski;  trustees,  Charles  Beck- 
man, L.  J.  Boynton.  The  meetings  are  held  at  the  call  of  the  good 
Samaritan.  The  present  officers  are:  G.  M.,  IT.  Hindman;  P.  G., 
AY.  J.  Longcor;  secretary,  C.  E.  Beckman;  treasurer,  E.  C.  Erb. 

Red  Wing  Lodge,  No.  18,  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen, 
was  organized  July  IT,  1877,  with  the  following  charter  members : 
I).  C.  Hill,  AY.  A.  Potter,  J.  D.  Kellogg,  F.  A.  Hill,  G.  E.  Gates,  L. 
D.  Campbell,  E.  F.  Grow,  C.  L.  Kellogg,  F.  J.  Clark,  M.  Herschler, 
0.  M.  Sprake,  P.  N.  McRostie,  AAA  E.  Hawkins,  0.  G.  Day,  IT.  B. 
AYoodley,  J.  F.  Taake,  Albert  Dekay.  The  first  officers  were:  D. 
C.  Hill,  P.  M.  AY.;  0.  G.  Day,  M.  AY.;  J.  F.  Taake,  E.;  0.  M. 
Sprake,  0.;  M.  Herschler,  G. ; F.  A.  Cole,  R. ; E.  F.  Grove,  F. ; 
T.  G.  Clark,  R. ; Albert  Dekay,  I.  AY.;  W.  A.  Potter,  0.  AY.  The 
meetings  are  held  Thursdays  in  the  A.  0.  U.  AV.  Hall.  The  present 
officers  are:  M.  AY.,  Arthur  Arntson ; R.,  George  Harlow;  F., 

Fred  Da, vis. 

HOSPITALS  AND  CHARITIES. 

The  Goodhue  County  Hospital  was  started  May  1,  1884,  in  a 
building  on  the  levee,  about  Avhere  the  Red  AVing  Malting  Com- 
pany plant  is  now  located.  The  necessity  for  such  an  institution 
was  at  that  time  immediate,  the  county  having  no  adequate  pro- 
vision for  its  indigent  ill,  or  for  those  strangers  vcho  met  with 


The  Eed  Wing  City  Hospital 


HISTOBY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


613 


sudden  disaster,  sueli  as  wrecks  along  the  river — events  which 
in  those  days  were  all  too  frequent.  The  opening  of  the  hospital 
met  with  great  favor,  and  several  public-spirited  physicians  gave 
their  services  free  for  the  first  few  months.  However,  after  a 
time  interest  seemed  to  wane,  and  the  county  commissioners 
found  the  institution  an  expensive  one,  particularly  as  the  alms- 
house in  Burnside  was  being  completed.  Accordingly,  when  the 
hospital  had  dwindled  to  two  or  three  patients,  the  hospital  was 
turned  over  to  the  city;  the  transfer  consisting  largely  of  furni- 
ture and  minor  appliances,  as  the  building  was  not  owned  by  the 
county,  but  simply  rented  from  the  Luce  family. 

The  Red  Wing’  City  Hospital  had  its  real  beginning  in  1$90 
when  the  county  commissioners  turned  over  to  the  city  authori- 
ties the  equipment  and  furniture  of  the  county  hospital  mentioned 
above.  The  late  Mrs.  S.  B.  Foot,  a large-hearted  and  charitable 
woman,  originated  the  idea  of  forming  an  association  of  women 
to  assume  the  business  and  management  of  a city  hospital,  and 
in  this  she  was  ably  assisted  by  Mrs.  AY.  C.  AYilliston.  The  sym- 
pathy and  co-operation  of  the  Avomen  Avere  enlisted  and  at  a popu- 
lar meeting  an  organization  was  formed.  Mrs.  Foot  Avas  elected 
president  and  Mrs.  AYilliston,  chairman  of  the  executive  board. 
The  city  voted  $1,000  and  the  Avomen  made  a house  to  house 
canvas  to  secure  funds  for  its  maintenance  and  support.  This 
organization  Avas  legally  incorporated  in  1891.  and  continued  until 
1896,  AAdien  it  assumed  a larger  form  and  a neAV  constitution  and 
by-laws  were  prepared.  The  board  of  officers  Avas  composed  of 
eighteen  trustees,  nine  men  and  nine  Avomen : President,  E.  H. 

Blodgett ; Auce  president.  Airs.  S.  B.  Foot ; treasurer,  Charles  A. 
Betcher;  secretary,  Id.  L.  Hjermstad.  The  executive  board  was 
elected  by  the  association.  This  board,  composed  of  Avomen,  Avas 
authorized  to  take  the  management  of  the  hospital,  finances,  the 
nurses,  etc. 

It  was  uoav  apparent  that  a commodious  hospital  and  a suit- 
able location  must  be  secured  at  once,  and  in  1898  the  property 
knoAvn  as  the  General  Jennison  place  was  purchased  by  popular 
subscription  and  transformed  into  a modern  and  well  equipped 
hospital.  The  selection  and  securing  of  this  magnificent  location 
on  a bluff  overlooking  the  city  and  river  is  largely  due  to  John 
H.  Rich,  who  took  an  active  interest  in  the  matter,  and  labored 
earnestly  for  its  success.  Rooms  Avere  furnished  in  this  original 
building  by  the  Junior  Aid  Society  of  Christ  church : the  St. 
Joseph  Society  of  St.  Joseph’s  church;  Trinity  Society  of  Trinity 
church;  the  AY.  R.  C.;  the  Rebekali  Lodge,  and  the  AY.  C.  T.  IT., 
the  latter  room  being  knoAvn  as  the  Hobart  memorial.  Other 
rooms  furnished  by  the  association,  for  city  and  county  patients, 
made  a .capacity  of  fifteen  beds.  The  hospital  is  nonsectarian  and 


614 


•HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


undenominational,  open  to  all  physicians,  and  to  every  one  in 
need  of  help  along  its  lines.  It  does  a large  charity  work,  is 
free  from  debt  and  virtually  self  supporting.  The  object  is  to 
provide  a home,  proper  medical  aid  and  nursing  for  the  sick  and 
suffering  of  all  classes. 

In  1906  J.  C.  Pierce  made  a bequest  of  $10,000  to  the  hospital, 
and  it  was  used  to  erect  the  memorial  wing  which  bears  his 
name.  Its  perfectly  appointed  and  equipped  surgical  operating 
room  makes  the  Red  AVing  City  Plospital  a model  of  beauty  and 
utility,  occupying  the  finest  location  in  this  city.  Several  rooms 
in  this  large  and  fire-proof  building  were  furnished  by  friends, 
mostly  as  memorials,  and  are  known  as  the  Lorana  Park  Foot, 
the  Agnes  Pratt,  the  A.  AV.  Putnam,  the  Pauline  Hall,  the  Har- 
riet Sheldon,  the  A.  AV.  Swanson  and  the  Langton  rooms.  Other 
rooms  furnished  by  the  hospital  make  a capacity  of  thirty-five 
beds.  In  1905  the  hospital  was  deeded  to  the  city  and  thus  be- 
came municipal,  the  controlling  management  remaining  the  same 
as  before,  in  charge  of  the  trustees  of  the  association. 

By  the  will  of  the  late  E.  II.  Blodgett,  the  hospital  received 
a bequest  valued  at  $12,000.  Mr.  Blodgett  was  the  first  president 
of  the  association,  and  held  that  office  at  the  time  of  his  death  in 
1909.  lie  was  deeply  interested  in  the  hospital  and  always  so- 
licitous to  increase  its  success  and  helpfulness.  A part  of  this 
legacy  will  be  used  for  this  purpose,  and  the  future  of  this  insti- 
tution .should  be  an  object  of  gratification  and  pride  to  the  citi- 
zens of  Red  AVing. 

St.  John’s  Hospital  and  Training  School  is  described  in  the 
German  chapter  which  appears  in  this  work. 

Charities.  Many  instances  have  occurred  in  the  history  of 
this  town,  when  the  abundant  hospitality  and  kindness  of  its 
citizens  towards  the  unfortunate  strangers  who  have  been  from 
time  to  time  thrown  upon  them,  has  been  remarkably  shown.  A 
large  number  of  persons  were  landed  from  a steamer  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1854,  at  the  levee,  who  were  afflicted  with  the  cholera,  and 
they  were  as  tenderly  cared  for  by  the  citizens  as  if  they  had 
been  near  relatives.  Dr.  AV.  AV.  Sweney,  always  ready  to  lend 
his  skill  and  time  to  relieve  the  afflicted,  rendered  good  service 
on  that  occasion  to  the  sick  ones  and  told  the  healthful  how  to 
avoid  the  epidemic.  Out  of  seventeen  cases,  ten  recovered  and 
went  to  their  destination  in  the  country. 

The  last  occasion  when  the  cholera  patients  were  left  at  this 
port  was  in  1868.  Dr.  C.  N.  Hewitt,  at  that  time  secretary  of 
the  State  Board  of  Health,  had  become  a resident  of  Red  AVing. 
ID  immediately  visited  them  at  the  levee  and  rendered  them  the 
proper  medical  aid.  At  the  expense  of  the  city  and  under  the 
direction  of  the  city  marshal,  a house  was  provided  on  the  island 


Mrs.  S.  B.  Foot 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


615 


opposite,  furnished  with  cots,  where  all  were  taken  and  tenderly- 
cared  for  by  those  who  loved  to  do  unto  others  as  they  would  be 
done  by.  The  dead  were  properly  interred  and  the  epidemic 
spread  no  further. 

When  the  call  came  for  aid  to  the  sufferers  by  the  great  fire 
in  .Chicago,  this  city  and  immediate  vicinity  responded  by  send- 
ing one  carload  of  flour,  two  carloads  of  potatoes  and  a cash 
collection  of  over  $1,000. 

A few  years  later  when  a call  came  for  aid  from  the  citizens 
of  our  own  state  who  had  lost  all  their  crops  by  the  ravages  of 
the  grasshoppers,  a similar  response  was  cheerfully  given  by 
the  peopel  of  this  city.  In  this  case  the  gifts  were  made  at  dif- 
ferent times  and  through  different  channels,  and  the  aggregate 
cannot  now  be  known. 

During  the  Civil  War  the  charity  of  the  people  of  Red  Wing 
and  Goodhue  county  became  proverbial.  In  more  modern  times, 
collections  have  been  taken  for  all  the  popular  causes,  and  the 
Goodhue  county  response  to  all  worthy  calls  has  been  most  lib- 
eral. Flood,  fire  and  cyclone  unfortunates  in  various  parts  of 
this  country,  famine  sufferers  in  India  and  Russia,  earthquake 
victims  in  San  Francisco,  and  various  missionary  efforts  and 
church  charities  all  have  reason  to  thank  the  generosity  of  Good- 
hue  county  people,  while  the  large-heartedness  of  many  private 
citizens  has  relieved  much  individual  distress  not  known  .to  the 
community  at  large. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 


RED  WING  INDUSTRIES. 

Busy  Manufacturing  Plants  that  Furnish  the  Foundation  for  Red 
Wing  ’s  Prosperity — Pottery  and  Sewer  Pipe  Making — Malt- 
ing Houses — Shoes  and  Shoe  Pacs — Hats — Furniture — Iron 
Works — Advertising  Novelties — Lighting  Facilities — Milling 
Concerns — Lime  Burning — Linseed  Products — Sand — Tele- 
phones— Job  Printing — Utilizing  the  Forests — Brick  Making 
— Other  Concerns — Edited  by  Jens  K.  Grondahl. 

In-  the  course  of  a generation  the  c-ity  of  Red  Wing  has 
changed  from  the  largest  primary  wheat  market  of  the  world  to 
the  most  important  manufacturing  city  of  its  size  in  the  Union. 
The  transition  has  come  about  through  changing  conditions, 
which  have  gradually  closed  the  old  avenues  of  prosperity  and 
opened  new  ones.  In  the  early  history  of  Red  Wing  wheat  often 
came  a three  days’  journey  to  find  a market,  the  nearest  compet- 
ing point,  to  the  south,  being  McGregor,  Iowa.  The  wealth  of 
golden  grain  which  for  years  poured  into  the  city  made  Red 
Wing  the  busiest  place  in  the  Northwest,  and  laid  the  founda- 
tion for  many  modest  fortunes.  But  any  community  which  de- 
pends upon  resources  which  can  be  diverted  or  exhausted  must 
in  time  face  the  serious  problem  of  maintaining  its  position,  not 
to  mention  further  progress.  Railroads  have  constantly  reduced 
the  natural  territory  of  the  agricultural  town  and  the  depletion 
of  forests  the  lumber  towns.  Red  Wing,  partaking  of  the  charac- 
teristics of  both,  has  not  been  the  exception.  Time  came  when 
the  tremendous  wheat  area  tributary  to  Red  Wing  had  been 
reduced  to  its  own  immediate  surroundings,  and  when  the  traf- 
fic in  wood  and  lumber  diminished  to  small  proportions.  The 
city  stopped  in  its  growth,  even  went  backward  a few  steps  for 
three  or  four  years,  and  the  future  looked  dubious,  indeed.  Many 
buildings  were  vacant,  public  improvements  lagged,  and  people 
were  moving  to  other  towns.  Fortunately  for  Red  Wing,  there 
were  forces  at  work,  and  had  been  for  some  years,  modestly  and 
hopefully,  in  spite  of  many  discouragements,  shaping  for  her  a 
destiny  of  which  the  most  sanguine  had  never  dreamed.  Men  of 


616 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


617 


brains  and  energy  took  bold  of  the  clay  deposits  within  easy 
reach  of  the  city,  to  which  earlier  experiments  had  pointed  the 
way,  and  turned  them  into  products  of  incomparable  excellence. 
Uultimate  success,  the  cost  of  which  has  scarcely  been  reckoned 
by  later  beneficiaries  who  were  not  with  the  pioneers  in  their  first 
efforts,  not  only  made  Red  Wing  famous  but  served  as  a stimu- 
lant to  investments  in  kindred  and  other  lines  of  manufacturing. 
The  tide  had  turned.  Red  Wing  was  not  only  regaining  her  for- 
mer position,  but  going  beyond  it.  Prosperity  brought  more  op- 
timism, and  more  men  invested  more  money  and  expended  more 
energy  in  projects  regarding  whose  outcome  they  never  enter- 
tained a doubt.  Failures  came  at  times  but,  nothing  daunted,  the 
Red  Wing  spirit  struck  out  along  new  lines.  Fires  devastated 
the  milling  district  and  laid  clay  working  establishments  in 
ashes,  but  bigger  plants  with  brighter  prospects  rose,  phoenix- 
like, from  the  ruins. 

The  Red  Wing  spirit  conquered  over  innumerable  difficulties 
which  would  have  overwhelmed  men  of  less  ability  and  Aveaker 
determination.  As  a monument  to  Avliat.  Red  Wing  had  ac- 
complished up  to  that  time  and  as  an  advertisement  to  the  world 
of  what  the  city  had  to  offer,  stood  the  remarkable  exhibits  at 
the  Minnesota  State  Fair  in  September,  1907.  The  entire  build- 
ing, which  had  previously  been  deAroted  to  Minnesota  and  the 
Northwest,  and  then  hardly  eA7er  half  filled  Avith  real  manufac- 
turing exhibits.  Avas  used  to  the  last  square  foot  of  its  vast  floor 
space  by  live  exhibits  of  Red  Wing  manufacturing  industries  ex- 
clusively.  It  Avas  the  feature  of  the  big  fair,  the  pride  of  the 
state  and  the  Avonderment  of  the  people  of  Red  Wing  themselves, 
aaTio  had  not  fully  realized  the  extent  and  variety  of  the  local 
industries.  Clay  was  turned  into  pottery,  useful  and  ornamental, 
before  the  eyes  of  the  interested  multitudes ; shoes  and  other 
footwear  Avas  made  by  deft  hands  and  modern  machinery;  men’s 
hats,  stiff  and  soft,  of  highest  quality  and  nobbiest  patterns,  en- 
listed great  interest;  pleasure  launches  and  marine  engines  grew 
before  the  gaze  of  the  on-lookers ; picture  calendars  as  handsome 
as  those  “made  in  Germany”  issued  from  the  latest  triumphs 
in  printing  machinery;  furniture  fit  for  a king  projected  its 
beautiful  designs  and  polished  surfaces  into  the  faATor  of  critical 
admirers;  sand  lime  brick  of  great  strength  and  remarkable 
beauty  received  merited  attention;  patent  wheat  flour,  long  recog- 
nized as  the  highest  perfection  of  the  miller’s  art  the  world  OATer, 
manifested  its  quality  in  appetizing  loaves  of  snoAv  white  bread. 
Soft  drinks  and  malt  beverages,  malted  barley  from  the  large 
local  establishments,  barrels  and  vats  for  milling  and  malting, 
printing  and  publishing  in  its  A’aried  departments,  tobacco  and 
cigars  from  the  leaf  to  the  finished  article — these  and  other  fea- 


618 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


lures,  backed  by  a publicity  department  which  distributed  tons 
of  literature  and  souvenirs,  served  to  open  the  eyes  of  our  own 
people  and  the  world  at  large  to  the  magnitude  and  importance 
of  our  own  institutions.  Since  the  days  of  that  triumph  im- 
portant industries  have  been  added,  and  Red  Wing’s  future  never 
looked  brighter  than  today.  Prospective  additions  to  railway 
facilities,  already  quite  ample,  the  improvement  of  the  Missis- 
sippi river  which  is  sure  to  come,  with  resultant  reduction  in 
freight  charges,  the  bringing  into  the  city  of  thousands  of  horse- 
power of  electrical  energy  from  Wisconsin  waterfalls  before  this 
book  is  off  the  press,  are  among  the  signs  of  future  progress. 

Let  us  not  forget  in  passing  that  the  prosperity  brought  about 
by  successful  industries  has  to  a great  extent  fostered  that  spirit 
of  civic  pride  which  has  made  Red  Wing  as  desirable  for  homes 
as  for  factories.  The  schools,  churches  and  parks,  the  sanitary 
conditions,  the  marked  municipal  improvements  of  whatever  na- 
ture, the  protection  and  preservation  of  beautiful  nature,  the 
cleanliness  and  tidiness  of  the  city  as  a whole — all  this  has  been 
largely  prompted  by  the  same  motives  and, the  same  men  and  the 
money  of  the  men  who  made  Red  Wing  an  industrial  center.  And 
as  belonging  to  those  men  must  be  included  those  ostensibly  in 
other  lines  of  endeavor  who  have  invested  their  earnings  in  Red 
Wing  industrial  stocks — jobbers,  merchants,  professional  men, 
the  wage  earners — everybody  has  caught  the  contagion  of  public 
spirit  made  possible  by  prosperous  enterprises. 

The  following  sketches  give  some  facts  and  figures  with  re- 
gard to  the  individual  establishments,  past  and  present.  They 
constitute  simply  a terse  record  without  attempt  at  embellish- 
ment. They  will  be  of  interest,  perhaps  more  to  the  coming  gener- 
ation than  the  present,  particularly  the  future  historian,  although 
by  no  means  without  value  to  those  who  are  now  active  in  these 
enterprises,  and  to  all  who  would  read  a story  of  industrial  en- 
deavor. Already  there  is  an  element  of  history  in  these  sketches, 
because  in  some  instances  the  founders  of  these  enterprises  have 
passed  away,  and  in  nearly  all  important  changes  in  ownership 
and  management  have  taken  place.  Tf,  in  the'  haste  of  compiling 
the  facts,  omissions  have  been  made  and  errors  have  crept  in 
it  would  not  be  surprising,  and  least  of  all  to  the  writer  of  these 
introductory  remarks,  who  has  simply  edited  the  sketches  as 
written  up  from  information  submitted  with  more  or  less  care  by 
a large  number  of  men  to  the  publishers  of  this  work.  It  is  safe 
to  say,  however,  that  as  a whole,  this  is  by  far  the  most  correct 
and  withal  the  most  comprehensive  account  of  Red  Wing’s  in- 
' dustries  that  has  appeared  up  to  the  present  time.  In  some  in- 
stances biographical  matter,  when  closely  interwoven  with  the 
history  of  the  industries,  has  been  given  space  in  this  chapter 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


619 


and  in  other  cases  references  to  industrial  development  has  been 
treated  in  the  departments  devoted  to  biographies,  the  histories 
of  the  nationalities,  etc.,  in  which  instances  the  editors  may  have 
found  it  expedient  to  omit  the  same  from  this  chapter. — Jens  K. 
Grondahl. 


Since  the  early  eighties  the  manufacture  of  stoneware  has 
been  the  most  important  of  Red  Wing’s  industries,  and  bids  fair 
to  soon  place  the  city  far  ahead  of  its  rivals  in  the  race  for  the 
distinction  of  being  the  principal  stoneware  producing  point  in 
the  country.  Clay  has  been  used  in  this  county  since  the  earliest 
known  times  by  the  Indians,  in  the  manufacture  of  rough  pot- 
tery, but  the  modem  growth  of'  the  industry  dates  from  the 
rude  and  crude  efforts  of  one  J.  Pohl.  Pohl,  who  before  coming 
to  this  county  had  seen  the  results  obtained  from  subjecting  clay 
to  a high  degree  of  heat,  owned  a small  farm  in  the  northern  part 
of  Goodhue  township  on  the  ground  now  occupied  by  the  clay 
excavations.  To  while  away  the  dreary  months  of  the  pioneer 
winters,  Pohl  determined  to  experiment  with  the  clay  underlying 
his  farm.  Consequently  he  dug  some  of  the  earth  which  he 
deemed  best  suited  to  his  purpose,  and  with  a turf-coverecl  kiln, 
baked  some  crudely  fashioned  pots  which  he  sold  to  the  women 
of  the  neighborhood  for  flower  pots.  For  some  reason,  Pohl  did 
not  continue  the  industry,  and  so  far  as  is  known,  no  specimens 
of  his  work  are  at  the  present  time  in  existence.  During  the 
seventies,  clay  from  the  Goodhue  beds  was  used  in  connection 
with  material  from  Hay  Creek,  for  the  manufacture  of  terra- 
cotta and  ornamental  work  by  William  Pliilleo,  Philander 
Sprague,  David  Hallem  and  Lyman  J.  Boynton.  The  business 
did  not  prove  profitable,  owing  doubtless  to  the  small  scale  upon 
which  it  was  conducted.  Mr.  Hallem  began  making  pottery  and 
was  on  the  fair  road  to  success  when  the  manufacturers  of  Akron, 
Ohio,  seeing  a rival  and  desiring  to  crush  opposition,  cut  the 
price  of  their  own  wares  in  two,  in  order  to  induce  the  Red 
Wing  merchants  to  continue  handling  the  Ohio  product  instead 
of  taking  up  the  local  article.  The  Red  AYing  merchants,  evi- 
dently not  understanding  the  importance  of  the  industry  they 
were  retarding,  consulted  their  pocketbooks  rather  than  local 
progress,  and  contracted  for  the  Ohio  product.  This  left  Mr. 
Hallem  without  business,  and  he  was  forced  to  discontinue  his 
enterprise.  In  1877,  however,  with  the  starting  of  the  present 
pottery  business,  he  sold  out  to  the  new  concern,  and  made  for 
them  their  first  set  of  moulds  and  their  first  kilns.  Thus  the 
clay  working  industries  were  first  placed  on  a really  substantial 
footing,  but  there  were  many  difficulties,  mechanical,  chemical 


620 


HISTOKY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY' 


and  financial,  to  overcome  before  they  attained  the  success  of 
which  they  can  boast  today. 

The  Red  Wing  Union  Stoneware  Company  has  an  invested 
capital  of  $500,000,  employs  about  250  people,  and  makes  an 
annual  shipment  of  something  like  45,000  tons.  It  is  a consoli- 
dation of  the  Red  Wing  Stoneware  and  the  Minnesota  Stoneware 
companies,  and  operates  the  plants  erected  by  those  two  com- 
panies before  consolidation,  on  West  Main  street,  situated  near 
the  Mississippi  river  and  on  the  lines  of  the  C.  M.  & St.  Paul  and 
the  Great  Western.  The  officers  of  the  company  are:  President, 

E.  S.  Hoyt;  vice  president,  O.  M.  Flail;  secretary,  A.  A.  Page; 
treasurer,  T.  R.  Bjorngaard. 

The  Red  Wing  Stoneware  Company  had  its  real  beginning 
on  February  8,  1877,  when  a meeting  of  citizens  was  held  in 
the  city  council  rooms  to  consider  the  subject  of  the  organization 
of  a company  for  the  manufacture  of  stoneware  in  the  city  of 
Red  Wing.  A decision  favorable  to  such  an  enterprise  having 
been  reached,  a committee  consisting  of  B.  B.  Herbert,  F.  W. 
Hoyt  and  E.  AY.  Brooks  Avas  appointed  to  prepare  articles  of 
incorporation;  and  C.  C.  AVebster  and  B.  B.  Herbert  Avere  ap- 
pointed a committee  to  solicit  subscriptions  to  stock.  On  Febru- 
ary 9,  articles  of  incorporation  Avere  signed,  fixing  the  capital 
stock  of  the  new  company  at  $10,000,  divided  into  share  of  $50 
each.  A meeting  of  subscribers  to  the  capital  stock  Avas  called 
on  February  10.  and  Peter  Daniels,  E.  W.  Brooks,  C.  C.  AYebster, 

F.  AY.  Hoyt,  Charles  Brink,  B.  B.  Herbert  and  D.  C.  Hill  Avere 

chosen  the  first  board  of  directors.  On  February  21  the  board 
met  and  perfected  an  organization  by  the  election  of  the  folloAv- 
ing  officers:  President,  P.  Daniels;  treasurer,  C.  C.  AYebster; 

secretary,  B.  P>.  Herbert.  On  September  31  Mr.  Webster  re- 
signed his  office  as. treasurer  and  A.  J.  Meacliam  was  elected  in 
his  place.  The  first  six  months  after  the  organization  of  the 
company  aauis  devoted  to  experimenting  upon  the  manufacture 
of  stoneAvare  with  a small  kiln  and  works  purchased  from  D. 
Hallem.  Early  in  August,  of  the  same  year,  the  board  com- 
lnenced  grading  for  the  foundation  of  the  present  works  of  the 
company,  and  on  January  1,  1878,  the  buildings,  kilns  and  ma- 
chinery Avere  ready  for  the  manufacture  of  stoneAvare  on  an 
extensive  scale. 

The  Minnesota  Stoneware  Company,  Qrganized  in  1883,  erected 
buildings  in  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  the  older  concern, 
and  at  the  time  of  the  consolidation  was  enjoying  a prosperous 
business. 

The  product  of  the  stoneware  works  consists  of  all  varieties 
of  ware,  from  tiny  brown  jugs  to  milk  pans  and  great  butter 
jars  and  water  refrigerators.  The  clay,  which  is  brought  from 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


621 


Goodhue  township,  where  it  is  found  a few  feet  under  the  sur- 
face, underlying  a rougher  c-lay,  is  brought  by  cars  over  the  line 
of  the  Great  Western,  and  emptied  into  the  clay  pit.  It  is  then 
ground  and  mixed  with  water  to  a proper  consistency.  The 
milk  pans  are  made  in  moulds,  while  the  majority  of  other  arti- 
cles are  turned  on  wheels  and  lathes  and  shaped  by  the  hands 
and  fingers  of  the  workmen.  The  ware  is  then  dried,  and  after- 
ward dipped  in  a solution  of  glazing  chemically  prepared,  thus 
giving  to  the  product  a smooth,  hard  glaze,  impervious  to  acids. 
The  process  is  completed  by  the  burning  in  the  kilns.  During 
the  period  of  the  greatest  heat,  rock  salt  is  thrown  onto  the  fire, 
glazing  the  outside  of  the  ware.  It  is  then  ready  for  shipment. 
The  ware  has  been  widely  introduced  and  has  a reputation  for 
sterling  merit  which  speaks  well  for  the  honesty  of  its  manu- 
facture. 

The  North  Star  Stoneware  Company  was  organized  in  the 
early  nineties  and  continued  in  operation  several  years.  It  was 
then  absorbed  by  the  Minnesota  and  Red  Wing  Stoneware  Com- 
panies and  the  machinery  removed  to  the  older  plants.  After 
lying  idle  for  some  time,  the  plant  was  purchased  by  Henry  W. 
Woolner,  of  Peoria,  who  started  to  remodel  it  for  a malting 
plant.  In  1900  the  plant  was  purchased  by  the  Minnesota  Malting 
Company,  who  completed  the  alterations. 

Red  Wing  Sewer  Pipe  Company.  AYith  the  increase  of  the 
pottery  business  in  Red  Wing,  the  question  of  the  disposal  of 
the  coai’se  clay  overlying  the  finer  potters’  clay  became  a most 
important  one.  This  coarse  clay  is  of  practically  the  same  geo- 
logic formation  as  the  potters’  clay,  but  somewhat  stained  with 
iron  rust  and  other  foreign  material,  thus  unfitting  it  for  the 
finer  ware.  Originally  this  clay  was  cleared  off,  thrown  to  one 
side,  and  then  shoveled  back  into  the  excavation  after-  the  finer 
clay  was  removed.  This  involved  waste,  expense  and  inconven- 
ience. As  this  problem  increased,  it  occurred  to  several  prudent 
minds  that  the  coarser  clay  might  be  made  into  sewer  pipe.  To 
this  end'  various  experiments  were  made,  and  in  1890  the  first 
sewer  pipe  in  Red  Wing  being  turned  out  by  George  Cook  at  the 
potteries,  and  placed  on  exhibition  in  the  window  of  the  Pierce, 
Simmons  & Co.  Bank,  with  the  inscription,  originated  in  the 
mind  of  John  IT.  Rich,  one  of  the  officials  at  the  potteries,  “Red 
Wing  Sewer  Pipe,  Why  Not?”  From  this  piece  of  pipe,  three 
feet  long,  the  present  large  industry  has  grown. 

In  October,  1891,  the  Red  WTing  Sewer  Pipe  Company  was 
incorporated,  with  E.  IT.  Blodgett,  president ; F.  AY.  Hoyt,  secre- 
tary; Frederick  Busch,  treasurer;  C.  E.  Sheldon,  superintendent. 
Mr.  Sheldon  was  the  moving  spirit  in  this  organization  of  the 
company  and  became  manager  of  the  new  concern.  The  factory 


622 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


of  the  Red  AN  ing  AYa.gon  Company  was  purchased,  machinery 
was  installed  and  work  at  turning  out  sewer  pipe  was  at  once 
commenced,  a ready  market  being  found  from  the  start. 

One  year  later,  John  TI.  Rich,  to  whom  belongs  the  credit  of 
originating  the  sewer  pipe  idea  in  this  city,  formed  the  John  H. 
Rich  Sewer  Pipe  Company,  a close  corporation,  of  which  John 
II.  Rich  was  president;  W.  II.  Putnam,  secretary,  and  Horace  S. 
Rich,  treasurer.  This  company,  with  a capital  stock  of  $200,000, 
purchased  a tract  of  land  near  the  old  fair  grounds  on  the  line 
of  the  Duluth,  Red  Wing  & Southern,  later  bought  by  the  Great 
Western  railroad,  and  erected  a spacious  and  substantial  factory 
of  cream  colored  brick.  The  opening  of  this  factory  was  a gala 
day  in  the  life  of  Red  AVing.  Invitations  were  sent  to  the  lead- 
ing citizens  of  the  city  and  state,  as  well  as  to  many  prominent 
workers  of  clay  products  throughout  the  United  States.  In 
response  to  this  invitation,  the  multitudes  gathered  from  near 
and  far,  February  13,  1893,  and  Judge  AV.  C.  AVilliston,  in  a 
neat  speech,  dedicated  the  factory  to  the  cause  of  labor.  Mrs. 
H.  A.  Willard  pressed  the  button  to  the  accompaniment  of  the 
martial  strains  of  the  Ft.  Snelling  First  Regiment  Band;  and  as, 
in  response,  the  wheels  began  to  move,  there  began  a new  era 
of  prosperity  for  the  city  and  people  of  Red  Wing. 

The  relations  of  the  two  companies  from  the  first  was  of  the 
friendliest  nature,  and  there  was  an  amicable  understanding 
which  prevented  unfriendly  competition.  Toward  the  latter  part 
of  the  existence  of  the  two  companies,  the  officials  occupied 
offices  together.  This  friendly  agreement  resulted,  in  November, 
1901,  in  a consolidation  of  the  two  companies,  the  older  com- 
pany bringing  into  the  new  corporation  its  longer-established 
market,  while  the  newer  company  contributed  its  larger  factory 
and  greater  room  for  expansion.  The  consolidation  was  one  of 
the  business  moves  that  has  had  the  greatest  influence  upon  the 
commercial  activity  of  the  city.  The  capital  of  the  new  com- 
pany, which  took  the  name  of  one  of  the  consolidating  com- 
panies. the  Reel  AVing  Sewer  Pipe  Company,  was  placed  at 
$500,000,  with  the  following  officers:  President,  John  IT.  Rich; 
vice  president,  E.  IT.  Blodgett ; treasurer,  Horace  S.  Rich ; secre- 
tary, C.  E.  Sheldon ; counsel,  O.  M.  Hall ; directors,  John  PI. 
Rich,  E.  H.  Blodgett,  TI.  S.  Rich,  E.  S.  Hoyt,  AAr.  C.  AVilliston,  C. 
E.  Sheldon,  W.  IT.  Putnam  and  Fred  Busch. 

On  February  7.  1902,  Factory  B,  the  original  factory,  whose 
building  was  purchased  from  the  Red  AA7ing  AVagon  AVorks,  was 
destroyed  by  fire.  In  remarkably  short  time  it  was  rebuilt,  and 
was  in  operation  May  12  of  the  same  year,  less  than  ninety  days 
from  the  time  of  the  disaster. 

The  product  of  the  Red  Wing  Sewer  Pipe  Company  is  used 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


623 


throughout  the  United  States,  and  even  in  foreign  countries,  the 
annual  output  being  about  3,500  carloads.  While  a specialty  is 
made  of  sewer  pipe  from  four  to  twenty-four  inches  in  diameter, 
and  even  larger,  there  are  also  made  culvert  pipe,  drain  tiles, 
well  curbing,  water  pipe,  gas  pipe,  chimney  hoods,  well  coping 
and  other  clay  products  in  the  pipe  line.  Tests  have  proven  the 
advantages  of  the  pipe  shipped  from  Red  AVing.  Being  a vitri- 
fied, salt  glazed  pipe,  it  is  weather  proof,  rust  proof,  frost  proof, 
and,  so  far  as  chemical  tests  can  determine,  time  proof.  It  'is 
not  affected  by  electric  currents,  and  having  no  pores  can  be 
made  absolutely  germ  proof. 

The  process  of  making  the  pipe  is  most  interesting.  The  clay 
is  brought  in  train  loads  from  the  clay  beds  in  Goodhue,  and 
conveyed  in  buckets  from  the  cars  to  the  grinder.  This  grinder 
is  a bowl  about  ten  feet  across,  with  a pair  of  circular  knives 
that  work  back  and  forth  and  revolve  at  the  same  time, 
the  bowl  itself  having  a rapid  rotation.  To  the  ground  clay  is 
added  a bit  of  ground  potsherd,  and  enough  water  to  reduce  it 
to  a consistency  suited  to  the  next  process.  This  pasty  or  dough- 
like  mass  is  then  emptied  with  a scoop  into  buckets,  which  are 
carried  to  the  head  of  the  press,  where  the  clay  is  forced  through 
the  easting  by  seventy  tons  steam  pressure  from  a forty-four- 
inch  cylinder  that  squeezes  out  every  air  bubble.  The  collar  at 
the  socket  end  is  moulded  at  the  same  time.  As  the  pipe  comes 
from  the  press  it  is  taken  on  hand  trucks  to  the  drying  room, 
where  a sponger  trims  off  the  rough  edge,  after  which  it  is  set 
on  a board  to  set  for  twenty-four  hours.  The  next  day  the  other 
end  is  trimmed  to  exact  length  and  true  shape.  It  then  stands 
in  the  drying  room  a week  or  ten  days,  the  temperature  being 
increased  from  110  to  125  during  this  drying  process.  The  pipe 
is  then  ready  for  the  kiln.  Within  the  kiln,  the  pipes  are  ar- 
ranged with  the  greatest  skill,  the  object  being  to  get  in  as  many> 
as  possible  without  crowding,  and  yet  to  have  them  stand  true 
so  that  they  will  not  warp.  After  this  is  arranged  satisfactorily, 
the  openings  in  the  dome  are  sealed  up,  the  door  is  walled  up 
with  brick  and  clay.  Fires  are  then  started  in  a series  of  grates 
around  the  kilns,  and  gradually  increased  until  a temperature 
of  high  degree  is  reached,  an  ingenious  system  being  arranged  to 
distribute  the  heat  evenly  among  the  pipe  in  the  kiln.  At  the 
period  of  the  most  intense  heat,  salt  is  thrown  in,  giving  the 
pipe  the  smooth  glazed  finish  so  much  admired  and  desired. 
After  four  days  of  this  baking,  the  kiln  is  gradually  allowed 
to  cool  for  four  days,  the  heat  being  released  gradually  to  avoid 
combustion  of  nearby  woodwork.  The  pipe  is  then  tested  with 
a hammer,  and  as  a final  process  is  sorted  and  piled  up  in  rows 
in  the  yards  ready  for  shipping. 


624 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


The  process  is  largely  one  of  temperature,  and  consequently 
economy  consists  in  properly  utilizing  every  ounce  of  fuel  pos- 
sible. To  this  end,  Mr.  Rich  has  perfected  a system  which  draws 
heat  from  the  kilns  for  drying  purposes.  This  drying  is  done  by 
exhaust  steam  during  the  day  time,  and  at  night  heat  is  drawn 
from  the  kilns  after  the  burning  or  baking  is  finished,  through 
hot-air  tunnels  by  means  of  a sturtevant  fan  which  distributes 
the  air  under  the  lower  floor. 

' In  recent  years  the  output  of  sewer  pipe  has  been  so  great 
that  the  coarse  clay  from  the  Goodhue  beds  has  been  used  up 
faster  than  the  finer  clay  underneath.  If  this  were  continued, 
the  finer  clay,  thus  uncovered,  would  deteriorate  through  action 
of  the  elements,  and  the  supply  of  raw  material  for  the  pipe  has 
thus  been  limited.  Consequently  it  was  necessary  to  seek  other 
clay  beds  and  suitable  ones  were  located  in  Iowa.  As  Red  Wing 
was  off  the  direct  shipping  line  from  these  beds,  a new  branch 
factory  has  been  erected  at  Hopkins,  near  Minneapolis.  The 
new  factory  there  is  built  of  brick,  80x300  feet,  four  stories  with 
basement.  It  is  equipped  with  twelve  kilns,  and  aside  from  the 
main  factory  has  a large  building  used  as  a boiler  house,  also 
drying  sheds,  coal  sheds  and  shipping  sheds. 

The  two  factories  in  Red  Wing  are  equipped  with  all  the 
latest  appliances  and  employ  about  250  men. 

The  present  officers  of  the  Red  AYing  Sewer  Pipe  Company 
are  as  follows:  President,  John  II.  Rich;  vice  president,  PI.  S. 

Rich ; secretary,  C.  E.  Sheldon;  treasurer,  C.  A.  Betcher ; directors, 
AAr.  IP.  Putnam,  S.  T.  Featherstone  and  H.  A.  Willard. 

John  Harrison  Rich  was  born  December  30,  1856,  at,  Lake 
Geneva,  AVis.,  to  which  place  his  father,  Harrison  Rich,  and  his 
mother,  Martha  Rich,  had  emigrated  from  Jamestown,  N.  Y. 
John  was  educated  at  the  Geneva  schools  and  later  worked  on 
his  father’s  farm  until  1876,  when  he  came  to  Red  Wing  and 
obtained  a position  as  bookkeeper  in  the  hardware  store  of  Baker 
& Rich.  lie  remained  in  Red  AA7ing  about  three  years  and  later 
devoted  liimSelf  to  the  banking  business  at  St.  Vincent,  Minn., 
and  Pembina,  N.  D.  He  returned  to  Red  Wing  in  1882  and  in- 
terested himself  in  the  clay  establishments  with  the  determina- 
tion to  bring  them  to  the  front.  After  many  years  of  hard  work 
and  wise  financiering,  his  efforts  were  rewarded  by  more  than 
usual  success.  Since  then  he  has  become  associated  with  a great 
number  of  Red-Wing’s  large  successful  enterprises,  and  some 
in  other  places.  At  the  present  time  he  is  president  of  the  Red 
Wing  Sewer  Pipe  Company,  the  Red  AYing  Malting  Company, 
the  Goodhue  County  National  Bank  and  the  Forest  Products 
Company.  These  institutions  are  considered  separately,  else- 
where in  this  volume.  He  is  also  largely  interested  in,  and  one 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


625 


of  the  directors  of  the  Minneapolis  Steel  & Machinery  Company 
and  the  Minneapolis  Electric  Elevator-  Company.  In  a number 
of  other  industries  in  Red  Wing  and  elsewhere  he  has  smaller 
interests  where  his  business  counsel  is  freely  sought  and  gener- 
ously given.  In  politics  Mr.  Rich  has  been  a Cleveland  Democrat, 
and  since  the  free  silver  campaign  of  1895  he  has  been  an  inde- 
pendent voter,  supporting  the  Republican  national  ticket.  In 
religious  matters  he  affiliates  with  the  Episcopal  Church,  and 
the  Shattuck  School,  at  Faribault,  which  is  controlled  by  that  de- 
nomination, finds  in  Mr.  Rich  one  of  its  most  able  and  interested 
directors.  Mr.  Rich  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  order,  the  Red 
Wing  Commercial  Club,  the  Minneapolis  Club  and  other  organi- 
zations. Notwithstanding  his  exceedingly  busy  life,  Mr.  Rich  has 
found  time  to  devote  much  of  his  energy  to  the  public  welfare. 
In  1899  he  was  elected  mayor  of  the  city,  and  he  made  one  of  the 
best  executives  that  any  city  ever  had.  His  fairness,  his  abso- 
lute fearlessness  and  his  insight  into  the  future  needs  of  the  city 
was  in  many  cases  fully  demonstrated.  lie  declined  a reelection 
which  would  have  been  unanimously  given  him.  He  has  also 
served  as  a member  of  the  city  council  and  on  various  boards  in 
the  city  government.  But  whether  in  or  out  of  office  he  has 
taken  the  same  deep  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  community 
and  can  always  be  counted  upon  to  give  his  time  and  means  to 
the  Desirable  City.  Broadway  Park,  with  its  landscape  beauties, 
is  an  example  of  his  generosity  and  love  of  civic  improvement 
along  artistic  lines.  In  his  exceedingly  active  life  there  is  noth- 
ing to  which  he  looks  back  with  more  satisfaction  and  pleasure 
than  the  organization  of  the  Red  Wing  Civic  League,  which  has 
done  so  much  to  make  Red  Wing  beautiful,  and  which  has  set 
an  example  for  civic  work  and  civic  pride  even  in  the  great 
cities  throughout  the  United  States.  Though  very  successful  in 
his  enterprises,  he  js  unassuming,  democratic  and  easily  ap- 
proachable by  any  one  who  may  need  his  assistance  or  advice. 
Mr.  Rich  was  married  May  26.  1880,  to  Julia  Wilder  Williston. 
daughter  of  the  late  Judge  W.  C.  Williston.  Three  children  have 
been  born  to  them,  Williston  Canfield,  Harrison  Pierce  and  Mary 
Dorothea. 

The  malting  business,  comparatively  a new  industry  in  Red 
Wing,  has  outstripped  in  its  amount  of  business  its  older  com- 
panions, the  lumber  and  milling  enterprises,  and  stands  second, 
in  tonnage  shipped,  to  the  clay  products  factories. 

The  Red  Wing  Malting  Company,  situated  in  a conspicuous 
position  overlooking  the  Mississippi  river  and  the  Milwaukee 
railroad,  at  the  end  of  the  Great  Western  line,  is  a landmark 
for  all  travelers  who  in  recent  years  have  passed  through  the 
city.  The  company  was  organized  July  5,  1901,  with  the  follow- 


626 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


mg  officers:  President,  John  Rich;  vice  president,  Tams  Bixby; 
treasurer,  C.  A.  Beteher;  secretary,  AV.  C.  Krise.  These  gentle- 
men, with  L.  S.  Gillette,  R.  Jameson  and  AV.  C.  Williston,  con- 
stituted the  board  of  directors.  The  first  building  was  erected 
in  1901.  In  April,  1902,  additions  were  made,  and  in  1904  the 
capacity  and  capital  stock  were  doubled,  the  latter  now  being 
placed  at  $300,000.  The  plant  has  eight  big  tanks  and  three 
smaller  ones,  having  a capacity  of  1,000,000  bushels.  The  com-- 
pany  employs  about  twenty-five  men,  and  does  an  annual  busi- 
ness of  about  $80,000.  The  officers  and  directors  remain  the 
same  as  at  the  organization  with  the  exception  that  B.  Gerlach 
has  taken  the  place  of  R.  Jameson  on  the  board  of  directors, 
and  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  death  of  AY.  C.  AVilliston  has  not 
yet  been  filled. 

The  Minnesota  Malting  Company  was  organized  in  1900  and 
purchased  from  llenry  AVI  AVoolner,  of  Peoria,  111.,  the  old  plant 
of  the  North  Star  Stoneware  Company,  which  has  been  partially 
remodeled  into  a malting  plant.  The  Minnesota  company  com- 
pleted the  alterations  and  started  business  at  once,  the  present 
capacity  being  about  500,000  bushels  annually.  The  original 
capital  stock  of  $125,000  has  been  increased  to  $150,000.  The 
original  officers,  president,  F.  F.  Bullen;  vice  president,  A.  R. 
Mensing;  secretary  and  treasurer,  A.  F.  Bullen,  have  been  suc- 
cessively re-elected  to  the  present  date.  The  plant  employs  about 
ten  men  and  is  situated  on  the  line  of  the  Great  Western  railroad. 

S.  B.  Foot  & Co.  is  the  oldest  manufacturing  institution  of  its 
kind  in  the  entire  northwest,  having  been  in  business  here  since 
the  early  fifties.  The  company  operates  a large  shoe  factory  and 
a tannery,  employing  about  seventy-five  people.  The  factory  is 
located  on  Plumb  street  in  a three-story  brick  building,'  where 
is  manufactured  a complete  line  of  shoe  pacs,  canvas  leggings 
and  sheepskin  foot  apparel.  The  tannery  is  a large  new  brick 
building  at  Trout  Brook.  The  present  officers  of  the  concern 
are : President,  Edwin  H.  Foot ; vice  president  and  treasurer, 
Peter  A.  Nelson;  secretary,  James  E.  Teele.  The  history  of  this 
company  is  embodied  in  the  biography  of  its  founder. 

Silas  Buck  Foot,  now  deceased,  was  one  of  those  sturdy  pio- 
neers of  business  who  helped  to  lay  the  foundation  for  the  pres- 
ent commercial  and  industrial  solidity  of  the  state  of  Minnesota. 
He  was  widely  known  and  universally  esteemed.  AVhile  Red 
Wing  is  honored  by  having  him  as  a resident  since  the  early  days, 
his  record  is  nevertheless  one  that  belongs  to  the  whole  state, 
and  in  the  leather  and  shoe  trade  he  was  known  and  respected 
from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific.  He  was  born  in  New  Milford, 
Pa.,  November  7,  1834,  the  son  of  a native  Vermonter,  who  in 
Pennsylvania  cultivated  his  farm  and  also  engaged  in  the  shoe- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


627 


maker’s  trade.  Left  an  orphan  at  the  age  of  seven  years,  he 
was  cared  for  by  an  elder  brother  and  sisters  and  received  his 
education  in  a log  cabin  school.  After  a short  experience  as 
clerk  in  a retail  general  store  at  Prompton,  Pa.,  he  went,  in 
1853,  with  a brother,  to  engage  in  a similar  business  at  San  An- 
tonio, Texas.  After  a year  or  so  there,  his  brother  falling  victim 
to  a southern  fever,  he  returned  to  Pennsylvania,  but  soon  deter- 
mined to  become  a pioneer  and  seek  his  fortune  westward,  where 
the  opportunities  for  pioneer  endeavor  were  larger  and  broader 
than  in  his  native  state. 

Traveling  through  the  middle  west  in  the  primitive  fashion 
of  those  days,  and  at  the  same  time  paying  his  way  by  the  sale 
of  patent  rights,  he  finally,  in  the  summer  of  1857,  reached  Red 
Wing  by  steamboat  on  the  Mississippi,  and,  believing  that  here 
were  the  opportunities  for  advancing  his  fortune  and  establish- 
ing his  home,  he  remained  and  opened  a small  store.  He  later 
traded  this  for  real  estate,  which,  in  turn,  was  exchanged  for  a 
shoe  store,  with  which  he  entered  into  the  shoe  business,  taking 
Dr.  W.  W.  Sweney  as  partner,  under  the  firm  name  of  Foot  & 
Sweney.  In  1858  he  returned  to  Pennsylvania,  to  be  married, 
and  there  was  espoused  to  Lydia  Lorana  Park,  of  Montrose,  Pa., 
July  6,  1858.  He  at  once  returned  with  his  wife  to  his  western 
home.  In  1860  ill-health  and  the  advice  of  physicians  forced  him 
to  take  a trip  westward,  during  which  he  traveled  over  the 
plains  and  mountains  as  far  as  Walla  Walla,  Wash.  He  returned 
to  Red  Wing  eighteen  months  later,  restored  to  good  health. 
After  his  return,  he  purchased  the  Sweney  interests  and  the 
firm  of  Foot  & Sterling  was  organized.  In  1872  this  firm  started 
a tannery  in  the  outskirts  of  the  city.  They  soon  added  to  their 
retail  business,  manufacturing  and  jobbing  of  shoes  and  shoe 
pacs.  In  1881  it  was  found  advisable  to  move  the  shoe  factory 
to  St.  Paul,  and  there  this  business  grew  and  developed  into 
the  large  and  prosperous  industry  now  carried  on  under  the 
corporate  name  of  Foot,  Schulze  & Co.  Mr.  Foot  continued  at 
the  head  of  the  business  until  the  time  of  his  death,  May  22, 
1908.  AVliile  he  retained  his  residence  in  Red  Wing,  he  traveled 
almost  daily  to  and.  from  St.  Paul,  to  attend  to  his  business 
there.  The  shoe  pac  business  and  tannery  were  continued  at 
Red  Wing  under  his  direction  and  control,  and  have  grown  to 
large  proportions.  A large,  new,  modern  tannery  was  in  coiu’se 
of  erection  when  he  was  called  from  earth’s  activities.  Of  his 
marriage  were  born  five  sons  and  two  daughters,  the  survivors 
of  whom  are  Ezra  P.,  Frederick  W.,  Edwin  H.,  and  Bessie  Park 
Foot.  He  lost  his  wife  January  30,  1903,  after  a long  and  happy 
married  and  family  life.  AVhile  it-  was  to  business  affairs,  in 
which  his  indefatigable  industry  and  sagacity  made  him  pre- 


628 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


eminent  among  the  manufacturers  of  the  country,  that  he  most 
largely  applied  his  energies,  he  always  took  an  active  interest  in 
public  affairs,  national,  state  and  local.  In  1882-83  he  was 
mayor  of  Red  Wing,  and  his  term  was  marked  by  strict  enforce- 
ment of  the  liquor  laws,  and  the  installation  of  a municipal 
water  plant,  in  place  of  giving  a franchise  to  private  enterprise. 
He  was  a thirty-second  degree  Mason,  a Knight  Templar  and 
a Shriner.  He  was  directly  interested  in  the  business  develop- 
ment of  Red  Wing  and  was  one  of  the  chief  promoters  of  the 
Red  Wing,  Duluth  and  Southern  Railway,  an  undertaking  that 
made  possible  the  success  of  the  clay  industries  and  which  was 
afterward  sold  to  the  Chicago,  Great  Western  Raihvay  Com- 
pany. For  many  years  lie  Avas  a director  in  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Red  Wing.  He  was  a member  of  the  St.  Paul  Jobbers’ 
Association,  the  National  Shoe  and  Leather  Association,  and  of 
other  important  commercial  bodies.  He  took  a deep  interest  in 
the  Foot  Family  Association  of  America,  and  attended  the  first 
annual  meeting  at  Wetherfield,  Conn.,  June  5,  1907,  where  over 
one  hundred  descendants  of  Nathaniel  Foot,  the  first  settler, 
gathered  in  the  first  Connecticut  town,  where  he  lived  in  1637. 
For  many  years  Mr.  Foot  Avas  a useful  and  earnest  member  of 
and  generous  contributor  to  Christ  Episcopal  church,  in  which 
he  long  served  as  vestryman,  and  of  which  he  was,  at  the  time 
of  his  death,  junior  Avarden.  In  1903  he  erected,  as  an  addition 
to  Christ  church,  a beautiful  and  costly  chapel,  in  memory  of 
his  deceased  Avife. 

The  Forest  Products  Company,  still  in  its  infancy,  promises 
to  be  one  of  the  most  important  of  Red  Wing’s  industries.  An 
evolution  from  the  originally  simple  proposition  of  utilizing  the 
timber  on  the  overflow  bottom  lands  up  and  down  the  Mississippi, 
it  uoav  represents  an  industry  absolutely  unique  and  constitutes 
an  experiment  which  will  be  watched  with  interest  not  only  be- 
cause it  represents  what  is  likely  to  be  a financial  success,  but 
because  it  also  lias  a sentimental  side — that  of  preserving  the 
rapidly  diminishing  forest  areas  of  this  state  and  vicinity.  The 
“bottoms,”  a maze  of  winding  sloughs,  swamp  and  tangled 
woods,  frequented  only  by  hunters,  Avood  choppers  and  campers, 
.are  the  wide  bed  of  the  swollen  river  when  melting  snows  or 
heavy  rains  crowd  it  o\rer  its  Ioav  banks.  Receiving  the  flood 
deposits  of  finest  silt  from  upland  farms,  these  lands  are  both 
the  richest  and  least  valuable  in  the  county.  Here  and  there 
are  found  the  rotting  houses  of  settlers  who  have  wasted  their 
best  years  in  striving  with  ax  and  fire  to  clear  meadows  and 
tillable  fields  and  who  have  at  length  given  up  the  struggle 
against  flood  and  vigorous  timber  growth  and  have  left  the  land 
stripped  of  its  big  timber,  the  only  Aralue  it  can  ever  possess. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


629 


Through  the  bottoms  passed  the  procession  of  rafts  which  ren- 
dered possible  the  conversion  of  the  vast  forests  of  the  North 
into  cheap  lumber  for  the  incredibly  swift  up-building  of  the 
Northwestern  states.  The  lumbermen  who  swarmed  upon  the 
river  merely  considered  the  bottom  lands  a difficult  place  in 
which  to  seek  the  8 to  20  per  cent  of  their  sunken,  strayed  and 
stolen  logs,  and  a source  of  fuel  supply  for  the  steamboats  which 
consumed  all  the  most  valuable  and  accessible  timber.  With  the 
gradual  depletion  of  the  pine  supply  and  dismantling  of  the  river 
mills  the  timbermen  moved  on  to  devastate  more  distant  virgin 
forests. 

Alone  among  all  the  men  who  had  operated  mills  along  the 
river,  C.  A.  Beteher  conceived  the  idea  of  utilizing  the  remnants 
of  this  despised  bottom  timber.  Proposing  the  scheme  to  J.  H. 
Rich  (interested  in  finding  a healthful  out-of-door  enterprise  of 
some  promise  for  his  son,  II.  P.  Rich)  and  W.  T.  Farrell,  ex- 
perienced in  all  practical  lumber  operations,  he  met  with  in- 
credulity and  suppressed  derision.  However,  upon  cruising  the 
bottom  lands  all  were  surprised  at  the  extent  of  land  and  timber 
and  decided  to  saw  all  the  valuable  timber  in  the  vicinity  Avith 
a portable  mill.  Not  content  with  the  contemplated  devastation 
of  the  banks  of  one  of  the  most  beautiful  rivers  in  the  Avorlcl,  and 
impressed  with  the  wonderful  productive  capacity  of  this  land, 
adapted  to  no  purpose  but  raising  timber,  the  plan  Avas  e\Tolved 
of  purchasing  the  land  instead  of  the  stumpage.  Prof.  Detweiler 
of  the  Minnesota  Forestry  School  Avas  consulted  and  upon  in- 
vestigation  showed  his  confidence  in  the  ultimate  success  of  the 
venture  by  identifying  his.  future  with  that  of  the  company  and 
undertaking  the  enormous  task  of  re-stocking  (re-foresting)  these 
abused  lands  and  bringing  them  up  to  their  normal  yield.  As 
soon  as  sufficient  acreage  Avas  acquired  to  insure.  Avhen  brought 
into  a proper  state  of  cultivation,  a continuous  cut  for  the  mill, 
the  company  was  incorporated  in  October.  1908.  Avith  the  fol- 
loAving  officers:  President.  John  II.  Rich;  A'ice  president,  C.  A. 
Beteher;  treasurer,  Nels  TidVesson ; secretary,  S.  B.  Detweiler. 
The  directors  Avere : S.  II.  Rich,  C.  A.  Beteher,  S.  B.  Detweiler. 
W.  T.  Farrell  and  H.  P.  Rich.  The  officers  remain  the  same  at 
the  present  time,  with  the  exception  that  H.  P.  Rich  is  iioav  secre- 
tary and  general  manager.  On  Carlson’s  channel,  at  the  eastern 
end  of  Barn  Bluff,  aaus  begun  the  construction  of  a modern  saw- 
mill fitted  to  turn  out  high  grade  lumber  and  Avith  a reserAre  of 
power  and  space  to  install  machinery  to  Avork  all  the  Avaste  from 
logs  and  tree  tops  into  the  most  economical  by-products,  which  may 
suggest  themselves  as  the  business  develops.  In  August  the  mill 
started  on  its  first  short  season’s  run  and  is  expected  to  produce 
from  five  to  ten  million  feet  of  lumber  in  e\Tery  succeeding  year. 


630 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Ideas  and  equipments  have  developed  so  largely  along  all  lines 
that  the  company  now  operates  one  of  the  finest  tow  boats  in 
the  river,  and  is  constantly  adding  to  its  fleet  of  barges,  quarter 
boats,  launches  and  other  craft  necessary  to  transporting  ma- 
terial from  woods  to  mill  and  taking  care  of  the  men.  The 
forest  work  lias  been  largely  tentative.  A quarter  of  a million 
trees  of  many  varieties  and  sizes  have  been  planted  under  various 
conditions  of  soil,  moisture  and  exposure  and  their  growth  will 
be  watched  with  great  interest.  The  native  young  timber  is 
thinned  and  culled  to  increase  its  growth  and  the  mature  timber 
removed  as  fast  as  it  can  be  handled.  All  this  work  is  experi- 
mental for,  so  far  as  can  be  learned,  cultivation  of  trees  of  these 
varieties  and  on  this  kind  of  land  is  entirely  untried,  both  in  this 
country  and  abroad.  The  success  of  the  venture  will  be  watched 
with  keen  interest  by  all  interested  in  the  future  of  the  country 
and  by  all  friends  of  the  present  much-agitated  subject  of  the 
conservation  of  natural  resources. 

Red  Wing  Brick  Company.  Brick  making  is  another  industry 
that  has  for  many  years  been  important  in  Red  Wing.  The  old 
state  capitol  at  St.  Paul  was  made  of  red  pressed  brick,  from 
Red  Wing.  Among  the  early  brick  makers  of  the 'city  were 
Brink,  Williams  & Co.  and  Ole  Simmons.  The  industry  is  at 
present  represented  by  the  Red  Wing  Brick  Company.  This  com- 
pany was  organized  in  1905,  incorporated  in  February  of  the 
same  year  by  Charles  A.  Betcher,  -J.  J.  Bovy,  B.  Gerlach,  J.  A. 
Schouweiler  and  Gust  Lillyblad.  The  first  officers  were : Presi- 
dent, C.  A.  Betcher;  vice  president,  B.  Gerlach;  secretary  and 
general  manager,  J.  J.  Bovy;  treasurer,  C.  F.  ITjermstad,  The 
first  building  was  erected  in  March,  1905,  and  began  operation  in 
July  of  the  same  year.  The  plant  then  had  a capacity  of  about 
15,000  per  day  of  a first  class  facing  brick  or  about  18,000  com- 
mon brick.  The  buildings  now  cover  about  two  acres  of  ground, 
the  main  factory  being  three  stories  high.  The  present  capacity 
of  the  plant  is  about  10,000,000  brick  per  annum,  the  product  con- 
sisting of  pressed  brick  in  all  shades  and  a fine  line  of  orna- 
mental stone,  this  output  being  sold  in  Minnesota,  Wisconsin, 
Iowa,  North  Dakota,  South  Dakota  and  Manitoba.  The  com- 
pany employs  at  the  present  time  about  eighteen  men,  the  plant 
being  located  in  the  western  part  of  the  city  on  the  C.  G.  W.  Ry. 
and  the  office  is  in  the  Goodhue  National  Bank  building.  The 
present  officers  of  the  company  are : President,  B.  Gerlach ; vice 
president,  J.  A.  Schouweiler;  treasurer,  C.  F.  Hjermstad;  secre- 
tary and  general  manager,  J.  J.  Bovy.  These  gentlemen,  with  F. 
AY.  Foot,  constitute  the  board  of  directors.  In  regard  to  indus- 
tries of  this  nature  the  “Rock  Products”  for  August,  1909,  says: 
“The  industry  of  sand  lime  brick  manufacture  is  still  in  its  in- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


631 


fancy  in  this  country,  and  unless  all  present  and  past  indications 
fail,  marvelous  developments  may  be  looked  for  in  the  near 
future.  This  building  material  has  already  taken  its  place  among 
the  other  time-honored  building  materials  and  has  gained  a most 
enviable  reputation.  The  largest  municipalities  in  the  East, 
prominent  architects  and  building  inspectors  and  even  the  United 
States  government  engineers  have  recognized  the  great  merits  of 
sand  lime  products.  When  properly  manufactured  they  are 
proof  against  all  action  of  the  elements,  including  frost  and 
fire.  This  has  been  conclusively  demonstrated  by  practical  ob- 
servations and  extensive  laboratory  tests.  Recent  statistics 
published  by  the  United  States  Geological  Survey  show  that,  there 
is  a rapidly  increasing  demand  for  good  common  brick,  which 
fact  largely  accounts  for  the  rapid  growth  of  the  sand  lime  brick 
industry.  Most  factories  confine  their  efforts  to  the  production 
of  this  grade,  which  is  invariably  far  superior  to  the  low  grades 
of  common  clay  brick,  which  have  gone  from  bad  to  worse  in  the 
last  few  years  until  now  they  really  contain  no  structural  values, 
either  for  compression,  tensile  strength,  fire  resistance  or 
density.  ” 

John  J.  Bovy.  secretary  and  general  manager  of  the  Red 
Wing  Brick  Company,  has  made  a success  of  life  as  an  educator, 
from  which  profession  he  is  now  retired,  and  as  a business  man, 
in  which  he  is  still  actively  engaged.  He  was  born  in  Carver 
county,  Minn.,  in  the  town  of  Norwood,  December  1,  1872.  His 
parents,  John  and  Lucy  (Schafer)  Bovy.  were  natives  of 
Cologne,  Germany.  They  came  to  America  in  1852  and  settled 
in  Kenosha  county,  where  the  father  followed  his  trade  as  a 
blacksmith.  In  1858  they  removed  to  Norwood,  Carver  county, 
this  state,  and  there  remained  until  the  death  of  the  father  in 
January,  1876.  The  mother  died  in  January,  1896.  John  J.  re- 
ceived his  early  educational  training  in  the  public  and  parochial 
schools  of  his  neighborhood  and  graduated  from  the  commercial 
department  of  St.  Joseph’s  College,  Teutopolis,  111.,  and  the  Nor- 
mal School  at  Milwaukee,  thoroughly  fitting  himself  for  the  pro- 
fession of  a Catholic  teacher.  He  also  made  a special  study  of 
music,  particularly  that  of  a devotional  character,  from  the  old 
masters,  and  became  a proficient  performer  on  the  pipe  organ. 
Thus  equipped  for  his  chosen  life  work,  he  started  teaching  at 
the  age  of  twenty-two  years.  He  taught  at  Port  Jennings,  Ohio, 
and  Mankato,  Minn.,  with  marked  success,  being  admired  by  the 
citizens  of  the  locality  and  loved  and  respected  by  the  children 
placed  in  his  care.  In  1895  he  accepted  his  present  position  in 
Red  Wing,  where  he  has  since  become  one  of  the  leading  citizens 
of  the  city.  In  recognition  of  his  educational  qualifications  he 
has  been  placed  on  the  board  of  the  Carnegie-Lawther  library, 


632 


HISTOBY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


but  aside  from  this  has  not  cared  to  seek  public  office.  He  is  also 
a member  of  the  Commercial  Club  of  this  city.  He  is  a prominent 
member  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  and  in  the  -Knights  of 
Columbus  holds  the  office  of  chancellor.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Democrat,  but  of  late  years  an  independent  voter.  Mr.  Bovy 
was  married  in  August,  1900,  to  Anna  M.  Bnsh,  of  Red  AYing, 
daughter  of  AYilliam  Bush,  a Red  AA7ing  citizen  who  is  still  living. 
To  Air.  and  Mrs.  Bovy  was  born  at  Mankato,  this  state,  in  June, 
1903,  one  child,  who  died  in  infancy. 

The  Red  Wing  Milling  Company  was  started  in  1901  and  was 
then  known  as  the  Simmons  Milling  Company.  The  new  con- 
cern at  once  built  a mill  and  elevator  on  the  site  of  the  old  Dia- 
mond Mill  and  was  soon  in  operation,  manufacturing  the  Bixota 
and  other  brands  of  flour.  Tams  Bixby  was  the  first  president 
and  John  Diefenbaeh  the  first  secretary.  N.  Iv.  Simmons  was 
the  manager.  In  1907  the  name  was  changed  to  the  Red  AYing 
Milling  Company.  In  1909  the  concern  was  sold  to  a new  com- 
pany and  the  present  officers  are:  President  and  treasurer,  H.  C. 
Stebbins ; vice  president,  J.  G.  Lawrence ; secretary,  R.  L.  Thomp- 
son : directors,  II.  C.  Stebbins,  John  If.  Rich,  J.  G.  Lawrence, 

D.  R.  Jones  and  R.  L.  Thompson. 

The  Red  Wing  Hat  Manufacturing  Company  was  incorporated 
July  31,  1902,  and  at  once  started  operations  in  a three-story 
brick  building  at  116-118  Plum  street.  The  first  officers  were  : 
President,  John  II.  Rich;  vice  president,  F.  Buscli;  treasurer,  C. 
F.  Hjermstad;  secretary,  L.  IT.  Stiles.  These  gentlemen,  with 
J.  R.  McLain,  G.  Gerlaeh  and  L.  S.  Gillette,  constituted  the  first 
board  of  directors.  The  company  manufactured  stiff  and  soft 
fur  felt  hats,  and  had  an  annual  output  estimated  at  about 
$60,000.  The  employes  numbered  about  thirty  men.  The  last 
board  of  officers  consisted  of  president,  John  IT.  Rich;  vice  presi- 
dent, C.  A.  Betcher;  treasurer,  Hiram  ITowe;  secretary,  AY.  E. 
Cless.  These  gentlemen,, with  Henry  AYillard,  L.  S.  Gillette  and 

E.  S.  Hoyt,  constituted  the  last  board  of  directors.  The  original 
capital  stock  of  $50,000  was  increased  to  $75,000  in  March,  1906. 
During  the  existence  of  the  company  the.  Red  AYing  hat  had  a 
wide  sale  in  all  the  northwestern  states.  The  company  dissolved 
partnership  August  4,  1909,  and  was  absorbed  by  the  McKibbon, 
Driscoll  & Dorsey  Company,  of  St.  Paul,  which  will  quadruple 
the  capacity  and  output  of  the  plant. 

The  Red  Wing  Iron  Works  produce  an  annual  value  of  about 
$30,000.  The  establishment  has  had  a longer  existence  under 
the  same  name  and  in  the  same  location  than  any  other  concern 
of  a manufacturing  nature  in  Red  AYing.  The  plant  is  located  at 
the  corner  of  Bush  and  Levee  streets,  and  is  owned  and  man- 
aged by  the  Densmore  Brothers,  who  completed  the  buildings 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


633 


in  1866  at  a cost  of  $12,000.  In  1874  the  shops  were  destroyed 
by  fire,  but  were  at  once  rebuilt  within  a period  of  sixty  days. 
A large  amount  of  general  repairing  is  done  at  the  foundry  and 
the  output  includes  high  grade  machinery  for  the  making  of 
the  lighter  varieties  of  stoneware,  capstans  for  boats  and  barges 
and  many  other  metal  eastings.  The  brothers  have  maintained 
a reputation  for  sterling  honor,  and  are  proud  of  the  fact  that 
in  the  more  than  forty  years  in  which  they  have  been  in  busi- 
ness they  have  never  been  sued  for  an  unpaid  bill. 

The  Red  Wing  Advertising  Company,  which  ranks  among  the 
foremost  advertising  specialty  concerns  in  the  United  States,  had 
its  origin  in.  the  fall  of  1897,  when  the  partnership  of  Sultzer. 
Shedd  & Livingston  was  formed.  In  1902  the  business  was  incor- 
porated under  the  title  of  Red  Wing  Advertising  Company,  with 
the  following  board  of  directors:  H.  E.  Shedd,  president;  0.  M. 
Hall,  vice  president ; C.  S.  Sultzer,  secretary ; W.  FI.  Putnam, 
treasurer ; C.  E.  Friedrich.  The  authorized  capital  stock  was 
$100,000.  Later  Mr.  Shedd  retired.  In  1904  the  capital  stock 
was  increased  to  $250,000  and  the  present  board  of  directors 
chosen : C.  S.  Sultzer,  president ; O.  M.  Hall,  vice  president ; W. 
H.  Putnam,  treasurer:  Axel  Haller,  secretary;  Tams  Bixby.  So 
rapid  has  been  the  growth  of  the  company  that  in  the  last  ten 
years  it  has  been  compelled  to  change  its  quarters  six  times,  each 
time  securing  a larger  and  more  commodious  building  and  each 
time  finding  itself  forced  to  move  to  a still  larger  place  in  order 
to  .handle  the  increasing  volume  of  business.  In  1905  the  large 
factory  building  of  four  stories  and  basement  which  the  company 
at  present  occupies  Avas  erected.  To  this  a two-story  wing  Avas 
added  in  1909  for  office  purposes.  This  company  manufactures 
specialties  of  various  kinds  which  are  used  for  advertising  pur- 
poses, including  calendars,  leather  and  cloth  utilities,  and  also 
does  a great  amount  of  bank  lithography.  Its  line  of  leather  utili- 
ties such  as  check  coArers,  purses,  pocketbooks,  money  bags,  card 
cases,  policy  cases,  diaries,  memorandum  books  and  pass  books, 
is  large  and  varied  and  of  the  highest  quality.  The  check  cover 
idea  has  been  particularly  developed,  and,  holding  patents  as  it 
does  on  se\reral  of  the  most  popular  styles  of  this  article  on  the 
market;  the  Red  Wing  company  is  acknoAvledged  to  be  the  largest 
bank  adA^ertising  house  in  existence.  The  Red  Wing  cloth  line  is 
noted  for  its  quality.  All  these  articles — caps,  grocers’  aprons, 
sunbonnets,  school  bags,  carpenter  aprons,  clothespin  aprons, 
horse  coA^ers,  etc. — are  made  with  lockstitch  machines  exclusively. 
The  first  cushion  visor  cap  eATer  sold  for  advertising  purposes  Avas 
made  by  this  concern.  In  the  line  of  art  calendars  the  company 
is  especially  prominent,  purchasing  outright  paintings  of  the  best 
artists  of  both  hemispheres  and  copyrighting  them  so  as  to  assure 


634 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


exclusive  designs  for  its  patrons.  Forty  salesmen  are  kept  con- 
stantly on  the  road  carrying  this  line  into  every  state  in  the 
union.  In  the  factory  two  hundred  hands  are  employed  the  year 
round,  while  an  office  force  of  sixteen  people  is  required. 

The  Red  Wing  Gas,  Light  & Power  Company  has  sixteen 
miles  of  gas  mains.  It  manufactures  35,000,000  feet  of  gas  per 
year  and  375,000  kilowatts  of  electricity;  also  1,000  tons  of  coke 
and  900  barrels  of  gas-coal  tar.  The  capital  invested  is  $250,000. 
The  company  was  organized  in  1872  for  the  purpose  of  lighting 
the  streets,  public  buildings  and  private  residences,  under  the 
name  of  the  Red  Wing  Gas  Light  Company.  The  company  com- 
pleted its  preparations  for  furnishing  gas,  and  the  streets  of  the 
city  of  Red  Wing  were  first  lighted  by  that  material  on  the  even- 
ing of  February  11,  1873,  an  important  event  duly  celebrated  by 
the  citizens.  Later  an  electric  light  plant  was  introduced,  and 
the  company  was  reorganized  under  the  present  name.  At  this 
writing  arrangements  are  being  made  to  bring  power  from  water- 
falls at  Eau  Claire,  Wis.,  and  surrounding  points,  to  Red  Wing, 
which  is  likely  to  revolutionize  manufacture  and  do  much  to 
build  up  the  future  and  greater  Red  Wing. 

The  Ballord-Trimbell  Lumber  Company  has  had  a branch  here 
since  1906.  During  that  year  the  company  purchased  the  retail 
department  of  the  Betcher  establishment,  and  placed  John  Comp- 
ton in  charge.  The  company  deals  in  building  material  and  also 
does  mill  work.  The  plant  is  well  equipped  and  is  located  at  502 
Main  street. 

The  Red  Wing  Wagon  Company  was  established  in  1882  and 
had  a capital  stock  of  $95,000.  The  plant,  valued  at  $40,000,  was 
purchased  in  1891  by  the  Red  AVing  Sewer  Pipe  Company,  and 
was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1902.  At  the  time  when  the  company 
closed  its  business  and  disposed  of  the  plant  the  officers  Avere : 
President,  E.  AV\  Brooks ; secretary,  L.  A.  Hancock ; treasurer,  F. 
Busch.  During  the  days  of  its  prosperity  the  firm  ivas  an  impor- 
tant one,  turning  out  about  fifteen  Avagons  a day. 

Gust  Lillyblad,  avIio  started  business  in  1888  by  purchasing 
the  Berglund  stone  quarry  and  limekiln  in  South  Red  Wing,  is 
noAv  the  sole  representative  of  the  lime  burning  industry  which 
in  former  years  has  been  most  important.  Mr.  Lillyblad  noAV 
operates  one  of  the  original  Berglund  kilns  and  also  another  at 
the  foot  of  Sorin’s  Bluff,  having  a capacity  of  about  250  barrels 
per  day. 

Lime  burning  was  first  started  in  Red  AAring  about  1853  by 
Phineas  Fish,  who  operated  just  east  of  the  south  approach  to 
the  high  wagon  bridge  over  the  Mississippi.  He  used  large  frag- 
ments Avhieh  had  fallen  from  the  face  of  Barn  Bluff.  For  a time 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


635 


he  was  very  successful,  but  in  time  became  discouraged  and 
abandoned  the  enterprise. 

G.  A.  Carlson  established  the  Pioneer  Lime  and  Stone  works 
in  1871.  His  quarries  were  located  at  the  south  end  of  Barn  Bluff 
and  also  in  Sorin’s  Bluff.  He  operated  a number  of  kilns  and  at 
the  time  of  his  greatest  prosperity  had  one  of  the  most  extensive 
lime  burning  plants  in  the  state.  His  efforts  at  burning  lime  by 
using  gas  instead  of  wood  caused  him  heavy  financial  loss,  and 
his  enterprise  is  now  abandoned. 

The  Red  Wing-Sheboygan  Lime  Company,  better  known  as 
Linne’s  enterprise  and  later  called  the  Twin  City  Lime  & Cement 
Company,  was  established  February  15,  1889,  with  a capital  stock 
of  $50,000.  Those  most  heavily  interested  were  F.  J.  Linne  and 
H.  L.  Braesch.  This  company  bought  out  the  Red  Wing  Lime  & 
Stone  Company  and  for  a time  it  looked  as  though  the  Twin  City 
concern  would  become  one  of  the,  most  important  in  the  state. 
The  enterprise  was  abandoned  about  1890. 

Charles  Olson,  known  as  “Catfish”  Charlie,  was  another  early 
lime  burner,  and  as  has  already  been  noted,  Robert  Berglund  was 
the  predecessor  of  G.  Lillyblad  and  conducted  a large  business. 
Andrew  Danielson  was  also  an  extensive  lime  burner  for  many 
years. 

Mr.  Danielson  was  at  one  time  associated  in  the  lime  and 
cement  business  with  Charles  Betclier.  In  1879  four  companies 
were  conducting  extensive  lime  operations,  the  official  state  report 
of  the  matter  being  as  follows:  “R.  L.  Berglund,  250  barrels  per 
week;  Danielson  & Betclier,  75  barrels  per  day;  G.  A.  Carlson,  90 
barrels  per  day;  Oleson  & Co.,  90  barrels  per  day.” 

The  lime  produced  in  Red  Wing  has  always  been  of  the 
finest  quality  and  is -in  high  esteem  with  builders  throughout 
the  Northwest. 

Red  Wing  Linseed  Mills. — The  250.000  bushels  of  flax  annu- 
ally raised  in  Goodhue  county  furnishes  raw  material  for  another 
of  Red  Wing’s  important  industries,  the  Red  Wing  Linseed  Mills. 
The  concern  is  situated  near  the  south  approach  to  the  high 
wagon  bridge  across  the  Mississippi.  The  plant  cost  originally 
about  $66,000,  an  - elevator  and  late  improvements  bringing  its 
value  to  about  $100,000.  The  concern  was  started  and  the  first 
buildings  erected  in  1901.  At  the  reorganization  in  1907  the 
officers  elected  were  as  follows : President,  C.  A.  Betcher ; vice 

president,  N.  II.  Withel;  treasurer,  C.  F.  fljermstad;  secretary, 
C.  E.  Betcher.  Since  that  time  there  has  been  no  change. 

The  Red  Wing  Shoe  Company  employs  100  people  and  pro- 
duces from  400  to  450  pairs  of  shoes  daily.  The  original  capital 
stock  of  $100,000  was  enlarged  to  $200,000  in  January,  1909,  and 
the  business  is  constantly  increasing.  The  plant  is  an  artistic 


636 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


three-story  brick  building  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Potter  streets 
measuring  140x60  feet  at  the  ends,  with  a jog  reducing  the  width 
to  45  feet  in  the  center.  The  company  manufactures  a general 
line  of  medium,  heavy  and  tine  men’s  and  boys’  shoes,  ranging 
from  oxfords  to  extreme  high  cut,  and  sold  under  the  name  “Red 
Wing  Treadstrate  Welts.”  The  market  for  these  shoes  is  in  all 
the  Northwestern  states,  and  the  territory  covered  by  the  sales- 
men of  the  company  is  growing  rapidly.  The  company  was  incor- 
porated February  10,  1905,  by  Charles  Beckman,  O.  M.  Hall,  C.  II. 
Boxrud,  C.  E.  Friedrich,  II.  A.  Willard,  C.  E.  Sheldon  and  E.  S. 
Hoyt.  The  first  officers  were : President  and  manager,  Charles 

Beckman;  vice  president,  C.  II.  Boxrud;  secretary,  II.  A.  Willard; 
treasurer,  C.  E.  Friedrich.  The  building  was  erected  at  once, 
operations  were  . started  September  1,  1905,  .and  the  first  finished 
shoes  were  ready  to  ship  September  15.  The  present  officers 
are : President  and  manager,  Charles  Beckman ; vice  president, 
C.  II.  Boxrud;  secretary,  II.  A.  Willard;  treasurer  and  assistant 
manager,  Hiram  Howe.  The  directors  are : Charles  Beckman, 

C.  H.  Boxrud,  C:  E.  Friedrich,  E.  S.  Hoyt,  W.  II.  Putnam,  O.  M. 
Hall  and  II.  A.  Willard.  J.  A.  S tier  man  is  the  superintendent  of 
the  factory. 

The  LaGrange  Mills,  with  a capacity  of  1,500  barrels  per 
twenty-four  hours,  are  located  on  the  levee  at  the  foot  of  Plumb 
street,  and  consist  of  two  elevators,  a mill  50x80  feet,  six  stories, 
and  a warehouse,  60x62,  two  stories.  The  property  includes  the 
old  Sheldon  elevator.  The  original  LaGrange  mills  were  erected 
in  1877  and  the  plant  was  practically  rebuilt  in  1888.  New  equip- 
ment is  constantly  being  added  from  time  to  time,  and  no  modern 
machinery  of  proven  worth  is  missing  from  the  present  appli- 
ances. The  LaGrange  Mill  Company  was  .incorporated  in  1877. 
The  capital  stock  was  fixed  at  $100,000,  divided  into  2,000  shares 
of  $50  each.  The  incorporators  were  O.  Fames,  Hiram  Waters, 
Anarand  Seebach,  A.  J.  Grover,  John  Miller,  J.  J.  Starz,  Charles 
Betcher,  J.  C.  Bennewitz,  John  Dablow,  Peter  Stromberg,  D.  C. 
Hill,  B.  B.  Herbert,  John  C.  Diefenbach  and  F.  W.  Hoyt.  Febru- 
ary 3,  1877,  at  a meeting  of  the  stockholders,  E.  AY.  Brooks, 
Anarand  Seebach,  J.  S.  Hoard,  William  Hayman,  IT.  E.  Perkins, 
Charles  Betcher  and  O.  Fames  were  elected  directors,  and  at  a 
meeting  held  two  days  later  these  directors  elected  the  follow- 
ing officers : President,  E.  W.  Brooks ; vice  president,  Charles 

Betcher;  treasurer,  J.*S.  Hoard  ; secretary,  A.  J.  Meacham;  super- 
intendent. A.  Seebach.  This  company  was  succeeded  in  June, 
1885,  by  The  LaGrange  Mills.  The  first  board  of  directors  con- 
sisted of  F.  Busch,  F.  AY.  Hoyt,  T.  B.  Sheldon,  E.  W.  Brooks, 
William  Featherstone,  H.  E.  Perkins  and  B.  Gerlaeh.  The  officers 
were : President,  F.  Busch ; vice  president,  T.  B.  Sheldon ; seere- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


63' 


tary,  B.  Gerlach ; treasurer,  William  Busch.  The  original  stock 
of  $85,000  was  in  1894  increased  to  $200,000.  The  present  officers 
are:  President,  B.  Gerlach;  vice  president,  William  Busch;  treas- 
urer, J.  C.  Seebacli;  secretary,  AY.  S.  AVeiss.  These  gentlemen, 
with  E.  D.  Brooks  and  Gust  Lillyblacl,  constitute  the  present 
board  of  directors.  The  brands  manufactured  are  the  “Gilt 
Edge”  and  the  “Corner  Stone,”  and  the  plant  employs  about 
forty  men. 

Bernard  Gerlach  is  president  of  the  La  Grange  Mills  and  an 
officer  of  other  local  concerns.  His  parents,  George  and  Anna 
M.  (Fux)  Gerlach,  were  natives  of  Germany,  where  the  father 
was  a carpenter,  a trade  which  he  followed  all  his  life.  He  came 
to  America  in  1851,  located  in  New  York  state  until  the  spring 
of  1856,  then  settled  in  St.  Paul,  where  lie  died  September  1, 
1888.  His  widow  still  survives,  making  her  home  in  St.  Paul.  In 
that  city,  August  2,  1S60,  Bernard  Gerlach  was  born.  He  at- 
tended the  parochial  and  public  schools  and  started  life  for  him- 
self as*  clerk  in  the  employ  of  Jacob  Maiuzer,  who  conducted  a 
law'  and  abstract  office,  in  which  latter  department  Mr.  Gerlach 
worked  until  March,  1879.  Coming  to  Red  AYing  on  the  tenth  of 
that  month,  he  entered  the  employ  of  PL  N.  AYillson  & Co.,  in 
the  abstract  business,  continuing  there  until  January,  1880,  vffien 
he  engaged  with  the  Red  AATing  Mills  as  bookkeeper  in  their  lum- 
ber department.  September  1,  1882,  he  first  entered  the  La 
Grange  Mills  as  bookkeeper.  In  June,  1885,  when  the  company 
was  incorporated,  Mr.  Gerlach  vTas  elected  secretary.  After  that 
his  career  was  one  of  faithful  service  and  steady  advancement. 
In  1891  he  was  chosen  manager  and  continued  in  that  capacity. 
In  September,  1908,  he  was  elected  president  of  the  company. 
Air.  Gerlach  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and,  although  interested 
in  public  matters,  has  always  avoided  the  lime  light  of  public 
office.  He  has  been  persuaded,  however,  to  become  a member  of 
the  T.  B.  Sheldon  Memorial  Auditorium  Board,  in  which  capacity 
lie  now  serves.  In  fraternal  affiliation  he  is  a member  of  the 
Knights  of  Columbus,  St.  Joseph’s  Society  and  the  D.  R.  K.  LT.  G. 
of  Minnesota.  He  is  a member  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church. 
Bernard  Gerlach  urns  married  April  29,  1884,  at  Red  AVing  to 
Frances  AI.  Ale-Cue,  daughter  of  Timothy  and  Margaret  AIcCue. 
Her  father  died  at  St.  Paul  in  1898,  and  her  mother  makes  her 
home  in  Red  Wing.  To  Air.  and  Airs.  Gerlach  have  been  born, 
all  in  Red  Wing,  five  bright  children,  Helen,  Anna.  Laura.  Ger- 
trude and  Frances,  all  of  whom  are  at  home. 

The  Red  Wing  Mill  Company,  which  from  1873  to  1891  oper- 
ated the  Diamond  mill,  the  Bluff  mill  and  the  Bluff  sawmill,  was 
the  project  of  a large  number  of  Red  Wing  men  who  planned  to 
build  up  a tremendous  flouring  and  woodworking  industry.  The 


638 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


company  was  incorporated  April  17,  1873,  the  directors  being 
T.  B.  Sheldon,  E.  T.  Wilder,  J.  M.  Hodgman  and  E.  L.  Baker. 
The  president  was  T.  B.  Sheldon.  Among  the  heaviest  stock- 
holders were  D.  C.  Hill,  William  Howe,  F.  B.  Howe,  AY.  R.  Craig, 
J.  M.  Hodgman,  A.  Howe,  Sr.,  S.  Le  Greenwood,  T.  B.  Sheldon, 
Webster,  Purdy  & Co. ; 0.  Eames,  E.  L.  Baker,  James  Lawther, 
Thomas  McSorley,  F.  Jopp,  G.  W.  Wooclly,  AA7.  AA7.  Phelps,  H.  and 
E.  T.  AA7ilder,  AA7.  Heising,  G.  A.  Carlson,  Charles  Nilson,  Fried- 
rich & Hack,  Thomas  AVilkinson,  II.  E.  Perkins,  Erickson  & 
Anderberg,  Jesse  Mclntire,  T.  K.  Simmons,  J.  C.  Pierce,  John 
AATinter,  L.  L.  Richardson,  Ole  Westerland,  II.  B.  Baldwin,  John 
C.  Deipenbrock,  Brink  & 'Williams,  N.  Swift,  B.  B.  Herbert,  John 
T.  Verder,  Wilder  & Williston,  E.  P.  Philleo  and  E.  W.  Brooks. 
This  company  erected  the  Bluff  mill  in  1873  and  the  Diamond 
mill  in  1877.  The  same  company  operated  the  Bluff  sawmill, 
erected  by  S.  S.  Grannis.  The  Bluff  and  Diamond  mills  were 
destroyed  by  fire  March  J,  1891,  and  were  never  rebuilt,  although 
theft  walls  were  later  used  to  a certain  extent  by  more  jnodern 
buildings  erected  by  later  companies. 

The  Red  Wing  Manufacturing  Company  makes  a fine  line  of 
furniture  which  has  a wide  market,  its  familiar  label,'  enclosing 
the  bird  with  the  red  wing,  being  extensively  known.  The  enter- 
prise was  first  established  by  Daniel  C.  Hill  in  1862  at  the  comer 
of  Main  and  Bluff  streets.  A small  two-story  frame  building, 
30x60  feet,  with  a wing  16x30,  served  for  the  first  few  years,  was 
operated  by  steam  power  and  devoted  to  the  manufacture  of 
sash,  doors,  blinds  and  moulding.  The  rapid  growth  of  the  busi- 
ness obliged  the  proprietor  to  enlarge  his  works,  and  in  1869  he 
erected  a two-story  brick  block,  50x60  feet.  This  building  is  still 
standing  and  is  easily  distinguished  from  the  rest  of  the  plant 
by  its  style  of  windows.  The  company  was  incorporated  March 
13,  1882,  by  D.  C.  Hill,  C.  E.  Erickson,  Andrew  Swanson  and  T.  K. 
Simmons.  The  original  capital  stock  of  $30,000  has  been  increased 
at  various  times  and  is  now  placed  at  $72,000.  At  the  first  meet- 
ing of  the  company,  held  April  1,  1882,  the  following  officers  were 
elected:  President,  T.  K.  Simmons;  vice  president,  D.  C.  Hill; 
secretary  and  treasurer,  AA7.  PI.  Putnam.  These  gentlemen,  with 
A.  Swanson  and  C.  Erickson,  constituted  the  board  of  directors. 
The  manufacture  of  furniture  gradually  replaced  the  sash,  door 
and  moulding  output.  About  sixty  persons  are  now  employed  in 
the  establishment.  The  warehouses  are  of  brick,  four  stories 
high,  measuring  120x40  and  70x38,  respectively.  The  main  build- 
ing is  60x120,  of  brick,  three  stories  high.  The  office  is  in  a sepa- 
rate building.  The  present  officers  of  the  concern  are : President 
and  treasurer,  AY.  H.  Putnam ; vice  president,  A.  P.  Pierce ; secre- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


639 


tary,  F.  D.  Putnam.  These  gentlemen  and  R.  AY.  Putnam  and 
F.  J.  Seebach  constitute  the  present  board  of  directors. 

The  Red  Wing  Furniture  Company  was  organized  in  1880  and 
the  following  officers  were  elected : President,  F.  AY.  Hoyt ; sec- 
retary, A.  Id.  Allen;  treasurer,  A.  Id.  Boxrud;  superintendent, 
N.  J.  Holmberg.  The  firm  purchased  the  factory  of  Erickson  & 
Swanson  (established  in  1871),  on  Dakota  street,  and  remodeled 
the  building,  erected  a warehouse  and  put  in  new  machinery. 
The  buildings  were  destroyed  by  fire  December  9,  1901,  but  were 
immediately  rebuilt  and  resumed  operations  in  June,  1905.  The 
capital  stock  is  $50,000  and  the  product  consists  of  a general  line 
of  fine  furniture,  including  chamber  suites,  buffets,  dressers,  com- 
bination bookcases  and  ladies’  desks.  The  amount  of  the  output 
annually  is  about  $75,000,  and  the  goods  have  a market  through- 
out the  Northwestern  states  as  far  as  the  Coast.  The  present 
officers  are:  President  and  manager,  P.  Jorgenson;  vice  presi- 

dent. T.  R.  Bjorngaard;  treasurer,  AY.  II.  Putnam;  secretary,  AGc- 
tor  Swanson.  The  directors  are  Peter  Nelson,  J.  F.  Swanson, 
Peter  Kempe,  T.  R.  Bjorngaard,  M.  Kappel,  AY.  II.  Putnam,  O.  M. 
Hall,  P.  Jorgenson  and  Andrew  Ellingson.  The  main  factory 
building  is  50x100  feet,  three-story  brick,  with  a warehouse  50x 
100  feet. 

The  Charles  Betcher  Lumber  Company  produces  high  grade 
mill  work  of  all  kinds — sash,  doors,  moldings,  interior  finishings, 
commercial  fixtures,  hardwood  flooring  of  oak,  maple  and  birch, 
end  matched  and  steel  scraped.  Its  factory  has  all  the  appliances 
and  woodworking  machinery  and  tools  necessary  in  an  up-to-date 
shop,  and  it  has  constantly  on  hand  a large  stock  of  lumber  in 
different  varieties  of  wood  in  order  that  it  may  be  well  seasoned 
for  working.  The  capital  stock  is  $100,000  and  the  value  of  the 
product  is  over  $150,000  per  annum.  The  officers  are : President 
and  treasurer,  Charles  A.  Betcher;  secretary,  Oscar  Seebach. 

The  company  has  a most  interesting  history  that  is  in  fact  a 
part  of  the  history  of  the  city.  The  real  beginning  was  in  June, 
1856,  when  Cogel  & Blakely  began  the  manufacture  of  sash,  doors 
and  blinds.  In  1859  Charles  Betcher,  father  of  Charles  A.  Betcher,' 
the  present  president,  purchased  the  interest  of  Mr.  Blakely.  In 
1861  they  purchased  the  old  Freeborn  mill,  upon  which  site  the 
present  factory  is  located.  The  Freeborn  mill  was  the  first  mill 
in  Red  AYing.  It  was  put  up  by  the  Messrs.  Pettibone  and  Knapp 
and  passed  through  several  hands  before  it  came  into  the  posses- 
sion of  the  Messrs.  Cogel  and  Betcher.  In  1867  the  structure  was 
rebuilt,  enlarged  and  improved.  In  1875  Mr.  Cogel  retired,  and 
since  then  the  concern  has  remained  in  the  possession  of  the 
Betcher  family.  At  one  time  the  concern  owned  many  branch 
yards,  much  standing  timber  in  Minnesota  and  AYisconsin  and 


G4U 


HI  ST  OK  Y OF  -GOODHUE  COUNTY 


several  lumber  camps,  as  well  as  a number  of  stores,  including  a 
hardware  store  in  Red  Wing  and  a heavy  hardware  and  wagon 
stock  store  in  Minneapolis.  The  Minneapolis  store  was  sold  in 
1888,  and  the  Red  Wing  and  other  stores  were  later  disposed  of. 
The  sawmill  was  burned  in  October,  19C5,  and  the  branch  yards 
and  logging  interests  were  sold,  but  the  sash  and  door  factory  is 
constantly  developing.  This  plant  was  burned  in  September, 
1893,  but  was  immediately  rebuilt  on  a larger  scale,  and  again 
enlarged  in  1906,  at  which  time  the  retail  lumber  interests  of  the 
concern  in  Red  Wing  were  sold  to  the  Ballord-Trimbell  Company. 

Charles  Arthur  Betcher,  who,  like  his  father  before  him,  has 
been  prominently  identified  with  the  business  and  civic  develop- 
ment of  Red  Wing,  is  a native  born  son,  having  first  seen  the 
light  of  day  August  25,  1862,  son  of  Charles  and  Margaret 
Betcher,  of  whom  a sketch  is  found  in  this  history.  He  attended 
the  Red  Wing  public  schools-  and  the  Red  Wing  Seminary,  in 
which  latter  institution  he  was  under  the  able  tuition  of  Prof. 
Hood.  At  Shattuck  School,  Faribault,  where  he  prepared  for 
college,  he  graduated  in  1880  as  valedictorian  of  his  class  and 
with  an  average  of  high  scholarship.  After  having  passed  his 
entrance  examinations  to  Yale  he  was  offered  two  opportunities, 
one  of  passing  through  that  classic  institution  and  the  other  of 
engaging  at  once  in  his  father’s  business.  He  chose  the  latter 
course  and  in  1881,  anxious  to  start  business,  he  entered  the 
hardware  store  of  C.  Betcher  & Co.  Two  years  later  he  entered 
his  father’s  lumber  office.  Thus  equipped  with  a knowledge  of 
the  details  of  the  business,  lie  was  sent  to  Minneapolis  in  1884 
to  take  charge  of  the  heavy  hardware  and  Avagon  business  which 
his  father  owned  in  that  city.  When  the  Minneapolis  branch 
was  sold  in  January,  1888,  Charles  A.  returned  to  this  city  as 
secretary  and  treasurer  and  manager  of  the  Charles  Betcher 
Lumber  Company.  In  this  position  he  remained  until  1903,  Avhen, 
upon  the  death  of  his  father,  he  became  president  of  the  com- 
pany. The  sawmill  of  the  lumber  company  Avas  burned  in  Octo- 
ber, 1905,-  and  the  branch  yards  and  logging  interests  Avere  sold, 
but  the  sash  and  door  factory  was  increased  and  a large  busi- 
ness is  developing.  This  latter  plant  was  started  originally  in 
the  early  fifties,  but  burned  in  September,  1893,  being  imme- 
diately rebuilt  ou  a larger  scale  and  again  enlarged  in  1906,  a 
fuller  account  of  which  is  found  in  the  history  of  the  company, 
which  appears  elseAvhere.  Aside  from  his  interests  in  his  OAvn 
concern,  Mr.  Betcher  lias  been  a director  of  the  Goodhue  County 
National  Bank  since  1902,  treasurer  and  director  of  the  Red 
Wing  Malting  Company  since  1902,  president  and  director  of 
the  Red  Wing  Linseed  Company  since  1905,  treasurer  and  di- 
rector of  the  Red  Wing  Sewer  Pipe  Company  since  1909,  and 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


641 


vice  president  and  director  of  the  Forest  Products  Company 
since  1908.  He  was  one  of  the  originators  and  a charter  mem- 
ber of  the  Red  Wing  Commercial  Club,  and  its  president,  1901-02. 
He  was  also  originator  and  charter  member  of  the  Red  Wing- 
Manufacturers  ’ Association  and  its  president  from  1901  to  1908. 
His  military  record  includes  service  as  first  sergeant  of  Company 
G,  Minnesota  National  Guards,  from  1883  to  1884,  and  as  captain 
of  the  same  from  1888  to  1892.  Originally  an  old  time  Democrat, 
he  became  an  independent  voter  on  the  issue  of  free  silver  and 
Bryanism.  His  public  offices,  however,  have  been  held  by  merit 
and  irrespective  of  party  affiliations.  Among  the  positions  with 
which  his  felloAv  citizens  have  honored  him  are  those  of  member 
of  the  city  council,  1892-93 ; member  of  the  city  cemetery  board, 
1889-90,  also  1906  and  at  present,  and  member  of  the  city 
auditorium  board,  1904  and  at  present.  In  1908  he  became  presi- 
dent of  the  latter  board.  In  Christ  Episcopal  Church,  of  which 
he  is  a faithful  attendant,  he  has  been  vestryman  since  1906. 
Charles  A.  Betcher  was  united  in  marriage  February  12,  1885,  to 
Carrie  B.  Eddy,  daughter  of  E.  W.  Eddy,  one  of  the  early  pio- 
neers of  Minnesota.  To  this  union  has  been  born  one  son,  Charles 
E.  Betcher,  whose  sketch  follows.  Mr.  Betcher  is  an  admirable 
citizens  in  every  respect,  and  his  record  plainly  set  forth  be- 
speaks his  merit  louder  than  would  the  most  laudatory  en- 
comiums. Mr.  Betcher  has  recently  erected  a beautiful  home  on 
Fourth  street,  which  is  one  of  the  residential  ornaments  of  the 
city. 

Charles  Betcher,  founder  of  the  Red  Wing  family  of  that 
name  and  an  active  factor  in  the  industrial  growth  of  the  city 
from  its  earlier  days,  was  born  in  Greifswald,  Prussia,  Germany, 
January  31,  1830.  He  attended  the  common  and  academic  schools 
of  his  native  kingdom  and  there  acquired  the  excellent  educa- 
tion to  which  he  afterward  added  a store  of  business  sagacity  and 
knowledge  acquired  through  active  contact  with  the  world  of 
affairs.  In  1849  he  came  to  America  and  located  in  Rochester, 
N.  Y.,  later  taking  up  his  residence  in  Wayne  county,  in  the  same 
state.  In  1855  he  moved  to  Winona,  Minn.,  and  opened  a hard- 
ware store  with  a branch  at  Red  Wing.  It  was  in  May,  1856, 
that  he  took  up  his  residence  permanently  in  this  city.  Three 
years  later  he  embarked  in  the  lumber  business  by  purchasing 
the  Blakely  interest  in  the  firm  of  Cogel  & Blakely,  the  firm  be- 
coming Cogel  & Betcher.  Later  Mr.  Betcher  became  the  sole 
proprietor.  In  1889  the  firm  of  Charles  Betcher  Company  was 
incorporated.  He  discontinued  the  hardware  business  about 
1893.  In  his  latter  years  Mr.  Betcher  took  a deep  interest  in 
the  early  history  of  the  county  and  city  and  was  president  of 
the  Old  Settlers’  Association.  During  his  forty-seven  years’ 


642 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


residence  in  Red  Wing  he  was  identified  with  almost  every  pub- 
lic measure  pertaining  to  its  growth  and  prosperity.  He  steadily 
pushed  ahead  and  saw  his  efforts  crowned  with  success.  He 
was  a cautious  but  energetic  business  man,  of  fine  executive 
ability  and  thoroughly  at  home  in  the  intricate  details  of  the 
various  branches  of  business  that  demanded  his  attention.  In 
his  death,  July  6,  1903,  Red  Wing  lost  one  of  her  ablest  and  most 
prominent  citizens.  In  1856  Charles  Betcher  was  married  at 
Pultneyville,  N.  Y.,  to  Margaret  Gothrup,  a native  of  NeAV  York 
state.  She  came  to  Red  Wing  with  her  husband  and  now  occu- 
pies the  beautiful  Betcher  mansion  at  the  head  of  Fourth  street. 
In  1907  she  erected  at  the  entrance  of  Oakwood  cemetery  the 
Charles  Betcher  Memorial  Chapel,  a beautiful  and  enduring 
tribute  to  her  husband’s  memory. 

Charles  E.  Betcher  is  the  third  of  his  name  to  become  identi- 
fied with  Red  Wing  business  interests,  his  father  and  grand- 
father both  having  occupied  influential  positions  in  the  com- 
munity, the  former  being  deceased  and  the  latter  in  the  prime 
of  li is  activities.  Charles  E.  was  born  in  Minneapolis,  Minn., 
March  18.  1886,  only  son  of  Charles  A.  Betcher,  whose  sketch 
appears  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  He  came  to  Red  Wing 
with  his  parents  at  an  early  age  and  here  received  his  common 
school  education,  later  taking  a course  at  the  Shattuck  School, 
Faribault,  from  which  he  graduated  with  high  honors  in  1905. 
In  1905  he  entered  the  Sheffield  Scientific  School  of  Yale  Uni- 
versity, New  Haven,  Conn.,  and  graduated  in  1907.  At  once 
after  graduation  he  returned  to  Red  Wing  and  became  director, 
secretary  and  manager  of  the  Red  Wing  Linseed  Company,  a po- 
sition he  still  retains.  Mr.  Betcher  votes  the  Republican  ticket 
and  attends  the  Episcopal  Church. 

The  Trout  Brook  Tannery  was  organized  in  1872  and  for  a 
time  was  in  a flourishing  condition.  In  1880  J.  F.  Porter,  the 
proprietor,  also  erected  a sorghum  mill  near  the  tannery.  Recently 
Mr.  Porter  has  sold  out  and  removed.  The  old  tannery  and 
sorghum  mill  have  been  torn  down,  and  the  former  is  being- 
replaced  by  a tannery  nearer  town  erected  by  the  S.  B.  Foot 
Company,  which  purchased  Mr.  Porter’s  interests. 

Fishing  Industry. — Since  the  earliest  days  the  abundance  of 
fish  in  the  vicinity  of  Red  Wing  has  provided  a livelihood  for  a 
number  of  men,  and  in  pioneer  times  often  saved  the  settlers  from 
the  pangs  of  hunger.  At  present  a number  of  families  make  their 
living  by  fishing  in  this  vicinity,  the  catches  being  sold  to  the 
Bay  City  Fish  Company,  of  Bay  City,  Wis. 

The  Red  Wing  Filter  Sand  Company  was  organized  by  Adolf 
Gallasch,  Sr.,  who  was  the  first  to  discover  and  use  for  the  pur- 
pose of  filtration  the  silica  filter  sand  contained  in  the  Twin 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


613 


Bluffs.  Its  filtering  and  qualities  are  recognized  all  over  tlie 
United  States  as  an  effective  agency  in  the  mechanical  purifying 
of  impure  water.  The  sand  taken  from  the  bluffs  is  first  screened 
to  take  out  the  gravel,  then  it  is  dried  and  again  screened  to  pro- 
duce the  three  grades,  the  grades  desired  by  the  customers  being- 
regulated  by  the  quality  of  the  water  to  be  filtered  and  the 
amount  which  it  is  desired  shall  pass  through  the  sand  in  a given 
time.  The  sand  has  a wide  market  and  has  been  widely  used  by 
municipal  and  private  water  works.  It  is  highly  praised  by 
chemists  and  by  users.  The  sand  is  used  for  sand  blast  as  well 
as  for  filtration  purposes.  Adolf  G.  Gallasch  is  now  the  active 
manager  of  the  plant,  which  is  located  near  the  end  of  AYest 
avenue,  in  South  Red  Wing. 

The  Red  Wing  Telephone  Company  was  incorporated  Decem- 
ber 15,  1904.  with  the  following  officers:  President,  A.  P.  Pierce; 
vice  president,  C.  A.  Rasmussen ; secretary  and  treasurer,  D.  M. 
Neill.  The  directors  were  the  above  named  gentlemen  and  W.  C. 
Krise,  E.  IT.  Moulton,  A.  J.  Scherf,  H.  E.  Akenson  and  R.  L.  Gron- 
dahl.  The  officers  and  directors  have  been  the  same  to  the  pres- 
ent time,  with  the  addition  of  N.  H.  Featherstone  to  complete  the 
board  of  directors.  The  authorized  capital  stock  of  the  company 
is  $150,000.  The  first  operation  of  the  system  was  started  May  1, 
1905.  Since  then  the  growth  of  the  service  in  Red  Wing  and 
adjacent  suburban  territory  has  been  remarkable.  Under  the 
management  of  Mr.  Neill  the  number  of  instruments  in  use  has 
increased  to  about  1,500  and  the  service  given  the  patrons  is  most 
excellent.  Since  its  first  operation  the  switchboard  and  offices 
have  been  in  the  Goodhue  County  National  Bank  building.  The 
enterprise  is  strictly  local,  and  has  had  its  share  in  the  present 
prosperity  of  Red  Wing  and  Goodhue  county. 

Lovgren,  Peterson  & Friestad  were  among  the  first  manufac- 
turers  in  Red  Wing.  They  had  a plant  located  on  Fifth  street, 
between  Bush  and  Plum,  and  for  many  years  made  wagons,  sleds, 
plows,  safes  and  the  like,  on  a scale  that  was  truly  magnificent 
compared  with  the  size  of  the  village  at  that  time. 

The  Red  Wing  Compounding  Company  was  organized  Janu- 
ary 1,  1909.  with  the  following  officers:  President,  Dr.  AY.  AI. 

Sweney;  vice  president,  James  II.  Sweney;  secretary,  John 
Hempftling ; treasurer,  Lawrence  Penfold.  The  company  makes 
a general  line  of  proprietary  articles  and  has  a rapidly  growing 
business  with  great  future  possibilities. 

The  clam  fishing  industry  is  very  important  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Red  Wing.  While  the  main  channel  of  the  Mississippi  at 
this  point  is  now  about  depleted  as  far  as  a clam-shell  crop  is 
concerned,  the  fishing  operations  are  still  continued  in  the  creeks 
and  inlets,  and  valuable  pearls  are  found  from  time  to  time,  a 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUMTY 


644: 

number  of  these  precious  gems  having  already  been  taken  from 
the  waters  of  this  vicinity. 

Red  Wing  cigars  are  in  great  favor  with  local  smokers  and 
also  have  an  outside  market.  The  principal  cigar  manufacturers 
m this  city  are:  C.  J.  Bohmbaeh,  F.  J.  Hasler,  G.  F.  Eichinger, 
W.  A.  Jellineck,  John  Malloy,  G.  J.  Miller  and  the  Red  AYing 
Cigar  Manufacturing  Company. 

Wagons. — The  manufacture  of  wagons  is  an  enterprise  which 
has  flourished  here  since  the  earliest  days,  some  dozen  firms  hav- 
ing been  engaged  in  the  business  at  various  times.  The  largest 
manufacturers  of  this  line  at  the  present  time  are  C.  A.  Erickson, 
Michael  Kappel  and  M.  Remshart. 

J.  M.  Hjermstad  has  a machine  plant  and  does  considerable 
work  in  his  line,  more  especially  in  installing  machinery  for  other 
concerns  and  keeping  same  in  repair.  Remshardt  & Oliva  also  do 
some  machine  work. 

Tents  and  awnings  are  manufactured  by  the  Red  Wing  Tent 
& Awning  Company. 

0.  R.  Wermuth  is  now  the  sole  representative  of  the  fur  busi- 
ness. In  former  years  E.  T.  Howard  was  an  extensive  dealer  and 
manufacturer  in  this  line.  H.  J.  Lillyblad  has  a glove  factory 
which  at  certain  seasons  of  the  year  has  a considerable  output. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 


MODERN  RED  WING. 

Its  Advantages,  Opportunities  and  Wealth — Some  of  the  Things 
Which  Have  Made  It  Famous — History  of  the  Various  News- 
papers Which  Have  Been  Published  Here — Associations  and 
Societies— Miscellaneous. 

Red  Wing  is  “beautiful  for  situation.”  Recently  one  of  its 
citizens  journeying  in  the  East  met  a cultured  gentleman  who  has 
held  important  positions  under  the  government  and  traveled  ex- 
tensively. When  it  was  announced  to  him  where  his  friend  hailed 
from,  he  quickly  replied,  “Red  Wing?  Oh,  yes — it’s  that  very 
beautiful  little  city  nestled  among  the  bluffs,  lying  along  the 
Mississippi  river  below  St.  Paul.  Twenty  years  ago  I stopped  off 
there  and  climbed  the  grand  old  bluff  and  got  one  of  the  most 
picturesque  views  of  my  life.  How  very  fortunate  you  are  to  live 
in  such  a place!” 

This  expression  from  the  man  of  affairs  finds  an  echo  in  the 
hearts  and  minds  of  all  who,  as  residents  or  strangers,  have  had 
the  opportunity  of  standing  on  Barn  bluff,  which,  like  a sentinel, 
rises  three  hundred  feet  above  the  city.  From  its  heights  there 
stretches  out  a panorama  of  surpassing  loveliness.  At  its  base 
lies  the  city,  its  homes  clustered  here  and  there  amid  lesser  bluffs, 
covered  during  the  summer  months  with  greenest  verdure,  while 
along  the  river  front  are  to  be  seen  the  manufacturing  industries 
which  are  the  backbone  of  the  city’s  prosperity. 

Red  Wing  is  not  merely  picturesque.  The  beauty  with  which 
heaven  so  richly  endowed  it  would  always  give  it  a unique  favor 
among  the  peculiarly  attractive  places  to  be  found  on  Mother 
Earth,  but,  happily,  its  natural  charms  have  been  supplemented 
and  augmented  by  a progressive  population,  possessed  of  a rare 
sense  of  the  value  of  civic  improvement  and  keenly  alive  to  all 
that  enhances  the  moral,  intellectual  and  artistic  as  well  as  the 
material  growth  of  the  city. 

Among  the  smaller  cities  of  the  United  States,  it  has  attracted, 
by  its  splendid  civic  attitude  and  unusual  natural  beauty,  wide 
attention  and  been  the  subject  of  numerous  magazine  articles  and 
much  newspaper  comment,  appreciative  and  admiring. 


645 


G46 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Better  yet,  its  people  do  consider  themselves  fortunate,  in- 
deed, in  being  dwellers  in  so  goodly  a town.  They  believe  with  all 
their  hearts  that  Red  Wing  is  what  it  is  widely  called — “The  De- 
sirable City.” 

There  is  a reason  for  it.  It  is  disclosed  in  the  facts  and  fig- 
ures which  are  herewith  given.  Even  these  are  not  prosaic  and 
dull,  but  if  you  note  them — and  we  will  make  them  as  concise  as 
possible — you  will  see  that  they  fairly  bristle  with  business 
energy  and  throb  with  a life  characteristic  of  a people  committed 
to  a love  of  the  beautiful  and  a desire  for  the  true  and  an  ambi- 
tion to  “get  on  in  the  world.” 

Red  Wing  is  the  county  seat  of  “old  Goodhue” — one  of  the 
most  fertile  and  thriving  counties  within  the  commonwealth  of 
Minnesota.  It  is-  situated  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Mississippi 
river.  In  all  its  windings,  from  Itasca  to  the  Gulf,  through  the 
heart  of  the  great  continent,  nowhere  is  the  old  Father  of  Waters 
more  majestic  or  picturesque  than  at  this  point.  Broad  stretches 
of  islands  and  river  channels  are  environed  by  banks  on  which 
are  towering  bluffs,  like  lofty  citadels,  commanding  the  situation 
and  adding  grandeur  to  the  scene. 

Red  Wing  has  a population  of  12,000  and  is  steadily  growing. 
The  territory  from  which  trade  is  drawn  is  a wealthy  agricultural 
district  and  in  this  area  dwell  one  hundred  thousand  people. 
Goodhue  county,  Minnesota,  if  which  Red  Wing  is  the  shire 
town,  has  a population  approaching  40.000,  while  Pierce  county, 
AVisconsin,  directly  across  the  Afississippi  river,  numbers  more 
than  30.000  souls. 

Red  AVing  has  an  excellent  city  government.  The  city  owns 
its  own  waterworks  and  is  now  instituting  a pure  water  supply 
from  artesian  wells ; its  paid  fire  department  is  one  of  the  best 
equipped  and  most  efficient  in  the  Northwest;  a gas  and  electric 
company,  with  16  miles  of  mains;  a handsome  city  hall.  The  city 
is  divided  into  four  wards,  has  a mayor,  nine  aldermen,  a board 
of  public  works,  under  whose  .direction  many  public  improve- 
ments are  made,  and  other  boards  care  for  the  water,  fire  de- 
partment, cemetery,  auditorium  and  public  library. 

Red  Wing  is  notable  as  a manufacturing  center.  Outside  of 
Minneapolis,  St.  Paul  and  Duluth,  it  is  the  largest  manufacturing 
town  in  the  Northwest.  Its  record  as  a shipping  point  is  sig- 
nificant, both  by  railroad  and  waterway.  Red  Wing’s  railroad 
freightage  amounts  to  30.000  carloads  a year,  said  to  be  the 
heaviest  amount  for  a manufacturing,  city  of  .its  size  in  the  United 
States.  Over  thirty  manufacturing  institutions  are  located  here, 
employing  a capital  of  $3,000,000,  having  1,500  men  on  a payroll 
which  annually  amounts  to  $600,000,  and  the  value  of  whose  prod- 
ucts exceed  $7,500,000.  Among  the  most  important  of  these  in- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


647 


dustries  are  two  potteries,  two  sewer  pipe  factories,  two  malting 
plants,  two  breweries,  two  flour  mills,  a linseed  mill,  a large  tan- 
nery, a launch  factory,  marine  engine  works,  brick  factory, 
hat  factory,  two  shoe  factories,  two  furniture  factories,  a large 
advertising  novelty  concern,  and  with  them  other  in- 
dustries, each  growing  and  successful.  The  newest  of  these 
numerous  enterprises  is  the  Forest  Products  Company.  It 
has  purchased  large  tracts  of  timber  along  the  river,  has  a saw- 
mill and  plant  in  East  Red  AVing  and  contemplating  the  manu- 
facture of  many  by-products  of  the  forest  and  the  introduction  of 
a system  of  practical  forestry  on  its  extensive  timbered  areas, 
promises  to  become  one  of  the  most  important  of  the  city’s  com- 
mercial assets  within  a very  few  years. 

From  a business  standpoint.  Red  AVing ’s  busy  factories  are  the 
mainstay  of  its  prosperity,  combined  with  the  wealth  which  flows 
in  on  all  sides  from  the  fertile  acres  of  an  exceptionally  splendid 
agricultural  region,  on  which  dwell  a thrifty,  industrious  and 
intelligent  people.  Red  AATing  is  the  trading  center  for  thousands 
of  sturdy  farmers,  who  raise  things  worth  raising  and  readily 
sold  at  high  prices ; Red  AVing  is  the  home  of  twelve  thousand 
people  who  are  intensely  busy  making  things  worth  making, 
which  command  attention  for  their  excellence  and  are  eagerly 
sought  for  in  the  world’s  markets.  Under  these  conditions  its 
workingmen,  retail  and  wholesale  business  men,  as  well  as  those 
in  professional  lines,  are  thriving. 

The  city  is  making  rapid  progress  along  the  avenues  of  com- 
munity life  which  uplift,  beautify  and  ennoble.  A strong  organi- 
zation is  its  civic  league,  whose  purpose  is  to  stimulate  and  further 
the  beautification  and  tidiness  of  the  town.  Its  effective  work 
has  been  shown  in  a crusade  which  ridded  the  city  of  many  old 
signs,  in  the  placing  of  waste  paper  cans  at  the  corners  of  many 
streets,  the  care  of  “Webster ’s  AVay,  ” which  leads  up  Barn  Bluff, 
and  prizes  offered  to  the  children  of  the  “Junior  Civic  League” 
for  best  kept  flower  gardens,  vegetable  gardens,  neatest  front 
yards  and  neatest  back  yards.  A ride  through  the  city  with  its 
boulevarded  streets,  lined  with  shade  trees  of  many  kinds,  its 
well  kept  lawns  and  tidy  yards,  will  reveal  how  thoroughly  the 
people  have  caught  the  contagion  for  the  city  beautiful.  The  city 
itself  is  emulating  the  spirit  of  its  citizens.  Its  park  system  is 
both  expanding  and  improving.  It  includes  two  miles  of  river 
frontage.  Already  a portion  of  it.  called  Levee  Park,  is  com- 
pleted and,  with  its  concrete  river  wall,  beautiful  drives  and 
shaded  walks  and  steamboat  landing,  it  has  become  a favorite 
resort  of  the  people  during  the  summer  season.  Leading  up  from 
the  park  is  Broadway,  the  gateway  of  the  city.  This  has  been 
beautifully  boulevarded  and  parked  through  the  generosity  of 


648 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


John  H.  Rich,  who  is  a leader  in  the  pervasive  passion  for  civic 
improvement.  Further  extension  of  this  parkway  is  planned. 
The  Colvill  park,  the  old  homestead  and  residence  of  Col.  ¥m. 
Colvill,  the  hero  of  Gettysburg,  on  the  rivdr  front  in  East  Red 
Wing,  has  been  purchased  and  made  a very  popular  picnic  ground 
by  the  untiring  efforts  of  the  Colvill  Park  Association,  an  organi- 
zation of  ladies  of  the  city  who  are  actively  interested  in  the 
general  welfare.  Mrs.  D.  M.  Neill  is  president  of  this  association. 

Notable  as  Red  AA'ing  is  for  its  business  enterprise  and  love  of 
the  beautiful,  its  people  recognize  that  there  must  be  symmetry 
in  community  proportions  as  well  as  in  all  other  growth  if  sub- 
stantial and  worthy  progress  is  to  be  attained.  They  have  not 
forgotten  the  intellectual  and  spiritual  forces,  which  are  more 
subtle  but,  nevertheless,  more  potent  in  permanent  upbuilding 
than  the  things  which  appeal  to  eye  and  ear.  Here  sight  and 
insight,  “the  seen  and  the  unseen,”  are  rounding  into  form  the 
plastic  forces  at  their  command,  and  both  are  emphasized. 

Educationally,  in  facilities  and  in  progressiveness  as  well, 
Red  Wing  stands  foremost  among  the  cities  of  the  state.  Its  pub- 
lic schools  are  noted  for  their  excellence  and  the  advanced  posi- 
tion they  have  taken.  Its  high  school  building  cost  $40,000  and 
its  curriculum  includes  not  only  the  usual  literary,  classical  and 
scientific  courses,  but  also  normal,  commercial,  manual  training, 
domestic  science  and  agricultural  courses.  It  was  one  of  the  first 
ten  towns  of  the  state  to  inaugurate  a complete  agricultural 
course.  The  school  property  already  includes  a school  farm  of 
seven  acres  where  several  hundred  boys  and  girls  during  the  past 
summer  planted,  cultivated  and  raised  school  gardens  success- 
fully. 

A new  building  to  be  devoted  to  manual  training  and  domestic 
science,  with  a large  gymnasium,  is  now  being  erected  adjacent 
to  the  high  school  at  a cost,  when  equipped,  of  not  less  than  $50,- 
000.  With  a corps  of  a dozen  teachers  in  the  high  school  and 
thirty-four  more  in  the  grades,  under  the  progressive  leadership 
of  Superintendent  J.  L.  Siloeonale,  the  1,500  school  children  are 
having  rare  advantages  in  the  acquirement  of  knowledge  which 
shall  fit  hand,  head  and  heart  to  do  their  full  share  of  the 
world’s  work. 

Here  are  situated  two  schools  of  higher  education,  each  excel- 
lent in  its  way,  each  sustaining  a growing  reputation  and  a widen- 
ing influence.  The  Reel  Wing  Seminary,  for  young  men,  carried 
on  by  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  Synod,  has  academic,  collegiate 
and  theological  departments,  and  its  graduates  each  year  go  out 
to  honor  and  make  better  the  world  by  useful  lives  of  service. 
The  Lutheran  Ladies’  Seminary  is  an  institution  for  girls  and  its 
success  is  attested  in  the  constant  expansion  of  a very  fine  plant, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


619 


including  dormitories,  class  rooms  and  last  year  a beautiful  music 
hall  was  built.  The  whole  output  in  buildings  and  ecpiipment 
.already  represents  an  investment  of  thousands  of  dollars.  The 
school  is  thriving  and  it  offers  exceptional  opportunities  for 
young  ladies  in  its  literary  art,  music  and  domestic  courses. 

Both  of  these  institutions  occupy  commanding  sights  on  bluffs 
overlooking  the  city  and  the  Mississippi  river. 

Supplementing  these  schools,  public  and  private,  are  the 
Carnegie,  Lawther  public  library,  with  its  reference  department, 
growing  year  by  year  increasingly  valuable ; an  historical  society 
and  flourishing  ladies’  art  club. 

Red  Wing  is  a city  of  churches.  They  represent  many  de- 
nominations, but  all  are  in  accord  in  their  attitude  of  worship 
and  reverence  for  all  that  is  good  and  worthy.  There  are  many 
beautiful  church  structures  and,  under  able  pastors,  the  work 
of  the  different  societies  is  flourishing.  The  Swedish  Lutheran 
Church  has  over  one  thousand  communicants,  ' while  other 
Lutheran  churches,  St.  Paul’s  Norwegian,  Trinity  Evangelical, 
St.  John’s  German,  St.  Paul’s  English,  have  strong  parishes.  The 
First  Methodist  Church  is  now  building  a very  beautiful  edifice 
to  cost  $35,000.  and  the  Swedish  and  German  Methodists  have 
distinct  organizations.  The  Presbyterians — the  first  religious  or- 
ganization in  the  city — are  prosperous,  and  Christ  Episcopal 
Church,  with  its  graceful  gothic  structure  occupying  one  of  the 
beauty  spots  of  the  city,  is  thriving.  Several  other  smaller  but 
no  less  earnest  parishes  are  .doing  excellent  work,  among  them  the 
Swedish  mission  Society,  with  its  tasteful  new  church  and  par- 
sonage. 

Red  Wing  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlements  in  Minnesota. 
Swiss  missionaries  came  among  the  Sioux  Indians  in  1837.  The 
first  man  to  permanently  settle  here  Avas  Rev.  J.  W.  Hancock, 
first  a preacher  to  the  Indians,  then  first  pastor  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  He  exerted  a benignant  influence  over  the  city, 
living  until  1907,  when  he  passed  away  like  a ripened  shock  of 
wheat,  beloved  by  little  children,  revered  by  all.  Red  Wing  was 
the  first  home  of  Hamline  College,  and  here  for  long  years  it 
flourished.  The  city  owes  much  to  the  honored  men  who  founded 
and  those  who  afterwards  maintained  its  business  and  social  life. 
Among  those  of  recent  years  avIio  have  done  much  to  stimulate 
civic  pride  and  give  character  to  the  beauty  and  tone  of  life  here 
by  their  gifts  are  Theodore  B.  Sheldon,  who  becpieathed  over 
$80,000  to  build  the  auditorium — the  finest  municipal  auditorium 
in  the  United  States ; Mrs.  Margaret  Beteher,  $20,000  for  a 
memorial  chapel  to  her  husband,  Charles  Beteher.  at  Oakwood 
cemetery;  E.  IT.  Blodgett,  a gateway  to  Oakwood  cemetery  cost- 
ing several  thousands;  a site  for  the  public  library  and  more  re- 


650 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


cently  the  gift  of  $50,000  for  a Y.  M.  C.  A.  building,  now  being 
constructed,  by  James  Lawther,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Red  Wing. 
These  generous  donations  furthering  the  upbuilding  of  the  town 
are  but  an  index  of  the  spirit  of  citizenship  here.  That  spirit  per- 
vades the  hearts  of  all — the  well-to-do  and,  as  well,  those  in  more 
moderate  circumstances,  and  is  bound  to  make  itself  felt  in  the 
future  years  more  and  more  potentially. 

Red  Wing’s  past  is  secure.  The  pages  of  the  nation’s  history 
are  adorned  by  the  illustrious  deeds  of  its  heroes,  who,  under 
Colvill,  made  the  charge  at  Gettysburg  one  of  its  imperishable 
assets ; Minnesota  is  indebted  to  it  for  one  of  its  best  governors, 
Hon.  Lucius  F.  Hubbard,  distinguished  as  soldier  and  civilian, 
while  it  has  given  to  the  world,  at  home  and  elsewhere,  an  un- 
usual number  of  honored  and  useful  lives.  Red  AY ing ’s  present  is 
prosperous  and  happy.  Twelve  thousand  thrifty  people,  living 
contentedly  among  its  bluffs  and  along  the  Mississippi,  con- 
sider it  an  inestimable  privilege  to  dwell  in  one  of  the  most 
favored  beauty  spots  of  picturesque  America. 

Red  Wing’s  future  looms  up  large,  safe  and  enjoyable  to  those 
who  know  it  best.  They  are  confident  that,  with  the  growth  of 
Greater  America,  which  shall  utilize  the  Mississippi  as  an  inland 
canal  for  freight  and  passenger  service,  that  shall  see  further 
railroad  and  trolley  service,  that  shall  press  into  practical  use  in 
larger  measure  the  auto  and  the  air  ship — that  in  an  era  like  this, 
Red  Wing,  with  its  expanding  business,  its  widening  area  of 
teeming  factories,  its  splendid  educational  system  keeping  pace, 
in  public  schools  and  seminaries,  with  the  best  the  country  affords, 
with  its  magnificent  civic  spirit  alive  to  all  that  beautifies  and 
ennobles — with  all  these,  Red  Wing  will  continue  to  be  for  those 
who  prize  honest  industry,  happy  homes,  high  civic  ideals,  “The 
Desirable  City.’’ — Henry  R.  Cobb. 

The  Red  Wing  “Sentinel’’  was  the  seventeenth  newspaper  es- 
tablished in  Minnesota.  At  the  beginning  it  was  a four-page,  six- 
column,  independent  sheet.  The  first  issue  was  dated  about 
July  20,  1855.  Its  editor  was  William  Colvill,  Jr.,  and  its  pub- 
lishers Dan  S.  Merritt  and  James  C.  Hutchins.  Colvill  having 
been  elected  secretary  of  the  Territorial  Council  of  1856,  W.  AY. 
Phelps,  then  register  of  the  United  States  Land  Office  at  Red 
Wing,  volunteered  to  help  him  out  as  temporary  editor.  It  seems 
that  neither  could  give  the  paper  the  time  it  needed,  and  on  May 
15,  1856,  the  “Pioneer  and  Democrat’’  announced  that  the  editor 
of  the  “Sentinel”  and  its  proprietors  had  that  week  printed  their 
valedictory.  The  press  and  material  were  then  sold  to  Alexis 
Bailly,  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  town  of  Hastings,  Dakota 
county,  and  were  used  to  start  the  Dakota  Weekly  “Journal.” 

The  Minnesota  “Gazette”  was  the  twenty-seventh  newspaper 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


651 


published  in  Minnesota.  No  hies  are  in  existence  that  can  be 
found.  The  origin  of  this  paper  was  as  follows : The  press  and 
material  of  the  Red  Wing  “Sentinel”  having  been  sold  to  Alexis 
Badly  on  May  15,  1856,  and  moved  from  Red  Wing  to  Hastings 
to  start  the  Dakota  Weekly  “Journal,”  Red  Wing  was  left  with- 
out a newspaper.  Nehemiah  Y.  and  Cornelius  Bennett  then 
stepped  in  with  a new  plant  and  started  the  Minnesota  “Gazette.” 
As  the  “Pioneer  and  Democrat,”  of  St.  Paul,  on  July  3,  1856,  and 
the  Northwestern  “Democrat”  of  Minneapolis,  on  July  5th,  an- 
nounced the  receipt  of  the  first  number  of  the  “Gazette,”  it  is 
safe  to  assume  that  it  was  started  about  July  1.  N.  V.  Bennett 
was  the  editor  and  Cornelius  Bennett  the  publisher.  June  6. 
1857,  the  Red  Wing  “Gazette”  changed  owners,  Mr.  Bennett 
having  sold  to  Dan  S.  Merritt.  Mr.  Merritt  published  the  paper 
under  the  name  of  the  “Gazette,”  according  to  statistics  as  late 
as  July  25,  1857,  and  then  changed  the  name  back  to  the  Red 
Wing  “Sentinel,”  picking  up  the  old  volume  and  number  of  the 
“Sentinel”  and  going  on  as  though  the  “Gazette”  had  never 
existed. 

Red  Wing  “Sentinel,”  No.  2,  was  the  fifty-seventh  newspaper 
begun  in  Minnesota.  After  Merritt  and  Hutchins  sold  the  press 
and  materials  of  the  “Sentinel,”  No.  1.  to  Alexis  Bailly,  it  went 
to  Hastings,  as  has  been  stated.  The  “Gazette”  was  then  started 
by  N.  V.  and  C.  Bennett,  and  Merritt  went  into  the  hotel  business. 
Tiring  of  that  business,  he  bought  the  “Gazette,”  according  to 
the  “Advertiser,”  of  St.  Paul,  about  June  1.  1857.  and  ran  it  un- 
der that  name  until  about  August  1 of  that  year,  as  the  “Adver- 
tiser” quotes,  the  “Gazette”  as  late  as  July  25.  The  issue  of 
August  1 of  the  “Advertiser”  then  makes  its  first  mention  of  the 
“Sentinel,”  so  that  must  have  been  about  the  time  the  change 
was  made.  Bennett,  in  the.  meantime,  formed  another  alliance 
with  William  Colvill,  afterward  well  known  as  the  colonel  of 
the  First  Minnesota  regiment,  so  that  the  latter  became  editor  of 
the  “Sentinel”  No.  2,  as  he  had  been  of  No.  1.  Bennett  also  be- 
came its  publisher,  and,  without  further  ceremony,  the  volume 
and  numbers  of  Red  Wing  “Sentinel,”  No.  1,  were  picked  up 
and  carried  on,  the  same  as  though  there  had  been  no  sale  of  the 
press  and  material  of  the  old  “Sentinel”  to  Bailly,  no  valedictory 
of  the  “Sentinel,”  as  noted  by  the  “Pioneer  and  Democrat”  of 
May  15,  1855,  and  no  intervening  publication  of  the  Minnesota 
Gazette  to  supply  its  place.  On  March  26,  1859,  Merritt  sold 
again,  and  on  April  9,  1859,  E.  A.  Littlefield  and  Martin  Maginnis, 
the  latter  afterward  delegate  to  Congress  from  Montana,  became 
the  publishers,  Colvill  remaining  as  editor.  On  February  1,  1860. 
Colvill  sold  his  interest  to  W.  W.  Phelps,  who  had  been  the  mem- 
ber of  Congress  from  the  Red  Wing  district,  because,  as  he  said 


652 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


in  his  retiring  editorial,  he  foresaw  a Democratic  storm  coming 
in  the  Charleston  convention.  In  the  next  issue  of  the  “Senti- 
nel” Phelps  appeared  as  editor.  On  August  15,  1860,  Littlefield 
dropped  out  and  Maginnis  went  on  alone  as  publisher,  Phelps 
remaining  as  editor.  At  a meeting  noted  for  its  patriotism,  held 
April  23,  1861,  in  Red  Wing,  a company  called  the  Goodhue 
Volunteers  was  organized  and  William  Colvill  was  unanimously 
elected  captain  and  Martin  Maginnis  first  sergeant.  The  next 
day  the  “Sentinel,”  at  Vol.  5,  No.  39,  April  24,  1861,  was  discon- 
tinued. Its  material  was  sold  to  James  Parker,  and  made  the 
basis  of  the  Goodhue  “Volunteer,”  a patriotic  paper  which  did 
excellent  service  for  the  Union  until  it,  in  turn,  died  near  the 
close  of  the  war. 

The  Red  Wing  “Republican”  was  the  sixty-second  weekly 
begun  in  Minnesota  territory,  and  its  first  issue  was  dated  Sep- 
temper  4,  1857,  with  L.  F.  Hubbard  as  editor.  That  its  founda- 
tion, even  in  those  insecure  times,  was  built  deep  and  strong,  is 
shown  by  the  fact  that  it  is  one  of  the  few  Minnesota  newspapers 
which  survived  the  trying  crises  of  1857  and  is  yet  in  good  work- 
ing order.  It  started  as  a four-page,  seven-column  sheet,  and  it 
then  was  and  still  is  Republican  in  politics.  November  20,  1857, 
F.  D.  Meredith,  who  died  some  years  ago,  became  associated  with 
L.  F.  Hubbard,  and  the  firm  name  was  Hubbard  & Meredith 
until  October  1,  1858.  Then  Meredith  retired  and  Mr.  Hubbard 
went  on  alone  until  August  12,  1859,  when  Charles  L.  Davis 
joined  him  and  the  managers  became  Hubbard  & Davis,  the  for- 
mer being  the  main  editor.  At  that  time  the  name  was  changed 
to  the  Goodhue  County  “Republican.”  December  19,  1861,  Mr. 
Hubbard  enlisted  in  the  Fifth  Minnesota  regiment  and  the  firm  of 
Hubbard  & Davis  was  dissolved.  F.  D.  Meredith  became  the 
proprietor  and  Mr.  Davis  the  editor  and  manager.  March  28, 
1862,  the  ownership  and  editorial  management  Avent  to  C.  L. 
Davis,  and  Meredith  once  more  retired.  Then  Davis  enlisted  in 
the  Tenth  Minnesota  infantry  and,  September  19,  1862,  placed 
E.  A.  Littlefield  in  charge,  who  became  the  editor.  At  that  date 
the  paper  was  cut  to  six  columns,  on  account  of  hard  times.  May 
27.  1864,  Littlefield  turned  over  the  paper  to  Colonel  Colvill, 
satisfied,  as  he  said,  that  there  Avas  “more  honor  than  profit  in 
running  a country  newspaper.”  Colvill  printed  a salutatory 
tersely  characteristic  of  the  hero  of  Gettysburg.  It  ran  as  fol- 
lows:  “With  this  issue  I take  charge  of  the  ‘Republican.’  Cor- 
respondence should  lie  addressed  accordingly.”  August  26. 
1864,  the  paper  Avent  back  to  the  seven-column  issue,  Davis  still 
retaining  his  interest.  March  30,  1866,  IT.  Iv.  Parker  became  editor 
and  part  proprietor.  August  9,  1867,  William  R.  Snider  bought 
half  of  the  paper  and  December  18,  1868,  he  bought  the  remain- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


653 


ing  half.  June  10,  1869,  T.  H.  Perkins,  of  the  Lake  City  “Leader,” 
bought  a half  interest  of  Snider  and,  September  30,  1869,  Snider 
sold  the  other  half  to  S.  P.  Jennison,  the  firm  becoming  Jennison 
& Perkins.  December  26,  1878,  Perkins  retired  and  Mr.  Jennison 
became  sole  proprietor.  He  continued  alone  until  July  29,  1880, 
when  there  was  a combination  of  the  Goodhue  County  “Repub- 
lican” with  B.  B.  Herbert’s  “Advance.”  The  “Advance”  was 
printed  Wednesdays  and  the  “Republican”  Saturdays.  Novem- 
ber 29,  1884,  the  “Republican,”  the  “Advance”  and  the  “Sun,” 
established  in  January,  1884,  united  under  the  ownership  of  the 
Red  Wing  Printing  Company.  The  “Advance”  and  the  “Re- 
publican” were  united  December  3,  1884,  under  the  name  “Ad- 
vance-Republican,” which  was  published  on  Wednesdays,  and  the 
“Sun”  on  Saturdays,  with  Mr.  Herbert  and  Tams  Bixby  as 
editors. 

October  12,  1885,  the  first  number  of  the  Red  Wing  Daily 
“Republican”  was  issued.  The  two  weekly  editions  were  then 
joined  into  one,  published  on  Wednesdays,  the  name  being  the 
“Advance-Sun.”  The  confusion  arising  from  the  fact  that  the 
name  of  the  daily  and  weekly  editions  Avere  not  the  same,  after 
some  years,  caused  the  name  of  the  weekly  to  be  changed  to  the 
Red  Wing  “Republican,”  in  July,  1895.  For  a while  a semi- 
weekly edition  was  again  attempted  but  was  once  more  changed 
to  a weekly,  its  circulation  being  almost  exclusively  in  the  rural 
districts.  January  1,  1886,  Mr.  Bixby  retired  and  Mr.  Herbert 
and  Gen.  Jennison  became  editors  and  proprietors.  In  November, 
1889,  Mr.  Herbert  sold  his  interest  to  Jennison;  and  in  March, 
1894,  Bixby  bought  Mr.  Jennison ’s  interest,  and  stil  continues  as 
president  of  the  company.  C.  A.  Rasmussen  became  associated 
with  the  paper  under  Herbert  & Jennison,  first  as  circulation 
manager  of  the  Daily  “Republican,”  and  later  as  local  editor. 
On  the  retirement  of  these  men  and  the  assumption  of  political 
duties  by  Mr.  Bixby,  Mr.  Rasmussen  took  charge  of  the  paper. 
In  1898  Mr.  Rasmussen  was  appointed  postmaster.  J.  S.  Brenne- 
man  took  charge  of  the  business  department  and  Jens  K.  Gron- 
dahl  became  managing  editor.  Mr.  Brenneman  sold  his  interest 
in  the  company  to  A.  E.  Verity  in  1901,  the  latter  becoming 
managing  editor  and  Mr.  Grondahl,  who  had  been  away  from 
the  business  for  a short  period,  returned  and  took  up  the  duties 
of  business  manager.  In  1903  Mr.  Verity  disposed  of  his  holdings 
and  Mr.  Grondahl  became  manager  of  the  business  and  editorial 
departments. 

The  “Republican”  is  an  influential  sheet,  Avell  Avritten  and 
carefully  edited.  It  has  always  taken  a leading  part  in  the  civic 
and  industrial  progress  of  Red  Wing  and  has  assisted  in  mould- 
ing that  sentiment  of  mutual  helpfulness  and  prosperity  which 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


(i54 

has  done  so  much  to  give  the  city  the  position  it  now  occupies. 
It  aims  to  thoroughly  cover  the  local  and  county  field,  to  present 
dignified  editorials  on  the  important  topics  of  the  day  and  to  give 
1 he  telegraphic  news  of  the  world.  Its  advertising  columns  are 
well  patronized,  and  form  a desirable  medium  for  reaching  the 
people  of  the  city  and  county.  The  weekly  edition  contains  a 
resume  of  the  news  of  the  week  in  a more  condensed  form  than 
appears  in  the  daily. 

Red  Wing  Printing  Company.  The  “Republican”  has,  since 
its  beginning,  conducted  a job  printing  department  but,  through- 
out the  early  years,  the  newspaper  was  predominant.  In  1884, 
with  consolidation  of  the  “Sun”  and  “Advance”  with  the  “Re- 
publican,” the  job  department  became  more  conspicuous.  The 
history  of  the  job  department  has  been  practically  that  of  the 
newspaper  and  has  been  in  charge  of  the  same  officers.  In  the 
past  eight  or  ten  years  the  job  department  has  carried  on  a 
vigorous  campaign  to  develop  taste  for  high  class  printing  and  in 
this  campaign  it  has  been  very  successful.  The  kind  of  stationery 
and  general  printing  turned  out  in  Red  Wing  ten  or  fifteen  years 
ago  would  not  today  be  accepted  at  any  price,  because  of  this  de- 
velopment of  high  class  art  printing.  The  best  and  latest  im- 
proved machinery  that  money  can  buy  is  used  in  this  department 
and  some  of  the  best  printers  in  this  part  of  the  country  have  been 
in  charge,  the  present  competent  force  being  under  the  direction 
of  David  Gustafson,  who  has  won  wide  recognition  as  an  artistic 
printer.  Every  kind  of  printing,  from  a letter  head  to  a beauti- 
fully bound  book,  with  all  kinds  of  artistic  catalogue  printing 
and  high  class  advertising  specialties,  are  produced.  The  reputa- 
tion of  the  products  of  this  company  has  extended  all  over  this 
country  and  printers’  journals  make  use  of  samples  of  work 
originating  with  the  Red  Wing  Printing  Company.  There  have 
even  been  instances  when  large  printing  establishments  in  Europe 
have  sent  for  samples  of  the  Red  Wing  Printing  Company  prod- 
ucts to  get  new  and  improved  ideas.  Aside  from  holding  the 
business  of  the  local  field,  the  company  has  a large  amount  of 
work  from  cities  and  villages  throughout  the  Northwest.  The 
company  moved  into  its  present  commodious  building  in  March, 
1909.  The  present  officers  are  : President,  Tams  Bixby ; vice  presi- 
dent, C.  A.  Rasmussen;  secretary  and  manager,  Jens  Iv.  Gron- 
dahl;  treasurer,  N.  Halvorson. 

The  “Advance”  was  established  in  October,  1873,  with  E.  J. 
Hodgson  and  B.  B.  Herbert  as  editors,  under  the  name  of  the 
“Grange  Advance,”  and  was  in  its  original  design  devoted  to 
the  promotion  of  home  manufactures  and  the  advancement  of 
agricultural  and  industrial  interests  and  the  upbuilding  of  the 
order  of  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry  as  a social  and  educational 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY" 


655 


institution  among  the  farmers.  At  the  end  of  the  first  six  months, 
owing  to  the  pressure  of  other  busines  Mr.  Hodgson  retired  and 
Mr.  Herbert  continued  the  publication  alone,  and  during  the  sum- 
mer of  1874  associated  with  him  Dr.  T.  R.  Mann,  of  St.  Paul,  in 
the  editorial  work.  During  the  fall  of  1874  the  nature  of  the 
paper  was  changed  to  a strictly  local  paper,  and  Mr.  Mann  re- 
tired. August  25,  1875,  Mr.  Herbert  sold  the  paper  to  II.  II. 
Young  and,  May  28.  1878,  Mr.  Young  sold  the  paper  to  the  “Ad- 
vance” Publishing  Company.  At  the  time  of  its  consolidation 
with  the  “Republican,”  Mr.  Herbert  had  again  assumed  the 
management. 

The  Red  Wing  “Journal”  was  published  in  May,  1890.  by  A.  F. 
Ingalls,  owner  of  the  Pine  Island  “Record.”  It  was  published 
several  years  under  this  management  and  then  purchased  in  July, 
1896,  by  W.  AY.  Woodbeck,  of  Minneapolis.  In  December  of  the 
same  year,  AVarney  & Pratt,  of  Minneapolis,  purchased  the  plant 
of  Mr.  Woodbeck  and  resold  the  same  to  him  in  February,  1897. 
The  “Journal”  was  again  sold  in  April,  1897,  to  E.  L.  Grondahl, 
who  placed  E.  D.  Morris  in  charge.  The  plant  was  then  taken 
over  by  the  “Times”  Printing  Company  and  the  name  changed 
to  the  Red  AYing  “Times,”  the  managers  and  editors  being  David 
Gustafson  and  E.  C.  Sykes.  The  Consolidated  Commercial  Print- 
ing Company  then  conducted  it  until  it  was  combined  with  the 
“Argus.” 

The  Red  Wing  “Free  Press”  was  established  September  24.  ' 
1909,  by  N.  P.  Olson,  of  Anoka,  Minn.,  who,  on  July  16,  1909.  pur- 
chased the  “News”  from  the  trustees  who  had  been  in  charge. 
Mr.  Olson  is  an  experienced  newspaper  man  and  has  some  ex- 
cellent plans  for  making  his  paper  a success.  He  was  managing 
editor  of  the  “Penny  Press”  for  three  years,  then  conducted  the 
Minnesota  “Democrat,”  which  he  moved  to  Anoka  and  edited 
for  eight  years  as  the  Anoka  “Free  Press.”  The  Red  AYing 
“Free  Press”  is  Democratic  in  polities,  and  is  designed  to  become 
the  mouthpiece  of  the  Democracy  in  this  locality. 

The  Red  Wing  “Independent”  was  started  by  Douglas  II. 
Tandy  and  Prof.  0.  Whitman  and  continued  for  a few  months. 
It  was  then  discontinued  for  a short  time  but  later  resumed  pub- 
lication. The  active  editor,  during  a greater  part  of  its  existence, 
was  Jens  K.  Grondahl.  A biographical  work  has  said  of  this 
paper:  “When  the  Red  Wing  ‘Independent’  was  started  iu  1891. 
Jens  K.  Grondahl  was  engaged  to  conduct  the  paper,  a post  which 
proved  to  consist  in  preparing  all  the  local  and  editorial  ‘copy,’ 
distributing  it  among  the  three  printing  offices  which  did  the 
‘setting  up’  and,  after  the  matter  was  in  type,  collecting  the  type 
and  carrying  it  to  the  office  where  the  paper  was  printed.  Occa- 
sionally these  manifold  duties  were  supplemented  by  the  light 


65G 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


work  of  running  off  the  edition  on. the  cylinder  press  and  de- 
livering the  paper  to  the  waiting  customers.”  After  a short 
period  of  existence  the  paper  was  discontinued. 

The  Red  Wing  “Argus.”  In  October,  1864,  a company  of 
leading  Democrats  was  formed  for  the  purpose  of  issuing  a news- 
paper. This  company  purchased  the  Goodhue  County  “Volun- 
teer,” changed  its  name  and  issued  the  first  number  of  the  Red 
Wing  “Argus,”  with  Edmund  R.  Otis  as  agent  and  editor.  Mr. 
Otis  retired  in  October,  1868,  and  was  succeeded  by  C.  F.  George 
as  editor  and  publisher.  In  June  the  office  was  sold  to  Capt. 
Charles  L.  Davis,  who  employed  E.  R.  Otis  as  editor.  After 
changing  necessitudes  the  paper  was  purchased,  in  the  nineties, 
by  Sulzer,  Shedd  & Livingstone  and  issued  in  the  form  of  a Sun- 
day paper.  In  December,  1897,  it  Avas  purchased  by  the  Red 
Wing  “Times,”  but  the  name  “Argus”  retained.  In  April,  1890, 

L.  G.  Meacham  and  AY.  G.  Mack  purchased  the  “Argus”  and  in 
July  of  the  same  year  sold  to  0.  G.  AA7all,  of  Minneapolis,  and 
E.  S.  Haines,  of  Wabasha,  who  continued  the  publication  until 
about  March,  1900,  when  the  Goodhue  County  “News”  moved 
from  Cannon  Falls  and  absorbed  the  “Argus.” 

The  Goodhue  County  “News”  was  started  in  Cannon  Falls  by 

M.  S.  Norelius,  of  Vasa,  and  V.  E.  Johnson,  of  Minneapolis.  Mr. 
Norelius  sold  his  interest  to  Mr.  Johnson,  who  moved  the  plant 
to  Red  Wing  in  1900,  forming  a partnership  with  J.  S.  Pardee,  of 
St.  Paul.  The  company  absorbed  the  “Argus,”  and  both  the 
“News”  and  the  “Argus”  were  continued  under  one  manage- 
ment. After  some  months,  E.  G.  Schmied,  of  Chicago,  purchased 
Mr.  Johnson’s  interest,  and  the  company  became  Pardee  & 
Schmied.  The  Goodhue  County  “News”  and  the  Red  Wing 
“Argus”  were  issued  from  the  same  office  and,  aside  from  the 
title  page,  were  identical,  the  “News”  being  the  country  edition 
and  the  “Argus”  the  city  edition.  During  about  two  years  of 
this  management  the  “Argus”  was  issued  in  tabloid  form  as  the 
official  organ  of  Minnesota  Democracy.  In  1904  the  Red  Wing 
“Daily  News”  was  started  and  existed  for  exactly  one  year,  until 
Thanksgiving  Day,  1905.  G.  II.  Allen  then  took  over  the  weekly 
edition  and  published  the  Goodhue  County  “News  and  Argus 
Press,”  as  he  called  it.  After  Mr.  Allen’s  departure  from  town 
the  “News”  was  taken  by  a board  of  trustees  and  issued  from  the 
Republican  office.  July  16,  1909,  it  was  sold  to  N.  P.  Olson,  of 
Anoka. 

Second  Class  Rates.  The  postoffice  records  show  the  granting 
of  second  class  rates  to  many  publications.  The  following  dates, 
supplied  by  the  local  postoffice,  does  not  in  all  instances  indicate 
the  date  of  the  establishment  or  the  date  of  discontinuation  of 
the  various  papers  mentioned,  as  such  dates  are  not  always  co- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


657 


incident  with  the  granting  and  withdrawing  of  second  class  rates, 
but  the  list  is  interesting,  nevertheless,  in  that  it  shows  the’  period 
during  which  the  various  publications  were  sent  through  the 
mails : 

“Public  Health,”  monthly,  published  by  the  State  Board  of 
Health ; granted  in  May,  1885,  and  discontinued  September,  1891. 
Daily  “Republican,”  daily,  published  by  the  Red  Wing  Print- 
ing Company;  granted  October,  1885.  Red  Wing  “Republican,” 
weekly,  published  by  the  Red  Wing  Printing  Company ; granted 
January,  1895.  “Advance  Sun,”  weekly,  published  by  the  Red 
Wing  Printing  Company;  granted  October,  1885,  and  discon- 
tinued July,  1895.  “Parish  Messenger,”  monthly,  published  by 
the  rector  of  the  Episcopal  Church;  granted  November,  1885, 
and  discontinued  June,  1891.  “Argus,”  weekly,  published  by 
Charles  Davis;  discontinued  March,  1900.  Goodhue  County 
“News,”  weekly,  published  by  Pardee  & Schmied;  granted 
March,  1900.  and  discontinued  September,  1909.  “Budbareren,” 
weekly,  published  by  the  Hauge  Printing  and  Publishing  Society ; 
granted  August  1,  1879.  “Bornevennen,  ” weekly,  published  by 
the  Hauge  Printing  and  Publishing  Society;  granted  August, 
1879.  “Little  Messenger,”  weekly,  published  by  the  Hauge 
Printing  and  Publishing  Society;  granted  January,  1905.  “River- 
side,” semi-monthly,  published  by  the  State  Training  School; 
granted  September,  1893,  and  was  discontinued  October,  1905. 
“Riverside,”  monthly,  published  by  the  State  Training  School; 
granted  October,  1905.  “Our  School,”  monthly,  published  by 
Boraas  & Kunze;  granted  November,  1902,  and  discontinued  De- 
cember, 1905.  “Hemnica1,”  monthly,  published  by  the  Red  Wing 
Seminary;  granted  October,  1904.  “Cresset,”  monthly,  published 
by  the  Red  Wing  Ladies’  Seminary.  Red  AYing  “Methodist.” 
monthly,  published  by  the  pastor  of  the  Methodist  Church : 
granted  June,  1893,  and  discontinued  September,  1891. 
“Agrarian,”  monthly;  granted  March,  1895,  and  discontinued 
February,  1896.  “Herald,”  granted  March,  1895,  and  discon- 
tinued February,  1896.  “Secrets  of  Success,”  monthly,  published 
by  W.  L.  Beeman;  granted  August,  1890,  and  discontinued  1891. 
The  “Independent,”  weekly;  granted  January,  1892,  and  discon- 
tinued March,  1892.  The  “Nordstjernen,  ” weekly,  published  by  the 
Red  AYing  Printing  company;  granted  January,  1895,  and  discon- 
tinued November,  1898.  The  “Journal,”  published  by  A.  F.  In- 
galls; granted  May,  1890,  and  discontinued  December,  1897.  The 
“Teutonia,”  published  by  II.  Risch;  granted  August,  1892.  and 
discontinued  March,  1899.  The  “Free  Press,”  weekly,  published 
by  N.  P.  Olson;  granted  September,  1909. 

Aside  from  the  printing  plants  connected  with  newspapers, 
there  have  been  various  independent  plants  in  Red  Wing.  At 


658 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


the  present  time  Arthur  T.  Gibson  operates  the  plant  of  S.  N. 
Gibson  & Son,  on  Bush  street,  and  Russell  & McGiverin  (Ray- 
mond R.  and  Harry  S.)  have  a plant  on  Third  street.  There  is  a 
printing  plant  at  the  Minnesota  State  Training  School,  and  at  the 
Red  Wing  Seminary  is  the  press  of  the  Idauge  Printing  and  Pub- 
lishing Company,  from  which  is  issued  several  denominational 
papers  and  religious  books.  At  one  time  Peter  Sjblom  published 
several  boys’  magazines  here,  and  in  former  days  Leonard  Hodg- 
man  and  George  F.  Enz  had  amateur  print  shops. 

Jens  K.  Grondahl,  who  gives  his  vocation  as  “newspaperman,” 
was  born  at  Eidsvold,  near  Christiania,  Norway,  December  3, 
1861),  son  of  Lars  and  Inger  Margrethe  (Julsrud)  Grondahl, 
natives  of  that  country.  The  father,  Lars  Grondahl,  was  a farmer 
of  limited  means  but  with  advanced  ideas  as  to  the  education  and 
training  of  his  children,  a man  of  warm  heart  and  generous  dispo- 
sition. lie  died  in  1895  at  the  age  of  72.  His  wife,  mother  of 
Jens  K.,  is  still  living.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  began  his 
schooling  in  his  native  town  and  continued  it  in  Red  Wing,  to 
which  city  he  came  as  a boy  of  11  years.  After  attending  the 
local  public  schools  for  two  years  he  entered  the  Red  Wing  Semi- 
nary and  graduated  in  1887  with  high  honors.  During  this 
period  he  engaged  in  various  boyish  business  enterprises,  which 
resulted  in  valuable  experience  if  not  always  in  big  profits.  Later 
he  attended  the  University  of  Minnesota  for  some  time.  Shortly 
before  graduating  from  the  seminary  he  won  an  oratorical  prize 
of  fifteen  dollars.  With  this  he  opened  a small  confectionery 
store  and  in  this  connection  printed  cards,  sold  rubber  stamps, 
carried  papers  and  acted  as  correspondent  for  several  Twin  City 
dailies.  When  the  Red  Wing  Daily  “Independent”  was  started 
in  1891  he  was  engaged  to  conduct  that  paper,  and  while  occupy- 
ing this  position  received  considerable  newspaper  training,  do- 
ing, at  times,  everything  from  peddling  the  papers  to  turning  the 
press  and  writing  local  articles  and  profound  editorials  on  the 
nation’s  destiny.  During  the  summer  of  1897  Mr.  Grondahl  had 
an  experience  which,  in  moments  of  confidence,  he  occasionally 
relates  to  his  intimate  friends.  Having  a little  spare  time  on  his 
hands  and  having  made  a success  of  writing  humorous  squibs  and 
pathetic  verse  for  the  magazines  and  newspapers,  he  decided  to 
attempt  humorous  lecturing,  at  a season  of  tire  year  when  the  most 
experienced  lyceurn  stars  would  fail  to  secure  a hearing.  An  ex- 
perience in  Hastings,  where,  instead  of  beginning  his  lecture 
“Ladies  and  gentlemen,”  he  was  compelled  to  address  his  audi- 
ence of  one  as  “Dear  sir,”  and  at  another  place,  where  a thunder 
storm  vied  with  his  voice  in  holding  the  attention  of  the  auditors, 
convinced  the  youthful  lecturer  that  summer  was  not  the  proper 
season  in  which  to  make  a fortune  in  the  lyceurn  field.  The  cam- 


Jens  Iv.  Grondahl 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


659 


paign  of  1892  found  Mr.  Grondahl  an  active  worker  in  the  Re^ 
publican  ranks.  Two  years  later  he  became  a candidate  for  the  > 
legislature  to  represent  Goodhue  county  in  the  lower  house.  A 
bitter  fight  against  the  “boy”  candidate  ended  in  his  election  by 
a large  majority,  he  being  one  of  the  youngest  men  ever  given  a 
seat  in  the  Minnesota  legislature.  He  was  successively  reelected 
for  two  terms,  serving  six  years  in  all,  and  declining  a fourth 
nomination,  grateful  for  his  political  experience,  but  feeling  that 
he  had  made  all  the  sacrifices  of  time  and  energy  in  public  of- 
fice which  a young  man  starting  out  in  life  could  well  afford. 

The  real  importance  of  his  work  in  the  legislature  can  best  be 
judged  by  the  future.  In  1895  his  refusal  to  accept  passes  from 
the  railroad  companies  while  a member  of  the  legislature,  and 
his  subsequent  position  on  this  and  kindred  matters,  was  the 
beginning  of  the  anti-pass  legislation,  state  and  national,  which 
has  since  been  enacted.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  so  radical  a 
departure  from  prevailing  ideas  would  naturally  bring  a storm 
of  opposition  and  ridicule,  and  many  were  the  wiseacres  at  home 
and  abroad  who  shook  their  heads  and  questioned  the  young 
man’s  tact  in  calling  attention  to  and  questioning  the  so-called 
courtesies  which  corporations  so  freely  extended  and  which  public 
officials  so  freely  accepted.  There  was  a diversity  of  opinion 
among  the  press  of  the  country,  but  many  of  the  newspapers  of 
the  East,  as  well  as  the  West,  particularly  the  New  York  “Sun,” 
heartily  concurred  in  the  young  legislator’s  action.  This  stand, 
however,  did  not  cost  him  the  loss  of  the  good  will  of  fellow 
members  nor  did  it  impair  his  influence  or  usefulness  as  a legis- 
lator, as  some  had  predicted.  On  the  contrary,  it  made  him  many 
staunch  friends,  with  whom  he  afterwards  cooperated  in  secur- 
ing progressive  legislation.  Mr.  Grondahl  has  had  the  satisfac- 
tion of  seeing  men,  who  scoffed  at  his  attitude  then,  sit  in  legis- 
lative bodies  since  and  by  their  votes  enact  laws  against  receiving- 
favors  from  the  railroad  corporations,  as  demanded  by  the  people 
and  a result  of  the  agitation  which  had  its  origin  with  him  in 
1895.  He  was  the  leader  in  the  campaign  for  a better  system  of 
caring  for  the  chronic  insane  in  this  state  and.  while  his  efforts 
did  not  result  in  the  adoption  of  a modified  and  improved  copy 
of  the  Wisconsin  cottage  plan,  which  he  advocated,  it  called  at- 
tention to  the  need  of  better  methods  than  those  in  vogue  and 
resulted  in  some  beneficial  changes.  While  he  was  not  the  author 
of  the  law  establishing  the  “piece  price  system”  at  the  state 
prison,  to  replace  the  antiquated  and  cruel  contract  system,  and 
one  big  step  in  the  direction  of  still  better  laws,  he  nevertheless 
bore  the  brunt  of  that  successful  fight  and  received  the  appre- 
ciation of  free  labor,  with  which  prison  made  goods  came  into 
competition.  He  had  charge  of  training  school  legislation  and 


660 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


was  instrumental  in  securing  other  laws  beneficial  to  the  state 
and  county.  In  1906,  at  his  first  re-nomination  as  a candidate 
from  the  Red  AVing  district,  he  received  the  honor  by  acclama- 
tion, there  being  no  opposing  candidate.  He  also  received  the 
election  without  opposition.  In  1897  he  was  a formidable  candi- 
date for  the  speakership  of  the  House.  During  his  years  of 
political  activity  Mr.  Grondahl  did  considerable  campaigning 
throughout  the  state  under  the  auspices  of  the  Republican  state 
central  committee.  Being  able  to-  present  the  issues  of  the  cam- 
paigns in  either  English  or  Norwegian,  his  services  as  a speaker 
were  naturally  in  demand.  Since  1892  Mr.  Grondahl  has  been 
connected  with  the  Red  AVing  Daily  “Republican,”  and  from 
January,  1895,  to  November,  1898,  was  editor  of  the  “Nordstjer- 
neu,”  a Norwegian  weekly  issued  by  the  same  company.  In  the 
spring  of  1 89G  he  was  elected  secretary  of  the  Minnesota  Repub- 
lican Editorial  Association,  and  in  1898  was  secretary  of  the 
Minnesota  Taft  Club.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the  Republican 
state  conventions  for  several  years.  In  August,  1896,  he  was 
chosen  as  one  of  the  delegates  to  represent  Minnesota  in  the 
national  convention  of  Republican  clubs  at  Milwaukee.  He  is  at 
present  editor  and  manager  of  the  “Republican,”  published  by 
the  Red  AVing  Printing  Company.  He  is  the  president  of  the  Red 
Wing  Commercial  Club  and  a member  of  the  Red  AVing  Manu- 
facturers’ Association.  He  is  interested  in  a business  way  in  two 
or  three  enterprises  to  which  he  does  not  give  personal  attention. 
It  might  be  mentioned  in  passing  that  Mr.  Grondahl  is  the  author 
of  a number  of  sketches  and  verses,  both  humorous  and  pathetic, 
written  either  for  pleasure  or  as  a part  of  his  newspaper  work. 
The  Spanish- American  war  song,  “Fighting  for  Cuba,”  had  a 
national  circulation  at  that  time  and  is  preserved  in  papers  and 
books  of  that  period. 

Henry  Ridgway  Cobb,  managing  editor  of  the  Red  AVing  Daily 
“Republican,”  was  born  in  Portland,  Maine,  and  received  a 
classical  and  literary  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
place,  in  Tabor  College,  Iowa,  and  in  the  Minnesota  State  Uni- 
versity. His  early  bent  was  toward  a literary  life,  and  as  a young 
man  he  entered  newspaper  work  as  a matter  of  personal  pref- 
erence. He  has  been  connected  with  several  newspapers  of  Iowa 
and  Nebraska,  and  in  1882  came  to  Minnesota  and  established  the 
Hubbard  County  “Enterprise,”  the  first  weekly  newspaper  north 
of  the  Northern  Pacific  railroad,  between  Duluth  and  the  Red 
River  valley.  This  paper  had  an  important  influence  on  the  up- 
building of  Hubbard  county.  Since  1904  Mr.  Cobb  has  occupied 
his  present  position  on  the  “Republican,”  and  has  taken  an  im- 
portant part  in  the  advocacy  of  many  public  reforms.  Always  an 
ardent  Republican,  Mr.  Cobb  has  seen  public  service  as  county 


HISTORY  OE  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


661 


auditor  of  Hubbard  county,  Minnesota,  in  1883-84,  and  as  post- 
master at  Park  Rapids,  Minn.,  from  1889  to  1893.  Prior  to 
coming  to  Red  Wing  Mr.  Cobb  was  a Congregationalist,  but  lie 
now  affiliates  with  the  Red  Wing  Presbyterian  Church.  He  was 
married  January  8,  1884,  to  Charlotte  P.  Ricker,  and  this  union 
has  been  blessed  with  four  children:  John  Edward,  born  at  Park 
Rapids,  Minn.,  November  28,  1885;  Alma  May,  born  at  Park 
Rapids,  Minn.,  November  26,  1887 ; Hazel  Isabel,  born  at  Lime 
Springs,  Iowa,  August  10,  1895 ; Helen  Avis,  born  at  Park  Rapids, 
Minn.,  June  14,  1900.  Mr.  Cobb  has  a fluent  pen  and  possesses 
that  appreciation  of  news  value  which  is  so  essential  in  a news- 
paperman. His  past  career  in  the  journalistic,  field  has  been  a 
successful  one,  and  his  friends  predict  that  he  has  a still  broader 
field  ahead  of  him.  George  W.  Cobb,  father  of  Id.  R.  Cobb,  was 
born  in  Maine  in  1815,  descended  from  one  of  the  oldest  English 
colonial  families  of  that  state.  He  was  the  largest  lumber  dealer 
in  Portland,  Maine,  during  the  Civil  war,  came  west  in  1872  and 
died  in  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  in  1909.  The  mother  was  of  Scotch- 
Irish  ancestry,  her  forebears  having  settled  in  Maine  in  the  seven- 
teenth century.  She  was  born  in  Yarmouth,  Maine,  in  1819,  and 
died  in  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  in  1889. 

The  National  Editorial  Association,  which  has  become  a most 
influential  organization,  with  members  all  over  the  United  States, 
owes  its  origin  to  B.  B.  Herbert,  while  editor  of  the  ‘‘Republican.” 
He  became  the  first  president  of  this  organization,  has  been  on 
its  executive  committee  ever  since,  and  has  for  many  years  pub- 
lished the  official  organ  of  the  association,  the  “National  Printer- 
Journalist,”  of  Chicago.  On  August  22,  1907,  the  National  Edi- 
torial Association  visited  Red  Wing  and  dedicated  the  new  home 
of  the  “Republican,”  435-437  Third  street,  then  in  process  of  con- 
struction. Mr.  Herbert  delivered  the  dedicatory  address  on 
“Red  Wing,  the  Cradle  of  the  National  Editorial  Association,” 
in  the  presence  of  several  hundred  fellow  editors  and  a multitude 
of  other  visitors  and  citizens  who  were  at  the  same  time  celebrat- 
ing “Home-coming  Week.”  In  his  address  Mr.  Herbert  said: 
“In  1884  the  great  Industrial  and  Cotton  Exposition  at  New 
Orleans  had  been  undertaken  and  advertised,  and  I concluded 
that  the  time  had  come  for  getting  together  the  newspaper  men, 
Avho  are  always  foremost  in  everything  designed  for  industrial 
promotion,  to  organize  the  proposed  national  body.  Propitious 
was  the  time,  the  place  and  the  occasion.  Accordingly,  I recom- 
mended the  organization  in  an  address,  as  president,  before  the 
Minnesota  Editorial  Association  in  the  Mahtomedi  assembly,  on 
White  Bear  lake,  St.  Paul,  July  30,  1884.  The  plan  was  adopted 
by  resolution  at  an  adjourned  session,  in  the  Chequamegon  hotel. 
Ashland,  Wis.  I was  chosen  chairman  of  the  committee  on  or- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


062 

ganization  and,  upon  my  return  home  to  Red  Wing,  the  real 
work  was  begun.  Thousands  of  letters  and  circulars  were  sent 
out  and  arrangements  made  for  the  first  convention,  which  was 
held  in  New  Orleans  in  February,  1885.  Transportation  for 
delegates  from  all  parts  of  the  United  States  had  been  secured 
by  correspondence  from  Red  Wing.  The  securing  of  railroad 
transportation  for  editors  was  easier  then  than  now.  An  or- 
ganization was  perfected  February  19  and  20,  1885,  and  we  be- 
gan to  feel  how  pleasant  a thing  it  is  for  brothers  of  the  press 
of  a whole  nation  to  dwell  together  in  unity  and  mutual  under- 
standing. We  had  there  a first  taste  of  American  and  Southern 
hospitality.  But  our  newly  elected  secretary  dropped  out  and 
our  treasurer,  Mr.  Whitman,  of  Baltimore,  Md.,  died,  so  that  the 
second,  or  Cincinnati,  convention,  had  to  be  organized  and  ar- 
ranged for  from  this  city.  I acted  as  president,  secretary  and  all 
the  other  officers,  splendidly  seconded  by  the  employes  of  the  Red 
Wing  Printing  Company,  to  whom  the  work  seemed  to  become, 
as  it  had  been  to  myself,  a work  of  love,  and  they  received  no 
extra  pay  except  my  highest  regard.  There  were  no  funds,  the 
absenting  secretary  having  used  all  that  had  been  collected  at 
New  Orleans,  and  all  the  work  had  to  be  performed  with  no  hope 
of  reward.  For  over  two  years  the  National  Editorial  Associa- 
tion was  nurtured,  nourished  and  cared  for  without  charge,  as 
is  the  case  with  most  infants  in  this  ‘Desirable  City’  of  hills 
and  dales,  enchanting  scenery  and  the  majestic  river,  so  that  the 
claim  of  Red  Wing,  as  being  the  cradle  of  the  National  Editorial 
Association,  is  well  founded.  I think  after  enjoying  the  hos- 
pitality of  the  people  here,  the  editors  of  the  nation  will  say 
the  cradling  place  was  not  illy  chosen  by  a kind  Providence.” 

County  Fairs.  The  Goodhue  County  Agricultural  Society  was 
organized  in  1863  and  held  its  first  fair  in  Red  Wing  in  1864.  In 
1 870  the  fair  was  held  at  Hader  and  in  1874  moved  to  Zumbrota. 
It  is  now  held  in  the  latter  place.  The  Mississippi  Valley  Indus- 
trial Association  was  organized  in  1878  and  the  first  officers  were: 
President,  S.  II.  Purdy;  vice  president,  Charles  Betcher ; treas- 
urer, A.  Seeback ; superintendent,  F.  AY.  Cross.  Grounds  were 
rented  of  Mr.  Betcher,  buildings  erected,  a race  track  constructed 
and  other  improvements  made.  The  fair  was  held  annually  for 
many  years,  but  was  discontinued  some  time  ago.  The  grounds 
are  now  occupied  by  one  of  the  factories  of  the  Sewer  Pipe  Works. 

The  Red  Wing  Merchants’  Association  was  organized  many 
years  ago  by  the  merchants  of  Red  AY  in  g for  mutual  protection 
and  benefit  as  well  as  for  the  exploiting  and  development  of  Red 
AYing  and  Goodhue  county.  Its  aim  was  to  secure  for  the  farm- 
ers the  most  advantageous  rates  for  his  produce  and  at  the  same 
time  give  him  the  best  advantages  in  purchasing  the  goods  which 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


G63 


he  needed.  It  also  aimed  to  keep  as  much  trade  as  possible  with- 
in the  limits  of  the  county.  During  its  existence  it  has  done 
considerable  good,  and  while  at  the  present  time  it  is  not  active, 
plans  are  on  foot  for  its  reorganization  and  revivification. 

The  Red  Wing  Building  Association  was  incorporated  in 
April.  1877,  and  for  nearly  five  years  conducted  its  business  upon 
the  plan  known  as  the  “premium  system,”  in  general  use  by  the 
building  associations  in  this  country.  Five  years’  experience 
demonstrated  that  this  system,  however  well  it  might  work  in 
large  cities  in  times  of  prosperity,  were  not  adapted  to  periods 
of  depression  in  smaller  communities.  In  October,  1881,  the 
association  adopted  an  entirely  new  and  original  method  of 
loaning  its  funds.  Under  this  system,  known  as  the  “interest 
system,”  it  loans  its  money  on  approved  real  estate  security  for 
terms  of  from  three  to  ten  years;  the  principal  and  interest  being 
payable  in  equal  monthly  installments.  Every  monthly  payment 
made  by  the  borrower  pays  all  his  interest  and  also  reduces  the 
principal  of  his  debt.  Upon  the  expiration  of  the  term  the  debt 
is  entirely  paid  off  and  the  mortgage  cancelled.  This  system  has 
become  deservedly  popular.  It  has  been  the  means  of  securing 
homes  for  many  citizens,  because  it  lias  afforded  them  the  easiest, 
surest  and  cheapest  way  of  buying  a home  or  paying  off  an  in- 
cumbrance which  has  ever  been  devised.  Under  this  system  the 
association  has  been  remarkably  prosperous.  The  first  officers 
were:  President,  J.  M.  Hodgman ; vice  president,  S.  J.  Willard; 
secretary,  B.  B.  Herbert ; treasurer,  A.  AY.  Pratt ; attorney,  0.  M. 
Hall;  directors,  J.  M.  Hodgman,  AVilliam  Howe,  B.  B.  Herbert, 
A.  AAr.  Pratt,  J.  Mclntire,  T.  K.  Simmons,  L.  A.  Hancock,  F.  Joss, 
0.  M.  Hall,  N.  0.  AVerner,  M.  Kappel,  C.  Id.  Boxrud,  C.  R.  Brink. 
The  present  officers  are:  President,  0.  M.  Hall;  vice  president, 

S.  IT.  Haynes;  secretary,  A.  P.  Pierce;  treasurer,  AY.  II.  Putnam; 
directors,  F.  AV.  Kalfahs,  O.  D.  Anderson,  O.  M.  Hall,  0.  L.  Haw- 
kanson,  S.  D.  Haynes,  C.  E.  Friedrich,  P.  Jorgenson,  A.  P.  Pierce, 
AYilliam  Remshardt,  AAT.  II.  Putnam,  G.  Lillyblad,  C.  S.  Dana. 
Fred  Davis  and  E.  C.  Erb. 

The  Scandinavian  Benevolent  Society  was  organized  February 
19,  1869,  and  incorporated  August  1,  1871.  The  officers  at  that 
time  were:  President,  Charles  Kempe;  vice  president,  Nicholas 
Lovgren ; secretary,  J.  G.  Gustafson ; treasurer,  Olaf  Peterson. 
The  relief  committee  Avas : T.  G.  Pierson,  John  Melander,  John 
Swanstrom,  B.  Dunnell  and  H.  Skoog.  The  present  officers  are : 
President,  J.  O.  Hanson;  vice  president,  O.  L.  Hawkanson;  re- 
cording secretary,  John  A.  Anderson  ; financial  secretary,  John  F. 
Erickson;  treasurer,  Andrew  Lindgren.  The  order  is  purely  a 
local  one  and  has  about  225  members. 

The  Red  Wing  Humane  Society  was  organized  about  the  year 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


664 

1895  and  the  first  officers  were  Rev.  J.  H.  Sammis,  A.  J.  Meacham; 
AY.  H.  Putnam  and  Dr.  F.  AAA  Dimmit.  Dr.  Dimmit  as  secretary 
and  Mr.  Putnam  as  treasurer  still  remain  in  active  service  in 
the  society.  The  police  officers  are  ex-officio  members.  During 
its  existence  the  society  has  alleviated  much  suffering,  and  has 
investigated  many  cases  of  cruelty  to  animals  and  children. 
Owners  of  abused  or  neglected  animals  are  warned  in  regard  to. 
their  treatment  of  the  creatures  in  their  care,  and  all  eases  of 
neglected  or  illy  used  children  are  speedily  investigated,  and 
measures  of  relief  adopted.  The  society  is  connected  with  both 
the  state  and  national  bodies. 

The  Historical  Society  (Red  AAring)  was  organized  on  July  12, 
1905,  for  the  purpose,  not  only  of  awakening  and  maintaining  in- 
terest in  the  early  history  of  Goodhue  county,  but  also  of  pre- 
serving such  records  and  manuscripts  as  were  already  in  ex- 
istence, as  well  as  securing  and  preserving  new  manuscript  from 
its  members.  The  society  has  held  meetings  from  time  to  time 
and  listened  to  a number  of  lectures  by  various  Minnesota  his- 
torians. AVhile  of  late  few  meetings  have  been  held,  there  has 
recently  been  a revival  of  interest  which  will  doubtless  result  in 
awakened  activity.  The  first  officers  were:  Honorary  president, 
Rev.  J.  AAA  Hancock;  president,  Judge  AY.  C.  AYilliston;  first  vice 
president,  D.  C.  Hill;  second  vice  president,  Mrs.  AY.  C.  AYilliston ; 
third  vice  president,  Dr.  AAA  M.  Sweney;  secretary  and  treasurer, 
Lucia  Danforth ; executive  committee,  Mrs.  C.  E.  Sheldon,  Anna 
AYilkinson  and  AY.  R.  Putnam;  committee  on  historical  articles, 
E.  P.  Seeley,  Dr.  AV.  M.  Swenev,  E.  P.  Neill,  C.  A.  Beteher.  The 
officers  elected  in  1907  were : Honorary  president,  Rev.  J.  AY. 
Hancock ; president,  Judge  AT.  C.  AYilliston ; first  vice  president, 
D.  0.  Hill  - second  vice  president.  Dr.  AY.  M.  Svreney;  third  vice 
president,  Mrs.  AY.  C.  AYilliston;  secretary,  H.  A.  AYillard;  treas- 
urer, Amelie  E.  AYillard;  executive  committee,  Mrs.  C.  E.  Sheldon 
and  Frances  Densmore.  Since  that  time  there  has  been  no 
election. 

Colvill  Park.  In  the  winter  of  1906-7  a proposition  was  made 
to  the  city  of  Red  AYing  for  the  purchase  of  the  Colvill  home- 
stead, situated  on  the  Mississippi  river  in  the  eastern  part  of  the 
city,  a short  distance  below  Barn  bluff.  The  board  of  public 
works  favored  the  buying  of  this  property  to  be  used  as  a public 
park  and  bathing  beach.  A petition  urging  its  purchase,  signed 
by  representative  business  men.  was  presented  to  the  city  coun- 
cil, but  that  body  looked  unfavorably  upon  the  project  and  re- 
jected it.  The  board  of  public  works,  as  constituted  at  that  time, 
resigned  and  Colvill  park  proposition  was  put  to  sleep.  But  its 
slumber  was  rudely  molested  in  the  summer  of  1908  by  the 
drowning  in  the  bay  of  a young  high  school  student.  Several 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


665 


accidents  of  a similar  nature  had  occurred  in  the  same  place. 
This  particularly  sad  drowning  emphasized  strongly  the  impera- 
tive need  of  a public  bathing  beach  where  there  would  be  no 
danger  of  sacrificing  lives.  This  need  resulted  in  an  active  cam- 
paign on  the  part  of  the  ladies.  Mrs.  D.  M.  Neill  became  its 
leader  and  it  had  for  its  purpose  the  securing  of  the  Colvill 
property  for  park  and  bathing  purposes.  Mrs.  Neill  put  all  her 
energies  of  heart  and  mind  into  the  project  and  secured  the  co- 
operation and  aid  of  the  ladies  of  Red  Wing  in  promoting  it. 
On  the  evening  of  July  18,  a public  park  meeting  was  held  in  the 
library  building.  It  resulted  in  the  organization  of  the  Colvill 
Park  Association,  with 'the  following  ladies  serving  as  officers: 
Mrs.  D.  M.  Neill,  president;  Mrs.  H.  L.  Hjermstad,  first  vice  presi- 
dent; Mrs.  C.  E.  Friedrich,  second  vice  president;  Mrs.  G.  E. 
Gates,  third  vice  president;  Mrs.  Jennie  Lovgren,  secretary;  Mrs. 
Hugo  Herder,  treasurer.  The  executive  committee  was  com- 
posed of  Mesdames  S.  E.  Ilasler,  C.  Steaffens,  C.  S.  Dana,  Id.  R. 
Cobb  and  Miss  Helen  Graham.  On  July  27  another  meeting  was 
held  and  the  announcement  was  made  that  the  $1,500  necessary 
for  the  purchase  of  the  thirty-acre  tract  desired  had,  after  a 
vigorous  campaign,  been  raised.  On  July  31  the  money  was  paid 
over  to  G.  E.  Freeman,  of  whom  the  property  was  bought,  and 
the  deed  delivered  to  the  association.  Colvill  park  was  opened  for 
the  public  on  August  1 and  numerous  improvements  were  at 
once  made.  It  proved  an  exceedingly  popular  resort  for  the 
Red  Wing  public  during  the  remainder  of  the  season.  This 
season  (1909)  it  has  been  even  more  popular  and  its  place  as 
the  real  recreation  park  of  the  people  has  been  fully  established. 
The  young  men  and  boys  have  found  it  a delightful  place  for 
bathing.  Suitable  bathing  houses  have  been  erected  and  as  high 
as  250  have  taken  advantage  of  its  bathing  facilities  in  a single 
day.  A caretaker  was  employed  from  the  outset  to  watch  the 
young  people  and  prevent  any  possible  accident.  The  park  is 
located  about  two  miles  below  the  city  on  a point  projecting 
into  the  river,  and  can  be  reached  both  by  land  and  water.  The 
present  officers  are:  President,  Mrs.  D.  M.  Neill;  vice-president. 
Mrs.  C.  E.  Friedrich;  second  vice-president,  Mrs.  S.  E.  Noble; 
third  vice-president,  Mrs.  G.  E.  Gates;  secretary,  Mabel  Miller; 
treasurer,  Mrs.  Hugo  Herder.  The  members  of  the  executive 
committee  whose  terms  had  expired  were  re-elected.  These  were 
Mrs.  Sarah  Ilasler,  Mrs.  C.  Staeffens.  Mrs.  T.  R.  Gates  was 
elected  to  fill  a vacancy  in  the  executive  board.  The  other 
members  of  the  board  are:  Mrs.  E.  G.  Erb,  Mrs.  Nels  Tufvesson, 
Mrs.  C.  S.  Dana  and  Helen  Graham. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 


LIVES  OF  LEADING  MEN. 

Principal  Events  in  the  Careers  of  Pioneers  Who  Have  Now 
Passed  Away — Biographies  of  Men  Who  Are  Still  Active  in 
Business,  Professional  and  Commercial  Interests — Gathered 
with  Care  from  Various  Sources,  Carefully  Compiled  and 
Submitted  for  Approval. 

It  has  been  said  that  the  true  history  of  any  nation  or  locality 
lies  in  the  biographies  of  its  men  and  women.  To  a great  extent 
this  is  true.  In  order  that  the  principal  events  in  the  lives  of 
the  pioneers,  and  in  the  careers  of  the  men  still  active  in  the  af- 
fairs of  the  county,  should  not  be  forgotten  by  future  generations 
the  publishers  of  this  work  have  gathered  from  various  sources 
biographies  of  the  leading  men  of  the  county,  past  and  present, 
for  insertion  in  this  chapter.  In  the  cities  and  villages  the  men 
whose  lives  are  told  are  those  prominent  in  professional,  busi- 
ness and  manufacturing  endeavor,  while  in  the  farm  districts  the 
men  included  are  those  who  by  hard  work  have  tilled  the  soil 
and  by  bringing  their  farms  to  a high  degree  of  cultivation  have 
laid  the  foundations  for  the  prosperity  of  the  county.  It  is  be- 
lieved that  the  following  list  is  a truly  representative  one,  and 
that  this  chapter  will  stand  for  all  time  as  a story  of  successful 
endeavor  and  an  inspiration  to  countless  generations  to  come, 
that  they,  too,  like  those  whose  stories  follow,  may  make  the 
best  of  the  conditions  in  which  they  are  placed,  and  however 
great  the  obstacles,  become  successful  and  respected  citizens. 
The  following  sketches  of  living  men  have  been  submitted  to  the 
subjects  of  the  sketches  and  have,  with  a very  few  exceptions, 
been  corrected  and  approved.  The  sketches  of  the  pioneers  now 
deceased  have  been  submitted  to  those  best  qualified  to  judge  of 
their  correctness.  Many  biographies  not  included  in  this  list 
are  found  scattered  through  the  various  chapters  in  different 
parts  of  the  book. 

Philander  Sandford  was  the  first  lawyer  who  settled  in  Red 
AVing.  He  visited  the  place  in  the  summer  of  1853,  and  invested 
in  a claim-right  of  some  lots  very  soon  after  the  survey  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


667 

original  town  plat.  He  was  born  in  Ontario  comity,  New  York; 
emigrated  to  Detroit,  Mich.,  with  his  parents  while  quite  young, 
and  there  studied  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  the  supreme 
court  of  that  state  in  1853.  In  March,  1854,  he  was  married  to 
Sarah  J.  Lee,  and  soon  after  wrote  to jj  lady  then  in  Red  Wing, 
who  was  expecting  to  be  ready  to  take  boarders  that  season,  that 
he  should  be  here  as  early  in  the  spring  as  possible  and  expect 
to  board  at  her  house,  and  intimated  that  there  would  be  “two  of 
us”  when  he  should  arrive.  The  boarding  house  keeper  made 
preparations  accordingly  and  in  due  time  the  young  lawyer  and 
his  bride  were  settled  in  the  new  village,  and  both  entered  heart- 
ily into  every  enterprise  that  would  help  build  up  the  place.  Mr. 
Sandford  first  built  an  office  for  his  professional  work,  and  next 
a residence  for  his  family.  He  was  appointed  district  attorney  by 
the  governor  of  the  territory  that  year,  and  was  elected  to  the 
same  office  after  the  full  organization  of  the  county.  Mr.  Sand- 
ford  proved  himself  a good  counsellor;  was  always  ready  to  give 
safe  legal  advice  in  matters  of  litigation.  He  was  a man  of  strict 
integrity  in  the  transaction  of  business  intrusted  to  his  care.  He 
died  May  30.  1881 . He  made  profession  of  his  faith  in  Christ,  and 
joined  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  was  also  a member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity. 

Captain  Willett  W.  DeKay.  In  the  month  of  June,  1891,  an- 
other of  the  oldest  residents  of  Red  Wing  departed  this  life.  Per- 
haps no  one  in  the  vicinity  was  better  known  at  the  time  of  his 
death  than  W.  W.  DeKay.  He  was  born  in  Orange  county,  New 
York,  in  1831;  emigrated  to  this  county  in  1854,  where  he  had 
been  a resident  for  nearly  forty  years.  He  enlisted  in  1861  in 
Company  E.  Third  Regiment,  serving  four  years  in  the  army; 
was  promoted  first  to  a lieutenancy,  and  afterwards  became  cap- 
tain of  this  company;  was  married  in  November,  1862,  to  Ellen 
O’Reily.  They  had  four  children,  of  whom  two  are  living.  He 
filled  various  offices  in  this  city  with  a faithfulness  and  industry 
seldom  equaled ; Avas  for  several  years  city  marshal ; also  health 
officer;  and  served  as  postmaster  for  the  term  of  four  years.  He 
Avas  ever  ready  to  help  the  needy  and  sympathize  with  the  unfor- 
tunate; Avas  faithful  in  every  trust  imposed  upon  him;  a kind,  true 
friend,  a public  spirited  citizen  has  gone  to  his  reward.  Funeral 
services  were  attended  in  the  Episcopal  church,  of  which  he  was 
a member,  by  a large  concourse  of  citizens,  and  a Amry  large  num- 
ber folloAved  his  remains  to  rest  in  that  abode  of  the  dead,  in  the 
ornamenting  and  beautifying  of  which  he  had  taken  so  much  in- 
terest. 

Swante  J.  Willard,  for  many  years  county  auditor,  Avas  born 
in  Fjellkinge,  Sweden,  July  10,  1828.  He  graduated  as  teacher 
and  organist  from  the  seminary  at  Lund,  Avhich  entitled  him  to  a 


668 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


life  position  in  the  government  schools.  Fie  taught  until  1853, 
when  he  came  to  the  United  States  with  Hans  Mattson  and  set- 
tled in  Vasa.  The  story  of  the  early  life  of  these  two  gentlemen 
is  told  in  their  own  words  in  other  parts  of  this  volume.  In  1860, 
he  became  deputy  auditor  and  in  1864  succeeded  to  the  position 
of  county  auditor,  an  office  he  held  for  twenty-four  years.  Hav- 
ing in  the  meantime  taken  up  his  residence  in  Red  Wing,  he  was 
appointed  clerk  of  the  water  board  three  years  after  the  works 
were  erected,  and  retained  the  position  until  within  three  years 
of  his  death. . At  the  time  of  his  death,  March  18,  1903,  it  was 
written:  “Mr.  Willard’s  valuable  services  as  a conscientious, 

accurate  and  painstaking  public  servant  are  well  known,  it  being 
the  current  report  that  while  serving  as  county  auditor  he  never 
made  a clerical  error.  His  long  life  in  this  city  and  his  assistance 
in  the  early  development  of  Goodhue  county  will  long  remain  in 
the  minds  and  hearts  of  the  people  of  Red  Wing.”  In  1851  he 
married  Anna  Mattson,  who  died  January  3,  1870.  The  oldest 
child  died  in  infancy.  The  remaining  four  are  Mrs.  Zelma  A. 
Christensen,  FI.  A.  Willard,  Amelie  E.  Willard  and  Mrs.  C.  H. 
Ashton.  In  1875  he  married  Julia  II.  Sargent. 

John  Hack,  a retired  merchant  of  Red  Wing,  was  born  in  Aus- 
tria, December  19,  1825,  one  of  the  eight  children  of  Matthew  and 
Annie  (Buechler)  Hack.  John  Flack  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  and  in  a convent,  and  then  learned  the  carving 
trade.  Upon  coming  to  America  in  1853  he  worked  two  years  at 
his  trade  in  New  York,  and  in  1S55  came  to  Red  Wing,  landing 
here  August  12  of  that  year.  He  built  two  of  the  early  hotels, 
the  Franklin  house  and  the  Hack  house.  The  latter  was  sold  to 
Henry  Hickman,  was  rebuilt  in  brick  in  1872,  and  became  the 
Hickman  house,  one  of  the  popular  liostelries  of  the  eaily  days. 
Subsequently  lie  went  to  Hay  Creek  and  erected  a hotel.  In 
1866,  in  company  with  Jo^in  M.  Friederich,  he  started  in  the 
grocery  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Friederich  & Hack, 
the  concern  being  later  sold  to  C.  E.  Friederich  & Co.  In  the 
meantime  Mr.  Hack  had  opened  a branch  store  in  Crookston, 
Minn.,  under  the  name  of  Hack  & Gallaseli.  After  retiring  from 
the  grocery  business  in  1882,  he  took  up  the  general  real  estate 
business,  which  he  continued  until  1894,  when  failing  eyesight 
compelled  his  retirement  from  business.  During  his  active  days 
he  was  interested  in  the  business  progress  of  Red  Wing  and  at- 
tended the  now  famous  meeting  held  at  Centennial  hall  to  con- 
sider ways  and  means  of  starting  the  pottery  industry  here.  Fie 
is  still  interested  in  the  Red  Wing  Sewer  Pipe  Company,  the  Red 
Wing  Union  Stoneware  Company,  the  Red  Wing  Shoe  Company, 
the  Red  Wing  Furniture  Company,  the  Red  Wing  Linseed  Oil 
Company,  the  Red  Wing  Brick  Company,  and  the  Red  Wing  Ce- 


HI  ST  OB  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


669 


ment  Company.  He  served  eight  years  in  the  city  council,  and  in 
fraternal  circles  belonged  both  to  the  Masons,  in  which  order  he 
has  taken  thirty-two  degrees,  and  the  Odd  Fellows,  in  which  he 
has  occupied  all  the  chairs.  Mr.  Hack  was  married  in  New  York 
in  1853  to  Catherine  Zacher,  now  deceased.  He  was  again  mar- 
ried, May  28,  1883,  to  Emma  M.  Gallish,  daughter  of  Adolph  and 
Amoene  (Van  Wolfram)  Gallish.  The  father  was  a native  of 
Austria  and  the  mother  of  Bavaria.  The  former  after  coming 
to  America  lived  in  Milwaukee  and  then  at  West  Bend,  Wis., 
later  coming  to  Red  Wing.  He  became  interested  in  the  sand  in 
the  vicinity  of  Red  Wing  and  started  the  filter  sand  business, 
which  his  son,  Adolph,  Jr.,  still  continues. 

Edmund  W.  Brooks,  a familiar  figure  in  Red  Wing  in  the 
early  days,  was  born  in  Elyria,  Lorain  county,  Ohio,  September 
28,  1825.  His  parents,  Samuel  and  Sophia  (Johnson)  Brooks, 
came  from  Connecticut,  their  native  state,  in  the  early  twenties 
and  took  up  a large  tract  of  land  in  Lorain  county,  Ohio,  where 
they  ended  their  days.  After  leaving  school,  Edmund  W.  took 
up  the  business  of  contracting  and  building  at  Cleveland,  Ohio. 
In  1864,  failing  health  caused  him  to  seek  other  employment,  and 
after  coming  to  Red  Wing  he  secured  an  agency  for  the  Mc- 
Cormick harvesting  machines.  In  this  city  he  at  once  became  a 
popular  citizen.  He  was  a believer  in  fresh  air  and  outdoor  di- 
versions, being  a great  hunter  and  fisher.  Old  residents  still  re- 
member the  familiar  sight  of  Mr.  Brooks,  Judge  E.  T.  Wilder  and 
T.  B.  Sheldon  starting  out  in  the  morning  on  a trout  fishing  expe- 
dition. Lie  held  stock  in  the  old  potteries,  in  the  LaGrange  mills 
and  the  Red  Wing  Sewer  Pipe  Company,  taking  also  a deep  inter- 
est in  everything  that  helped  to  develop  the  resources  of  the  city. 
During  the  last  seven  or  eight  years  of  his  life  he  spent  two  of  his 
winters  in  Florida  and  four  in  California  for  the  benefit  of  his 
health.  At  one  time  he  served  on  the  city  council,  being  a Repub- 
lican in  politics.  He  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  order  and  was  an 
active  worker  in  the  Presbyterian  church,  of  which  for  many  years 
he  was  trustee.  Mr.  Brooks  died  at  his  home  in  Red  Wing, 
December  28,  1898.  His  death  was  the  cause  of  heart-felt  mourn- 
ing, he  being  one  of  those  of  whom  it  may  truly  be  said,  “He  was 
beloved  by  all  who  knew  him,  and  respected  by  all  those  whom 
his  influence  touched.”  Edmund  W.  Brooks  was  married,  No- 
vember 12,  1851,  in  his  native  town,  to  Harriet  E.  Patterson,  a 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Kane)  Patterson,  born  Febru- 
ary 16,  1830,  at  Mount  Washington,  Mass.  Her  family  moved  to 
Ohio  in  1834,  located  at  Elyria,  and  remained  until  1869,  when 
they  came  to  Red  Wing  and  lived  a retired  life.  The  father  passed 
away  May  30,  1871,  and  mother  April  15,  1883.  To  Mr.  and 

Mrs.  Brooks  were  born  three  children.  Carrie,  whose  natal  day 
• 7 * 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


670 

was  May  25,  1855,  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  was  married  to  Charles  E. 
Sheldon,  of  this  city,  October  30,  1878.  Lydia  Louise,  born  in  the 
same  city,  -June  24,  1857,  was  married  October  11,  1877,  to  George 
H.  Malcolmson,  of  Milwaukee.  Edmund  DeAYitt,  born  May  2, 
1866,  married  Edith  M.  Brooks,  of  Iowa,  July  25,  1895.  He  now 
resides  in  Minneapolis. 

Edward  C.  Erb,  Red  Wing,  who  has  charge  of  the  extensive 
Lawther  real  estate  interests  in  this  county,  is  a native  of  Rice 
county,  this  state,  born  March  25,  1865.  His  father,  Christian 
Erb,  was  a native  of  Germany  and  came  to  America  in  1841, 
locating  in  Illinois.  There  he  met  and  married  Geneva  Kneedler, 
a native  of  New  York  state,  who  several  years  previous  had  moved 
to  Illinois.  In  1855  they  moved  to  Rice  county,  this  state,  pur- 
chased a farm,  and  followed  farming  for  many  years,  after  which 
they  disposed  of  the  homestead  and  moved  to  Faribault.  The 
schools  of  his  neighborhood  afforded  Edward  C.  his  earliest  edu- 
cation, after  which  he  took  a course  in  the  Red  Wing  Business 
College.  He  teamed  for  one  year  in  St.  Paul,  and  then  entered 
the  employ  of  a Avell  and  windmill  concern,  taking  charge  of  the 
construction  work.  In  1891  he  purchased  a half  interest  in  this 
company,  the  firm  name  being  Lazarus  & Erb.  In  1892  Mr.  Erb 
became  constructing  expert  for  the  Northwestern  Wind  Mill  En- 
gine Company,  one  season,  after  which  in  the  fall  of  that  year  he 
came  to  Red  Wing  and  entered  the  employ  of  James  Lawther. 
He  has  remained  in  that  employ  for  a number  of  years,  at  the 
present  time  being  Wm.  and  Eva  T.  Lawther ’s  local  business  rep- 
resentative. Mr.  Erb  is  a Republican  in  politics,  and  has  won 
praise  by  his  excellent  service  as  chairman  of  the  board  of  public 
works,  and  member  of  the  school  board.  He  belongs  to  the  Ma- 
sonic order.  For  three  years  he  served  as  a member  of  Company 
G.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Methodist  church.  Mr.  Erb 
was  married,  October  15,  1896,  to  Nellie  E.  Burke,  of  Diamond 
Bluff,  Wis.,  daughter  of  L.  C.  and  Fannie  (Carriel)  Burke,  the 
former  of  whom  was  proprietor  of  a general  store  in  that  village 
for  many  years.  He  died  August  23,  1897,  and  the  mother,  July 
7,  1907.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Erb  has  been  born  one  son,  Lawson 
Edward,  September  14,  1901. 

Sidney  Smith  Grannis,  now  living  in  retirement  in  Red  Wing, 
has  for  many  decades  been  one  of  the  prominent  men  of  the 
county,  and  has  assisted  materially  in  the  industrial  growth  of 
this  section  of  the  country.  He  was  born  in  Irasburg,  Vermont, 
October  21.  1820,  son  of  Sidney  and  Betsey  (Strobridge)  Grannis, 
both  of  whom  were  born  and  brought  up  in  Claremont,  N.  H., 
where  they  were  also  married.  The  father  in  early  youth  served 
a seven  years’  apprenticeship  to  the  trade  of  clothier,  and  with 
his  brother  Evander  started  in  that  business  in  Irasburg.,  After 


S.  S.  Gkannis 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


671 


some  five  or  six  years  there,  they  closed  out  their  business,  and 
Sidney,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  removed  with  his 
family  to  Utica,  N.  Y.,  and  later  to  Morrisville,  in  the  same  state. 
At  the  age  of  eighteen,  Sidney  S.  bought  his  time  for  $200,  to  be 
paid  later,  and  started  in  life  for  himself.  In  the  summer  of 
1856,  in  company  with  Abraham  Howe,  he  came  west  with  a view 
to  engaging  in  the  lumber  business.  They  first  visited  Fond  du 
Lac,  Wis.,  and  took  notes  of  some  twenty-five  saw  mills ; afterward 
going  up  the  Wolf  river  into  the  pine  woods  as  far  as  New  London 
and  Royalton,  near  Green  Bay,  where  John  Moore,  a son-in-law 
of  Mr.  Howe,  was  engaged  in  lumbering,  both  logging  and  milling. 
Finding  nothing  there  to  suit  them,  they  went  to  William  Howe’s, 
some  fourteen  miles  from  Racine,  Wis.  It  was  here  decided  that 
Mr.  Grannis  should  make  a trip  alone  to  Minnesota,  still  looking 
for  a suitable  business  location.  Accordingly,  about  July  1,  he 
started  for  Dunleith,  opposite  Dubuque,  and  from  there  took  the 
steamer  Fannie  Harris  for  St.  Paul.  After  arriving  in  St.  Paul 
lie  went  to  Stillwater  and  then  up  the  St.  Croix  river  to  Taylor’s 
falls.  Finding  nothing  to  suit  him  there,  he  went  to  Prescott  and 
then  to  Hastings.  There  were  disadvantages  in  a location  there, 
so  he  came  to  Red  AVing  and  here  found  what  he  wanted.  Ar- 
rangements were  made  with  AVilliam  Freeborn  for  a location  at 
the  end  of  Bluff  street,  from  LaGrange  to  Levee  street,  at  the  top 
of  a bold  rock  or  ledge.  The  price  of  this  location  was  to  be  $750. 
Upon  his  return  home  with  a favorable  report,  a company  was 
organized  with  S.  S.  Graunis,  George  IT.  Grannis,  Peter  Daniels 
and  William  Howe,  the  firm  name  being  Grannis,  Daniels  & Co. 
In  October,  Mr.  Grannis  visited  Red  Wing  and  completed  arrange- 
ments, afterward  returning  to  the  old  home  at.  Morrisville,  N.  Y. 
April  20,  1857,  S.  S.  Grannis,  Peter  Daniels  and  a party  consisting 
of  Elijah  Atkins,  Almeric  Childs,  Charles  M.  Grannis,  Orson 
Blanchard,  Harvey  Miller,  William  Ingram,  Ira  McClenthen  and 
wife  set  out  from  Morrisville  to  Red  Wing  to  set  up  the  mill. 
Work  was  at  once  started  clearing  the  recently  purchased  prop- 
erty in  Red  Wing,  and  on  June  1 S.  S.  Grannis  went  back  to 
Morrisville  after  machinery.  This  was  properly  placed  and  on 
July  20  the  first  log  was  sawed.  Among  the  first  output  was  some 
timber  of  the  Cannon  Falls  bridge.  In  the  spring  of  1858,  Will- 
iam Howe,  one  of  the  partners,  located  permanently  in  Red  AYing. 
In  the  course  of  the  summer  Mr.  Howe  and  Mr.  Grannis  bought 
the  acre  lot,  No.  12,  block  2,  Freeborn  & Co.’s  addition,  of  Robert 
Todd,  and  each  erected  houses,  Mr.  Howe’s  being  the  one  now 
numbered  712  and  Mr.  Grannis  the  one  now  numbered  722  Bush 
street.  The  business  at  the  mill  continued  to  increase,  and  from 
it  came  the  timber  for  the  county  courthouse,  built  by  D.  C.  Hill. 
In  the  fall  Mr.  Grannis  brought  his  wife  and  two  children  here, 


672 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


and  established  his  home.  In  1859,  Mr.  Grannis  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  city  council,  and  October  8 of  that  year  he  and  his 
wife,  together  with  their  daughter,  now  Mrs.  Ellen  McCord,  of 
this  place,  united  with  the  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Red  Wing 
by  letter  from  the  Congregational  church  at  Morrisville,  N.  Y. 
About  this  time,  in  1860,  he  was  chosen  a school  director,  and  in 
this  year  also  several  additions  were  made  to  the  machinery  in 
the  mill.  November  11,  1861,  he  Avas  elected  elder  in  the  Presby- 
terian church,  a position  he  held  for  thirty-two  years,  and  then 
resigned.  In  the  spring  of  1862,  Mr.  Daniels,  one  of  the  partners, 
returned  after  an  absence  of  nearly  five  years  and  with  him  came 
Abraham  Howe,  Avhose  son,  A.  Hoavc,  Jr.,  Avas  the  engineer  at  the 
Grannis  mills.  In  the  spring  of  1863,  George  PI.  Grannis  came  out 
from  Morrisville,  N.  Y.,  and  the  Grannis  interests  in  the  mills 
were  sold  out,  the  firm  becoming  Daniels,  PIoAve  & Co.  Mr.  Gran- 
nis at  once  started  the  plans  for  sawing  shingles,  using  a scheme 
by  Avhieh  he  planned  to  cut  many  more  from  a log  than  was  then 
the  practice.  In  the  fall  of  1863,  Mr.  Grannis  Avas  elected  a mem- 
ber of  the  legislature,  and  took  his  seat  the  following  January. 
During  his  term  in  the  legislature  Mr.  Grannis  put  through  a bill 
giving  the  city  of  Red  Wing  a city  charter,  and  authorizing  the. 
city  to  issue  bonds  for  its  school  districts,  for  the  purpose  of'  rais- 
ing school  funds.  In  this  connection  it  may  be  mentioned  that 
Mr.  Grannis  Avas  the  one  who  purchased  for  the  city  the  land 
where  the  Central  school  uoav  stands  from  D.  C.  Hill,  whose  resi- 
dence was  moved  across  the  street,  Avhere  it  noAV  stands,  in  a re- 
modeled and  improved  condition.  A bill  for  the  location  of  an 
insane  asylum  in  Red  AYing,  in  which  Mr.  Grannis  was  interested, 
failed  to  pass.  The  machinery  for  sawing  shingles,  erected  on  a 
boat,  Avas  in  operation  before  July  11,  1864,  and  the  output  from 
the  beginning'  was  very  large.  Early  in  the  Avinter  Mr.  Grannis 
acquired  land  in  Ilartland  heavily  covered  with  timber.  Follow- 
ing this  came  negotiations  for  the  purchase  of  the  Central  Point 
mill  property  of  SpotsAvood,  Scott  & Sterrett  from  A.  G.  Hudson, 
the  trustee.  Later  the  DreAV  property  Avas  also  purchased.  It 
was  in  the  engine  room  of  this  mill  that  F.  F.  Philleo  and  his  son 
William,  in  1867,  started  the  manufacture  of  terra  cotta  flower 
pots,  one  of  the  early  beginnings  of  the  pottery  industry  in  the 
county.  The  whole  property  Avas  afterward  sold  to  the  Chicago, 
Milwaukee  & St.  Paul  Railroad  Construction  Company.  In  1866, 
Mr.  Grannis  was  appointed  surveyor  general  of  the  third  of  the 
seven  lumber  districts  then  existing  in  the  state.  It  is  interest- 
ing to  note  that  during  these  eight  or  ten  years  Mr.  Grannis  pur- 
chased, including  the  property  already  mentioned,  the  shingle  ma- 
chinery from  the  Starr  mill  at  Lake  City,  the  Central  Point  mill 
property,  the  machinery  from  the  Florence  mill,  from  the  Trenton, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


673 


Hastings  and  Frontenae  mills,  and  from  the  Sanderson  & Mc- 
Glaslien  mills,  as  well  as  the  Drew  mill  property.  In  June,  1865, 
George  H.  Grannis  returned  from  the  east  and  with  Sidney  S. 
improved  the  Central  Point  mill  property  to  a considerable  extent. 
In  1865,  Mr.  Grannis  was  elected  county  commissioner  for  the 
first  district,  representing  Red  Wing,  Burnside  and  Grant.  In 
the  summer  of  1864,  S.  S.  Grannis,  Hon.  E.  T.  Wilder  and  J.  C. 
Pierce  were  appointed  a committee  to  purchase  a town  farm.  A 
suitable  place  was  selected  in  Burnside,  and  in  1866  the  house 
was  built  by  Ole  K.  Simmons,  with  Alexander  Coons  as  poor- 
master.  The  succeeding  years  were  spent  by  Mr.  Grannis  in  in- 
creasing his  lumbering  operations  and  in  acquiring  additional 
property.  In  1870.  Mr.  Grannis  met  with  an  accident  on  a shingle 
saw,  cutting  off  about  half  of  the  length  of  all  the  fingers  and 
thumb  of  his  left  hand.  The  shock  and  pain  were  great,  and  from 
the  effects  Mr.  Grannis  has  never  fully  recovered.  Subsequently 
he  spent  many  years  at  the  Central  Point  property  and  finally 
retired. 

Mr.  Grannis  was  married  in  1842  to  Sarah  Shaw  Howe,  of 
Westmoreland.  N.  H.,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Ellen  M., 

born  in  1843;  Sidney  Howe,  born 'in  1845;  Sidney,  born  in  1847; 
Hiram,  born  in  1851 ; Edward  IT.,  born  in  1854.  and  Mary  Etta, 
born  in  1860.  Sidney  IT.,  Sidney  and  Hiram  died  young.  Ed- 
ward H.  was  assistant  surgeon  in  the  Third  Wisconsin  infantry 
company  for  several  years,  with  the  rank  of  captain.  He  enlisted 
in  the  United  States  service  with  his  regiment  and  went  to  Porto 
Rico.  Was  promoted  to  surgeon  with  rank  of 'major  and  was 
mustered  out  with  his  regiment  in  1899.  Since  then  he  has  re- 
mained in  the  service  of  the  state  of  Wisconsin.  Ellen  M.  Mc- 
Cord resides  in  Red  AYing,  and  Mary  Etta  Carlsrud,  who  has  two 
daughters,  lives  in  Minneapolis.  Mrs.  Grannis  died  in  1884. 

William  H.  Putnam,  Red  Wing,  banker,  comes  of  New  England 
parentage,  his  parents  being  William  R.  and  Mary  (Phelps)  Put- 
nam, of  Danvers,  Mass.  The  mother  died  in  that  town,  and  the 
father,  in  1876,  took  up  his  residences  in  Red  Wing,  where  he 
lived  until  his  death,  in  1886.  William  II.,  born  January  22,  1848, 
attended  the  district  schools  in  Danvers,  Mass.,  his  native  town, 
and  in  1867  came  to  Red  Wing.  For  six  years  he  was  employed  as 
a clerk  in  the  office  of  the  county  auditor,  after  which,  in  1873,  he 
entered  the  employ  of  the  bank  of  Pierce,  Simmons  & Co.,  with 
which  institution  he  has  since  remained.  After  ten  years  of  serv- 
ice he  was  chosen  cashier,  a position  he  held  a quarter  of  a cen- 
tury. From  cashier  he  was  promoted  to  vice-president,  and  on 
January  1.  1908.  he  assumed  his  present  position  as  president. 
His  years  of  active  service  have  covered  a wide  range  of  the  busi- 
ness and  financial  growth  of  the  county,  and  with  this  progress 


674 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Mr.  Putnam  lias  been  prominently  identified.  Mr.  Putnam  has 
successively  been  elected  to  the  state  legislature  since  1903;  and 
has  presented  and  actively  advocated  many  important  measures 
during  his  term  of  service.  A Republican  in  politics,  Mr.  Putnam 
has  served  as  councilman,  as  a member  of  the  school  board,  and 
for  two  terms  as  mayor  of  the  city.  He  is  interested  in  the  ma- 
jority of  the  leading  manufacturing  concerns  of  Red  Wing.  He 
is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  of  Red  Wing  Lodge 
No.  8,  A.  F.  & A.  M. 

William  Larnard  Webster,  retired,  lias  engaged  successively 
in  several  Red  Wing  business  enterprises.  Of  New  England  an- 
cestry, he  was  born  at  Croydon,  N.  H.,  February  19,  1826,  his 
father,  William  AV.  (married  to  Azuba  Gale)  being  of  that  sturdy 
type  of  Yankee  blacksmith  immortalized  by  Longfellow  in  his 
famous  poem,  “The  Village  Blacksmith.”  The  father  died  in 
1867  and  the  mother  in  1874.  William  L.  received  liis  early  edu- 
cation in  Claremont,  Sullivan  county,  New  Hampshire,  and  at 
AVindsor,  in  the  same  state.  The  tailoring  trade,  which  he  then 
learned,  was  his  occupation  at  Windsor  and  Charleston,  N.  PI., 
until  1856.  On  his  arrival  in  Red  AVing,  in  that  year,  he  became 
proprietor  of  the  Kelley  house*,  a popular  hostelry  of  the  early 
days.  A year  later  lie  opened  a jewelry  store,  and  still  another 
year  later  he  embarked  in  the  livery  business.  In  those  days  Red 
Wing  had  no  railroads,  and  the  demand  for  horses  was  great. 
Year  by  year  the  business  grew,  the  livery,  boarding  and  sale 
stables  all  being  conducted  on  a successful  scale.  In  1906,  after 
many  years  of  hard  work,  he  sold  out  his  business  and  retired. 
He  still  makes  his  home  in  Red  AVing,  he  and  his  wife  living  at 
705  Fourth  street.  Mr.  Webster  was  married  at  Ilartland,  Vt., 
June  19,  1848,  to  Susan  W.  Sturtevant,  of  that  place,  daughter  of 
Thomas  F.  and  Rosaline  T.  (Taylor)  Sturtevant,  the  former  of 
whom  was  a manufacturer  of  cloth.  The  father  died  in  1876  and 
the  mother  in  1890.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Webster  has  been  born  one 
son,  Frank,  head  clerk  and  manager  of  the  Willard  hotel  at  St. 
Paul.  AY.  L.  Webster  is  a Universalist  in  religion,  a Republican 
in  politics  and  a member  of  the  Odd  Fellows. 

George  R.  Sterling,  a prominent  Red  AAring  manufacturer  of 
the  early  days,  now  deceased,  was  a native  of  Luzern  county, 
Pennsylvania,  born  July  14.  1831.  AYhen  quite  young  he  was 
taken  by  his  parents  to  New  York  state,  later  to  Vernon  county, 
AVisconsin.  Thence  he  moved  to  Pierce  county,  Wisconsin,  after- 
ward to  St.  Paul,  Minn.  In  June,  1858,  he  came  to  Red  AVing  and 
started  the  manufacture  of  boots  and  shoes,  under  the  firm  name 
of  G.  R.  Sterling  & Co.  In  this  business  he  remained  for  about 
three  decades,  retiring  from  active  business  in  1887.  The  growth 
of  the  Stei’ling  concern  was  associated  with  the  growth  of  the 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


675 


county,  and  its  activities  had  their  part  in  the  upbuilding  of  the 
city  during  the  seventies  and  eighties.  Mr.  Sterling  was  a'  Re- 
publican in  politics,  but  always  refused  to  accept  public  office. 
In  fraternal  affiliations  he  was  a Mason,  and  in  religious  belief  a 
follower  of  the  faith  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  died 
September  21,  1897,  at  his  home  in  Red  Wing.  George  R.  Sterling 
was  married  at  Red  Wing,  June  29.  1862.  to  Eliza  McGarvey, 
daughter  of  Edward  and  Eliza  (Henry)  McGarvey,  natives  of 
Belfast,  who  located  in  Canada  in  the  early  days.  There  the 
father  died  in  1874,  and  the  mother  came  to  Red  AVing.  where  she 
ended  her  days  in  1884.  To  Mrs.  Eliza  Sterling  were  born  five 
children : Myrtie,  of  Chicago ; Jennie,  wife  of  Dr.  F.  W.  Dimmit, 
of  Red  Wing;  Florence,  wife  of  Charles  C.  Lentil,  a missionary 
who  died  in  India  in  1900;  Mary  L.,  wife  of  Dr.  C.  A.  Ishman,  of 
Minneapolis,  and  Edward  M.,  who  was  born  in  1876  and  died  in 
1881.  Mrs.  Eliza  Sterling  died  January  7,  1877.  April  13,  1878, 
Mr.  Sterling  married  Isabelle  McGarvey,  a sister  of  his  first  wife, 
born  in  Belfast,  Ireland,  February  20,  1847.  To  this  union  have 
been  born  three  children : Alice  IT.,  born  October  5,  1880.  is  a 
successful  school  teacher;  as  is  Georgiana  R..  born  September  25, 
1883.  William  M.  was  born  July  17,  1885,  and  died  May  5,  1888. 
During  his  lifetime  Mr.  Sterling  was  noted  as  a hunter.  He  loved 
the  out-of-doors  and  was  an  unerring  shot,  many  a wild  beast  fall- 
ing a victim  to  his  rifle.  He  had  an  inexhaustible  supply  of  hunt- 
ing stories,  and  being. of  a sociable  disposition,  his  stories  of  life 
in  the  woods  after  big  game  became  well  circulated  throughout 
the  county,  many  of  them  being  still  remembered  and  told  to  the 
present  day. 

Fred  Seebach,  county  treasurer  and  ex-postmaster  of  Red 
Wing,  was  born  in  Germany,  May  28,  1841.  son  of  Ahrenfield  and 
Mary  (Kreuz)  Seebach,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  1808 
and  the  latter  in  1815.  The  father  was  a machinist  and  farmer 
in  the  old  country.  He  came  to  America  in  the  spring  of  1844, 
and  with  his  family  located  near  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  where  he  pur- 
chased a farm,  which  he  conducted  until  after  the  Civil  war.  He 
then  located  in  Goodhue  county,  carried  on  general  farming  for  a 
time,  and  then  moved  to  Red  Wing,  until  his  death  in  1897.  He 
Avas  a veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  having  seen  service  from  1863  to 
the  close  of  the  hostilities  with  the  First  Wisconsin  Heavy  Artil- 
lery.  The  mother  died  in  1887.  Fred  spent  his  boyhood  at  school 
and  working  on  his  father’s  farm,  and  later  moved  to  Racine, 
Wis.,  where  he  purchased  a large  farm.  He  enlisted  in  the 
Twenty-fourth  Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry  in  August.  1862, 
was  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  and  incarcerated 
in  both  Andersonville  and  Libby  prisons.  He  was  discharged  from 
service  at  the  close  of  the  Avar.  In  1873  he  sold  his  farm  in  Racine 


676 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


and  came  to  Red  Wing.  He  opened  a grocery  store,  which  he 
successfully  conducted  several  years,  later  disposing  of  this  busi- 
ness to  take  up  grain  buying  and  selling.  For  eight  years  he 
served  as  county  commissioner,  and  in  1888  was  appointed  post- 
master by  President  Harrison.  A record  of  his  postal  service  will 
be  found  in  the  postal  history  which  is  included  in  this  volume. 
In  1902.  lie  was  elected  county  treasurer  and  is  now  serving  liis 
fourth  term  with  much  credit.  Mr.  Seebach  is  a Republican  in 
politics,  and  in  addition  to  the  offices  above  mentioned  has  served 
as  town  clerk  in  Wisconsin,  and  as  member  of  the  Red  Wing 
council.  He  is  a past  commander  of  the  local  G.  A.  R.  post  and  a 
member  of  the  Commercial  Club.  Mr.  Seebach  was  married  July 
9.  1868,  to  Lydia  Hernlem,  of  Racine  county,  Wisconsin,  daughter 
of  Christian  and  Louise  (Staugman)  Hernlem,  the  former  of 
whom  is  dead.  The  latter  is  now  living  in  Wisconsin,  hale  and 
hearty  at  the  good  old  age  of  eighty-six  years.  Eight  children 
have  blessed  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Seebach.  Fred  is  married, 
lives  at  Red  Wing,  and  is  a clerk  in  the  postoffice.  Jacob  is  also 
married,  lives  in  Red  Wing,  and  works  for  the  Red  Wing  Malt- 
ing Company.  Henry  is  married  and  lives  in  St.  Paul.  John, 
who  is  deputy  county  treasurer,  lives  at  home.  Ernest  lives  at 
home  and  clerks  in  the  postoffice.  Emma  married  II.  C.  Kohn,  a 
Red  WTing  merchant.  Matilda  married  Henry  Cain  and  lives  in 
St.  Paul.  Lulu  lives  at  home. 

John  H.  Schacht,  of  the  firm  of  Adler,  Schacht  & Co.,  .one  of 
the  leading  retail  houses  of  Red  Wing,  is  a native  of  Minnesota, 
born  at  Potsdam,  Olmsted  county,  March  30,  1871.  His  parents, 
Harm  Schacht  and  Anna  (Brown)  Schacht,  were  natives  of  Ger- 
many. The  father  came  to  Chicago  in  1852.  remained  there  until 
1856,  then  went  to  Winona,  Minn.,  where  he  clerked  in  his  father’s 
hotel.  In  1857  he  went  to  Potsdam,  Greemvood  Prairie,  Olmsted 
county,  and  purchased  a farm  of  600  acres  of  what  was  considered 
the  best  land  in  the  county.  There  he  carried  on  general  farming 
until  1892,  when  he  retired,  and  moved  his  family  to  Rochester, 
Minn.,  where  his  wife  died  two  years  later.  Hiram  Schacht  still 
lives  at  Rochester  and  rents  his  farm  to  other  parties.  After 
finishing  the  common  school  course  in  the  schools  of  his  native 
town,  John  H.  attended  the  Darling  Business  College  two  years. 
At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  started  his  business  career  as  a clerk 
in  the'  hardware  store  of  Vincent  Tauschese,  at  LaCrosse,  Wis. 
lie  then  returned  to  Rochester  and  worked  with  the  Stebbins 
Hardware  Company  of  that  place  one  year.  He  subsequently 
clerked  in  the  store  of  the  Boston  Clothing  Company  in  the  same 
city  one  year,  and  iu  1894  came  to  Red  Wing.  Here  he  started 
in  the  clothing  business  at  308  Main  street  with  O.  IT.  Adler  as 
partner.  The  business  at  this  store  continued  to  grow  for  the 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


677 

following  six  years,  and  larger  quarters  were  needed  for  the  dis- 
play of  the  stock  necessitated  by  the  increased  trade.  Conse- 
quently the  firm  moved  to  320-322  Main  street.  The  subsequent 
six  years  were  periods  of  still  greater  growth,  and  in  1907  the 
company  moved  its  stock  to  the  present,  location  at  317-319  Main 
street,  where  there  is  a steady  trade  and  constantly  augmented 
list  of  patrons.  Mr.  Schacht  is  president  of  the  governing  body 
of  St.  John’s  Hospital,  Red  Wing,  and  treasurer  of  the  United 
States  Hospital  Association.  - He  is  an  efficient  member  of  . the 
board  of  public  works  of  the  city,  belongs  to  the  Commercial  Club 
and  to  the  Lutheran  association.  He  belongs  to  the  German 
Lutheran  church  and  votes  the  Republican  ticket.  John  IT. 
Schacht  was  married  in  September,  1893,  to  Minnie  Stephan,  of 
Rochester,  Minn.,  daughter  of  August  and  Caroline  (Tetzlaf) 
Stephan,  natives  of  Germany,  who  migrated  to  Rochester  in  the 
early  days.  Her  father  died  in  July,  1895,  and  the  mother  still 
makes  her  home  at  Rochester.  To  Mr.  and  Airs.  Schacht  have 
been  born  three  children : Erwin  H.,  Herbert  A.  and  Lucile.  all 
of  whom  are  at  home. 

Wilbor  S.  Scott,  successful  house  painter  and  decorator  of 
Red  AVing,  is  a public  spirited  citizen,  and  lias  served  one  term  as 
alderman  of  the  city,  representing  the  Second  ward.  He  was  born 
in  Smethport,  McKean  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  8,  1851. 
His  father,  Seth  Scott,  a native  of  Pennsylvania,  married  Bolina 
M.  Fisher,  a native  of  New  York  state.  The  parents  came  to 
AVisconsin  in  1855,  purchased  a farm  and  did  general  farming  two 
years.  In  1857  they  moved  to  Sparta,  AVis.,  and  purchased  an- 
other farm.  In  1859  they  disposed  of  this  property  and  took  up 
their  residence  at  Durand,  AVis.,  where  the  father  manufactured 
furniture  until  1869.  In  that  year  he  disposed  of  the  furniture 
business  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade  for  several  years. 
Later  he  was  elected  judge  of  probate,  a position  which  he  held 
until  his  death  in  1893.  The  mother  is  still  living  at  Durand, 
having  reached  the  venerable  old  age  of  87  years.  As  a youngster, 
AVilbor  S.  lived  -in  the  various  towns  where  his  parents  took  up 
their  residence.  His  early  education  was  received  in  the  public 
schools  of  Durand,  after  which  he  attended  the  Durand  Academy, 
finishing  with  a course  at  the  Galesville  University,  at  Galesville, 
AVis.  Returning  to  his  home,  he  learned  the  printing  trade,  and 
engaged  at  this  work  until  1873,  when  he  became  a painter.  Two 
years  later  he  came  to  Red  AVing  and  entered  the  employ  of  AV.  E. 
Hawkins,  as  a painter,  remaining  in  this  employ  eleven  years.  In 
1886  he  started  business  for  himself,  and  has  since  continued  the 
establishment  which  he  at  that  time  opened.  He  does  a large 
business,  and  during  the  busy  spring  season  employ's  as  many 
as  twenty  or  thirty  men  on  his  various  contracts.  His  work  as 


G78 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


a paper  hanger,  painter  and  decorator  is  both  honest  and  excellent 
and  he  is  noted  for  his  square  dealing.  The  store  at  the  corner 
of  Main  and  Broadway  in  this  city  is  well  equipped  with  all  the 
stock  required  for  carrying  on  an  up-to-date  painting  and  deco- 
rating establishment,  and  everything  in  the  place  is  kept  in  first 
class  condition.  Mr.  Scott  is  a Republican  in  politics,  attends  the. 
Presbyterian  Church  and  affiliates  with  the  Odd  Fellows  and  the 
Independent  Foresters.  He  was  married  at  Durand,  Wis., 
February  25,  1872,  to  Elmira  Rogers,  daughter  of  D.  A.  and  Cor- 
delia (Casey)  Rogers,  the  former  of  whom  served  three  years 
under  Sherman  and  marched  with  him  to  the  sea.  He  afterward 
enlisted  in  Hancock’s  reserve  corps,  and  served  to  the  close  of 
the  war.  He  died  in  1873  and  the  latter,  October  27,  1908.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Scott  have  been  born  four  children  : B.  Myrtle,  born  July 
18,  1871,  now  lives  in  Leader,  Minn.  Wilbor  A.  is  associated  in 
business  with  his  father.  The  two  youngest  died  in  infancy. 

Jacob  Sieg,  deceased,  was  born  in  Spades,  Ind.,  February  11, 
1859,  son  of  Henry  and  Katherine  Sieg,  natives  of  Germany  who 
migrated  to  Indiana  in  the  fifties  and  spent  the  remainder  of  their 
lives  farming  at  Spades.  Jacob  received  his  education  in  the 
schools  of  his  native  town,  and  worked  with  his  father  until 
twenty-one  years  of  age.  In  1881  he  came  to  Red  W*ing,  and  en- 
gaged in  the  wholesale  liquor  business,  which  he  continued  until 
his  death,  July  5,  1903.  He  was  a Democrat  in  politics  and  a 
very  popular  fraternity  man,  being  a member  of  the  Masonic 
order,  the  United  Workmen,  the  Elks  and  the  Sons  of  Herman. 
He  paid  his  religious  worship  at,  the  German  Lutheran  Church. 
Mr.  Sieg  was  married  at  Red  Wing,  September  8,  1890,  to  Louisa 
Zeitler,  of  this  city,  daughter  of  George  E.  and  Martha  (Zipple) 
Zeitler.  natives  of  Germany.  The  father  was  a miller  by  trade. 
He  came  to  America  in  1851  and  for  a time  engaged  in  the  milling 
business  in  Goshen.  Ind.  Later  he  came  to  Hay  Creek  township, 
this  county,  with  the  early  settlers,  and  purchased  160  acres  of 
land,  which  he  broke  and  improved,  and  where  he  carried  on 
general  farming  until  his  death  in  February,  1883.  His  widow 
came  to  Red  Wing  and  lived  with  Mrs.  Sieg until  her  death,  June 
8,  1908.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sieg  were  born  three  children,  Freder- 
ick II.  G.,  May  20,  1889;  Walter  F.,  July  25,  1899,  and  Martha, 
July  16,  1902.  Mrs.  Sieg  and  her  family  live  in  a comfortable 
residence  at  215  Seventh  street,  Red  Wing.  In  the  Zeitler  family 
were  three  brothers  and  three  sisters.  George,  August,  William 
and  Anna  live  in  Los  Angeles.  William  is  manager  of  a transfer 
line  there  and  Anna  is  the  wife  of  George  Weifenbach,  who  is 
engaged  in  the  marble  and  granite  business.  Sophia  married 
Philip  Heydman,  of  Oklahoma,  and  Louisa  is  the  widow  of  Mr. 
Sieg. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


679 


James  E.  Smith,  a retired  ranch  owner,  now  living  in  Red 
Wing,  is  descended  from  the  old  New  England  stock,  his  family 
having  been  prominent  in  and  about  Hudson,  N.  H.,  since  the 
days  of  the  early  settlement.  He  was  born  in  that  town,  October 
28,  1839,  son  of  Jefferson  and  Sarah  (Gibson)  Smith,  the  former  of 
whom  died  in  Red  Wing,  in  May,  1883,  and  the  latter  at  Hud- 
son, N.  H.  James  E.  attended  the  district  schools  of  the  Granite 
state,  and  worked  on  the  farm  of  his  father,  securing  vigor  of 
mind  and  body,  as  well  as  thorough  training  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits. He  arrived  in  Red  Wing  in  1860,  and  in  1862  purchased, 
in  company  with  his  brother,  320  acres  in  the  township  of  Good- 
hue,  this  county.  This  land  he  broke  and  improved,  built  a home 
and  carried  on  general  farming.  In  1875,  after  disposing  of  the 
farm,  he  turned  his  attention  toward  South  Dakota,  where  in 
1878  he,  in  company  with  his  brother  as  before,  purchased  over 
1,400  acres,  and  conducted  a cattle  and  horse  ranch,  upon  which 
they  also  raised  grain  in  large  quantities.  In  1895  Mr.  Smith, 
after  the  ranch  had  been  disposed  of,  returned  to  Red  Wing  and 
remained  until  1897.  when  the  family  moved  to  Minneapolis,  in 
order  that  the  younger  son,  Paul,  might  attend  the  state  university 
and  still  live  at  home.  After  six  years’  residence  in  that  city,  they 
returned  to  Red  Wing,  where  they  have  since  made  their  home. 
Mr.  Smith  is  a Republican  in  politics,  and  a member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.  He  also  belongs  to  the  A.  E.  Welch  Post,  No. 
75,  G.  A.  R.,  having  joined  Company  I,  First  Minnesota  Heavy 
Artillery,  at  Red  Wing,  mustered  in  at  Fort  Snelling,  February 
16,  1865.  The  company  was  placed  on  garrison  duty  in  Tennessee, 
Mr.  Smith  being  the  bugler.  lie  received  his  honorable  discharge 
September  27,  1865.  James  E.  Smith  was  married  October  30, 
1871,  at  Red  Wing,  to  Margaret  S.  Densmore,  daughter  of  Judge 
Orrin  and  Elizabeth  (Fowle)  Densmore,  who  came  to  Red  Wing 
in  May,  1857.  Mr.  Densmore  was  a prominent  man  of  the  early 
days.  He  was  county  auditor  many  years,  also  assistant  superin- 
tendent of  schools  and  judge  of  probate.  During  his  early  days 
here  he  was  engaged  in  the  lumbering  business,  the  firm  name 
being  Densmore  and  McLaren.  Judge  Densmore  died  June  3, 
1879,  and  his  wife.  January  21,  1891.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  have 
been  born  two  sons.  Gilman  W.,  born  December  1,  1859,  is  iioav  at 
the  head  of  the  erecting  department  of  the  American  Bridge  Com- 
pany, of  Chicago.  He  married  Addie  A.  Ticld,  and  has  one  son, 
Donald  Tidd  Smith.  Paul  Sherburne,  the  second  son  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  James  E.  Smith,  was  born  March  31,  1879,  graduated  from 
the  state  university  and  resides  with  his  parents. 

George  E.  Smith  is  another  of  the  progressive  men  of  Red 
Wing  who  have  lived  here  practically  their  entire  life,  and  have 
assisted  in  its  development.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  August  14, 


680 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1870,  and  here  received  his  education,;  going  through  the  graded 
and  high  schools,  and  then  taking  a course  in  Beeman’s  Business 
College  in  St.  Paul.  After  leaving  college  he  worked  nearly 
seventeen  years  in  the  potteries,  as  a turner.  On  March  5,  1902, 
he  opened  a clothing  establishment  at  208.  Bush  street,  where  he 
has  since  conducted  a rapidly  increasing  business.  His  geniality 
and  business  ability  have  combined  to  place  his  store  among  the 
leaders  in  its  line  in  this  city.  Mr.  Smith  is  a Republican  in  pol- 
itics. In  fraternal  circles  he  is  well  known,  having  served  as 
exalted  ruler  of  the  Elks,  as  well  as  being  a member  of  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Woodmen,  the  Foresters  and  the  Com- 
mercial Club.  His  service  on  the  school  board  has  also  been 
thoroughly  appreciated.  Company  G numbered  him  as  a private 
eighteen  months,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  received  his  hon- 
orable discharge  on  account  of  leaving  town.  June  28,  1893,  Mr. 
Smith  was  married  to  Jessie  Adams,  by  whom  he  has  two  chil- 
dren, Hugh  Adams,  born  September  7,  1895,  and  Nona  Belle,  born 
May  27,  1897.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Episcopal  Church. 
William  F.  and  Sophia  (Hank)  Smith,  parents  of  George  E.  Smith, 
were  born  in  Germany,  the  former  in  1820.  After  leaving  school, 
William  F.  Smith  became  a cabinet  maker,  an  occupation  he  fol- 
lowed for  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  came  to  America  in  1848 
and  located  in  Philadelphia,  remaining  there  until  March  10,  1855, 
when  he  came  to  Red  Wing,  then  a village  in  its  infancy.  During 
the  last  eighteen  months  of  the  Civil  War  he  served  in  Company 
D,  First  Minnesota  Heavy  Artillery.  Here  he  remained  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  the  fall  of  1872.  The  mother  lived 
until  May  11,  1906.  • In  the  family  were  seven  children,  of  Avhorn 
George  E.  is  the  youngest.  Emma  is  Mrs.  A.  B.  Wilgus,  of  Joplin, 
Mo. ; William  F.  lives  in  St.  Paul;  Sophia  is  Mrs.  B.  F.  Seiz,  of  Red 
Wing;  Albert  L.  also  lives  in  Red  Wing.  Two  sisters,  Julia,  and 
Lillian,  wife  of  F.  P.  Carson,  are  both  deceased.  Hugh  Adams, 
father  of  Mrs.  George  E.  Smith,  was  born  in  Franklin  county, 
Pennsylvania,  June  12,  1827.  and  with  his  parents  went  to  Licking 
county,  Ohio,  where  he  resided  until  going  to  Washington  county, 
Illinois.  After  locating  a short  time  in  Maiden  Rock,  he  came  in 
the  fall  of  1852  to  this  city,  being  among  the  earlier  settlers.  He 
was  married  December  3,  1869,  to  Mary  Jane  Taylor,  born  in  Mif- 
flin county,  Pennsylvania,  January  25,  1844.  Mr.  Adams  is  dead 
and  his  widow  resides  on  the  corner  of  Dakota  and  Fifth  streets, 
in  Red  Wing.  Aside  from  Mrs.  Smith  there  are  two  other  chil- 
dren, Eva  and  Arthur  N.,  both  of  this  city. 

Peter  H.  Tubbesing,  Red  Wing,  foreman  for  Charles  A.  Bet- 
cher,  was  born  in  Yeether,  Germany,  September  9,  1841,  son  of 
William  and  Mary  (Bergmann)  Tubbesing,  also  natives  of  Ger- 
many. The  parents  came  to  America,  bringing  their  family,  De- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


681 


cember  1,  1852,  and  located  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  remaining  two  and  a 
half  years.  There  the  father  worked  at  his  trade  as  cabinet 
maker.  In  May,  1855,  the  family  came  to  Red  "Wing,  and  until 
fall  the  father  assisted  in  driving  wells,  after  which  he  took  up  a 
homestead  of  160  acres.  After  working  at  his  trade  in  this  city 
for  a time  he  went  to  St.  Paul,  and  was  there  employed  for  one 
year,  the  family  in  the  meantime  remaining  in  Red  Wing,  to  which 
the  father  returned  the  following  year,  working  at  the  carpenter 
trade  until  1861.  He  then  opened  a wagon  shop  on  East  avenue, 
which  he  conducted  two  years.  In  the  meantime,  having  disposed 
of  his  first  farm,  he  purchased  160  acres  in  Featlierstone,  carry- 
ing on  general  farming  until  1879.  In  that  year  he  retired,  divid- 
ed his  farm  among  his  four  sons,  and  came  to  Red  Wing,  where 
he  ended  his  days,  in  the  spring  of  1897.  The  mother  died  in  St. 
Louis,  in  1855.  Peter  H.  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of 
Germany  and  at  St.  Louis,  learning  the  trade  of  cabinet  making 
in  Red  -Wing.  After  five  years  at  this  work,  he  learned  the  car- 
penter trade,  and  later  went  to  Avork  in  his  father’s  Avagon  shop. 
In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Sixth  Minnesota  Volunteer 
Infantry,  entering  the  service  August  18  of  that  year.  He  Avas 
mustered  out  in  1865,  and  upon  his  return  to  Red  Wing  Avorked 
as  a carpenter  until  1872,  when  he  started  work  for  Charles  Bet- 
cher,  with  Avhom  he  has  since  remained,  having  charge  of  the  work 
shop  for  the  long  period  of  thirty- eight  years.  When  Mr.  Tubbes- 
ing  started  this  work,  less  than  twenty  men  Avere  employed  in  the 
department  which  iioav  numbers  OArer  fifty  hands  on  its  payroll. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  Avas  married  in  December,  1867,  to 
Maggie  Yoght,  of  Hay  Creek  tOAAmship,  this  county,  daughter  of 
Philip  and  Margaret  Yoght,  natives  of  Germany.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
(Maggie  Voght)  Tubbessing  Avere  born  eight  children — Laura, 
Emma,  Adclie,  Albert,  Benjamin,  Jessie,  Raymond  and  Walter. 
Raymond  died  in  1887  and  Addie  tAvo  years  later.  Laura  married 
James  Kent  and  lives  at  Blooming  Prairie,  Minn.  Emma  married 
William  Weiss.  avIio  lives  on  Third  street,  Red  Wing.  Albert, 
also  married,  lives  on  Fourth  street,  this  city.  Benjamin  resides 
in  Fargo,  N.  D.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  at  Red  Wing 
in  1891,  and  in  1891  Mr.  Tubbesing  married  Louise  Keller,  of 
Wheeling,  W.  Va.  To  this  union  haAm  been  born  three  children, 
Herbert,  1895 ; Milton,  1897,  and  Rolland,  1902.  The  family  re- 
ligion is  that  of  the  German  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Merritt  Tripp,  a retired  farmer,  living  at  721  Fifth  street, 
Red  Wing,  comes  of  eastern  parentage,  born  in  Tompkins  county. 
NeAv  York,  February  27,  1837.  His  parents,  George  and  Hannah 
(Smith)  Tripp,  were  natives  of  eastern  NeAv  York  state,  where 
they  both  spent  the  span  of  their  years,  the  former  dying  in  1811 
and  the  mother  in  1880.  Left  fatherless  at  an  early,  age,  Merritt 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


682 

Tripp  had  to  obtain  what  education  he  could  by  attending  school 
during  the  short  winter  terms,  working  on  farms  in  the  summer, 
thus  contributing  in  boyhood  to  his  own  support  and  later  to  the 
support  of  the  family.  While  working  in  the  crowded  state  of 
his  birth,  he  longed  for  wider  opportunities  that  were  afforded 
in  thickly  populated  districts,  and  accordingly  decided  to  come 
west.  In  1861  he  located  in  Featherstone  township,  this  county, 
where  he  purchased  160  acres.  To  this  he  added  160  more,  and 
still  later  made  other  purchases,  until  at  one  time  he  owned  an 
entire  section.  Upon  his  broad  and  rich  acres  he  carried  on 
general  farming  until  the  fall  of  1901,  when  he  retired.  For 
four  years  he  rented  his  farm  and  at  the  end  of  that  time  sold  it, 
purchasing  his  present  residence  at  721  Fifth  street.  For  twenty 
years  he  was  town  treasurer  of  Featherstone,  and  in  addition 
served  a number  of  terms  as  town  supervisor  and  school  director. 
He  is  a Democrat  in  polities,  and  has  been  a member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic order  thirty  years.  He  lias  also  been  a member  of  the  Odd 
Fellows.  Mr.  Tripp  was  married  November  22,  1864,  to  Abbie  S. 
Perkins,  of  Maine,  daughter  of  Timothy  and  Thurza  (Ellsworth) 
Perkins,  the  former  of  whom  died  in  June,  1889,  and  the  latter 
October  30,  1882.  Mrs.  Tripp  has  one  brother,  T.  E.  Perkins, 
now  living  at  Featherstone.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tripp  have  been 
born  seven  children — Cora  P.,  September  10,  1866 ; Timothy  B., 
April  6,  1870;  Anna  M.,  March  26,  1870;  one  born  in  February, 
1875,  who  died  in  infancy;  Frank  M..  born  November  3,  188k, ; 
Gertrude  A.,  October  6,  1885;  Blanche  H.,  April  5,  1887.  Cora 
married  F.  1).  Crandall  and  lives  at  Aberdeen,  S.  D.  Timothy  is 
married  and  lives  at- Red  Wing.  Anna  married  C.  Crandall  and 
lives  at  Randolph,  Minn.  Frank  is  married  and  is  an  electrical 
engineer  at  Decatur,  111.  Gertrude  A.  is  principal  of  public 
schools  at  Bradley,  S.  I).,  and  Blanche  F.  is  teaching  in  Afton, 
Washington  county,  this  state.  The  family  religion  is  that  of 
the  Methodist  Church. 

Timothy  B.  Tripp,  the  skillful  and  efficient  engineer  at  the 
State  Training  School,  is  the  son  of  Merritt  and  Abbie  (Perkins) 
Tripp.  He  was  born  on  a farm  in  Featherstone  township,  this 
county,  April  6,  1870,  and  there  grew  to  young  manhood,  working 
on  the  farm  and  attending  the  public  schools.  At -the  age  of 
twenty-four  he  became  interested  in  mechanics  and  accepted  a 
position  as  stationary  engineer  at  the  Trout  Brook  tannery, 
where  he  remained  two  years.  The  succeeding  three  years  were 
spent  in  general  labor,  after  which  he  took  charge  of  the  various 
motive  power  and  heating  apparatus  of  the  State  Training  School 
as  chief  engineer,  in  which  position  he  has  since  remained,  giving 
decided  satisfaction.  For  several  years  he  has  been  a member  of 
the  Masonic  order.  The  Democratic  platform  embodies  his  politi- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


683 


cal  belief  and  the  Presbyterian  creed  bis  religious  faith.  Mr. 
Tripp  was  married  September  15,  1896,  to  Frances  Rolfe,  of 
Featherstone  township,  daughter  of  Oscar  and  Etta  Rolfe,  farm- 
ers of  that  township.  To  this  union  one  child.  Rolfe  M.,  was  born 
September  28,  1897.  Mrs.  Frances  Tripp  died  August  22,  1899, 
and  Mr.  Tripp  was  married  October  15,  1902,  to  Isabelle  Watson, 
daughter  of  George  and  Margaret  (McDermott)  Watson,  of  Lake 
City,  this  state,  the  former  of  whom  was  a blacksmith  and  farmer, 
lie  died  February  15,  1896,  and  the  mother  died  September  2. 
1906.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  (Isabelle  Watson)  Tripp  has  been  born 
a daughter,  Margaret  Abbie,  August  7.  1906. 

Thomas  Jefferson  Thompson,  retired  farmer  and  business  man, 
living  at  811  Sylvan  street.  Red  Wing,  came  to  this  county  as  a 
boy  with  the  earliest  settlers  of  Burnside  township.  lie  was 
born  in  Erie  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  29.  son  of  William 
and  Nancy  (Kennedy)  Thompson.  The  former  was  a native  of 
the  north  of  Ireland.  lie  went  to  Canada  as  a youth,  then  to 
Pennsylvania,  and  after  living  there  for  a time,  came  to  Goodhue 
county  and  located  in  Burnside  township  in  the  spring  of  1856. 
There  he  bought  160  acres  of  land  at  the  government  price  of 
$1.25  an  acre,  on  which  he  conducted  general  farming  until  his 
death,  June  30,  1886.  His  wife  died  November  25,  1900.  William 
Thompson  was  a prominent  citizen  of  the  early  days  of  the  town- 
ship, and  his  name  appears  on  the  first  list  of  Burnside  voters. 
Thomas  J.  attended  the  public  schools  and  worked  on  the  farm 
with  his  father  until  1865,  when  he  responded  to  the  last  call  for 
volunteers  for  the  Civil  War.  He  eulisted  at  Red  Wing,  in  Com- 
pany I,  First  Minnesota  Heavy  Artillery,  under  Captain  Carney 
and  Colonel  Colville,  going  to  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  where  the 
regiment  was  in  command  of  General  Thomas.  After  receiving 
his  discharge  in  September  of  the  same  year  he  returned  to  Red 
Wing,  and  took  up  carpenter  work,  following  this  faithfully  and 
diligently  until  1878.  He  then  went  to  Chippewa  county,  Minne- 
sota, bought  160  acres,  broke  the  land  and  erected  buildings. 
After  disposing  of  this  property  he  again  returned  to  Red  Wing, 
and  resumed  work  at  his  trade.  For  two  years  he  was  employed 
in  the  shipping  department  of  the  Red  Wing  Advertising  Com- 
pany, after  which  he  retired.  He  purchased  a home  at  811  Syl- 
van street,  remodeled  the  house  and  has  there  continued  to  make 
his  home.  Mr.  Thompson  is  a Republican  in  politics  and  belongs 
to  the  Episcopal  Church.  He  also  affiliates  with  the  A.  E.  Welch 
Post,  No.  75,  G.  A.  R.  He  was  married  the  first  time  February 
29,  1877.  to  Margaret  Streetor,  of  Featherstone,  by  the  Rev. 
Johnson.  To  this  union  was  born  one  son,  Thomas  H.,  January 
19,  1878.  Mrs.  Margaret  Thompson  died  January  29.  1878,  and 
on  October  16,  1879,  Mr.  Thompson  married  Hannah  Wohlwend, 


684 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


of  Alma,  Wis.,  the  daughter  of  Martin  F.  Wohlwend  and  Mar- 
garet (Knoblonch)  Wehlwend,  natives  of  Germany  who  came  to 
America  and  located  at  Keokuk,  la.  In  1860  they  went  to  Alma, 
Wis.,  and  from  that  place,  in  1865,  the  father  enlisted  in  the 
Union  army,  serving  until  the  end  of  the  conflict.  He  then  re- 
turned to  Alma  and  took  up  his  trade  as  stone  mason,  following 
same  until  his  death  in  October,  1894.  His  wife  died  in  February, 
1897.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  have  been  born  eight  children. 
Charles  W.,  born  September  3,  1882,  is  now  at  La  Grande,  Ore. 
George  E.  was  born  July  6,  1885;  Lillian  E.,  April  29,  1888; 
Forrest  M.,  January  6,  1890;  Alma  P.,  May  8,  1892;  Walter  L., 
December  29,  1894  (died  August  27,  1899)  ; Lincoln  L.,  December 
20,  1897,  and  Eva  M.,  March  22,  1902.  All  except  Charles  W. 
are  at  home. 

Mrs.  Ellen  M.  (Cornell)  Warren,  the  pioneer  dressmaker  of 
Red  Wing,  is  a native  of  Spring  Arbor,  Mich.,  born  on  May  day, 
in  1844.  Her  parents,  James  and  Lucinda  (Crowl)  Cornell,  were 
natives  of  New  York  state,  and  came  of  old  New  York  state 
stock.  After  the  death  of  the  father  at  Spring  Arbor,  Mich., 
the  mother  married  S.  W.  Roberts,  of  that  place.  The  family 
came  to  Red  Wing  in  1862,  and  Mr.  Roberts  engaged  in  draying 
and  teaming,  being  also  a veterinary  surgeon  of  much  skill.  In 
1888  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roberts  went  to  Ellsworth,  Wis.,  and  there 
Mr.  Roberts  practiced  his  profession  until  his  death,  February 
22,  1892.  Shortly  after  coming  here  with  her  parents,  Ellen, 
as  she  was  then  called  by  her  friends,  opened  a dressmaking  estab- 
lishment with  her  mother.  This  was  a great  innovation  in  a 
community  where  heretofore  the  women  had  done  their  own  sew- 
ing. or  else  had  their  “best  dresses”  made  in  St.  Paul.  July  19, 
1863,  Ellen  M.  Cornell  married  Edwin  F.  Gaylord,  of  this  city. 
Mr.  Gaylord  was  employed  for  the-  remarkably  long  period  of 
thirty-one  years  as  bookkeeper  for  T.  B.  Sheldon  & Co.  He 
died  July  30,  1892.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gaylord  were  born  four 
children.  Lillian  M.,  born  June  29,  1864,  married  John  P.  Con- 
stantine, a Red  Wing  cabinet  maker.  Frederick  M.,  born 
February  22,  1873.  died  August  23,  1879.  Inez  B.,  born  October 
22.  1874,  died  August  24  the  following  year.  Edwin  R.,  born 
December  25,  1877,  is  employed  by  the  Englewood  Spring  Com- 
pany at-  Minneapolis.  Mr.  Gaylord  was  a Democrat  in  politics 
and  for  several  years  held  municipal  office.  His  widow  was 
married,  for  the  second  time,  September  30,  1903,  at  Hastings, 
Minn.,  to  Delos  A.  Warren,  of  Red  Wing.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Warren 
now  live  at  413%  Potter  street,  where  they  have  a very  pleasant 
home.  Mrs.  Warren  is  a woman  of  many  attainments,  and  has 
has  many  interesting  anecdotes  to  tell  of  dressmaking  in  the  early 


Geo.  W.  Wyman’s  Residence 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


685 


days,  as  well  as  of  other  important  events  and  people  Avhich  came 
under  her  observation. 

George  W.  Wyman,  proprietor  of  the  Pearl,  has  built  up  a 
successful  business  during  his  stay  in  Red  Wing,  and  the  present 
indications  argue  still  better  for  the  future.  Mr.  Wyman  is  a 
native  of  Akron,  0.,  born  January  11,  1851.  His  father,  also 
named  George  W.,  was  a native  of  Walpole,  N.  H.,  born  February 
21,  1806.  At  an  early  age  he  moved  to  Cleveland,  0.,  which  was 
then  by  New  Hampshire  people  considered  “the  west.”  There 
he  started  a clothing  establishment  which  he  successfully  con- 
ducted until  his  death  in  1857.  The  mother,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Mary  J.  Moore,  then  returned  to  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  the  city  of 
her  birth,  and  there  George  W.  received  his  boyhood  education. 
His  first  business  venture  for  himself  was  in  a book  and  station- 
ery store,  where  he  remained  twelve  years,  acting  successively  as 
clerk,  traveling  salesman  and  manager.  He  subsequently  en- 
gaged in  the  hotel  business,  which  he  has  since  continued  to 

follow  in  Ohio,  Illinois,  Iowa  and  Minnesota.  In  1899  he  came 

» 

to  Red  Wing,  and  after  looking  over  the  field,  decided  that  there 
was  an  opening  for  a moderate  priced  commercial  house.  He 
accordingly  rented  a store  on  Third  street  and  opened  a restaur- 
ant, gradually  acquiring  possession  of  the  office  and  living  rooms 
in  the  same  block,  which  he  converted  into  lodging  rooms.  In 
1908  he  purchased  the  property  071  Fourth  street  that  for  many 
years  had  been  used  as  a residence  and  office  by  Dr.  A.  M.  Steph- 
ens. This  he  converted  into '“Wyman  Cottage”  and  the  “An- 
nex,” both  of  which  are  available  for  the  entertaining  of  guests. 
While  in  Rochester  Mr.  Wyman  served  seven  years  in  Company 
C,  Fifty-fourth  New  York  National  Guards,  reaching  the  position 
of  first  lieutenant.  He  has  shown  his  interest  in  the  business 
growth  of  Red  Wing  by  joining  the  Commercial  Club.  He  is  a 
Republican  in  politics  and  attends  the  Episcopal  Church.  Mr. 
Wyman  was  married  March  6,  1895,  at  Muscatine,  la.,  to  Dena  0. 
Hastad,  daugkhter  of  L.  J.  Hastad,  now  a well-known  farmer  of 
Roscoe  township,  this  county.  Her  mother  died  several  years 
ago.  Mfs.  Wyman  assists  her  husband  in  looking  after  his  busi- 
ness interests  and  has  proven  a most  able  helpmeet  in  all  his 
undertakings.  In  the  summer  of  1909  Mr.  Wyman  greatly  im- 
proved his  Fourth  street  property,  adding  to  the  main  building 
a wide  veranda,  which  makes  it  one  of  the  prettiest  places  on 
the  street.  In  the  “Annex,”  which  has  also  been  recently  remod- 
eled, a large  part  of  the  “History  of  Goodhue  County”  has  been 
written. 

George  Wilkenson,  now  deceased,  was  one  of  the  pioneer 
builders  of  Red  Wing,  and  many  buildings  now  standing  testify 
to  his  skill  and  conscientiousness.  His  parents,  Thomas  and 


686 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Jane  (Wilson)  Wilkenson,  were  respected  residents  of  Beckside, 
Yorkshire,  England,  where  their  son  Avas  born,  March  8,  1818. 
Amici  the  “flowering  hedges  and  green  lanes”  of  Old  England, 
George  received  his  education,  and  reached  manhood.  In  1840 
he  took  to  himself  a wife,  and  started  to  raise  a family  of  bonny 
children.  The  spirit  of  ambition  was  in  his  veins,  however,  and 
in  1851  he  pulled  up  the  roots  of  the  family  tree  to  transplant  it 
again  on  American  soil,  where  he  and  his  Avere  henceforth  to 
make  their  home.  The  first  location  of  the  family  was  in  Du- 
buque, la.,  1852,  then  scarcely  more  than  a frontier  village.  Two 
years  later  he  moved  to  St.  Paul,  which  at  that  time  was  also  in 
comparative  infancy.  In  both  Dubuque  and  St.  Paul  he  worked 
on  a number  of  residences.  In  the  spring  of  1855  he  came  to  Red 
Wing,  and  secured  the  contract  for  the  faithful  performance  of 
which  he  Avill  ever  live  in  local  history,  that  of  building  the  first 
hall  of  the  iioav  large  and  influential  Hamline  University.  In  the 
fall  of  that  year  he  brought  his  family  here.  He  opened  the  first 
lumber  yard  in  the  city,  and  even  thus  early  in  pioneer  days, 
while  the  log  cabins  of  the  original  settlers  were  still  standing, 
lie  established  his  business  of  contractor  and  architectural  drafts- 
man. For  several  years  he  Avas  engaged  in  erecting  some  of  the 
large  business  blocks  of  the  city,  and  later  purchased  1,200  acres 
in  the, township  of  Featherstone,  where  he  engaged  in  raising 
wheat.  Still  later  he  returned  to  Red  Wing  and  became  interest- 
ed in  the  retail  shoe  business,  dividing  his  time  between  thaf  en- 
terprise and  looking  after  his  various  interests.  Fie  passed  away 
March  21,  1896,  and  his  wife,  August  27,  1895,  both  at  Red  Wing. 
Mr.  Wilkenson  Avas  a Jeffersonian  Democrat  until  the  Civil  War, 
but  at  the  outbreak  of  that  conflict  he  cast  his  lot  Avith  the  Re- 
publican party,  with  which  he  Avas  identified  for  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  He  was  a charter  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in 
this,  city,  and  his  name  Avas  many  times  mentioned  at  the  celebra- 
tion of  the  Fiftieth  anniversary  of  that  church,  held  in  November, 
1908.  He  Avas  a member  of  the  Red  Wing  city  council,  and  for 
years  served  on  the  school  board,  having  aUvays  raised  his  voice 
in  favor  of  every  project  which  tended  to  the  betterment  of 
the  civic  or  school  system  of  the  city  and  county.  Seven  children 
survived  to  bear  the  mantle  of  honor  and  integrity  left  them 
by  their  parents.  Mary  J.  lives  in  the  old  homestead  at  Red 
Wing.  John,  who  Avas  interested  in  a retail  business  in  Red  Wing 
for  a number  of  years,  located  at  St.  Paul  and  became  a silent 
partner  in  the  dry  goods  firm  of  Tibbs,  Hutchings  & Co.  He  died 
in  1907,  leaving  a Avidow  and  one  son,  James  Humphrey.  Thomas 
lias  Avon  wide  distinction  as  president  of  the  Upper 
Mississippi  River  Association.  He  is  married  and  has  one  son, 
His  home  being  at  Burlington,  la.  Joseph  is  married  and  lives  in 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


687 


Los  Angeles,  Cal.  Albert,  also  married,  is  a partner  in  the  whole- 
sale business  house  of  Greggs,  Cooper  & Co.,  at  St.  Paul.  Eva  A. 
lives  in  Red  Wing.  She  has  one  son,  Harold  A.  Anna  makes  her 
home  with  her  sisters  in  Red  Wing. 

Alonzo  D.  Whitney,  another  early  settler  of  Red  Wing,  now 
deceased,  was  a native  of  Florida,  Orange  county,  New  York, 
born  September  4,  1815.  His  parents,  John  and  Susanna  (Smith) 
Whitney,  lived  and  died  in  New  York  state.  Alonzo,  after  leav- 
ing school,  took  up  the  business  of  contractor  and  builder,  and 
in  1857  came  to  Red  Wing,  when  in  the  earliest  days  of  its 
growth.  His  services  were  at  once  in  demand,  and  many  of  the 
early  dwellings  in  this  city  were  erected  under  his  supervision. 
Soon,  however,  came  the  rumors  of  the  disruption  of  the  North 
and  South,  and  Mr.  Whitney  raised  and  drilled  a company,  but 
was  barred  from  enlisting  on  account  of  the  age  limit.  The 
Brooklyn  Light  Guard,  of  which  he  was  a member,  afterward 
attained  distinction  on  many  a bloody  field  of  carnage.  Although 
too  old  to- enlist,  the  services  of  Mr.  Whitney  were  highly  valued, 
and  in  1861  he  was  called  to  Mount  City,  111.,  where  for  some  four 
years  lie  was  employed  by  the  government  in  the  navy  yard.  In 
May,  1865,  he  returned  to  Red  Wing  and  took  up  his  business, 
continuing  same  until  1871,  when  he  was  afflicted  with  a stroke 
of  paralysis,  after  which  he  Avas  an  iirvalid  for  seA'enteen  years, 
his  death  resulting  January  26,  1889.  Mrs.  Whitney  is  living 
at  the  age  of  eighty-nine  years,  but  since, last  July  (1908)  she 
has  been  in  poor  health  as  the  result  of  a stroke  of  apoplexy. 
Mrs.  Whitney  Avas  born  in  Middlefield,  Conn.,  June  15,  1820,  and 
AAras  married  May  9,  1847.  her  maiden  name  having  been  Rosetta 
Birdsey.  This  union  Avas  blessed  with  four  children.  Henrietta, 
born  September  14,  1848,  died  August  13,  1855.  Edgar  Alonzo, 
born  August  31.  1850,  died  July  14,  1853;  Emma  Avas  born  May  4, 
1855.  May,  born  September  18,  1858,  died  December  14.  1859. 
All  the  children  Avere  born  in  Brooklyn  except  May,  Avho  Avas 
born  in  Red  Wing.  Alonzo  R.  Brink,  Avhom  Emma  Whitney 
married  December  7,  1880,  is  a Avell-known  Red  Wing  contractor 
and  builder.  He  Avas  born  in  Easton,  Pa.,  July  21.  1852,  son  of 
Mahlon  and  Ann  (Casely)  Brink,  both  now  deceased.  Mr.  Brink 
is  a Republican  in  politics,  and  a Mason  in  fraternal  affiliation. 
For  two  terms  he  has  serA^ed  on  the  city  council.  Mrs.  Brink, 
Avho  is  much  interested  in  historical  matters,  has  preserved  her 
father’s  papers,  and  has  many  interesting  letters  written  during 
Avar  times,  which  throw  much  light  on  the  eATents  of  those  stirring 
days. 

August  P.  Olson,  Red  Wing’s  efficient  assistant  fire  chief,  is  a 
native  of  this  city  and  has  spent  all  his  life  here.  His  parents, 
Peter  and  Helen  (Whitehamer)  Olson,  Avere  born  in  Norway. 


G88 


HI  ST OK Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


The  father  came  to  America  in  1862  and  after  a year  in  Chicago 
located  in  Red  Wing,  where  he  took  np  work  at  his  trade  as  a 
shoemaker,  which  he  followed  until  the  time  of  his  death  in  De- 
cember of  1871.  The  mother,  who  came  to  this  country  in  1864, 
still  makes  her  home  in  Red  Wing.  August  P.,  born  August  24, 
1867,  attended  the  public  schools.  Subsequently  he  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Red  Wing  Furniture  Company,  for  whom  he  per- 
formed faithful  service  for  the  long  period  of  twenty-two  years, 
being  in  charge  of  the  finishing  department  during  the  latter 
sixteen  years  of  his  employment  there.  May  1,  1906,  he  was  ap- 
pointed a member  of  the  fire  company  as  assistant  chief,  a posi- 
tion he  still  retains.  For  this  position' Mr.  Olson  was  well  fitted, 
having  been  a member  of  the  old  hook  and  ladder  company  four- 
teen years,  five  years  of  which  he  was  assistant  chief  under 
Charles  Wick.  Mr.  Olson  is  a Republican,  and  belongs  to  the 
Elks,  the  Royal  Arcanum,  the  Yeomen,  the  Fire  Relief  Associa- 
tion and  the  Phoenix  Relief  Association.  He  was  married  June 
26,  1902,  to  Sadie  Stromberg,  of  Red  Wing,  by  whom  he  has 
two  children,  Leonard  A.,  born  May  8,  1903,  and  Helen  E.,  born 
May  25,  1905.  Peter  Stromberg,  father  of  Mrs.  Olson,  came  to 
America  from  Germany  in  1857  and  worked  for  a time  in  Red 
Wing,  his  first  work  being  to  dig  out  stumps  where  Main  street 
is  now  located.  He  also  carried  brick  and  mortar  for  the  court 
house.  He  was  married  January  12,  1864,  to  Elizabeth  Fisher, 
who  came  from  Germany  in  1863.  They  set  up  housekeeping  in 
Ilay  Creek,  where  Mr.  Stromberg  acquired  land  until  he  owned 
400. acres,  on  which  he  carried  on  general  farming  until  his  death, 
February  21,  1889.  He  was  a public  spirited  citizen  and  served 
many  years  in  public  office,  including  nineteen  years  as  treasurer, 
nine  years  as  school  clerk,  and  two  years  as  supervisor.  He  was 
also  a member  of  the  Bankers’  Association  of  St.  Paul.  His 
widow  makes  her  home  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Olson.  The 
family  faitli  is  that  of  the  Episcopal  Church. 

Charles  Brown,  now  engaged  in  the  coal,  wood,  coke  and  gen- 
eral transfer  business,  was  born  in  Red  Wing,  July  12,  1868,  son 
of  Robert  and  Martha  (McGarvey)  Brown,  natives  of  Ireland, 
who  came  to  America  at  the  ages  of  two  and  nine  years,  respec- 
tively. They  spent  their  childhood  in  Canada  and  landed  in  Red 
Wing  in  1856.  The  father  at  once  purchased  a farm  in  the  town- 
ship of  Featlierstone  and  continued  farming  until  his  death.  For 
some  time  he  was  with  Hamline  University  and  also  kept  a board- 
ing hall  for  the  students  of  that  institution.  Robert  Brown  died 
in  November,  1904,  and  his  widow,  who  still  owns  the  old  home- 
stead, now  resides  in  Seattle,  Wash.,  with  her  daughter,  having 
reached  the  ripe  old  age  of  seventy-two  years.  Charles  received 
his  education  in  the  public  schools  and  finished  at  the  Red  Wing 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


689 


Seminary.  Upon  completing  liis  studies  he  started  life  for  him- 
self as  a clerk  in  the  grocery  store  of  Peter  Kempe,  at  Red  Wing. 
After  three  years  he  engaged  in  his  present  business  in  1893,  in 
which  line  he  has  since  successfully  continued.  Mr.  Brown  was 
married  December  26,  1894,  to  Lena  M.  Towle,  of  Ked  A\  ing, 
daughter  of  D.  H.  Towle,  a farmer  of  Featherstone  township  in 
this  county.  Mrs.  Brown’s  mother  is  now  deceased  and  her 
father,  who  has  remarried,  is  now  living  a retired  life  in  Minne- 
apolis, having  sold  his  farm  in  Featherstone.  To  Mr.  and  Airs. 
Brown  have  been  born  six  children:  Marian,  born  in  1895;  Flor- 
ence I.,  born  January  13,  1897;  Charles  D.,  born  January  24, 
1898  ; Bobert  D.,  born  August  21,  1901;  Kenneth,  born  April  15, 
1903,  and  Edward,  born  in  September,  1908.  Air.  Brown  is  a 
Republican  in  politics  and  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  He  affiliates  with  the  Alasons,  the  United  Workmen  and 
-the  Modern  Woodmen.  He  has  never  sought  public  office.  It  is 
a matter  worthy  of  somewhat  extended  note  that  Air.  Brown 
was  chairman  of  the  parade  committee  for  the  now  famous  cele- 
bration held  in  Red  Wing,  July  3,  4 and  5,  1909.  AVith  that 
energy  that  has  characterized  all  his  efforts,  Air.  Brown  set  at 
work  making  the  plans,  and  not  only  persuaded  the  leading  busi- 
ness interests  of  Red  Wing  to  participate  in  the  parade,  but  also 
made  a notable  showing  from  his  own  stables.  Seldom  in  any 
city  in  Alinnesota  has  there  been  seen  so  fine  a display  of  horses 
and  vehicles  as  Air.  Brown  had  in  the  parade  that  day.  Air. 
Brown  takes  a personal  as  well  as  a business  interest  in  his  horses, 
being  a lover  of  high  grade  animals,  and  his  stables  contain  some 
fine  specimens  of  horse  flesh. 

Frank  G.  Hickman,  Reel  AATing.  who  has  charge  of  the  metal 
work  of  the  Red  AVing  Boat  Company,  was  born  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.. 
July  24,  1856,  son  of  Peter  and  Margaret  (Gabriel)  Hickman, 
natives  of  Germany,  both  having  been  born  on  the  banks  of  the 
historic  and  picturesque  Rhine.  They  came  to  America  in  the 
early  forties  and  located  in  New  York  state,  where  they  were 
married,  the  father  engaging  in  wagon  making  at  Buffalo  until 
coming  to  Red  AVing  in  1868.  still  following  the  same  business 
here  with  his  brother  under  the  firm  name  of  Hickman  Brothers 
for  three  years.  Afterward  he  conducted  the  business  alone  as 
sole  owner  and  proprietor  until  his  death,  February  4,  1878.  His 
wife  died  in  1871.  After  receiving  his  education  in  the  excellent 
public  schools  of  Buffalo,  Frank  G.  came  to  Red  AVing  with  his 
parents  and  at  once  started  work  as  clerk  in  a confectionery 
store,  remaining  three  years.  His  next  employment  was  with  E. 
L.  Baker,  where  he  thoroughly  mastered  the  tinning  business. 
In  this  vocation  he  has  since  continued,  now  doing  all  the  tin, 


690 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


iron,  copper  and  brass  work  for  the  Red  Wing  Boat  Company, 
lie  is  a Republican  in  politics,  belongs  to  the  Episcopal  Church 
and  affiliates  with  the  United  Workmen  and  the  Degree  of 
Honor.  For  several  years  lie  was  a member  of  the  volunteer 
fire  department  and  for  eight  years  served  as  secretary  of  Cat- 
aract Hose  Company,  of  which  for  several  years  he  was  also  the 
captain.  Mr.  Hickman  was  married  April  24,  1884,  at  Red  Wing, 
to  Hattie  Beilf eildt,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary  (Spore)  Beil- 
feildt,  natives  of  Germany.  Tier,  parents  came  to  America  in 
1844,  locating  first  at  Galena,  111.,  and  then  at  Brownsville,  Minn., 
where  the  father  was  engaged  in  the  wholesale  boot  and  shoe 
business.  He  joined  the  Union  army  and  served  several  years. 
After  the  war  he  returned  to  Brownsville  and  in  1881  came  to 
Red  Wing,  where  he  became  a wheat  buyer  for  the  Diamond  Joe 
jacket  line.  After  several  years  he  retired  and  went  to  Zumbro 
Falls,  Minn.,  where  the  family  still  reside.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hickman  have  been  born  two  children.  Margaret,  born  Septem- 
ber 25,  1888,  is  now  assistant  librarian  at  the  Carnegie-Lawther 
library  at  Red  Wing.  Roland  IT.  was  born  October  19,  1893. 
Both  children  live  at  home,  903  West  Fourth  street,  this  city. 

John  O.  Hanson,  proprietor  of  a successful  general  store  at 
340  East  Seventh  street,  Red  Wing,  was  born  in  Sweden,  May 
15,  1855,  son  of  John  Gustave  and  Christine  (Anderson)  Hanson, 
who  came  to  Red  Wing  in  1866,  from  Jankoping,  Sweden.  The 
father  followed  his  trade  as  carpenter  until  1879,  when  he  went 
to  Welch  township,  purchased  140  acres  of  land  and  did  a gen- 
eral line  of  farming,  combined  with  carpenter  work  and  contract- 
ing. Tie  built  his  own  home  and  barns,  and  also  erected  many 
of  the  buildings  in  the  neighborhood.  John  Hanson  died  October 
18,  1908,  and  his  wife  March  18,  1904,  at  the  age  of  eighty-five 
years.  There  were  two  children  in  the  family  besides  John  O. 
They  are  both  living  in  Welch,  Oliver  being  a farmer  and  his 
sister  Christine,  now  Mrs.  Hagancler,  is  the  wife  of  a farmer. 
John  O.  was  sent  to  the  public  schools  in  Sweden,  and  after  com- 
ing to  Red  Wing  with  his  parents  at  the  age  of  eleven  years,  at- 
tended the  Red  Wing,  schools  until  fourteen  years  of  age,  when 
he  entered  the  employ  of  D.  C.  Hill.  Subsequently  he  clerked 
two  years  in  a shoe  store,  and  later  entered  into  business  for  him- 
self with  a partner,  the  firm  name  being  Hanson  & Peterson. 
After  four  years  in  this  company  he  sold  out,  and  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Belanger  Brothers,  dry  goods  merchants,  as  a 
clerk.  TIis  record  with  this  company  consisted  of  faithful 
service  for  a period  of  sixteen  years.  In  1901  he  had  saved 
sufficient  money  to  warrant  his  starting  in  business  for  himself. 
Since  that  time  he  has  successfully  conducted  his  present  store. 
He  owns  his  store  building  and  a comfortable  home,  together 


HI  ST  GEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


691 


with  some  other  property.  Mr.  Hanson  is  a Republican  in  poli- 
tics, and  belongs  to  the  Scandinavian  Relief  Association  and  the 
Scandinavian  Benefit  Association,  in  which  latter  he  lias  been 
president  for  the  past  two  years.  The  family  worships  at  the 
Swedish  Lutheran  Church.  Mr.  Hanson  was  married  April  8, 

1883,  to  Magdeline  Anderson,  a daughter  of  Christian  and  Pet- 
tronelle  (Darlow)  Anderson,  the  former  of  whom  was  in  the 
tailoring  and  clothing  business  in  Norway  until  his  death  in 

1884.  The  mother  died  hi  the  same  country  in  1898.  Mrs.  Han- 
son has  three  sisters.  Two  live  in  Norway  and  one  is  wife  of  the 
Rev.  Wald,  in  Tacoma,  Wash.  She  also  has  two  brothers,  Christ 
Anderson,  who  is  in  the  building  and  constructing  business  in 
Chicago,  and  John  Dahr,  a Chicago  printer.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hanson  have  been  born  six  children.  Gustaf,  born  January  11, 
1884,  works  with  his  father  in  the  store.  Harold  is  a clerk  at  the 
store  of  Adler,  Schacht  & Co.  He  was  born  July  12,  1885.  Ar- 
thur W.,  born  October  28,  1887.  is  in  the  store  with  his  father. 
Alice  Francis  was  born  February  12,  1890 ; Aurelia  Agnes  De- 
cember 22,  1894,  and  Harriet  Hermenia  Gertrude  October  7, 
1897.  All  the  children  live  at  home. 

Samuel  H.  Haynes,  now  retired,  has  for  a long  period  of  years 
been  identified  with  the  banking  and  business  interests  of  Red 
Wing,  and  has  also  served  with  credit  in  several  public  offices. 
He  is  of  eastern  birth,  having  first  seen  the  light  of  day  at 
Speedsville,  Broome  county,  New  York,  December  29,  1849.  His 
father,  William  Haynes,  was  in  the  mercantile  business  in  New 
York  state  at  the  time  his  son  was  born.  Later,  having  been 
ruined  in  business  through  the  dishonesty  of  a clerk,  William 
Haynes  started  west  to  seek  his  fortune  and  engaged  for  a year 
as  a bridge  carpenter  with  the  C.,  B.  & Q.  railroad,  then  building 
from  Chicago  to  Burlington.  Subsequently  he  brought  his  fam- 
ily to  Knox  county,  Illinois.  After  selling  lumber  for  a Chicago 
firm  as  their  agent  at  Altona,  111.,  he  came  to  Minnesota  in  the 
fall  of  1858.  The  trip  to  this  state  was  made  overland  with  a 
team  of  horses,  the  .journey  requiring  about  a month.  Many  in- 
teresting experiences  fell  to  the  lot  of  the  traveler  in  that  long 
journey,  which  in  after  life  he  often  related  to  his  son  and 
friends.  Reaching  Red  Wing,  he  decided  that  this  city,  then  only 
a small  village  in  the  first  decade  of  its  settlement,  was  an  ad- 
mirable place  for  a home,  and  accordingly  after  getting  settled 
himself,  he  moved  his  family  here  in  the  spring  of  1859.  For 
seven  years  he  cultivated  a farm,  and  then  located  in  the  city 
of  Red  Wing.  He  owned  about  400  acres  of  land,  considerable 
of  that  amount  being  land  in  Wisconsin  which  he  cleared  himself. 
He  died  in  March,  1905,  and  his  wife  died  in  1891.  Samuel  IT. 
attended  the  public  schools  of  Red  Wing,  and  also 


HI  ST  OB  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


'692 

took  a course  in  Hamline  University,  at  that  time  lo- 
cated in  Bed  AVing.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  learned 
the  harness  making  trade,  and  after  four  years  started 
in  the  harness  business  for  himself  with  his  father.  At  the  end 
of  four  years  his  health  failed,  and  he  went  to  Wisconsin  and 
worked  three  years  farming.  The  succeeding  five  years  were 
spent  in  the  office  of  the  Goodhue  county  treasurer,  after  which 
lie  spent  two  years  as  clerk  of  the  probate  court.  Five  months 
as  cashier  at  the  Minnesota  Elevator  Company,  which  operated 
thirty  elevators  and  a large  flour  mill,  demonstrated  his  ability, 
but  ill  health  again  caused  him  to  retire.  He  spent  a short  time 
in  the  east,  then  served  as  deputy  register  of  deeds  one  year  and 
deputy  county  auditor  five  years.  In  1892  he  became  general 
bookkeeper  for  the  Goodhue  County  Bank,  remaining  fifteen 
years.  During  this  fifteen  years  he  witnessed  many  changes  in 
Bed  Wing,  and  had  an  opportunity  to  observe  closely  the  finan- 
cial conditions  which  have  contributed  so  greatly  to  its  growth. 
In  1907  he  retired  from  active  work,  and  since  that  time  has 
lived  practically  a retired  life,  although  there  are  still  several 
matters  which  engross  his  attention,  his  specialty  being  book- 
keeping and  auditing.  He  has  also  been  in  the  service  of  the 
state  tax  commission  for  four  months  in  Duluth.  He  is  vice 
president  of  the  Red  Wing  Building  Association  and  secretary 
of  the  Red  AAUng  and  Trenton  Transit  Company.  Four  years  he 
was  alderman  from  the  Second  ward  and  for  two  years  was  chair- 
man of  the  finance  committee  of  that  board.  He  was  on  the 
board  of  health  for  four  years.  A charter  member  of  Company 
G,  First  Regiment,  Minnesota  National  Guard,  he  was  compelled 
to  leave  the  service  a:£ter  two  years  and  a half  on  account  of 
ill  health.  In  the  Knights  of  Pythias  he  is  a well-known  and 
influential  member,  having  filled  all  the  chairs  in  the  local  order 
and  represented  Red  Wing  at  the  grand  lodge  five  sessions.  For 
twenty-three  years  he  has  been  keeper  of  records  and  seals  in 
that  lodge.  Mr.  Haynes  was  married  in  the  fall  of  1886  at  Minne- 
apolis, to  Julia  C.  Coleman,  daughter  of  Mrs.  Mary  Coleman,  of 
Minneapolis.  Her  mother  lives  at  Red  AVing:  One  daughter, 

Jessie  M.,  is  now  attending  Hamline  University  at  St.  Paul.  The 
family  religion  is  that  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Hugo  J.  Herder,  Red  Wing,  lias  made  his  own  way  in  the 
world  since  coming  to  this  country  with  his  parents  as  a youth, 
and  his  success  has  been  due  to  his  industry,  his  perseverance  and 
his  devotion  to  hard  work.  His  adult  years  have  all  been  spent 
with  his  present  firm  in  the  grocery  business,  and  he  is  conse- 
quently well  versed  in  all  that  appertains  to  that  line  of  com- 
merce. He  was  born  in  Berlin,  Germany,  March  6,  1865,  and  in 
that  historic  old  city  spent  his  early  boyhood,  attending  the  high 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


693 


schools  and  the  Berlin  Seminary.  His  father,  Frederick  (married 
to  Mary  Schmidt)  was  a dealer  in  coal  and  wood  in  his  native 
city.  In  1879  the  family  came  to  America,  and  lived  in  the  town- 
ships of  Featherstone  and  Hay  Creek,  until  1883,  Avhen  they 
moved  to  Red  Wing.  In  this  city  the  father  died,  December  21, 
1900,  and  the  mother  still  makes  her  home  here.  When  the  fam- 
ily came  to  Red  Wing,  Hugo,  then  a youth  of  eighteen  years, 
started  as  a clerk  in  the  store  of  C.  E.  Friedrich  & Co., 
remaining  in  this  capacity  until  1894,  when  the  company  was  in- 
corporated under  the  firm  name  of  Friedrich  & Kempe  Co.  Ten 
years  later  Mr.  Herder  was  elected  secretary  and  treasurer  of 
the  company,  a position  he  has  since  retained,  his  record  being 
one  of  honor  and  success.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  like 
his  partners  in  business,  he  has  persistently  refused  to  allow  his 
name  to  be  used  in  connection  with  candidacy  for  public  office, 
although  he  is  much  interested  in  all  the  great  public  questions 
of  the  day.  April  25,  1894,  Hugo  J.  Herder  was  married  at  Red 
Wing  to  Kate  Taggart,  a native  of  Hartland,  Wis.,  daughter 
of  John  and  Bridget  Taggart,  natives  of  Ireland,  who  afterward 
took  up  agricultural  pursuits  in  Wisconsin.  Her  father  died  in 
1886  and  her  mother  ten  years  later.  The  Herder  home  has  been 
brightened  by  the  presence  of  two  children,  Justin  M.,  born 
May  30,  1896,  and  Harry  J..  born  December  9,  1898,  both  pupils 
in  the  parochial  schools  of  this  city.  The  family  faith  is  that  of 
the  Catholic  Church,  and  Mr.  Herder  pays  fraternal  allegiance 
to  the  Masons  and  Modern  Woodmen. 

William  J.  Longcor,  a Red  AYing  builder  and  contractor,  with 
extensive  business  interests,  to  whose  skill  several  of  the  most 
ornamental  buildings  in  Red  AYing  will  stand  for  all  time  as  a 
perpetual  monument,  is  a native  born  son  of  Minnesota,  having 
first  seen  the  light  of  day  in  Lake  City,  May  6,  1867.  His  father. 
Madison  Longcor  (married  to  Mary  Bartron  of  Pennsylvania), 
was  a native  of  New  York  state.  In  1855  he  came  to  Red  Wing 
and  engaged  in  his  trade  as  millwright;  removing  in  1860  to  Lake 
City,  Minn.,  where  he  took  up  the  carpenter  and  contracting 
business.  In  1872  he  became  a contractor  at  Bay  City.  AVis.,  con- 
tinuing until  his  death.  October  22,  1880.  His  widow  is  now  liv- 
ing in  Red  Wing.  William  J.  attended  the  schools  of  his  native 
city  and  as  a young  man  became  a civil  and  constructing  en- 
gineer. After  locating  in  Red  Wing  in  1893  he  served  two  years 
as  county  surveyor,  later  engaging  in  the  contracting  business 
for  himself.  His  interests  have  steadily  grown,  and  he  now  con- 
ducts a general  building  and  contracting  business  on  a large 
scale.  At  the  present  time  he  has  in  the  course  of  construction 
the  new  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  the  new  government  build- 
ing, the  addition  to  St.  John’s  hospital,  and  other  edifices  that  are 


694 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


architectural  beautifiers  of  the  city.  He  has  just  completed  the 
new  building  occupied  by  the  Red  Wing  Printing  Company.  As 
a member  of  the  city  council,  Mr.  Longcor’s  services  have  met 
Avith  pleasing  encomiums  from  liis  fellow  citizens.  He  is  a Re- 
publican in  politics,  a member  of  the  Masons,  the  Odd  Fellows 
and  the  Modern  Samaritans.  He  attends  the  Methodist  church. 
Mr.  Longcor  was  married  September  28,  1892,  at  Kirkwood,  Mo., 
to  Mary  Dumeheek,  of  that  city.  To  this  union  have  been  born, 
in  the  city  of  Red  Wing,  five  children,  Mabel,  July  14,  1893 ; 
Albert,  September  26,  1895 ; Grace,  September  9,  1897 ; Dorothy, 
October  5,  1899;  and  Evelyn,  October  21,  1901.  The  family  resi- 
dence is  a pleasant  home  at  709  Fifth  street,  Red  Wing. 

Ole  Hawkinson,  one  of  the  earlier  settlers  of  Featherstone 
township,  now  a retired  farmer  living  in  Red  Wing  at  1245  East 
avenue,  was  born  in  Sweden,  November  9,  1833,  son  of  ITawkin 
Olson  and  Hannah  Hanson,  natives  of  that  country.  The  father 
was  a carpenter  by  trade.  In  his  native  country  he  followed  that 
trade  in  connection  with  farming,,  and  in  1854  came  to  America, 
locating  at  Saint  Charles,  111.,  still  following  his  trade.  Soon 
afterward  he  came  to  Red  Wing.  For  some  years  he  was  a car- 
penter and  during  the  latter  part  of  his  life  manufactured  or- 
gans in  this  city.  He  died  in  1897  at  the  age  of  87  years.  His 
wife  died  in  January,  1856.  Ole,  after  receiving  his  education 
in  the  public  schools,  worked  with  his  father  in  his  native  land, 
and  came  to  America  with  the  family  in  1854.  In  the  spring  of 
1855  he  came  to  Red  Wing,  and  in  1857  located  in  the  township 
of  Featherstone,  this  county.  He  took  up  160  acres,  cleared  and 
broke  the  land,  erected  a house  and  suitable  barns,  and  carried 
on  general  farming.  His  efforts  were  crowned  with  success  and 
in  1903  lie  decided  to  leave  the  more  strenuous  activities  of  farm 
life  to  a younger  generation.  Accordingly  he  came  to  Red  Wing, 
taking  up  his  residence  at  his  present  location,  which  he  had 
purchased  in  1889,  and  where  he  is  now  enjoying  the  ease  which 
he  so  well  deserves  after  so  many  years  of  toil  and  labor.  He 
is  a Republican  in  politics,  and  a member  of  the  Swedish  Luth- 
eran Church.  For  many  years  he  was  director  of  his  school  dis- 
trict in  Featherstone.  Mr.  Hawkinson  was  married  at  Red  Wing 
October  30,  1857,  to  Kiersti  Nelson,  who  shared  with  him  the  dis- 
comforts of  pioneer  life,  as  well  as  the  ease  of  his  later  years. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  Nels  Nelson  and  Nellie  Parsons,  natives 
of  Sweden,  who  came  to  America  and  took  up  their  home  in 
Featherstone  township,  remaining  until  the  time  of  their  death. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hawkinson  twelve  children  were  born — William, 
now  of  Oregon;  Hannah,  now  of  Red  Wing;  Nellie,  now  of  Hast- 
ings, Minn,  (now  Mrs.  J.  H.  Featherstone)  ; Howard  and  Edward, 
now  of  California;  Ferdinand;  Oscar,  now  of  Red  Wood  Falls, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


695 


Minn.;  Theodore;  Calma,  now  of  Red  Wing;  Lovenia,  now  Mrs. 
Otto  Taylor,  of  Northfield,  Minn.;  Elmer,  of  California,  and 
Ernnest,  of  Texas.  These  children  are  all  Avell  thought  of  in  their 
respective  communities,  and  their  respect  and  affection  is  making 
glad  the  declining  years  of  their  parents. 

John  C.  Johnson,  Red  Wing,  of  the  firm  of  Johnson  & Nelson, 
contractors,  estimators  and  builders,  comes  of  vigorous  Nor- 
wegian stock,  born  in  Norway,  February  22,  1864,  son  of  J.  C. 
and  Anna  (Anderson)  Johnson,  both  natives  of  that  country. 
The  parents  carried  on  general  farming  in  their  native  country, 
the  father  dying  late  in  the  year  of  1863,  and  the  mother  in 
1903,  the  latter  having  reached  a good  old  age.  John  C.  attended 
the  public  schools  of  his  native  land  and  there  grew  to  manhood, 
becoming  proficient  in  the  carpenter  trade.  In  1885,  at  the  age 
of  twenty-one  years,  he  came  to  America  and  settled  at  Red 
Wing/  in  which  city  he  worked  until  1887,  afterward  going  to 
St.  Paul  and  remaining  until  1892.  when  he  again  returned  to  this 
city.  During  his  years  of  labor  he  had  been  both  frugal  and  in- 
dustrious, and  in  1892  his  funds  and  experience  were  sufficient 
to  warrant  his  embarking  in  business  for  himself.  He  accord- 
ingly formed  a partnership  with  E.  G.  Nelson,  in  the  contracting 
business,  under  the  firm  name  of  Johnson  & Nelson.  This  part- 
nership continued  until  February  1,  1909,  when  they  dissolved 
the  partnership,  Mr.  Nelson  moving  out  of  town  and  Mr.  Johnson 
continuing  the  business,  the  venture  having  met  with  consider- 
able success.  Mr.  Johnson  is  an  independent  voter,  and  belongs 
to  the  Woodmen,  the  Foresters,  the  E.  F.  U.  and  I.  0.  O.  F.  He 
belongs  to  St.  Peter’s  Norwegian  Lutheran  Church.  John  C. 
Johnson  was  married  in  1890  to  Matilda  Quist,  daughter  of 
Israel  Quist,  and  to  this  union  one  child,  Mabel  A.  L.,  was  born 
September  2,  1891.  In  1903  Mrs.  Matilda  Quist  Johnson  passed 
away,  and  Mr.  Johnson  was  married,  some  time  later,  to  Anna 
Mehrkens,  daughter  of  Henry  Mehrkens,  of  Red  Wing.  This 
vmion  has  been  blessed  with  two  children — Theodore  A.  J..  'born 
October  23,  1905,  and  Ellen  II.  L.,  born  November  21,  1907. 

William  Johnson,  traveling  salesman,  living  at  419  Eighth 
street,  Red  Wing,  ay  as  born  in  Norway,  October  1.  1853.  His 
parents,  John  Bersvendson  and  Ingeborg  Paulson,  came  to  Amer 
ica  in  1865  and  located  at  Bratsberg  in  Fillmore  county,  Minne- 
sota. There  the  father  worked  at  different  trades  until  1866, 
when  they  moved  to  Belle  Creek,  this  county,  where  he  pur- 
chased a farm  and  lived  there  until  1871.  Their  next  location 
was  at  Lake  Sacheteck,  in  Murray  county,  this  state.  There  the 
father  homesteaded  160  acres,  and  by  purchase  acquired  other 
land,  until  he  owned  500  acres,  upon  which  he  farmed  until  1890. 
After  about  three  years  in  Tracy,  Lyon  county,  this  state,  during 


696 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


which  time  he  purchased  various  property,  they  bought  a home 
iu  C’anby  village,  Yellow  Medicine  county,  Minnesota.  The 
mother  still  lives  in  the  old  homestead,  in  that  village,  the  father 
having  passed  away  some  years  ago.  William  attended  the 
schools  of  his  neighborhood  at  Belle  Creek,  and  for  a year  lived 
in  Murray  county.  He  then  returned  to  Goodhue  county,  and 
after  working  in  the  harvest  fields  and  on  a farm  for  a short 
time,  came  to  Red  Wing  and  clerked  in  the  grocery  store  of  Watts 
Sherman,  In  1873  he  traveled  for  Gunder  Stuvrud,  of  Aspelund, 
this  county,  selling  farm  machinery,  with  Northfield,  this  state, 
for  his  headquarters.  Fie  returned  to  Red  Wing  the  same  year 
and  entered  the  employ  of  G.  R.  Sterling  & Co.,  with  whom  he 
remained  as  clerk  and  salesman  for  twelve  years.  He  became 
thoroughly  conversant  with  the  business  and  in  1885  purchased 
Mr.  Sterling’s  interest,  the  new  firm  being  known  as  William 
Johnson  & Co.  After  about  seven  years  this  firm  sold  out  in 
1892  to  J.  T.  Chinnock,  and  Mr.  Johnson  became  traveling  sales- 
man for  the  firm  of  Tarbox,  Schliek  & Co.,  of  St.  Paul.  This  com- 
pany was  bought  out  by  the  Western  Shoe  Company,  with  whom 
Mr.  Johnson  is  at  present  employed,  being  trusted  by  his  employ- 
ers and  liked  by  those  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact  in  the 
course  of  his  business  dealings.  Although  on  the  road  for  the 
greater  part  of  the  time,  Mr.  Johnson  retains  his  interests  here, 
holding  stock  in  several  local  manufacturing  industries.  He  is 
a member  of  the  Commercial  Club  and  of  the  Scandinavian  Re- 
lief Association,  in  which  latter  organization  he  was  a member 
of  the  revising  board  until  the  present  year.  He  votes  the  Re- 
publican ticket  and  attends  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  Church. 
William  Johnson  was  married  May  15,  1875,  to  Ingeborg  Kirkeby, 
daughter  of  Hemming  Kirkeby,  of  this  county.  Her  mother  died 
many  years  ago  and  her  father  was  married  in  1885  to  Mrs. 
Sigfrid  Yelvang.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  have  been  born 
nine  children — John  II.,  deceased;  Inga  M.,  deceased;  Ida  M., 
Bertha  G.,  Emma  L.,  Clara  A.,  William  B.,  Florence  I.,  and  Inge- 
borg B.  Ida  married  W.  0.  Gilruth,  of  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  man- 
ager of  the  First.  Mortgage  and  Farm  Loan  Company,  of  that 
city.  Bertha  married  G.  E.  Mack,  of  Red  Wing,  Minn.,  avIio 
travels  for  the  Red  Wing  Linseed  Oil  Company.  William  is 
traveling  salesman  for  the  Red  Wing  Shoe  Company,  with  terri- 
tory on  the  Pacific  coast.  The  other  children  are  living  at  home. 
Emma  and  Florence  are  graduates  of  the  Red  Wing  high  school. 

Peter  Jorgensen,  Red  Wing,  manager  of  the  Red  Wing  Fur- 
niture Company,  is  of  Danish  birth.  His  parents,  Hans  and 
Marie  (Hansen)  Jorgensen,  came  of  a substantial  family  of  that 
country,  the  former  being  a cooper  by  trade.  He  died  in  1894, 
having  survived  his  wife  twelve  years.  Peter  was  born  in  Den- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


697 


mark,  January  10.  1850,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  years  de- 
termined to  seek  his  fortunes  in  America,  having  already  secured 
a good  education  in  his  native  country.  His  first  position  was  in 
a bank  in  Chicago,  where  he  clerked  from  1870  to  1876.  From 
1876  to  1879  he  ran  a book  and  stationery  store  in  the  same  city. 
Deciding  that  the  Opportunities  for  advancement  were  greater 
in  a smaller  place,  he  came  to  Red  Wing,  shortly  before  1880,  and 
entered  the  employ  of  the  Boxrud  Brothers  as  bookkeeper  for 
three  years.  Subsequently  he  filled  the  same  position  in  the  Red 
Wing  office  of  the  McCormick  Harvesting  Machine  Company, 
until  1886,  when  he  became  interested  in  the  company  of  which 
he  has  since  been  the  manager.  Under  his  management  the  busi- 
ness has  prospered  and  is  now  one  of  the  leading  business  houses 
of  the  city.  Mr.  Jorgensen  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  has 
been  too  busy  with  his  business  to  seek  public  office.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Masons  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  attends 
the  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Jorgensen  was  married  in  May,  1881, 
at  Chicago,.  111.,  to  Nanny  Danielson,  who  came  from  Denmark 
that  year,  her  husband  having  gone  back  to  the  old  country  for 
the  purpose  of  bringing  her  to  America  to  share  his  fortunes. 
Her  father,  Christian,  died  in  1901.  and  her  mother  is  still  liv- 
ing in  Denmark.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jorgensen  have  been  born 
nine  children.  Hans  P.  is  dead  and  Marie  is  Mrs.  F.  D.  Putnam, 
of  Red  AVing.  Harriet,  Nanny,  Eva,  Ruth,  Esther,  George  and 
Elna  are  at  home. 

John  C.  Johnson,  now  retired  and  living  at  Red  Wing,  is  still 
well  knoAvn  in  Belvidere  township,  where  he  was  a prominent 
citizen  and  farmer,  and  where  he  occupied  many  important  posi- 
tions of  trust  and  honor  during  the  days  of  his  activity.  Air. 
Johnson  was  born  in  Norway,  June  15,  1839,  son  of  Christian  and 
Carrie  (Gulickson)  Johnson,  natives  of"  Norway,  who  came  to 
America  in  1857  and  located  in  Winnebago  county,  AYisconsin, 
later  coming  to  Belvidere  township  in  1859,  where  the  father 
homesteaded  160  acres  of  land,  which  he  cleared  and  broke.  On 
this  place  he  built  a comfortable  home  and  carried  on  general 
farming  until  his  death  in  October.  1901.  His  wife  died  in 
March,  1899.  John  C.  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  land.  He  was  brought  to  America  by  his  parents  as  a 
lad  of  eighteen  years,  and  in  1861  he  decided  to  start  farming 
Tor  himself.  With  this  resolve  in  mind  he  purchased  160  acres 
in  Belvidere  township,  and  to  this  he  soon  added  eighty  more, 
making  in  all  240  acres.  He  broke  the  land,  built  a home,  and 
devoted  his  attention  to  general  farming,  making  a specialty, 
however,  of  grain  raising,  of  which  he  made  a most  pronounced 
/ success.  In  1900  he  retired  and  moved  to  the  city  where  he  now 
lives  at  the  corner  of  Norwood  and  Sylvan  streets,  in  a house 


G98 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


which  he  purchased.  He  continues  to  own  the  farm.  During  the 
days  of  his  activity  he  was  chairman  and  assessor  of  the  township 
of  Belvidere,  and  since  removing  to  Red  Wing  has  served  one 
term  as  a member  of  the  city  council.  He  also  has  a military 
record.  At  the  last  call  for  volunteers,  he  enlisted  in  the  Union 
army,  in  January,  1864,  under  Captain  Carney  and  Colonel  Col- 
vill.  He  was  mustered  in  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  as  a corporal  in 
Company  I,  First  Minnesota  Heavy  Artillery,  and  did  garrison 
duty  at.  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  until  mustered  out  at  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  in  September,  1865.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  be- 
longs to  the  Lutheran  Church.  Mr.  Johnson  was  married  May 
6,  1870,  at  Belvidere,  to  Christina  Amundson,  of  that  township, 
daughter  of  Christ'  and  Regnaa  (Simonson)  Amundson,  natives 
of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1861  and  located  in  Belvi- 
dere, where  both  ended  their  days.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson 
have  been  born  six  children — Charles,  born  in  1870,  died  in  1887 ; 
Clara  married  Andrew  Anderson,  of  Goodhue  township,  this 
county;  Alma  married  Austin  Everson,  of  Mazeppa,  Minn.;  Han- 
nah married  John  Otterson,  now  deceased,  and  lives  with  her 
parents ; Inga  and  Clarence  also  live  at  home. 

William  Thomas  Llewellyn,  Red  Wing,  carpenter  and  con- 
tractor, now  deceased,  was  born  in  Wales,  England,  May  22, 
1833,  son  of  John  and  Mary  Elizabeth  (Beavers)  Llewellyn,  who 
spent  the  entire  span  of  their  years  in  that  locality.  William  T. 
received  his  early  education  and  grew  to  young  manhood  in  his 
native  town,  also  working  in  early  youth  as  a carpenter.  After 
coming  to  this  country  he  lived  in  New  York  city  and  Cleveland, 
O.,  until  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War,  when  lie  placed  his  life 
at  the  command  of  his  adopted  country.  He  enlisted  in  Company 
C,  First  Ohio  Light  Artillery  (Ohio  Battery),  for  three  months, 
under  Captain  Peltoh,  being  mustered  out  July  27,  1861,  at 
Columbus,  0.  He  re-enlisted  for  three  years’  service  under  Cap- 
tain Louis  Heekman,  in  Company  K,  First  Ohio  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, September  15,  1861,  and  was  mustered  out  September 
12,  1864,  at  Nashville,  having  been  promoted  to  the  position  of 
sergeant  under  Captain  William  Eckles.  He  participated  in  all 
the  battles  of  his  regiment,  and  acquitted  himself  as  a brave  and 
efficient  soldier  on  all  occasions.  His  brother,  John,  met  his  death 
in  the  bloody  carnage  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  having  been  a 
private  in  Co.  A.,  14th  New  Jersey  Vol.  Inf.,  First  Brigade,  Third 
Division,  Army  of  the  Potomac.  He  is  buried  in  Grave  1133  at 
the  Arlington  National  Cemetery.  After  the  war,  William  T. 
came  to  Red  Wing  and  worked  at  his  trade  as  carpenter,  also 
doing  general  contracting.  For  fourteen  years  he  was  employed 
with  the  firm  of  Daniels  and  Stevens,  as  foreman  on  a number  of 
important  contracts,  and  Avas  in  charge  of  the  avooc!  work  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


699 


Red  Wing  Sewer  Pipe  works  Factory  A.  when  he  was  taken 
with  a stroke  of  paralysis,  and  was  incapacitated  from  work  until 
his  death  December  1,  1903.  Mrs.  Llewellyn  now  makes  her  home 
with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Carl  Reckner,  at  1038  South  Park  street, 
this  city.  Mr.  Llewellyn,  who  served  ten  years  as  a fireman,  was 
much  interested  in  the  passage  of  the  firemen’s  relief  bill  by  the 
state,  and  was  a life‘member  of  the  Firemen’s  State  Relief  Asso- 
ciation. He  was  street  commissioner  for  nearly  eight  years,  and 
was  a member  of  the  Odd  Fellows,  the  United  Workmen,  and  the 
G.  A.  R.  William  T.  Llewellyn  was  married  May  4,  1865,  in 
Jefferson  county,  Pennsylvania,  to  Judith  Yeoman,  daughter  of 
Charles  and  Martha  (Beers)  Yeoman,  the  former  of  whom  died 
May  30,  1896.  The  mother  now  lives  in  Trenton  township,  Wis- 
consin, at  the  noble  old  age  of  eighty-six,  and  still  in  the  full 
possession  of  all  her  faculties.  The  oldest  daughter  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Llewellyn  is  Mattie  E.,  married  to  Carl  Reckner.  foreman  of 
factory  A at  the  Red  Wing  sewer  pipe  factory,  where  he  lias 
been  employed  some  sixteen  years.  Mr.  Reckner  was  a member 
of  Company  G,  13th  Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  saw 
active  service  in  the  Philippines,  being  promoted  from  corporal 
to  sergeant.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reckner  has  been  born  one 
daughter,  Gladys  Catherine,  born  July  3,  1894.  a pupil  in  the  Red 
Wing  public  schools. 

Carl  N.  Lien,  Red  Wing,  who  has  a long  and  honorable  record 
of  public  office  holding  in  this  and  Ramsey  counties,  is  the  son 
of  Nils  G.  and  Martha  (Holm)  Lien,  natives  of  Norway.  The 
mother  came  to  America  in  1852  and  located  in  Winneshiek 
county,  Iowa.  The  father  came  a year  later  and  settled  in 
Manitowoc,  Wis.  They  were  married  at  Decorah,  Iowa,  in 
1856,  and  in  the  spring  of  the  following  year  came  to  Warsaw, 
this  county,  where  the  father  carried  on  general  farming  until 
his  death,  in  1901.  His  widow  followed  him  to  the  grave  two 
years  later.  Carl  N.  attended  the  public  schools  and  took  a 
course  in  the  Lutheran  College  at  Decorah,  Iowa.  After  a course 
at  Northfield,  Minn.,  at  St.  Olaf’s  College,  he  completed  his 
schooling  with  a business  training  in  the  Curtiss  Business  Col- 
lege at  St.  Paul.  Thus,  well  equipped  with  a classical  and  busi- 
ness education,  he  started  out  in  life  for  himself.  Between  1879 
and  1889  he  was  justice  of  the  peace,  assessor  and  township 
chairman,  and  town  clerk  in  Warsaw,  and  in  1883-85  was  enroll- 
ing clerk  in  the  house  of  representatives.  From  October,  1885, 
to  June,  1886.  he  was  transcribing  clerk  in  the  office  of  the 
United  States  surveyor-general,  at  St.  Paul.  He  was  then  elected 
county  auditor  of  Goodhue  county,  and  from  January,  1890, 
to  January  4,  1909,  served  honorably  and  continuously  in  that 
position.  Mr.  Lien  was  married  April  24,  1878,  to  Mary  E. 


700 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Johnson,  who  was  educated  in  Carleton  College  and  St.  Olaf’s 
College,  at  Northfield,  Minn.  She  also  taught'  school  six  years, 
four  years  in  Iowa  and  two  years  in  Goodhue  county.  This 
union  has  been  blessed  with  eight  children.  Amanda,  born  July 
29,  1879,  married  Elias  Rachie,  and  lives  at  Willmar,  Minn. 
Clara  M.,  born  October  30,  1880,  married  Ole  J.  Olson,  a con- 
tractor and  builder,  of  Sioux  Falls,  S.  D.  Anna  married  Edward 
Lidberg,  of  Red  Wing.  She  was  born  September  11,  1882.  Nels 
N.,  born  August  1,  1884,  is  deputy  auditor  of  the  county.  Mabel 
C.,  born  October  23,  1886,  and  Julia,  born  September  9,  1889, 
are  graduates  of  the  Red  Wing  high  school.  Conrad,  born 
October  4,  1892,  died  December  31,  1893,  and  Carl,  born  Decem- 
ber 31,  1894,  died  April  14,  1896.  The  family  faith  is  that  of 
St.  Peter’s  Evangelical  church,  and  Mr.  Lien  votes  the  Repub- 
lican ticket.  During  the  years  1908-09  Mr.  Lien  has  been  teach- 
ing penmanship  in  the  Red  Wing  Seminary. 

Isaac  Lauver,  whose  name  is  inseparably  connected  with 
the  early  history  of  Red  Wing,  was  born  in  Lhiion  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. June  20,  1832,  son  of  Michael  Lauver,  a tailor  by  trade, 
an  occupation  which  he  followed  until  failing  sight  made  it 
necessary  for  him  to  seek  other  business.  In  his  later  days  he 
moved  to  Lena,  111.,  and  lived  with  his  son  until  May,  1871, 
when  he  died.  Of  the  nine  children  in  the  family,  Elizabeth, 
Anna,  Sarah,  Mary,  William,  Lewis,  Isaac,  Solomon  and  Joseph, 
the  only  one  still  living  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Isaac 
Lauver  received  his  education  in  his  native  county,  and  after 
leaving  school  took  up  carpenter  and  joiner  work,  which  he 
has  since  followed.  He  moved  to  Lena,  111.,  in  July,  1855,  and 
worked  in  the  factory  of  Manning  & Patersoi),  manufacturers  of 
reapers  and  mowers,  who  were  located  near  that  place.  Three 
months  later  he  came  to  Red  Wing  and  took  up  his  trade,  also 
doing  general  contracting.  During  nine  years  of  his  life  he  was 
foreman  for  Simmons  & Daniels.  In  1900  a cataract  of  the  eyes 
compelled  his  retirement  from  active  work.  In  1857  Mr.  Lauver 
was  brought  into  prominence  in  connection  with  the  Spirit  Lake 
massacre.  On  March  31  of  that  year,  in  company  with  William 
Granger.  AY.  AV.  DeKav,  George  Huntington  and  a Mr.  Patten, 
he  went  to  the  lake  and  investigated  the  massacre,  a full  account 
of  which  is  found  elsewhere  in  this  history.  Returning,  the 
party  reached  Reel  AAring  toward  the  end  of  August.  Mr.  Lauver 
enlisted  in  the  Civil  War  October  10,  1861,  and  re-enlisted 
January  1,  1864,  being  promoted  from  private  to  corporal,  and 
then  to  sergeant.  lie  served  in  Company  E,  3rd  Minnesota 
Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Clinton  Gurnee,  Edward  L.  Baker, 
AV.  AV.  DeKay  and  George  AV.  Knight,  and  was  badly  wounded  at 
Fiehburg  Woods,  being  confined  in  the  hospital  in  Arkansas 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


701 


fifteen  days,  after  which  he  was  removed  to  the  convalescent 
camp,  subsequently  being  granted  a month’s  furlough,  during 
which  he  came  to  Red  Wing,  landing  June  9,  1862.  He  then 
returned  to  the  army,  which  he  . joined  at  Pine  Bluff,  Ark.,  August 
7.  While  on  the  way  to  Little  Rock,  by  boat,  he  narrowly 
escaped  imprisonment  or  death  at  the  hands  of  the  bands  of 
rebels  infesting  the  banks  of  the  river.  Fie  was  discharged  at 
Duvall’s  Bluff,  and  then  resumed  his  trade  in  Red  Wing.  Isaac 
Lauver  was  married  August  16,  1866,  to  Helen  Swanson,  daughter 
of  Ole  Swanson.  To  this  \mion  were  born  four  children: 
Augusta  and  Minnie  are  deceased;  Lillian  and  Clyde  live  at 
home.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church. 

Carl  Alfred  Lovgren,  one  of  the  successful  dentists  of  Red 
Wing,  is  a native  born  son  of  this  city,  having  first  seen  the  light 
of  day  July  11.  1879.  He  received  his  education  in  the  public 
and  high  schools,  and  was  graduated  in  1901  from  the  Chicago 
College  of  Dental  Surgery.  At  once,  after  receiving  his  diploma, 
he  opened  an  office  at  Ellsworth,  Wis.,  and  there  practiced  with 
considerable  success,  in  the  meantime,  gaining  much  experience 
and  adding  to  his  store  of  knowledge.  November  15,  1907,  he 
came  back  to  Red  Wing,  and  in  December  of  the  same  year 
opened  an  office  in  the  Gladstone  block,  where  he  has  nicely 
furnished  and  well  equipped  rooms,  enjoying  a wide  patronage, 
including  many  of  his  former  patients  in  Ellsworth.  Dr.  Lovgren 
is  a Republican  in  political  affiliation  and  a member  of  the 
Foresters  and  Woodmen,  as  well  as  of  the  blue  lodge  of  Masonry, 
belonging  to  River  Falls  chapter,  No.  45,  R.  A.  M.,  and  Red 
Wing  commandery,  No.  10.  He  was  married  June  15,  1904,  to 
Laura  Jane  Fleming,  of  Emerald,  Wis.,  daughter  of  William  and 
Elizabeth  (Phillips)  Fleming,  the  former  of  whom  was  a lum- 
berman and  conducted  a saw  mill  until  his  death,  in  February, 
1908.  The  mother  is  still  living.  Barnard  Lovgren,  father  of 
C.  A.  Lovgren,  was  born  in  Sweden.  The  mother,  Ellen  Sander- 
son Lovgren,  was  born  in  New  York  state.  After  coming  to 
Red  Wing,  the  father,  who  is  now  deceased,  was  for  a number 
of  years  a member  of  the  firm  of  Friedrich,  Kempe  & Co.  The 
mother  still  makes  her  home  in  Red  Wing.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Lov- 
gren attend  the  Episcopal  church. 

Lewis  P.  Alexander,  who  for  several  years  was  chief  train 
dispatcher  of  the  local  branch  of  the  Great  Western.  Avith  head- 
quarters at  Red  Wing,  first  saAv  the  light  of  day  in  Morrison, 
Whiteside  county,  Illinois,  son  of  Horace  and  Irene  Alexander. 
The  father  Avas  a veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  his  occupation  being 
that  of  wagon  painter  and  decorator.  He  died  in  Chicago  in 
1881.  After  the  death  of  his  mother,  at  Morrison,  111.,  in  1875, 


702 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Lewis  P.  went  to  live  with  his  grandmother,  and  received  his 
education  in  the  schools  of  his  neighborhood,  near  Cedar  Rapids, 
Iowa.  He  worked  on  a farm  in  the  same  locality  until  twenty- 
one  years  of  age.  Ilis  first  railroad  experience  was  as  a tele- 
graph operator  for  the  Chicago  & Northwestern.  In  1893  he 
accepted  a similar  position  with  the  Burlington,  Cedar  Rapids 
& Northern,  and  was  later  promoted  to  the  position  of  train 
dispatcher.  In  1903  he  was  appointed  chief  train  dispatcher  at 
Red  Wing,  which  position  he  efficiently  and  honorably  filled. 
Mr.  Alexander  is  a Republican  in  politics,  and  belongs  to  the 
Woodmen  and  the  Yeomen.  He  was  married  February  28,  1895, 
to  Rilla  Thompson,  of  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  daughter  of  James 
C.  and  Angeline  (Fritz)  Thompson.  The  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Alexander  has  been  blessed  with  two  children  : Mervin  L.,  born 
April  13,  1896,  and  Firmin  L.,  born  December  5,  1900.  Both 
children  attend  the  public  schools.  Mervin  L.,  the  elder  son,  is  a 
clever  musician,  and  plays  first  and  second  cornet  in  the  Military 
band.  The  family  worships  at  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Gisle  J.  Kyllingstad,  manager  of  the  Goodhue  County  Abstract 
Company,  Red  Wing,  has  seen  life  in  three,  continents — Africa, 
Europe  and  North  America.  He  is  one  of  the  very  few  people 
now  living  in  the  United  States  who  was  born  in  Africa,  his  natal 
place  having  been  at  the  mission  station  in  Eschowe,  Zululand, 
where  he  first  saw  the  light  of  day  June  13,  1870.  His' parents, 
John  L.  and  Anne  M.  (Hansen)  Kyllingstad,  were  natives  of 
Norway.  They  went  to  South  Africa  as  missionaries  in  1863, 
and  pursued  their  labors  of  love  and  faith  in  that  country  until 
1879.  They  then  returned  to  Norway,  and  in  1881  came  to 
America,  John  L.  Kyllingstad  having  received  an  appointment 
as  a professor  in  the  Red  Wing  Seminary.  After  a year’s  service 
there  he  again  resumed  his  work  as  teacher  and  preacher,  until 
1890,  when  failing  health  caused  him  to  retire.  He  died  at 
Red  Wing  August  7,  1890,  and  his  widow  now  makes  her  home 
with  her  son,  Gisle  J.  Gisle  J.  received  his  early  education 
at  the  mission  station  in  Zululand,  and  in  Norway,  also  attend- 
ing the  Red  Wing  public  schools.  In  1888  he  graduated  from 
the  Red  Wing  Seminary,  then  engaged  in  bookkeeping  until 
1902.  Subsequently,  for  four  years,  he  engaged  in  the  retail 
coal  business  in  this  city,  and  in  1906  sold  out  and  accepted  his 
present  position.  Mr.  Kyllingstad  is  a Republican  in  politics, 
and  belongs  to  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church.  He  also  affili- 
ates with  the  Red  Men.  He  is  unmarried.  Of  his  two  brothers 
and  one  sister,  Bertha  N.  lives  in  Red  Wing,  John  A.  M.  at 
Lexington,  Miss.,  and  Peter  A.  at  Minneapolis. 

J.  G.  Derickson,  retired  farmer,  living  at  1324  Walnut  street, 
Red  Wing,  was  born  in  Cecil  county,  Maryland,  November  12, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


703 


1848,  son  of  John  P.  and  Catherine  (Miller)  Derickson,  natives 
of  Delaware,  who  afterward  moved  to  Hartford  county,  Mary- 
land, where  the  father  carried  on  farming  until  his  death.  The 
mother  is  still  living  in  that  county,  at  the  age  of  eighty-four 
years.  J.  G.  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools,  and 
remained  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  reaching  his  majority, 
at  which  time  he  went  to  Kansas  and  took  up  land  in  Sedgwick 
county,  where  he  farmed  until  coming  to  Red  Wing  in  1883. 
He  purchased  165  acres  and  carried  on  farming  and  dairying 
until  his  retirement  in  1901.  He  was  married  in  1874  to  Lizzie 
Arthur,  of  York  county,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Nicholas 
Arthur,  of  that  county.  To  this  union  have  been  born  three 
children.  Olive  is  the  wife  of  George  Gove,  engineer  on  the 
Great  Western  railroad.  Harry  F.  conducts  the  home  farm,  and 
in  connection  with  this  manages  a milk  depot  in  Red  Wing, 
where  he  handles  dairy  products  and  sells  ice  cream,  confec- 
tionery, fruit  and  the  like.  Elsie,  the  youngest  daughter,  lives 
at  home.  For  several  years  past  Mr.  Derickson  has  spent  his 
winters  in  Hot  Springs,  Ark.  He  is  highly  esteemed  and  well 
liked. 

Jesse  Mclntire,  one  of  the  most  prominent  men  of  pioneer 
Red  Wing,  was  born  in  Springfield,  Mass.,  August  25,  1821. 
and  there  received  his  boyhood  education.  At  the  age  of  twenty- 
two  years,  October  23,  1843,  he  married  Caroline  Parker,  and 
together  they  went  to  Windsor,  Vt.,  where  they  remained  until 
1S56.  Three  years  of  life  there  strengthened  them  in  their 
determination  to  seek  life  amid  the  wider  opportunities  of  a 
newer  country,  and  in  1856  they  came  to  Red  Wing,  then  a little 
settlement  under  the  shadow  of  Barn  bluff.  Here  the  family  has 
since  been  located.  Soon  after  settling  in  Red  Wing  he  engaged 
in  the  general  merchandise  business  with  T.  B.  Sheldon,  under 
the  firm  name  of  Mclntire  & Sheldon.  In  1861  the  partnership 
was  dissolved  and  the  stock  sold.  Four  years  later,  1865,  in 
company  with  a number  of  friends,  he  organized  the  First 
National  bank,  and  served  either  as  its  cashier  or  president 
during  the  entire  period  of  time  from  that  year  until  the  fall 
of  1905,  when  he  retired  from  business.  His  wife  died  in  the 
winter  of  1906,  and  he  followed  her  to  the  grave  September 
3,  1907,  having  passed  his  eighty-sixth  birthday.  At  the  time 
of  his  death  it  was  well  written  of  him:  “Mr.  Mclntire  came 

here  in  the  very  early  days  of  the  Red  Wing  settlement  and  did 
not  relax  his  hold  on  business  affairs  or  in  the  daily  life  of  those 
about  him  until  1905.  He  was  in  the  prime  of  life  when  he 
came  to  Red  Wing,  and  that  he  for  nearly  fifty  years  maintained 
his  place  as  one  of  the  prominent  business  men  of  the  city  indi- 
cates something  of  the  force  and  character  of  the  man.  He  was 


704 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


a good  business  man,  successful  in  the  best  sense,  a success  built 
upon  personal  integrity  and  maintained  by  straightforward  and 
fair  dealing  with  all  with  whom  he  had  to  do  through  a long- 
business  career.  But  he  was  more  than  a business  man.  He  was 
a most  kindly  neighbor,  and  as  a citizen,  loyal  to  all  the  best 
interests  of  the  city.  He  was  a member  of  the  board  of  man- 
agers of  the  State  Training  School  for  many  years,  served  on 
the  board  of  education  for  a long  time,  and  lias  been  a member 
of  the  city  council.  In  all  these  positions  he  was  efficient 
and  faithful.  lie  helped  to  organize  Christ  church  and 
for  many  years  past  was  one  of  its  vestrymen.  He  was  also 
a member  of  Red  Wing  lodge,  No.  8,  A.  F.  & A.  M.  Conservative 
by  nature,  even-tempered  and  gentle  in  manner,  he  was  a gen- 
tleman of  the  old  school.  He  came  here  from  New  England, 
as  one  of  that  group  of  men,  many  of  whom  have  passed  beyond 
and  a few  of  whom  still  remain,  who  have  helped  to  indelibly 
impress  upon  the  civic  life  of  Red  AA7ing  something  of  those  high 
and  enduring  qualities  that  are  associated  with  that  section.” 
The  name  of  Mclntire  is  perpetuated  by  two  sons — Henry  P. 
and  Frederick  J. 

Swan  Olson,  a well  known  resident  of  Yasa,  now  living  in 
retirement  at  Red  AATing,  was  a prominent  man  in  the  former 
township  for  many  years.  He  served  as  supervisor  of  the  town, 
as  treasurer  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  and  as  president  of 
the  Farmers’  Insurance  Company,  of  Vasa.  Mr.  Olson  was  born 
in  Sweden  June  28,  1827,  a son  of  Olla  and  Kirsti  Nelson,  natives 
of  that  country.  His  early  education  was  received  in  the  schools 
of  Sweden,  where  he  started  in  life  as  a farmer.  In  the  late 
fifties  he  came  to  America,  located  in  Yasa  township,  purchased 
160  acres  of  government  land,  added  to  this  until  he  owned  310 
acres,  and  carried  on  general  farming  for  many  years.  Like  the 
other  pioneers  of  his  day,  he  broke  the  land,  reclaimed  his  farm 
from  the  native  prairie  and  built  a comfortable  home.  In  1891 
he  sold  fifty  acres  of  his  land  and  retained  the  rest.  One  year 
previous  to  this  he  purchased  a home  on  Walnut  street,  in  Red 
AVing,  where  in  1891  he  moved,  renting  his  large  farm  to  other 
parties.  In  1892  he  purchased  the  Charles  Spates  farm.  Aside 
from  his  holdings  in  Goodhue  county,  he  owns  800  acres  in 
Idaho,  now  occupied  by  his  sons.  Mr.  Olson  was  married  in 
Sweden,  in  1853,  to  Carrie  Anderson,  by  whom  he  had  four 
children:  Martha,  born  October  9,  1853,  now  of  Seattle,  Wash.; 
Ellen,  born  October  6.  1857,  now  of  Featherstone  township; 
Andrew,  born  February  3,  1860,  now  of  Idaho ; and  Olof,  born 
October  24,  1861,  now  engaged  in  railroading.  After  the  death 
of  his  first  Avife,  in  1861.  Mr.  Olson  was  married  in  1862  to 
Anna  Bennett,  by  whom  he  has  fifteen  children:  Caroline,  born 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


705 


January  20,  1863,  died  in  infancy ; Kirsti,  born  February  23, 
1866,  died  in  infancy;  Nels  A.,  born  May  16,  1867,  died  Septem- 
ber 27,  1879;  Selma,  born  October  17,  1869,  died  the  following 
year;  Oscar  B.,  born  November  4,  1871,  died  November  3,  1906; 
Selma  B.,  born  March  31,  1874,  died  April  3,  1885 ; Hanna  J. 
was  born  June  15,  1876;  Alma  M.  was  born  October  1,  1878; 
Alfred,  born  May  15,  1867,  died,  1879;  Peter  A.  Avas  born  Decem- 
ber 10,  1880;  Hilma  M.  was  born  September  26,  1882;  Agnes  A. 
was  born  February  17,  1885 ; Minnie  E.  was  born  April  7,  1887 ; 
Fred  was  born  March  13,  1889,  and  Esther  L.  was  born  April 
30,  1894. 

Wellington  J.  Phillips,  Red  Wing,  photographer,  Avas  born 
at  Fort  Madison,  Iowa,  July  7,  1872.  His  parents  were  John 
and  Helen  (Brown)  Phillips,  the  former  a native  of  Baltimore, 
Md.,  and  the  latter  of  England.  John  Phillips  learned  the  busi- 
ness of  photography  at  a time  when  that  profession  was  com- 
paratively in  its  infancy  and  the  modern  inventions  and  improve- 
ments along  these  lines  Avere  unknoAAui.  Later  he  moved  to 
Burlington,  Iowa,  and  became  a conductor  on  the  Chicago, 
Burlington  & Quincy  railroad.  An  accident  received  in  a wreck 
incapacitated  him  for  this  employment,  and  in  1876  he  again 
took  up  photography,  opening  a studio  in  Lake  City,  Minn. 
In  1880  his  place  of  business  Avas  destroyed  by  the  great  fire 
which  visited  that  city  that  yeai,  and  in  1883  he  came  to  Red 
Wing,  and  continued  in  the  business  ten  years.  In  1891  he 
became  conductor  on  the  Duluth,  Red  Wing  & Southern  railroad, 
on  the  run  from  Red  Wing  to  Rochester.  In  1895  failing  health 
overtook  him  and  he  Avas  forced  to  retire.  He  is  noAv  police 
judge  at  Stanley,  Wis.  Wellington  J.  received  his  education, 
first  in  the  Nazarene  convent  at  Lake  City,  and  after  coming 
to  Red  Wing  with  the  family  also  studied  in  the  convent  here, 
afterward  finishing  at  high  school.  Choosing  business  instead  of 
college,  he  studied  photography  and  at  once  started  in  business 
for  himself.  He  does  excellent  and  artistic  work  and  has  a 
large  trade.  He  has  just  completed  on  Third  street  a new  build- 
ing, in  which  he  has  one  of  the  handsomest  and  most  modern 
studios  in  the  Northwest.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics,  and 
a member  of  the  Episcopal  church.  He  is  also  a member  of  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  and  for  six  years  served  in  the  Minnesota 
National  Guards,  a member  of  Company  G.  Mr.  Phillips  Avas 
married  February  12,  3 896,  at  Clinton,  Mo.,  to  Mary  L.  Brooke, 
of  Bristol,  Va.,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Pendleton  and  Caroline 
(Bunting)  Brooke,  of  Norfolk,  Va.  Her  father  died  in  March. 
3 898,  and  her  mother  resides  at  Seattle,  Wash.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Phillips  haA^e  been  born  five  children : Eleanor  L.,  April  4, 


706 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1899;  John  B.,  March  4,  1901;  Wellington  L.,  December  24,  1902; 
Mary  L.,  January  28,  1904,  and  Frank  LeRoy,  October  29,  1908. 

Theron  B.  McCord  was  a prominent  man  in  the  early  com- 
mercial activities  of  Red  Wing,  and  is  still  remembered  with 
respect  by  the  older  residents,  although  he  moved  away  in  the 
early  seventies.  He  was  born  at  Granville,  111.,  August  18,  1830, 
son  of  William  McCord.  His  early  education  was  received  in 
the  schools  of  Illinois,  and  he  worked  in  that  state  for  a time, 
coming  to  Red  Wing  in  the  middle  fifties.  After  several  years’ 
employment  with  Mclntire  & Sheldon,  the  pioneer  merchants, 
he  became  connected  with  the  potteries.  In  1873  he  moved  with 
his  family  to  Royalton,  AA7is.,  and  there  he  entered  into  the 
general  mercantile  business,  which  lie  continued  until  his  death, 
August  20,  1893,  becoming  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  that 
place.  In  1896  Mrs.  McCord  returned  to  Red  AYing,  where 
she  uoav  makes  her  home,  at  722  Bush  street.  Air.  McCord 
was  a Republican  in  politics,  and  for  four  years  served  as  register 
of  deeds  in  Goodhue  county.  He  was  also  a veteran  of  the  Civil 
War,  having  served  three  years  in  Company  D,  10th  Minnesota 
Volunteer  Infantry.  In  fraternal  association  he  was  a Alason. 
Air.  McCord  was  married  at  Red  AATing  June  10,  1867,  to  Ellen 
M.  Grannis,  daughter  of  Sidney  S.  and  Sarah  (Howe)  Grannis, 
whose  sketch  appears  in  this  volume.  To  this  union  was  born 
one  son,  Sidney  G.,  November  26,  1868.  He  married  Laura 
Vasburg,  of  Waupaca,  Wis.,  August  12,  1893.  Of  their  five 
children,  three  are  living  and  two  are  dead.  Alary  G.  was  born 
August  11,  1897.  Kenneth  and  Catherine,  twins,  were  born 
August  18,  1900,  and  the  latter  died  the  same  day.  Theodore 
and  Robert,  twins,  were  born  November  6,  1904,  and  the  latter 
died  November  5,  1905. 

Robert  W.  Putnam,  son  of  W.  II.  Putnam,  is  one  of  the 
younger  men  of  this  city  whose  name  is  already  becoming  asso- 
ciated with  movements  which  tend  toward  the  civic  improvement 
of  Red  Wing.  He  is  a native  born  son  of  the  city,  having  first 
seen  the  light  of  day  September  26,  1880.  As  a boy  he  attended 
first  the  graded  and  then  the  high  schools,  and  in  1898-99 
worked  a year  in  the  bank  of  Pierce,  Simmons  & Co.,  later  grad- 
uating from  the  state  university  in  1903.  His  first  business 
venture  away  from  home  was  as  a clerk  in  the  Swedish  American 
bank,  of  Minneapolis,  one  year,  after  which  he  entered  the  bank 
of  Pierce,  Simmons  & Co.,  of  Red  AVing,  as  assistant  cashier, 
becoming  cashier  in  January,  1908.  Mr.  Putnam  is  a college 
fraternity  man,  a member  of  the  city  board  of  public  works  and 
also  of  the  Commercial  Club.  He  has  been  much  interested  in 
the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  movement. 

Alfred  H.  Perkins,  deceased,  was  born  in  Featherstone,  this 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


707 


county,  October  26,  1867,  a scion  of  old  New  England  stock.  His 
parents,  H.  and  Violetta  E.  (Ellsworth)  Perkins,  left  New 
England  in  the  later  fifties  and  located  on  a farm  in  the  county 
of  Goodhue,  coming  to  Red  Wing  in  the  early  seventies.  Here 
the  father  was  engaged  in  several  business  ventures,  continuing  his 
connection  with  same  until  his  death.  The  mother  now  makes 
her  home  in  Boston,  Mass.  Alfred  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Red  Wing,  farmed  five  years  at  Featherstone, 
engaged  in  the  livery  business  at  Red  Wing  for  a time,  and  then 
returned  to  Featherstone  again.  In  1895  he  removed  to  Hart- 
land,  Pierce  county,  Wisconsin,  and  followed  farming  there 
until  1900,  after  which  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  government 
as  rural  mail  clerk.  He  died  April  15,  1906.  Thus  cut  off  in 
the  prime  of  manhood,  there  is  doubtless  much  that  he  would 
have  accomplished  had  he  lived  man’s  allotted  span  of  days. 
His  life  was  characterized  by  hard  work  and  family  devotion, 
and  his  death  was  a distinct  bereavement  to  the  community  as 
well  as  to  his  loving  family.  He  was  a Republican  in  politics,  a 
communicant  of  the  Episcopal  church  and  a member  of  the 
Modern  Workmen.  Mr.  Perkins  was  married  April  21,  1889, 
at  Burnside,  Minn.,  to  Jennie  AY.  Purdy,  daughter  of  David  and 
Mary  F.  (Rolfe)  Purdy,  natives  of  New  York.  They  came  to 
Minnesota  in  1861  and  located  on  a farm  in  Goodhue  township, 
where  they  remained  for  some  time,  after  which  they  retired  and 
moved  to  Red  Wing,  where  the  father  died.  The  mother  died 
May  19,  1905.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Alfred  H.  Perkins  were  born 
three  children:  Harry  H.,  born  August  1,  1892;  Burton  T., 

born  October  11,  1896 ; and  Genevieve,  born  September  19,  1897. 
The  family  residence  is  at  1601  AAYst  Sixth  street. 

Marshall  T.  Perkins,  Red  AATing  liveryman,  was  born  in 
Featherstone  township  November  28,  1862.  His  parents,  IT.  and 
ATiolet  E.  (Ellsworth)  Perkins,  came  from  Maine,  their  native 
state,  in  the  late  fifties,  and  purchased  a farm  in  Featherstone, 
where  Harston  carried  on  farming  extensively  until  some  time 
in  the  seventies.  He  then  came  to  Red  Wing,  became  interested 
to  a greater  or  less  extent  in  several  business  ventures,  and  died 
in  July,  1899.  His  wife  now  makes  her  home  in  Boston,  Mass. 
Marshall  T.  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  neigh- 
borhood, and  kept  books  for  his  father  two  years  after  leaving 
school.  He  then  for  ten  years  engaged  in  farming  in  Feather- 
stone township,  on  his  own  account.  Following  this  he  made  his 
first  venture  in  the  livery  business,  running  a livery  and  sale 
stable  at  Red  AYing  for  three  years.  He  then  again  returned 
to  Featherstone  and  farmed  five  years.  In  1906  he  opened  his 
present  livery  at  319  Plum  street,  which  he  has  since  success- 
fully conducted,  being  a good  judge  of  horse  flesh  and  a fair- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTlr 


7U8 

minded  business  man.  lie  is  a Republican  in  politics,  and  while 
at  Featherstone  served  as  constable  and  justice  of  the  peace 
on  several  occasions.  Mr.  Perkins  was  married  March  17,  1884, 
at  Red  Wing,  to  Anna  R.  Purdy,  daughter  of'  David  and  Mary 
Frances  (Rolfe)  Purdy,  natives  of  New  York  state.  They  came 
to  America  in  1864,  and  located  on  a farm  in  Goodhue  township, 
where  they  remained  for  some  time,  after  which  they  retired  and 
moved  to  Red  Wing,  where  the  mother  died.  The  father  is  also 
deceased,  To  Marshall  T.  and  Anna  R.  Perkins  were  born  nine 
children:  Edward  W.,  Nina  C.,  Edna  E.,  Frances  V.,  Ada  A., 

Marjorie  C.,  Delta,  Doris  and  Lawrence.  Frances  Y.  is  a milliner 
at  St.  Paul.  The  rest  live  in  Red  Wing,  the  four  youngest  being 
at  home.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  at  Red  Wing  May 
13,  1903,  and  Mr.  Perkins  was  married  again,  at  Red  Wing, 
August  27,  1908,  to  Lulu  M.  Harn,  of  this  city. 

John  C.  Pfeiffer,  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  of  the  Indian 
outbreak  in  Minnesota,  now  cabinet  maker  for  the  Red  Wing 
Manufacturing  Company,  has  the  unusual  record  of  having 
worked  for  over  a quarter  of  a century  at  the  same  bench  and  in 
the  same  employ.  He  was  born  March  1,  1837,  a son  of  Carl 
Pfeiffer,  a native  of  Germany.  Carl  went  to  Sweden  in  1820, 
and  there  married  Inda  Nordling,  a native  of'  that  country. 
After  arriving  in  Sweden,  Carl  Pfeiffer  had  charge  of  a large 
estate  and  remained  at  this  vocation  until  his  death,  in  1868. 
Thus,  born  of  German  and  Swedish  parentage,  John  C.  received 
his  education  in  the  Swedish  schools  and  then  learned  the 
cabinet  making  trade,  following  this  until  1858,  when  he  entered 
the  army  for  two  years.  AVhile  in  the  army  he  heard  many 
stories  of  the  success  which  his  fellow  countrymen  were  attain- 
ing in  the  American  Northwest,  and  in  1861  he  decided  to  try 
his  fortunes  in  this  country  himself.  His  first  location  was  at 
Lake  City,  Minn.,  where  he  arrived  in  the  spring  of  1861.  The 
country  was  soon  in  the  throes  of  the  great  Civil  War,  and  Mr. 
Pfeiffer’s  soldier  blood  stirred  within  him  as  he  heard  the  stories 
of  the  conflict.  Accordingly,  in  the  fall  of  that  year  he  came 
to  Red  Wing  and  September  21,  1861,  enlisted  in  Company  D, 
3rd  Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry,  which  was  mustered  in  at 
Fort  Snelling  October  1,  1861,  with  Captain  Hans  Mattson  and 
Colonel  C.  C.  Lester.  January  1,  1864,  he  re-enlisted  and  served 
until  September  16,  1865,  making  in  all  four  years  of  service. 
During  the  last  year  he  was  promoted  to  corporal.  Mr.  Pfeiffer 
was  captured  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  July  13,  1862,  but  was 
held  in  captivity  only  a short  time.  At  the  Indian  outbreak  he 
was  sent  north  to  Minnesota,  and  participated  in  the  battle  of 
Wood  Lake,  September  23,  1862.  In  January,  1863,  he  was 
again  sent  south  with  his  company,  first  going  to  Cairo,  111.,  and 


HISTOKY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


709 

thence  to  Columbus,  Ky.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of  the 
siege  of  Vicksburg,  and  was  detailed  to  the  battery  of  the  11th 
Ohio  Artillery  during  the  battle  of  Little  Rock,  September  10, 
1863.  Corporal  Pfeiffer  was  never  wounded,  but  as  the  result  of 
a fever  contracted  at  Pine  Bluff  during  the  fall  of  1864  he  lost 
his  hearing,  an  affliction  which  he  has  borne  since  that  date. 
After  the  war  he  returned  to  Red  Wing,  and  on  October  20, 
1865,  left  for  a trip  to  his  native  land.  July  14,  1866,  he  again 
arrived  in  this  city,  bringing  with  him  his  mother.  Stair  building 
and  carpentering  occupied  his  attention  until  1874,  during  which 
time  he  erected  his  present  residence.  In  1884  he  resumed  his 
former  trade  of  cabinet  making,  and  entered  the  factory  of  the 
Red  Wing  Manufacturing  Company,  where  he  lias  been  for  the 
past  twenty-five  years.  He  belongs  to  the  A.  E.  Welch  post,  G. 
A.  R.,  No.  75,  subscribes  to  the  Lutheran  faith,  and  in  politics  is 
an  independent  Republican.  Mr.  Pfeiffer  ivas  married  at  Red 
Wing  November  19,  1867,  to  Alice  Olson,  daughter  of  ITaken 
and  Hannah  Olson,  natives  of  Sweden,  who  came  to  America  in 
1854.  locating  at  St.  Charles,  111.,  until  May  5,  1855,  when  they 
came  to  Red  Wing,  where  the  father  followed  his  trade  of  cabinet 
making  until  1878,  when  he  retired.  The  father  died  January  5, 
1898,  and  the  mother  January  4,  1856.  Mrs.  Pfeiffer  was  born 
in  Sweden  March  15,  1846,  and  has  borne  to  her  husband  six 
children : Rosemund  E.,  born  October  1,  1868,  died  October  16, 
1880;  Arnold  A.,  born  May  20,  1871,  died  February  23,  1S72; 
Hannah  M.,  born  December  17,  1872,  died  January  2.  1908.  She 
was  the  wife  of  Rev.  J.  J.  Clemmons,  now  of  La  Crosse,  AA7is.,  to 
whom  she  bore  one  daughter,  Alice  Marie.  Henry  J.,  born 
September  14,  1875,  married  Josie  Whittemore,  of  Elk  River, 
Minn.,  and  is  now  assistant  cashier  in  the  bank  at  Havana,  N.  D. 
Alice  E.,  born  February  28,  1880,  died  October  28,  1887.  Carl 
E..  born  April  8,  1886,  is  a dentist  at  Ashton,  111. 

John  Peterson,  Sr.,  who  was  the  victim  of  a tragedy  while 
preserving  the  peace  and  order  of  the  city,  will  long  be  held 
in  honored  memory  by  the  people  of  Red  Wing.  He  was  born 
May  30,  1856,  at  Wintrosa,  near  the  city  of  Oreboro,  in  Sweden, 
and  came  to  America  in  February,  1881,  locating  at  once  in  Red 
Wing.  He  worked  for  a while  on  the  railroad,  then  entered 
the  employ  of  the  city  and  in  1893  was  appointed  a member 
of  the  police  force.  In  this  capacity  he  served  faithfully  and 
with  valor,  being  on  several  occasions  the  acting  chief.  He 
was  doing  active  duty  when  at  9 :10  on  the  evening  of  January 
14,  1907,  occurred  the  sad  events  which  resulted  in  his  death. 
The  story  of  the  affair  is  told  more  fully  in  the  general  history 
of  Red  Wing  appearing  in  this  volume.  It  is  sufficient  to  say 
here  that  one  August  Bloom,  a former  Red  Wing  barber,  man- 


. 710 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


aged  to  escape  from  the  asylum  at  Rochester,  where  lie  had 
been  confined,  and  returned  to  his  home  here.  Although  notified 
by  the  Red  Wing  authorities,  the  Rochester  officials  failed  to 
come  after  their  patient,  and  the  Red  Wing  police  decided  that 
on  account  of  threats  that  Bloom  had  made  he  should  be  locked 
up.  On  the  evening  in  question  he  was  located  in  the  Sibley 
hotel.  Accompanied  by  Mr.  Peterson,  Chief  James  Daily  entered 
the  waiting  room  of  the  hotel.  Almost  before  the  chief  could 
speak  the  crazed  man  opened  fire  with  a revolver,  and  a terrible 
struggle  ensued,  during  which  both  the  chief  and  Officer  Peterson 
received  fatal  wounds.  Bloom  escaped,  but  was  captured  by  a 
posse  several  hours  later  at  East  Red  Wing.  Mr.  Peterson  and 
the  chief  were  taken  to  a hospital.  A special  train,  ordered  by 
Red  Wing  citizens,  brought  a physician  from  St.  Paul,  and  every- 
thing possible  was  done  to  save  the  men’s  lives.  It  was  found 
that  the  bullet  which  wounded  Mr.  Peterson  passed  through  his 
left  side  into  the  bowels,  finding  lodgment  in  the  skin  about  an 
inch  from  the  navel.  An  operation  was  performed  by  Dr.  Rodger, 
of  St.  Paul,  assisted  by  local  surgeons,  but  these  efforts  were 
unavailing.  Mr.  Peterson  was  conscious  to  the  last.  He  bade 
his  family  a fond  farewell,  expressed  great  concern  for  the  wel- 
fare of  his  chief  and  passed  away  January  16,  1907,  at  5 :30. 
The  chief  also  died.  AVhen  the  funeral  took  place  the  entire 
city  went  into  mourning,  the  merchants  closed  their  places  of 
business  and  draped  their  windows  in  mourning.  The  Rev.  Mr. 
Darling,  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  preached  the  funeral  sermon, 
taking  for  his  text  the  words,  “Deep  calleth  unto  deep.”  Before 
coming  to  this  country  Mr.  Peterson  served  three  years  in  the 
standing  army  of  Sweden.  lie  was  married  April  20,  1881,  to 
Ann  Johnson,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  John  H.,  1882 

Arthur  E.,  1884;  Ann  IT.,  1886;  Harold  V.,  1890,  and  Edna 
F.,  1893. 

John  H.  Peterson,  son  of  the  above,  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  , of  Red  Wing  and  attended  the  night  sessions  of 
the  Red  Wing  Business  College.  He  then  clerked  in  several 
stores  and  later  entered  the  employ  of  the  Red  Wing  Gas,  Light 
& Power  Company,  for  which  company  he  has  now  worked  seven 
years,  being  the  assistant  manager;  In  addition  to  this,  he  is  one 
of  the  proprietors  of  the  Model  Laundry.  Mr.  Peterson  is  a 
popular  club,  and  fraternity  man.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers 
of  the  Florodora  Club  and  served  as  its  secretary  ten  years.  He 
is  a Knight  Templar  in  the  Masonic  order  and  also  belongs  to 
the  LTnited  Workmen,  for  which  order  he  has  been  a delegate  to 
several  state  conventions.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics. 

Arthur  E.  Peterson  is  the  acting  manager  of  the  Model 
Laundry.  This  laundry  was  organized  September  30,  1907,  and 


John  Peterson 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


•711 


does  a large  business  in  Red  Wing  and  many  other  cities,  employ- 
ing about  thirty  people.  Aside  from  general  laundry  work,  a 
specialty  is  made  of  cleaning  carpets  and  lace  curtains. 

Ann  H.  Peterson  is  bookkeeper  and  stenographer  for  S.  B. 
Foot  & Co.  Harold  Y.  does  newspaper  and  clerical  work,  and 
Edna  F.  lias  just  graduated  from  the  Red  Wing  high  school. 

Ernest  Rehder,  one  of  the  substantial  German  citizens  of 
Red  Wing,  was  born  in  Neufeldt,  Germany,  June  21,  1849,  son  of 
Jurgen  and  Maria  (Quast)  Rehder,  also  natives  of  Germany. 
The  father  was  a blacksmith  and  shipbuilder  and  worked  at 
those  trades  until  coming  to  America  in  1872.  He  first  located 
in  Featherstone  township,  and  there  resumed  his  trade  as  a 
blacksmith,  continuing  in  this  occupation  until  1880,  when  he 
retired  and  came  to  Red  Wing,  where  he  remained  for  the  rest 
of  his  life.  He  passed  to  his  eternal  reward  February  18,  1893, 
and  was  followed  by  his  wife  July  1,  1894.  Ernest  received  his 
education  in  the  schools  of  his  native  land,  and  supplemented 
this  with  a few  months’  training  in  the  American  schools  after 
arriving  in  Goodhue.  Before  coming  to  America  he  worked  for 
a time  as  a blacksmith,  and  after  landing  here  in  1871  Avorked 
on  a farm  a short  time  for  his  uncle.  In  1873  he  came  to  Red 
Wing,  and  again  took  up  blacksmi thing.  The  following  year- 
lie  started  work  in  a general  store,  in  Avhich  employ  he  continued 
until  1882,  when  he  engaged  in  the  general  store  business  with 
his  brother-in-larv,  Mr.  Gerken,  under  the  firm  name  of  Gerken  & 
Rehder,  until  1886.  In  that  year  lie  started  on  the  road  as  a 
salesman  for  a grocery  firm,  but  after  a year  and  a half  again 
became  a clerk  in  a store.  In  1890  he  engaged  in  business  for 
himself,  continuing  this  enterprise  until  1896.  Three  years  ago, 
in  1906,  he  accepted  a position  as  superintendent  of  the  elevator 
in  the  Goodhue  County  National  Bank  building,  a' position  he 
still  occupies,  being  knoAAm  far  and  wide  for  his  genial  spirit 
and  accommodating  disposition.  Mr.  Rehder  rvas  married  Septem- 
ber 23,  1876,  at  Red  Wing,  to  Maria  Augustine,  a natUe  of 
Germany  and  daughter  of  Claus  and  Ingel  Tobaben.  Her  mother 
died  in  the  old  country  in  1860,  and  her  father  came  to  America 
in  1870,  and  located  in  Hay  Creek,  where  lie  farmed  until  his 
death.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rehder  ha\re  been  born  nine  children, 
all  of  whom  have  attained  excellent  standing  in  the  community 
and  among  their  associates.  Crala  M.,  born  July  21,  1877,  mar- 
ried J.  W.  Schmidt,  of  Chicago,  and  has  one  daughter,  Gretchen. 
Margaret  J.,  born  May  30,  1879,  is  a stenographer  at  the  La 
Grange  mills.  Ernest  IT.,  born  June  13,  1881,  is  a bookkeeper 
at  the  Union  StoneAvare  Company.  Lydia  A.,  born  March  30, 
1883,  married  Otto  P.  Albrecht,  of  St.  Paul,  and  has  one  child, 
Paul.  Rudolf  G.,  born  September  3,  1885,  is  teller  in  the  Good- 


712 


HI  ST OB Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


hue  County  National  bank  and  first  lieutenant  of  Company  G, 
Minnesota  National  Guard.  Frederick  W.,  born  July  13,  1887, 
is  a jeweler,  optician  and  engraver.  John,  born  July  30,  1890, 
is  a student  in  the  State  University.  Emil  A.,  born  November 
26,  1891,  is  a student  in  the  Red  Wing  high  school,  and  Ruth  TI., 
born  December  25,  1897,  is  a pupil  in  the  public  schools.  Mr. 
Rehder  is  a staunch  Republican  and  has  served  the  city  one 
term  as  alderman.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  German 
Lutheran  church. 

Herman  Risch,  who  has  charge  of  the  printing  department  of 
the  State  Training  School,  has  given  general  satisfaction  in  that 
position,  possessing  that  combination  of  tact,  discipline  and 
genuine  interest  in  his  work  which  is  so  necessary  in  training 
boys  of  the  type  found  at  that  institution.  He  was  born  June 
20,  1851.  son  of  Conrad  F.  and  Caroline  (Steinhof)  Risch,  both 
natives  of  Hanover,  Germany.  The  father  wras  a preacher  of 
the  Lutheran  faith,  and  devoted  his  life  to  the  cause  of  religion. 
He  came  to  America  in  1848,  and  located  first  in  Warrick  county, 
Indiana,  where  his  labors  as  a minister  of  the  gospel  were  blessed 
with  an  abundant  harvest.  Later  he  took  charge  of  the  Lutheran 
church  at  Iluntingburg,  Ind.,  and  there  preached  for  many  years, 
later  being  assigned  successively  to  Evansville  and  Kellerville, 
both  in  Indiana.  In  the  late  sixties  failing  eyesight  forced  his 
retirement  from  the  active  ministry,  and  he  returned  to  Hunt- 
ingburg,  where  he  still  continued,  so  far  as  his  health  and 
eyesight  permitted,  to  follow  his  chosen  work,  often  acting  as  a 
supply  on  various  occasions  in  various  neighboring  pulpits.  He 
died  in  1891  and  his  wife  in  1894.  Herman  attended  the  schools 
of  his  neighborhood  and  then  went  to  work  for  the  Huntingburg 
“Signal.”  This  was  the  first  paper  in  that  village,  and  still 
exists  under  the  same  name.  In  1875  he  went  to  St.  Louis,  Mo., 
and  on  April  23,  1876,  landed  for  the  first  time  in  Red  Wing, 
which  was  to  be  his  home  in  later  years.  From  shortly  after 
that  date  until  1881  he  worked  in  a store  at  Front.enac,  this 
comity,  and  from  1881  to  1884  he  pursued  a similar  occupation 
in  Crookston,  Minn.  Again  returning  to  Frontenac,  he  farmed 
for  three  years.  In  the  spring  of  1888  he  had  an  opportunity  to 
return  to  the  newspaper  business,  his  interest  in  which  he  had 
not  allowed  to  die  out  during  his  years  of  other  work.  Conse- 
quently he  entered  the  office  of  the  Red  Wing  “Argus,”  with 
which  lie  remained  until  1891.  He  then  started  in  business  for 
himself  as  editor  and  proprietor  of  a German  paper  which  he 
called  the  “Teutonia.”  In  1903  he  moved  the  plant  to  Zumbro 
Falls,  Wabasha  county,  and  edited  the  Zumbro  Falls  “Mes- 
senger.” In  the  spring  of  1904  he  received  the  appointment  and 
accepted  his  present  position  as  the  instructor  in  the  printing 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


713 


department  of  the  State  Training  School,  being  also  the  editor 
of  the  paper  “The  Riverside,”  which  is  issued  by  the  boys  of 
that  institution.  Mr.  Risch  was  married  December  Hi,  1879,  at 
Prontenac,  to  Caroline  Friedrichs,  a native  of  Germany,  daughter 
of  Christian  and  Sophia  (Schmidt)  Friedrichs,  the  former  of 
whom  died  in  1884.  The  mother  now  makes  her  home  with  her 
daughter,  Mrs.  Riscli.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Risch  have  been  born 
three  children:  Conrad,  born  at  Frontenac,  November  7,  1880; 
Theodore,  born  at  Crookston,  Minn.,  November  28,  1882,  and 
•Julia,  born  at  Red  Wing,  October  14,  1891.  The  family  faith 
is  that  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Conrad,  the  oldest  son,  joined 
Company  G,  13th  Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  left  St. 
Paul  Avith  that  company  May  13,' 1898,  for  San  Francisco,  thence 
going  to  the  Philippines.  He  served  until  mustered  out  in 
October,  1899.  In  1900  he  again  enlisted,  this  time  in  the  23rd 
United  States  Volunteers,  going  again  to  Manila.  After  two 
more  years  of  service  he  returned  with  the  regiment  to  Fort 
Crook,  Neb.,  until  the  folloAving  July,  Avhen  he  received  an  ap- 
pointment as  electrician,  being  assigned  to  the  Bremerton 
(Wash.)  United  States  navy  yards,  Avhere  he  remained  until 
1908.  Conrad  Risch  Avas  married  to  Evangeline  Bailey  and  has 
one  daughter,  Gertrude  A.  Theodore,  the  second  son,  is  foreman 
in  the  printing  office  of  the  “Graphic  Sentinel,”  at  Lake  City, 
Minn.  He  Avas  married  February  2,  1904,  to  Adclie  R.  O’Neill,  of 
Rochester,  Minn.  They  have  three  children — tAvo  sons,  Frederick 
M.  and  Theodore  A.,  and  one  daughter,  Carol  Isabell. 

Jared  Sexton,  a pioneer  merchant,  of  Red  Wing,  noAV  retired, 
is  a native  of  Befvidere,  N.  J.,  born  May  12,  1829,  son  of  Thomas 
P.  and  Helen  (Longstreet)  Sexton,  the  former  of  whom  Avas  a 
cabinet  maker  until  July,  1837,  when  he  purchased  160  acres 
of  land  in  Waukesha  county,  Wisconsin,  and  folloAved  general 
farming  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  August,  1849.  The 
mother  died  in  1880.  After  receding  his  education  in  the  Wis- 
consin public  schools,  and  working  on  the  farm  with  his  father, 
Jared  came  to  Red  Wing  in  June,  1855,  and  for  two  years  Avas 
agent  for  the  Galena  steamboat  line.  In  the  spring  of  1857  he 
made  his  first  business  venture,  opening  a meat  market.  His 
first  beeves  were  brought  from  his  old  home  in  Waukesha  county, 
Wisconsin,  there  being  at  that  time  but  feAV  cattle  in  Goodhue 
county.  After  successfully  conducting  this  business  for  several 
years,  Mr.  Sexton,  in  the  spring  of  1864,  sold  out  and  started 
a grocery  establishment  at  the  corner  of  Plum  and  Third  streets, 
Avhere  he  built  up  a large  and  successful  business  and  took  part 
in  the  steady  groAvth  which  marked  the  progress  of  the  city  of 
Red  Wing  during  that  period.  In  1880  Mr.  Sexton  disposed  of 
his  business  and  has  since  lived  in  retirement  at  611  Bush  street, 


714 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


though  he  still  takes  an  active  interest  in  all  that  pertains  to 
the  advancement  of  the  city’s  interests.  A staunch  Republican 
in  politics,  Mr.  Sexton  has  served  six  years  as  a member  of  the 
city  council,  and  has  been  a justice  of  the  peace  for  two  years. 
He  belongs  to  the  United  Workmen  and  the  Odd  Fellows.  On 
December  18,  1853,  Mr.  Sexton  was  married  to  Persis  Parker, 
daughter  of  Luther  and  Alethia  (French)  Parker,  who  were 
among  the  first  settlers  of  Waukesha  county,  AVisconsin.  To 
Air.  and  Mrs.  Sexton  have  been  born  five  children:  Ida,  born 

in  August,  1855,  married  Walter  Roath,  now  deceased,  and  lives 
in  the  state  of  Washington.  Emma  A.,  born  February  19,  1860, 
married  William  Walters  and  lives  in  Chicago.  Helen  A.,  born 
November  2,  1867,  married  Charles  A.  Gilbert,  who  died  in  March, 
1896.  She  lives  in  Red  Wing.  Charles,  born  December  3,  1869, 
died  June  26,  1905;  and  AVilliam  B.,  born  December  22,  1874,  was 
drowned  in  1880.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  Air.  Sexton  has  many  interesting  reminiscences  of 
pioneer  days,  and  declares  that  at  the  time  he  came  here  there 
were  but  three  buildings  on  Alain  street — a hotel  known  as  the 
Red  Wing  House,  of  which  Jacob  Bennett  was  proprietor,  and 
two  stores,  conducted  respectively  by  J.  C.  Weatherby  and  II. 
L.  Bevins. 

Thomas  Sturtevant  was  a man  whose  executive  ability  and 
acquaintance  with  human  nature  caused  him  to  make  a success 
of  several  different  vocations.  He  was  born  in  Hartland,  Vt., 
and  in  that  town  received  bis  early  education,  afterward  attend- 
ing a business  college  in  New  York  city.  After  working  four 
years  as  a hotel  clerk  in  that  city  he  came  to  Red  AVing  in  1863 
and  opened  a tea,  coffee  and  spice  store,  which  he  conducted 
until  1868.  In  Hartford,  Conn.,  where  he  located  in  1868,  he 
started  a theatrical  enterprise  known  as  the  Allyn  Hall,  and  was 
associated  as  manager  with  the  gentleman  from  whom  the  theater 
received  its  name.  For  a short  time  Mr.  Sturtevant  had  charge 
of  the  Spring  Grove  cemetery  at  Hartford,  and  later  joined  the 
'police  force  of  that  city.  In  1875  he  returned  to  Red  AYing  and 
engaged  in  the  grocery  business  until  1880.  After  a short  period 
as  a real  estate  agent  at  Hamline,  Minn.,  he  took  his  family  to 
Livingston,  Mont.,  where  he  became  manager  of  the  Hotel  Albe- 
marle. A cattle  ranch  twenty-six  miles  from  Livingston  next 
occupied  his  attention,  and  on  this  ranch  he  spent  his  declining 
years,  passing  away  December  13,  1894.  After  her  sad  bereave- 
ment Airs.  Sturtevant  returned  to  Ilamline,  Minn.,  where  she 
remained  until  1902,  in  which  year  she  returned  to  Red  AALng, 
where  she  now  lives.  Thomas  Sturtevant  was  a Republican  in 
politics,  and  belonged  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  His  religious 
faith  was  that  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Busied  with 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


715 


his  private  enterprises,  he  never  sought  public  office.  Mr. 
Sturtevant  was  married  at  Jamesport,  Long  Island,  N.  Y.,  June 
28,  1869,  to  Mrs.  Elsie  (Skillman)  Wilcox,  daughter  of  Francis 
Skillman.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sturtevant  was  born  one  daughter, 
Nellie  Sheldon,  born  December  25,  1881,  now  living  at  Portland, 
Ore.  She  married  Dr.  Noble  W.  Jones.  Mrs.  Sturtevant ’s  Red 
Wing  home  is  at  830  Fifth  street. 

M.  A.  Tucker,  son  of  the  Rev.  Ezra  Tucker,  was  born  at 
Wolcott,  Vt.,  February  15,  1841,  and  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools,  also  taking  a course  in  Hamline  University,  at  that 
time  located  in  this  city.  He  was  a student  in  the  state  normal 
school  at  Winona  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  The  war  prac- 
tically closed  the  school,  the  majority  of  the  faculty  enlisting 
as  volunteers.  The  students  also  enlisted  in  large  numbers,  M. 

A.  Tucker  entering  the  United  States  service  in  1863,  serving 

until  the  close  of  the  conflict.  He  was  in  C.  A.  Hatch’s  battalion, 
Minnesota  Volunteer  Cavalry,  fighting  against  the  Indians  at 
Pembina.  Mr.  Tucker  was  a corporal  in  his  company.  After 
the  war  he  engaged  in  wheat  raising  in  the  township  of  Feather- 
stone,  on  his  father’s  farm,  until  1877,  when  he  went  to  Marshall, 
Minn.,  and  homesteaded  160  acres,  upon  which  lie  conducted 
farming  operations  until  1888.  After  another  year  at  Feather- 
stone'  he  again  returned  to  Marshall,  and  after  five  more  years 
there  came  to  Red  Wing.  Two  years  later  he  went  to  South 
Dakota  and  remained  eleven  years  as  clerk  in  a drug  store.  In 
1907  he  retired,  and  since  that  date  has  lived  at  454  Ninth  street, 
Red  Wing.  He  belongs  to  the  Methodist  church  and  votes  the 
Republican  ticket,  being  a member  of  the  United  Workmen  and 
the  local  G.  A.  R.  post,  in  which  latter  he  is  the  chaplain.  M.  A. 
Tucker  was  married  in  1877  at  Marshall,  Minn.,  to  Minnie  Lockey, 
daughter  of  James  M.  and  Jane  (Frame)  Lockey,  natives  of 
Canada,  who  located  in  Missouri  in  1876,  and  later  in  Marshall, 
Minn.,  where  the  father  was  a druggist.  They  are  now  living  at 
Faulkton,  S.  D.  Mrs.  Tucker  is  deceased.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Tucker  were  born  three  children : Anna  Llewellyn,  married  to 

Edward  Hoffman,  of  Bonestell,  S.  D. ; William,  who  lives  at 
Faulkton,  where  he  is  married  and  has  two  children ; and  Grace, 
also  living  at  Faulkton,  who  is  married  to  Milton  H.  Douglass. 
M.  A.  Tucker  also  has  two  brothers,  A.  C.  and  J.  J.,  and  a sister, 
now  Mrs.  A.  IT.  Cross,  of  Montrose,  Colo. 

Philander  Gates  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  county 
and  a familiar  figure  in  the  early  days.  He  was  born  in  Alle- 
ghany county.  New  York.  August  8,  1815,  son  of  Abel  and  Mary 

B.  Gates,  both  descended  from  early  New  England  stock.  His 
boyhood  education  was  received  in  the  schools  of  his  native 
county,  after  which  lie  took  up  farming  with  his  father.  As 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


716 

a young  man  he  went  to  Rockford,  111.,  and  started  liis  business 
career  as  a grain  buyer.  While  in  that  city  he  married  Phoebe 
Herrick,  who  died  in  1852  in  the  city  of  Chicago,  where  he  went 
from  Rockford.  He  remained  in  Chicago  as  a grain  trader  several 
years.  January  28, 1856,  he  married  Clarissa  J.  Nichols,  of  Riga,  N. 
Y.,  and  together  they  moved  almost  immediately  afterward  to 
Beloit,  Wis.,  where  they  remained  two  years.  In  Roscoe,  Minn., 
which  was  their  next  location,  Mr.  Gates  farmed  for  a while,  and 
in  1862  located  in  Red  Wing,  where  he  conducted  a trucking  line 
between  La  Crosse  and  Red  AVing,  that  being  in  the  days  before 
the  railroad,  when  merchandise  had  to  be  brought  here  either 
by  boat  or  drays.  He  continued  in  the  draying  business  for 
many  years,  retiring  in  1888,  when  he  sold  his  extensive  business 
to  the  firm  of  Gates  & Glardon,  the  latter  of  whom  still  carries 
on  the  enterprise.  For  several  years  Mr.  Gates  was  also  a Red 
Wing  grocer,  under  the  firm  name  of  Gates  & Allyn.  He  was  a 
Republican  in  politics,  and  for  two  years  served  as  a member  of 
the  city  council.  Being  a quiet  man,  he  did  not  seek  office, 
but  was  nevertheless  interested  in  all  public  movements  that 
had  for  their  object  the  upbuilding  of  the  city.  He  died  May 
6,  1907,  his  wife  having  gone  before  him,  May  11,  1903.  By 
his  first  wife  Mr.  Gates  had  four  children : Mary,  Sarah  and 

George  E.,  of  Red  AVing,  and  AVilliam.  of  Fortunia,  Cal.  By  his 
second  wife  he  had  three  children,  all  of  whom  live  in  Red  Wing. 
Clara  Al.  is  the  wife  of  J.  A.  Palmer.  Irving  R.  is  the  local  agent 
for  the  Standard  Oil  Company,  and  Jennie  May  is  the  wife  of 
Al.  N.  Cudgel,  she  being  the  member  of  the  family  to  whom 
the  editors  of  this  work  are  indebted  for  the  above  facts  con- 
cerning her  honored  father. 

Amherst  F.  Graves,  now  deceased,  was  probably  one  of  the 
best  known  men  of  his  time  in  Red  Wing,  his  positions  as  post- 
master and  hotel  proprietor  making  him  a conspicuous  character. 
It  is  to  the  cerdit  of  his  memory  that  all  who  knew  him  were  his 
friends,  and  his  record  was  above  reproach  in  both  public  and 
private  life.  He  was  born  at  Plattsburg,  N.  Y.,  December  26, 
1832,  his  parents  being  Myron  and  Fanny  Graves,  both  natives 
of  the  Empire  state.  Myron  Graves  was  a tinsmith  by  trade,  an 
occupation  which  he  followed  practically  all  his  life.  In  the 
fifties  he  located  in  Oshkosh,  Wis.,  and  there  remained  several 
years,  later  coming  to  Red  Wing,  in  the  sixties.  Here  he  ended 
his  days,  and  bis  wife,  who  survived  him,  passed  away  a short 
time  afterward  in  Racine,  AATis.  Amherst  F.,  after  attending  the 
schools  of  his  native  state,  learned  the  tinsmith  trade  with  his 
father,  and  worked  at  this  vocation  until  1865,  when,  in  April 
of  that  year,  he  came  to  Red  Wing  and  entered  the  employ  of 
F.  L.  Baker.  In  this  establishment  he  remained  twelve  years. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


717 


From  1875  to  1887  he  served  as  postmaster  of  Red  Wing,  a record 
of  which  service  will  be  found  in  the  postal  history  of  the  county. 
During  this  time  he  also  engaged  in  the  meat  business,  which 
he  conducted  all  the  twelve  years  of  his  government  appointment. 
He  then  became  manager  , and  landlord  of  the  St.  James  hotel, 
remaining  in  this  capacity  three  and  a half  years.  lu  1889  he 
retired  from  active  business  and  lived  in  retirement  from  that 
date  until  his  death,  February  13,  1906.  He  was  a Republican 
in  politics,  a Methodist  in  religion  and  a Mason  by  fraternal 
affiliation.  He  also  had  an  honorable  record  as  an  officer  in  the 
Civil  War.  He  enlisted  as  second  lieutenant  in  Company  B, 
McClellan’s  Dragoons,  October  22.  1861.  and  was  discharged 
November  8,  1863.  He  at  once  re-enlistecl  as  veteran  volunteer 
in  Company  I,  12th  Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served 
with  valor  until  the  finish  of  the  conflict.  Mr.  Graves  was  mar- 
ried at  AVells  Creek,  Minn.,  October  3.  1865,  to  Matilda  Mosier, 
daughter  of  Benville  and  Sarah  (Yohn)  Mosier.  Her  father  was 
a miller  by  trade  and  came  west  to  Iowa  in  1845.  In  1854  he 
removed  to  Rock  Island,  111.,  remained  there  two  years,  and  in 
1856  came  to  Minnesota  and  located  at  Hay  Creek,  this  county, 
being  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  that  township.  Here  he  success- 
fully conducted  farming  operations  for  several  years,  and  in 
1884  retired,  taking  up  his  home  in  Red  Wing,  where  he  ended 
his  days,  May  16,  1899.  His  wife  died  November  19,  1899.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graves  were  born  two  children:  Myron  B..  born 

June  30,  1866,  is  now  proprietor  of  the  Golden  West  hotel.  Min- 
neapolis. He  married  Margaret  Vally.  Harry  B.  was  born  at 
Red  Wing  May  8,  1867.  He  is  the  proprietor  of  a restaurant  at 
Minneapolis.  By  his  wife,  Jessie  Sanburg.  he  has  one  daughter, 
Violet  M.,  born  June  27,  1900. 

Enos  F.  Grow,  a veteran  of  the  Civil  War.  now  in  the  rail- 
way mail  service,  was  born  in  Granville,  Licking  county,  Ohio, 
March  16.  1843,  a son  of  William  S.  and  Mary  Jane  (Case)  Grow. 
William  S.  Grow  moved  to  Granville,  0.,  in  1839,  and  to*  Cin- 
cinnati, O..  in  1844.  Ten  years  later  he  came  to  Red  Wing  and 
purchased  240  acres  in  Burnside  township,  and  upon  these  rich 
acres  he  carried  on  successfully  an  extensive  farming  business. 
Desirous  to  take  up  his  residence  in  the  then  rapiclly-growing 
village  of  Red  Wing,  he  sold  his  farm  and  in  1858  engaged  in 
the  livery  business  on  Plum  street,  on  the  lot  now  occupied  by 
Red  Wing’s  beautiful  city  hall.  July  1,  1861,  when  the  call  came 
for  volunteers,  he  placed  his  life  at  the  disposal  of  his  adopted 
country,  and  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Second  Minnesota  Volunteer 
Infantry.  He  was  appointed  first  lieutenant  and  was  then  pro- 
moted to  quartermaster,  serving  until  January  28,  1863,  when  he 
was  called  home  on  account  of  the  illness  of  his  beloved  wife. 


718 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


He  was  then  appointed  provost  marshal  and  served  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  From  that  time  until  about  1872,  he  occupied 
a farm  of  160  acres  which  he  had  previously  purchased  in  Belle 
Creek  township,  this  county.  Later  he  moved  to  Lac  qui  Parle 
county,  where  he  farmed  for  a time,  afterward  going  to  Dawson, 
Minn.,  where  he  spent  his  declining  years  until  his  death,  in  No- 
vember, 1906.  His  widow  still  makes  her  home  at  Dawson.  Enos 
F.  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools,  and  in  the  high 
school  at  Ottawa,  111.  After  leaving  school  he  engaged  in  the 
livery  business  with  his  father,  continuing  the  same  until  April 
20,  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  First  Minnesota  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  as  a private.  Fie  was  promoted  to  corporal,  and 
although  wounded  at  Savage  Station,  while  participating  in  Mc- 
Clellan’s change  of  base  from  Chickahomony  to  the  James  river, 
took  part  in  every  engagement  of  the  regiment  as  follows:  First 
Bull  Run,  July  21,  1861 ; Edwards  Ferry,  October  22,  1861 ; York- 
town,  May  7,  1862;  Fair  Oaks,  June  1,  1862;  Peach  Orchard,  June 
29,  1862;  Savage  Station,  June  29,  1862;  Glendale,  June  30,  1862; 
Nelson’s  Farm,  June  30,  1862;  Malvern  Hill,  July  1,  1862;  Vienna, 
September  2,  1862;  Antietam,  September  17,  1862;  First  Fred- 
ericksburg, December  11,  12  and  13,  1862;  Second  Fredericks- 
burg, May  3,  1863;  Gettysburg,  July  2 and  3,  1863,  and  Bristow 
Station,  October  11,  1863.  After  his  discharge  he  returned  to 
Illinois,  where  he  farmed  four  years.  In  1868  he  came  to  Red 
Wing,  farmed  with  his  father  one  year  and  was  then  appointed 
deputy  sheriff,  a capacity  in  which  he  served  until  1879.  He 
later  entered  the  railway  mail  service,  his  first  run  being  on  the  C., 
M.  & St.  P.  R.  R.  from  Minneapolis  to  Chicago.  His  present  run 
is  on  the  Chicago  Great  Western,  between  Rochester  and  Minne- 
apolis. On  national  questions,  Mr.  Grow  votes  the  Republican 
ticket.  On  local  and  state  questions  he  votes  independently.  In 
the  Odd  Fellows  he  has  held  all  the  chairs,  and  has  also  occupied 
several  offices  in  the  Masonic  order.  The  family  attends  the 
Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Grow  was  married  August,  1872,  to  Sophia 

F.  Wifgon,  whose  father  was  a stationary  engineer’,  and  came  to 
America  in  1851.  lie  located  in  Red  AVing  in  1868,  and  carried  on 
truck  farming  until  his  death  at  the  home  of  Mr.  Grow,  November 
6,  1896.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grow  were  born  two  daughters.  Jennie 
W.  married  E.  A.  Gustafson,  of  Red  Wing.  Florence  C.  married 

G.  W.  A.  Buell,  also  a resident  of  Red  Wing,  assistant  road  mas- 
ter of  the  C.,  M.  & St.  P.  R.  R. 

Fred  O.  Green,  a successful  general  contractor  and  house 
mover,  of  Red  Wing,  is  a native  of  this  state,  born  September  23, 
1872,  in  Kandiyohi  county.  His  parents  were  Peter  and  Marie 
(Johnson)  Green,  the  former  of  whom  was  a cappenter  by  trade 
who  settled  in  Welch  township,  this  county,  in  1852,  and  became 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


719 


a farmer,  an  occupation  which  he  followed  for  the  remainder  of 
his  life.  His  death  in  1876  was  regarded  as  a distinct  bereave- 
ment to  the  community  in  which  he  lived.  The  mother  now  makes 
her  home  at  915  Putnam  avenue,  this  city.  Fred  0.  had  the  ad- 
vantages of  a thorough  education  in  the  Red  Wing  public  schools, 
and  then  took  up  the  trade  of  carpentering,  which  he  followed 
four  years.  At  the  end  of  this  period  he  saw  an  opportunity 
for  the  establishment  of  a general  contracting  business,  in  which 
he  accordingly  embarked.  This  industry  he  has  since  continued. 
In  politics  a Republican,  he  nevertheless  to  a large  extent  votes 
independently,  in  accordance  with  the  issues  of  each  campaign. 
He  is  a popular  member  of  the  Ropal  Arcanum  and  attends  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Green  was  married  July  3, 
1894,  at  Red  Wing,  to  Tillie  S.  Anderson,  daughter  of  John  and 
Christine  Anderson.  The  father  is  dead  and  the  mother  is  now 
Mrs.  John  Jackson,  of  Hartland,  Wis.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Green 
have  been  born  four  children — Ruth,  born  April  14,  1895 ; Herbert, 
born  June  12,  1896 ; Frances,  born  July  5,  1899,  and  Leland,  born 
September  22,  1901.  The  family  residence  is  a pleasant  home 
at  1210  West  Third  street,  Red  Wing. 

Irving’  R.  Gates,  local  agent  of  the  Standard  Oil,  is  a native 
of  this  county,  born  at  Roseoe,  Minn.,  February  23,  1861,  son  of 
Philander  and  Clarissa  J.  Gates,  early  pioneers  of  this  county. 
Irving  R.  »received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Red 
Wing.  After  leaving  school  he  started  in  business  for  himself, 
running  a dray  line  and  doing  general  teaming  for  ten  years.  He 
also  had  the  local  agency  for  the  P.  C.  Hanford  Oil  Company, 
which  in  1888  Avas  merged  in  the  Standard  Oil,  in  Avliose  employ 
he  has  since  remained.  He  now  serAres  fourteen  towns  in  Minne- 
sota and  Wisconsin,  being  highly  regarded  for  his  promptness 
and  honesty  as  well  as  for  his  geniality  and  ability.  During 
his  early  career  he  was  the  OAvner  of  a livery  stable  for  several 
years,  and  supplied  a team  of  horses  for  the  hose  cart  of  the  fire 
department.  Aside  from  this  he  has  had  more  or  less  dealings 
with  the  municipality  during  his  entire  business  career.  A Repub- 
lican in  politics,  Mr.  Gates  belongs  to  the  Red  Men  and  the  Mod- 
em Woodmen.  For  tAventy  years  he  Avas  a member  of  the  vol- 
unteer fire  department  of  the  city,  and  during  this  time  served 
several  terms  as  treasurer  of  the  Phoenix  Hook  and  Ladder  Com- 
pany, and  at  the  present  time  is  apnember  of  the  Red  Wing  Fire 
Department  Relief  Association.  Irving  R.  Gates  Avas  married  at 
Red  AYing,  May  30,  1891,  by  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Hancock,  to  Caroline 
C.  Carlson,  a native  of  Sweden,  who  came  to  America  with  her 
parents  in  1881.  They  located  in  Red  AYing  and  in  this  city  the 
father  died.  The  mother  now  makes  her  home  Avith  Mrs.  Gates. 
Air.  and  Airs.  Gates  have  one  son,  Richmond  D.,  born  June  9,  1896. 


720 


HISTOKY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


The  family  residence  is  at  119  Seventh  street,  Bed  Wing.  Mr. 
Gates’  holdings  include  an  eighty-acre  farm  near  the  city  limits, 
known  as  “Sunny  Brook  Farm.”  This  he  conducts  in  connection 
with  his  other  business. 

George  E.  Gates,  Red  Wing,  collecting  and  insurance  agent, 
was  born  at  Beloit,  Wis.,  July  31,  1852,  son  of  Philander  and 
Phoebe  A.  (Abbot)  Gates.  He  was  brought  to  Red  Wing  at  the 
age  of  six  years,  and  has  many  boyhood  recollections  of  men  and 
events  long  since  passed  into  history.  The  public  schools  of  that 
period  gave  him  an  opportunity  for  a good  common  school  edu- 
cation, and  as  a youth  he  learned  the  tinner’s  trade.  This  he  fol- 
lowed until  1896,  when  he  opened  an  establishment  of  his  own, 
successfully  conducting  same  for  ten  years.  The  confinement, 
together  with  the  contact  with  the  metallic  fumes  necessary  in 
this  business,  undermined  his  health,  and  in  1906,  at  the  advice  of 
his  physicians,  he  gave  up  his  tinning  store,  and  later  engaged 
in  the  collecting  and  insurance  business,  performing  all  the  de- 
tails usually  attended  to  in  such  an  office.  Mr.  Gates  votes  the 
Republican  ticket,  is  a Baptist  and  a member  of  the  Foresters 
and  the  Modern  Samaritans.  He  was  married  in  this  city,  July 

4,  1876,  to  Harriet  Roberts,  daughter  of  S.  W.  and  Lucinda 
(Growl)  Roberts,  natives  of  Michigan.  They  came  to  Red  Wing 
November  4,  1862,  and  for  twenty  years  Mr.  Roberts  engaged  in 
the  teaming  business.  Thun  he  became  a skilled  veterinary  sur- 
geon and  in  1883  went  to  Ellsworth,  Wis.,  where  he  practiced  his 
profession  until  the  time  of  his  death.  Plis  wife  died  December 

5,  1903,  at  Red  Wing.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  E.  Gates  have 
been  born  three  children — Zaidee  A.,  born  at  Red  Wing,  January 
1,  1878,  died  May  22,  1903;  Bessie  M.,  born  August  4,  1879,  mar- 
ried Dr.  E.  Van  Camp,  of  St.  Thomas,  N.  D.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Van 
Camp  now  live  at  Athens,  Mich.,  rvhere  they  have  two  children — 
Lawrence,  born  November  1,  1905,  and  Edith,  born  August  14, 
1907.  Lawrence,  the  third  child  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gates,  was 
born  December  18,  1881.  and  died  October  16,  1882. 

Frederick  F.  Hoorn,  of  Red  Wing,  engineer  and  machinist  for 
Charles  Betcher,  was  born  in  Kroneberg’s  lan,  Sweden,  April  3, 
1837.  His  father,  Andreas  Hoorn,  born  in  1808,  and  died  in  1894, 
was  a blacksmith  by  trade.  His  mother,  Christina  Nelson,  was 
born  in  1809  and  died  in  1894.  Both  parents  remained  in  their  na- 
tive country  all  their  lives.  Frederick  F.  attended  the  Swedish 
schools  and  learned  the  blacksmith  trade  as  an  apprentice  to  his 
father,  also  mastering  the  art  of  a machinist.  He  continued  in 
these  occupations,  being,  for  a time,  engaged  in  a foundry  and 
mill  business  with  his  brothers.  He  spent  one  year  in  Copen- 
hagen, Denmark,  working  in  locomotive  shops.  In  the  spring  of 
1870  he  emigrated  to  America,  spent  the  summer  in  Boston  work- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


721 


mg  in  locomotive  shops,  and  then  came  west,  locating  at  Red 
Wing,  where  he  was  employed  as  machinist  in  the  iron  works  of 
the  Densmore  Brothers.  Desiring,  on  account  of  his  health,  to 
follow  an  occupation  that  would  permit  him  to  be  out-of-doors, 
he  purchased  160  acres  of  land  in  Burnside  township,  this  county, 
in  1872,  which  he  broke  and  improved,  carrying  on  general  farm- 
ing*. During  this  period  he  received  many  offers  to  resume  his 
trade  as  a machinist,  and  in  1892  he  returned  to  Red  Wing,  where 
he  built  a new  home,  and  became  engineer  at  the  North  Star 
Stoneware  Company’s  plant.  Two  years  later  he  accepted  a sim- 
ilar position  with  the  Charles  Betcher  Lumber  Company  at  their 
factory,  where  he  has  since  been  continuously  employed.  At  pres- 
ent he  has  charge  of  the  repair  and  machine  work.  Mr.  Hoorn 
was  married  December  17,  1871,  to  Mary  Berg,  a native  of  Kal- 
mar bin,  Sweden,  born  June  30,  1851,  wlro  came  to  America  in 
1869,  locating  at  Red  Wing.  She  was  the  youngest  daughter  of  a 
family  of  nine  children,  six  of  whom  emigrated  to  America.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hoorn  have  been  born  eight  children — John  Albert, 
drowned  in  the  Mississippi  at  Red  Wing  in  1894,  just  after  hav- 
ing completed  his  freshman  year  at  the  state  university ; Karl  * 
FI.,  D.  M.  D.,  University  of  Minnesota,  practicing  dentistry  at 
Brainerd.  Minn. ; Herman  U.,  at  present  living  at  home ; Lydia 
M.,  wife  of  William  II.  Miller,  lawyer,  living  at  Spokane,  Wash.: 
Esther  V.,  married  to  Aaron  E.  Johnson,  manufacturing  jeweler 
at  Minneapolis ; Edith  A.,  teacher  at  Brainerd,  Minn. ; Frederick 
AY.,  student  at  the  state  university,  Minneapolis.  The  family 
holds  membership  in  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Church.  The  resi- 
dence is  at  1803  West  Fifth  street,  Red  Wing. 

Judge  Axel  Haller,  of  the  probate  court,  is  a worthy  example 
to  the  younger  generations  of  what  a young  man  of  native  ability 
may  accomplish  by  means  of  hard  work  and  persevering  effort. 
He  was  born  in  Wermeland,  Sweden,  December  11,  1858,  one 
of  the  five  sons  of  Andrew  and  Carrie  (Benson)  Haller,  who 
brought  their  family  to  America  in  1867  and  settled  at  Wana- 
mingo,  this  county.  There  the  father  purchased  a residence 
and  for  many  years  pursued  the  business  of  contractor  and  car- 
penter. Worthy  citizens  in  every  respect,  honored  residents  of 
their  community,  the  parents  are  now  living  a life  of  comparative 
retirement,  made  happy  in  the  afternoon  of  life  by  the  loving 
regard  of  their  descendants.  Axel  Haller  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  and  in  the  Red  Wing  Seminary.  After 
leaving  the  seminary  he  taught  school  winters  and  farmed  sum- 
mers for  several  years.  His  services  for  ten  years  as  secretary  of 
the  Cherry  Grove,  AYanamingo  and  Minneola  Mutual  Fire  In- 
surance Company  gave  general  satisfaction,  and  also  increased 
his  acquaintance  among  the  influential  men  of  the  county.  As 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


122 

assistant  cashier  of  the  bank  at  Zumbrota  he  continued  his  suc- 
cessful career,  and  in  November,  1894,  he  was  elected  probate 
judge.  His  victory  at  the  poles  was  assured  from  the  start  and 
he  entered  the  office  with  the  hearty  support  of  a large  majority 
of  the  citizens  of  the  county.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  suc- 
cessively re-elected.  Of  his  services  as  judge  little  need  be  said, 
as  his  sympathy,  helpfulness  and  impartiality  are  known  in  every 
city,  village  and  farm  residence  in  the  county  where  the  hand 
of  death  has  made  his  services  necessary.  Aside  from  holding 
a political  office,  Judge  Haller  has  business  interests  in  the  Pierce 
Simmons  Bank  and  in  the  Eed  Wing  Advertising  Company.  In 
the  former  he  is  a director,  and  in  the  latter  secretary  and  di- 
rector. Fraternally  he  is  a member  of  the  United  Workmen 
and  the  Modern  Woodmen.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics  and  a 
member  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  Church.  To  Axel  Haller 
and  his  wife,  Inger  Ottum,  whom  he  married  in  1882,  have  been 
born  six  sons  and  two  daughters.  Alma  C.,  a school  teacher,  is 
in  White  Earth,  N.  D. ; Nelson  B.  is  on  a farm  in  the  same  state; 
Adolphus  is  studying  law  in  the  state  university  at  Minne- 
• apolis;  Helmer  L.,  Carl  A.,  Chester  A.,  Victor  F.  and  Florence  J. 
are  all  at  home. 

Martin  Hanson,  merchant  tailor,  who  enjoys  a fine  class  of 
trade  among  the  prominent  men  of  Red  Wing,  was  born  in  Nor- 
way, May  8,  1864,  a son  of  Andrew  and  Mattie  (Severson)  Han- 
son, both  natives  of  Norway.  The  father  died  when  Martin  was 
very  young,  and  his  mother  in  1886  came  to  Wisconsin,  where  she 
still  makes  her  home  at  the  age  of  sixty-three  years.  Left  without 
a father’s  care,  Martin  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
country  a short  time,  and  at  an  early  age  was  apprenticed  to  an 
uncle,  who  taught  him  the  tailor’s  trade.  In  the  spring  of  1880 
Martin  came  to  America  and  worked  one  year  in  Rice  county, 
Wisconsin.  He  came  to  Red  Wing  in  1881,  and  worked  two 
years  for  Jacobson,  the  tailor.  Subsequently  he  was  employed 
one  year  by  the  Boxrud  Brothers,  two  years  for  Peterson  & 
Grondahl,  and  nine  years  by  P.  A.  Sandberg.  After  prospecting 
for  a time  at  Spokane,  Wash.,  he  again  returned  to  Red  Wing 
and  started  in  business  for  himself.  Mr.  Hanson  served  two 
years  in  Company  G,  is  a Republicon  in  politics  and  belongs  to 
the  Modern  Woodmen.  He  was  married  July  20,  1887,  to  Dena 
Bjerke,  of  Red  AVing,  daughter  of  Thorvald  and  Patra  (Peter- 
son) Bjerka,  natives  of  Norway.  Her  father  is  living  in  Norway 
and  her  mother  died  in  1879.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hanson  have 
been  bo;m  two  children — Isabel,  September  10,  1891,  and  Leonard, 
March  25,  1893.  Leonard  attends  the  Red  Wing  Seminary.  The 
family  worships  at  St.  Peter’s  Norwegian  Lutheran  Church.  In 
Air.  Hanson’s  family  were  ten  brothers  and  sisters,  only  two  of 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


723 


whom,  besides  himself,  are  now  living.  Louisa,  married  to  Will- 
iam Welda,  lives  in  South  Dakota.  Lewis  is  married  and  also 
lives  in  South  Dakota. 

Joseph  Hallgren,  apiarist  and  poultry  fancier,  has  a record  of 
thirty-five  years’  continual  residence  in  Red  AVing.  He  was 
born  in  Sweden,  July  20,  1847,  son  of  Andrew  and  Johanna  Hall- 
gren, the  former  of  whom  died  in  1863  and  the  latter  in  1851. 
After  receiving  his  school  training  in  his  native  land,  Joseph 
came  to  America  in  1866,  and  became  a coachman  in  St.  Paul. 
There  he  remained  until  1873,  when  he  took  a trip  to  Louisiana 
and  Arkansas.  April  8 of  the  following  year  he  came  to  Red 
Wing  and  took  up  wfirk  as  a carpenter,  a trade  which  since  that 
uate  he  has  continued  to  follow  nearly  all  the  time.  In  1878 
he  purchased  four  lots  on  Phelps  street,  where  he  built  a com- 
fortable home.  Many  years  ago  he  began  to  take  an  interest  in 
bees  and  chickens,  and  with  the  passage  of  time  he  became 
an  expert  along  both  these  lines.  He  has  a colony  of  125  hives  of 
bees  which  produce  a large  amount  of  honey.  Mr.  Llallgren 
reads  all  the  latest  writings  on  bee  culture  and  has  become  an  ex- 
pert on  the  habits  of  the  busy  little  insects.  His  fowls,  in  which 
•he  takes  a deep  interest,  consist  of  a large  flock  of  barred  Ply- 
mouth Rocks,  of  which  he  has  reason  to  feel  very  proud.  His  fowls 
and  bees  have  taken  prizes  at  several  exhibitions.  Air.  Hallgren  is 
a Republican  in  politics  and  for  two  years  served  as  one  of  the 
trustees  of  Oakwood  cemetery.  He  is  a member  of  the  Swedish 
Lutheran  Church  and  holds  membership  in  the  Scandinavian 
Benevolent  Society.  -January  1,  1876,  he  was  married  at  Red 
AVing  to  Anna  C.  Johnson,  daughter  of  Andrew  AY.  and  Johanna 
Johnson,  the  former  of  whom  died  July  26,  1871,  and  the  latter 
in  1908.  Mr.  and  Airs.  Hallgren  have  no  children.  An  adopted 
son,  Gust  Hallgren,  upon  whom  they  set  their  affections,  was 
drowned  in  the  Mississippi  river  Alay  27,  1892. 

Samuel  T.  Irvine,  assistant  city  clerk,  was  born  in  Trim  Belle, 
Pierce  county,  Wisconsin,  August  6,  1861,  son  of  Samuel  and 
Chritne  (Huddleston)  Irvine,  the  former  a native  of  Ireland  and 
the  latter  of  Morristown,  Inch  The  father,  upon  coming  to 
America,  stayed  for  a short  time  in  Chicago,  and  in  1845  located 
in  Milwaukee,  remaining  four  years.  He  then  moved  to  Pierce 
county,  purchased  a farm  and  carried  on  general  farming  until 
his  death,  April  4,  1898.  The  mother  is  still  living  on  the  old 
homestead  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years.  Samuel  T.  Irvine  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  public  and  private  schools  of  AYis- 
consin  and  worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father.  Like  many  other 
boys  of  his  day,  lie  did  his  farm  work  in  the  summer  time  and 
attended  school  in  the  winter.  After  completing  his  studies  he 
taught  district  school  eight  years  in  Pierce  county  and  served  as 


724 


ill  STORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


clerk  of  his  township.  July  1,  1890,  he  entered  the  railroad  mail 
service,  continuing  until  January  1,  1902,  after  which  he  engaged 
in  business  at  Red  Wing,  conducting  the  Bee  Hive,  which  Avas 
managed  along  the  lines  of  a department  store.  In  September, 
1907,  he  sold  his  interest  in  this  establishment  and  engaged  for 
a time  as  traveling  salesman  for  a Red  Wing  concern.  For  tAVO 
months  he  conducted  an  insurance  office  and  December  16,  1908, 
was  appointed  to  his  present  office  of  assistant  city  clerk,  in 
which  position  his  clerical  accuracy  and  accommodating  spirit 
have  been  highly  commended.  Mr.  Irvine  is  a Republican  in 
politics  and  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  lie 
belongs  to  several  Masonic  degrees  and  is  the  junior  warden  of 
the  Blue  Lodge  of  that  order.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  the  Yeomen  Insurance  Company,  the  Memorial  Day 
Association,  the  Sons  of  Veterans  and  several  other  organizations. 
While  in  Pierce  county  he  Avas  a justice  of  the  peace  three  years, 
1885  to  1888.  Mr.  Irvine  Avas  married  August  26,  1885,  to  Myrtle 
E.  Merritt,  daughter  of  Francis  and  Eunice  R.  Merritt,  of  Bel- 
fast, N.  Y.  Her  father  died  in  Belfast,  N.  Y.,  and  her  mother 
is  now  living  at  Red  Wing.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Irvine  have  been 
born  one  daughter,  Eunice  M.,  August  3,  1900. 

George  W.  Humphrey,  Red  Wing,  now  retired,  has  had  an  in- 
teresting career  as  a farmer,  fighter  and  florist.  He  was  born  in 
New  York  city,  August  11,  1843,  son  of  John  and  Sarah  N.  (Stev- 
ens) Humphrey,  both  natives  of  England.  The  mother  Avas  born 
in  the  town  of  Bristol,  England,  and  Avas  brought  to  America  by 
her  father,  a blacksmith,  a.t.  the  age  of  thirteen  years.  Later  the 
family  moved  to  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  from  New  York  city,  Avhere  they 
first  located.  At  Elmira  Sarah  N.  married  John  Humphrey,  and 
they  took  up  their  residence  in  that  city.  It  is  a remarkable  coin- 
cidence that  Mrs.  Humphrey  left  England  on  the  day  that  Queen 
Victoria  Avas  crowned,  and  died  on  the  day  of  the  queen’s  death, 
the  two  occurring  only  a feAv  hours  apart.  On  the  same  day, 
January  22,  1901,  Mr.  Humphrey  also  died.  A double  funeral 
Avas  held  at  their  home,  701  East  Second  street,  Elmira,  N.  Y., 
and  was  largely  attended,  both  old  people  being  greatly  beloved. 
The  homestead  is  hoav  occupied  by  the  youngest  daughter. 
George  W.  received  his  education  in  the  New  York  state  public 
schools  and  also  took  an  academic  course  in  his  home  city.  His 
first  work  Avas  as  a clerk  in  a dry  goods  store  at  Elmira.  After 
tAvo  years  in  this  store  he  enlisted,  July  17,  1862,  in  Company  D, 
One  Hundred  and  Seventh  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  first  under  Captain  S.  A.  Ben- 
nett and  Colonel  A.  S.  Diven,  and  later  under  Colonel  Crane.  He 
was  commissioned  successively  by  Governors  Seymour  and  Fen- 
ton, and  during  the  last  nine  months  of  his  service  Avas  in  com- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


725 


mand  of  his  company.  He  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Dallas 
near  New  Hope  Church,  and  participated  in  the  Potomac  cam- 
paigns, also  serving  at  Gettysburg,  Resaca,  Antietam  and  Chan- 
cellorsville,  being  with  General  Hooker  in  his  strenuous  cam- 
paigns. During  the  grand  review  at  AYashington  which  followed 
the  surrender  of  Lee,  Captain  Humphrey  passed  by  the  reviewing 
stand  with  his  eleven  men,  all  that  remained  of  his  brave  com- 
pany. After  the  war  Mr.  Humphrey  returned  to  Elmira  and 
worked  for  a time  as  a florist  with  his  parents.  In  July,  1868, 
he  came  to  Red  AYing,  and  after  working  a short  time  as  a car- 
penter took  up  general  contracting  work,  which  he  continued 
until  1873,  when  he  went  to  Cannon  Falls  for  two  years.  There 
he  engaged  in  business  two  years.  After  his  return  to  Red  AYing 
he  worked  at  his  trade  for  two  years,  and  then  received  the  ap- 
pointment as  sexton  of  Oak  wood  cemetery.  There  he  worked  ten 
years  and  in  1900  opened  a florist’s  establishment,  which  he  man- 
aged four  years.  In  1904  he  retired.  He  owns  a quarter  section 
claim  in  Dakota,  and  raises  a few  vegetables  and  flowers  near  his 
home  on  Fifteenth  street,  Red  AYing.  AVliile  in  Cannon  Falls 
Mr.  Humphrey  served  as  a member  of  the  city  council.  He  ay  as 
once  elected  county  coroner  of  Goodhue  county,  but  never  qual- 
ified. He  is  a Republican  in  polities,  and  belongs  to  the  United 
AVorkmen,  the  Odd  FelloAA’s,  and  to  the  G.  A.  R.  posts  both  in  Red 
AYing  and  Elmira.  N.  Y.  Mr.  Humphrey  Avas  married  in  January, 
1874,  to  Agnes  C.  Dover,  of  Cannon  Falls,  daughter  of  Christo- 
pher and  Elizabeth  Douer,  the  former  of  whom  was  an  architect 
and  builder.  To  this  union  Avas  born  one  son,  Benjamin  S.,  June 
27,  1875,  now  living  in  North  Dakota.  Airs.  Agnes  (Douer) 
Humphrey  died  August  7,  1884.  and  on  December  27,  1894,  Air. 
Humphrey  married  Airs.  Sarah  Phyllis  (Saunders)  Scliunk, 
daughter  of  Daniel  and  Mary  (Goddard)  Saunders.  Her  father 
died  Alarch  8,  1879,  at  Red  AYing,  and  her  mother  is  living  at 
Fort  AYorth,  Texas,  Avhere  she  celebrated  her  ninetieth  birthday, 
February  14,  1909.  To  Mrs.  Humphrey  and  Mrs.  Sarah  Humph- 
rey has  been  born  one  son,  George  AY.,  Jr.,  NoArember  15,  1896, 
now  .attending  the  Red  AYing  schools.  To  Airs.  Humphrey,  by 
her  former  husband,  Jacob  D.  Scliunk,  whom  she  married  De- 
cember 5,  1875,  and  who  diecl*in  1890,  two  children  Avere  born. 
Arthur  J.,  born  at  Hay  Creek,  October  25,  1876,  is  married  and  is 
president  of  the  Northern  Accident  Insurance  Company,  located 
at  Aberdeen,  S.  D.  Jesse  A.,  born  at  Hay  Creek,  June  25,  1882, 
is  married  and  lives  at  Richville,  Minn.,  where  he  is  a successful 
George  Hartman,  deceased,  AA^as  for  many  years  a hardware 
florist. 

merchant  in  Red  AYing.  He  Avas  born  in  AVittenburg,  Mecklen- 
burg,  Germany,  in  1846.  His  parents,  David  and  Alargaret  Hart- 


726 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


man,  natives  of  Germany,  came  to  America  in  1852,  and  located 
first  in  Milwaukee,  coming  to  Goodhue  county  with  the  early  set- 
tlers and  purchasing  a farm  in  Hay  Creek,  where  he  ended  his 
days.  The  mother  survived  him  and  died  in  Red  Wing.  George 
came  to  Hay  Creek  township  with  his  parents  in  1856.  He  pur- 
chased 150  acres,  broke  and  improved  the  land,  built  a home, 
and  for  several  years  devoted  his  time  to  farming.  Later  he 
came  to  Red  Wing  and  opened  a hardware  business,  which  he 
continued  all  his  life  with  considerable  success.  His  career  ended 
July  13,  1890,  in  this  city.  Mr.  Hartman  was  a Democrat  in 
imlitics  and  belonged  to  the  United  Workmen.  In  religious  faith 
he  was  a worshiper  at  the  Lutheran  Church.  George  Hartman 
was  married  at  Red  Wing  June  27,  1878,  to  Mary  Wallauer,  born 
January  10,  1850,  daughter  of  Paul  and  Kate  (Yolk)  Wallauer, 
who  came  to  America  from  Germany,  their  native  land,  and 
located  in  New  York  state.  There  the  mother  died  and  the  father 
came  to  Goodhue  county,  purchased  a farm,  and  remained  until 
his  death  in  1884.  The  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hartman  was 
blessed  with  six  children.  George  J.,  born  March  5,  1879,  is 
deceased;  John,  born  July  5,  1880,  is  a chemist  at  Minneapolis; 
Anarand  J.,  born  September  20,  1881 ; Myrtle,  born  March  8, 
1884,  is  deceased;  Clara  D.,  born  October  18,  1885,  lives  at  home; 
Alma  M.,  born  April  S,  1887,  is  dead;  Annard,  the  youngest,  is 
manager  of  the  North  American  & Postal  Telegraph  Cable  Com- 
pany, also  engaged  in  business  as  a cigar  and  tobacco  merchant 
at  Red  Wing. 

Herman  Hanisch,  the  honored  and  trusted  superintendent  of 
Oakwood  cemetery,  Red  Wing,  for  the  past  two  decades,  holds 
the  esteem  of  all  who  know  him.  He  was  born  in  Germany,  De- 
cember 24,  1853,  and  his  boyhood  education  was  received  at  AVau- 
pun,  AAris.,  after  which  he  learned  the  trade  of  carriage  making, 
which  he  followed  at  Waupun  until  1878,  when  he  came  to  Red 
Wing  and  engaged  in  the  same  business  with  considerable  success. 
His  honor  and  integrity  were  known  throughout  the  city,  and 
in  1889,  when  the  trustees  of  Oakwood  cemetery  had  the  appoint- 
ment of  a new  superintendent,  Mr.  Hanisch  was  selected  as  the 
man  for  the  position,  the  duties  of  which  he  has  since  that  date 
discharged  in  a faithful  manner.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics, 
an  Episcopalian  in  faith  and  a member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  Mr. 
Hanisch  was  married  at  Red  Wing  to  Annie  M.  J.  Freestedt, 
daughter  of  S.  A.  and  Alreca  Freestedt,  the  former  of  whom  was 
a Red  AVing  wagon  maker.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hanisch  have  been 
born  five  children.  Lottie  is  a school  teacher  in  Goodhue  village, 
this  county.  Edwin  and  Grover  live  at  home,  and  Adolph  and 
Emmett  are  deceased. 

George  Washington  Hawkins,  now  a Red  AA7ing  painter,  has 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


727 

had  an  interesting  career  by  land  and  sea,  and  lias  seen  life  in 
various  parts  of  the  globe,  as  well  as  under  varied  conditions  in 
this  country.  He  is  a native  son  of  New  York  city,  born  February 
22,  1840.  His  father,  Thomas  Hawkins  (wife’s  maiden  name 
Mary)  was  a native  of  England.  He  came  to  America  in  the 
late  twenties,  and  in  New  York  city,  where  he  first  located,  fol- 
lowed his  trade  as'  machinist  for  many  years.  He  then  went  to 
Mobile,  Ala.,  and  opened  a large  machine  shop,  where  he  em- 
ployed thirty  men.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War  in  1861 
he  was  so  outspoken  in  his  devotion  to  the  Union  and  his  oppo- 
sition to  secession  that  he  was  held  captive  by  the  Confeder- 
ates as  a northern  sympathizer.  He  died  in  Mobile  in  1867.  The 
mother  died  in  New  York  city  in  1841.  George  W.  received  his 
education  in  the  city  schools  of  New  York  and  then  took  up  a 
seafaring  life.  January  14,  1862,  he  joined  the  United  States 
navy.  Upon  his  discharge  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  at  the  close  of  the 
war  in  1865,  he  at  once  re-enlistecl  and  served  until  1868,  when  he 
was  again  discharged  at  Baltimore.  During  his  six  years’  ser- 
vice he  was  under  the  command  of  George  Dewey,  who  later  be- 
came the  hero  of  Manila.  After  being  released  from  the  United 
States  service  he  made  several  trips  on  Lakes  Erie,  Michigan  and 
Superior.  He  then  came  to  Red  Wing  in  the  fall  of  1868  and  en- 
tered the  paint  establishment  of  his  brother,  AY.  E.  Hawkins,  who 
was  a pioneer  painter  of  Red  Wing.  In  this  employ  he  remained 
tAventy  years.  For  two  years  following  this  he  conducted  a 
paint  shop  of  his  own.  and  then  entered  the  employ  of  Scott  & 
Harrison,  with  whom  he  remained  six  years.  Subsequently  he 
went  to  work  for  C.  A.  Erickson,  with  whom  he  still  remains.  He 
is  a Republican  in  politics,  and  a member  of  the  Episcopal 
Church.  He  also  belongs  to  A.  E.  Welch  Post,  No.  75,  G.  A.  R., 
in  which  he  is  the  snare  drummer.  Mr.  Hawkins  was  married  , 
January  1.  1873,  at  Red  Wing,  to  Mary  James  Jordon,  daughter 
of  John  Jordon,  a prominent  farmer  of  AVacouta,  this  county. 
Both  parents  are  now  deceased.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hawkins  have 
been  born  five  children.  George  is  a painter  at  Portland,  Ore. 
Caroline  M.  is  now  Mrs.  C.  E.  Beckmark,  manager  of  the  Beck- 
mark  Shoe  Company,  of  Red  Wing.  Mabel  P.  is  Airs.  H.  H. 
Lucas,  of  Hastings,  Minn.;  Harry  is  a barber  at  Portland,  Ore., 
and  John  G.  died  in  1901.  The  family  residence  is  a pretty 
home  at  735  Potter  street. 

Joseph  A.  Haustein,  is  another  of  Red  AYing’s  young  profes- 
sional men  who  have  made  rapid  strides  along  the  road  of  suc- 
cess and  prosperity.  In  connection  with  his  large  practice  he 
is  conducting  special  studies  of  the  human  eye,  and  keeps  well 
abreast  of  all  the  latest  developments  along  the  lines  of  artificial 
assistance  to  the  human  vision.  Dr.  Haustein  was  born  in  this 


728 


HI  ST  OB  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


city,  July  31,  1880,  son  of  Joseph  and  Anna  (Koch)  ITaustein,  the 
mother  a native  of  Germany  and  the  father  of  Dayton,  0. 
Joseph  Haustein,  Sr.,  died  March,  1901,  and  his  widow  is  still 
living.  After  receiving  his  preliminary  education  in  the  schools 
of  Red  AVing,  Joseph  A.  Haustein  took  a course  in  the  Northern 
Illinois  Colege  of  Opthalmology  and  Otology,  where  he  graduated 
with  honors  July  28,  1906,  passing  his  examination  to  practice 
in  this  state  October  24.  In  November  of  the  same  year  he  opened 
a well-equipped  office  at  308)4  Bush  street,  where  he  practiced 
until  July  1,  1909.  He  is  now  located  in  his  new  building  on 
Third  street,  next  to  the  Red  AVing  Daily  Printing  Company, 
having  a large  clientele  in  the  city  and  also  in  Goodhue  and 
Pierce  county.  He  is  an  independent  voter  and  attends  the 
Catholic  Church,  being  a member  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus 
and  of  the  St.  Joseph  Society.  Dr.  Haustein . was  married  No- 
vember 17,  1903,  at  Minneapolis,  to  Bernice  Franklin,  daughter 
of  George  B.  and  Alice  (Block)  Franklin,  farmers  of  Mazeppa, 
AVabasha  county,  this  state. 

John  M.  Hjermstad,  machinist  and  garage  owner,  was  brought 
to  this  country  from  Norway,  by  his  parents,  Martinus  IT.  and 
Martha  (Johnson)  Hjermstad,  while  still  an  infant.  The  parents 
came  to  Red  AVing  in  1866  and  purchased  160  acres  at  Bell  Creek. 
In  November,  1904,  the  mother  died  and  in  1897  the  father  sold 
his  farm  and  is  now  living  a retired  life  at  Kenyon,  Minn.  John 
M.  was  born  September  23,  1862,  and  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  Bell  Creek,  this  county.  He  remained  on 
the  home  farm  until  twenty-one  years  of  age  and  then  went  to 
St.  Paul,  where  he  worked  successively  for  the  following  compan- 
ies : St.  Paul  Harvesting  Company,  learning  the  trade,  two  years ; 
for  same  company  as  master  mechanic  at  North  St.  Paul,  two 
years;  Ear  huff  Organ  and  Piano  Company  at  North  .St.  Paul, 
seven  years  as  master  mechanic ; Luger  Furniture  Company, 
North  St.  Paul,  two  years;  Konantz  Saddlery  Company,  of  St. 
Paul,  five  years ; Lee  and  Hoffman  Manufacturing  Company,  of 
St.  Paul,  two  years  ;«V alley  Iron  AVorks,  of  St.  Paul,  one  year. 
After  this  long  period  of  able  and  faithful  work  in  and  about  St. 
Paul,  Mr.  Hjermstad  came  to  Red  AVing  in  the  spring  of  1902  and 
formed  a partnership  with  C.  F.  Hjermstad  and  J.  R.  Trautner, 
in  the  boat  building  business.  After  two  years  he  sold  out  and 
in  October,  1905,  opened  a machine  establishment  and  garage 
which  he  lias  since  owned,  managed  and  conducted.  Mr.  Hjerm- 
stad is  a Republican  in  polities  and  during  his  residence  in  North 
St.  Paul  served  as  fire  chief  from  1890  to  1897,  as  village  re- 
corder from  1892  to  1894,  and  as  a member  of  the  village  council 
one  term.  He  belongs  to  the  United  AVorkmen  and  the  Knights 
of  Pythias,  in  which  latter  order  he  has  been  through  all  the 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


?29 

chairs.  Mr.  Hjermstad  was  married  June  16,  1891,  to  Stella  L. 
"Webster,  daughter  of  Mino  B.  Webster,  of  Burlington,  la.,  super- 
intendent of  the  Burlington  car  shops  at  Leffler,  la.,  for  twenty- 
six  years.  The  father  died  in  January,  1899,  and  the  mother 
February  18,  1903.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hjermstad  have  been  blessed 
with  a son  and  daughter,  Harry  M.,  born  September  13,  1892, 
and  Mariae  M.,  born  August  13,  1895.  The  family  worships  at 
the  English  Lutheran  Church. 

Aaron  Carlson  was  born  in  Sweden,  June  28,  1850.  and  came 
with  his  parents  to  America  in  1854  and  located  in  Minnesota, 
where  they  took  up  a homestead  of  160  acres  in  Vasa  township, 
which  they  broke  and  prepared  for  cultivation.  They  followed 
general  farming  until  1873,  when  they  retired  and  moved  to  Red 
Wing,  where  in  February,  1880.  the  father  was  killed  by  a 
falling  tree.  The  mother  died  in  February,  1906.  Aaron  Carlson 
received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Vasa  township,  and  later 
attended  Hamlin  University  at  Red  Wing.  After  finishing  his 
studies  he  took  up  farming  on  his  father’s  farm  in  Featherstone, 
which  he  conducted  for  six  years.  In  1879  he  went  to  Trimbelle, 
Wis.,  and  operated  a saw  mill  for  three  years.  In  1882  he  re- 
turned to  the  old  farm  in  Featherstone  township,  and  engaged 
in  general  farming,  dairying  and  stock  raising.  He  has  160 
acres  of  land  under  cultivation  and  ten  acres  of  good  timber  in 
Burnside  township.  He  has  made  a great  many  improvements 
of  the  place  and  has  a fine  home.  His  farm  is  located  nine  and  a 
half  miles  from  Red  Wing.  Mr.  Carlson  was  married  in  1873  to 
Carrie  Ernberg,  daughter  of  Jonas  and  Sarah  (Bush)  Ernberg, 
natives  of  Sweden.  They  came  to  this  country  in  the  early  days 
and  settled  in  Vasa  township  in  1869.  where  they  engaged  in 
farming.  The  father  died  in  1902,  the  mother  having  passed 
away  in  1897.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carlson  have  six  children — Augusta, 
a teacher  at  the  Vasa  Orphans’  Home;  Emily  married  Victor  Lar- 
son, a farmer  of  Vasa;  Archie  E..  now  in  Chicago,  is  with  Rie- 
bault  & Co. ; Harry  lives  at  home ; Mabel  married  Alfred  Carleen 
of  St.  Paul,  and  Frances,  who  teaches  in  the  public  schools  of 
Anoka,  Minn.  Mr.  Carlson  is  an  independent  voter.  He  has 
served  on  the  town  board  for  two  years,  as  chairman.  He  and  his 
family  are  members  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Church  of  Vasa. 

Hon.  William  W.  Phelps  was  born  in  Oakland  county.  Michi- 
gan, in  the  year  1822 ; graduated  at  the  university  of  his  native 
state ; practiced  law  several  years,  being  partner  in  the  law  of- 
fice of  General  Stevens;  was  married  in  1849  to  Sarah  B.  Mann. 
He  was  elected  a member  of  the  legislature  of  the  state  of  Michi- 
gan, and  while  a member  of  that  body  was  appointed  by  President 
Pierce  register  of  the  land  office  which  was  soon  to  be  opened  at 
Red  Wing,  Minn.  This  appointment  was  obtained  through  the 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


730 

influence  of  Senator  Stewart,  a warm  personal  friend  of  Mr. 
Phelps,  and  one  who  gave  him  much  encouragement  at  the  be- 
ginning of  his  career. 

He  came  to  Red  Wing  in  the  fall  of  1854,  and,  in  connection 
with  Hon.  C.  C.  Graham,  began  arrangements  for  opening  an 
office  here  for  the  sale  of  the  public  lands  in  the  Red  AYing  land 
district.  The  lands  were  then  but  partially  surveyed,  and  the 
territory  of  Minneosta,  with  the  exception  of  a few  villages  along 
the  Mississippi,  unsettled,  and  its  natural  resources  undeveloped. 

Arrangements  were  completed  and  the  United  States  land 
office  opened  for  business  on  the  first  of  February,  1855.  Mr. 
Phelps  proved  himself  a faithful  and  efficient  officer.  His  duties 
in  the  land  office  made  him  acquainted  with  the  needs  of  early 
pioneers,  and  he  was  always  ready  to  help  those  who  came  with- 
out much  capital  to  make  a home  for  themselves  in  this  new 
country.  Such  Avas  his  popularity  that  he  Avas  elected  repre- 
sentative to  congress  as  soon  as  Minnesota  was  admitted  to  the 
Union,  and  while  a member  of  that  body  did  good  service  for 
his  constituency.  He  Avas  tAvice  elected  mayor  of  the  city  of  Red 
AYing.  And  Avhen  in  our  country’s  greatest  need  a call  was 
made  upon  her  sons  to  maintain,  at  the  peril  of  life,  the  suprem- 
acy of  the  Union,  he  was  of  the  number  of  those  avIio  Avere  ready 
to  venture  all  in  the  cause  of  their  country. 

In  all  that  pertained  to  the  prosperity  of  Red  AVing,  from  the 
day  of  his  coming  here  until  the  day  of  his  death,  his  efforts 
in  the  extension  of  business  relations,  in  opening  up  channels 
of  communication,  public  improvements  and  kindred  matters, 
the  attitude  and  action  of  Mr.  Phelps,  as  a citizen,  has  been  that 
of  a liberal  and  far-seeing  man.  Nor  Avas  his  influence  restricted 
to  his  oavu  toAArn  or  county.  He  Avas  Avell  knoAvn  throughout  the 
state  as  a man  Avho  could  be  relied  upon  and  assist  in  advancing 
the  best  interests  of  the  commonwealth.  He  died  August  3, 
1873,  and  his  earthly  remains  were  deposited  in  Oakwood  ceme- 
tery. A beautiful  monument  has  been  placed  over  his  grave. 

Lucius  F.  Hubbard  Avas  born  in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  January  26,  1836. 
He  went  to  Chicago  in  1853  and  in  1857  came  to  Red  AYing.  His 
first  venture  in  Red  AYing  Avas  the  establishment  of  the  Red 
AYing  Republican,  which  is  still  in  existence.  On  the  outbreak  of 
the  Civil  AY'ar  he  sold  his  newspaper  to  enlist  as  a private  in  the 
Fifth  Minnesota' Infantry.  He  Avas  commissioned  captain  February 
5.  1862;  lieutenant  colonel  March  20,  1862,  and  colonel  in  August 
of  the  same  year.  He  Avas  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Corinth. 
After  the  fall  of  Vicksburg  Colonel  Hubbard  commanded  a 
brigade  at  the  battle  of  Nashville,  where  he  was  again  wounded. 
He  Avas  breveted  brigadier  general  for  conspicuous  gallantry. 
In  1872  he  Avas  elected  to  the  state  senate  and  re-elected  tAVO 


C.  J.  F.  Smith 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


731 


years  later.  He  was  elected  governor  in  1881  and  re-elected  in 
1883.  In  recent  years  Governor  Hubbard  has  made  his  home  in 
St.  Paul. 

C.  J.  Ford  Smith,  deceased,  formerly  of  Red  Wing,  was  born 
in  Hudson,  N.  IT.,  March  28,  1826,  son  of  Jefferson  and  Sarah 
Smith,  natives  of  NeAV  Hampshire.  He  received  his  education  in 
the  common  schools  of  Hudson,  and  later  attended  a seminary  in 
NeAV  Hampshire  for  a short  time.  In  1852  he  came  west  and 
located  in  St.  Paul,  where  he  Avas  employed  in  a general  merchan- 
dise store  until  1854,  when  he  came  to  Red  Wing  and  engaged  in 
the  mercantile  business,  which  he  conducted  until  1882,  Avhen  he 
sold  out  and  retired  from  active  business  life.  Mr.  Smith  Avas 
captain  of  the  militia  at  the  time  of  the  Indian  massacre  and 
Avas  ordered  on  guard  duty  for  a short  time.  He  Avas  assistant 
assessor  and  reA^enue  collector  for  the  government  a number  of 
years.  In  politics  he  Avas  originally  a Republican,  but  in  later 
life  voted  the  Prohibition  ticket.  He  was  married  November 
8,  1857,  to  Elizabeth  J.  Adams,  daughter  of  Ezra  and  Electa  P. 
(Ismoncl)  Adams,  natives  of  New  York  state,  Avho  in  1830  located 
in  Illinois,  Avhere  the  father  followed  his  trade  of  wagon  and  car- 

S>  . 

nage  making  until  his  death  in  1845.  The  mother  passed  aAvay 
in  1883.  Mrs.  Smith  received  her  education  in  the  public  schools 
and  attended  the  Presbyterian  seminary  for  girls  at  Jacksonville, 
111.  In  1856  she  came  to  Red  Wing,  began  teaching  and  con- 
tinued for  two  years,  being  one  of  the  pioneer  teachers.  The 
Avedding  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  Avas  the  first  held  in  the  Presby- 
terian church,  Rev.  J.  W.  Hancock  officiating.  They  had  five 
children:  Harvey  P.,  born  August  8,  1858,  uoav  at  Duluth;  Albert 
L.,  of  Helena,  Mont.,  born  October  5,  I860;  Harriet  F.,  born 
March  11,  1865,  now  of  Pittsburg,  Pa. ; Lyman  A.,  born  January 
28,  1868,  and  died  January  18,  1877;  Helen  S.,  of  Boston,  born 
February  5,  1873.  Mr.  Smith  Avas  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  and  aauas  one  of  the  elders  until  his  death. 
He  Avas  also  a constant  attendant  and  teacher  in  the  Sunday 
school. 

John  Lind  Avas  born  at  Kenna,  Sweden,  March  25,  1854.  The 
family  came  to  America  in  1867,  settling  in  Goodhue  county, 
Minn.  Here  John  lost  his  left  hand  by  accident  AA'hile  laboring  to 
support  the  family.  By  his  untiring  energy  and  perseverance 
he  was  able  to  attend  school,  and  in  1870  obtained  a teacher’s  cer- 
tificate. In  1873  he  moved  to  Sibley  county,  and  moA^ed  to  NeAV 
Ulm  the  year  folloAving.  He  had  for  some  time  cherished  the 
idea  of  entering  the  legal  profession  and  with  this  object  in  aucav 
he  devoted  himself  to  the  study  of  the  laAv  in  private,  partly  by 
himself  and  partly  in  an  attorney’s  office  in  Ncav  Ulm.  In  1875 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


lie  attended  the  law  school  at  the  State  University  and  graduated 
in  1876.  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  opened  a law  office  at  New 
Ulm  the  year  following.  Upon  his  graduation  from  the  university 
lie  was  elected  superintendent  of  schools  of  Brown  county.  In 
1881  he  was  appointed  receiver  in  the  U.  S.  land  office  at  Tracy, 
a position  he  held  until  1885.  These  duties,  however,  did  not  pre- 
vent him  from  continuing  in  his  legal  profession,  in  which  his  emi- 
nent talents  soon  made  him  distinguished.  But  not  only  did  Lind 
become  noted  as  one  of  the  most  able  lawyers  in  his  part  of  the 
state,  but  his  great  ability  in  public  life  and  his  excellent  qualities 
as  a man  soon  convinced  the  people  of  the  state  of  Minnesota  of 
his  eminent  fitness  for  representing  their  commonwealth  in  con- 
gress. Consequently,  in  1886,  he  was  elected  to  congress  on  the 
Republican  ticket  from  the  Second  congressional  district,  re- 
elected in  1888  and  again  in  1890.  In  1896  he  was  the  candidate 
of  the  Democratic  party  and  the  People’s  party  for  governor, 
but  was  defeated.  During  the  Spanish- American  War  he  was 
appointed  regimental  quartermaster  of  the  Twelfth  Minnesota 
Infantry  with  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant.  While  encamped  at 
Camp  Thomas,  Chickamauga  Park,  the  Democrats  and  Silver  Re- 

£ 

publicans  nominated  him  for  governor,  and  he  was  elected  m 
1898.  He  is  now  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  in 
Minneapolis.  He  was  married  in  1879  to  Alice  Shepard.  They 
have  three  children. 

David  Hancock,  or  “Uncle  Dave,”  as  he  is  lovingly  called, 
was  born  April  22.  1812,  in  AYorcester  county,  Mass.  He  went  to 
Vermont  with  his  parents,  learned  blacksmithing,  which  he  car- 
ried on  with  his  brother,  and  then  went  to  work  on  a Connecticut 
steamboat,  of  which  he  afterwards  became  captain.  He  came  to 
Red  Wing  June  12,  1851,  and  in  partnership  with  Thomas  Lo- 
water  ran  a stage  line.  He  took  a contract  for  delivering  mail 
once  a week  from  this  city  to  Austin  and  St.  Nicholas,  Minn.,  but 
being  of  an  accommodating  disposition,  gave  a semi-weekly 
service  instead.  As  assistant  of  Sheriff  Harry  Hoffman,  who  first 
went  east  and  was  then  appointed  postmaster,  Mr.  Hancock  was 
practically  the  real  sheriff,  and  to  him  belongs  the  honor  of  tak- 
ing the  first  prisoner  from  this  city  to  Stillwater.  Mr.  Hancock 
then  went  to  live  in  Goodhue  township,  where  he  enlisted  in  the 
Civil  War,  serving  one  year  as  drum  major.  From  his  discharge 
until  1877  he  engaged  in  steamboating  on  the  Mississippi  and 
in  the  latter  year  practically  retired.  He  was  also  the  first  cap- 
tain of  the  Nellie  Sheldon,  one  of  the  early  ferry  experiments 
across  the  river  at  this  point.  David  Hancock  has  twice  been 
married,  first  to  Adeline  Stearns,  and  after  her  death  to  Olive 
Field.  He  is  the  father  of  six  children. 

James  M.  Goodhue.  Minnesota  Territory  was  organized  March 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


733 


3,  1849,  and  nine  days  thereafter  James  M.  Goodhue  (after  whom 
Goodhue  county  was  named)  arrived  in  St.  Paul  with  press,  type, 
etc.,  to  commence  the  publication  of  a newspaper.  Mr.  Goodhue 
was  a graduate  of  Amherst  College,  and  a lawyer  by  profession, 
and  like  many  another  a man  before  and  since  his  day  and  gen- 
eration, became  a newspaper  editor  by  accident.  Says  Mr.  Niell : 
“He  had  been  invited  to  take  the  oversight  of  a press  in  the  lead 
regions  of  Wisconsin  during  the  temporary  absence  of  its  con- 
ductor, and  soon  discovered  that  he  increased  the  interest  of  the 
readers  in  the  paper.  From  that  time  he  began  to  pay  less  at- 
tention to  the  legal  profession  and  was  soon  known  among  the 
citizens  of  the  mines  as  the  editor  of  the  Grant  County  Herald, 
published  at  Lancaster,  Wis.”  While  residing  at  Lancaster 
he  became  interested  in  the  territory  of  sky-tinted  waters 
(Minnesota).  “In  April.  1849,  he  found  St.  Paul  nothing  more 
than  a frontier  Indian  trading  settlement,  known  by  the  savages 
as  the  place  where  they  could  obtain  Minne  Wakan,  or  whiskey, 
and  wholly  unknown  to  the  civilized  world.  ’ ’ 

It  was  Mr.  Goodhue’s  intention  to  call  his  paper  “The  Epistle 
of  St.  Paul,”  and  he  had  so  announced  in  a prospectus  published 
in  February  preceding.  In  the  first  isue  of  his  paper,  however, 
which  was  made  on  the  28t,h  day  of  April,  he  announced  a change 
of  title,  in  the  words  following:  “The  paper  was  to  be  called 

‘The  Epistle  of  St.  Paul,’  but  we  found  so  many  little  saints 
in  the  territory  jealous  of  St.  Paul  that  we  determined  to  call  our 
paper  ‘The  Minnesota  Pioneer.’  ” 

“The  editor  of  the  Pioneer,”  says  Minnesota’s  historian,  Neill, 
“was  unlike  other  men.  Every  action,  and  every  line  he  wrote, 
marked  great  individuality.  lie  could  imitate  no  man  in  his 
manners,  nor  in  style ; neither  could  any  man  imitate  him.  At- 
tempts were  sometimes  made,  but  the  failure  was  always  very 
great.  Impetuous  as  the  whirlwind,  with  perceptive  powers  that 
gave  to  his  mind  the  eye  of  a lynx,  with  a vivid  imagination  that 
made  the  very  stones  of  Minnesota  speak  her  praise ; with  an  in- 
tellect as  vigorous  and  elastic  as  a Damascus  blade,  he  penned  edi- 
torials which  the  people  of  this  territory  can  never  blot  out  from 
memory.  Elis  wit,  when  it  was  chastened,  caused  ascetics  to 
laugh.  His  sarcasm  upon  the  foibles  of  society  was  paralyzing 
and  unequaled  by  Macauley  in  his  review  of  the  life  of  Barrere. 
When  in  the  heat  of  partisan  warfare  all  the  qualities  of  his  mind 
were  combined  to  defeat  certain  measures ; the  columns  of  his 
paper  were  like  a terrific  storm  in  midsummer  amid  the  Alps. 
One  sentence  would  be  like  the  dazzling,  arrowy  lightning,  peel- 
ing in  a moment  the  mountain  oak,  and  riving  it  from  the  top- 
most branch  to  the  deepest  root;  the  next,  like  a crash  of  awful 
thunder;  and  the  next  like  the  stunning  roar  of  a torrent  of 


734 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


many  waters.  To  employ  a remark  made  at  liis  funeral,  ‘With  the 
ingenuity  of  Vulcan,  he  would  hammer  out  thunder  bolts  on  the. 
anvil  of  his  mind,  and  hurl  them  with  the  power  and  dexterity  of 
Jove.’ 

“As  a paragraphist  he  was  equaled  by  few  living  men.  His 
sentences  so  leaped  with  life  that  when  the  distant  reader 
perused  his  sheet  he  seemed  to  hear  the  purling  brooks  and  see 
the  agate  pavements  and  crystal  waters  of  the  lakes  of  Minne- 
sota, and  he  longed  to  leave  the  sluggish  stream,  the  deadly 
malaria,  and  worn-out  farms,  and  begin  life  anew  in  the  terri- 
tory of  the  sky-tintecl  Avaters.  When  the  immigrant  from  week 
to  Aveek  Avas  disposed  to  despond  and  give  Avay  to  the  distress  of 
homesickness,  the  hopeful  sentences  of  his  paper  in  relation  to 
the  prosperous  future  chased  that  dismal  feeling  aAvay.” 

Such  Avere  the  characteristics  of  James  M.  Goodhue,  the 
pioneer  editor  of  Minnesota,  who  was  born  at  Hebron,  N.  H., 
March  21,  1810,  and  who  died  at  St.  Paul  on  Friday  evening, 
August  27,  1852,  at  half-past  eight  o’clock.  His  usefulness  had 
just  commenced.  At  the  beginning  of  his  manhood’s  glory  he  Avas 
called  to  the  brighter  shores  of  the  Eternal  Beyond.  Minnesota 
never  had,  and  never  will  have,  a truer,  more  ardent  or  enthusias- 
tic friend  than  James  M.  Goodhue. 

Hart  N.  Cook,  chief  of  the  Red  Wing  fire  department,  is  a na- 
tive of  Watertown,  N.  Y.,  born  December  5,  1857,  son  of  James 
H.  and  Sarah  A.  (Barney)  Cook,  both  natives  of  NeAv  York  state. 
Hart  N.  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
liis  native  city  and  supplemented  this  training  Avith  a course  in 
the  Hungerford  Collegiate  Institute  at  Adams,  N.  Y.  After  leav- 
ing school  he  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  and  then  learned  the 
machinist  trade  Avith  the  DaAds  Sewing  Machine  Company.  In 
October,  1883,  he  entered  the  St.  Paul  fire  department  and  in 
March  of  the  folloAving  year  was  promoted  to  the  position  of 
lieutenant.  In  July  of  the  same  year  he  was  made  captain,  re- 
taining that  position  until  1889,  when  he  was  promoted  to  as- 
sistant chief  engineer.  After  nine  years’  faithful  service  in  this 
capacity  he  became  the  chief  of  the  department  and  served 
three  and  one-half  years.  In  1904  came  to  Red  Wing  as  chief  of 
the  fire  department,  which  position  he  has  since  retained,  greatly 
to  the  satisfaction  of  the  people  of  the  city.| 

Otto  A.  Ulvin,  manager  of  the  savings  department  of  the 
Goodhue  County  National  Bank,  is  a native  of  NorAvay,  but  has 
spent  the  larger  part  of  his  life  in  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota.  He 
Avas  born  June  18,  1867,  a son  of  AndreAV  and  Gunhild  M.  (Lar- 
son) Ulvin, -who  came  to  America  wThen  young  Otto  Avas  a child 
of  five  years,  and  located  in  Pierce  county,  Wis.  Otto  received  his 
earliest  education  in  the  public  schols  of  Pierce  county,  and  sup- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


plementecl  this  with  studies  at  the  Red  Wing  Seminary  and  at  the 
Curtiss  and  Rosenberger  Business  College  at  Red  Wing.  For 
one  year  he  taught  school,  and  in  1888  engaged  in  the  general 
mercantile  business  at  Esdaile,  Wis.  In  1895  he  opened  a grocery 
establishment  in  Red  Wing,  which  he  conducted  until  1907,  when 
he  accepted  his  present  position  with  the  Goodhue  County  Bank. 

P.  J.  Lundquist,  sheriff  of  Goodhue  county  since  1894.  P.  J. 
received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Sweden  and  worked  as  a 
mail  driver.  In  1869  he  came  to  America  and  located  at  once 
in  Vasa,  this  county,  where  he  farmed  and  worked  on  the  rail- 
road until  1872,  when  he  purchased  a farm,  upon  which  he  carried 
on  general  farming  until  1883.  He  then  came  to  Red  Wing  and 
was  appointed  deputy  sheriff,  serving  four  years.  In  1887  he 
was  elected  constable  and  served  until  1891,  when  he  was  ap- 
pointed chief  of  police  of  the  city  of  Red  Wing.  In  politics  a 
Republican,  he  is  a member  of  the  Elks,  the  Modern  'Woodmen 
and  the  Commercial  Club. 

Thor  Erickson,  jeweler,  is  one  of  those  men  who,  without  seek- 
ing notoriety  or  display,  quietly  pursue  their  own  path  in  life, 
and  by  their  honesty  and  industry  make  up  the  solid  and  con- 
servative elements  of  the  communities  wherein  they  reside.  He 
was  born  in  Nannestad  Prestgjeld,  Norway,  February  13,  1843, 
son  of  Erick  Thorson  and  Earn  Hawkinsdater,  both  natives  of 
Norway,  the  former  of  whom  was  a shoemaker  by  trade.  The 
mother  died  in  1869  and  the  father  in  1870.  The  schools  of 
Norway  afforded  Thor  his  early  education,  after  which  he  learned 
the  jewelers’  trade.  He  came  to  America  in  1865,  and  for  two 
years  worked  in  Fillmore  county,  Minnesota,  removing  in  1867 
to  Bloomingdale,  Vernon  county,  Wiscinsin,  where  he  worked  at 
his  trade  three  years.  From  1870  until  1893,  a period  of  twenty- 
three  years,  he  lived  in  Melvina,  Monroe  county,  "Wis.  In  1893 
he  opened  a jewelry  store  in  Reel  Wing,  and  here  he  has  since  re- 
mained, his  hard  work,  his  square  dealing  and  his  uncompro- 
mising honesty  having  won  for  him  an  enviable  position  in  the 
city.  He  carries  a heavy  stock,  enjoys  a large  trade  and  does  an 
extensive  repairing  business.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics, 
and  while  at  Melvina  served  many  terms  as  road  overseer.  Mr. 
Erickson  was  married  April  13,  1867,  at  Bloomingdale,  Wis.,  to 
Mary  M.  Olson,  a native  of  Norway.  Her  parents  came  to  Amer- 
ica in  the  early  days  and  located  at  Coon  Valley,  Wis.,  later  going 
to  Bloomingdale  in  the  same  state,  where  the  father  engaged  in 
farming.  After  his  death  the  mother  went  to  Melvina,  Wis., 
where  she  lived  to  the  good  old  age  of  ninety-five  years.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Erickson  have  been  born  seven  children — Edward, 
deceased;  Alice,  of  Minneapolis;  Chai’les,  a Minneapolis  jeweler; 
Anna,  married  to  J.  M.  Billo,  of  Red  Wing;  Herman,  deceased; 


HISTOKY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


i oG 


Matilda,  deceased,  and  Gustave.  Mrs.  Erickson  died  February 
17,  1908,  at  Red  Wing. 

William  M.  Ericson,  county  attorney  and  well  known  in  fra- 
ternal circles  throughout  the  state,  is  a native  born  son,  his  natal 
appearance  having  been  at  Red  Wing,  July  15,  1880.  His  parents, 
John  F.  and  Johanna  Marie  (Helsing)  Ericson,  came  to  America 
in  1870,  located  a short  time  at  Lake  City,  then  went  to  Chicago, 
where  for  three  years  he  followed  the  shoemaking  trade.  July  8, 
1874,  the  parents  came  to  Red  Wing,  where  they  have  since  re- 
sided, the  father  being  still  in  business  at  Ringstrom’s  shoe  store. 
In  the  family  there  were  five  children.  George  E.  is  now  a leading 
attorney  of  Spooner,  Wis.  William  M.,  the  second  son,  is  the 
subject  of  this  sketch.  Esther  0.  lives  in  St.  Paul.  Alice  A.  is 
Mrs.  Bruce  P.  Canfield,  of  St.  Paul,  and  Lillian  M.  F.  is  employed 
by  her  brother  William  M.  as  a stenographer.  As  a boy,  William 
M.  attended  the  schools  of  Red  Wing,  standing  well  in  his  classes. 
During  the  years  1898-1900,  while  attending  the  high  school, 
he  was  the  agent  for  the  Minneapolis  Journal  and  delivered  the 
papers  around  this  city.  He  graduated  with  honor  from  the 
Red  Wing  High  School,  class  of  1900,  and  then  studied  law  with 
Hon.  F.  M.  Wilson,  at  the  same  time  serving  as  reporter  and  edi- 
torial writer  for  the  Red  Wing  Daily  Republican.  As  the  result 
of  his  diligent  studies  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1906  and 
from  March  1 to  December  1 of  that  year  was  in  partnership  with 
his  preceptor.  December  1 he  opened  an  office  of  his  own,  and 
in  November  of  that  year  was  elected  county  attorney,  his  services 
giving  so  much  satisfaction  that  he  was  re-elected  in  the  fall  of 
1908.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics.  Attorney  Ericson  has 
passed  through  the  chairs  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  is  one 
of  the  prominent  Ellis  of  the  state,  being  esteemed  leading 
knight  of  the  local  lodge.  He  is  also  great  sachem  of  the  state 
lodge. of  Red  Men  and  chief  of  records  of  the  local  tribe  of  Red 
Men.  His  other  fraternal  associations  include  membership  in 
the  Odd  Fellows,  Modern  Woodmen,  the  Foresters,  the  Yeomen, 
the  Workmen,  the  Eagles,  the  Scandinavian  Benevolent  Society, 
the  Red  Wing  Commercial  Club,  the  American  Society  of  Curio 
Collectoi’s,  the  “Bill  Club,”  the  Aurora  Ski  Club,  of  RedWing, 
the  Red  Wing  Rod  and  Gun  Club,  the  Goodhue  County  Historical 
Society,  the  City  Hospital  and  Civi  League.  He  is  president  of 
the  Florodora  Club.  His  religious  faith  is  that  of  the  Swedish 
Lutheran  Church. 

Charles  A.  Erickson,  proprietor  of  a large  wagon-making  es- 
tablishment at  Red  Wing,  and  a veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  Avas 
born  in  Sweden,  December  25,  1841,  son  of  Erick  and  Sarah 
(Carlson)  Erickson,  who  tilled  the  soil  in  their  native  land.  They 
came  to  America  in  1857,  located  in  Red  Wing,  and  became  Avell- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


ryory 

/ o ( 

known  citizens,  the  father  dying  in  January,  1857,  and  the  mother 
March  19,  1883.  After  receiving  his  boyhood  education  in  the 
schools  of  his  native  land,  Charles  A.  came  to  America  with  his 
parents,  and  for  a short  time  attended  the  Red  Wing  schools, 
afterward  engaging  in  various  Avork  until  the  outbreak  of  the 
Civil  War.  March  25,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  H.  Fifth 
Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry,  for  three  years.  The  record  of  this 
company  and  regiment  will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  history. 
The  company  muster-out  roll  contains  the  f ollowing : ‘ ‘ Priv ate 

Charles  A.  Erickson,  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Nashville,  Tenn.. 
December  15,  1861.  His  descriptive  roll  on  file  at  the  adjutant 
general’s  office  states  that  he  Avas  in  all  the  campaigns  Avith  his 
regiment  from  the  first  skirmish  at  Corinth,  Miss.,  May  25,  1863, 
until  the  battle  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  December  15.  1864,  the  regi- 
ment during  that  time  having  marched  seven  or  eight  thousand 
miles  and  participated  in  more  than  twenty  engagements  Avith  the 
enemy.  He  has  always  been  a faithful  soldier.”  This  tribute 
AAras  signed  by  Hawley,  chief  assistant  mustering  officer.  Pri- 
Arnte  Erickson  Avas  discharged  from  service ' March  27,  1864.  at 
Alexandria,  La.,  and  re-enlisted  the  next  day.  serving  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  when  he  received  his  honorable  discharge,  Sep- 
tember 6,  1865,  at  Demopolis.  Ala.  Returning  to  Red  Wing,  he 
took  a three  years’  course  in  Hamline  University,  and  then  stud- 
ied law  for  one  year.  For  a time  thereafter  he  clerked  in  the 
hardware  store  of  C.  Betcher  & Co.,  and  in  1873  opened  a small 
shop  for  the  manufacture  of  sleighs,  wagons,  and  the  like.  Since 
that  date  he  has  continued  in  the  same  business,  enjoying  a 
constantly  increasing  trade,  employing  continuously  a force  of 
from  six  to  ten  men.  He  purchased  his  present  property  on  Main 
street  in  1878,  and  has  several  times  remodeled  the  place  to  suit 
the  convenience  of  his  business.  In  addition  to  this  property  he 
owns  a pleasant  home  at  415  Bluff  street,  all  his  possessions  being 
the  result  of  his  perseverance  and  industry.  For  four  years  he 
Avas  a member  of  the  city  council  and  one  year  served  as  presi- 
dent of  that  body.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics,  and  a member 
of  the  Scandinavian  Relief  Association  and  A.  E.  Welch  Post, 
No.  75,  G.  A.  R.  Charles  A.  Erickson  Avas  married  at  Red  Wing, 
July  6,  1873,  to  Augusta  Albertina  Foss,  a native  of  SAveden,  born 
October  4,  1852,  who  came  to  America  with  her  parents,  Charles 
J.  and  Charlotte  C.  (Erickson)  Foss,  in  1854.  They  located  at 
GeneAra,  111.,  until  1856,  then  came  to  Goodhue  tOAvnship,  this 
county,  and  located  on  a farm.  The  mother  died  there  March 
19,  1883,  and  the  father  brought  his  family  to  Red  Wing,  Avhere 
he  died  May  19,  1907.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Erickson  haAre  been 
born  eight  children.  Hilma  S.,  born  May  5,  1874,  married  C.  A.  K. 
Johnson,  postal  clerk  in  the  Red  Wing  post  office.  Wilhelmina  C., 


738 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


born  Feb.  15,  1876,  is  a successful  school  teacher.  Charles  E., 
born  Sept.  3,  1877,  died  March  13,  1881.  Arthur  B.,  born  April  8, 
1880,  died  Sept.  21,  1898;  Anton  T.,  born  Dec.  4,  1882,  died  June 
8,  1901 ; Edna  V.,  born  March  10,  1885,  is  stenographer  and  clerk 
in  the  Red  Wing  post  office;  Ruth  A.,  born  Feb.  9,  1891,  died 
April  1 of  the  same  year,  and  the  youngest  child  died  in  infancy. 
Mr.  Erickson  attends  the  English  Lutheran  Church  and  the  fam- 
ily worships  at  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Church. 

John  J.  Ferrin,  furniture  dealer  and  undertaker,  of  Red 
Wing,  has  the  honor  of  having  assisted  with  the  finishing  of  the 
artistic  wood  work  of  many  of  the  larger  public  buildings  of 
Chicago.  He  is  a native  of  New  York  state,  born  at  Jamestown, 
March  2,  1860.  His  parents,  Matthew  and  Margaret  (Donahue) 
Ferrin,  came  to  America  from  Ireland  in  the  early  days,  the 
father  living  in  Jamestown,  and  the  mother  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y., 
until  their  marriage.  Father  and  mother  are  both  deceased. 
John  J.  attended  the  graded  and  high  school  of  his  native  town, 
but  started  in  work  for  himself  at  an  early  age.  His  first  season 
as  a laborer  was  spent  in  learning  the  brick-layers’  trade.  Then 
he  learned  furniture  and  cabinet  finishing,  following  this  occupa- 
tion twenty-nine  years  in  various  employes.  He  worked  eight 
years  with  the  Martin  Bros,  of  his  native  state  as  assistant  fore- 
man, afterward  entering  the  employ  of  Booth  and  Osgood,  of 
Chicago,  manufacturers  of  school,  church  and  office  supplies. 
With  this  firm  he  had  charge  of  the  finishing  department,  one 
of  the  big  contracts  at  which  he  worked  being  the  furnishing  of 
the  Chicago  post-office.  After  leaving  this  employ,  he  was  fore- 
man, two  years,  for  the  Rothchilds,  of  the  same  city,  manufactur- 
ers of  saloon  and  hotel  fixtures.  As  foreman  for  R.  F.  Misner, 
with  whom  he  was  next  employed,  he  worked  on  the  furnishings 
of  the  Public  Library  and  of  the  old  Chicago  City  Hall.  Labor 
troubles  over  the  brick  layers  of  Chicago,  threw  him  out  of  em- 
ployment, and  consequently,  on  July  19,  1887,  he  came  to  Red 
Wing,  entering  the  employ  of  the  Red  Wing  Furniture  Manu- 
facturing Company,  on  trial.  After  the  three  weeks’  test  was 
concluded,  he  was  given  a position  in  their  finishing  room,  re- 
maining in  this  employ  about  thirteen  and  one-lialf  years.  In 
1899  he  started  in  the  retail  furniture  business  with  Magnus 
Carlson,  still  holding  for  a short  time,  his  position  with  the  manu- 
facturing company.  His  retail  business,  however,  increased  so 
rapidly  that  it  soon  demanded  all  of  his  attention.  On  January 
13,  1906,  Mr.  Ferrin  purchased  his  partner’s  interest  and  added 
an  undertaking  departement  to  the  establishment.  In  politics, 
Mr.  Ferrin  is  a Democrat.  He  lias  been  a member  of  the  Mod- 
ern Woodmen  twenty  years  and  has  passed  through  all  the 
chairs  of  that  order.  He  js  grand  Knight  of  the  Knights  of 


HTSTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


739 


Columbus,  and  belongs  to  the  Yeomen,  the  Eed  Men  and  the 
Bed  Wing  Commercial  Club.  The  family  religion  is  that  of  the 
Roman  Catholic  church.  John  J.  Ferrin  was  married  at  Chi- 
cago, August  1,  1884,  to  Catherine  T.  Farrel,  of  that  city.  The 
Farrel  family  passed  through  the  horrors  of  the  great  Chicago 
fire,  Catherine  being  the  only  one  of  the  family  who  escaped 
with  her  life.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ferrin  have  been  born  six 
children:  Mary  Ann,  April  30,  1885;  Francis  J.,  December  22, 

1888;  George  C.,  March  19,  1896;  Margaret,  February  19,  1898; 
Catherine  E.,  September  17,  1902,  and  John  B.,  September,  1905. 
All  the  children  are  at  home,  the  older  sons  helping  out  in  their 
father’s  store. 

Gustaf  S.  Fisk,  paperhanger,  painter  and  decorator,  also  pro- 
prietor of  a store  at  224  Main  street,  Red  Wing,  was  born  in 
Sweden,  November  25,  1874,  son  of  Erick  J.  and  Annie  (Parson) 
Fisk,  the  former  of  whom  after  spending  his  life  as  a miller 
in  the  old  country  died  in  the  spring  of  1882.  The  mother  is 
still  livings  making  her  home  in  Sweden.  Gustaf  received  his 
education  in  the  Swedish  public  schools,  worked  on  a farm  until 
eighteen  years  of  age,  and  then,  in  the  spring  of  1893  came  to 
America  and  located  in  Red  Wing.  His  first  employment  here 
was  with  the  potteries,  three  years,  as  a kiln  worker.  Desiring 
more  out-of-door  employment,  he  learned  the  painting  and  paper- 
hanging trade  with  B.  A.  Olson,  remaining  four  years.  Fie  next 
started  in  business  for  himself  with  Robert  Ringstrom  as  a part- 
ner. Two  years  later  he  bought  Mr.  Ringstrom ’s  interest,  con- 
tinued the  business  alone  one  year,  admitted  Aaron  Anderson  as 
a partner  one  year,  and  then  again  conducted  it  himself.  He 
now  has  a large  establishment,  handles  a fine  line  of  goods,  does 
a good  business,  and  during  the  busy  season  employs  about  a 
dozen  men.  From  1907  to  1909,  Mr.  Fisk  served  as  a member 
of  the  city  council.  He  votes  the  Republican  ticket,  attends 
the  Swedish  Mission  church  and  belongs  to  the  Scandinavian 
Benevolent  Society.  October  18,  1899,  Mr.  Fisk  was  married 
to  Christine  Peterson,  daughter  of  Andrew  Peterson,  a wagon 
maker,  who  died  in  Sweden  as  the  result  of  an  accident.  The 
mother  still  lives  in  Sweden.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fisk  live  at  537 
East  Seventh  street,  Red  Wing. 

Andrew  J.  Frenn,  carpenter  and  general  contractor,  of  Red 
Wing  was  born  in  Sweden,  September  8,  1845,  son  of  Lars  and 
Stena  Frenn,  who  came  to  America  in  1852.  Like  several  other 
Scandinavian  families,  who  located  in  Goodhue  county,  they 
lived  first  for  a time  at  St.  Charles,  Kane  county.  Illinois.  Later 
the  family  went  to  Wayne,  DuPage  county,  in  the  same  state, 
where  the  father  bought  thirty-three  acres  and  carried  on  farm- 
ing and  stone  laying,  also  working  some  at  his  trade  as  plasterer. 


740  HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 

In  1862  he  sold  his  farm  to  Daniel  Dunham,  and  in  1864  came 
to  Minnesota  in  true  pioneer  style,  making  the  trip  with  his 
family  in  a wagon.  He  purchased  160  acres  in  Featherstone 
township,  and  to  this  added  twenty  acres  of  timber  land.  Here 
he  carried  on  farming  of  a general  nature  until  1868  when  he 
sold  his  land  to  his  sons,  John  and  Andrew,  who  continued  to 
carry  on  farming  on  the  home  place  until  1870,  when  John  pur- 
chased Andrew’s  interest.  John  still  owns  and  works  the  old 
homestead.  In  1868,  the  father  purchased  a farm  known  as 
“Popular  Grove,”  consisting  of  224  acres,  which  he  worked 
until  his  death,  November  9,  1880.  The  mother  died  in  1874. 
Charles,  a brother  of  John  and  Andrew,  now  carries  on  this 
farm.  Andrew  J.  received  his  boyhood  training  in  the  schools  of 
Wayne,  111.,  and  there  worked  on  his  father’s  farm  until 
coming  with  the  rest  of  the  family  to  Goodhue  county.  He 
continued  farming  in  Featherstone  township  until  1872,  when  he 
came  to-  Red  Wing,  living  first  on  Sixth  street  for  two  years 
and  later  purchasing  a home  at  518  Bush  street  where  he  still 
resides.  From  1873  to  1875  he  worked  at  the  carpenter  trade, 
and  in  the  latter  year  entered  the  employ  of  the  grocery  store 
of  Seebach  Brothers  as  a clerk.  In  1879  he  resumed  farming 
on  the  homestead  farm,  remaining  there  until  1889  when  he 
came  back  to  Red  Wing,  since  which  time  he  has  been  engaged 
in  the  carpenter  and  building  business.  Mr.  Frenn  is  a Repub- 
lican in  politics,  has  been  city  treasurer  two  terms,  1904-1908, 
has  served  on  the  board  of  registration  and  has  done  jury  duty 
in  a number  of  important  cases.  Mr.  Frenn  was  married, 
November  18,  1866,  to  Emma  Sophia  Johnson,  who  came  from 
Sweden  to  America  on  June  29,  1864,  and  took  up  her  residence 
in  DuPage  county,  Illinois.  To  this  union  have  been  born 
seven  children — Julia  S.,  born  April  28,  1868,  is  the  wife  of 
John  August  Nelson,  of  453  Thirteenth  street,  Red  Wing;  Josel 

Edwin  was  born  February  24,  1871;  William  T., -,  born 

June  12,  1873,  lives  in  California;  Marie  Emelia  was  born  De.- 
cember  16,  1875:  ITuldah  E.,  born  October  15.  1879,  is  the  wife 
of  Joseph  Wagner,  of  745  McSorley  street,  Red  Wing;  Emma  H. 
was  born  January  31,  1883,  and  Andrew  Sidney,  February  4, 
1885.  The  family  worships  at  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Church. 

Charles  O.  Forssell,  Red  Wing’s  able  and  genial  assistant 
postmaster,  is  a native  of  Sweden,  born  June  12,  1862,  second 
son  of  John  and  Johanna  (Petersdotter)  Forssell,  the  former  of 
whom  was  a Swedish  land  owner.  The  parents  came  to  America 
in  1868,  and  located  at  Red  Wing,  where  after  a long  life  of 
devotion  to  husband  and  family,  the  mother  died  February  14, 
1904.  The  father  still  makes  his  home  'in  this  city,  enjoying 
an  honored  old  age.  Brought  to  America  as  a youth  of  six 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


741 


years,  Charles  0.  received  his  early  education  in  the  Red  Wing 
public  schools.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  went  to'  work,  and  the 
following  years  worked  in  the  flour  mills  and  on  a farm.  In 
1881  he  became  postal  clerk  in  the  Red  Wing  postpoffice,  hold- 
ing this  position  until  1891.  In  that  year  he  was  appointed  to 
the  assistant  postmastership  under  Postmaster  Fred  Seebach,  a 
position  he  still  retains,  giving  satisfaction  to  his  superiors  in 
the  service  as  well  as  to  the  public  whom  he  serves.  Interested 
in  the  industrial  growth  of  the  city  he  has  joined  the  Red  Wing 
Commercial  Club.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics  and  "belongs  to 
the  Swedish  Lutheran  Church.  Mr.  Forssell  is  not  married. 
The  brothers  and  sisters  in  the  family  numbered  eight.  All 
the  living  are  respected  and  honored  in  the  communities  where 
they  have  taken  up  their  residence.  Ida  M.,  born  in  Sweden, 
February  13,  1858,  lives  at  home,  and  keeps  house  for  her  father 
and  brother;  Axel,  born  in  Sweden,  April  1,  1860,  died  October 
18,  1872;  Charles  O.  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Claus  F.,  born 
in  Sweden,  September  5,  1864,  is  now  located  at  St.  Paul  with 
Noyes  Bros.  & Cutler ; Hilma,  born  in  Sweden  September  29, 
1867,  died  June  28,  1868;  John  A.,  born  in  Red  Wing  September 
30,  1869,  is  now  with  the  Schubach  Millinery  Company,  of  St. 
Paul ; Frank  H.,  born  at  Red  Wing,  November  25,  1872,  is  prin- 
cipal of  the  Monroe  School  in  Minneapolis ; Hilda,  born  in  Red 
Wing,  September  16,  1876,  died  July  7,  1908. 

Gustaf  Edwin  Freeman,  is  a native  born  son  of  this  county, 
whose  abilities  have  been  recognized  by  his  fellow  citizens  to  the 
extent  that  they  have  retained  him  in  public  office  for  the  past 
four  years  and  have  just  reelected  him  to  another  term.  Born 
in  Red  Wing,  September  11,  1872,  he  attended  public  schools  and 
at  an  early  age  decided  to  try  his  own  fortunes  as  a worker. 
He  learned  the  business  of  stoneware  making,  and  followed  this 
trade  for  nearly  eighteen  years  in  the  same  employ,  an  unusual 
record  for  a young  man  of  this  generation.  His  faithfulness 
and  ability  in  this  capacity  attracted  the  attention  of  his  fellow 
citizens  and  in  1904  they  persuaded  him  to  run  for  the  office  of 
Register  of  Deeds,  to  which  office  he  was  elected  by  a large 
majority.  He  took  office  in  January,  1905,  and  his  present  term 
does  not  expire  until  January  1,  1911.  Mr.  Freeman  is  a Re- 
publican in  politics  and  belongs  to  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  the  M.  W.  of 
A.  and  the  Scandinavian  Benevolent  Society.  He  own  a pleas- 
ant home  at  803  East  Seventh  street  in  this  city.  Gustaf  E. 
Freeman  was  married  July  6,  1899,  to  Anna  M.  Youngquist, 
daughter  of  Carl  and  Christine  (Dahlberg)  Youngquist,  natives 
of  Sweden,  who  emigrated  to  America  in  1866,  and  in  1870  be- 
came residents  of  Red  Wing.  The  father  died  April  22,  1903, 
and  the  mother  makes  her  home  in  this  city.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Freeman  have  been  born  two  sons — Norman  Everett,  September 
7,  1902,  and  Horace  Benjamin,  March  18,  1908.  Nels,  father  of 
Gustaf  E.  Freeman  came  to  America  from  Sweden  in  1853  and 
lived  in  Chicago,  111.,  six  years,  and  in  Centralia,  Wis.,  two  years. 
In  1861  he  came  to  Red  Wing,  Avorked  as  laborer  and  later  fol- 
loAved  truck  gardening.  He  now  lives  a retired  life.  His  wife, 
whose  maiden  name  Avas  Betsy  Johnson,  is  a native  of  Norway. 
She  emigrated  to  America  in  1860,  and  in  1867  became  a resident 
of  Red  Wing. 

Christian  J.  Bender,  one  of  Red  Wing’s  solid  and  substantial 
business  men,  is  a native  of  this  city,  born  August  25,  1870,  son 
of  the  ReA^.  Christian  Bender.  Christian  J.  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  Red  Wing,  and  then  took  the  com- 
plete four  years’  academic  course  at  Dr.  Martin’s  Lutheran  Col- 
lege at  NeAv  Ulm,  Minn.  In  1893,  after  deciding  to  be  a pharmacist, 
he  went  to  Chicago,  and  there  diligently  pursued  studies  for  tAvo 
years  in  the  College  of  Pharmacy.  Subsequently  he  worked  at 
the  drug  business  live  years,  thoroughly  perfecting  himself  in 
the  art  of  medical  and  pharmaceutical  compounding.  In  1900 
he  returned  to  Red  Wing  and  purchased  the  business  of  W.  A. 
Hare  at  the  corner  of  Third  and  Bush  streets,  Avhere  for  so 
many  years  the  old  postoffice  was  located.  His  brother,  Adolph, 
is  associated  with  him  in  business  and  together  they  have  built 
up  a large  trade  and  patronage.  They  handle  all  the  usual  lines 
customary  in  such  a store,  but  make  a specialty  of  compounding 
prescriptions.  They  also  manufacture  several  proprietary  arti- 
cles for  toilet  purposes.  Mr.  Bender  is  in  politics  an  inde- 
pendent Republican.  He  is  a member  of  his  father’s  church,  the 
St.  John’s  German  Lutheran,  of  this  city. 

Harrison  P.  Rich,  one  of  the  youngest  business  men  of  Red 
Wing,  has  formulated  plans  which  it  is  expected  will  develop 
into  one  of  the  county’s  most  important  industries.  He  Avas 
born  in  this  city,  February  5,  1884,  son  of  John  H.  Rich.  As  a 
boy  he  attended  the  public  schools  of  Red  Wing,  and  later  took  a 
tAvo  years’  preparatory  course  at  the  Mt.  Pleasant  Military  Acad- 
emy, Mt.  Pleasant,  N.  Y.  In  1903  lie  entered  Yale  College  at  New 
Haven,  Conn.,  graduating  in  1907.  After  graduating  he  took  a 
short  trip  abroad,  and  then  returned  to  Red  Wing  and  became 
interested  in  a new  enterprise,  the  Forest  Products  Company. 
This  undertaking,  which  in  many  of  its  features  constituted  a 
neA\r  departure  in  the  lumbering  industry,  is  spoken  of  elsewhere 
in  this  volume.  Mr.  Rich  is  the  general  manager,  and  is  hoav 
busily  engaged  in  laying  the  sure  foundations  of  a prosperous 
future. 

Henry  Brown,  deceased,  for  many  years  a hardAvare  mer- 
chant in  Red  Wing,  Avas  born  in  the  north  of  Ireland,  and  at  the 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


743 


tender  age  of  nine  years  was  brought  to  this  country  by  his 
parents.  After  a short  stay  at  Newburg,  N.  Y.,  the  family  lo- 
cated near  Argyle,  AYis.,  where  they  preempted  a farm.  The 
father  and  brothers  built  a log  cabin,  broke  and  improved  the 
land,  and  there  lived  for  a long  period.  Henry  Brown  lived  in 
Winona  about  five  years,  and  in  the  early  sixties  came  to  Red 
Wing  and  entered  the  hardware  store  of  W.  P.  Brown  and 
Charles  Beteher.  In  the  course  of  time,  AY.  P.  Brown  retired 
from  the  company,  and  Henry  Brown,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  who  by  industry  and  frugality  had  saved  a considerable 
sum  of  money,  was  admitted  to  the  firm,  during  the  seventies. 
For  thirty-four  years  Mr.  Brown  worked  in  the  store,  becoming 
one  of  the  well-known  business  men  of  the  city.  The  store  was 
afterward  sold,  and  Air.  Brown  retired.  He  died  at  Red  Wing, 
September  7,  1894.  He.  was  a Republican  in  polities  and  be- 
longed to  the  Afasons.  Henry  Brown  was  married  in  December, 
1871,  to  Lizzie  Elder,  daughter  of  John  H.  Elder.  To  this  union 
were  born  four  children — Fred  L.,  born  at  Red  Wing,  lives  in 
Winnipeg,  Canada;  Harry  M.,  who  married  Gertrude  Lindner,  at 
Red  Wing,  is  treasurer  of  the  Shedd  Wright  Alanufacturing 
Company  at  Minneapolis;  Bessie  IT.,  who  lives  in  Red  AYing,  is 
a graduate  of  Carlton  College  at  Northfield,  Alinn.  The  young- 
est, Leland  P.,  died  at  the  age  of  five  years.  The  family  re- 
ligion is  that  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Thomas  J.  Bryan,  deceased,  was  for  many  years  a familiar 
figure  in  and  about  Red  AYing  and  Burnside  township,  where 
he  was  a well-known  farmer.  A native  of  County  Cork,  Ireland. 
He  was  born  November  27,  1831,  and  for  a time  tilled  the  soil 
in  Ireland  as  his  parents  had  done  before  him.  In  1850,  or  soon 
after,  he  became  stirred  with  an  ambition  for  a wider  oppor- 
tunity than  was  afforded  in  his  native  land,  and  consequently 
resolved  to  try  his  fortunes  in  America  where  so  many  of  his 
countrymen  were  winning  wealth  and  fame  and  honor.  His 
first  location  was  at  Erie,  Penn.,  and  there  he  heard  of  the  rich 
prairies  and  valleys  of  southern  Alinnesota,  just  opened  to  set- 
tlement. In  1857  he  came  to  this  county  and  purchased  a farm 
at  Burnside,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days.  His 
efforts  were  crowned  with  success,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
he  owned  in  all  three  farms,  containing  a total  of  510  acres.  In 
addition  to  this  he  owned  sixty-five  acres  of  timber  land,  all  in 
Goodhue  county.  This  property  is  now  held  by  Airs.  Bryan, 
Thomas  J.  having  pased  away  April  29,  1905.  Air.  Bryan  was  a 
staunch  Republican,  and  affiliated  with  the  Episcopal  Church. 
He  was  also  a member  of  A.  E.  AYelch  Post,  NTo.  75,  G.  A.  R., 
having  served  in  the  union  army  from  March  15  to  July  15,  1865, 
as  sergeant.  Air.  Bryan  was  married  first  to  Alargaret  Gleason 


744 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


at  Erie,  Penn.  By  this  union  there  were  three  children — J.  S. 
was  born  August  3,  1858,  married  Anetta  Anderson,  January  20, 
1885,  and  now  serves  in  the  United  States  commissary  depart- 
ment at  Oakland,  Cal.  Harriett  M.  was  born  October  16,  1860, 
and  married  Benjamin  Boothroyd,  who  has  charge  of  the  United 
States  express  office  at  Aberdeen,  S.  D.  Alfred  C.  was  born  April 
28,  1863,  married  Emma  Crandall  and  is  now  proprietor  of  the 
Cannon  Dale  stock  farm  at  Burnside.  Mrs.  Margaret  Gleason 
Bryan  died  March  28,  1869.  Later  Mr.  Bryan  wooed  and  won 
Sarah  J.  Campbell,  to  whom  he  was  married  at  Faribault,  Minn., 
June  21,  1877.  She  was  born  November  28,  1845,  in  Canada, 
daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  (Brown)  Campbell,  Canadians  of 
Scotch  descent,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in  1851,  locating 
first  at  Lamoille,  111.  The  father  soon  afterward  went  south  and 
died  of  cholera  the  same  year.  Mrs.  Bryan  graduated  from  the 
Faribault  High  School,  and  then  took  up  teaching,  which  she 
followed  with  great  success  for  fifteen  years,  many  well-known 
men  of  the  county  having  passed  under  her  tuition.  She  was 
also  clerk  of  district  No.  4,  of  Burnside,  twenty-five  years.  To 
Mr.  Bryan  and  Mrs.  Sarah  J.  Campbell  Bryan  were  born  two 
children — Edward  C.,  born  June  10,  1880,  is  a real  estate  dealer 
and  auctioneer  at  Red  Wing;  Edith  L.,  born  June  10,  1884,  is, 
like  her  mother,  a successful  school  teacher. 

Charles  E.  Beckmark,  secretary  and  treasurer,  and  also 
general  manager  of  the  Beckmark  Shoe  Company,  which  con- 
ducts one  of  the  large  business  establishments  of  Red  Wing  at 
the  corner  of  Third  and  Bush  streets,  has  been  actively  interested 
in  business  since  early  youth.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  January 
8,  1869,  a son  of  Conrad  and  Charlotte  (Swanson)  Beckmark, 
both  natives  of  Sweden,  in  which  country  they  were  married. 
They  came  to  American  one  year  before  Charles  E.  was  born, 
and  located  at  once  in  Red  Wing,  where  the  father  was  em- 
ployed at  various  occupations.  For  some  time  he  was  fireman 
at  the  old  Bluff  mill,  and  for  three  years  served  on  the  city  police 
force.  He  is  now  deceased,  and  his  wife  makes  her  home  in 
Red  Wing.  Charles  E.  received  his  educational  training  in  the 
schools  of  Red  Wing,  and  as  a boy  worked  on  a news  stand  in  this 
city.  Later  he  was  employed  by  Willard  and  Willard  in  a sta- 
tionary store,  after  which  he  became  interested  in  footwear, 
to  the  sale  of  which  he  has  since  devoted  his  attention.  He 
clerked  eight  years  for  Charles  Beckman,  and  for  two  years  in 
the  Boston  Clothing  House.  Following  this,  he  was  success- 
fully engaged  eight  years  as  traveling  salesman  for  the  North 
Star  Shoe  Company,  broadening  his  knowledge  of  the  world  and 
increasing  his  familiarity  with  the  shoe  trade  in  all  its  aspects. 
From  March  1,  1904,  to  July  1,  1905,  he  was  a member  of  the  firm 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


'45 


of  Holm  & Beckmark,  and  on  April  1,  1907,  when  the  Beckmark 
Shoe  Company  was  formed,  he  took  entire  charge,  having  since 
that  date  built  up  a successful  trade,  enjoying  a large  patronage. 
For  nine  years  Mr.  Beckmark  was  a member  of  Company  G,  serv- 
ing as  commissary  sergeant.  Fie  has  seen  public  life  as  a member 
of  the  school  board.  He  is  a member  of  the  Commercial  Club 
and  of  several  fraternal  organizations ; independent  in  politics 
and  an  Episcopalian  in  religion.  On  January  3,  1893,  Charles 
E.  Beckmark  was  married  to  Caroline  Hawkins,  of  this  city, 
daughter  of  G.  W.  and  Mary  Hawkins,  of  whom  a sketch  ap- 
pears in  this  work.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  two 
daughters — Phyliss  G.,  born  July  6.  1897,  and  Margaret  L.,  born 
April  17,  1906. 

Heman  M.  Bird,  dealer  in  general  sporting  goods  at  304  Main 
street,  Red  Wing,  has  done  much  to  further  the  athletic  interests 
of  Red  Wing. and  vicinity,  and  is  an  active  patron  of  all  out-door 
sports.  He  was  born  at  Hampton  Mills,  this  state,  March  28, 
1867,  son  of  Almond  and  Julia  (Ambler)  Bird,  the  former  of 
Scotch-Irish  and  the  latter  of  German-Scotch  descent.  The  par- 
ents, who  were  natives  of  Michigan,  came  to  Minnesota  in  the 
early  days  and  located  first  in  Winona  county,  where  the  father 
followed  his  trade  as  blacksmith,  carpenter  and  millwright. 
Later  he  went  to  the  Indian  Territory  where  he  died.  The 
mother  died  in  Elgin,  Olmstead  county,  this  state.  Ileman  M. 
received  his  early  educational  training  in  the  public  schools  of 
his  neighborhood,  and  finished  with  a course  at  D.  D.  Darling’s 
Business  College  at  Rochester,  Minn,  lie  learned  the  trade  of 
barber  and  at  this  worked  for  several  years  in  St.  Paul.  Later 
he  went  South,  worked  at  various  labor,  and  in  1893  returned 
to  St.  Paul  and  learned  the  maehinst  trade.  After  six  years’ 
employment  in  this  capacity,  he  came  to  Red  Wing,  September 
15,  1899,  and  started  in  business  for  himself.  He  handles  and 
repairs  bicycles  and  motor  cycles,  and  deals  in  fishing  tackle, 
guns,  baseball  goods,  talking  machines  and  other  sporting  equip-  - 
ment.  Mr.  Bird  is  a Republican  in  politics  and  belongs  to  the 
Red  Men  and  Equitable  Fraternal  Union  lodges.  The  English 
Lutheran  Church  embodies  the  family  religious  belief.  He 
was  married  April  9,  1898  to  Evaline  Peterson,  of  this  city, 
daughter  of  Gustaf  and  Dena  Peterson,  natives  of  Sweden,  who 
came  to  Red  AYing  and  here  ended  their  days.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bird  have  been  born  three  children — Burney  B.,  Richard  M.  and 
Alice  E. 

Gustave  C.  Beckmark,  second  miller  at  the  La  Grange  Mills, 
Red  Wing,  was  born  in  Sweden,  May  10,  1863,  a son  of  Conrad 
and  Johanna  (Swanson)  Beckmark,  also  natives  of  that  country. 
The  father  was  a machinist  and  engineer,  an  occupation  he  fol- 


46 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


lowed  for  many  years  in  the  old  country.  He  came  to  America 
in  1868  and  located  in  Red  Wing,  entering  the  employ  of  D.  C. 
Hill  as  engineer.  After  a few  years  he  started  work  as  engi- 
neer for  the  old  Bluff  Mill.  In  addition  to  this  he  was  a patrol- 
man on  the  police  force  and  a member  of  the  volunteer  fire  de- 
partment. In  the  latter  capacity  he  assisted  in  the  brave  efforts 
to  save  the  Bluff  Mill  from  total  destruction  by  fire  in  1883,  and 
in  thus  assisting,  he  received  injuries  which  shortly  afterward, 
in  the  early  spring  of  1883,  resulted  in  his  death.  His  widow 
still  survives  and  makes  her  home  in  Red  AVing.  Having  been 
brought  to  Red  Wing  at  an  early  age,  Gustave  attended  the  city 
schools,  and  then  worked  in  the  office  of  A.  Danielson,  who  at 
that  time  conducted  an  extensive  lime  and  cement  business.  In 
1881  he  Avas  engaged  with  the  old  Bluff  Mill  as  miller.  After  the 
destruction  of  this  mill  by  fire  in  1883  he  entered  the  employ  of 
the  La  Grange  Mills  and  a few  years  later  was  given  his  present 
position.  Mr.  Beckmark  has  served  five  years  in  the  state 
militia  and  belongs  to  the  Foresters,  the  Fraternal  Insurance  and 
the  Samaritans.  He  was  married  February  15,  1894,  to  Edna  E. 
Martin,  daughter  of  John  B.  and  Della  (Hasting)  Martin,  the 
former  a one-time  Red  AAung  miller,  now  a land  agent  in  Okla- 
homa. The  latter  is  deceased.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beckmark  there 
has  been  born  one  daughter — Frances  Irine,  November  4,  1894, 
who  is  now  a pupil  in  the  Red  AYing  high  school. 

William  Boothroyd,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Welch,  and  for 
many  years  one  of  its  leading  citizens,  now  living  retired  at  1209 
Twelfth  street,  Red  Wing,  is  a native  of  Pollington,  Yorkshire, 
England,  born  July  16,  1833.  His  parents,  Michael  and  Nancy 
Boothroyd,  came  from  England  to  Canada  in  1853  and  there 
ended  their  days,  their  residence  being  near  Thamesville,  in 
that  Dominion.  William  attened  the  schools  of  England  and 
started  work  on  a farm.  This  occupation  he  continued  until 
May  10,  1855,  when  he  came  to  Red  Wing.  For  some  time  he 
was  occupied  with  draying.  He  purchased  a team  of  his  own 
and  engaged  in  the  teaming  and  quarrying  business.  To  him, 
and  a man  named  Miller,  who  assisted  him,  belongs  the  honor 
of  having  furnished  the  stone  for  the  county  court  house  and 
also  for  the  first  Methodist  church.  In  1857  he  went  to  Feather- 
stone  township  and  farmed  until  1862,  'when  he  went  to  AYelela, 
purchased  280  acres,  carried  on  farming,  and  became  one  of  the 
most  substantial  citizens  of  that  township.  He  served  as  justice 
of  the  peace  fifteen  years,  as  moderator  for  a long  period,  and  as 
town  treasurer,  member  of  the  school  board  and  school  director. 
When  the  Grange  Avas  enjoying  the  height  of  its  popularity  he 
went  through  all  the  offices  of  the  branch  of  that  society  in 
Welch  township.  He  also  belongs  to  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  votes 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


the  Republican  ticket.  In  1894,  Mr.  Boothroyd  and  his  son, 
Frank,  worked  the  home  farm  on  shares,  and  later  this  son 
purchased  the  place.  Mr.  Boothroyd  then  moved  to  Red  Wing 
and  took  up  his  residence  at  1209  Twelfth  street,  where  he  still 
resides.  On  the  day  following  Christmas,  in  1903,  the  home 
was  destroyed,  from  unknown  causes,  by  fire,  but  Mr.  Bootrhoyd, 
nothing  daunted,  built  a larger  and  more  commodious  place  in 
the  spring  of  the  following  year.  Mr.  Boothroyd  was  married 
June  15,  1858,  at  Lake  City,  Minn.,  to  Mary  Beavers,  daughter 
of  Benjamin  and  Jane  Beavers,  natives  of  England,  who  came 
to  America  and  located  in  Illinois,  where  Mary  was  born.  May 
10,  1855,  they  came  to  Red  Wing,  and  here  the  father  and 
mother  both  died.  The  home  of  the  Boothroyds  has  been  blessed 
with  six  children — Carrie  Jane,  Chrles  William,  Benjamin  B., 
Albert  Ross,  Frank  and  Grant.  Charles  was  killed  November 
3,  1879,  in  a runaway,  while  on  his  way  to  mill  with  a load  of 
grain.  Benjamin  B.  and  Albert  R.  are  married  and  live  in 
Aberdeen,  S.  D.  Frank  is  married  and  lives  on  the  old  home- 
stead in  Welch  township.  Grant  died  in  early  childhood.  The 
family  faith  is  that  of  the  Methodist  Church. 

Charles  Philip  Belin,  the  genial  toll  collector  at  the  entrance 
of  the  high  bridge  across  the  Missisippi,  is  a familiar  figure  alike 
to  Red  Wing  people  and  to  strangers  who  in  taking  in  the  sights 
of  the  city  invariably  walk  across  the  beautiful  bridge.  He  was 
born  in.  Sweden,  April  17,  1845,  son  of  Andrew  E.  and  Annie 
(Olson)  Belin,  both  natives  of  that  country.  The  father,  a 
coppersmith  by  trade,  brought  his  family  to  Goodhue  county, 
October  22,  1857,  and  after  living  for  a time  in  Red  Wing,  took 
up  farming  in  the  township  of  Yasa,  where  he  purchased  160 
acres  of  land,  engaging  in  general  farming  until  his  death,  Sep- 
tember 24,  1863.  The  mother  sold  the  farm  and  came  to  Red 
Wing,  where  she  lived  until  her  death.  March  15,  1897.  Charles 
P.  received  his  education  in  the  public  and  private  schools  of 
Sweden  and  America,  and  worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father 
until  February  11,  1865,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  First 
Minnesota  Heavy  Artillery,  serving  under  Captain  Thomas  Car- 
ney and  Colonel  William  Colvill  until  mustered  out  in  October 
of  the  same  year.  About  this  time  he  entered  the  employ  of 
AY.  L.  AYebster,  the  liveryman,  for  whom  he  was  foreman  fifteen 
years.  Later  he  accepted  a similar  position  with  Ed  Johnson, 
and  remained  in  this  employ  until  1893,  when  he  was  appointed 
on  the  police  force.  He  proved  an  efficient  officer  and  many 
times  served  as  acting  chief.  June  11,  1907,  he  was  given  his 
present  position,  receiving  at  the  same  time  an  appointment  as 
special  police  for  the  Red  AYing  and  Trenton  Transit  Company. 
Mr.  Belin  is  a Republican  and  a member  of  the  Foresters,  the 


748 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


G.  A.  R.  and  the  Scandinavian  Relief  Association.  He  was  mar- 
ried July  5,  1877,  at  Red  Wing,  to  Emma  Christina  Johnson, 
daughter  of  Andrew  Johnson,  a stone  worker,  who  died  in  De- 
cember, 1905.  Mrs.  Belin’s  mother  now  makes  her  home  with 
uhe  Bclin  family  at  613  Potter  street.  Two  children  haw 
blessed  the  home — Selma  C.,  born  July  28,  1878,  married  Amil 
Swanson,  a farmer  of  Welch  township,  this  county;  Norman 
Leroy,  born  February  4,  1898,  is  attending  the  public  schools 
The  Swedish  Lutheran  Church  embraces  the  family  religion. 

Arland  H.  Allen,  undertaker,  is  one  of  Red  Wing’s  estimable 
and  solid  citizens,  well  fitted  by  nature  and  training  for  the 
position  he  occupies  in  the  community.  He  was  born  in  Norway, 
September  26,  1846,  and  was  brught  to  America  as  an  infant. 
His  parents,  Hans  and  Barbara  E.  (Stenseth)  Allen,  left  the 
old  country  in  1847,  and  started  for  America  in  a sailing  vessel. 
A terrible  storm  arose  soon  after  their  departure,  and  for  nine- 
teen weeks  the  frail  bark  was  tossed  about,  almost  at  the  mercy 
of  the  storm.  It  weathered  the  raging  elements,  however,  and 
after  nearly  five  months  the  landing  in  this  country  was  safely 
accomplished.  The  family  located  first  at  Jefferson  Prairie,  Wis., 
and  there  the  father  followed  the  trades  of  carpenter  and  stone 
mason,  also  doing  some  farming.  Like  so  many  thousand  others 
he  followed  the  great  rush  to  Pikes  Peak  after  gold,  but  the 
rigors  of  gold-seeking  life  proved  too  great  a strain  for  his  con- 
stitution and  he  died  there  in  August,  1859.  His  wife  then 
moved  her  family  to  Decorah,  Iowa,  in  1860,  and  remained  there 
several  years,  afterward  going  to  Albert  Lea,  Minn.,  where  she 
passed  away  in  February,  1904.  Arland,  having  as  an  infant 
survived  those  long  months  of  that  terrible  sea-voyage,  grew  to 
robust  boyhood  at  Jefferson  Prairie,  Wis.,  and  attended  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  that  state.  He  was  also  a pupil  in  the  Adams  High 
School  of  Decorah,  Iowa..  Later  he  took  a course  in  the  Roches- 
ter, N.  Y.,  Medical  Institute,  receiving  his  diploma.  In  1872  he 
came  to  Red  Wing,  and  for  several  years  was  secretary  for  the 
Red  Wing  Furniture  Company.  He  afterward  embarked  in  the 
undertaking  business  in  which  he  has  since  continued.  Mr.  Allen 
is  a Republican  in  politics,  and  for  three  terms  served  as  county 
coroner.  For  some  time  he  served  as  a member  of  Company  G 
in  the  state  militia.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Norwegian 
Lutheran  Church.  Arland  H.  Allen  was  married  at  Frontenac, 
Minn.,  October  21,  1896,  to  Anna  S.  Johnson,  of  Red  Wing, 
daughter  of  Edward  and  Christina  (Dosen)  Johnson,  natives  of 
Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1866.  They  located  first  at 
St,  Paul,  Minn.,  and  there  their  daughter,  Anna  S.,  was  born. 
From  St.  Paul  they  went  to  White  Hall,  Wis.,  then  to  St.  Peter, 
Minn.,  then  to  Red  Wing,  where  the  father  was  engineer  at  the 


J.  W.  Chandler 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


749 


Lutheran  Ladies  Seminary.  Later  thy  lived  at  Frontenac  for 
one  year,  then  returned  to  St.  Peter,  and  subsequently  went  to 
Kasota,  Minn.,  where  the  father  now  lives.  The  mother  died  at 
that  place,  August  20,  1905.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allen  have  been 
born  five  children— Barbara  C.,  Thelma  -J.,  Arland  IT.  (deceased) 
Edward  M.  and  Arland  H. 

John  W.  Chandler,  for  two  decades  a prominent  figure  about 
the  capitol  at  Washington,  was  a native  of  Jamestown,  N.  Y., 
where  his  family  name  is  one  of  much  honor  and  dignity.  His 
father,  W.  W.  Chandler,  (married  to  Phoebe  Windsor)  was  the 
owner  of  a large  plantation  in  Virginia,  from  whence  he  went 
to  Jamesstown  in  the  late  twenties.  There  John  W.  was  horn, 
August  18,  1834.  The  father  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
woolen  goods  on  an  extensive  scale,  and  took  an  active  interest 
in  municipal  affairs,  Chandler  street,  which  is  one  of  the  leading 
thoroughfares  of  Jamestown,  being  cut  through  land  donated  by 
him  to  the  city.  During  his  boyhood,  John  W.  attended  the 
public  schools  of  Jamestown,  N.  Y.,  and  as  a young  man,  made 
his  first  business  venture  in  the  hardware  business.  His  suc- 
cess warranted  his  desiring  to  start  the  same  business  on  a 
larger  scale  in  a newer  country,  and  in  the  early  sixties  he  came 
to  the  Northwest,  engaging  in  the  sale  of  hardware  at  Pine 
Island,  this  county.  About  1867  he  received  an  appointment  as 
doorkeeper  in  the  capitol  at  Washington.  In  that  city  he  re- 
mained twenty  years,  serving  in  various  public  positions,  and 
meeting  all  the  great  political  characters  of  note  during  that 
period.  In  1887  he  came  to  Red  Wing,  and  lived  a retired  life 
until  his  death,  April  30,  1903.  During  this  period  he  took  an 
active  interest  in  public  affairs,  and  his  advice  on  many  im- 
portant matters  was  eagerly  sought  by  his  friends.  Mr.  Chandler 
was  married  at  Jamestown,  N.  Y.,  to  Grace  Hatch,  who  died 
in  1872,  leaving  one  son,  Martin,  S.,  now  engaged  as  editor  of 
the  law  departemnt  of  the  West  Publishing  Company,  at  St. 
Paid. 

In  1885  there  came  to  this  country,  Margaret  N.  Nelson, 
daughter  of  AY.  A.  and  Elsie  (Paulson)  Nelson,  born  at  Chris- 
tianstad,  Sweden,  the  father  being  a well-to-do  manufacturer  of 
that  city.  She  entered  the  home  of  the  Chandlers  as  a nurse,  and 
the  friendship  and  esteem  between  this  lady  and  John  W. 
Chandler  ripened  into  love  and  marriage,  the  ceremony  being 
performed  September  30,  1893.  Mrs.  Chandler  is  one  of  a family 
of  five  children,  all  of  whom  have  attained  prominence  in  their 
respective  communities.  Otto  Nelson  is  district  railroad  manager 
at  Christianstad,  Sweden ; Ander  is  manager  of  a chemical  es- 
tablishment at  ITelsingborg,  Sweden;  Nels  W.  is  a successful 
real  estate  agent  in  California,  and  Nanny  is  married  to  Nels 


750 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


E.  Olson,  a well-known  Swedish  architect.  Mrs.  Chandler  is 
much  interested  in  both  church  and  charitable  work. 

George  Cook  is  the  man  to  whom  belongs  the  real  credit  for 
starting  the  sewer  pipe  industry  in  Red  AYing.  While  employed 
as  superintendent  in  the  stoneware  works  he  at  one  period  oc- 
cupied his  spare  time  in  an  experiment  which  resulted  in  the 
making  of  a two-socket  sewer  pipe  which  was  placed  on  exhibi- 
tion in  the  window  of  the  Pierce,  Simons  & Company  bank.  This 
pipe  was  six  inches  in  diameter  and  was  cast  from  three  sacks 
of  waste  clay,,  the  moulds  being  made  of  plaster  paris  by  Mr. 
Cook,  and  the  burning  being  done  in  the  kilns  at  the  pottery 
works.  In  three  weeks  a company  was  started  which  is  now  one 
of  the  leading  industries  of  the  Northwest.  A complete  history 
of  the  concern  will  be  found  in  the  story  of  industries  of  Red 
Wing,  appearing  in  this  volume.  George  Cook  was  born  in 
Akron,  Ohio,  January  19,  1852,  son  of  Lewis  and  Catherine 
(Prior)  Cook,  both  natives  of  Germany.  The  father,  a cooper 
by  trade,  came  to  America  in  1839  and  located  in  Akron,  Ohio, 
built  a house  and  remained  over  sixty  years  until  his  death, 
August  25,  1902.  His  wife  died  in  1888  at  the  age  of  65  years. 
George  received  his  education  in  the  Ohio  public  schools,  and 
took  up  work  with  his  father,  learning  the  cooper  trade.  He 
then  started  in  the  pottery  business,  an  occupation  which  has 
since  engaged  his  attention.  His  first  employment  in  the  business 
was  with  Hart  & Ruckel,  in  his  native  town,  and  subsequently 
he  worked  eight  yars  in  the  turning  department  of  the  Whitmore 
& Robertson  Company,  of  the  same  place.  After  working  in 
Nebraska  and  several  other  states,  he  came  to  Red  Wing,  May 
25,  1879.  and  at  once  entered  the  employ  of  the  Red  Wing  Stone- 
ware Company,  as  superintendent,  a position  he  has  filled  Avith 
marked  ability  for  some  thirty  years.  When  the  stoneware  com- 
panies were  incorporated,  Mr.  Cook  became  the  superintendent 
of  all  the  factories  under  the  OAvnership  of  the  concern.  In 
1891-92  he  Avas  honored  with  a seat  in  the  city  council.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a Democrat.  Mr.  Cook  has  been  closely  identified  with 
the  life  of  the  Odd  Pel  I o ays  and  the  Woodmen,  and  in  the  former 
order  has  occupied  all  the  official  chairs.  He  was  married  Sep- 
tember 26.  1881,  to  Thresa  Hartman,  of  this  city,  daughter,  of 
Frank  and  Thresa  (Ammon)  Hartman,  the  former  of  Avliom  Avas 
a blacksmith  by  trade.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cook  there  have  been 
born  three  sons — George  A.,  born  June  15,  1882,  is  an  assistant 
superintendent  at  the  stoneware  works  under  his  father;  Harry 
C.,  born  June  18,  1885,  is  a student  in  the  State  University; 
Burt,  born  February  15,  1892,  is  taking  a course  in  the  Red  AYing 
Business  College.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Episcopal 
Church.  The  residence  is  at  1304  Fourth  street,  Reel  AYing. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


51 


Alfred  Carlson,  retired  hardware  merchant  living  at  1020 
East  avenue,  Red  Wing,  was  born  in  Sweden,  March  28,  1845, 
son  of  Gustaf  and  Louise  (Johnson)  Carlson,  who  brought  their 
family  to  America  August  6,  1854,  and  after  stopping  a brief  time 
at  Red  Wing,  went  to  Yasa,  being  among  the  earliest  settlers 
of  that  township.  The  father  preempted  160  acres  and  carried 
on  general  farming  for  many  years.  lie  then  retired  from  farm- 
ing and  removed  to  Red  AYing,  where  he  met  with  a violent 
death,  February  16,  1880,  as  the  result  of  an  accident  while 
chopping  doAvn  a tree.  The  base  of  the  tree  hit  him  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  cause  almost  instant  death.  His  widow  died  at 
Red  Wing,  March  1,  1906.  One  of  the  sons,  Aaron,  now  con- 
ducts the  old  homestead  in  Featherstone  township.  Alfred  at- 
tended school  and  worked  on  the  farm  until  attaining  his  ma- 
jority, at  which  time  the  father  presented  him  and  his  brother, 
Frank,  with  160  acres  jointly,  as  a reward  for  their  faithful  in- 
dustry. Here,  Alfred  carried  on  general  farming  until  1877, 
when  he  rented  the  farm  out  and  came  to  Red  Wing,  where  he 
entered  the  employ  of  Nelson  Peterson,  hardware  merchant  as  a 
clerk.  In  this  capacity  he  remained  until  1885  when  he  pur- 
chased a store  at  Hector,  Renville  county,  Minn.,  and  carried  on  a 
general  hardware  business  of  his  own  until  1890,  when  he  sold 
out  his  business  and  retired.  One  year  later  he  built  the  beauti- 
ful residence  which  is  now  his  home.  Mr.  Carlson  is  a Republican 
in  politics.  He  was  married  June  28, 1867,  to  Engre  Nelson,  daugh- 
ter of  Ole  and  Anna  Nelson,  well-known  farmers  of  Vasa.  They 
came  from  Sweden  to  America  in  1856  and  located  for  a time 
at  Chisago  county,  Minn.,  iater  moving  to  Vasa  in  1862,  where 
upon  160  acres  they  carried  on  general  farming  until  the  death 
of  the  father.  The  mother  died  at  Red  Wing,  January  16,  1901, 
at  the  home  of  Mrs.  Carlson.  The  family  faith  of  the  Carlsons  is 
that  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Church. 

Frank  A.  Carlson,  Red  Wing,  was  born  in  Sweden,  August 
12,  1843,  and  came  to  this  county  with  the  rest  of  the  family 
as  a boy.  Brought  up  on  the  farm,  educated  in  the  public  schools, 
he  in  1876  entered  the  grocery  business  until  1882.  From  that 
year  until  1887  he  served  as  county  sheriff  and  from  1887  to  1891 
as  assistant  postmaster  at  Red  Wing.  In  1892  he  was  appointed 
on  the  police  force  of  Red  Wing  and  served  two  years.  From 
1894  to  1906  he  was  in  the  retail  liquor  business  and  then  re- 
tired. He  was  married  May  9,  1866,  to  Siguilcl  Turner,  also 
a native  of  Sweden.  To  this  union  were  born  five  children — - 
■Rosa,  Albert  B.,  Minnie,  Anna  and  Elmer  C.  The  family  at- 
tends the  Episcopal  Church  . 

Julius  Carlson,  of  Red  Wing,  woodworker  at  the  Red  Wing 
Boat  Manufacturing  Company,  was  born  in  Sweden,  December 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


26,  1845,  son  of  Charles  Olson  and  Anna  M.  Corestenson,  natives 
of  the  same  country.  He  received  his  education  in  the  schools 
of  his  neighborhood,  and  when  twenty-one  years  old,  rented  a 
place  and  carried  on  general  farming.  Desiring  to  see  something 
of  the  world  he  enlisted  as  a sailor  on  a coal  and  lumber  boat, 
and  visited  France,  England,  Denmark,  Norway  and  the  northern 
part  of  Sweden.  While  on  this  voyage  he  heard  much  of  the 
opportunities  offered  in  America,  and  accordingly  determined 
to  seek  his  fortune  in  this  country.  His  first  location  was  in 
Milwaukee,  and  after  working  on  the  railroad  there  a few  weeks, 
he  came  to  Red  Wing  and  did  general  work  until  1873,  when  he 
entered  the  employ  of  the  Kappel  Brothers.  With  this  concern 
he  remained  twenty-two  years,  achieving  an  honorable  record  as 
a faithful  workman.  In  1895  lie  entered  business  for  himself 
with  Andrew  Newstrom,  but  two  years  later  went  to  work  for 
William  Remschart,  the  blacksmith  and  wagon  maker.  Subse- 
quently, in  1900,  he  went  to  Grant  county  and  purchased  250 
acres  of  land,  then,  after  three  years,  sold  out  and  returned  to 
Red  Wing.  The  first  year  of  his  return  was  spent  as  a work- 
man for  Charles  Erickson,  after  which  he  entered  his  present 
employ.  Mr.  Carlson  votes  the  Republican  ticket  and  belongs 
to  the  Scandinavian  Relief  and  the  Scandinavian  Benefit  Asso- 
ciations. He  was  married  in  1870  to  Anna  Tholia,  by  whom  he 
has  seven  children.  The  three  oldest,  Carl  Magnus,  Carl  Oscar 
and  Johan  August,  are  deceased.  Hans  Edward  is  a Minneapolis 
contractor;  John  Adolph,  William  Linus  and  Charles  Fredrick  all 
farm  in  North  Dakota.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  in 
October;  1891,  and  Mr,  Carlson  was  ag’ain  married  in  April, 
1893,  t-o  Hedda  Carlson,  daughter  of  Carl  and  Anna  (Stinna) 

' Anderson,  both  natives  of  Sweden.  The  family  faith  is  that  of 
the  Swedish  Lutheran  Church.  Charles  Olson,  father  of  Julius 
Carlson,  owned  a farm  in  the  old  country,  and  carried  on  farm- 
ing in  connection  with  being  a painter  and  carpenter.  He  died 
in  1846  and  his  wife,  who  afterward  became  Mrs.  Hanson,  lived 
until  1865.  Julius  Carlson,  the  oldest  son,  is  the  subject  of  this 
sketch.  Amelia  married  Gustaf  Hanson,  now  of  Grant  county, 
Minn. ; Christine  Hanson  died  in  Sweden ; Carl  Edward  Hanson 
lives  in  California ; Matilda  married  Andrew  Haglund,  now  de- 
ceased; Hans  A.  Hanson  lives  in  Grant  county,  Minn;  John 
Ililmer  Hanson  lives  in  the  same  county;  Oliva  Anna  is  the  wife 
of  Alfred  Anderson  and  lives  in  Otter  Tail  coixnty  Minn. 

John  Cebulski,  fashionable  tailor  at  309  Bush  street,  Red 
AVing,  is  a native  of  Austria,  born  December  14,  1868,  son  of- 
Andrew  and  Sophia  (Frodyma)  Cebulski,  both  of  whom  were 
also  Austrians  by  birth.  The  father  was  a hero  of  two  wars. 
He  served  in  Galicia  (a  kingdom  in  the  Austro-Hungarian  Mon- 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


753 

archy)  during  the  outbreak  against  the  Lords  in  1843,  and 
twenty  years  later  in  the  Polish  war  of  1863.  Seeking  wider  op- 
portunities for  advancement  than  were  allowed  in  the  old 
country,  he  came  to  America  in  1876,  and  located  at  Lancaster, 
Penn.,  where  he  engaged  in  the  cooperage  business.  In  1881  he 
went  to  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  and  engaged  in  the  same  business  until 
his  death,  September  8,  1906.  His  wife  died  in  May,  1903.  John 
attended  the  schools  of  his  neighborhood  and  finished  with  a 
course  in  the  Catholic  Seminary  at  Vienna,  in  his  native  country, 
and  made  his  home  with  his  aunt.  He  came  to  America  for 
visits  in  1882-83-84-85,  and  traveled  in  nearly  all  parts  of  the 
United  States.  In  1885  he  located  at  Pittsfield,  Mass.,  and  there 
learned  the  tailor’s  trade.  Two  years  later  he  went  to  Wor- 
cester, Mass.,  but  in  1888  again  returned  to  Pittsfield.  Shortly 
afterward  he  came  westward  to  Chicago,  followed  his  trade 
there  until  1891,  when  he  went  to  Janesville,  Wis.,  for  a year. 
After  five  and  an  half  years  at  Edgerton,  Wis.,  he  went  to  New 
York,  and  for  three  months  studied  tailoring  in  the  New  York 
Cutting  School.  Thus  equipped,  he  opened  an  establishment  of 
his  own  at  Spring  Green,  Wis.,  where  he  had  a successful  busi- 
ness until  1899,  when  he  came  to  Eed  Wing,  and  opened  the 
place  where  he  is  now  located.  He  has  the  largest  establishment 
of  the  kind  in  Eed  Wing,  and  numbers  the  best  people  of  the 
city  among  his  patrons.  In  addition  to  his  Eed  Wing  place  of 
business,  he  conducts  a branch  at  Eochester,  Minn.  Mr.  Cebulski 
is  a great  believer  in  education,  and  has  assisted  in  a financial 
way,  a number  of  deserving  young  men  desiring  to  go  through 
college.  He  is  unmarried.  His  sister,  Annie,  is  married  to  Albei’t 
Niemiec,  of  East  Chicago,  111.  One  of  his  brothers,  Joe,  was 
killed  in  the  Turkish  war,  while  two  others,  Albert  and  Michael 
live  in  the  east. 

John  Compton,  general  manager  of  the  Ballard  Trumble 
Lumber  Company,  at  Eed  Wing,  has  shown  much  executive 
ability  in  the  various  positions  in  which  he  has  been  engaged.  He 
was  born  in  Sweden,  October  18,  1858,  son  of  John  Magnuson 
and  Mary  E.  Larson,  both  natives  of  that  country.  The  father, 
a general  merchant  and  hotel  proprietor,  is  still  living.  The 
mother  Hied  in  December,  1897.  While  a school  boy  in  Sweden, 
John  managed  to  pick  up  many  of  the  details  of  his  father’s 
business,  and  this,  together  with  one  years’  schooling  in  Eed 
Wing,  to  which  city  he  came  in  1881,  fitted  him  for  a business 
career.  His  first  employment  was  in  the  hardware  store  of 
Charles  Betcher,  where  he  worked  two  years.  In  1884  he  went 
to  Minneapolis  for  Mr.  Betcher,  working  in  his  store  there  five 
years.  His  work  in  this  capacity  won  the  confidence  of  his  em- 
ployer, and  in  1889  he  was  given  charge  of  Mr.  Betcher ’s  lumber 


754 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


yard  and  store  at  Wheaton,  Minn.  Here,  he  remained  eleven 
years.  During  this  time  he  became  a prominent  citizen  of 
Wheaton,  serving  as  a member  of  the  village  board  as  school 
treasurer  and  as  a member  of  the  village  council.  Prom  1900, 
when  he  returned  to  Red  AVing,  until  1903,  he  was  employed  as 
bookkeeper  in  the  office  of  Charles  A.  Betclier,  afterward  taking 
charge  of  the  retail  department  of  that  company  until  1906. 
During  that  year  this  department  was  sold  to  the  Ballard 
Trumble  Lumber  Company,  at  which  time  Mr.  Compton  be- 
came associated  with  the  latter  company  as  general  manager,  a 
position  he  has  since  retained.  He  is  an  independent  voter  and 
belongs  to  the  Swedish  Mission  Church.  Mr.  Compton  on  De- 
cember 17,  1884,  was  married  at  Red  AVing  to  Augusta  Ander- 
son. Her  father  died  in  Sweden  and  her  mother  now  makes 
her  home  with  the  Compton  family.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Compton 
have  been  born  three  children — Miriam,  June  23,  1894;  Ruth, 
December  27,  1896,  and  Elmer,  June  23,  1899. 

Charles  S.  Dana,  clerk  of  the  district  court  of  Goodhue 
county,  is  descended  from  eastern  parentage,  his  father,  Charles, 
being  a native  of  Vermont,  and  the  mother,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Sally  Ann  Lawrence,  of  Alleghany  county,  N.  Y.  The 
father  was  a,  prominent  and  successful  merchant  of  Belvidere, 
Boone  county,  111.,  and  also  lived  in  Roscoe,  in  that  state.  In 
1856  he  came  to  Goodhue  county  and  settled  in  Roscoe  township, 
being  one  of  the  earliest  setle'rs  of  that  place.  To  him  belongs 
the  honor  of  naming  Roscoe,  the  name  being  that  of  his  former 
residence  in  Illinois.  He  homsteaded  160  acres,  and  in  the  short 
time  he  lived  became  a prominent  pioneer  citizen.  He  died  in 
1859.  Llis  widow  survived  until  1904,  when  she  lived  in  the  state 
of  Washington.  Charles  S.  was  born  in  Belvidere,  Boone  county, 
111.,  September  25,  1851,  and  was  brought  to  this  county  by  his 
parents  when  a young  boy.  He  attended  the  common  schools  in 
Roscoe  township,  and  then  took  a commercial  course  in  the 
Bryant  and  Stratton  College  at  St.  Paul.  For  a time  he  clerked 
in  Roscoe  township,  and  then  taught  school  in  this  county  from 
1874  to  1880.  The  following  year  he  came  to  Red  AVing  as 
bookkeeper  for  the  Red  AVing  Iron  AVorks.  During  the  suc- 
ceeding six  years  his  acquaintance  with  Red  AVing  people  in- 
creased and  on  January  1.  1887,  he  started  his  public  office  hold- 
ing as  deputy  county  auditor.  In  1906  he  was  elected  to  his 
present  position,  in  which  he  has  served  with  much  credit.  In 
politics,  Air.  Dana  is  a Republican,  and  he  belongs  to  both  the 
Odd  Fellows  and  the  Royal  Arcanum.  Charles  S.  Dana  was 
married  in  October,  1883,  to  Lida  Pilcher,  of  Belvidere,  111., 
daughter  of  John  and  Frances  Pilcher,  natives  of  England,  who 
after  living  for  a time  in  Ohio  moved  to  Belvidere,  111.,  where 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


755 

they  lived  many  years.  Both  parents  are  uoav  deceased,  the 
mother  having  died  in  1886,  and  the  father  in  February,  1909, 
at  Pierce,  Neb.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dana  lias  been  born  one  son, 
Everett  C.,  who  first  saw  the  light  of  play  in  Re,d  Wing,  August 
17,  1892.  The  family  religion  is  that  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

Arthur  D.  Danielson,  a Red  Wing  business  man  who  has  seen 
service  as  a non-commissioned  officer  in  the  Phillipines,  was  born 
in  this  city,  December  8,  1868,  son  of  Andrew  and  Ingar  (Swan- 
son) Danielson,  natives  of  Sweden,  who  sometime  after  immi- 
grating to  America  located  at  Red  Wing,  where  the  father  en- 
gaged in  the  stone  and  cement  business,  doing  general  contract 
work  along  these  lines.  A larger  part  of  the  cement  sidewalks 
in  this  city  owe  their  construction  to  his  skill.  Both  parents 
died  in  Red  Wing.  Arthur  D.  went  through  the  public  schools, 
and  took  a course  in  the  Reel  Wing  Seminary,  supplementing  this 
education  with  practical  training  in  Beeman’s  Business  College. 
After  leaving  school  he  clerked  a time  for  Kempe  & Schouweiler. 
in  the  grocery  business.  He  then  worked  in  several  different 
stores  and  finally  entered  the  employ  of  A.  AY.  Pratt,  in  the 
“Old  Book  Store,”  which  handles  books,  magazines  and  sta- 
tionery. While  in  this  employ  came  the  call  for  volunteers  for 
the  Spanish- American  Avar,  and  Mr.  Danielson  Avent  with  Com- 
pany G,  first  to  St.  Paul  then  to  San  Francisco,  thence  to  Manila, 
and  later  into  the  interior.  He  Avas  first  sergeant  and  was  in  line 
for  a commission  when  the  regiment  Avas  mustered  out.  Ser- 
geant Danielson  experienced  all  the  rigors  of  hardships  of  the 
Philippine  campaign,  and  Avas  complimented  by  his  superior 
officers  for  his  bravery  and  efficiency.  A more  complete  record 
of  the  regiment  will  be  found  elseAvhere  in  this  history.  In- 
cluding his  Phillipine  service,  Air.  Danielson  has  seen  ten  years 
in  the  state  militia.  After  his  discharge  from  the  United  States 
service,  October  3,  1899,  he  returned  to  Red  Wing,  and  a short 
time  later  purchased  from  Air.  Pratt  the  store  in  which  he  had 
previously  worked.  This  he  has  since  conducted,  enjoying  a sat- 
isfactory and  increasing  trade,  and  carrying  a large  stock.  Ar- 
thur D.  Danielson  was  married  in  this  city  to  Emma  Skoglund, 
daughter  of  L.  E.  Skoglund.  To  this  union  have  been  born  tAvo 
children,  Andrew  E.  and  Paul  A.  In  politics  Air.  Danielson  is  an 
independent  voter,  casting  his  ballot  after  thoughtfully  consider- 
ing the  issues  of  each  campaign. 

Joseph  H.  Drew,  a former  collector,  noAv  a rural  mail  carrier, 
living  at  721  Third  street,  Red  Wing,  Avas  born  in  England.  Sep- 
tember 25,  1837.  His  father,  Samuel  DreAv  (married  to  Kittie 
Hingston),  Avas  a merchant  in  England,  and  continued  the  same 
business  in  Quebec,  Canada,  Avhere  he  landed  in  August  of  1846 


756  HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 

and  remained  twelve  years.  After  a residence  of  some  years  in 
Michigan  he  came  to  Red  Wing  and  in  1865  purchased  160  acres 
in  the  township  of  Zumbrota,  where  he  farmed  for  a considerable 
period  of  time.  .Later  he  sold  his  farm  and  purchased  a home  in 
Zumbrota  village,  where  he  moved  his  family.  In  this  home  he 
died  in  1882.  his  widow  surviving  until  the  spring  of  1890,  when 
she,  too,  passed  to  the  Great  Beyond.  Joseph  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  England  and  Canada  and  farmed 
in  the  Dominion  until  1862.  Subsequently  he  engaged  in  lumber- 
ing in  Michigan  until  1864,  when  he  purchased  eighty  acres  in 
Red  Wing,  where  he  followed  farming  until  1879.  For  the 
eighteen  years  following  lie  engaged  in  the  farm  implement 
business  with  A.  P.  Merrell,  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Plum 
streets,  enjoying  q large  trade  and  prosperous  career.  In  1897 
he  retired,  but  in  1900,  desiring  out-of-door  employment,  he  ob- 
tained a position  as  rural  mail  carrier,  in  which  capacity  he  still 
serves,  being  noted  for  his  accommodating  spirit  and  rigid  ad- 
herence to  duty.  - He  is  an  independent  voter  and  belongs  to  the 
Odd  Fellows.  Mr.  Drew  was  married  on  May  day,  1860,  to  Maria 
Johnstone,  a Canadian  by  birth,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Delia 
(Taylor)  Johnstone,  the  former  born  in  Yorkshire,  England, 
and  the  latter  in  New  Brunswick,  Canada.  The  father  devoted 
his  life  to  farming,  dying  in  1873.  The  mother  died  in  1890.  Mrs. 
Drew  had  three  sisters  and  three  brothers,  all  except  one  sister 
being  alive.  The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Drew  was  gladdened 
by  the  birth  of  four  children.  Maria  D.,  born  February  6,  1861, 
is  the  wife  of  Dr.  W.  M.  Sweney,  of  this  place.  James  H.,  born 
August  15,  1862,  resides  in  Red  Wing,  Avhere  he  is  a locomo- 
tive engineer.  Catherine  E.,  born  February  18,  1865,  died  Oc- 
tober 9,  1866.  the  following  year.  Bertha  May,  born  May  1, 
1868,  on  the  anniversary  of  her  parents’  marriage,  is  the  wife  of 
II  enry  E.  Hindman,  also  of  Red  Wing. 

Andrew  M.  Dahl,  stone  mason  and  contractor,  of  Red  AVing, 
was  born  in  Sweden,  March  8,  1844.  His  parents,  Magnus  and 
Mary  (Larson)  Dahl,  wore  farmers  in  the  old  country,  the  father 
dying  in  1889  and  the  mother  in  1894.  In  the  family,  aside  from 
Andrew  M.,  were  two  brothers  and  one  sister,  Henry  M.,  Johanus 
and  Marstina,  all  living  in  Sweden.  In  that  country  Andrew 
M.  received  his  boyhood  education,  after  which  he  worked  as  a 
farmer.  JTpon  his  arrival  in  Red  AVing  he  took  up  the  trade  of 
stone  mason,  which  he  learned  thoroughly.  Since  that  time  he 
has  continued  in  the  same  occupation,  doing  all  kinds  of  stone 
work  and  contracting.  In  this  he  has  been  succesful.  He  is  a re- 
spected, law-abiding  citizen,  well  regarded  by  his  friends.  For 
six  years  he  was  sexton  in  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Church,  of  which 
the  family  are  members.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Scandinavian 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


7 o7 


Benevolent  Society.  His  political  belief  is  that  of  the  Republican 
party.  Mr.  Dahl  was  married  at  Red  Wing,  in  the  fall  of  1870, 
to  Elizabeth  Peterson,  of  this  city,  a native  of  Sweden,  both 
of  whose  parents  are  now  deceased.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dahl 
have  been  born  ten  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living.  Martin 
W.,  born  March  28,  1872,  died  in  September,  1873.  Emil  A.,  born 
July  16,  1873,  is  married  and  works  in  a bakery  establishment 
in  Minneapolis.  Hjalmar  M.,  born  September  15,  1875,  is  mar- 
ried, and  like  his  father,  is  a stone  mason  in  Red  Wing.  Axel  H., 
born  December  15,  1877,  is  married  and  is  employed  by  the  Red 
Wing  Furniture  Company.  Agnes  Elizabeth,  born  July  15,  1880, 
is  deceased.  George  H.,  born  July  28,  1879.  like  his  brother  Emil, 
is  a baker  in  St.  Paul.  Herman  W.,  born  May  18,  1882,  is  dead. 
Arthur  E„  born  January  16,  1884,  and  married,  is  a stone  mason, 
and  lives  in  Red  Wing.  Harry  W.,  born  April  21.  1887.  lives  at 
Minneapolis,  and  Alvin  A.,  born  April  28,  1888,  works  in  a 
wholesale  shoe  house  in  St.  Paul.  The  family  residence  is  at 
902  South  Park  street.  Red  AVing. 

Orrin  Densmore,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Sullivan  county,  New  Hamp- 
shire, September  22,  1805,  and  as  a child  moved  with  his  father’s 
family  into  the  then  “out  west,”  settling  in  the  township  of 
Riga.  Orleans  county,  New  York.  He  possessed  an  unusually 
studious  mind  and  began  teaching  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years. 
He  was  soon  made  a “school  inspector, ” an  office  which  in  some 
form  came  to  him  in  each  and  every  new  place  of  his  residence ; 
in  fact,  there  was  little  time  in  all  his  years  when  he  was  not 
interested  in  and  intimately  connected  with  the  advancement  of 
school  work.  He  drew  up  the  Minnesota  state  school  law  of 
1861,  and  Avas  a clerk  in  the  office  of  the  superintendent  of  public 
instruction,  Avhen  at  the  age  of  se\Tenty  years  a break  doAvn  in 
health  obliged  him  to  relinquish  all  labor.  He  Avas  a silversmith 
by  trade,  but  the  unfavorable  confinement  sent  him  back  to  farm 
life,  AA'hich  he  folloA\recl  in  NeAV  Y'ork  and  in  Wisconsin  until 
the  1855,  Avhen  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  in  the  city  of 
Janesville,  AYis..  coming  in  May  8,  1857,  to  Red  Wing,  to  take 
charge  of  the  Freeborn  & Co.  sawmill,  which  the  neAV  firm  of 
Densmore,  McLaren  & Co.  had  purchased.  Taato  years  later  he 
Avas  elected  as  judge  of  probate  and  subsequently  as  county 
treasurer,  which  office  he  held  tAvo  terms.  In  1866  he  Avas  elected 
city  recorder,  and  Avas  made  a member  of  the  board  of  trustees 
of  the  State  Insane  Asylum  of  St.  Peter.  He  Avas  appointed 
deputy  collector  of  United  States  revenue  for  Goodhue  county 
in  1867.  In  1869  and  again  in  1870  he  Avas  elected  to  the  house  of 
representatives,  being  chairman  of  the  committee  on  education 
during  both  terms.  In  taking  the  census  of  1870  he  acted  as  as- 
sistant marshal  for  the  eastern  district  of  the  county.  In  1871, 


758 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


at  the  close  of  his  legislative  term,  he  was  given  the  position  of 
clerk  in  the  office  of  the  superintendent  of  public  instruction,  as 
before  recorded,  undey  the  late  IT.  B.  Wilson.  Judge  Densmore’s 
forte  lay  in  an  ever  active,  independent,  and  critical  mind,  a 
minute  and  untiring  attention  to  detail,  a strong  sympathy  for 
the  struggling  citizen,  and  an  unswerving  integrity.  Prof.  Wil- 
son feelingly  remarked  concerning  him:  “I  never  knew  a man 

who  so  thoroughly  detested  a trickster  as  did  Judge  Densmore.” 
All  scientific  topics  held  a great  interest  for  him,  and  for  many 
years  of  the  early  times  of  the  Smithsonian  Institute  he  sent  in 
his  regular  monthly  reports  of  weather  observations.  He  died 
June  3,  1872.  In  1828  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Fowle,  of 
New  York.  She  was  ever  his  tactful  coadjutant,  and  was  an 
active  worker  in  the  social  affairs  of  early  Red  Wing.  The  gloomy 
days  of  the  Civil  War  saw  her  serving  most  effectively  with  that 
band  of  patriotic  Red  Wing  women  who  maintained  gratuitously 
a soldier's’  rest,  where  every  journeying  soldier  was  sure  to  find, 
day  or  night,  a sympathetic  welcome  and  a warm  meal.  Her 
death  occurred  in  January,  1891. 

Peter  Joseph  Erbar,  now  living  in  retireinent  at  Reel  Wing, 
where  he  is  enjoying  a well  deserved  rest  after  years  of  faithful 
toil,  is  a native  of  Prussia,  Germany,  born  March  2,  1828,  son 
of  Hubert  E.  and  Marggalena  (Ivorp)  Erbar,  both  natives  of 
Germany,  the  father  being  a farmer  in  that  country  all  his  life. 
He  was  killed  by  his  team  of  horses,  June  28,  1842,  and  the  mother 
followed  him  to  the  grave  in  the  following  autumn.  Peter  Joseph 
attended  the  schools  of  his  native  kingdom,  and  like  other  Ger- 
man youths  of  strong  physique,  served  in  the  standing  army  of 
Germany,  his  period  of  service  being  for  three  years  and  three 
months.  In  1852  he  came  to  America,  and  worked  a year  in  New 
York  city  as  a carpenter.  From  1853  to  1856  he  worked  in 
Kings  county,  New  York  state,  and  in  the  latter  year  came  to 
Olmstead  county,  Minnesota,  where  he  bought  160  acres  and 
remained  until  1858.  In  the  fall  of  1859  he  first  set  foot  in  Red 
Wing.  The  following  spring  he  purchased  160  acres  in  Hay 
Creek  township,  and  later  160  acres  more.  This  farm  was  largely 
wild  at  that  time  and  he  at  once  set  to  work  breaking  and  clear- 
ing the  land.  lie  erected  a comfortable  home  and  remained 
until  1906,  when  he  rented  his  farm  and  came  to  Red  Wing,  tak- 
ing up  his  home  with  his  son,  S.  M.  An  independent  Democrat  in 
politics,  Mr.  Erbar  served  three  years  a supervisor  of  the  town- 
ship of  Hay  Creek  and  fifteen  years  as  town  clerk.  July  1,  1863, 
P.  M.  Erbar  was  appointed  a,  captain  of  the  Tenth  Regiment,  state 
militia,  by  Commander-in-chief  Henry  A.  Swift.  He  is  a good  cit- 
izen, of  quiet  disposition,  and  well  liked  by  everybody.  Mr. 
Erbar  was  married  at  Red  Wing,  in  September,  1858,  to  Cath- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


759 


erine  N.  Burns,  daughter  of  John  Burns,  Town  of  Root,  Kings 
county,  N.  Y.  She  was  born  December  8,  1827,  and  died  at  the 
old  homestead  in  Hay  Creek.  July  25,  1905. . Both  her  parents  are 
deceased.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Erbar  were  born  six  children.  Joseph, 
the  oldest,  died  in  1881.  Engelbert  is  a sign  painter  in  this  city. 
Ida  L.  is  a milliner  in  St.  Paul.  Jessie  F.  married  Edward  Reit- 
man,  of  Lake  City,  and  has  two  children,  Florence  and  Lucille. 
Charles  C.  is  a sign  painter  in  Red  Wing.  For  ten  years  he  was 
town  clerk  of  Hay  Creek,  succeeding  his  father.  S.  M.,  the 
youngest  son,  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his  neigh- 
borhood, and  then  learned  the  art  of  sign  painting,  at  which  he 
is  an  expert.  For  several  years  he  practiced  this  art  in  Winona, 
owning  a large  establishment.  Several  years  ago  he  sold  out 
and  came  to  Red  Wing.  He  still  follows  his  trade,  and  is  also 
the  proprietor  of  the  Idle  Hour  billiard  hall,  a venture  of  which 
he  has  made  a pronounced  success,  showing  that  such  an  estab- 
lishment can  be  made  a place  of  high  class  recreation.  S.  M. 
Erbar  was  married  April  26,  1905,  at  Winona,  Minn.,  to  Elizabeth 
Nimz,'  of  that  place.  The  family  faith  of  the  Erbars  is  that  of  the 
Episcopal  Church. 

John  H.  Elder,  an  influential  citizen  of  the  early  days  in  Red 
Wing,  the  builder  of  the  first  warehouse  in  this  city,  and  also 
one  of  the  first  steamboat  agents  at  this  point,  was  born  in  Elders- 
ville,  Pa.,  and  there  attended  the  primitive  schools  of  his  time. 
His  active  business  career  was  started  as  a lumberman  at  Black 
River  Falls,  AYis.  His  integrity  and  popularity  won  for  him 
the  position  of  sheriff  of  Crawford  County,  an  office  which  in  those 
days  required  personal  strength  and  moral  bravery.  Later  he 
became  a pioneer  merchant  at  McGregor,  la.,  and  in  1854  came 
to  Red  Wing,  which  at  that  time  had  little  to  indicate  what  in  the 
future  it  was  to  become.  Here  he  located  and  started  the  ware- 
house and  commission  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Elder  & 
Huffman.  He  also  took  the  agency  for  the  steamboats,  which 
were  then  the  great  carriers  of  commerce  up  and  down  the 
Mississippi.  The  warehouse  erected  by  Elder  & Hoffman  is  still 
standing,  a testimony  to  the  stability  with  which  buildings  were 
constructed  in  those  clays.  The  Pike’s  Peak  rush  then  drew  him 
like  a magnet  to  the  westward.  At  Council  Bluffs  he  joined  one 
of  the  original  overland  parties  to  the  peak.  They  debated  for 
several  days  whether  or  not  to  take  the  Smoky  Hill  route  or 
whether  they  should  take  another  route.  Finally  they  divided, 
into  two  companies,  one  of  the  parties  taking  the  Smoky  Hill 
route  and  the  other  party  the  other  route.  Mr.  Elder  went  with 
the  latter  party.  Not  one  of  the  former  was  ever  heard  from 
again.  The  strain,  however,  of  mining  life,  proved  too  much  for 
Mr.  Elder,  and  he  succumbed  at  Denver,  Col.,  February  29,  1859. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


760 

His  widow  now  resides  in  Red  Wing  with  her  daughter,  Mrs. 
Henry  Brown.  Mr.  Elder  was  a Democrat  in  politics,  a Mason  in 
fraternal  associations^  and  in  religious  faith  is  a Presbyterian. 
He  was  married  in  May,  1850,  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  Wis.,  by  the 
Rev.  Alfred  Bronson,  to  Hannah  P.  Lockwood,  daughter  of  John 
S.  and  Margaret  (Miller)  Lockwood,  natives  of  Plattsburg,  New 
York  state.  They  located  at  Prairie  du  Chien  in  1839,  and  there 
the  father  became  a leading  merchant,  receiving  also  the  appoint- 
ment as  postmaster.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lockwood  are  both  deceased. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elder  Avere  born  four  children,  Lizzie  L.,  Mar- 
garet L.,  Mary  S.  and  John  H.  Lizzie  L.  was  born  February  15, 
1852,  at  McGregor,  la.,  married  Henry  Brown,  a hardware  mer- 
chant at  Red  Wing.  Mr.  Brown  died  September  7,  1897,  at  Red 
Wing.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  Avere  born  four  children,  Fred 
L.,  Harry  M.,  Bessie  IL.  and  Leland  P.  The  latter  died  in  1892  at 
the  age  of  five  years.  Margaret  L.  Elder  was  born  July  23,  1854, 
at  McGregor,  la.  She  married  Albert  DeKay,  at  Red  Wing, 
December  6,  1876.  Mr.  DeKay  is  a traveling  salesman.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  DeKay  have  been  born  four  children — -Charles  A.,  Eliza- 
beth A.,  IL.  Eugenia  and  Ferris  W.  Mary  S.  Elder  was  born  Au- 
gust 13,  1856,  at  Red  Wing,  married  Earl  B.  Woodward,  of  Morris, 
Minn.,  and  is  now  located  at  Bismarck,  N.  D.  John  H.  Elder,  Jr., 
was  born  at  Red  Wing  July  12,  1858.  He  married  Della  Knox, 
of  Livingston,  Mont.,  and  is  now  a leading  attorney  in  Seattle, 
Wash.  He  has  one  son,  Henry  K.,  a pupil  in  a college  at  Grin- 
nell,  la. 

John  G.  Kappel,  city  mail ‘carrier,  is  a native  born  son  of  Red 
Wing,  who  has  chosen  to  make  his  home  in  this  city  the  whole  of 
his  life.  He  was  born  October  11,  1869,  when  the  country  had 
begun  to  recover  from  the  ravage  of  the  Civil  War,  and  Red  Wing 
Avas  beginning  to  show  some  indications  of  modern  industrial 
growth.  His  father,  John  Kappel,  married  to  Margaret  George, 
a native  of  New  York  state,  Avas  born  in  Worfelden,  Hessen 
Darmstadt,  Germany,  and  came  to  America  in  the  early  fifties, 
locating  for  a time  in  Wisconsin.  He  came  to  Red  Wing  in  1864, 
and  engaged  in  the  wagon-making  business  until  1888,  when  fail- 
ing health  necessitated  his  retirement  from  active  business.  John 
G.  Kappel  attended  the  public  school  and  business  college  of  this 
city,  and  started  in  life  as  a dry  goods  clerk.  January,  1888,  he 
entered  the  civil  service  as  city  mail  carrier  in  Red  Wing,  and 
in  this  capacity  he  still  remains.  He  is  a member  of  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Foresters,  Knights  of  Pythias  and  Yeomen. 
Pie  is  an  independent  voter.  The  family  attends  the  German 
Lutheran  Church.  J.  G.  Kappel  was  married  May  30,  1895,  at 
Featherstone,  this  county,  to  Anna  D.  German,  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Rosena  German,  of  that  township,  natives  of  Germany.  They 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


761 

came  to  America  and  located  first  in  Indiana,  later  coming  to 
Featherstone  in  the  early  sixties  and  engaging  in  general  farm- 
ing. Both  parents  are  now  deceased.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kappel 
have  been  born  five  children — Florence,  born  March  12,  1896 ; 
Ruth,  born  March  12,  1898;  Herbert  J.,  born  March  10,  1900  (de- 
ceased), Harriet,  born  July  30,  1903,  and  Sivilli,  born  April  22, 
1907.  The  family  residence  is  at  723  Central  avenue,  Red  Wing. 
Mr.  Kappel  is  the  oldest  of  four  children.  Lillian,  born  August 
11,  1872,  died  August  11,  1893.  Frederick,  born  March  13,  1875, 
is  a barber  residing  at  Albert  Lea,  Minn.,  and  is  married  to  Ger- 
trude Towle,  a native  of  Goodhue  county.  Emily,  born  May  6, 
1878,  is  married  to  S.  II.  Moody,  of  Excelsior,  Minn.,  and  resides 
at  Minneapolis,  Minn. 

James  O.  Dow,  now  deceased,  many  years  a prominent  stock 
dealer,  was  a native  of  Gorham,  Me.,  born  November  13,  1834,  son 
of  Abram  and  Cornelia  (Steel)  Dow.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Portland.  Ale.,  and  in  that  vicinity  grew  to  young 
manhood,  later  learning  the  machinist  trade.  He  made  a trip  to 
Chicago  in  the  early  days,  remained  a short  time  and  returned 
to  Portland,  Me.  In  1855  he  came  to  Red  Wing  and  a year  later 
located  at  Cannon  Falls,  as  a stock  buyer,  combining.his  business 
with  the  lumbering  industry.  In  1864  he  returned  to  Red  Wing 
and  continued  to  buy  stock  until  his  retirement  in  1904.  Mr. 
Dow  was  a Republican  in  politics  and  a member  of  the  Knights 
of  Pythias.  By  his  first  wife.  Angeline  Moody,  he  had  one  son, 
Henry  J.,  now  in  California.  After  her  death  Mr.  Dow  was  mar- 
ried, November  13,  1866,  to  Marie  Hawkins,  and  to  this  union 
were  born  seven  children — Charles  E.  (deceased),  Mrs.  Etta  F. 
Wooders,  of  Red  Wing;  Mrs.  Minnie  L.  Drew,  of  Red  Wing; 
Adeline,  of  Red  Wing;  George  A.  (deceased)  ; Mrs.  Grace  J. 
Wing,  of  Seattle,  and  Fannie  I.,  of  Red  Wing.  The  family  attends 
the  Presbyterian  Church.  • At  the  time  of  Mr.  Dow’s  death,  June 
27,  1909,  it  was  written : ‘‘The  death  of  J.  O.  Dow  marks  the  turn- 
ing of  another  leaf  in  the  history  of  our  city,  another  page 
finished.  The  record  of  one  of  our  oldest  and  most  respected 
citizens  is  closed.  ‘To  live  in  the  hearts  we  leave  behind  is  not  to 
die,’  and  thus  in  a very  marked  sense  will  the  name  of  J.  O.  Dow 
be  cherished,  leaving,  as  he  does,  besides  a large  circle  of.  friends, 
a wife  whose  loving  care  softened  the  pains  of  a long  illness,  and 
a family  of  whom  any  father  might  well  be  proud. 

Levi  Woodbury,  a retired  hardware  merchant,  of  Zumbrota 
village,  and  possesor  of  considerable  real  estate.  Avas  born  in* 
Craftsbury,  Orleans  county,  Vermont,  July  9.  1852,  son  of  Lorenzo 
and  Catherine  (Glidden)  Woodbury,  the  former  a native  of  Or- 
ford,  N.  IT.,  and  the  latter  of  Greensboro, _Vt.  The  family,  con- 
sisting of  the  father  and  mother  and  free  children,  Mernetta  D., 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


762 

Edwin,  Viola,  Kate  and  Levi,  came  west  in  1865.  Of  these  Levi 
is  the  only  one  living.  After  their  arrival  here  they  lived  for  a 
time  at  Mazeppa,  Minn.,  and  in  1869  came  to  Zumbrota  township, 
where  the  father  purchased  160  acres  of  land  on  section  25, 
which  he  broke  and  improved,  and  upon  which  he  carried  on 
general  farming  until  1876.  He  then  moved  to  Zumbrota,  pur- 
chased a pleasant  home,  and  engaged  in  the  retail  implement 
business,  also  selling  organs,  pianos  and  sewing  machines.  In 
1883  he  retired  from  active  life,  and  continued  to  reside  in  the  vil- 
lage until  his  death,  September  10,  1891.  Levi  received  his  early 
schooling  in  Vermont  and  at  Zumbrota,  and  spent  his  summers 
and  spare  time  farming  with  his  father.  At  the  age  of  nineteen 
years  he  started  teaching  school  on  the  prairie  and  continued 
in  this  profession  three  years  until  entering  the  implement  busi- 
ness with  his  father  in  1876.  In  1883,  when  this  business  was 
sold,  he  became  interested  in  horses,  breeding  and  shipping 
Percherons,  Hamiltonians  and  French  coach  horses  until  1894, 
when  he  again  took  up  the  general  hardware  and  implement 
business.  In  1907  he  sold  out  and  retired.  In  addition  to  his 
village  property,  Mr.  Woodbury  owns  two  homesteads  of  160 
acres  each  in  Big  Stone  county,  which  were  taken  up  in  1879 
and  1880  by  himself  and  Mary  Jane  Maley,  who  was  to  become  his 
wife.  Mr.  Woodbury  is  a Republican  in  politics,  and  affiliates 
with  the  Modern  Woodmen.  He  was  married  November  11,  1880, 
at  Benson,  Minn.,  to  Mary  Jane  Maley,  born  September  20,  1858, 
daughter  of  William  and  Lizzie  (Leonard)  Maley,  natives  of  Ire- 
land. After  coming  to  America  they  located  first  in  Bridgeport, 
Conn.,  and  in  1856  came  to  Zumbrota.  Here  the  father  died, 
March  17,  1875.  and  the  mother  passed  away  at  Aberdeen,  AVasli., 
November  10,  1905.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Woodbury  have  been  born 
five  children.  Edwin  D.,  born  July  4,  3 882,  is  a hardware  mer- 
chant at  Ortonville,  Minn.,  married  Francis  B.  Schrodeski  and  lias 
one  child,  Marion  Wagner.  Leslie  M.,  born  November  9,  1884, 
is  a graduate  of  the  State  University  and  a leading  dentist  of 
Zumbrota.  He  married  Selma  M.  Strand,  daughter  of  O.  A. 
Strand.  Mark  G.,  born  August  18,  1886,  is  a hardware  dealer 
at  Clinton,  Minn.  Elsie  M.  is  the  fourth  child,  born  February 
10,  1888.  Levi  R.  A.,  born  November  5,  1894,  lives  at  home.  The 
family  faith  is  that  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Henry  Blanchard,  now  deceased,  was  for  many  years  a memor- 
able figure  in  Zumbrota,  where  his  voice  was  ever  raised,  and  his 
most  zealous  work  ever  given,  in  the  interests  of  all  that  was  good 
and  desirable,  and  all  that  tended  to  advance  the  moral,  busi- 
ness and  social  interests  of  the  village  and  township.  In  dying 
he  bequeathed  a record  of  unsullied  honor  to  his  children,  and 
left  the  public  a name  which  would  always  be  the  epitome  of  a 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


763 


spotless  private  life  and  inspiring  public  career.  Mr.  Blanchard 
was  a New  Englander,  born  at  St.  Johnsbury,  Art.,  August  16, 
1825,  son  of  an  old  New  England  family.  He  attended  the  district 
schools  of  the  Green  Mountain  state,  and  in  early  manhood  be- 
came a shoemaker,  which  trade  he  thoroughly  mastered  as  a 
youth.  In  1857  he  came  to  Zumbrota,  then  in  the  first  days  of  its 
settlement,  and  like  the  other  pioneers  set  to  work  at  breaking 
the  land  and  making  for  himself  a home.  After  three  years, 
when  the  face  of  the  wilderness  had  taken  on  the  aspects  of  a 
habitation  of  man,  he  again  resumed  the  shoemaking  business, 
which  he  folloAved  several  years,  still  continuing  farming  also. 
He  and  I.  C.  Stearns  then  saw  the  opportunity  for  a retail  boot 
and  shoe  establishment,  which,  in  partnership,  they  accordingly 
opened  and  conducted  many  years.  In  1875  he  was  appointed 
postmaster  and  the  office  was  removed  to  his  shoe  store  from  the 
store  of  T.  P.  Kellet.  Mr.  Blanchard  retained  this  position  until 
1887,  when  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  serving  until  1906, 
when  he  retired.  He  served  as  president  of  the  village  council, 
and  as  a member  of  the  school  board.  Until  the  time  of  his  death 
he  was  a member  of  the  library  board,  in  which  position  he  is 
now  succeeded  by  his  daughter,  Mrs.  G.  P.  Murphy — a tribute  to 
the  respect  in  which  his  memory  is  held  and  also  to  her  own 
ability.  The  Republican  platform  embodied  his  political  faith, 
and  he  was  a devout  member  of  the  Congregational  Church. 
Mr.  Blanchard  died  August  29,  1908.  He  was  married  Septem- 
ber 27,  1849,  at  Orford,  N.  II..  to  Alavoisa  Palmer,  who  proved 
a most  loving  and  faithful  helpmeet  throughout  their  lives.  He 
preceded  her  to  the  grave  a few  months,  dying  April  19,  1909. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Blanchard  were  born  five  children,  all  of  whom, 
with  the  exception  of  one  who  died  in  infancy,  were  given  the 
advantages  of  an  excellent  education.  Edwin  K.,  born  February 
16,  1854,  graduated  from  Dartmouth,  class  of  1878,  and  is  now  a 
civil  engineer  at  Seymour,  Minn.  Charles  H.,  born  in  1856,  died 
the  following  year.  Arthur  P.,  born  June  25.  1862,  attended  the 
village  schools,  took  a two  years’  course  at  Carleton  College,  read 
law  with  his  uncle,  Judge  Charles  Blanchard,  and  is  now  an 
attorney  at  Little  Falls,  Minn.  Caroline  M.  was  born  September 
8,  1864,  attended  the  schools  of  her  neighborhood,  studied  at 
the  State  University  two  years,  taught  school  successfully  at 
Zumbrota  six  years,  and  is  now  Mrs.  A.  E.  Drew,  of  McHenry, 
N.  D.  Mary  L.,  born  September  28,  1865,  received  the  best  edu- 
cation that  Zumbrota  afforded  and  graduated  from  the  State 
University  in  1888.  She  was  a teacher  of  languages  in  the  high 
schools  of  Minnesota  for  eight  years,  her  longest  term  being  with 
the  high  school  at  Minneapolis,  where  she  taught  German  and 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


764 

English.  She  married  Gilbert  P.  Murphy,  a traveling  salesman, 
and  makes  her  home  in  Zumbrota. 

Edwin  Woodbury,  deceased,  was  a sturdy  figure  of  respect  and 
honor  in  Zumbrota  for  nearly  four  decades,  and  passed  to  the 
Great  Beyond  surrounded  by  the  love  and  regard  of  those  with 
whom  he  had  for  so  long  been  associated.  He  was  born  in  Ver- 
mont, April  9,  1846.  and  there  received  his  education.  It  was  in 
1 865,  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years,  that  he  came  west  to  Minnesota 
and  located  in  Mazeppa.  Two  years  later  he  moved  to  Zumbrota 
township,  purchased  160  acres  of  land,  which  he  broke  and  im- 
proved, and  carried  on  general  farming  for  many  years.  In  1888, 
having  acquired  a comfortable  income,  he  rented  his  farm  and 
moved  to  Zumbrota  village,  occupying  his  time  in  buying  and 
selling  real  estate  and  stock.  This  line  of  business  he  followed 
until  his  death,  June  8,  1906.  During  his  active  days  he  served 
as  president  of  the  village  council,  as  a member  of  the  school 
board  and  in  other  public  positions.  He  was  an  enthusiastic 
worker  for  the  cause  of  Masonry,  and  was  known  by  the  members 
of  that  fraternity  throughout  the  state.  Mr.  Woodbury  was  mar- 
ried December  14,  1869,  at  Mazeppa,  Minn.,  to  Roseltha  Judd, 
daughter  of  George  AY.  and  Amanda  (Emmons)  Judd,  natives  of 
New  York,  who  moved  to  Mazeppa  in  1855.  There  the  father 
conducted  a blacksmith  establishment  until  1889,  when  he  retired 
and  came  to  Zumbrota,  remaining  here  until  the  time  of  his  death, 
in  September,  1900.  His  wife  is  also  deceased. 

James  Cram  came  to  Zumbrota  in  1856  and  for  many  years 
after  his  arrival  followed  his  trade  as  a joiner.  Fie  worked  on 
many  of  the  earliest  dwellings  in  the  village,  and  assisted  greatly 
in  the  material  upbuilding  of  the  place.  In  1878  he  purchased  a 
stock  of  furniture  and  started  in  the  retail  business,  which  he  has 
since  followed  very  successfully,  building  up  a large  trade.  More 
recently  he  has  added  an  undertaking  and  funeral  directing'  de- 
partment to  his  store.  After  establishing  himself  here  he  married 
Lucinda  D.  Dickason,  daughter  of  Elbert  and  Obedience  Dicka- 
son,  who  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Columbia,  Wis. 
The  father  died  in  Wisconsin  in  1849  and  the  mother  in  California 
in  1901.  Three  children  have  crowned  the  happy  marriage'  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cram.  Marion  L.  was  born  February  7,  1867. 
Florence  J.  was  born  August  5,  1868,  and  married  D.  C.  Pierce, 
of  Goodhue.  Clyde  M.,  born  April  11,  1882,  is  an  army  engineer 
for  the  government  at  San  Francisco.  Mr.  Cram  is  a Republican 
in  politics,  has  taken  an  active  interest  in  public  affairs,  and  has 
served  on  the  village  council  and  school  board.  The  family  faitli 
is  embodied  in  the  religion  of  the  Congregational  Church.  Mr. 
Cram  was  born  in  Scotland,  June  18,  1836.  His  father,  who  bore 
the  same  name,  brought  his  family  to  America  in  1840,  and  im- 


James  Cram 


Edwin  Woodbury 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


765 

mediately  upon  his  arrival  on  the  shores  of  the  new  country  his 
wife  died.  After  laying  her  to  her  eternal  rest,  the  family  went 
from  New  York  city,  where  they  first  landed,  to  Roxbury,  Mass., 
where  the  father  engaged  in  the  weaving  industry,  he  being  one 
of  that  band  of  Scotchmen  who  came  to  this  country  for  the  pur- 
pose of  installing  120  looms  for  weaving  Brussels  carpets.  In 
1848  the  family  moved  to  Tariffville,  Conn.,  where  the  father  died. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  started  work  in  a store' at  the  early 
age  of  twelve  years.  Five  years  later  he  learned  the  joiners’ 
trade,  which  he  followed  until  coming  to  Zumbrota. 

Edward  G.  Hammer,  of  Zumbrota  village,  is  prominently  iden- 
tified with  the  dairy  interests  of  this  county.  He  was  born  in  Stor- 
dalen,  Norway.  November  8,  1865,  son  of  Guilder  R.  and  Inge- 
borana  Hammer,  the  former  of  whom  is  a carpenter  by  trade. 
These  sturdy  old  people  are  still  living  in  Norway,  the  mother 
being  eighty-six  and  the  father  seventy-six  years  old.  Edward 
was  given  the  advantage  of  excellent  training  in  the  schools  of  his 
native  village,  and  then  learned  the  shoemaking  trade.  It  was 
in  1885  that  he  came  to  America  and  located  in  Zumbrota.  Three 
years  later  he  went  to  Hallock,  Minn.,  and  learned  the  cheese- 
making business,  subsequent  to  which  he  took  a two  years’  course 
in  the  Red  Wing  Seminary.  For  seven  years  he  engaged  in  butter 
and  cheese  making  in  Wanamingo,  and  was  the  prime  factor  in 
establishing  the  Farmers’  Co-operative  Creamery.  Following 
this  he  engaged  in  the  butter  business  in  Goodhue  and  then  re- 
turned to  Wanamingo  for  two  years,  after  which  he  came  to 
Zumbrota  and  purchased  the  creamery  at  Goodhue,  which  he  also 
owns.  While  in  Goodhue  he  took  the  agency  for  the  Lavelle 
cream  separator,  which  he  has  since  retained,  having  sold  over 
1,000  in  this  county.  Mr.  Hammer  is  a member  of  the  village 
council  of  Zumbrota.  He  has  served  as  treasurer  of  his  school 
district,  and  while  in  Goodhue  was  treasurer  of  the  village  school 
board.  In  addition  to  his  creamery  interests  he  is  vice  president 
of  the  Zumbrota  Clay  Manufacturing  Company.  December  17. 
1893,  he  was  married  at  Red  Wing  to  Anna  Sletten,  of  Wana- 
mingo, daughter  of  Ole  and  Hansena  Sletten.  the  former  of  whom 
is  a Wanamingo  merchant.  The  fruits  of  this  union  are  two 
children  as  follows:  Emma  J..  born  September  21,  1894,  and 

Ottelle  G.,  born  July  12,  1897,  both  of  whom  are  at  home.  The 
family. worships  at  the  Lutheran  Church. 

Henry  M.  Scofield,  of  Zumbrota  village,  retired  farmer  and 
estimable  citizen,  was  born  in  Saratoga  county,  New  York,  Jan- 
uary 12,  1831,  and  has  therefore  already  passed  the  three  score 
and  ten  mark  which  Solomon  made  proverbial.  The  father, 
Miner  Scofield  (April  19,  1796-December  2,  1850).  and  the  mother, 
Lydia  Sherman  Scofield  (June  6,  1801-October  8,  1854),  migrated 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


766 

in  1848  from  NeAv  York  state  to  Fond  du  Lac  county,  Wis.,  and 
spent  the  remainder  of  their  days  on  a farm.  Henry  M'.  attended 
the  schools  of  his  native  county,  and  also  received  a part  of  his 
education  in  Wisconsin,  to  which  state  he  removed  with  his 
parents  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years.  After  leaving  school  he 
remained  at  home,  taking  charge  of  his  father’s  farm  until  1857. 
From  that  date  is  reckoned  his  career  in  Goodhue  county.  He 
purchased  160  acres  in  Pine  Island  township,  about  one  mile  from 
Zumbrota  village,  and  had  subdued  the  wild  acres  to  a profitable 
degree  of  cultivation  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  Responding 
to  the  call  of  his  country,  he  enlisted  in  1862  in  Company  B, 
Thirty-second  Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  until  the 
close  of  the  Avar.  After  being  mustered  out  and  honorably  dis- 
charged he  returned  to  his  farm,  there  remaining  until  1901,  when 
he  sold  the  place  to  his  son  and  removed  to  Zumbrota  village, 
AAdiere  he  has  since  lived  a retired  life.  During  his  more  active 
days  he  served  as  road  overseer  and  school  clerk  of  his  district 
in  Pine  Island  toAAmship;  and  in  Scofield  Post,  No.  121,  G.  A.  R., 
he  has  held  all  the  offices,  iioav  serving  his  twelfth  term  as  chap- 
lain. Pie  Avas  married  January  30,  1853,  to  Mary  A.  Scofield,  Avho 
died  at  the  family  residence  in  Pine  Island,  April  2,  1861 . To  this 
union  three  children  were  born.  Ella  M.,  born  April  8,  1855, 
is  now  Mrs.  Ella  M.  Shedd,  a AvidoAV  living  in  California.  George 
11.,  born  May  5,  1857,  died  March  29,  1886.  William  F.,  born 
September  2,  1859,  lives  in  South  Dakota.  On  January  30,  1866, 
at  Rosendale,  Wis.,  Mr.  Scofield  married  Jane  C.  Murray,  daugh- 
ter of  George  and  Margaret  (Ramsey)  Murray.  Her  parents  mi- 
grated from  Prince  EdAvard’s  Island,  Canada,  to  Illinois,  in  1844, 
and  moved  to  Wisconsin  in  1854.  The  father  was  born  June  30, 
1791,  and  died  November  30,  1855,  while  the  latter  AA^as  born 
March  17,  1899.  Mrs.  Scofield  AAms  born  at  Prince  Edward’s 
Island,  July  28,  1835.  She  has  borne  to  Henry  M.  Scofield  five 
children.  Edward  H.,  born  April  12,  1867,  is  an  electrical  en- 
gineer in  St.  Paul.  Margaret  A.,  born  June  17,  1870,  is  a dress- 
maker living  at  home.  LeAAns  M.,  born  November  2,  1873,  farms 
on  the  old  homestead.  Carrie  L.,  born  July  18,  1876,  is  now  Mrs. 
Skillman,  a widoAv  residing  in  Zumbrota.  Frank  M.,  born  Jan- 
uary 18,  1878,  died  April  3,  1899.  The  Congregational  faith  is 
the  religious  belief  of  the  family. 

Andrew  S.  Lexvold,  retired  farmer  of  Zumbrota  village,  Avas 
born  in  Norway,  November  9,  1829,  received  his  education  in  the 
schools  of  his  native  place  and  engaged  in  farming  there  until 
coming  to  America  in  1866.  Upon  his  arrival  here  he  located  in 
Minneola  township,  where  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  timber 
land,  which  he  cleared,  and  upon  which  he  made  all  the  improve- 
ments, erecting  a comfortable  home  and  other  necessary  buildings. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


767 


carrying  on  general  farming.  He  added  to  his  original  purchase 
until  he  retired  in  1897,  being  at  that  time  the  owner  of  one  of 
the  finest  farms  in  the  country,  containing  520  acres  of  land,  all 
under  cultivation,  and  all  in  Minneola  township.  Mr.  Lexvold 
has  been  a hard  working  man  all  his  life  and  by  his  untiring 
energy  become  one  of  the  prosperous  farmers  of  Minneola  town- 
ship. He  is  now  residing  in  Zumbrota  village,  enjoying  the  fruits 
of  his  honest  endeavors.  He  was  married  in  November,  1868,  to 
Gunel  Thompson,  who  came  to  America  in  1865.  Mr.  Lexvold  has 
four  sons,  all  engaged  in  farming.  They  are : Sever,  Ole,  Christ 
and  Halbert.  Five  daughters,  Martha,  Anna,  Sarah,  Martina 
and  Bertha,  are  all  living.  Mr.  Lexvold  is  a Republican,  has 
held  the  position  of  road  overseer,  and  is  a good  citizen,  taking 
an  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  county  and  village  in  which  he 
lives.  He  is  one  of  the  members  of  Land’s  Lutheran  Church. 

Ira  D.  Warren,  of  Zumbrota  village,  hardware  merchant  and 
former  miller,  is  a native  New  Yorker,  born  March.  22,  1842,  son  of 
Sheldon  TI.  and  Sally  (Calkins)  Warren,  also  natives  of  New 
York  state.  The  father,  who  was  a shoemaker  and  farmer  by 
trade,  came  with  his  family  to  Goodhue  county  in  1867,  and 
located  in  Roscoe  township,  where  he  followed  farming  until  his 
retirement  in  1893.  Three  years  later  he  died.  His  widow  sur- 
vived until  1903,  when  she,  too,  passed  to  her  eternal  reward. 
Ira  D.  had  scarcely  left  school  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  He 
consequently  enlisted  at  Herkimer  county,  New  York,  in  Company 
B.  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-first  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry, 
in  the  fall  of  1862,  and  served  until  June,  1865,  when  he  was  dis- 
charged at  Annapolis,  Md.  He  participated  in  the  bloody  carnage 
at  South  Mountain,  Antietam,  First  and  Second  Fredericksburg, 
Rappahannock,  Battle  of  the  Wilderness  and  Spottsville.  In  the 
latter  battle  he  received  an  ankle  -wound  and  was  captured.  For 
ten  months  he  was  imprisoned  at  Andersonville,  but  was  later  ex- 
changed. Upon  his  return  to  New  York  state  he  farmed  for  a 
year  and  then  came  to  Roscoe  township  with  his  parents  and  re- 
mained four  years.  Subsequently  he  spent  eighteen  years  as  a 
miller  in  Zumbrota.  During  that  time  he  was  a prominent  and 
popular  citizen,  and  when  he  became  an  aspirant  for  the  position 
of  postmaster,  the  people  were  almost  unanimous  in  desiring  his 
appointment.  He  served  in  this  capacity  over  five  years,  and 
then  conducted  the  Forest  Mills  elevator  four  years,  after  which 
he  became  manager  of  the  Wabasha  Riller  Mills  elevator  at 
Zumbrota  for  three  years.  He  then  purchased  a 175-acre  farm 
two  miles  from  the  city,  and  managed  this  for  three  years.  In 
1908,  in  company  with  his  son,  he  purchased  the  hardware  busi- 
ness of  W.  F.  Bevers  & Son,  which  has  since  been  conducted  under 
the  name  of  Ira  D.  Warren  & Son.  Mr.  Warren  stands  high  in 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


768 

Masonic  circles,  and  has  been  a member  of  the  Blue  Lodge  thirty- 
five  years.  Of  this  lodge  he  has  served  as  master  several  terms. 
He  also  belongs  to  the  Royal  Arch  chapter,  of  which  he  has  served 
as  high  priest  several  terms,  and  to  the  lesser  Masonic  degrees. 
He  has  been  commander  several  years  of  Scofield  Post,  No.  121, 
G.  A.  R.  While  he  has  never  been  an  active  politician,  he  is  a 
Republican  in  politics,  and  has  served  on  the  village  council  and 
the  school  board.  Mr.  Warren  was  married  September  19,  1866, 
to  Cordelia  A.  Gaskell,  of  New  York  state,  who  died  October  24, 
1908.  They  have  had  the  following  children : Lelah  M.,  born  in 
November,  1867,  married  to  Carl  L.  Strom,  cashier  of  the  Farm- 
ers’ and  Merchants’  Bank  at  Minneapolis,  and  Sheldon  Deforest, 
born  in  December,  1876,  who  is  in  partnership  with  his  father; 
Herbert,  who  died  at  the  age  of  three  and  a half  years.  The 
family  worships  at  the  Congregational  Church. 

Olaf  0.  Nordvold,  of  Zumbrota  village,  a retired  farmer  and 
former  well-known  school  teacher,  is  a native  of  Norway  (Lesje, 
Gudbrandsdalen),  son  of  Ole  and  Marit  Nordslette  n.  The  parents 
spent  their  entire  lives  in  Norway,  with  the  exception  of  the  years 
from  1878  to  1881,  which  they  spent  with  their  .sons  in  America. 
They  are  now  deceased.  Olaf,  as  he  was  then  called  by  his 
friends,  attended  a high  school  in  Norway,  and  graduated  from 
the  Asker  Seminary  for  Teachers  in  1864.  The  high  grade  of 
scholarship  which  he  maintained  while  at  the  seminary  secured 
for  him  the  position  as  teacher  in  his  home  district,  a situation 
he  held  four  years.  His  fifth  year  as  a teacher  was  spent  in  the 
south  part  of  Gudbrandsdalen,  and  in  1869  he  migrated  to  Amer- 
ica, locating  in  Iowa.  While  perfecting  himself  in  the  English 
language  he  followed  farming  a short  time  and  in  the  fall  of  that 
year  came  to  this  county  as  parochial  school  teacher  and  choir 
leader  of  the  Minneola  congregation.  He  was  beloved  by  the 
pupils  and  honored  by  the  parents,  but  in  1876,  desiring  more 
out-of-door  employment,  he  purchased  256  acres  in  Zumbrota 
township,  grubbed  and  improved  80  acres  of  this,  and  erected  a 
new  building,  carrying  on  general  farming  until  1906,  when  he 
sold  his  farm  to  his  sons  and  moved  to  Zumbrota  village,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  His  public  office  holding  includes  service  in 
the  legislature  in  1887,  as  town  treasurer  of  Zumbrota  for  eight 
years,  supervisor  three  years  and  postmaster  at  White  Willow 
eight  years,  his  tenure  of  office  in  the  latter  position  extending 
through  the  administration  of  Harrison  and  one  term  of  Cleve- 
land. He  is  secretary  of  the  Farmers’  Elevator  Company,  of 
Zumbrota,'  and  chairman  of  its  finance  committee.  He  is  also  a 
director  in  the  Wanamingo,  Minneola  & Cherry  Grove  Mutual 
Farmers’  Insurance  Company.  Throughout  his  life  Mr.  Nordvold 
has  taken  a deep  interest  in  church  matters,  and  is  now  serving  as 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


769 


chairman  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  Land’s  Church.  Start- 
ing in  life  as  a poor  boy,  he  has  acquired  an  education,  position, 
and  a comfortable  income,  all  by  his  own  efforts.  Mr.  Nordvold 
was  married  March  25,  1873,  at  the  Church  of  the  Minneola  Con- 
gregation, to  Esther  C.  Klevgaard,  daughter  of  John  Klevgaard, 
natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1850,  and  located  in 
Dane  county,  Wis.,  where  their  daughter  Esther  was  born,  October 
18  of  the  same  year.  Later  they  located  in  Goodhue  county,  and 
still  later  in  Jackson  county,  this  state.  The  father  died  March 
7,  1908,  and  the  mother  April  9,  of  the  same  year.  The  home  of 
the  Nordvolds  has  been  blessed  with  eight  children.  Olaf  M., 
born  December  15,  1873,  is  a farmer  in  Zumbrota  township.  Maria 
J.,  born  March  25,  1876,  married  Swen  T.  Swenson,  also  a farmer 
in  Zumbrota  township.  Jesse  C.,  born  February  11,  1879,  follows 
a similar  occupation.  Olga  M.,  born  June  8,  1880,  is  married  to 
Peter  T.  Swenson,  the  Standard  Oil  agent  at  Zumbrota.  Adolph 
E.,  born  November  22,  1882,  married  Alice  Langum,  of  Anoka, 
and  is  now  in  the  furniture  and  undertaking  business  in  Zum- 
brota. Agnes  0.,  born  May  16,  1885,  lives  at  home.  Sverre  P., 
born  December  30,  1887,  is  a graduate  of  the  Northwestern  Uni- 
versity, of  Chicago,  department  of  pharmacy  class  of  1909.  Har- 
old O.,  born  April  12,  1892,  a student  in  the  Zumbrota  high  school, 
is  clerking  in  the  post  office  and  lives  at  home.  The  family  faith 
is  that  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 

Henry  J.  Weiss,  retired  farmer  of  Zumbrota  township,  is  a 
worthy  example  of  those  men  of  a sturdy  race  who  left  the  shores 
of  Europe  for  the  new  world,  where  by  dint  of  frugal  habits  and 
hard  labor  they  achieved  for  themselves  a name  and  a fortune 
which  is  an  honor  to  themselves,  and  a noble  heritage  to  posterity. 
He  has  been  a county  commissioner  and  has  served  as  chairman 
of  Minneola  township  and  school  clerk  for  several  terms.  He 
has  also  been  clerk  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church  at  Zumbrota 
many  years.  Mr.  "Weiss  was  born  in  Germany,  August  8,  1849, 
and  there  received  an  excellent  education.  In  1862  he  came  to 
America  with  his  mother  and  brother,  and  worked  on  a farm  in 
Minneola  township  with  them  until  1870,  when  he  assumed  charge 
of  the  old  homestead.  From  that  date  until  1902  he  carried  on 
general  farming  on  400  acres  of  good  land,  and  then  retired, 
renting  his  farm  and  moving  to  a pleasant  home  which  he  erected 
in  the  village  of  Zumbrota.  In  this  residence  he  has  since  lived. 
Mr.  "Weiss  was  married  October  30,  1873,  to  Mary  Starz,  daughter 
of  Jacob  and  Rosina  Starz,  natives  of  Germany,  who  upon  coming 
to  this  country  located  in  Zumbrota.  The  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Weiss  has  been  blessed  by  three  children.  Anna  L.,  born  October 
11,  1875,  is  now  Mrs.  Charles  Grover,  of  Zumbrota.  Henry  E., 
born  November  19.  1878,  is  cashier  of  the  Security  State  Bank, 


770 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


of  Zumbrota.  Ida  J.,  born  February  24,  1881,  is  now  Mrs.  Anton 
Johnson,  of  Zumbrota.  Mr.  Weiss,  together  with  R.  0.  Lund,  were 
the  prime  movers  in  founding  the  State  Bank,  and  Mr.  Weiss  has 
been  a director  ever  since.  He  is  also  a director  in  the  Security 
State  Bank. 

Henry  E.  Weiss,  treasurer  of  the  Zumbrota  village  school 
board  and  cashier  of  the  Security  State  Bank,  of  Zumbrota,  is  a 
native  of  this  county,  born  in  Minneola  township,  November  19, 
1878,  son  of  Henry  J.  and  Mary  (Starz)  Weiss,  well  known 
farmers  of  that  township.  He  received  his  education  in  the  dis- 
trict schools  of  Minneola,  the  public  schools  of  Zumbrota,  and 
the  Red  Wing  Business  College.  At  once  after  completing  a 
course  in  the  latter  institution  he  entered  the  Security  State 
Bank,  in  1897,  as  bookkeeper.  In  1899  he  was  made  assistant 
cashier  and  in  1902  was  promoted  to  his  present  position.  He 
is  an  ardent  supporter  of  the  Republican  party  and  has  served 
the  village  three  yeai’s  as  recorder  and  three  years  as  treasurer. 
He  belongs  to  the  English  Lutheran  Church  and  affiliates  with 
the  Masons,  the  Odd  Fellows,  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the 
Elks.  Mr.  Weiss  was  married  November  5,  1902,  to  Winifred 
Tucker,  daughter  of  Richmond  and  Cornelia  Tucker,  farmers 
and  fruit  raisers  of  Kasson,  Minn.  This  union  has  been  blessed 
with  one  child,  Marion,  born  May  29,  1904,  who  is  the  idol  of  the 
household. 

Anton  J.  Rockne,  oi  Zumbrota  village,  the  distinguished 
speaker  of  the  Minnesota  house  of  representatives,  is  of  Minne- 
sota birth,  his  natal  place  being  in  Harmony  township,  Fillmore 
county,  and  the  date  of  his  birth  December  19,  1868.  His  parents 
were  Michael  and  Anna  (Amundson)  Rockne.  The  father  left 
Norway  in  1849,  and  located  in  Illinois,  where  he  farmed  two 
years.  In  Wisconsin  and  South  Dakota  he  also  lived  for  a time, 
and  was  married  in  1865.  After  coming  to  Minnesota  he  pur- 
chased 160  acres  in  the  town  where  young  Anton  was  born,  and 
continued  general  farming.  The  home  place  is  now  managed  by 
Michael  Rockne  and  his  brother.  Anton’s  early  youth  was  spent 
on  the  home  farm,  and  his  primary  education  received  in  the 
schools  of  the  neighborhood.  His  classical  and  academic  training 
was  obtained  at  the  Decorali  Institute,  Decorah,  la.  Fie  then 
spent  an  interim  in  teaching  school,  subsequent  to  which  he  en- 
tered the  law  department  of  the  Minnesota  State  University, 
from  which  he  graduated  in  1894,  being  admitted  to  the  bar  June 
7 of  the  same  year.  A few  months  later  he  came  to  Zumbrota 
and  opened  up  an  office.  His  success  was  instantaneous  and  in 
this  profession  he  has  since  continued.  He  at  once  took  an  active 
interest  in  politics,  and  in  1902  was  elected  to  the  legislature, 
being  re-elected  successively  in  1904,  1906  and  1908.  His  elo- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


771 


quence  on  the  floor  and  his  good  sense  in  caucus  and  committee 
deliberation  won  the  confidence  of  his  fellow  members,  and  in 
1909  he  Avas  elected  to  his  present  position  as  speaker.  Not 
alone,  however,  at  the  state  capital,  is  his  influence  felt,  for  at 
home  his  merits  are  no  less  realized.  He  has  served  as  president 
of  the  village  council  one  year  and  has  been  a member  of  the 
council  two  years.  lie  has  also  done  considerable  campaigning 
for  the  Republican  party.  Mr.  Rockne  Avas  married  December  10, 
1899,  at  Zumbrota,  to  Susie  Albertson,  daughter  of  Elling  Al- 
bertson, a prominent  farmer  of  Wanamingo.  The  fruits  of  this 
union  are  three  children — Melroy,  born  September  11,  19J30; 
Elnor,  born  February  26,  1902,  and  Ariel,  born  June  26,  1901. 
The  family  worships  at  the  Lutheran  Church. 

W.  Scott  Van  de  Bogart  is  a neAv  comer  in  Zumbrota  town- 
ship compared  with  those  who  settled  here  in  the  fifties  and 
sixties,  but  in  the  dozen  or  so  years  that  he  has  lived  here  he  has 
already  established  himself  in  the  confidence  and  regard  of  the 
community.  He  Avas  born  in  Appleton,  Wis.,  February  15,  1862, 
son  of  Henry  and  Emeline  (Hubbard)  Van  de  Bogart,  natives  of 
New  York  state.  They  came  Avest  to  Wisconsin  in  the  early  days 
and  engaged  in  farming  until  1862,  when  the  father  joined  the 
union  army  and  served  in  Company  D,  Twenty-first  Wisconsin 
Volunteer  Infantry,  until  his  death  at  Murfreesboro  as  the 
result  of  a foA'er  contracted  during  the  .campaign.  After  this 
sad  bereaATement,  the  mother  lived  at  Appleton  until  1878.  She 
then  lived  tAvo  years  in  Kansas  and  in  1880  moved  to  North 
Dakota  and  still  later  to  Nebraska.  In  1899  she  came  to  live 
with  her  son.  then  returned  again  to  Nebraska,  and  subsequently 
in  1907  again  took  up  her  home  with  her  son,  and  ended  her 
days,  November  26,  1908.  AY.  Scott  received  his  education  hi 
AVisconsin,  there  spent  his  young  manhood  and  in  1880  took  up 
a homestead  of  160  acres  in  North  Dakota  and  also  a tree 
claim  in  the  same  state.  In  1897  he  came  to  Zumbrota  township, 
purchased  150  acres  of  land  in  section  29,  and  continued- to  carry 
on  general  farming.  Air.  Van  de  Bogart  Avas  married  April  2, 
1884.  fo  Annie  Barteau,  daughter  of  David  and  Joana  (AVillet). 
Barteau,  natives  of  New  York  state,  Avho  came  to  Zumbrota  in 
1873  and  engaged  in  the  hardware  business.  The  father  died 
in  August,  3 908,  and  the  mother  makes  her  home  in  Zumbrota 
village.  To  W.  Scott  and  Annie  (Barteau)  A7an  de  Bogart  Avere 
born  five  children — Jay  Id.,  born  April  28,  1885,  is  employed  by 
the  Tri-State  Telephone  Company  at  Alinneapolis ; Byron  B., 
born  July  T2,  1888,  died  in  March  6,  1908;  Hazel  L.,  born  Febru- 
ary 19,  1891,  lives  at  home;  Sadie  J.,  born  Afay  9,  1894,  died 
September  23.  1903 ; Ruth  A.,  born  March  8,  1898,  lives  at  home. 
The  mother  of  these  children  died  March  17,  1898,  and  the 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


father  again  married,  March.  2,  1902,  the  present  Mrs.  Van  de 
Bogart  having  been  Minnie  L.  Drew,  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
Martha  Morris  Drew,  natives  of  England,  who  in  1848  located 
in  Canada  and  after  living  there  several  years,  moved  to  Red 
Wing  in  1864,  where  they  engaged  in  general  farming.  Mr. 
Drew  died  May  6,  1907,  and  his  wife  September  23,  1907.  The 
family  worships  at  the  Methodist  Church. 

Martin  0.  Tonseth  is  a prominent  figure  in  Lands  Congrega- 
tion, being  teacher  of  the  parochial  school  of  that  church  in 
Zumbrota  and  having  charge  of  the  schools  at  seven  other 
points.  For  the  duties  of  this  office  he  is  well  fitted,  standing 
high  in  the  esteem  of  parents  and  pupils.  Mr.  Tonseth  was 
born  in  Norway,  February  28,  1845,  and  received  his  education 
in  his  native  land,  after  which  he  worked  on  the  government 
telegraph  lines  for  four  years.  In  the  spring  of  1872  he  decided 
to  seek  his  fortunes  in  this  land  of  wider  opportunity.  Arriving 
in  Zumbrota  in  the  spring  of  1872  he  erected  a home,  and 
worked  first  as  a farmer  and  then  as  a stone  mason.  He  taught 
in  the  Sunday  school  of  his  congregation  for  several  years  and 
then  in  1893  took  charge  of  the  parochial  schools.  He  is  a good 
citizen  in  every  respect,  one  of  those  men  who  uplift  the  moral 
tone  of  any  community.  Mr.  Tonseth  was  married  September 
28,  1873,  at  Zumbrota  to  Oline  Strom,  who  came  to  America  in 
1873  and  died  March  6,  1903.  Her  father  died  in  the  old  country, 
and  her  mother  came  to  America  in  1877,  remaining  until  her 
death  in  1892.  Ole  Hansen  and  Sigre  (Martinsdatter)  Tonseth, 
parents  of  Martin  O.  Tonseth,  were  natives  of  Norway,  where 
the  father  was  a shoemaker.  He  died  in  April,  1878,  and  the 
mother  in  February,  1876  . They  had  five  children — Hans,  Ivari, 
Martin  (deceased),  Ole  (deceased). 

Rasmus  R.  Sigmond,  a well-known  merchant  of  Zumbrota, 
first  saw  the  light  of  day  in  La  Salle  county,  Illinois,  September 
26,  1856,  his  parents  being  Rasmus  R.  and  Mary  (Wix)  Sigmond, 
the  former  a native  of  Stavangen  and  the  latter  of  Bergen,  both 
in  Norway.  After  arriving  in  this  country  they  took  up  their 
residence  in  La  Salle  county,  Avhere  the  father  expired  March  1, 
1884.  The  mother  still  makes  her  home  on  the  old  place.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools,  the  Rock  River  Seminary  at  Mt.  Morris,  111. ; the  East 
High  School,  Aurora,  111.,  and  Fowler  Institute  at  Newark,  111., 
graduating  from  the  latter  in  1876.  Previous  to  his  graduation, 
however  he  had  known  something  of  business  life,  haying  entered 
the  employ  of  a mercantile  company  at  the  early  age  of  fifteen 
years.  After  leaving  school  as  a student,  he  taught  two  years  in 
his  native  county,  and  then  started  in  the  mercantile  business  at 
Danway,  111.  Here  he  remained  a little  over  a year  and  then 


Herman  H.  Palmer 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


tytyo 

l to 

went  to  Sheridan,  111.,  where  he  engaged  in  the  same  business 
four  years.  It  was  in  August  of  1880  that  he  decided  to  try 
his  fortunes  as  a merchant  in  Zumbrota.  His  efforts  met  with 
success,  and  not  only  has  his  business  prospered,  but  he  himself 
has  attained  a position  of  honor  and  trust  in  the  community. 
His  home  on  Fifth  street  is  the  center  of  many  social  gatherings, 
and  his  voice  on  the  school  board  and  village  council,  of  which 
he  has  been  a member,  was  always  listened  to  with  respect  and 
consideration.  He  has  been  a member  of  the  state  militia  twenty- 
two  years,  and  is  now  the  commissary  of  the  Third  regiment. 
Fraternally,  he  is  known  throughout  the  state,  being  a member 
in  high  standing  in  the  Masons,  the  Modern  Woodmen,  the  Odd 
Fellows,  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Modern  Samaritans. 
A Bepublican  in  politics,  he  nevertheless  exercises  his  own 
judgment  in  voting,  and  does  not  always  follow  the  party 
leaders  when  his  own  conscience  dictates  otherwise.  Mr.  Sig- 
mond  was  married  January  8,  1879,  to  Sarah  Nelson,  of  Sheridan, 
111.,  daughter  of  Peter  C.  and  Signa  (Danielson)  Nelson,  both 
natives  of  the  United  States  and  both  now  deceased.  The 
fruits  of  this  union  are- — Koy  E.,  born  October  14,  1879,  is  in 
partnership  with  his  father;  Lloyd  E.,  born  December  9,  1884, 
is  an  attorney-at-law  in  American  Falls,  Idaho,  while  Luverne 
N.,  born  October  31,  1886,  is  a vocal  and  band  instructor  at 
Shoshone,  Idaho.  The  family  stands  high  in  the  work  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  generously  assist  in  many  pub- 
lic movements. 

Herman  H.  Palmer,  deceased,  was  for  many  years  prominently 
identified  with  the  industrial  and  business  life  of  Zumbrota.  A 
native  of  New  Hampshire,  he  early  engaged  in  the  manufactur- 
ing business  in  Worcester,  Mass.,  and  came  to  Zumbrota  in  1860. 
He  was  one  of  the  three  men  who  built  the  Forest  mills,  but  later 
he  opened  a general  store  and  conducted  it  along  progressive 
lines  until  failing  health  necessitated  his  retirement  in  1898.  He 
served  as  president  of  the  city  council  and  of  the  school  board, 
and  as  a member  of  the  library  committee.  In  fraternal  and  re- 
ligious circles  he  was  no  less  prominent,  having  gone  through 
thirty-two  degrees  of  Masonry  and  served  many  years  as  trustee 
of  the  Congregational  church.  Mr.  Palmer  was  married  in  No- 
vember, 1862;  to  Adelaide  Halbert,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary 
A.  (Turner)  Halbert,  natives  of  New  York  state  and  early  set- 
tlers of  Zumbrota.  The  father  died  in  Memphis,  Tenn.,  and  the 
mother  in  Zumbrota.  Mr.  Palmer  died  in  June,  1904,  and  his 
widow  still  lives  in  the  old  homestead  erected  in  1868.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  a man  of  kindly  nature,  one  who  had  a 
faculty  of  bringing  out  the  best  in  the  characters  of  those  with 
whom  he  was  associated,  and  his  death  was  a distinct  loss  to  the 


774 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


community  which  he  had  so  ably  served.  Mrs.  Palmer’s  brother, 
E.  T.  Halbert,  Avas  also  a prominent  figure  in  Zumbrota  for  many 
years.  Pie  was  OAvner  of  the  Zumbrota  mill  and  had  other  busi- 
ness holdings.  He  died  in  1906. 

John  J.  Starz,  retired  farmer,  of  Zumbrota  village,  is  of 
German  birth,  his  natal  day  being  November  24,  1829.  His 
youth  and  early  manhood  Avere  spent  in  his  native  land,  and 
the  latter  part  of  1854  saw  him  located  in  Sandusky,  Ohio.  A 
year  later  he  Avent  to  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  and  soon  afterward 
came  to  Goodhue  county,  settling  in  Minneola  township.  On 
section  8,  tOAvnship  110,  range  16,  Avest,  he  purchased  160  acres. 
After  breaking  this  land  and  bringing  it  under  cultivation,  he 
purchased  two  more  cpiarter  sections,  and  upon  the  480  acres 
successfully  carried  on  general  farming  until  1899,  Avhen  he 
retired  from  active  life,  and  purchased  a pleasant  home  in  Zum- 
brota \Tillage,  where  he  has  since  resided,  enjoying  the  fruits 
of  a.  life  of  labor  well  spent.  While  in  Minneola  tOAvnship,  he 
served  as  town  supervisor  and  as  road  overseer.  He  was  also 
member  of  the  school  board  and  clerk  of  his  school  district  for 
a long  term  of  years.  He  is  a good  man,  knoAvn  for  his  probity 
and  honesty,  loved  by  his  family  and  respected  by  his  friends. 
Mr.  Starz  Avas  married  September  28,  1854,  at  Sandusky,  Ohio,  to 
Rosena  Bidlingmaier,  a native  of  Germany,  Avho  located  in  San- 
dusky a short  time  before  her  marriage.  Seven  children  have 
crowned  this  union  Avith  happiness.  Mary,  born  March  5,  1856, 
is  married  to  Henry  Weiss;  Louisa,  born  July  24,  1858,  was  mar- 
ried to  Henry  Bennervitz,  noAV  deceased;  Louis,  born  August 
20,  1861,  is  a farmer  in  Pine  Island  township;  John,  born  August 
22,  1863,  is  a farmer  of  Minneola  township ; Edward  IP.,  born 
September  28,  1868,  lives  on  the  old  homestead;  Edith  C.,  born 
February  20.  1872,  is  the  wife  of  Herman  Kalass;  Emma  R.,  born 
March  24,  1874,  is  married  to  Theodore  Tlioreson.  The  family 
is  connected  with  the  German  Lutheran  Church,  and  are  actively 
interested  in  its  progress. 

Samuel  B.  Scott,  the  efficient  postmaster  at  Zumbrota,  is  a 
native  product  of  this  county,  born  in  Minneola  township,  June 
18,  1870,  of  NeAv  York  parentage.  His  father,  Peter  P.  Scott 
(married  to  Betsy  Ann  Thomas),  was  a harness  maker  by  trade. 
The  parents  left  NeAV  York  state,  where  they  Avere  born,  and  came 
to  this  county  in  1866,  locating  in  Goodhue  county,  where  they 
bought  160  acres  of  land.  . This  the  father  developed,  improved 
and  increased,  until  he  owned  340  acres,  upon  which  he  con- 
ducted general  farming  until  his  death,  March  7.  1901.  The 
mother  died  June  24.  1908.  After  receiving  his  primary  edu- 
cation in  the  schools  of  his  native  tOAvnship,  Samuel  B.  Scott 
attended  the  Zumbrota  High  School,  and  then  started  in  business 


HISTORY  OR  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


775 

life  for  himself  as  a drug  clerk.  In  1903  he  returned  to  the  old 
homestead  in  Minneola,  which  he  conducted  until  1903,  making 
a specialty  of  raising  thoroughbred  short-horn  cattle.  He  made 
a careful  study  of  the  dairy  business  and  in  June,  1901,  was 
appointed  a member  of  the  State  Dairy  and  Food  Commission, 
serving  until  February,  1905.  Three  years  later  he  was  ap- 
pointed to  his  present  position  as  postmaster.  Under  his  admin- 
istration the  growth  of  business  in  the  office  has  been  steady 
and  its  efficiency  has  been  greatly  increased.  Mr.  Scott  has 
taken  an  active  interest  in  the  civic,  military  and  industrial 
progress  of  Zumbrota  and  Minneola.  He  has  served  as  town 
clerk,  and  as  school  clerk,  and  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the 
Zumbrota  Clay  Manufacturing  Company,  early  in  1908.  He  is 
a Republican  in  politics  and  a popular  member  of  the  Masons, 
the  Elks,  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Modern  Woodmen. 
With  C.  L.  Strom  he  helped  to  organize  Company  D,  Third 
Minnesota  National  Guard,  of  which  he  was  a member  for  seven 
years.  Mr.  Scott  was  married  in  June  29,  1892,  at  Zumbrota,  to 
Emma  Barteau,  daughter  of  David  and  Joana  (Willet)  Barteau, 
natives  of  New  York  state,  who  came  to  Zumbrota  in  1873  and 
engaged  in  the  hardware  business.  The  father  died  in  August, 
1908,  and  the  mother  lives  with  the  Scott  family.  The  fruits 
of  this  union  are  five  children — Sumner,  born  October  23,  1896 ; 
Kenneth  W.,  born  April  10,  1897 ; Lester,  born  December  30, 
1900;  Sidney  B.,  born  in  June,  1903,  and  Russell  B.,  born 
September  14,  1906.  Sidney  B.  died  in  April,  1904. 

H.  B.  Powers,  now  deceased,  the  first  white  settler  of  Pine 
Island,  was  born  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  January  31,  1836,  and  went  to 
Pennsylvania  in  1852,  settling  in  Wisconsin  a short  time  later. 
In  October,  1854,  he  came  to  this  county  and  preempted  160 
acres  on  section  31,  built  a cabin  and  lived  two  years,  later 
moving  on  to  section  30.  He  operated  the  first  mill  in  Pine 
Island  for  Haggard  and  Howard,  the  firm  later  becoming  Leroy 
and  Powers.  In  1858  the  business  was  sold  to  J.  A.  Tarbox. 
In  1864  he  moved  to  Roscoe  township  and  there  remained  until 
August  1879,  when  he  came  to  Zumbrota  and  engaged  in  the 
meat  business  with  Jacob  Closner,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Powers  and  Closner.  After  several  years  Mr.  Closner  retired  and 
Mr.  Powers  continued  the  business  with  his  son,  George  B., 
until  1894,  when  he  retired.  In  1901  he  moved  to  Mora,  Kanabec 
county,  and  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land,  where  he  lived  until 
his  death,  March  31,  1905.  His  wife  is  still  living  in  Mora  with 
a daughter,  Mrs.  Charles  C.  Rogers.  Mr.  Powers  was  married  in 
1856  to  Mary  E.  Miller,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  February  28, 
1838.  To  this  union  were  born  seven  children— Flora  Ann, 
born  May  25,  1857,  is  now  the  wife  of  Charles  C.  Rogers,  of 


776 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Mora,  Minn.  She  has  the  distinction  of  being  the  first  white 
person  born  within  the  township  limits  of  Pine  Island.  George 
B.,  born  in  May,  1859,  is  in  Mora,  Minn;  James  Clark,  born 
July  6,  1861,  is  a grain  merchant  of  Ilalloek,  Minn. ; Alice  M., 
born  July  29,  1868,  is  the  Avife  of  Charles  E.  Kolbe,  of  Mason 
City,  Io\A7a ; Frank  E.,  born  December  16,  1872,  works  on  the 
“Soo”  line;  Mark  II.  is  assistant  cashier  of  the  First  State  Bank, 
of  Zumbrota;  William  R.  is  dead. 

Mark  H.  Powers,  of  Zumbrota  village,  AAras  born  in  Roscoe 
township,  this  county,  February  4,  1876,  and  attended  the 
schools  of  his  neighborhood,  afterward  taking  a course  in  the 
Zumbrota  High  School.  His  first  regular  employment  Avas  as 
assistant  to  Dr.  P.  A.  Bereman,  of  Zumbrota.  Subsequently  he 
worked  three  years  as  mechanic  in  the  Adams  Iron  Mine,  of 
Eveleth,  Minn.,  and  then  entered  the  shipping  department  of 
the  Greggs,  Cooper  & Company,  of  St.  Paul.  In  June,  1905,  he 
returned  to  Zumbrota  and  accepted  a position  as  assistant 
cashier  of  the  Security  State  Bank,  in  which  capacity  he  re- 
mained two  years.  A similar  office  Avas  then  offered  him  in  the 
First  State  Bank,  Avhere  he  has  since  remained,  Avinning  friends 
among  all  those  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact.  Mr.  PoAvers 
Avas  married  September  22,  1903,  at  Zumbrota,  to  Mayme 
McWaters,  daughter  of  James  and  Esther  McWaters,  of  this 
place.  One  child  lias  blessed  this  union — Kathleen  G.,  born 
July  10,  1904.  Mr.  Powers  is  a Republican  in  politics  and  is  iioav 
serving  his  second  term  as  village  recorder.  His  popularity  is 
shown  by  the  fact  that  he  is  captain  of  Company  D,  Third 
Infantry,  Minnesota  National  Guard.  As  a charter  member  of 
the  Zumbrota  Lodge,  No.  178,  Knights  of  Pythias,  he  has  abways 
been  prominent  in  its  councils  and  as  a Mason  he  is  highly 
esteemd.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

Geoge  Person,  at  one  time  proprietor  of  the  Zumbrota 
Electric  Light  plant,  came  of  old  Green  Mountain  stock,  haAung 
been  born  in  Vermont,  December  4,  1831,  son  of  Samuel  and 
Rebecca  (Stoddard)  Person,  both  natives  of  New  England.  The 
father,  a clothier  by  trade,  brought  his  family  to  Zumbrota  in 
the  fifties,  and  here  remained  until  his  death,  March  13,  1896. 
His  AvidoAv  survived  until  January  20,  1906.  Subsequent  xu  re- 
ceiving his  education  in  Brattleboro,  Vt.,  George  Person  came 
to  Zumbrota  with  his  parents,  and  started  his  career  as  a black- 
smith, erecting  the  first  smithy  in  the  xnllage.  Some  years 
later  he  engaged  in  the  hardware  business,  and  afterward  pur- 
chased the  Zumbrota  Electric  Light  plant,  which  he  conducted 
until  1906,  when  he  sold  out  and  retired,  enjoying  the  Avell- 
earned  fruits  of  a life  of  labor,  until  his  death,  June  7,  1907. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


777 


Mr.  Person  was  Republican  in  politics,  and  a member  of  the 
United  Workmen.  His  religious  duties  were  performed  at  the 
Baptist  Church.  He  was  married  August  25,  1864,  at  La  Crosse, 
Wis.,  to  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Elliott,  daughter  of  Edward  and  Caroline 
(McLintoc)  Boyles,  of  Thomaston,  Maine.  Her  father  origi- 
nally conducted  a bakery  but  in  the  latter  years  of  his  life 
took  up  hotel  keeping.  He  died  in  Bangor,  Maine,  in  1861,  his 
wife  having  died  in  Thomaston,  Maine,  in  1859.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
George  Person  were  born  three  children — Abbie  A.,  born  Sep- 
tember 21,  1867,  married  John  Stanerson,  now  of  Minot,  N.  D. ; 
Edward  S.,  born  March  4,  1872,  was  president  of  the  First  State 
Bank,  of  Zumbrota,  twelve  years.  He  is  now  president  of  a 
bank  at  Minot,  Minn,  N.  D.  He  was  for  some  time  captain  of 
Company  B,  of  Zumbrota,  then  became  major  in  the  Third  regi- 
ment, Minnesota  National  Guards  and  is  now  captain  of  National 
Guard  company  at  Minot.  Charles  F.,  born  August  15,  1875, 
died  June  4,  1898.  By  her  marriage  to  James  A.  Elliott,  Mrs. 
Person  had  one  son,  George,  bora  June  4,  1860,  and  died  in 
August,  1890. 

Ralph  C.  Nickerson,  veterinary  surgeon,  of  Zumbrota,  is  a 
native  of  Wisconsin,  born  in  Cambria,  Columbia  county,  Decem- 
ber 27,  1859.  His  parents,  Seth  and  Sarah  R.  (Clifford)  Nicker- 
son, natives  of  New  York  state,  removed  to  Wisconsin  in  1845, 
the  father  bei*ig  a blacksmith  by  trade.  From  1863  until  1877, 
the  family  lived  at  Concord,  Dodge  county,  this  state,  and  then 
came  to  Zumbrota.  The  mother  died  October  25,  1897,  and  the 
father,  who  retired  from  active  practice  of  his  trade  in  1890, 
lives  with  his  son,  Ralph  C.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools  and  in  the  Wesleyan  Methodist 
Seminary  at  Wasioja,  Minn.,  as  well  as  in  the  Zumbrota  High 
School.  He  clerked  in  a store  for  a time,  but  his  love  for  horses 
soon  lead  him  to  the  race  track,  which  he  followed  until  1899, 
when  he  entered  the  Western  Veterinary  College,  at  Kansas  City, 
graduating  in  1901.  He  at  once  opened  an  office  in  Zumbrota, 
where  he  has  met  with  marked  success,  and  built  up  a large 
and  profitable  practice.  In  addition  to  the  pursuits  mentioned 
above,  Mr.  Nickerson  was  proprietor  of  a government  star  mail 
route  from  July  1,  1879,  to  December,  1881.  In  1884  he  took  a 
trip  to  the  state  of  Washington,  returning  the  following  year. 
On  his  trip  home  he  drove  seventy-eight  horses  from  Cheney, 
Wash.,  to  Bozeman,  Mont.,  thence  brought  them  to  St.  Paul  by 
rail,  and  from  there  drove  them  to  Zumbrota  where  he  sold  them. 
Mr.  Nickerson  Avas  married  December  31,  1878,  at  Zumbrota,  to 
Kate  C.  Chaffee,  daughter  of  I.  M.  and  Emily  F.  (Roan)  Chaffee, 
the  former  of  whom  Avas  a native  of  Connecticut  and  the  latter  of 
England.  They  came  to  Zumbrota  in  the  early  days,  Mr.  Chaffee 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


tyiyo 

i i o 

being  for  many  years  a carpenter  here,  also  doing  some  con- 
tracting. He  died  in  February,  1897,  and  his  wife  in  December, 
1891.  Mrs.  Nickerson  was  born  March  17,  1863.  To  Mr.  Nicker- 
son she  has  borne  two  children,  Mary  C.,  born  August  26,  1880, 
wife  of  George  H.  Tracy,  superintendent  of  schools  in  Alden, 
Minn.,  and  Guy  R.,  born  August  27,  1882,  a horse  dealer  of  Zum- 
brota.  The  family  religion  is  that  of  the  Methodist  Church.  ■ 

Andrew  J.  Nerhaugen.  of  Zumbrota  village,  was  born  in 
Land,  Norway,  January  6,  1829,  son  of  Johannes  and  Marit  Ner- 
haugen. "With  his  parents  and  two  brothers  he  came  to  America 
in  the  year  1848,  and  located  on  a farm  near  Oxfordville,  Rock 
county,  "Wisconsin.  Here  he  lived  until  1855,  when  he  came  to 
Minnesota  and  settled  in  Pine  Island  township,  where  he  pre- 
empted 160  acres  of  wild  land.  This  land  he  cleared  and  broke, 
and  here  he  built  a home  in  which  he  lived  until  in  1905,  when  he 
sold  and  removed  to  the  village  of  Zumbrota,  where  he  pur- 
chased a home  and  has  since  lived  a retired  life.  Mr.  Ner- 
haugen has  been  twice  married.  In  the  spring  of  1857  he  was 
married  to  Ingeborg  Myran,  by  whom  he  had  six  children — • 
John,  of  Zumbrota;  Peter,  of  Anoka;  Jidia  (Mrs.  N.  Simonson), 
of  Brainerd ; Edward  and  Sophie,  of  Minneapolis,  and  Albert, 
who  died  in  infancy.  His  second  wife,  Mary  Halvorson,  died 
February  8,  1906.  She  was  born  in  Land,  Norway,  in  1845,  came 
to  America  in  1869,  and  was  married  to  Mr.  Nerlytugen  in  1871. 
By  this  union  there  were  eight  children — Alpliine,  who  died  in 
1878;  Clara,  who  died  in  1902;  Carl,  of  "Watertown,  S.  D. ; Selmer, 
of  Zumbrota ; Alfred,  of  Seattle,  "Wash ; Emily,  Josie  and  Stella, 
who  live  at  home.  Mr.  Nerhaugen  is  a member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church. 

Thore  Olson,  farmer  and  stock  buyer,  lives  iu  a pleasant 
residence  on  the  outskirts  of  the  village  of  Zumbrota.  He  is  a 
native  of  Norway,  born  August  18,  1854,  son  of  Ole  and  Anna 
(Lvseng)  Olson,  the  former  of  whom  died  in  Norway  and  the 
latter  of  whom,  came  to  this  country  in  1856  and  died  in  the  fall 
of  1898.  Thore  was  brought  to  this  country  as  a boy  of  two 
years,  and  was  raised  at  Manitowoc,  "Wis.,  where  he  received 
his  education.  He  spent  his  young  manhood  in  farming  and 
railroad  work,  and  in  1876  went  to  Benson,  Minn.  In  1881  he 
located  in  Larimore,  Grand  Forks  county,  N.  D.,  and  engaged 
in  farming  and  stock  dealing  until  1890,  when  he  came  to 
Minneola  township  and  purchased  240  acres.  In  1898  he  rented 
this  farm  and  purchased  115  acres  on  the  borders  of  the  village 
of  Zumbrota,  where  he  erected  a new  home.  He  now  deals  in 
stock,  and  conducts  the  home  farm.  Mr.  Olson  has  devoted  his 
life  to  hard  work,  and  has  never  cared  to  mix  in  public  affairs. 
He  is  a faithful  husband  and  a loving  father,  justly  proud  of 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


79 


his  flue  family  of  children.  He  is  one  of  the  respected  members 
of  the  Lutheran  Church.  Mr.  Olson  was  married,  June  18,  1880, 
at  Benson,  Minn.,  to  Marie  Hanson,  both  of  whose  parents  are 
now  deceased.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  eight  children — 
Ole  is  dead;  Anna  is  dead;  Ole  T.,  Theodore,  Oscar,  Olga,  are 
living;  Elmer  and  Mabel  are  dead. 

Fredrick  L.  Marvin,  who  conducts  an  extensive  produce  busi- 
ness in  Zumbrota  village,,  the  amount  of  his  transactions  reaching 
something  like  $25,000  a year,  was  horn  in  Rome,  Ohio,  June  28, 
1845,  son  of  Albert  and  Anna  (Rogers)  Marvin,  the  former  a 
native  of  New  York  state  and  the  latter  of  Ohio.  In  1855  the 
family  moved  to  Monticello,  Iowa,  where  the  father  engaged 
in  retailing  agricultural  implements  until  1880,  when  he  retired. 
Albert  Marvin  was  a staunch  Republican,  and  a noted  stump 
speaker.  He  several  times  toured  the  state  of  Iowa  during  polit- 
ical campaigns,  and  also  served  Jones  county  in  the  legislature. 
He  died-in  June,  1887,  at  eighty  years  of  age,  and  his  wife  lived 
to  be  eighty-eight.  At,  once  after  leaving  school  in  Iowa,  Fred- 
erick migrated  to  Nebraska.  In  1870  he  took  up  160  acres  in  John- 
son county,  that  state,  and  carried  on  general  farming.  In 
1887  he  went  to  St.  Paul  and  in  September  of  that  year  came  to 
Zumbrota,  where  he  has  since  engaged  in  buying  and  shipping 
eggs,  poultry,  fruit  and  vegetables.  This  has  not  only  proven 
a profitable  venture  for  Mr.  Marvin,  but  has  also  furnished  the 
farmers  with  an  outlet  for  their  garden  crops  and  poultry 
products.  Mr.  Marvin  belongs  to  the  United  Workmen,  but  has 
never  sought  the  excitement  of  public  life,  either  in  fraternal  or 
political  circles.  He  was  married  October  24,  1866,  at  Monticello, 
Iowa,  to  Jennie  S.  Tucker,  daughter  of  Samuel  Tucker,  a wagon 
manufacturer.  Both  her  parents  are  deceased.  A son  and  a 
daughter  have  blessed  the  Marvin  home.  Frank  A.,  born  in 
Nebraska,  is  in  the  gas  business  at  Watertown,  S.  D. ; Lillian  B., 
was  also  born  in  Nebraska. 

Otto  F.  C.  Miller,  a Zumbrota  meat  dealer,  is  a native  of  the 
village,  born  October  13,  1878,  son  of  August  Miller  and  Mrs. 
Anna  (Pagel)  Miller,  who  previous  to  her  marriage  with  Mr. 
Miller  was  Mrs.  Anna  Wallaue.  The  parents,  natives  of 
Germany,  came  to  America  in  1872  and  1869,  respectively,  and 
settled  in  Wisconsin,  later  coming  to  Goodhue  county  and  locat- 
ing in  Red  Wing  in  1874.  In  that  city,  the  father  followed  his 
trade  of  meat  cutting  and  in  1876  was  married  to  Mrs. 
Wallauer.  In  1877  he  started  in  business  for  himself.  In  1886 
he  took  E.  V.  Ramharter  as  a partner  and  later  sold  the  entire 
business  to  him.  Subsequently  he  engaged  in  stock  buying 
until  1901.  In  that  year  he  and  his  son  started  in  the  meat  busi- 
ness as  partners,  under  the  firm  name  of  August  Miller  & Son. 


780 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


In  1906  his  son  sold  out  his  interest  to  IJospodarsky  and 
Lapprell,  who  with  August  Miller,  carried  on  the  business  for 
about  nine  months,  when  they  purchased  the  business.  Otto 
Miller  then  started  a new  meat  market  and  August  Miller  worked 
with  him  until  1908,  when  he  moved  to  Deer  Lodge,  Tenn.,  where 
he  owns  900  acres  of  farm  and  timber  land.  There  the  mother 
and  father  still  live.  Otto  F.  C.  attended  the  public  schools  of 
Zumbrota  and  after  school  took  up  the  meat  business.  In  1901 
bought  out  the  firm  of  Kolbe  & Kalass,  and  as  mentioned  before 
in  this  sketch,  carried  on  business  with  his  father  until  1906, 
when  he  sold  out.  He  spent  the  next  year  in  preparing  his 
present  residence  on  Fourth  street  and  in  1907  again  took  up 
the  meat  business.  He  is  interested  in  the  Zumbrota  Clay  Manu- 
facturing Company,  is  an  independent  voter  and  belongs  to  the 
German  Lutheran  Church.  The  father  served  both  as  alderman 
and  marshall  of  the  village.  O.  F.  C.  Miller  was  married,  June  9, 
1903,  at  Goodhue,  to  Annie  S.  Hilderbrandt,  daughter  of  Christ 
and  Sophia  Hilderbrandt,  natives  of  Germany,  who  came  to 
America  in  1864  and  located  in  Goodhue  county,  where  they 
engaged  in  farming.  Mr.  Hilderbrandt  died  in  1878  and  his 
wife  in  1902.  August  Miller  was  one  of  the  men  who  assisted 
in  building  up  the  village  of  Zumbrota.  He  is  a kind  and  honest 
man  and  well  liked  by  all  who  know  him. 

A.  J.  Miller,  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  Zumbrota,  was  a 
native  of  England,  born  in  Soutlifork,  May  21,  1833.  In  that 
bonny  corner  of  old  England  lie  spent  his  early  boyhood  and  at 
the  age  of  twelve  years  came  to  this  country  and  lived  in  New 
York  until  1859,  when  he  came  west  and  took  up  a homestead 
in  Goodhue  county,  five  miles  east  of  Zumbrota,  where  he  lived 
for  the  remainder  of  his  days.  In  the  early  times  he  ex- 
perienced all  the  hardships  incident  to  pioneer  life.  He  hauled 
his  wheat  to  Lake  City  with  a yoke  of  oxen,  taking  several  days 
for  each  trip,  and  sleeping  out  of  doors  when  night  overtook 
him,  letting  the  oxen  forage  as  best  they  could  on  the  grass 
along  the  trail — for  road  it  could  hardly  be  called  in  those  days. 
Ready  cash  was  serace,  and  Mr.  Miller  was  glad  to  cut  wood  at 
twenty-five  cents  a cord.  In  the  latter  part  of  his  life  affairs  took 
on  a different  aspect.  Being  a shrewd  business  man,  he  in- 
vested his  money  in  real  estate,  and  at  his  death  left  a fortune 
of  $80,000,  all  gained  by  his  own  efforts.  He  died  February  22, 
1882,  aged  fifty  years,  nine  months  and  one  day,  and  was  laid  to 
rest  in  Mazeppa  cemetery.  A.  J.  Miller  was  married,  October 
27,  1861,  to  Amy  A.  Davis,  of  Chester  Wabasha  county,  who 
proved  a most  able  helpmeet  in  all  his  undertakings. 

Anton  Grossbeck,  whose  farm  lies  largely  within  the  village 
limits  of  Zumbrota,  is  of  Teutonis  origin,  born  in  Germany,  July 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


781 


17,  1855.  His  parents,  AYenzel  and  Frances  Grossbeck,  came 
to  America  in  1856,  farmed  near  La  Crosse,  Wis.,  from  that  year 
until  1879,  then  moved  to  Wabasha  county,  this  state,  where  the 
father  ended  his  days  as  a farmer.  The  mother,  now  ninety-two 
years  of  age,  makes  her  home  with  her  son,  Anton.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  educated-  in  the  public  schools  of  La 
Crosse,  and  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  until  1877,  when 
he  came  to  Mazeppa,  Minn.,  and  purchased  eigthy  acres.  To  this 
tract  he  added  from  time  to  time  until  he  owned  210  acres, 
largely  timber  land,  which  he  cleared  and  prepared  for  crops,  im- 
proving the  place  by  erecting  a pleasant  home.  In  1898  he  sold 
out  and  purchased  110  acres  within  the  village  limits  of  Zum- 
brota.  • In  addition  to  this  he  owns  seventy-one  acres  in  section 
30,  Zumbrota  township,  near  his  village  property.  Here  he 
carries  on  general  farming.  Mr.  Grossbeck  is  a hard  working, 
industrious  man,  and  a law-abiding  citizen,  a genial  companion 
and  a loyal  friend.  He  votes  the  Republican  ticket,  but  has 
never  cared  to  engage  actively  in  political  affairs.  His  wife, 
Sophia,  whom  he  married  October  23,  1895,  was  born  in  Pine 
Island  township,  January  24.  1857,  daughter  of  Henry  and 
Sophia  Ahneman,  natives  of  Germany.  Mrs.  Grossbeck  is  a 
thorough  housekeeper,  and  a good  wife. 

Arthur  E.  Mosher,  of  Zumbrota  village,  was  born  in  Zumbrota 
township,  May  11,  1871,  and  received  his  education  hi  the  public 
schools.  After  finishing  his  schooling  he  engaged  with  his  father 
in  the  harness  business,  to  which  enterprise  a line  of  shoes  was 
later  added.  He  continued  in  this  business  until  1906,  when  he 
was  appointed  assistant  cashier  of  the  First  State  Bank  of  Zum- 
brota, proving  himself  so  efficient,  that  after  two  months  was 
elected  cashier,  which  position  of  trust  he  held  at  the  time  of  the 
consolidation,  being  now  connected  with  the  Security  State  Bank. 
He  is  also  interested  with  Mark  II.  Powers  in  the  insurance  busi- 
ness. Mr.  Mosher  has  been  village  treasurer  two  years,  being 
also  a member  of  the  Modern  Samaritans.  He  was  married  Janu- 
ary 25,  1901.  at  Winona,  to  Florence  Angle,  of  Sparta,  Wis., 
daughter  of  O.  F.  Angle,  one  of  the  prominent  business  men  of 
that  place.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mosher  have  three  children — Geraldine, 
born  February  9,  1903,  and  Dorothy,  born  May  15,  1906;  Florence 
S.,  born  August  3,  1909.  Arthur  E.  Mosher  is  the  son  of  William 
and  Julia  E.  (Smith)  Mosher,  the  former  a native  of  New  York 
state  and  the  latter  of  Hartford,  Conu.  They  came  west  in  the 
early  fifties  and  settled  in  Mazeppa,  Minn. 

William  E.  Mosher,  of  Zumbrota  village,  was  born  in  Onan- 
daga  county,  N.  Y.,  March  11,  1843,  son  of  John  and  Louisa 
(Marvin)  Mosher,  both  natives  of  New  York  state.  The  father 
came  west  in  the  spring  of  1859,  locating  at  Chester,  Wabasha 


782 


HISTORY  OR  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


county,  and  purchased  farm  land  on  which  he  lived  until  1871. 
when  he  retired  from  active  labor  and  moved  to  Lake  City, 
where  he  died  October  28,  1875,  the  mother  having  passed  away 
in  1850  in  New  York  state.  William  E.  received  his  early  edu- 
cation in  New  York  state,  coming  west  with  his  father  in  1859, 
where  he  assisted  with  farm  work  until  the  outbreak  of  the 
( hvil  War  in  1861,  when  lie  joined  the  union  army,  enlisting  at 
Fort  Snelling,  October  15,  1861,  in  Company  G,  Third  Minne- 
sota Volunteer  Infantry,  serving  until  January,  1861,  when  he 
reenlisted  in  same  company ' remaining  with  his  regiment  until 
September  23,  1865,  when  he  received  his  honorable  discharge 
at  Fort  Snelling,  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out.  He  was 
taken  prisoner  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  November  18,  1862,  and 
was  confined  in  a Southern  prison  when  the  Indian  outbreak 
occurred.  He  was  accordingly  paroled,  and  sent  to  Minnesota 
to  fight  the  Indians.  While  fighting  in  the.  South  he  partici- 
pated in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  and,  was  also  at  the  capture  of 
Little  Rock,  and  engaged  in  numerous  other  battles.  After  the 
war  he  returned  to  his  farm  in  Chester.  In  the  spring  of  1866 
he  moved  to  Mazeppa  and  opening  a harness  shop,  which  he  con- 
ducted until  1869,  when  he  sold  out  and  removed  to  Red  AVing, 
engaging  in  the  same  business.  In  1872  he  left  Red  Wing,  going 
to  Zumbrota,  where  he  followed  his  trade  for  one  year,  then 
went  to  Swift  county  and  homesteaded  160  acres  of  land,  which 
he  proved  up,  worked  and  improved,  erecting  a home  and  other 
necessary  buildings.  He  subsequently  returned  to  Zumbrota 
and  moved  his  family  to  Swift  county,  where  they  remained  on 
the  claim  until  1878.  Returning  to  Zumbrota,  he  again  engaged 
in  the  harness  business  until  the  spring  of  1907  under  the  firm 
name  of  AY  E.  Mosher  & Son.  Mr.  Mosher  still  owns  the  store 
building.  He  is  at  present  connected  with  the  Butter 
and  Eggs  Company,  of  Red  Wing,  and  has  also  been  its  buyer 
for  the  past  five  years.  He  has  been  oil  inspector  of  the  county 
for  three  years.  Politically,  he  is  a Republican  and  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  AVorkmen  for  twenty- 
eight,  years.  He  belongs  to  the  Scofield  Post  No.  121.  G.  A.  R., 
is  commander  of  the  Post,  and  is  also  president  of  the  Old 
Settlers’  Society  of  Goodhue  county.  Mr.  Mosher  was  married 
October  15,  1867.  at  Mazeppa,  to  Julia  Smith,  of  that  place, 
daughter  of  W.  B.  and  Mary  (Bridges)  Smith,  both  of  New 
England  stock,  natives  of  Deep  River,  Conn.  Upon  coming 
west  in  1857,  they  located  in  Mazeppa,  Minn.,  where  the  father 
was  a farmer  and  clerk.  He  died  May  29,  1886,  and  the  mother 
in  1866.  both  in  Mazeppa.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mosher  have  four 
children— Jennie  E„  born  May  19,  1869,  married  A.  E.  Mclntire, 
connected  with  the  St.  Paul  Daily  News;  Arthur  E.,  born  May 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


rybo 
l oO 

11,  1870,  is  connected  with  the  Security  Bank  of  Zumbrota; 
Prof.  AY.  J.,  born  January  29,  1876,  graduated  from  the  State 
University,  and  is  a teacher  in  Red  AVoocl  Falls,  Minn;  Glen  AY., 
born  March  14,  1881,  lives  at  ITnron,  S.  D.,  engaged  in  real 
estate  business,  the  firm  name  being  Wilson  & Mosher.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Mosher  attend  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  They  are 
good  citizens,  and  are  highly  esteemed  by  all  who  know  them. 

Toger  J.  Hovland,  of  Zumbrota  village,  was  one  of  those  men 
whose  deaths  leave  a real  vacancy  in  the  community.  He  was 
kind  hearted  and  sincere,  frugal  and  thrifty  in  his  habits,  yet 
generous  to  others,  a faithful  friends,  a considerate  husband  and 
a loving  father,  a good  citizen  and  a consistent  Christian  in 
every  respect.  Born  January  6,  1843,  at  Sovde,  Stavenger,  he 
was  brought  up  in  a Christian  home  and  attended  the  public 
schools.  At  twenty-four  years  of  age,  determined  to  seek  the 
wider  opportunities  of  the  new  world,  he  came  to  America  and 
took  up  his  residence  at  Keokuk,  Iowa,  in  July,  1857.  In  August 
of  the  same  year,  he  came  up  the  river  to  Red  AYing,  and  after 
residing  there  for  a short  time  came  to  AYanamingo  township 
and  followed  general  farming  until  1875,  when  he  purchased  a 
larger  farm  in  Roscoe  township.  In  1905  he  retired,  and  after 
purchasing  a beautiful  residence  came  to  Zumbrota  village, 
where  he  resided  until  called  to  his  Heavenly  rest  and  reward. 
Mr.  Hovland  was  married,  October  10,  1858,  to  Aasa  AYaese, 
who  came  from  Norway  to  America  in  1857,  about  a year  before 
her  marriage.  She  is  now  living  in  her  home  in  Zumbrota  village, 
being  made  happy  by  the  esteem  and  friendliness  of  her  neigh- 
bors and  the  love  of  her  children.  She  is  still  well  and  in  the 
best  of  health,  although  more  than  seventy-five  years  of  age, 
having  been  born  in  July  11,  1834.  To  Air.  and  Airs.  Hovland 
were  born  eight  children — Andrew  lives  in  Zumbrota ; Cornelius 
lives  in  Roscoe,  as  does  also  Martin ; Henry  lives  in  Duluth ; 
Oscar  farms  on  the  old  homestead  in  Roscoe  township ; Joseph 
lives  in  Duluth  and  Sarah  and  Bertha  are  at  home. 

Henry  W.  Cooledge,  a Civil  AYar  veteran,  is  a familiar  fig- 
ure in  Zumbrota,  where  he  has  been  known  as  an  old  settler  for 
many  years.  At  Plymouth,  AH.,  where  he  was  born  April  14, 
1841,  he  spent  his  early  boyhood,  and  at  the  age  of  seven  came 
west  with  his  parents,  Oliver  and  Polly  (AVheelock)  Cooledge, 
who  ended  their  days  as  farmers  in  Columbia  county,  AVis.  In 
that  county  he  received  his  education,  and  in  1865  came  to 
Goodhue  county,  where  he  developed  eighty  acres  of  land.  How- 
ever, in  1880,  he  was  attracted  to  Appleton,  Alinn.,  but  his  farm- 
ing operations  came  to  an  abrupt  end  there  during  the  grass- 
hopper plague.  Subsquently  he  engaged  in  the  photograph  busi- 


784 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


ness  in  Zumbrota  village  for  a short  period,  then  took  up  the 
trade  of  harness  making,  which  he  continued  until  1893,  when 
he  sold  out  to  M.  II.  Barsfield  and  retired.  His  military  career 
began  in  the  winter  of  1861,  when  he  enlisted  at  Milwaukee  in 
Company  F,  Eighteenth  Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  which 
he  served  seven  months,  receiving  his  discharge  at  Corinth,  Miss., 
in  August,  1862,  for  disability.  Mr.  Cooleclge  was  married  in 
1863  to  Rowena  M.  Nichols,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  Ada 
M.,  now  of  Minneapolis,  and  George  W.,  noAV  deceased.  Mrs. 
Rowena  Cooledge  died  May  22,  1892,  at  Zumbrota.  Later  Mr. 
Cooledge  was  married  April  14,  1899,  to  Mrs.  Alice  (Cook) 
Nichols,  daughter  of  Allen  and  Caroline  (Cole)  Cook,  natives  of 
Baltimore,  Md.,  who  came  to  Wisconsin  in  July,  1847,  and  there 
ended  their  days  on  a farm,  the  father,  Allen  Cook,  a veteran  of 
the  Civil  war,  dying  in  March,  1873,  and  the  mother  in  1856.  Mr. 
Cooledge  lias  served  as  city  marshal  in  Zumbrota.  He  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  the  G.  A.  R.  and  attends  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church. 

James  H.  Farwell  was  born  in  New  Ipswich,  N.  H.,  May  16, 
1847,  and  died  February  18,  1909.  He  came  to  Zumbrota  in  the 
year  1869  and  engaged  in  farming,  but  later  devoted  most  of  his 
time  to  his  real  estate  and  collecting  business,  in  which  he  was 
engaged  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  married  October  8, 
1874,  at  Zumbrota  to  Emma  A.  Barrett,  daughter  of  Albert  and 
Lucy  A.  Barrett,  who  came  to  Zumbrota  in  1857  and  became  pros- 
perous farmers.  Mr.  Barrett  died  in  1877  and  Mrs.  Barrett  in 
1901.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  II.  Farwell  had  one  son,  Albert  B., 
born  February  10,  1881,  and  one  daughter,  Edith  L.,  born  Oc- 
tober 10,  1884.  Mr.  Farwell  was  a Republican  in  his  political 
views.  He  was  one  of  the  leading  men  in  the  village,  prosperous 
and  progressive,  and  for  three  years  was  its  honored  mayor.  He 
was  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  the  Modern  Wood- 
men of  America.  His  death  left  a real  vacancy  in  the  village,  the 
general  sentiment  being  that  the  community  had  indeed  lost  a 
true  man  and  a noble  character. 

Albert  B.  Farwell,  of  Zumbrota  village,  son  of  James  FI.  Far- 
well,  was  born  February  10,  1881,  in  Zumbrota  village,  where  he 
acquired  his  education.  After  his  school  days  were  over  he  en- 
tered his  father’s  office  and  engaged  in  the  real  estate  and  col- 
lecting business,  which  he  has  continued  since  his  father’s  death. 
He  is  a Republican,  holding  the  office  of  constable,  and  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Masons.  He  is  still  single 
and  one  of  the  rising  young  men  of  the  village. 

William  Croxford,  of  Zumbrota  village,  was  born  October  15, 
1863,  in  England,  son  of  William  and  Lydia  (Warren)  Croxford, 
who  came  to  America  in  1884,  settling  in  St.  Paul,  where  his 


J.  H.  FARWELL 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


785 


father  followed  liis  trade  as  a carpenter  until  his  death  in  July, 
1904.  The  mother  is  still  living.  William  received  his  education 
in  England,  where  he  learned  the  carpenter  trade,  and  in  1882 
came  to  America,  locating  at  St.  Paul,  Minn.  After  following 
contracting  until  1892,  he  came  to  Zumbrota,  working  at  the  same 
trade  until  1901,  when  he  became  general  manager  of  the  P.  G. 
Marvin  Lumber  Company,  which  position  he  still  holds.  In  1908, 
Mr.  Croxford  was  elected  president  of  the  Zumbrota  Clay  Manu- 
facturing Company,  and  in  February,  1909,  general  manager  of 
that  company.  He  was  married  at  St.  Paul,  June  22,  1884,  to 
Ellen  Head,  a native  of  England,  who  came  to  America  in  1884. 
Mr.  Head  is  dead,  but  Mrs.  Head  is  still  living.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Croxford  are  the  parents  of  four  children : Lydia  C.,  born  July 
3,  1885,  married  Josiah  H.  Lothrop,  a farmer  of  Goodhue  county; 
Albert  W.,  born  June  24,  1887,  is  now  acting  manager  of  the  F.  G. 
Marvin  Lumber  Company,  of  Zumbrota  ; Hattie  was  born  May 
17,  1891,  and  Ellen  G.  was  born  August  22,  1895.  The  last  two 
named  are  both  at  home.  Politically,  Mr.  Croxford  is  a Repub- 
lican and  has  been  clerk  of  the  school  board  four  years.  He  is  an 
active  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.,  the  M.  W.  A.,  and  the  Modern 
Samaritans.  The  family  religion  is  that  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church. 

Ole  N.  Berg,  of  Zumbrota  village,  was  born  in  Norway,  Yestre 
Sliclre  Valdres,  April  12,  1863,  son  of  Nels  and  Gertrude  (Dok- 
ken)  Berg,  also  native  of  Norway.  The  father  died  in  1875  and 
the  mother  in  1903.  Mr.  Berg  received  his  education  in  Norway 
and  emigrated  to  America  in  1883,  locating  at  Decorali,  Iowa, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  clerking  for  eight  years.  May  16,  1889, 
he  was  married  to  Marie  Peterson,  of  Hospers,  la.,  born  October 
5,  1865,  daughter  of  John  and  Marit  Peterson.  The  father  died 
in  1900  and  the  mother  is  still  living.  In  1891  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Berg 
moved  to  Montevideo,  Minn.,  and  in  May,  1893,  came  to  Zum- 
brota, where  Mr.  Berg  entered  into  the  general  merchandise  busi- 
ness, which  he  has  since  continued.  At  one  time  he  was  asso- 
ciated with  L.  J.  Henning,  of  Zumbrota,  and  also  with  J.  N. 
Banitt,  at  Goodhue,  this  county,  in  the  same  line  of  business.  In 
1907  he  was  elected  director  and  second  vice  president  of  the 
First  State  Bank,  of  Zumbrota,  which  position  he  still  holds,  be- 
ing very  highly  esteemed.  Mr.  Berg  is  a self-made  man.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  board  of  education.  He  and  his  wife  are  both 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  They  have  three  children:  Nel- 
lie, born  October  9,  1890 ; Ovidia,  born  April  14,  1893 ; and  Alma, 
born  October  6,  1899. 

Henry  Bargsten,  Zumbrota  township,  was  born  in  Germany, 
March  14,  1863,  son  of  Christ  and  Mary  Bargsten,  natives  of  Ger- 
many, who  were  farmers.  The  father  died  February  3,  1902,  and 


86 


HI  ST OB Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


the  mother  January  8,  1906.  Henry  received  his  education  in 
Germany  and  came  to  America  in  1887,  locating  in  Goodhue  town- 
ship, where  he  remained  four  years,  after  which  lie  came  to  Zum- 
brota  township  and  purchased  thirty  acres  of  land,  which  he  broke 
and  cleared,  building  a home  and  other  outbuildings.  In  1907  he 
bought  eighty  acres  of  improved  land  adjoining  and  again  in 
1909  bought  seven  acres  of  timber  land,  also  adjoining,  making  a 
nice  farm  of  117  acres,  on  which  he  has  followed  general  farming 
and  stock  raising.  He  was  married  March  2,  1884,  to  Mary 
Bredehoft,  daughter  of  Hans  and  Mattie  (Tomhave)  Bredehoft, 
natives  of  Germany,  in  which  country  they  died.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bargsten  have  two  children,  Mary,  who  married  Henry  Rothgarn, 
living  at  Wabasha  county,  Hyde  Park  township,  and  Margaret, 
living  at  home.  Mr.  Bargsten  paid  a visit  to  his  old  home  in 
Germany  in  1901,  returning  in  1902.  He  is  a Republican  in  his 
politics,  has  held  the  office  of  supervisor  and  road  overseer  for 
several  years,  and  has  been  a member  and  director  of  the  school 
board.  He  is  interested  in  the  Goodhue  elevator.  Mr.  Bargsten 
has  acquired  what  he  noAv  possesses  by  hard  Avork,  and  the  es- 
teem by  which  he  is  held  in  his  community  is  clearly  shown  by 
the  many  offices  to  which  he  has  been  entrusted.  The  family 
attends  the  German  Lutheran  church. 

Alfred  E.  Collinge,  of  Zunlbrota  village,  was  born  August 
10,  1871,  son  of  Samuel  and  Hannah  (Sutcliffe)  Collinge,  natives 
of  England,  who  came  to  America  in  1890,  locating  at  Easton, 
Pa.  In  1893  they  came  to  Zumbrota,  where  the  father  engaged 
iu  brickmaking  for  three  years,  after  which  he  Avent  to  Ireland. 
The  mother  died  in  1890.  Alfred  E.  received  his  education  in 
England,  after  which  he  took  up  brickmaking,  and  in  1890  lo- 
cated in  Radford,  Va.,  where  he  continued  to  work  at  his  trade. 
In  1891  he  went  to  Easton,  Pa.,  and  in  1893  came  to  Zumbrota, 
where  he  again  engaged  in  brickmaking.  After  three  years  he 
started  in  the  dray  business,  and  in  1905  in  the  ice  business.  He 
also  entered  the  Yanclusen  Elevator  Company,  and  1908  Avas 
chosen  its  manager,  which  position  he  noAv  holds.  He  still  con- 
tinues the  dray  and  ice  business.  The  fraternal  affiliations  of 
Mr.  Collinge  consist  of  membership  in  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America,  of  which  he  is  clerk,  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  the  Masons  and  the 
M.  B.  A.  By  his  Avife,  Matilda  Person,  a native  of  SAveden,  avIio 
came  to  this  country  in  1893,  Mr.  Collinge  has  four  children: 
Alfred,  Hannah.  Harry,  and  Mary  Ann,  all  living  at  home.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  is  a good  citizen  and  capable  business  man, 
highly  esteemed  by  his  friends  and  acquaintances. 

Frank  W.  Fulkerson,  of  Zumbrota,  was  born  at  Hamilton, 
Madison  county,  New  York,  June  9,  1851,  son  of  Stephen  and 
Mary  (Worthington)  Fulkerson,  natives  of  England  and  Ger- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


787 


many,  respectively.  The  father,  who  was  a contractor  and  stone- 
cutter, died  December  25,  1859,  and  the  mother  November  24, 
1891.  Frank  W.  received  his  education  in  New  York,  after  which 
Ife  followed  farming  until  1872,  when  he  came  west  and  for  one 
year  worked  on  the  government  survey  of  the  Red  River  valley. 
In  1873  he  came  to  Zumbrota  and  engaged  in  carpenter  work  and 
contracting,  which  he  has  since  followed.  Mr.  Fulkerson  was  mar- 
ried February  2.  1878,  to  Viola  Dickerson,  daughter  of  A.  J.  and 
Hannah  (Cooledge)  Dickerson,  the  former  of  whom  died  in  1900 
and  the  latter  in  1866.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fulkerson  are  the  parents 
of  six  children  : Robert  L.,  born  February  13,  1879,  is  with  C.  A. 
Zimmerman,  of  St.  Paul;  Harold  E.,  horn  February  7,  1881,  is 
with  the  Southern  Pacific  railroad  at  Oregon;  Jay  E.,  born  Au- 
gust 29,  1885.  graduate  of  the  Minnesota  University,  is  with  the 
Cascade  Lumber  Company,  of  Washington  state;  Ruth  E.,  born 
October  28,  1886,  lives  at  home;  Floyd  F.,  born  January  2,  1889, 
lives  in  North  Dakota;  Lois  F.,  born  December  10,  1890.  lives  at 
home.  Politically,  Mr.  Fulkerson  is  an  independent  Republican, 
belongs  to  the  Masons,  the  Modern  Woodmen  and  the  Modern 
Brotherhood.  A sincere  believer  in  education,  he  has  given  his 
children  the  advantage  of  a thorough  school  training.  The  fam- 
ily worships  at  the  Congregational  church. 

Lars  J.  Henning,  of  Zumbrota  village,  was  born  in  Holden 
township,  April  21,  1876,  son  of  Peter  and  Gjertru  Henning,  both 
natives  of  Norway.  They  came  to  America  many  years  ago,  and' 
the  father  engaged  for  a time  in  teaching  school.  He  was  after- 
wards chosen  manager  for  the  Farmers’  Co-operative  Store, 
known  as  “Dovre  Handels  Forening,  ” a position  he  held  for 
seven  years.  He  then  purchased  his  present  store  at  Aspelund, 
where  he  is  still  engaged  in  the  general  mercantile  business. 
Lars  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  at  Aspelund, 
in  the  Zumbrota  high  school,  and  later  at  the  Red  Wing  Business 
College.  In  1896  he  became  a silent  partner  of  0.  N.  Berg  in  the 
mercantile  business,  which  partnership  continued  until  1900,  when 
the  firm’s  name  was  changed  to  Berg  & Henning.  In  1902  Mr. 
Henning  purchased  Mr.  Berg’s  interest  and  has  since  continued 
the  business  alone,  being  very  successful  and  making  a specialty 
of  handling  poultry  and  farm  produce.  He  also  takes  an  active 
interest  in  the  promotion  of  poultry  raising  throughout  the  coun- 
try. Mr.  Henning  was  married  June  25,  1903,  at  Zumbrota,  to 
Gjerstine  Svee.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  three  children : 
Hulda,  born  June  6,  1904;  Palma,  born  September  4,  1907,  and 
Leslie,  born  July  11,  1909.  Mr.  Henning  is  a Republican  in  poli- 
tics, and  a member  of  the  Modern  Samaritans  and  Modern  Wood- 
men of  America,  in  both  of  which  organizations  he  has  held  sev- 
eral offices. 


788 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Ole  Kittleson,  of  Zumbrota  township,  son  of  Kittie  and  Berit 
(Loken)  Kittleson,  was  born  in  Norway,  November  25,  1843. 
His  parents  died  in  Norway,  the  father  in  1884  and  the  mother 
in  1845.  Ole  received  his  education  in  Norway,  and  came  to 
America  in  1859,  locating  at  Rock  county,  Wisconsin,  where  he 
worked  on  a farm  for  two  years.  He  then  Avent  to  Illinois,  and 
engaged  in  farming,  remaining  six  years,  after  which  he  came  to 
Pine  Island  township,  where  he  purchased  100  acres  of  improved 
land  and  folloAved  general  farming  until  1881,  Avhen  he  removed 
to  Zumbrota  and  purchased  a farm  of  231  acres  in  section  34. 
Here  he  built  a home  and  other  outbuildings  and  has  followed  a 
general  iine  of  farming.  May,  1872,  Mr.  Kittleson  Avas  married 
to  Julia  Lee,  daughter  of  Nels  and  Arnbor  (Torkelson)  Lee,  na- 
tives of  Norway,  aaJio  came  to  America  in  1865,  locating  in  Wis- 
consin and  later  removing  to  Pine  Island,  where  they  engaged 
in  farming  for  six  years,  Avhen  they  came  to  Clay  county,  Avhere 
the  father  died  in  March,  1887,  and  the  mother  in  1903.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Kittleson  have  had  ten  children : Bessie,  married  to  Gustaf 
A.  Nelson,  of  Minneola  township;  Nels,  Cornelius  and  Julia,  liv- 
ing at  home;  Josephine,  married  to  Elba  C.  Harper,  of  Pine 
Island;  Henry,  of  Cherry  Grove;  Theodore,  of  Spokane,  Wash.; 
Emma  and  Emma  (deceased),  and  Olaf,  a medical  student  at  the 
University  of  Minnesota.  Mr.  Kittleson  is  a Republican  in  his 
politics,  but  has  never  sought  public  office.  He  is  a stockholder 
in  the  Farmers’  Elevator  of  Zumbrota,  and  the  family  attend  the 
Lutheran  church. 

Benjamin  A.  Kolbe,  a Avell  known  shoe  merchant  of  Zumbrota, 
Avas  born  in  Minneola  tOAvnship,  March  27,  1867,  and  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools,  engaging  in  farming  until  the 
year  1898,  Avhen  he  removed  to  Zumbrota  and  engaged  in  the  ice 
business  for  one  year.  Receiving  the  offer  of  a good  position 
with''  the  Plano  Harvesting  Company,  he  entered  their  employ,  re- 
maining with  them  for  four  years,  afterward  becoming  agent  for 
the  International  Harvesting  Company,  for  Avliom  he  worked  for 
tAvo  years,  and  then  traveled  two  years  for  the  J.  I.  Case  Thresh- 
ing Machine  Company.  Being  ambitions  to  get  into  business  for 
himself,  he  purchased  the  boot,  shoe  and  harness  business  of  W. 
E.  Mosher  & Son,  which  he  has  since  conducted  with  great  suc- 
cess, being  one  of  the  prominent  merchants  in  Zumbrota  and 
making  it  his  aim  to  carry  only  high-grade  and  standard  goods. 
Mr.  Kolbe  Avas  married  October  15,  1891,  to  Anna  Maher.  Hav- 
ing no  children  of  their  own,  they  adopted  a little  girl,  Marie, 
still  living  at  home.  Mrs.  Anna  Maher  Kolbe  died  January  27, 
1900,  and  Mr.  Kolbe  Avas  married  October  22,  1901,  to  Anna  Zetz- 
man,  by  whom  he  has  tAvo  daughters:  Myrtle,  born  in  June,  1904, 
and  Ruth,  born  in  February,  1907.  Mr.  Kolbe  is  an  independent 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


789 


Republican.  Both  lie  and  bis  wife  attend  the  Lutheran  church. 
His  parents  were  Henry  and  Marie  (Zimmerman)  Kolbe,  natives 
of  Germany,  who  came  to  America,  locating  in  Red  Wing  in  1859, 
removing  to  Hay  Creek  until  the  fall  of  1865,  when  they  pur- 
chased a farm  in  Minneola  township,  cultivating  and  improving 
it.  In  1869  Mr.  Kolbe  met  with  a serious  accident,  having  his 
leg  cut  off  by  a threshing  machine  and  dying  before  medical  as- 
sistance could  reach  him.  Mrs.  Kolbe  was  left  with  seven  small 
children,  whom  by  her  thrift,  industry  and  hard  labor  she  edu- 
cated, besides  managing  her  farm  and  paying  off;  a large  mort- 
gage, thus  making  a home  for  herself  and  little  one? 

Oscar  0.  Larsen,  M.  D.,  of  Zumbrota  village,  was  born  at  Rush 
River,  St.  Croix  county,  Wisconsin,  August  6,  1877.  He  attended 
the  public  schools  of  Rush  River  and  after  mastering  the  common 
branches,  entered  Luther  College  at  Decorali,  Iowa,  where  he 
obtained  his  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts,  being  distinguished  for 
proficiency  in  his  studies  as  well  as  for  his  good  fellowship.  De- 
ciding to  take  up  the  study  of  medicine,  he  entered  the  medical 
department  of  the  State  University,  where  he  was  graduated 
with  high  honors  in  1907.  Shortly  after  graduating  he  came  to 
the  village  of  Zumbrota  and  took  up  the  active  practice  of  his 
profession,  meeting  with  great  success,  having  a large  and  in- 
creasing practice,  both  in  the  city  and  country.  He  is  now  filling 
the  position  of  county  physician,  and  being  thoroughly  ethical  in 
his  practice,  he  has  affiliated  himself  with  the  county,  state  and 
American  medical  associations.  Dr.  Larsen  is  of  sterling  charac- 
ter as  a citizen,  sympathetic  and  generous  as  a practitioner.  He 
was  married  December  22,  1903,  at  River  Falls,  to  Nora  Isaacson 
Herum,  daughter  of  Jeno  and  Carolina  (Thoen)  Isaacson,  who 
were  natives  of  Norway,  and  emigrated  to  America,  locating  in 
Pierce  county  and  becoming  prominent  farmers.  Her  father  is 
deceased,  but  her  mother  is  still  living*  in  River  Falls.  Mrs. 
Larsen  is  a graduate  of  the  Lutheran  Ladies’  Seminary  of  Red 
Wing.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Larsen  have  three  children:  Erling  IT.,  born 
January  23,  1904;  Einar  O.,  born  September  29,  1906;  and  Harold 
A.  C.,  born  September  9.  1908.  The  doctor  is  a Republican  in 
polities  and  he  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Norwegian 
Synod  church.  His  parents  are  Ole  and  Anna  (Olson)  Larsen, 
who  were  born  in  Norway,  and  emigrated  to  America  in  the  late 
sixties,  locating  in  Wisconsin.  In  1876  they  removed  to  Rush 
River,  purchasing  160  acres  of  land,  which  they  farmed  and  im- 
proved, carrying  on  general  farming,  being  highly  respected  in 
the  community  wherein  they  reside. 

Oliver  K.  Anderson,  of  Zumbrota  village,  was  born  at  La- 
crescent,  Minn.,  December  15.  1856,  son  of  William  and  Susan  O. 
(Arnett)  Anderson,  natives  of  Ohio.  They  emigrated  to  Houston 


790 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


county,  Minnesota,  in  1855,  where  the  father  followed  his  trade 
as  carpenter  until  he  died,  January  2,  1901.  The  mother  passed 
away  December  25,  1886.  Oliver  received  his  education  at  La- 
crescent,  after  which  he  learned  telegraphy  and  began  his  services 
for  the  C.  & M.  railroad  in  1882.  He  was  first  stationed  at 
Frontenac,  Minn.,  where  he  remained  until  1887,  then  went  to 
Orient,  S.  D.,  until  1889,  thence  to  Weaver,  Minn.,  where  he  was 
stationed  until  1892,  when  he  came  to  Zumbrota,  where  he  was 
engaged  as  station  agent  and  operator,  and  where  he  still  is. 
During  all  this  time  he  has  been  with  the  C.  & M.  railroad,  and 
has  always  performed  his  duties  to  the  great  satisfaction  of  the 
company.  Mr.  Anderson  was  married  November  13,  1883,  at  Red 
Wing  to  Flora  I.  Spinney,  who  was  also  born  in  Minnesota,  in  the 
town  of  Florence.  She  was  the  daughter  of  J.  D.  and  Lucania 
(Seavey)  Spinney,  who  were  natives  of  New  Hampshire,  and 
came  to  this  county  and  located  in  Florence  township  in  1854, 
and  for  a number  of  years  were  engaged  in  milling,  then  en- 
gaged in  farming,  which  they  followed  for  forty  years  in  the 
same  place.  The  father  died  suddenly  on  a street  ear  at  Seattle, 
Wash.,  where  he  had  gone  to  visit  his  younger  daughter.  The 
mother  died  January  10,  1905.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anderson  have  four 
children:  Earl  F.,  born  August  21,  1885,  is  a civil  engineer  of 
Seattle,  Wash.;  Pearl  I.,  born  March  6,  1886,  is  a teacher;  Fred 
D.,  born  October  15,  1889,  is  wireless  operator  on  a boat  from 
Seattle  to  Alaska ; and  Florence  R.,  born  September  20,  1891,  is  a 
high  school  student.  Mr.  Anderson  is  a Republican  in  his  poli- 
tics and  has  served  on  the  village  council  -two  years  and  on  the 
school  board  for  ten  years.  Fraternally,  he  affiliates  with  the 
Masons  and  the  M.  W.  A.  He  and  his  family  attend  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church. 

William  J.  McWaters,  a native  of  Minneola  township,  now 
living  in  Zumbrota  village,  was  born  January  8,  1862,  son  of 
James  and  Esther  (Kinneer)  McWaters,  of  Ireland,  who  came  to 
America  in  1844  and  located  in  New  York  state,  where  the  father 
engaged  in  farming  and  railroading.  Coming  west  in  1856  to 
Minneola  township,  they  bought  160  acres  of  wild  land,  which 
they  cleared  and  cultivated,  following  general  farming  until 
1889,  when  they  retired  and  moved  to  Zumbrota.  William  J.  re- 
ceived his  education  in  Minneola  township  and  farmed  with  his 
father  until  twenty-four  years  old.  He  then  went  to  Polk  county, 
Minnesota,  where  from  1886  to  1894  he  farmed  400  acres  of  land 
which  he  rented  from  his  father.  In  1894  he  returned  to  the  old 
homestead  in  Minneola  township.  This  he  purchased  and  has 
since  continued  to  improve.  June  19,  1890,  he  was  married  to 
Jennie  IJaugan,  daughter  of  Halvor  and  Anna  ITaugan.  They 
have  two  children:  John  E.,  born  April  8,  1891,  and  William  J., 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


791 


born  October  1,  1892.  Both  are  at  home.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mc- 
Waters  now  live  on  the  farm  in  Minneola  township.  Mr.  Mc- 
"Waters  is  a man  of  energy  and  deserves  all  the  success  won  by 
him.  He  is  a member  of  two  fraternal  organizations,  the  Red 
Men  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  is  a communi- 
cant of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  politically  associates  with  the 
Republican  party.  Mr.  McWaters  has  served  as  town  clerk  and 
assessor,  also  as  school  clerk  of  district  66. 

Miner  C.  Morgan,  of  Zumbrota  township,  Teas  born  in  Seneca 
county,  New  York,  April  28,  1846,  son  of  Charles  and  Elizabeth 
(Marlatt)  Morgan,  natives  of  New  Jersey.  The  father  was  a 
machinist  and  patternmaker  by  trade.  Both  parents  are  de- 
ceased, Miner  received  his  education  in  New  York  state  and  left 
school  to  enlist  in  the  Union  army  at  Trumansburg,  N.  Y..  in 
Company  A.  Fiftieth  New  York  Volunteer  Engineers  as  artificer, 
February  13,  1863.  lie  was  discharged  from  the  army  June  13. 
1865,  at  Fort  Barre  Va.,  when  he  returned  to  New  York  state,  and 
December.  1865,  went  to  Illinois.  In  March.  1867.  he  came  with 
his  brothers  to  Zumbrota  township  and  purchased  160  acres  of 
wild  land,  which  they  broke  and  improved,  built  a home  and  other 
outbuildings,  and  carried  on  general  farming.  In  1894  he  bought 
his  brother’s  interest  in  the  farm  and  lias  since  continued  to  do 
general  farming.  December  31,  1884.  Mr.  Morgan  was  married 
to  Caroline  A.  Danielson,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth  (An- 
derson) Danielson,  farmers  of  Belvidere  township.  The  father 
died  March  6,  1909.  but  the  mother  is  still  living  in  Belvidere. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morgan  had  no  children  of  their  own,  but  had 
adopted  a boy,  Charles  Kivett  Morgan,  who  is  now  a civil  en- 
gineer at  Minneapolis.  Mr.  Morgan  is  a Republican  in  his  politics 
and  has  served  on  the  town  board  nine  years,  being  chairman  of 
the  township  for  three  years ; as  well  as  a member  of  the  school 
board  for  fourteen  years.  He  is  a member  of  the  A.  0.  U.  W. 
and  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  121,  and  he  and  the  family  attend  the 
Presbyterian  church. 

John  0.  Olsen,  one  of  the  prosperous  merchants  of  Zumbrota. 
first  saw  the  light  of  day  in  Chicago,  February  8,  1878.  His  par- 
ents moved  to  Zumbrota  in  1885,  when  John  0.  was  seven  years 
old.  He  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Zumbrota 
and  graduated  from  the  high  school.  After  leaving  school  he 
took  a position  as  a clerk,  which  he  retained  until  1907,  when  he 
started  out  for  himself,  opening  the  City  Grocery  and  Crockery 
store,  in  which  he  has  been  very  successful,  he  being  the  sole 
owner  and  proprietor,  carrying  a full  line  of  goods  and  enjoying 
a large  village  and  country  trade.  He  was  married  June  27,  1904, 
at  Decorah,  Iowa,  to  Marie  Fossom,  daughter  of  L.  L.  and  Mollie 
Fossom,  prominent  farmers  of  Iowa,  but  now  living  in  Decorah, 


792 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


having  retired  from  active  business.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Olsen  have 
no  children.  Mr.  Olsen  is  an  independent  voter,  and  is  one  of  the 
volunteer  firemen.  Being  an  active  church  worker,  he  is  presi- 
dent of  the  Young  People’s  League  of  Land’s  (Norwegian  Lu- 
theran) church,  which  he  and  his  Avife  attend.  He  owns  t\vo  lots 
in  town  and  has  a substantial  home  on  "West  avenue.  John  and 
Ingebor  Olsen,  parents  of  John  0.  Olsen,  and  natives  of  Norway, 
came  to  America  in  1872,  locating  in  Chicago,  where  the  father 
engaged  in  the  custom  tailor’s  business  until  1885,  Avlien  he  re- 
moved his  family  to  Zumbrota,  folloAving  the  same  trade.  Both 
parents  are  still  living. 

Paul  Paulson,  of  Zumbrota  village, _ was  born  in  Wanamingo 
township,  November  1,  1877,  son  of  Bottolf  and  Julia  Foss  Paid- 
son,  both  natives  of  Nonvay,  who  came  to  America  in  the  early 
sixties,  locating  in  Wanamingo  toivnship  and  purchasing  a farm 
of  120  acres,  which  the  father  cultivated  and  improved,  residing 
here  until  1893,  when  he  sold  the  farm  and  moved  to  Zumbrota, 
vdiere  he  purchased  168  acres  of  fine  farm  land.  There  he  has 
since  resided,  carrying  on  general  farming.  Paul  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Wanamingo  and  remained  at 
home  assisting  his  father  until  he  ivas  twenty-tivo  years  of  age, 
when  lie  Ave.nt  to  Stevens  county  and  engaged  in  farming  until 
1906.  He  then  came  to  Zumbrota  and  took  up  the  threshing 
business,  Avhich  he  has  folloived  until  the  present  time.  He  is 
also  manager  of  the  ILulbert  Mills  for  the  First  State  Bank  of 
Zumbrota.  Mr.  Paulson  was  married  December  24, 1899,  to  Emma 
Siebrecht,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Catlierina  (Augustine)  Sie- 
brecht,  natives  of  Germany,  Avho  for  many  years  resided  in  Pine 
Island  township,  Avhere  the  father  is  engaged  in  farming,  the 
mother  having  died  July  17,  1907.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Paulson  have 
four  children:  Luella,  Joseph,  Roy,  and  Norman,  all  living  at 
home.  Mr.  Paulson  is  a Republican  and  he  and  his  family  attend 
the  German  Lutheran  church.  He  has  never  sought  public  office, 
devoting  all  his  time  to  his  family  and  farm. 

Henry  L.  Pengilly,  of  Zumbrota  township,  was  born  in  July, 
1839,  and  came  to  Racine,  Wis.,  April  7,  1849.  He  received  his 
education  in  the  schools  of  Racine  county,  and  after  leaving 
school  took  up  farming  until' in  1861.  He  cast  his  first  vote  in 
1860  for  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  November  8,  the  next  year,  en- 
listed in  Company  G,  Second  Wisconsin  Cavalry,  as  private.  He 
Avas  discharged  December  8,  1863,  for  injury  received  by  falling 
from  a horse  at  Springfield,  Mo.  He  then  returned  to  Union 
Grove,  where  he  had  enlisted,  and  September  3,  1864,  re-enlisted 
in  Company  H,  First  Wisconsin  Heavy  Artillery,  and  served  un- 
til the  end  of  the  war,  receiving  his  discharge  July  13,  1865,  at 
Milwaukee,  Wis.  He  Avas  wounded  several  times.  After  the 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


793 


war  lie  returned  to  Union  Grove,  Wis.,  and  helped  in  the  harvest 
until  September,  1865,  when  he  came  to  Zumbrota  township,  and 
in  the  spring  of  1866  purchased  eighty  acres  on  section  1,  built 
a home  and  other  outbuildings,  broke  and  improved  the  land, 
and  followed  general  farming.  Mr.  Pengilly  was  married  July 
20,  1863,  at  Racine,  Wis.,  to  Mary  Jane  Putnam,  a daughter  of 
Aaron  Putnam,  a direct  descendant  of  Israel  Putnam.  The 
mother  was  Martha  Youman.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pengilly  have  had 
twelve  children : Marian,  married  David  Hancock,  of  Racine 

county,  Wisconsin;  Grace,  Ruth  A.  and  Olive  live  at  home;  Aaron 
H.,  lives  in  Beer  Valley,  Minnesota;  Sarah,  married  John  Ahl- 
grim,  of  Goodhue  village;  Mary  Jane,  lives  in  Buffalo,  Minn.; 
Earnest  Emmet,  also  lives  in  Buffalo,  Minn. ; Ulysses  G.,  lives  in 
Minneapolis ; Clara  is  a teacher ; Maud  and  Minor  are  deceased. 
Mr.  Pengilly  is  a Republican  in  his  political  views  and  is  a mem- 
ber of  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  of  Mazeppa,  and  I.  0.  0.  F.  of  Red  Wing, 
of  which  latter  organization  he  has  been  a member  for  forty 
years.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church 
at  Mazeppa. 

Martin  H.  Satren,  a general  merchant  of  Zumbrota,  and  one 
of  the  leading  business  men  of  the  village,  was  born  in  Minneola 
township,  April  20,  1874,  and  is  eminently  a self-made  man.  His 
early  days  were  passed  in  the  district  schools  of  Minneola,  and  in 
working  on  the  faiun,  but  being  desirous  of  advancing  himself 
by  obtaining  a better  education  he  entered  the  Normal  school 
at  Madison,  Minn. , and  afterward  took  a course  in  a business  col- 
lege at  Minneapolis.  After  leaving  college  he  clerked  in  a gen- 
eral store  for  nine  years,  and  in  1903,  having  acquired  a full 
knowledge  of  the  business,  started  out  for  himself  by  opening  a 
store  of  his  own.  He  has  been  very  successful  and  has  built  up 
a large  business.  Mr.  Satren  is  the  son  of  Hogen  and  Mattie 
Satren,  both  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  this  country  in  the 
late  forties,  locating  on  a farm  in  Minneola  township,  where  the 
father  died  May  6,  1889.  The  mother  is  still  living  there  with  her 
son  Louis.  Martin  H.  has  three  brothers : Louis  lives  on  the 
homestead,  while  Richard  and  Hogen  are  at  Wanamingo.  He 
had  one  sister.  Hannah,  who  is  deceased. 

Charles  J.  Zemke,  of  AVhite  Willow  village,  Zumbrota  town- 
ship, was  born  in  Goodhue  township  September  26,  1876,  son  of 
Herman  and  Amenia  (Schultz)  Zemke,  both  natives  of  Prussia, 
Germany,  who  emigrated  to  America  in  the  early  sixties,  locating 
in  Wisconsin.  Here  they  remained  one  year,  then  removing  to 
Zumbrota  township,  where  they  rented  a farm.  In  1876  they 
moved  to  Goodhue  township,  purchasing  eighty  acres  of  land, 
which  the  father  soon  broke,  cultivated  and  improved,  engaging 
in  general  farming  ever  since.  He  has  purchased  460  more  acres, 


94 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


also  owning  a half  section  in  North  Dakota.  The  mother  died, 
but  the  father  is  still  living  in  Goodhue  township.  After  leaving 
school  he  worked  on  his  father’s  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  and  then  accepted  a position  as  clerk  in  Zumbrota, 
which  he  held  for  one  year.  In  1898  he  opened  a mercantile  store 
at  White  Willow,  Zumbrota  township,  which  he  has  continued  to 
conduct  very  successfully  ever  since.  He  is  manager  of  the 
branch  of  the  Minnesota  Malting  Company  which  is  located  at 
White  Willow,  and  in  addition  to  his  other  property  owns  the 
building  occupied  by  his  store,  also  one-lialf  share  of  a coal  busi- 
ness. He  was  married  in  1899  to  Mary  Q'uast,  daughter  of  Cord 
Quast,  a prominent  farmer  of  Zumbrota  township.  Mr.  Zemke 
held  the  office  of  postmaster  at  White  Willow  as  long  as  that 
office  was  in  existence,  and  was  also  the  White  Willow  agent  for 
the  Great  Western  railroad  for  seven  years.  He  is  an  enterpris- 
ing and  successful  merchant,  carrying  a general  stock.  He  is 
Republican  in  politics  and  attends  the  Lutheran  church.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Zemke  have  three  children : Irene,  Lydia  and  Herbert, 
all  living  at  home. 

Giles  Hayward,  an  honored  old  settler  of  Pine  Island,  was 
born  in  England  in  1829,  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Watts)  Hay- 
ward, with  whom  he  lived  until  twenty  years  of  age.  Upon 
reaching  Milwaukee  in  1850  he  remained  a short  time  and  then 
Avent  to  Whitewater,  Wis.,  later  Avorking  in  the  lumber  mills  of 
Menominee,  that  state,  until  1854,  when  he  made  a short  trip  to 
England.  He  returned  to  America  in  1855,  remained  a short  time 
in  Winona,  and  April  23,  1855,  landed  in  Red  Wing.  April  26  of 
the  same  year  he  took  up  a claim  of  160  acres  in  Roscoe  town- 
ship, broke  and  improved  the  land  and  there  remained  fifteen 
years.  He  then  engaged  in  the  flour  business  Avith  J.  A.  Tarbox 
for  several  years,  but  subsequently  sold  out  and  purchased  160 
acres  in  Pine  Island  township,  which  he  still  owns.  About  ten 
years  ago  he  retired,  turned  the  management  of  the  farm  over 
to  his  son,  and  erected  his  present  comfortable  home  on  Prospect 
Hill,  within  the  limits  of  the  village  corporation.  For  tAvo  years 
Mr.  Hayward  served  as  street  commissioner.  He  has  also  been 
chairman  of  the  township  board,  assessor  and  school  director. 
Mr.  Hayward  was  married  in  1859  to  Priscilla  C.  Danford,  who 
died  in  May,  1902.  To  this  union  Avere  born  six  children : Clara 
C.  married  George  Darknell.  a farmer,  now  in  Washington. 
Walter  and  Wallace  are  twins.  Walter  lives  in  Fairfield,  Wash., 
where  he  is  a farmer  and  elevator  man.  AYallace  lives  in  Pine 
Island  and  OAvns  a farm.  Mary  married  J.  C.  Robinson,  of  Pine 
Island.  Fred  E.  conducts  the  home  farm.  Giles  died  at  the  age 
of  two  years.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Episcopal  church. 

F.  E.  Hayward,  a Avell  known  farmer  of  Pine  Island  township. 


Giles  A.  Hayward  and  Family 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


795 


Avas  born  in  Roscoe  township,  August  24,  1869,  son  of  Giles  and 
Priscilla  Hayward,  natives  of  England.  F.  E.  Hayward  received 
bis  education  in  the  common  schools  of  the  township,  and  later 
attended  the  high  school  of  Pine  Island.  After  leaving  school  he 
Avorked  hi  W.  W . Jewell’s  drug  store  for  five  years,  after  Avhicli 
he  returned  to  the  farm,  Avhicli  he  has  since  conducted,  carrying 
on  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  has  a fine  farm  of  160 
acres,  all  under  cultivation,  Avit.h  a good  house,  barn  and  other 
buildings. 

Henry  Tome,  an  old  pioneer  settler  of  Pine  Island  Adllage, 
AA^as  born  at  Corydon,  Pa.,  February  25,  1835.  His  father,  Benja- 
min Tome,  Avas  by  occupation  a lumberman.  Both  his  father  and 
mother,  Cyntha.  (Gibbs)  Tome,  Avere  native  Pennsylvanians.  A 
common  school  education  and  a fair  share  of  Avork  for  his  parents 
fell  to  his  lot  as  a youth.  When  barely  twenty  years  of  age  we 
find  him  making  a journey  from  in  front  of  his  father’s  house  at 
Corydon  to  Red  Wing,  Minn.,  by  raft  as  far  as  Louisville,  Ky., 
and  thence  by  boat,  traversing  the  Allegheny,  Ohio  and  Missis- 
sippi rivers.  He  reached  Pine  Island,  which  consisted  of  a solitary 
pre-emption  shanty,  at  the  time  the  government  surveyors  were 
making  the  original  survey.  He  selected  a 160-acre  tract  of  land, 
upon  which  he  built  a shanty,  and  after  occupying  it  the  required 
time,  Avalked  to  the  government  land  office  at  AYinona  and  pre- 
empted his  claim.  Later  he  sold  this  and  bought  eighty  acres 
near  the  village,  Avliich  he  operated  as  a farm,  building  in  the  vil- 
lage a home  that  he  has  continuously  improved  and  occupied. 
In  1858  he  married  Eliza,  daughter  of  Moses  and  Martha  (Culver) 
Jewell.  To  them  five  children  Avere  born : Clara,  Avife  of  J.  B. 
Fowler,  noAv  with  the  St.  Paul  postoffice  department;  Sadie  E., 
AAufe  of  LI.  T.  Banks,  freight  agent  of  the  Chicago  & NortliAvestern 
radway  at  Rochester;  Myrta  and  Cyntha  (deceased)  ; and  George 
II. , the  present  postmaster  at  Pine  Island.  Besides  his  farming- 
interests,  Mr.  Tome  conducted  a meat  market  in  the  village  for  a 
number  of  years  and  also  engaged  as  a stock  buyer.  Has  served 
as  deputy  sheriff  and  as  constable  the  greater  part  of  the  time 
that  the  village  has  had  a name.  He  Avas  appointed  postmaster 
July  1,  1880,  and  excepting  the  periods  of  Cleveland’s  administra- 
tions served  until  1906.  Mr.  Tome  is  a member  of  the  Territorial 
Pioneer  Association  and  has  been  a member  of  the  Masonic  order 
since  1868.  He  is  considered  a force  to  be  reckoned  with  in 
local  politics  and  is  Avell  versed  in  state  and  national  issues,  and 
has  some  fame  as  a political  forecaster.  Mr.  Tome  in  personality 
is  unassuming,  accommodating,  conciliatory  and  is  not  grasping 
or  greedy.  Although  never  a dollar  hunter,  Mr.  Tome  is  in  com- 
fortable circumstances,  owning,  in  addition  to  his  interests  in  the 
village,  120  acres  of  timber  near  the  A'illage  and  a good  quarter 


796 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


section  in  North  Dakota.  As  an  apiarist  and  small  fruit  grower, 
his  later  leisure  years  have  been  rounded  out.  Mr.  Tome  resigned 
as  postmaster  and  his  son  George  H.  was  appointed  to  succeed 
him  July  1,  1906.  The  son  was  educated  in  Pine  Island  schools 
and  was  at  the  time  of  his  appointment  practically  in  charge  of 
the  postoffice,  the  splendid  service  of  which  is  owing  to  his  ef- 
ficient management.  George  H.  was  married  December  17,  1908, 
to  Lenora  B.  Clark,  daughter  of  H.  G.  and  Elenora  (Dickey) 
Clark,  of  Zumbrota.  Is  a member  of  Pine  Island  I.  O.  0.  F. 
lodge  and  Commercial  Club  and  stands  in  the  front  ranks  of 
Pine  Island’s  progressive  citizens. 

A.  F.  Reiter,  the  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Reiter  Bros.,  of 
Pine  Island,  was  born  in  Wabasha  county,  Minnesota,  August  24, 
1873,  son  of  Julius  Reiter,  a native  of  Germany.  The  parents 
came  to  this  country  in  1868  and  located  near  Pottsdam,  Minn., 
where  they  lived  five  years,  later  removing  to  Plainview,  Minm, 
where  they  purchased  land  and  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
stock  raising.  They  are  both  living  but  have  retired  from  active 
life.  A.  F.  Reiter  was  one  of  twelve  children : William  0.,  Au- 
gusta. Julius  J.,  Ernest  II.,  August,  Edward,  Bertha,  Annie,  Al- 
bert, Laura,  Ida  and  George.  A.  F.  Reiter  received  his  education 
in  the  public  school  and  attended  the  high  school,  later  taking  a 
course  at  Darling’s  Business  College  at  Rochester,  Minn.  After 
finishing  his  studies  he  returned  home  and  worked  on  the  farm 
for  one  year,  after  which  he  was  employed  as  clerk  in  his  brother’s 
store  at  Rochester.  After  four  years  of  clerking,  he  came  to  Pine 
Island  and  opened  a general  store  under  the  firm  name  of  Reiter 
and  Lucas,  continuing  for  one  year,  when  he  took  in  as  a partner 
his  brother  Julius  J.,  and  the  firm  was  known  as  Reiter  Bros., 
under  which  name  it  is  now  conducted.  One  year  later  his  brother 
E.  F.  becasie  a partner.  They  carry  a full  line  of  dry  goods, 
groceries,  gentlemen’s  furnishings,  boots  and  shoes,  and  have 
built  up  a large  and  flourishing  trade  in  the  village  and  surround- 
ing country.  Mr.  Reiter  was  married  in  September,  1897,  to 
Louise  Rabehl,  daughter  of  Carl  Rabehl.  of  Rochester,  Minn.,  a 
native  of  Germany,  who  came  to  America  and  located  in  Roches- 
ter, where  he  acquired  land  and  engaged  in  farming,  where  they 
still  reside.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reiter  have  three  children:  Carl, 
Alfred,  Francis,  all  at  home.  Mr.  Reiter  is  a Democrat  in  his 
politics.  He  has  been  a member  of  the  village  council  for  the  past 
five  years  and  holds  the  office  of  treasurer.  He  and  his  family 
attend  the  German  Lutheran  church. 

Charles  H.  Leavitt,  Pine  Island  township,  is  one  of  those  men 
to  whom  increasing  years  have  brought  increased  honor,  and  to 
whom  maturing  age  has  brought  ripened  judgment.  He  has 
served  on  the  board  of  supervisors  eleven  years,  being  chairman 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


797 


eight  years.  For  the  long  period  of  sixteen  years  he  worked 
faithfully  as  president  of  the  village  school  board,  and  his  de- 
cisions as  justice  of  the  peace  for  ten  years  have  been  just,  yet 
ever  tempered  with  good  sense.  Mr.  Leavitt  was  born  in  Strat- 
ford, Fulton  county,  New  York,  April  29,  1834,  and  received  his 
education  in  the  common  schools,  after  which  he  became  a 
teacher,  instructing  country  schools  five  terms  before  he  was 
twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  came  to  Pine  Island  township  in 
1864,  and  after  one  year  on  a farm  went  to  the  village  and  re- 
mained twenty  years.  For  ten  years  he  managed  a grocery  store 
of  his  own,  and  for  a long  period  acted  as  agent  for  farm  ma- 
chinery and  windmills.  Along  about  the  middle  of  the  eighties 
he  took  up  farming  on  his  present  place,  where  he  owns  160  acres 
which  he  has  improved  and  brought  to  a high  state  of  cultiva- 
tion, building  a nice  home  and  commodious  outbuildings  and 
carrying  on  general  farming.  In  1859  he  was  married  to  Elvira 
L.  Gould,  who  died  December  4,  1860,  leaving  one  daughter, 
Elvira,  who  is  living  at  present  with  her  father.  On  January  15, 
1861,  he  was  married  to  Sarah  C.  Gould,  sister  of  his  first  wife, 
by  whom  they  have  four  children,  Carrie,  Bennett,  Nettie  and 
Jennie.  Elvira  married  John  'W’eckerling,  of  Reeseville,  Wis., 
they  having  four  children,  viz. : Helen,  Burton,  Milford  and 

Laura.  Carrie  married  Frank  Mott,  of  Pine  Island,  and  has  one 
son,  Willis.  Bennett  lives  at  home.  Nettie  married  George  Dick- 
inson, who  comes  of  one  of  the  pioneer  families  of  the  county. 
They  have  three  children,  Lyle,  Burton  and  Ora.  Jennie  is  the 
wife  of  Thomas  Congdon,  of  Ilibbing,  Minn.,  and  has  four  chil- 
dren, Bennett,  Ora,  Alice  and  Thomas.  Justus  B.  and  Ruby  (Vos- 
seller)  Leavitt,  parents  of  Charles  II.  Leavitt,  were  natives  of 
Connecticut  and  New  York  state  respectively,  and  in  the  latter 
state  spent  the  larger  part  of  their  lives  together.  The  father 
was  a school  teacher  and  county  judge,  also  doing  some  farming. 
He  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-five,  but  the  mother  lived  to  be  ninety- 
five  years  of  age  before  passing  to  her  eternal  reward. 

Louis  Starz,  of  Pine  Island  township,  was  born  in  Minneola 
township,  August  29,  1861,  son  of  J.  J.  Starz  He  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools  of  the  township  and  Zumbrota,  and  after- 
ward attended  Mount  Pleasant  College  in  Iowa.  Upon  leaving 
school  he  entered  into  business  in  Zumbrota,  and  conducted  a 
general  store  for  twenty  years,  being  very  successful.  In  1902 
he  purchased  200  acres  of  land  in  Pine  Island  township  and  en- 
gaged in  general  farming  and  dairying.  He  has  built  a fine  home 
and  barn  with  basement  40x80,  and  has  all  his  land  under  culti- 
vation with  the  exception  of  about  twenty-five  acres,  which  is 
timber.  Mr.  Starz  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife,  by 
whom  he  has  three  children,  died  in  1892,  and  in  1894  he  was 


ros 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


married  to  Emma  Pulls,  by  whom  he  has  one  child,  Dora.  Of 
these  four  children,  Louise  is  Mrs.  Stellar,  of  Roscoe,  Avhile  Ar- 
thur, Evan  and  Dora  are  at  home.  Mr.  Starz  is  Republican  and 
was  a member  of  the  village  council  while  at  Zumbrota.  He  is 
now  serving  on  the  town  board  as  clerk,  which  office  he  has  held 
for  the  past  four  years. 

John  Svee,  of  Pine  Island  township,  who  was  born  in  Norway, 
October  9,  1855,  came  to  Goodhue  county  in  1875  and  settled  in 
Pine  Island  township,  doing  general  work  such  as  chopping,  grub- 
bing and  farming  until  1885,  when  he  purchased  his  present  farm 
of  seventy-four  acres.  Of  this  fifty  acres  is  tillable,  and  here 
Mr.  Svee  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  making  a 
specialty  of  selling  cream.  Being  the  father  of  a large  family  of 
children,  he  has  naturally  been  interested  in  school  matters  and 
has  served  many  terms  on  the  school  board.  In  1885,  the  year 
that  he  purchased  his  present  farm,  he  was  married  to  Bertha 
Rocky,  by  whom  he  has  had  eleven  children,  ten  of  whom  are 
living.  They  are:  Emma,  Henry,  Julius,  Julia,  Lena,  Arthur, 
Bernice,  Marshall,  Tena  and  Celia,  all  of  whom  are  at  home.  The 
family  attends  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church  in  Zumbrota.  Mr. 
Svee  is  a hard  working  man,  and  has  reason  to  be  proud  of  the 
fact  that  he  has  secured  all  that  he  owns  by  his  hard  work,  hon- 
esty and  frugality. 

Lewis  Scofield,  a Pine  Island  dairyman,  was  born  in  Pine 
Island  township,  November  2,  1872,  son  of  Henry  and  Jane  C. 
(Murray)  Scofield.  He  received  his  education  in  Zumbrota  and 
worked  at  farming  for  some  years  before  purchasing  his  present 
place  of  forty  acres  of  improved  land,  on  which  he  conducts  stock 
raising  and  dairying,  for  which  purpose  he  keeps  from  twenty- 
five  to  thirty  cows.  He  was  married  in  1902  to  Nora  E.  Judd, 
daughter  of  Lewis  and  Cornelia  I.  (Russell)  Judd.  In  politics  Mr. 
Scofield  is  a Republican. 

J.  C.  Dickey,  of  Pine  Island  township,  was  born  in  Madison 
county,  New  York,  August  27,  1838.  IT-is  parents,  Sylvester  and 
Harriett  (Alexander)  Dickey,  were  born  in  New  York,  the  former 
January  18,  1807,  and  the  latter,  who  came  of  the  old  Davidson 
family,  December  11,  1814.  Upon  their  arrival  in  Goodhue  county 
in  1858  they  bought  land  in  Pine  Island  township  and  followed 
farming  up  to  the  time  they  died,  the  former  June  15,  1892,  and 
the  latter  May  16,  1898.  J.  C.  Dickey  spent  his  boyhood  with  his 
father  on  the  farm.  In  the  fall  of  1861,  at  the  beginning  of  the 
Civil  war,  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Second  Minnesota  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  spent  the  winter  in  Washington,  being  later  at- 
tached to  McDowell’s  corps  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  He 
took  part  in  the  battle  of  Antietam,  where  he  was  wounded. 
After  being  discharged  at  David’s  Island,  New  York,  he  returned 


J.  C.  Dickey 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


799 


home  and  took  up  farming  until  1865,  when  he  re-enlisted  in 
Company  I,  Twenty-third  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was 
discharged  in  July,  the  same  year,  returned  home  and  again  re- 
sumed general  farming,  which  he  has  since  continued,  making  a 
specialty  of  raising  sheep,  of  which  he  owns  a flock  of  500  or 
more.  He  has  a fine  farm  of  160  acres,  a comfortable  home  and 
first-class  buildings.  March  30,  1869.  Mr.  Dickey  was  married  to 
Sarah  Steele,  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  Steele,  natives  of  Wis- 
consin. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dickey  have  had  two  children : Earle  is 
dead.  Bruce,  born  April  25,  1881,  is  in  the  government  service, 
having  been  stationed  in  the  Philippines  as  assistant  cashier  in  the 
custom  house  for  the  past  ten  years.  His  granddaughter,  Ella, 
lives  in  Dodge  Centre,  Minn.,  with  her  mother.  Harold  E.  died 
August  22,  1905. 

F.  W.  Cate,  a prosperous  Pine  Island  farmer,  was  born  in  Pine 
Island  township,  August  12*  1864,  son  of  Isaac  and  Caroline 
(Young)  Cate,  natives  of  New  Hampshire,  who  came  to  Minnesota 
in  1856  and  took  up  a homestead,  which  they  broke  and  culti- 
vated, carrying  on  a general  line  of  farming.  The  father  served 
in  the  Civil  war  and  died  at  Fort  Snelling  in  1864.  The  mother 
died  in  1895.  They  had  ten  children,  of  whom  eight  are  living. 
F.  W.  Cate  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  has  always 
been  a farmer.  He  purchased  his  father’s  farm  and  in  1901 
bought  the  Farrington  forty  acres,  and  again  hi  1907  purchased 
sixty-nine  acres  near  Pine  Island  village,  where  he  moved  in  1909. 
He  now  carries  on  general  farming,  dairying  and  raises  sheep, 
owning  a flock  of  about  200.  The  Cate  homestead  is  still  in  the 
family,  having  never  changed  hands.  Mr.  Cate  was  married  No- 
vember 1.  1888,  to  Mary  Drazan.  Their  only  daughter,  Teressa  P., 
married  Leon  Klingsporn,  and  has  one  daughter.  Blanche  P.,  born 
February  3,  1909.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Klingsporn  reside  on  the  old 
homestead.  Mr.  Cate  is  a member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
Pine  Island,  and  in  his  politics  is  a Republican. 

Oliver  Berg,  of  Pine  Island  township,  was  born  in  Dane  county, 
Wisconsin,  November  13,  1850,  son  of  Thomas  and  Turi  (Hoff) 
Berg,  who  came  in  the  early  days  to  Dane  county,  and  in  1860  to 
Goodhue  county,  where  they  pre-empted  land  in  Pine  Island  town- 
ship and  engaged  in  farming  until  they  died;  the  father  in  1891 
and  the  mother  in  1899.  They  had  a family  of  four  children: 
Ole  F.,  of  Cherry  Grove  township ; Oliver,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  Isabelle,  now  Mrs.  Slette,  of  Faribault  county,  and  Anna, 
married  Ole  Winger  and  lives  in  Virginia.  Oliver  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools  and  attended  high  school  for  two  years. 
After  leaving  school  he  returned  home  and  engaged  in  farming, 
which  he  has  since  continued.  He  has  190  acres  of  land,  of  which 
ninety  acres  is  under  cultivation,  and  on  this  property  he  conducts 


800 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


general  farming  and  dairying.  In  1886  lie  was  married  to  Carrie 
Ringdahl,  daughter  of  Mathias  and  Isabelle  (Satren)  Ringdahl, 
the  former  of  whom,  also  known  as  Mathias  Pederson,  will  ever 
be  held  in  honored  memory  as  the  first  Norwegian  in  the  county. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Berg  have  been  born  five  children:  Myrtle, 
Olga,  Edel  and  Inga,  all  at  home,  and  Thorvald,  deceased.  Mr. 
Berg  has  served  as  town  clerk  for  some  years  and  is  now  serving 
as  assessor.  He  is  president  of  the  Farmers’  Elevator  and  a di- 
rector of  the  Farmers’  Insurance  Company  of  Goodhue  county. 
In  politics  Mr.  Berg  is  an  independent  voter. 

Charles  W.  Perry,  of  Pine  Island  township,  was  born  in  Ger- 
many, January  17,  1842,  son  of  Christ  Perry,  and  in  1855  came  to 
America  and  settled  in  Ohio,  where  he  remained  for  five  years. 
In  1860  he  came  to  Minnesota  and  located  in  Pine  Island  town- 
ship, where  he  bought  160  acres  of  land,  which  he  improved  and 
prepared  for  cultivation.  Here  he  built  his  home,  hauling  all  the 
lumber  from  Red  AVing  for  the  purpose.  AVlien  he  had  harvested 
his  crops  he  hauled  them  to  Red  AVing  and  Lake  City  with  ox 
team,  and  spent  many  nights  on  the  prairie.  His  efforts  have 
prospered  and  he  now  has  a fine  farm  with  good  buildings  and 
carries  on  general  farming,  dairying  and  stock  raising.  All  of 
his  land;  with  the  exception  of  fifty  acres,  is  under  cultivation. 
His  son,  to  whom  he  has  presented  eighty  acres,  also  carries  on 
general  farming.  In  1869  C.  AV.  Perry  was  married  to  Bertha 
Kumbier,  by  whom  he  has  had  ten  children : Frank  manages  the 
farm;  Emma,  married  AVilliam  Schumacher,  of  Lake  City;  Au- 
gusta, married  AVilliam  Coilinge,  of  Zumbrota;  August  and  John 
are  deceased ; Carl  lives  in  St.  Paul ; Anna  married  Albert  Ilirke, 
of  Pine  Island;  Bertha,  Louise,  and  Minnie,  at  home.  Mr.  Perry 
is  a Republican  in  his  politics,  and  he  and  his  family  attend  the 
Lutheran  church. 

Benjamin  Lewis,  of  Pine  Island  township,  was  born  in  Nor- 
way, June  21,  1846,  son  of  L.  C.  and  Annie  (Moe)  Lewis,  who 
came  to  America  in  1875  and  settled  in  Zumbrota,  where  they 
engaged  in  farming.  The  mother  died  in  1888  and  the  father  in 
1905.  Benjamin  Lewis  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Norway,  and  came  to  this  country  hi  1866,  settling  in  Zum- 
brota township,  where  he  bought  land  and  engaged  in  farming. 
In  1875  he  went  to  Pine  Island  township,  where  he  has  eighty 
acres,  of  which  seventy  is  under  cultivation,  on  which  he  follows 
general  farming  and  raises  stock.  In  1873  Mr.  Lewis  ivas  married 
to  Mattie  Pederson,  and  they  have  five  children:  Adolph,  farmer; 
Melvin,  assistant  postmaster  at  Pine  Island;  Carl,  Arthur  and 
Amanda,  who  are  at  home.  Two  children  died,  at  the  ages  of 
fifteen  and  four  years,  respectively.  Mr.  Lewis  has  a nice  farm, 
ivell  improved,  and  a fine  home.  He  is  Republican  in  his  politics 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


801 


and  lias  been  a member  of  the  school  board  for  the  past  fifteen 
years.  He  is  also  road  overseer.  The  family  attends  the  Lu- 
theran church. 

Henry  Ahneman,  of  Pine  Island  township,  was  born  in  Fond 
du  Lac.,  Wis.,  February  1,  1854,  son  of  Henry  and  Sophia  (Pultz) 
Ahneman,  natives  of  Mecklenburg.  Germany,  who  came  to  Amer- 
ica in  1852 ; and  in  1856  to  Pine  Island  township,  where  they  pre- 
empted eighty  acres  of  land  and  engaged  in  farming.  The  father 
died  in  1906  and  the  mother  in  1893.  They  had  a family  of  nine 
children,  all  of  whom  except,  one  are  living.  Henry  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools  of  the  township  and  worked  with  his 
father  on  the  farm.  He  now  has  eighty  acres  of  improved  land 
adjoining  his  father’s  land  and  follows  general  farming.  He  still 
lives  with  his  brother  and  sister  on  the  old  homestead.  In  politics 
he  is  an  independent  voter,  casting  his  ballot  for  the  candidate 
whom  he  deems  best  fitted  to  serve  in  public  office. 

Julius  C.  Johnson,  of  Pine  Island  township,  was  born  in  Eau 
Claire  county,  Wis.,  May  26,  1866,  son  of  Christ  and  Ingre 
(Simonson)  Johnson,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America 
and  in  1852  settled  in  Stoughton,  Wis.,  where' they  remained 
eight  years,  the  father  being  employed  as  blacksmith.  In  1860 
they  moved  to  Eau  Claire,  Wis.,  where  the  father  was  head  black- 
smith for  a large  lumber  company  until  1867.  The  family  then 
removed  to  Goodhue  county  and  purchased  land  in  Pine  Island 
township,  where  the  father  engaged  in  general  farming  and  also 
conducted  a blacksmith  shop  in  partnership  with  his  brother. 
There  were  five  children  in  the  Johnson  home : Dorothea,  Julia, 
Caroline,  Rachel  and  Julius.  The  father  died  in  1891  and  the 
mother  still  lives  on  the  homestead  with  her  son.  Julius  attended 
the  common  schools  and  worked  on  the  farm,  taking  entire  charge 
of  the  home  place  at  the  death  of  his  father.  His  farm  consists 
of  160  acres  of  well  improved  land,  a pleasant  home,  good  out- 
buildings, and  on  which  lie  conducts  general  and  diversified 
farming  and  dairying.  In  politics  he  is  a Republican.  The  family 
attends  the  Lutheran  church  at  Zumbrota. 

J.  B.  Closner,  of  Pine  Island  village,  was  born  in  Green  county, 
Wisconsin,  January  8.  1855,  son  of  Christian  and  Catherine  (Buh- 
ler)  Closner,  natives  of  Switzerland,  who  emigrated  to  America  in 
1848,  locating  in  Green  county,  AYisconsin,  where  the  father  was 
engaged  as  cooper  and  later  as  a farmer.  In  1855  they  came  to 
Minnesota,  pre-empted  land  in  Dodge  county,  and  engaged  in 
farming  for  a period  of  thirteen  years.  In  1868  they  removed  to 
Plymouth  county,  Iowa,  where  they  still  reside.  J.  B.  Closner 
attended  the  common  schools  for  a short  time,  but  is  practically 
self-educated,  having  acquired  the  larger  part  of  his  knowledge 
by  experience  and  observation.  He  has  been  engaged  the  greater 


802 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


part  of  his  time  in  buying  live  stock  around  Pine  Island  and 
Zumbrota,  but  has  made  his  home  in  Pine  Island,  where  he  has 
built  a home  and  resided  for  twenty-nine  years.  He  has  also 
dealt  extensively  in  cheese,  butter  and  eggs  for  a number  of 
years.  He  now  rents  a dairy  farm  of  177  acres  of  land  in  Olm- 
stead  county,  which  His  sons  manage.  December  25,  1877,  he 
Avas  married  to  Magdalen  Stempfly,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
B.  Stempfly,  natives  of  Ohio.  They  have  six  children:  Ida,  now 
of  North  Dakota;  Edward  G.,  of  North  Dakota;  Catherine,  now 
of  Pine  Island;  Marjory,  of  Dodge  county;  Albert  and  J.  B.,  at 
home.  Mr.  Closner  is  Avell  and  favorably  knoAvn  throughout  the 
county.  He  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  affairs  of 
the  community  in  which  he  lives,  and  has  served  as  deputy  sheriff 
for  four  years,  also  as  justice  of  the  peace  for  several  years,  and 
member  of  the  village  council.  He  belongs  to  several  fraternities, 
the  I.  0.  0.  F.,  the  A.  0.  U.'W.  and  the  M.  W.  A.  and  the  E.  F.  U. 
In  politics,  he  is  independent. 

Warren  W.  Cutshall,  of  Pine  Island  village,  was  born  in  Craw- 
ford county,  Pennsylvania,  March  26,  1835,  son  of  George  and 
Jane  Cutshall,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  avIio  later  removed  to 
Ohio,  where  they  died.  The  father  was  a carpenter  and  joiner. 
Warren  W.  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  at 
the  age  of  fifteen  years  began  to  Avork  at  his  father’s  trade,  Avhich 
he  folloAved  for  twenty  years.  In  1864  he  came  to  Pine  Island 
and  engaged  at  his  trade.  In  1872  he  bought  a saAv  mill  and  be- 
gan the  manufacture  of  lumber.  He  retired  in  1907,  selling  all 
the  machinery  but  retaining  the  building.  When  he  first  came 
to  Pine  Island,  forty-five  years  ago,  he  erected  a small  house  in 
the  woods,  and  in  this  lived  for  some  time,  but  later  built  a fine 
home.  He  iioav  owns  133  acres  of  land  in  Pine  Island  and  Roscoe 
townships,  besides  fifteen  acres  in  the  city  limits.  He  Avas  mar- 
ried to  Mary  M.  Dellamater,  and  to  them  were  born  three  chil- 
dren. Leverett  is  dead;  Della  M.,  Avho  lives  at  home,  married 
Frank  Howard,  a traveling  salesman.  The  third  child  died  in 
infancy.  Mr.  Cutshall  is  a Prohibitionist  in  his  politics,  and  at 
one  time  served  as  school  treasurer,  but  lias  never  sought  public 
office. 

Cornel  Clementson,  supervisor  of  Pine  Island  township,  was 
born  in  the  township,  May  30,  1865,  son  of  Knute  and  Julia 
(Hoff)  Clementson,  natives  of  NorAvay,  who  in  1856  came  to 
Pine  Island  township,  Avhere  they  pre-empted  120  acres  of  land 
and  engaged  in  farming.  In  1902  they  retired  and  moved  to 
Zumbrota  village,  where  they  reside.  Cornel  Clementson  received 
his  education  in  the  schools  of  the  township,  after  which  he  en- 
gaged in  farming.  He  has  a fine  farm  of  300  acres,  has  made 
part  of  the  improvements  on  the  place,  and  has  a good  house  and 


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Robinson  s Residence 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


803 


buildings.  He  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  also 
dairying,  for  which  purpose  he  keeps  from  fifteen  to  twenty 
cows.  In  November,  1904,  he  was  married  to  Vina  Hoff,  daughter 
of  Andrew  and  -Jennie  Hoff.  They  have  two  children:  Conrad 
and  Gernelia.  Mr.  Clementson  is  a Republican  in  his  political 
views  and  has  held  his  present  office  of  town  supervisor  for  five 
years.  He  is  also  clerk  of  the  school  board  of  his  district.  The 
family  attends  the  Lutheran  church. 

George  W.  Hayward,  of  Pine  Island  village,  was  born  in 
Dorchestershire,  England.  September  23,  1835,  son  of  Thomas 
and  Mary  (Watts)  Hayward,  natives  of  England,  who  are  now 
deceased.  George  AY.  received  his  education  in  the  common  and 
higher  schools  of  England,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  he  and  his 
brother  Gilis  came  to  America  and  located  at  Pine  Island  town- 
ship April  25,  1855.  He  pre-empted  160  acres  of  land,  which 
he  broke  and  improved,  and  added  later  eighty  acres  more,  carry- 
ing on  general  and  diversified  farming  and  stock  raising.  In 
1889  he  retired,  rented  his  farm,  and  purchased  a home  in  Pine 
Island  village,  where  he  now  resides.  Mr.  Hayward  has  been 
married  three  times.  In  1858  he  was  married  to  Lavina  Rhein- 
hart,  of  Pine  Island.  Two  children  were  born : Alfred  W.,  of 
Pine  Island,  and  Alice  C.,  married  Arthur  Darknell,  dealer  in  real 
estate  in  St.  Maries,  Idaho.  In  1874  Mrs.  Lavina  Hayward  died. 
In  1877  he  married  Sarah  A.  Marsh,  native  of  England,  by  whom 
he  had  four  children : Lavina  B.  is  dead ; Bertram  S.  lives  in 
Washington;  George  I.  is  a civil  engineer,  now  located  at  Liv- 
ingston, Mont.,  for  the  Northern  Pacific  railroad.  He  graduated 
from  the  University  of  Minnesota  in  1906.  Erie  W.  is  dead. 
Mrs.  Sarah  Hayward  died  in  December,  1889.  and  on  February 
24,  1892,  Mr.  Hayward  was  married  to  Mrs.  Marion  Morehouse, 
of  Pine  Island,  widow  of  Capt.  A.  Morehouse,  of  Company  II, 
Fifth  Minnesota  AMlunteer  Infantry.  Mrs.  Hayward  has  one 
daughter,  Georgia  (Morehouse)  Irish,  of  Wapalo,  Wash.  Mr. 
Hayward  is  a Democrat.  He  has  served  on  the  village  council 
two  terms,  has  been  chairman  and  supervisor  of  the  township 
and  chairman  of  the  school  boaixl.  No  less  than  five  times  he  has 
crossed  the  Atlantic,  visiting  his  old  home  in  England.  The 
family  faith  is  that  of  the  Episcopal  church. 

R.  J.  Robinson,  of  Pine  Island  village,  was  born  in  Roscoe 
township,  August  6,  1863,  soxx  of  Thomas  and  Martha  (Jackson) 
Robinson,  natives  of  England,  where  they  were  married,  and 
together  they  came  to  the  United  States  in  1860  and  engaged 
in  farming  in  Roscoe  township.  The  father  died  in  March,  1896, 
and  the  mother  the  following  August.  R.  J.  Robinson  was  edu- 
cated in  the  conxmon  schools  of  the  township  and  stayed  at  hoxxxe 
until  his  parents’  death,  when  he  engaged  in  farxxxing  for  him- 


804: 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


self.  He  was  married  in  1897  to  Mary  B.  Hayward,  who  was  also 
born  in  Roseoe  township,  daughter  of  Gilis  and  Priscilla  (Dun- 
ford  ) Hayward,  also  natives  of  England.  She  was  a graduate 
of  the  Pine  Island  high  school,  and  taught  for  a number  of  years. 
He  purchased  253  acres  of  land  in  Pine  Island  township,  where 
they  moved  in  1900.  He  also  has  thirty-eight  acres  in  Roseoe 
township  and  a fruit  farm  in  Kenwick,  Benton  county,  Wash- 
ington. He  carries  on  general  farming,  dairying,  stock  and  poul- 
try raising.  They  have  an  elegant  brick  home,  and  all  the  out- 
buildings are  good,  Mr.  Robinson  having  made  all  the  improve- 
ments on  the  buildings  and  land.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robinson  have 
four  children:  Cora  B.,-  Roy  II.,  Ruth  P.,  and  Violet  P.  Their 
home  is  inside  the  corporate  limits  of  the  village,  and  Mr.  Robin- 
son is  a member  of  the  village  school  board  and  secretary  of  the 
Farmers’  Creamery  Company.  The  family  attends  the  Episcopal 
church.  In  polities  Mr.  Robinson  is  a Republican. 

Luther  B.  Hudson,  of  Pine  Island  village,  was  born  in  New 
York  in  the  town  of  Springwater,  May  14,  1827,  son  of  Joel  and 
Sarah  (Hover)  Hudson,  natives  of  New  York  state.  The  mother 
died  February  28,  1874,  and  the  father  November  23,  1892. 
Luther  B.  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  and  worked 
on  the  farm  until  1856,  then  he  left  the  home  in  New  York  and 
emigrated  west.  He  came  to  Pine  Island  and  purchased  240 
acres  of  land,  which  he  broke,  cleared  and  cultivated,  carrying  on 
a general  line  of  farming  and  stock  raising.  In  1866  he  sold  this 
farm,  bought  another  of  160  acres  in  the  same  township,  moved 
to  the  village  of  Pine  Island  and  has  lived  there  ever  since.  He 
and  his  Avife  have  celebrated  their  silver  and  golden  weddings  in 
the  same  house  and  had  103  guests  at  the  golden  wedding.  Mr. 
Hudson  was  married  April  4,  1859,  to  Mary  Ann  Freeman,  of 
Montvill,  Madina  county,  Ohio,  daughter  of  Reuben  and  Lydia 
Ann  (Denton)  Freeman,  natives  of  New  York  state.  The  father 
was  a farmer  and  came  west  with  the  family  from  Ohio  to  Garna- 
villo,  Clayton  county,  Iowa,  lived  there  four  years,  then  moved 
to  Minnesota  in  1854,  where  he  owned  half  a section  of  land. 
He  was  a magnetic  healer  and  lived  and  practiced  about  twenty 
yeai’s  in  Minneapolis.  He  built  up  a very  large  practice.  He 
died  June  7,  1887,  and  the  mother  died  April  25,  1865.  Five  chil- 
dren blessed  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hudson : Frank  R.,  born 
July  19,  1861,  is  now  a barber  of  Chicago ; Willie  A.,  born  August 
7,  1865,  is  a farmer;  Lillie,  born  September  3,  1871,  died  in  in- 
fancy; Lydia  May,  born  October  24,  1871,  adopted  child,  died 
July  6,  1876 ; Joel  was  born  November  5,  1873,  and  died  January 
31,  1874;  Calnod  B.  was  born  February  9,  1877,  and  died  Janu- 
ary 30,  1880.  Mr.  Hudson  is  a Republican  and  has  been  road- 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  Uobinson 


/ 


W.  W.  Jewell 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


805 


master  for  a number  of  years.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the 
Episcopal  church. 

Leon  L.  Cornwell,  of  Pine  Island  village,  was  born  in  Olm- 
stead  county,  Minnesota,  October  12,  1872,  and  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools  of  the  county,  and  at  Carleton  college  in 
Northfield.  After  completing  his  studies  he  taught  for  twelve 
years,  being  superintendent  of  the  schools  of  Fountain,  Fillmore 
county,  and  Minnesota,  Lyon  county.  In  November,  1903,  he 
was  elected  cashier  of  the  Citizens’  State  Bank  of  Pine  Island, 
Avhich  position  he  still  holds.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of 
the  Zumbro  Falls  State  Bank,  August  5,  1907,  and  was  elected 
president,  which  office  he  also  still  holds.  Mr.  Cornwell  was  mar- 
ried on  August  28,  1895,  to  Mattie  Sinclair,  of  Byron,  Minn., 
daughter  of  George  and  Rebecca  (Fisher)  Sinclair,  natives  of 
Maine  and  Indiana.  They  came  west  in  1863,  bought  land  and 
engaged  in  farming  until  the  death  of  the  father  in  1897.  The 
mother  is  still  living  at  Byron,  Minn.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cornwell 
have  one  child,  Dorothy  M.,  born  June  5,  1899,  now  attending 
school.  In  politics  Mr.  Cornwell  is  a Republican.  He  is  a public 
spirited  citizen,  has  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the 
village,  and  has  held  several  positions  of  public  trust  and  honor, 
having  been  treasurer  of  the  village,  treasurer  of  the  cemetery 
association,  secretary  of  the  board  of  education,  secretary  of  the 
Commercial  Club,  and  trustee  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
He  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge,  No.  37.  Thomas  and 
Clarissa  (Spencer)  Cornwell,  parents  of  L.  L.  Cornwell,  were  na- 
tives of  New  York,  where  they  were  farmers.  They  came  west 
in  1856  and  located  in  New  Haven,  Minn.,  where  they  took  up  a 
homestead  of  160  acres  of  land.  This  the  father  cleared  and 
prepared  for  cultivation,  and  added  more  land  to  his  farm  until 
he  had  440  acres,  on  which  he  conducted  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing. He  retired  in  1894  and  moved  to  Pine  Island  village,  where 
he  purchased  a comfortable  home,  in  which  he  and  his  wife  still 
reside. 

W.  W.  Jewell,  a prosperous  druggist  of  Pine  Island,  was  born 
in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  August  16.  1847,  son  of  Moses  and 
Martha  Jewell.  He  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools, 
and  finished  with  a course  at  Northwestern  Seminary  at  Wasioja, 
Minn.  After  completing  his  studies,  he  became  a clerk  in  the 
store  of  F.  FI.  Williamson,  of  Lake  City,  remaining  with  him  for 
ten  years.  In  1874  he  went  into  business  for  himself  in  Pine 
Island,  conducting  a general  store  and  also  carrying  a full  line 
of  drugs.  Fie  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Pharmacy  Society, 
and  has  been  a registered  pharmacist  since  the  law  requiring 
registration  of  druggists  went  into  effect  in  Minnesota.  He  was 
married  in  1874  to  M.  I.  Haasze,  daughter  of  James  and  Harriett 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


80(3 

Iiaasze,  natives  of  New  York  state,  who  came  west  in  1862,  lo- 
cating in  Olmstead  county  and  engaging  in  farming  on  eighty 
acres.  Both  parents  are  now  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jewell 
have  had  two  children:  Emery  L.,  now  of  Shoshone,  Wyom., 

where  he  is  a physician,  having  graduated  from  the  University 
of  Minnesota  in  1903,  and  Scott  W.,  recently  of  Shoshone,  who 
Avas  in  the  drug  business,  being  a graduate  of  the  University  of 
Minnesota  of  the  class  of  1903  and  also  of  Drew  College.  He  Avas 
accidentally  shot  and  died  in  Shoshone,  June  2,  1909.  In  his 
politics,  Mr.  JeAvell  is  a Republican.  He  has  served  as  toAvn 
treasurer  one  term,  and  has  held  the  state  depository  of  the 
county  for  a number  of  years.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic order;  has  stood  at  the  head  of  the  local  lodge  for  a number 
of  years  and  is  noAV  its  treasurer. 

Moses  Jewell,  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  this  county,  settled 
in  Pine  Island  in  May,  1855.  His  oldest  son,  S.  C.  Jewell,  also 
accompanied  him  and  located  on  his  farm  adjoining  the  village, 
Avhere  he  now  resides.  The  following  spring  Mr.  Jewell  moved 
Iris  family  from  Dane  county,  Wisconsin.  He  had  five  children : 
Sarah,  norv  Mrs.  A.  B.  Cron;  Eliza,  iioav  Mrs.  PI.  Tome;  Fenn,  now 
of  Pine  Island;  W.  W.,  now  of  Pine  Island;  and  Nye,  deceased. 
Moses  JeAvell  died  January  9,  1888;  Martha,  his  wife,  died  August 
3,  1900.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Episcopal  church. 

Loomis  F.  Irish,  president  of  the  State  Bank  of  Pine  Island, 
was  born  in  NeAv  York  state,  January  15,  1856,  son  of  Joseph 
and  Evelyn  (NeAvton)  Irish,  natives  of  NeAv  York,  who  in  1865 
came  Avest  to  Minnesota,  locating  at  Rochester,  Avhere  the  father 
engaged  in  farming  and  also  ran  a distillery.  In  1867  he  moved 
with  his  family  to  Goodhue  county,  and  engaged  in  farming  for 
one  year,  after  Avhich  he  Avent  to  Dodge  county,  remaining  five 
years,  also  spending  five  years  in  Olmstead  county.  In  1878  they 
came  to  Pine  Island,  Avhere  the  mother  died  the  same  year.  The 
father  died  in  1900.  They  had  a family  of  five  children  : Loomis, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Augustus,  Julia,  Rush  (deceased),  and 
Riley.  Loomis  F.  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Dodge  county.  For  ten  years  he  manufactured  brick  and  also 
operated  the  Pine  Island  roller  mill,  which  he  built  in  1899.  He 
built  the  first  block  in  the  village  in  1895.  The  block  known  as 
the  Opera  House  Block  is  a model  of  beauty  and  usefulness.  In 
1882  he  established  a private  bank,  which  he  conducted  for 
twenty-four  years.  In  1907  this  bank  was  incorporated  as  the 
State  Bank  of  Pine  Island.  Mr.  Irish  was  married  in  1877  to 
Lura  S.  Hawkins,  daughter  of  J.  F.  and  Mahalia  (Phelps)  Huav- 
kins,  natives  of  Canada  and  Wisconsin,  the  former  of  whom  Avas 
a brickmason  by  trade.  They  came  to  Pine  Island  in  1862  and 
both  are  noAV  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Irish  have  had  five  chil- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


807 


dren : Blanche,  who  married  V.  E.  Parker,  of  Pine  Island;  Caryl 
and  Ruth,  who  live  at  home;  Basil  and  Hilda  (deceased).  In 
politics  Mr.  Irish  is  Republican.  Fraternally  he  affiliates  with 
the  I.  ,0.  0.  F.  and  M.  W.  A.  Pie  and  his  family  attend  Grace 
church. 

John  Ihrke,  a prosperous  farmer  of  Pine  Island  township,  was 
born  in  Fond  du  Lac  county,  Wisconsin,  July  28,  1864,  son  of 
John  and  Rickie  (Miller)  Ihrke,  natives  of  Germany,  who  came  to 
America  in  1864  and  located  in  Wisconsin.  In  1875  they  came 
to  Minnesota,  located  in  the  township  of  Pine  Island,  and  engaged 
in  farming,  until  the  death  of  the  father,  February  9,  1901,  the 
mother  having  passed  away  in  1867.  John  attended  the  common 
schools  and  worked  with  his  father.  In  1885  he  came  to  the  farm, 
where  he  still  resides.  Of  his  340  acres  of  land,  eighty  acres  is 
well  timbered,  the  remainder  being  devoted  to  a general  line  of 
farming  and  stock  raising.  All  the  improvements  on  the  place, 
which  include  a tine  home,  have  been  made  by  himself.  In  addi- 
tion to  this  he  has  shown  his  modern  spirit  by  purchasing  a sub- 
stantial touring  car.  Mr.  Ihrke  is  a good  citizen  and  has  always 
taken  an  active  interest  in  the  welfare  of  his  community.  He 
is  town  treasurer  and  has  been  supervisor  for  a number  of  years. 
The  family  are  members  of  the  German  Lutheran  church. 

George  R.  West,  of  Pine  Island  village,  was  born  in  New  York 
state,  July  6,  1850,  son  of  Lyman  and  Emeline  (Rinehart)  West, 
who  in  1852  came  to  Iowa,  where  they  rented  land  for  two  years. 
In  1855  they  came  to  Pine  Island,  remaining  over  the  summer,  go- 
ing in  1856  to  Roscoe  township,  where  they  resided  for  the  re- 
mainder of  their  lives,  the  father  dying  May  8,  1875,  and  the 
mother  December  25,  1904.  George  received  his  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  the  township,  and  also  in  the  Pine  Island 
schools,  remaining  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  he  was 
twenty-three  years  of  age.  He  then  bought  a farm  in  the  same 
township  and  engaged  in  farming  for  himself.  In  1872  he  was 
married  to  Anna  (Page),  daughter  of  Robert  and  Bara  (Cole) 
Page,  who  were  old  settlers  of  this  county,  coming  in  1861,  and 
engaging  in  farming.  Both  are  now  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
West  had  seven  children:  Libbey,  Lunie,  Nettie,  Lyman,  Sadie, 
Earl  and  Lynn.  In  1883  the  family  moved  to  Dakota,  where  they 
spent  fourteen  years,  after  which  they  sold  their  farm  and  went 
to  Pope  county,  Minnesota,  remaining  for  four  years.  There  Mrs. 
West  died  in  1899.  Mr.  West  then  returned  to  Roscoe  township 
with  his  family  and  took  charge  of  the  homestead,  his  mother 
living  with  him  until  her  death,  after  which  he  farmed  for  several 
years.  In  1907  he  went  to  Wyoming,  Minn.,  where  he  bought  a 
farm,  remaining  until  1909,  when  he  sold  out  and  entered  into 
business  in  Pine  Island,  which  he  has  since  conducted.  In  1905 


808 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Mr.  West  was  married  to  Jessie  Sterling,  by  whom  he  has  one 
child,  Alice.  Mr.  West  is  independent  in  his  politics.  While  a 
resident  of  Dakota  he  held  the  position  of  town  treasurer  and 
was  a member  of  the  school  board,  also  justice  of  the  peace. 
He  was  at  one  time  member  of  the  Good  Templars. 

Jacob  Bringgold,  Sr.,  of  Pine  Island  village,  was  born  in 
Switzerland,  January  24,  1824,  son  of  John  and  Adeline  Bring- 
gold,  natives  of  Switzerland,  where  the  father  was  a farmer. 
They  emigrated  to  America  in  1840  and  located  in  New  York 
state,  where  they  bought  a farm  of  200  acres  of  timber  land.  This 
they  cleared  and  in  1865  sold,  and  came  west  to  Minnesota,  where 
they  bought  land  in  Roscoe  township,  consisting  of  160  acres, 
of  which  sixty  acres  was  improved  land.  Jacob  partially  broke 
and  cleared  this  land  and  added  more  gradually,  until  he  had 
in  all  420  acres.  He  carried  on  general  and  diversified  farming 
and  stock  raising  on  a large  scale,  and  was  the  first  farmer  in 
the  township  to  bring  in  Short  Horn  cattle.  He  had  a fine  stock 
barn,  36x80  feet.  He  Avas  also  the  first  cheese  maker  in  Pine 
Island.  He  retired  from  active  life  in  1889,  and  moved  to  Pine 
Island,  Avhere  he  purchased  a home  and  has  since  resided.  He 
Avas  married  in  May,  1855,  to  Susan  Egger,  of  Switzerland, 
daughter  of  Gilbert  and  Sophronia  Egger,  natives  of  Switzerland, 
where  the  father  was  a farmer  and  maker  of  SAviss  cheese.  They 
came  to  America  in  1832  and  located  in  New  York  state,  where 
the  mother  died  in  1868,  after  Avlrich  the  father  went  to  Illinois, 
where  he  died  in  1869.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bringgold  Avere  the  parents 
of  eight  children- — Rosie  (deceased)  ; Emma,  married  to  C.  O. 
Little,  of  Oklahoma  ; Susan,  married  to  J.  S.  Talcott,  of  Santa 
Ana,  Cal. ; Helen,  married  to  Grover  Comstock,  of  Minneapolis ; 
Jacob  A.,1  of  Pine  Island;  Annie,  living  at  home;  Charles  R.,  liv- 
ing at  Pine  Island,  and  Grace,  married  to  George  P.  Stout,  of 
Minneapolis.  Mr.  Bringgold  is  an  independent  voter.  He  has 
served  as  chairman  of  the  board  in  Roscoe  toAAmship  for  ten 
years,  and  Avas  also  road  master  for  a long  period.  The  family 
attends  the  German  Lutheran  Church. 

Charles  Henry  West,  of  Pine  Island  village,  Avas  born  in  Ros- 
coe township  July  11,  1857,  son  of  Lyman  and  Emeline  (Rine- 
hart) West.  He  Avas  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his 
neighborhood,  and  after  leaving  school  worked  at  farming  for 
ten  years  in  the  same  township.  In  1883  he  went  to  South  Da- 
kota, and  took  up  a homestead  in  Weston  toAvnship,  Marshall 
county,  Avhere  he  resided  fourteen  years,  being  toAvn  clerk  two 
terms.  For  two  years  he  lived  in  Amherst,  conducting  a hard- 
ware and  grocery  store,  and  in  1896  Avent,  to  Douglass  county, 
Minnesota,  remaining  two  years,  then  to  Stearns  county,  Avhere 
he  lived  for  five  years.  He  was  in  the  hardware  business  in 


Jacob  Bringgold 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


809 


Brooten,  Stearns  county,  for  two  years,  after  which  he  returned 
to  Pine  Island  in  1904  and  entered  into  partnership  with  T.  C. 
Nolan  in  the  hardware  business.  He  also  managed  a furniture 
store  in  the  Cron  building,  which  he  conducted  for  one  year. 
In  the  spring  of  1909  he  and  his  brother  George  purchased  the 
R.  J.  Beire  hardware  stock  and  moved  the  furniture  stock.  They 
now  conduct  a general  house  furbishing  store,  carrying  a full 
line  of  hardware  and  furnishings.  In  1877  he  was  married  to  Zell 
(Perkins)  daughter  of  ITubard  and  Miranda  Edget.  They  have 
two  children — Hazel  N.  and  Hattie  E.  Mr.  West  is  independent 
in  his  politics.  He  is  a member  of  the  M.  W.  A. 

Ole  R.  Reberg,  a prosperous  and  progressive  farmer  of  Minne- 
ola  township,  comes  of  good  old  Norse  stock,  having  been  born  in 
Norway  April  12.  1861,  son  of  Ole  and  Riborg  (Midkel)  Reberg, 
who  came  to  America  in  the  spring  of  1871.  located  in  Minneola 
township,  purchased  eighty  acres  which  he  broke  and  improved, 
built  a home,  and  carried  on  general  farming  until  his  death, 
October  4,  1897.  The  mother  died  February  11,  1906.  Ole  R. 
came  to  America  with  his  parents  as  a boy  of  thirteen  years  and 
completed  his  education . in  the  schools  of  Minneola  township. 
Pie  took  up  farming  with  his  father,  and  has  always  remained 
on  the  home  place,  which  in  1895  he  purchased.  He  has  made 
many  improvements  of  various  kinds,  including  a new  barn, 
66x36  feet,  which  is  a model  of  its  kind.  Mr.  Reberg  is  an  in- 
dependent voter,  and  has  not  cared  to  mix  actively  in  public 
affairs.  He  has,  however,  been  assessor  of  the  township  and  is 
serving  his  thirteenth  year  as  clerk  of  school  district  No.  138. 
He  has  made  all  he  owns  by  hard  work,  and  is  a good  citizen  in 
every  particular,  one  who  is  pointed  to  as  a representative  of 
modern  methods  of  farming  and  stock  breeding.  May  30,  1900, 
he  was  married  to  Anna  Fossum,  daughter  of  Nels  C.  and  Gurina 
(IPembre)  Fossum.  farmers  of  Minneola  township,  but  natives  of 
Norway.  The  father  died  November  21,  1908,  and  the  mother 
October  7,  1887.  The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reberg  has  been 
blessed  with  four  children.  Gurina,  born  April  11,  1901,  died 
April  25  of  the  same  year;  Gurina,  the  second  child,  was  born 
December  27.  1902.  Ruth  was  born  November  11,  1905.  Osmund 
N.  was  born  September  22,  1907,  and  died  December  23,  1908. 
The  family  worships  at  the  Lutheran  Church.  Mr.  Reberg  has 
been  an  ardent  believer  in  the  co-operation  of  farmers  and  has 
worked  actively  in  that  cause,  taking  a prominent  part  in  the 
organization  of  several  fanners’  co-operative  concerns.  He  has 
for  a number  of  years  been  a director  in  the  Zumbrota  Farmers’ 
Mercantile  and  Elevator  Company,  the  Minneola  Creamery  Com- 
pany, and  the  Farmers’  Telephone  Company,  of  Wanamingo. 

Lafayette  H.  Watts,  of  Minneola  township,  is  a native  of  New 


810 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


York  state,  born  July  6,  1848,  son  of  Richard  and  Mary  (Locke) 
Watts,  who  emigrated  to  the  west  in  1858,  locating  near  Baraboo, 
Wis.,  for  one  year.  After  living  in  various  other  places  they 
came  to  Zumbrota  township  in  1873,  and  engaged  in  general 
farming.  The  father  died  in  1901,  while  on  a visit  to  his  old 
home  in  New  York  state,  and  the  mother  died  in  Minneapolis, 
January,  1908.  Lafayette  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  and  followed  the  fortunes  of  the  family  until  1886,  when 
he  went  to  North  Dakota.  There  he  farmed  until  1896,  when  he 
returned  to  Zumbrota  township  and  resumed  agricultural  oper- 
ations. From  that  year  until  1906  he  owned  and  conducted  the 
Zumbrota  hotel,  after  which  he  purchased  a pleasant  home,  sur- 
rounded by  seven  acres  of  land  in  Minneola  township,  just  out- 
side the  village  limits  of  Zumbrota.  Here  he  has  since  continued 
to  reside.  Mr.  Watts  is  a well-known  member  of  the  Masons,  the 
Modern  Woodmen  and  the  Modern  Brotherhood.  His  political 
affiliations  are  with  the  Republican  party,  but  he  is  to  a large 
degree  an  independent  voter.  He  is  a thorough  believer  in  the 
faith  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Watts  was  mar- 
ried August  3,  1873,  at  Zumbrota,  to  Athelia  Miller,  daughter 
of  A.  J.  Miller,  an  early  settler.  Five  children  have  blessed  this 
union — Amelia,  born  September  16,  1874,  died  March  16,  1893. 
Edith,  born  July  6,  1877,  is  now  Mrs.  Chauncy  Coffman,  of  Port- 
land, Ore.  Truman  N.,  born  May  25,  1884,  Avas  the  third  child. 
Lafayette  A.,  born  in  October,  1893,  and  Reginald  R.,  born  March 
16,  1897,  live  at  home  and  attend  the  public  schools. 

Nels  A.  Stageberg,  a well-known  farmer  of  Minneola  town- 
ship, Avas  born  in  Norway,  June  26,  1850,  son  of  Andrew  and  Bar- 
bara (Knutson)  Stageberg,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to 
America  in  1857.  They  located  in  Wisconsin  for  one  year,  then 
removed  to  Minneola  township,  this  county,  where  they  secured 
160  acres  of  Avild  land,  which  they  broke  and  improved,  carry- 
ing on  general  farming  until  1899,  when  they  retired.  Nels  A. 
Stageberg  came  to  America  with  his  parents  at  seven  years  of 
age.  After  receiving  a parochial  school  education  he  took  up 
farming  with  his  father,  and  continued  to  improve  the  home  farm, 
erecting  upon  it  many  new  and  up-to-date  buildings,  among 
them  a new  home.  Since  1879  he  has  followed  general  farming 
for  himself.  Mr.  Stageberg  was  united  in  marriage  the  first  time 
in  March,  1869,  to  Guerina  E.  Knutson,  a native  of  Noiuvay.  By 
this  marriage  there  were  two  children,  Bertha  and  Andrew,  the 
latter  of  whom  is  a merchant  at  Owatouna.  Mr.  Stageberg  Avas 
married  the  second  time  to  Rosa  Idesselberg,  a native  of  Norway. 
This  union  was  blessed  with  eight  children — Gerda,  now  Mrs.  An- 
derson, of  Dodge  Center ; Lena,  now  Mrs.  Grover,  of  Zumbrota ; 
Oscar,  noAv  at  Montana;  Albertha,  iioav  of  Washington;  Manda, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


811 


now  of  Montana,  and  Selma,  Rudolph  and  Clarence,  all  at  home. 
The  family  attend  the  Lutheran  Church.  Mr.  Stageberg  is  a Re- 
publican and  has  taken  an  active  part  in  public  affairs,  as  is 
shown  by  the  fact  that  he  was  county  commissioner  for  twelve 
years,  to  which  position  he  gave  his  most  earnest  and  faithful 
attention.  He  was  also  supervisor  of  the  town  and  director  of  his 
school  district  for  several  years,  treasurer  of  the  "Wanamingo, 
Minneola  and  Cherry  Grove  Fire  Insurance  Company  for  thir- 
teen years,  and  director  for  thirty  years.  At  the  present  time 
he  is  a director  in  the  Zumbrota  Hospital  and  treasurer  of  the 
Minneola  Congregation.  To  help  develop  his  community  he  was 
instrumental  in  getting  the  rural  delivery  established  in  his  sec- 
tion. He  is  a stockholder  in  the  Wanamingo  creamery  and  also 
in  the  Farmers’  elevator,  of  Zumbrota  and  Wanamingo.  Mr. 
Stageberg  is  courteous  and  kind  to  all,  and  his  one  effort  has 
been  to  please  the  community  he  has  served  so  well.  He  has 
been  very  successful  in  his  undertakings,  and  is  generally  re- 
garded as  a man  of  ability. 

Ole  E.  Ofstie,  of  Minneola  township,  was  born  in  Norway, 
January  7.  1843,  son  of  Estine  Ivnutson  and  Aneka  B.jorgen,  na- 
tives of  Norway.  They  came  to  America  in  1866  and  located  in 
Minnesota,  where  the  father  engaged  in  farm  work  for  fifteen 
years.  In  1871  they  went  to  Lac  qui  Parle  county,  where  the 
father,  in  partnership  with  his  son,  bought  160  acres  of  land, 
which  they  cleared  and  improved  and  carried  on  general  farming 
until  the  death  of  the  father  in  1895.  The  mother  died  in  1899, 
both  deaths  occurring  at  Lac  qui  Parle  county.  Ole  received 
his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  America,  which  he  at- 
tended for  a short  time,  and  worked  on  the  farm.  Later  he  took 
up  carpenter  work  and  building,  at  which  he  Avas  engaged  until 
1872.  lie  then  purchased  112  acres  of  land  in  Minneola  town- 
ship, and  engaged  in  farming,  also  stock  raising.  He  improved 
the  buildings  and  built  a neAV  house.  February  12,  1866,  he 
Avas  married  to  Anna  Marta,  daughter  of  John  and  Ingeborg 
Besstad,  natives  of  Norway,  Avhere  the  father  Avas  a carpenter. 
Both  are  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ofstie  haA'e  had  seArnn  chil- 
dren— Edward  (deceased)  ; John  E.,  a farmer  of  Minneola,  mar- 
ried to  Phina  LexATold;  Anna,  married  to  Henry  Hanson,  of 
Wanamingo;  Carl,  employed  on  the  railroad:  Andrew,  a farmer 
at  home ; Erick,  married  to  Hulda  Dorn,  and  Olaf,  Avho  are  at 
home.  Mr.  Ofstie  is  a Republican  in  his  politics.  He  has  serA^ed 
on  the  school  board  for  three  years,  and  on  the  school  board  for 
the  Norwegian  school  tAvo  years.  He  is  also  road  overseer.  The 
family  attend  the  Lutheran  Church,  which  Mr.  Ofstie  has  served 
as  trustee  nine  years. 

Louis  H.  Kopplin,  of  Minneola  township,  Avas  born  in  Red 


812 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Wing,  February  1,  1865,  son  of  Ales  F.  and  Julia  (Koenig)  Kop- 
plin,  both  natives  of  Germany.  In  1853  they  emigrated  to  Amer- 
ica, locating  in  Wisconsin,  where  Alex  F.  attended  college.  After 
finishing  his  collegiate  education  he  taught  school  and  later  came 
to  Red  Wing  and  entered  the  employ  of  Frederick,  Kempe  & Co. 
In  1870  he  removed  to  Minneola  township,  where  he  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  land,  which  he  broke  and  cultivated,  erecting  a 
substantial  home  and  farm  buildings.  In  addition  to  his  Good- 
hue  county  property  he  owns  land  in  Canada,  Lac  qui  Parle 
county,  Minnesota,  and  two  sections  in  Pan  Handle,  Texas.  He 
continued  farming  until  1893,  when  he  Removed  to  Bellingham, 
Lae  qui  Parle  county,  Minnesota,  where  he  still  lives,  engaged 
in  the  hardware,  lumber  and  land  business.  His  wife  passed 
away  in  June,  1896.  Louis  IT.  acquired  his  education  at  Minne- 
ola. After  leaving  school  he  remained  with  his  father  until  1893, 
when  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  adjoining  the  old  original 
homestead,  which  his  father  gave  him.  This  consisted  of  eighty 
acres  in  section  2,  making  him  in  all  a valuable  farm  of  160  acres. 
He  has  built  a substantial  home,  also  a large  new  barn  70x40, 
and  erected  several  other  farm  buildings.  Mr.  Kopplin  takes 
great  interest  in  forestry,  and  has  planted  1,000  Norway  poplar 
trees,  which  will  mature  in  future  years.  In  June,  1893,  the 
same  year  he  started  out  for  himself,  he  was  married  at  Zum- 
brota  to  Anna  G.  Koch,  born  April  10,  1870,  daughter  of  Henry 
Koch,  born  in  1836,  and  Margarita  (Engel)  Koch,  born  in  1843, 
both  natives  of  Germany,  who  came  to  America,  settling  at  Evans- 
ville, Inch  They  moved  to  ITay  Creek  in  1873,  and  in  1886  came 
to  Zumbrota  and  engaged  in  farming.  The  father  is  still  living 
in  Litchfield,  Minn.,  and  the  mother  died  April  9,  1902.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Kopplin  have  three  children,  Selma,  born  April  11,  1894; 
Stella,  born  Aiigust  21,  1901,  and  Hildegarde,  born  February  5, 
1904.  Mr.  Kopplin  is  a Democrat,  and  has  held  the  office  of 
school  director  for  several  years.  He  has  acquired  his  present 
prosperity  by  hard  work  and- honest  toil,  and  is  an  honored  citi- 
zen in  every  respect.  The  family  attends  the  Lutheran  Church. 

Christian  A.  Lexvold  was  born  on  the  old  homestead  in  Minne- 
ola township,  November  19,  1870,  being  the  son  of  Andrew  Lex- 
vold. He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Minne- 
ola township,  and  like  his  brothers  worked  on  his  father’s  farm. 
In  1890  he  left  home,  going  to  North  Dakota  and  remaining  there 
for  three  years.  In  1893  he  returned  and  began  farming  on  part 
of  the  old  homestead,  his  land  now  consisting  of  120  acres  in 
section  22  and  forty  acres  in  section  16,  making  a farm  of  160 
acres.  He  erected  the  comfortable  home  in  which  he  lives  with 
his  family,  also  built  other  necessary  farm  buildings,  carrying 
on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  with  considerable  success 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


813 


and  making  a specialty  of  Short  Horn  and  Holstein  cattle.  Mr. 
Lexvold  was  married  November  8,  1897,  to  Louise  J.  Aadahl, 
daughter  of  John  J.  and  Roberg  Aadahl,  of  Norway,  and  has 
five  children — Rachel,  horn  March  4,  1898 ; Aimar,  born  Decem- 
ber 25,  1901;  Gurda,  born  October  5,  1905;  Joseph,  born  February 
5,  1907,  and  Hilda,  born  March  27,  1909.  He  is  a Repvdfiican 
in  politics.  He  and  his  wife  attend  the  Lutheran  Church. 

Knudt  0.  Strand,  of  Minneola  township,  was  born  in  Norway, 
August  18,  1865,  and  came  to  America  when  one  year  of  age, 
with  his  parents,  O.  K.  and  Christina  Strand,  in  1867.  Upon  their 
arrival  in  this  country  the  family  located  in  Minneola  township, 
and  a year  later,  in  1868,  purchased  160  acres  in  section  34,  on 
which  the  father  erected  a good  house,  barns  and  other  buildings. 
In  1905  he  went  to  Itasca  county,  taking  up  a homestead.  After 
proving  up  his  claim  he  returned  to  his  former  home  in  Minne- 
ola, where  he  died  December  14,  1908,  his  wife  having  passed 
away  in  December,  1903.  Knudt  O.  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Minneola  and  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm,  pur- 
chasing the  old  homestead  in  1896.  In  this  he  has  taken  great 
pride,  cultivating  and  improving  the  place  and  devoting  his  best 
efforts  to  carrying  on  general  farming.  December  28,  1893,  he 
was  married  to  Julia  B.  Lunde,  daughter  of  Barnt  and  Inga 
(Guplon)  Lunde,  natives  of  Norway,  who  emigrated  to  America 
and  settled  hi  Roscoe  township,  purchasing  farm  land,  on  which 
they  still  live.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Strand  have  four  children — Con- 
stance, Hildegard,  Adela  and  Dagmar,  all  of  whom  are  living  at 
home. 

Bortinus  J.  Aadahl  was  born  in  Minneola  township  on  the 
farm  where  he  still  lives,  June  27,  1873,  son  of  John  and  Riborg 
(Lerfald)  Aadahl,  natives  of  Trondelagen,  Norway,  who  came 
to  America  in  1872,  locating  in  Minneola  township,  where  they 
bought  160  acres  of  improved  land,  which  they  continued  to 
improve,  erecting  substantial  and  up-to-date  buildings  and  fol- 
lowing general  and  diversified  farming  until  his  death,  February 
28,  1905.  The  mother  died  June  22,  1895.  Bortinus  J.  Aadahl 
received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Minneola,  and  worked 
with  his  father  on  the  farm  until  the  latter’s  death,  when  he 
came  into  possession  of  the  farm,  and  continues  to  follow  general 
and  diversified  farming.  Mr.  Aadahl  was  married  May  16,  1898, 
to  Anna  Trelstad,  a daughter  of  John  P.  and  Riborg  (Borstad) 
Trelstad,  natives  of  Trondelagen,  Norway,  Avho  came  to  America 
in  the  early  sixties,  settling  in  Minneola  township,  and  engaged 
in  farming.  The  mother  died  October  19,  1871,  but  the  father  is 
still  living  and  farming  in  Minneola  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Aadahl  have  been  blessed  with  four  children — Rudolph,  born 
June  27,  1900;  Julia  R.,  born  September  1,  1903;  Ella,  born  July 


814 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


2H,  190o,  and  Dena,  born  March  28,  1909,  all  living  at  home. 
Mr.  Aadahl  is  a Republican  in  liis  political  views  and  the  family 
are  members  of  the  United  Norwegian  Lutheran  Church. 

Ole  J.  Hanson,  of  Minneola  township,  was  born  in  Norway, 
June  20,  1849,  son  of  John  and  Annie  (Bjorge)  Hanson,  who 
came  to  America  in  1863,  residing  at  Rock  Prairie,  Wis.,  for  one 
year.  In  June,  1864,  they  came  to  Minneola  township,  remaining 
there  until  1868,  then  going  to  Kandiyohi  county,  where  they  took 
a homestead  of  160  acres,  which  the  father  broke  and  improved, 
following  general  farming  till  1878,  then  going  to  the  Red  River 
valley  to  live  with  his  son.  The  father  died  December  28,  1890, 
and  the  mother  in  1899.  Ole  came  to  America  with  his  parents 
in  1863,  taking  up  farming  in  Minneola  township.  Beginning 
farming  for  himself,  he  purchased  forty  acres  of  improved  land, 
adding  to  this  at  various  times  until  he  now  has  142  acres  of 
farm  land  and  twenty  acres  of  timber  land  in  Pine  Island  town- 
ship. He  has  always  followed  agriculture  and  for  nine  years 
gathered  the  cream  for  the  Crescent  creamery.  Mr.  Hanson 
was  married  June  3,  1874,  to  Gunnil,  daughter  of  John  and  Anna 
(Johnson)  Satren,  who  came  to  America  from  Norway,  locating 
first  at  Rock  Prairie,  Wis.  Later  they  came  to  Minneola  town- 
ship, where  Mr.  Satren  died  April  2,  1907,  and  Mrs.  Satren 
March  25,  1909.  The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hanson  are: 
Joseph,  born  March  1,  1875,  now  in  Reeder,  N.  D. ; Anna,  born 
June  22,  1876,  now  Mrs.  Albert  Paul,  of  Meservey,  la.;  Magnus, 
born  December  23,  1877,  now  at  Brinsmade,  N.  D. ; IT.  Andrew, 
born  March  22,  1879,  living  at  home;  Fred,  born  April  14,  1881, 
now  at,  Berthold,  N.  D. ; Lena,  born  January  19,  1883,  now  of 
Minnewauken,  N.  D. ; Melvin,  born  January  2,  1885,  now  of 
Brinsmade,  N.  D. ; Mary,  born  January  10,  1887,  school  teacher  at 
Bigwood,  Minn. ; Josie,  born  November  9,  1888,  now  a school 
teacher;  John,  born  December  18,  1890,  now  of  Berthold, 
N.  D. ; Luella,  born  December  26,  1892,  a student,  who  lives  at 
home;  Carl,  Born  March  5,  1895;  George,  born  April  23,  1897; 
Adolph,  born  December  31,  1899.  The  last  three  named  live  at 
home.  Politically  Mr.  Hanson  is  a Republican  and  attends  the 
Lutheran  Church.  By  hard  work  and  fair  dealings  he  has 
achieved  success  and  won  the  respect  of  all. 

Sam  O.  Aslakson,  born  March  6,  1861,  on  the  farm  in  Minneola 
township  where  he  now  resides,  is  the  son  of  Swen  and  Lev. 
Aslakson,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1857,  locat- 
ing in  Minneola  township,  where  they  bought  160  acres  of  wild 
land,  which  they  improved.  The  father  died  November  11, 
1894,  and  the  mother  February  2,  1908.  Sam  O.  received  his 
education  in  Minneola  township,  after  which  he  farmed  with 
his  father  until  1890,  when  he  came  into  possession  of  117% 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


815 


acres  of  the  old  homestead.  This  he  has  continued  to  improve, 
rebuilding  the  house,  beside  constructing  many  other  buildings 
for  the  shelter  of  stock  and  grain.  Mr.  Aslakson  was  married 
July  4,  1895,  to  Ellen  Marie,  daughter  of  Soren  and  Anna  Under- 
dahl.  Mrs.  Underdahl  died  July  5,  1882,  and  her  husband  is  still 
living.  Sam  0.  Aslakson  and  wife  have  been  blessed  Avith  six 
children — Selmer,  Leonard,  Matilda,  Anna,  Joseph  and  Lydia, 
all  of  whom  are  alive.  Mr.  Aslakson  is  a Republican, 
a member  of  the  Lutheran  Church  and  at  the  pres- 
ent time  treasurer  of  the  parochial  school.  He  Avas 

once  the  treasurer  of  school  district  No.  92  for  tAvelve  years, 
and  in  1900  took  the  census  of  Minneola  township.  At  the  present 
time  he  is  director  in  and  stockholder  of  the  Minneola  Creamery 
Company.  He  is  an  energetic  business  man  and  well  deserA'es  the 
reAvards  of  his  hard  labor. 

Frank  Ahneman,  .of  Minneola  toAvnship,  Avas  born  at  Pine 
Island,  this  county,  April  20,  1861.  His  parents,  Henry  and 
Sophia  (Pultz)  Ahneman,  AArere  both  natives  of  Germany,  .who 
came  to  this  country  in  the  early  forties,  settling  in  'Wisconsin. 
About  ten  years  later  they  moved  to  Pine  Island  village,  where 
the  father  conducted  a store  for  the  period  of  two  years.  Tiring 
of  mercantile  life,  he  sold  this  store  and  bought  a farm  of  310 
acres,  where  he  lived  until  his  death,  April  16,  1906,  his  wife 
having  died  NoArember  10,  1893.  Frank  Ahneman  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Pine  Island,  and  after  leaving 
school  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  until  1897,  when  he  re- 
moved  to  Olmstead  county,  Minnesota.  Here  he  engaged  in 
farming  until  1899,  when  he  came  to  Minneola  toAAmship,  pur- 
chasing a farm  of  160  acres  in  section  24,  on  Avhich  he  conducted 
many  improvements,  making  a good  home  for  himself  and  family. 
In  1907  he  built  a substantial  house  and  other  farm  buildings.  He 
carries  on  a general  farming,  and  has  been  very  successful,  ac- 
quiring his  possessions  by  his  frugal  habits,  honesty  and  hard 
Avork.  Mr.  Ahneman  Avas  married  December  22,  1896,  at  Red 
Wing,  to  Hannah  Degener,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Ernestine 
(Yerch)  Degener,  natives  of  Germany,  came  to  America  and 
located  at  Greenlake  county,  Wisconsin,  Avhere  the  father  en- 
gaged in  farming  for  several  years,  afterAvard  removing  to  Pine 
Island  and  following  the  same  line  of  work.  He  and  his  Avife 
are  still  living  on  the  farm.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ahneman  have  been 
blessed  with  one  daughter  and  one  son — Hilda,  born  May  15, 
1897,  and  Arthur,  born  July  17,  1900.  Mr.  Ahneman  is  Demo- 
cratic in  his  political  views..  The  family  attends  the  Lutheran 
Church. 

Cornelius  A.  Erstad  is  one  of  the  prosperous  farmers  of  Minne- 
ola township.  His  parents,  Andrew  and  Oline  (Hanson)  Erstad, 


S16 


II 1 ST  OB  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


left  their  native  home  in  Norway  and  came  to  America,  living 
first  at  various  points  in  Illinois,  Wisconsin  and  IoAva,  until  1855,' 
when  they  took  a homestead  of  160  acres  in  section  35,  Minneola 
township,  which  they  improved  and  cultivated.  On  this  farm  the 
father  built  a comfortable  home  and  commodious  outbuildings. 
He  Avas  a good  man  in  every  Avay  and  is  remembered  by  many 
as  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Goodhue  county.  He  died  in  1908 
and  his  Avife  in  1878.  Cornelius  A.  was  born  on  the  homestead 
June  26,  1860.  He  received  his  preliminary  education  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  in  Minneola  toAAmship,  then  took  a four  years  course 
of  study  in  Luther  College  at  Decorah,  la.  For  a short  period 
lie  returned  to  the  old  farm,  and  from  1884  to  1897  engaged  in 
farming  in  Kenyon  and  Mazeppa.  In  1897  he  took  charge  of 
the  old  farm,  on  which  he  has  made  many  improvements.  He 
was  married  to  Sigrid  Ylvisaker,  daughter  of  N.  Th.  and  Kristine 
Ylvisaker,  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  and  located  at 
Bed  Wing,  where  Mr.  Ylvisaker  Avas  a Lutheran  minister.  He 
died  some  years  later,  but  his  Avife  still  lives  with  her  children. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Erstad  are  parents  of  Andrew,  born  November  4, 
1888;  Olaf,  born  February  19,  1892;  Einar,  born  November  19, 
1894,  and  Ruth,  born  May  2,  1897.  With  the  exception  of  An- 
drew, who  attends  the  Luther  College  at  Decorah,  la.,  they  are  all 
at  home. 

Gunder  Froyum,  one  of  the  prosperous  farmers  of  Minneola 
township,  Avas  born  in  Norway,  September  5,  1849.  During  his 
childhood  he  attended  school  in  Norway.  At  the  age  of  sixteen 
he  came  to  America  with  his  parents  and  for  six  Aveeks  Avas  a 
pupil  in  the  Minneola  school.  After  leaving  school  he  applied 
himself  to  the  farm  Avork,  remaining  as  his  father’s  assistant 
until  his  death,  Avhen  he  inherited  the  home  farm,  which  he  con- 
tinued to  improve,  erecting  several  neAAr  farm  buildings.  He  has 
followed  general  mixed  farming,  being  very  successful.  He  is 
also  interested  in  the  stone  quarry.  He  is  prohibition  in  politics 
and  has  always  been  interested  in  the  welfare  of  the  country  in 
Avhieh  he  lives,  filling  the  office  of  toAvn  supervisor  for  tAvo  years, 
also  road  oA'erseer,  and  treasurer  of  the  school  board.  Mr. 
Froyum  Avas  married  April  17,  1878,  to  Dena  A.  Goplin,  daugh- 
ter of  A.  A.  and  Mary  Goplin,  farmers  of  Norway,  both  deceased. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Froyum  have  ten  children — Sophia,  married  to  Carl 
Fossum;  Matilda,  married  to  Henry  Bjugan;  Julia,  noAV  Mrs.  Ilas- 
set,  of  North  Dakota;  John,  Alfred,  Helen,  George,  Selma,  Her- 
man and  Floyd,  all  at  home.  They  all  attend  the  Lutheran 
Church.  The  parents  of  Gimder  Froyum  Avere  John  and  Sigri 
(Avelsgard)  Froyum,  both  natives  of  Norway,  emigrating  to 
America  in  the  year  1865,  and  locating  in  1866  in  Minneola, 
Avhere  they  purchased  120  acres  of  land,  which  the  father  broke 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


817 


up  and  cultivated,  erecting  a tome  and  other  farm  buildings.  He 
died  February  10,  1885,  and  the  mother  February  10,  1881. 

Peter  M.  Johnson,  Minneola  township,  son  of  S.  J.  and  Chris- 
tine Marie  (Peterson)  Johnson,  was  born  in  Sweden,  March  26, 
1851.  His  father  and  mother  were  both  natives  of  Sweden,  com- 
ing to  America  in  1870,  locating  first  in  New  York  state,  where 
they  resided  one  year.  In  1871  they  removed  to  Red  AVing,  but 
the  following  year  they  came  to  Minneola  township,  where  they 
engaged  in  farming.  A few  years  later  they  removed  to  White 
Willow,  Zumbrota  township,  where  the  father  died  in  1886.  The 
mother  is  now  residing  in  AA7elch,  this  county.  Peter  M.  was  edu- 
cated in  Sweden,  coming  to  America  in  1868,  two  years  before 
his  parents,  and  locating  in  Red  AYing,  where  he  resided  for  three 
years.  In  1871  he  moved  to  Minneola  township,  and  four  years 
later,  in  1875,  purchased  a farm  of  eighty  acres.  Here  he  has 
since  made  his  home,  improving  the  land  and  erecting  a house 
and  other  farm  buildings,'  engaging  in  general  farming,  but  de- 
voting most  of  his  time  to  grain  raising  and  dairying.  He  is  a 
progressive  farmer  and  honored  citizen,  having  served  for  sev- 
eral years  as  road  commissioner.  Mr.  Johnson  is  a Republican 
and  with  his  family  attends  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Church.  He 
was  married  July  3,  1877,  in  Hastings,  to  Sophia  Carlson,  daugh- 
ter of  C.  J.  and  Sarah  (Jenson)  Carlson,  natives  of  Sweden, 
who  came  to  America  in  1871,  locating  in  Hastings,  where  they 
continued  to  live  until  the  death  of  Mrs.  Johnson’s  father,  April 
27,  1900.  Her  mother  then  went  to  Center  City,  Minn.,  where  she 
resided  with  her  daughter  until  her  death.  May,  1902.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Johnson  have  been  blessed  with  eight  children — -Elsie  M., 
born  July  30,  1878,  died  July  15,  1898;  Helma  E.,  born  August  22, 
1880,  married  George  Baslington,  of  Pine  Island;  John  R.,  born 
February  14,  1883;  Mabel  A.,  born  November  8,  1884;  Yinnie  S., 
born  April  5,  1887 ; Laura  L.,  born  December  22,  1889 ; Ethel  W., 
born  August  2,  1892,  and  Alice  A7.,  born  June  20,  1898.  All  of 
these  are  at  home. 

Sivert  A.  Lexvold,  of  Minneola  township,  was  born  in  Nor- 
way, March  12,  1862,  coming  to  America  with  his  father  in  1866, 
his  mother  having  died  in  Norway.  His  parents  were  Andrew 
and  Berntina  Lexvold.  The  family  came  first  to  Red  AVrng, 
then  moved  to  Belle  Creek,  where  they  resided  one  year,  finally 
‘settling  in  Minneola  township,  where  Sivert  A.  received  his  edu- 
cation. He  remained  on  the  farm,  assisting  his  father  until  he 
was  twenty-six  years  of  age,  and  then  worked  out  until  1892, 
when  he  became  the  owner  of  100  acres  of  land  in  Minneola, 
afterward  purchasing  eighty  acres  more  in  section  1,  Roscoe,  all 
of  which  by  hard  work  he  has  improved  and  cultivated,  devoting 
his  attention  mostly  to  diversified  farming.  He  has  a substantial 


818 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


house  and  other  farm  buildings,  including  a barn,  to  which  he 
has  recently  made  a valuable  addition.  May  24,  1893,  Mr.  Lex- 
void  was  married  in  Minneola  township  to  Mary  J.  Aadahl, 
daughter  of  John  J.  and  Reberg  Aadahl,  natives  of  Norway,  who, 
after  coming  to  this  country,  settled  in  Minneola,  engaging  in 
agricultural  pursuits.  Both  are  now  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lexvold  have  ten  children — Ragna  B.,  Arthur  J.,  Selma  M., 
Leonard  M.,  Segurd  J.,  Bennie  G.,  Mahle  J.,  Hazel  B.  (deceased), 
Hazel  B.  and  Myrtle  A.  Mr.  Lexvold  is  Republican  in  his  politi- 
cal views.  He  affiliates  with  the  Modern  Samaritans.  Like  many 
of  his  nationality,  he  lias  accumulated  his  property  and  made 
his  home  by  hard  work.  The  family  attend  Hie  Lutheran 
Church. 

Halbert  A.  Lexvold,  son  of  Andrew  Lexvold,  was  born  in 
Minneola  township  November  7,  1876,  on  the  old  homestead, 
where  he  still  resides.  He  acquired  his  education  in  the  schools 
of  Minneola,  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years,  after  leaving  school, 
Avent  to  Sheldon,  N.  D.,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  for  three 
years,  returning  to  the  home  farm  in  1894.  Tavo  years  later  he 
went  to  Perth,  N.  I).,  where  he  took  up  a claim  of  160  acres, 
which  he  proved  up,  remaining  there  five  years.  In  1901  he  again 
turned  his  footsteps  toward  home,  purchasing  the  family  home- 
stead of  160  acres  in  sections  21  and  22.  This,  by  thrift  and  hard 
work,  he  lias  cultivated  and  improved,  being  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  stock  raising.  Mr.  Lexvold  was  married  December 
23,  1896,  at  Rolla,  N.  D.,  to  Gena  Hastad,  daughter  of  L.  J.  and 
Kristina  (Romo)  Hastad,  both  natives  of  Norway.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lexvold  have  six  children — John,  born  April  10,  1898;  Gladys, 
born  November  10,  1901;  Lillian,  born  October  28,  1903;  Harold, 
born  June  1,  1905  ; Mayme,  born  September  16,  1907,  and  Mar- 
shall, born  May  9,  1909.  The  family  attend  the  Lutheran  Church. 
Mr.  Lexvold  is  Republican  in  his  political  views.  He  is  an  hon- 
ored citizen  and  has  held  the  office  of  school  treasurer  of  district 
67  for  the  last  three  years. 

Peder  N.  Nesseth,  a prominent  resident  of  Minneola  township, 
was  born  in  Beraker  Ovre  Stordalen,  Norway,  July  21,  1828. 
He  emigrated  to  America  June  13,  1858,  and  located  at  AVana- 
mingo  for  two  years.  In  1860,  in  Minneola  township,  section  16, 
he  bought  160  acres  of  land,  which  he  broke  and  improved  and 
upon  which  he  built  a comfortable  home.  He  carried  on  general 
farming  and  proved  a most  successful  farmer.  Mr.  Nesseth  was 
married  June  8,  1857,  at  Meraker,  Norway,  to  Ingeborg  G. 
Nustad,  by  whom  he  ha d seven  children.  Nels  P.  is  employed 
with  the  Red  AVing  Malting  Company,  Red  Wing.  Dr.  Marie 
Sophie,  Gjertru  Maria,  Gustav,  Hemming,  Hemming  second,  all 
are  dead.  Rev.  Guttorm  P.  is  at  Willborg,  Clearwater  county, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


819 


Minnesota.  In  politics  Mr.  Nesseth  is  a Republican  and  the  fam- 
ily worship  at  the  Minneola  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  which 
he  helped  to  organize  and  was  one  of  the  trustees  for  many  years. 
He  was  also  a member  of  the  first  board  of  directors  of  the  Wana- 
mingo,  Cherry  Grove  and  Minneola  Fire  Insurance  Company, 
which  he  always  helped  to  promote.  He  has  been  a member  of 
the  school  board  in  his  district.  Mr.  Nesseth  has  made  all  he  has 
by  hard  work  and  the  family  are  highly  respected  by  all  their 
friends  and  neighbors. 

W.  Edwin  Peterson,  of  Minneola,  was  born  in  the  township 
April  27,  1870,  son  of  Christian  Peterson.  During  his  early  years 
he  attended  school  in  district  No.  65  and  the  Zumbrota  grammar 
school,  finishing  his  education  at  the  Beeman’s  Business  College 
in  Red  Wing.  After  leaving  college  he  rented  the  home  farm  of 
his  father,  which  he  conducted  for  several  years.  In  1902  he 
bought  a farm  in  Pine  county,  moving  on  to  it  the  next  year. 
In  the  fall  of  1904  he  returned  to  Minneola,  where  he  has  a farm 
of  160  acres,  containing  good  buildings,  which  he  has  named 
Grand  View,  on  which  he  conducts  diversified  farming,  making 
a specialty  of  Shropshire  sheep.  Mr.  Peterson  was  married  in 
Zumbrota  in  May,  1894,  to  Mary  L.  Berg,  daughter  of  C.  0.  Berg, 
of  Red  Wing.  This  union  has  been  blessed  Avith  nine  children — ■ 
Mildred  A.,  Ronald  L..  Theodora  E.,  Chester  E.,  Leonora  E.,  Wil- 
helm C.,  Beatrice  M.,  Christian  M.,  and  Alfred  L.  Mr.  Peterson 
is  a Republican  in  his  political  ATiews,  and  he  and  his  family 
attend  the  Lutheran  Church.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America. 

Herman  Pirius,  a prosperous,  progressive  and  hard-working 
farmer  of  Minneola  toAvnship,  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany, 
May  3,  1850,  and  came  to  America  in  the  fall  of  1869,  locating  in 
Minneola  township,  where  he  rented  land  and  engaged  in  farm- 
ing. In  1875  he  had  jirospered  sufficiently  to  purchase  160  acres 
in  section  12.  This  land  lie  developed,  erected  a house  and  out- 
buildings, and  improved  in  various  ways.  He  carries  on  general 
farming,  and  is  said  to  haA7e  one  of  the  finest  quarter-section 
farms  in  the  county.  Mr.  Pirius  came  to  America  as  a poor  boy, 
and  has  never  had  financial  assistance,  acquiring  all  he  possesses 
by  his  own  hard  work.  Although  he  had  but  little  chances  for 
acquiring  an  education  himself,  he  is  a thorough  belieA7er  in  the 
public  school  system,  and  lias  ably  served  district  No.  94  as 
treasurer  for  many  years.  In  addition  to  his  farm  property  he 
is  a stockholder  in  the  Farmers’  elevator,  of  Zumbrota.  By  his 
wife,  Mary  Theada,  whom  he  married  in  April,  1873,  Mr.  Pirius 
has  seven  children — Tillie,  Mary,  Martha  and  Alvina,  who  are 
married,  and  Theresa,  Glara  and  Herman,  who  are  single.  The 
family  Avorships  at  the  Lutheran  Church. 


820 


HI  ST  OK  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Carl  0.  Ring',  of  Minneola  township,  son  of  Andrew  and 
Christina  Ring,  was  born  in  Sweden,  January  8,  1866.  His  par- 
ents were  natives  of  Sweden,  and  followed  farming  until  the 
death  of  the  father,  August  12,  1904.  The  mother  still  lives  in 
Sweden  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven  years.  Carl  0.  Ring  received 
his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  the  country,  and  worked 
at  farming  until  May,  1885,  when  he  emigrated  to  America, 
coming  direct  to  Minnesota,  and  settling  in  Minneola  township, 
where  he  was  employed  with  the  farmers  until  in  1891.  He  then 
rented  290  acres  of  land  and  engaged  in  farming  for  himself, 
carrying  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  In  1899  he  pur- 
chased 290  acres  of  this  farm,  which  is  all  under  cultivation. 
He  was  married  December  8,  1891,  to  Louisa  Swenson,  daughter 
of  John  and  Christina  Swenson,  natives  of  Sweden,  who  came  to 
America  in  1852,  locating  in  Rockford,  111.,  where  they  remained 
until  1855.  Then  they  came  to  Minnesota  and  took  up  a claim, 
consisting  of  160  acres  of  wild  land  in  Minneola  township,  which 
they  broke  and  prepared  for  cultivation,  carrying  on  a general 
and  diversified  line  of  farming.  He  retired  from  farming  in 
1891,  and  died  May  4,  1909.  The  mother  died  August  14,  1908. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ring  have  three  children — Mabel  E.,  born  October 
25,  1892;  John  R.  A.,  born  August  14,  1895,  and  Melvin  L.,  born 
April  21,  1905. 

John  Starz  was  born  in  Minneola,  in  which  township  he  still 
lives,  August  22,  1864,  son  of  Jacob  J.  Starz.  He  attended  the 
public  schools  of  Minneola  and  Zumbrota,  and  after  finishing 
his  education  purchased  160  acres  of  land,  on  which  he  erected 
a house  and  built  a good  barn  and  outbuildings.  He  also  made 
many  other  improvements,  carrying  on  a general  line  of  farming 
and  raising  horses  and  cattle.  April  17,  1888,  Mr.  Starz  was  mar- 
ried to  Amelia  Kalass,  daughter  of  Christian  and  Sophia  (Grond- 
wold)  Kalass,  natives  of  Germany,  Avho  emigrated  to  America 
and  settled  in  Illinois.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Starz  have  three  children — 
Rosina  A.,  born  January  23,  1889 ; Luella  M.,  born  May  20,  1893, 
and  Harry,  born  June  30,  1895.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is 
Republican  in  politics,  and  a representative  man,  taking  great 
interest  in  the  local  affairs  of  his  town.  He  has  served  as  town 
treasurer,  for  the  past  thirteen  years,  as  clerk  of  the  school  board 
for  the  past  seven  years,  and  also  as  road  master  and  road 
overseer. 

Edward  H.  Starz,  of  Minneola,  was  born  in  the  township 
September  28,  1866,  son  of  Jacob  J.  Starz.  He  received  his 
education  in  the  schools  of  his  neighborhood,  and  then  took  up 
farming  with  his  father  until  twenty-four  years  of  age,  when  he 
purchased  the  home  farm  and  added  160  acres.  He  now  owns  320 
acres,  which  he  has  developed  into  an  up-to-date,  Avell-kept.  farm. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


821 


Mr.  Starz  was  married  February  26,  1891,  in  Minneola  township, 
to  Anna  M.  Kalass,  born  July  13,  1867,  daughter  of  Christian 
Kalass.  The  children  of  this  union  are : Herbert  H.,  born  De- 

cember 1,  1891 ; Sophia  R.,  born  July  10,  1897,  and  died  May  18, 
1899;  Edward  C.  H.,  born  February  28,  1901;  Edmond  L.  0.,  born 
June  22,  1903;  Malinda  R.,  born  April  11,  1905,  and  Christian  S., 
born  July  24,  1908.  Mr.  Starz  votes  the  Republican  ticket,  and 
attends  the  German  Lutheran  Church.  At  the  present  time  he  is 
town  clerk,  which  position  he  lias  held  since  1903.  He  is  a pro- 
gressive farmer  and  a hard  worker  and  has  a large  circle  of 
friends. 

John  O.  Vollan  was  born  in  Minneola,  in  which  township  he 
still  resides,  in  1872,  son  of  Ole  IT.  and  Mali  (Langness)  Yollan, 
both  natives  of  Norway.  Ole  FI.  came  to  America  with  his  par- 
ents, John  P.  and  Beret  (Sagpn)  Yollan,  in  1858,  and  located  in 
Minneola  township.  Here  they  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land 
in  section  8,  which  they  cleared  and  cultivated,  and  engaged  in 
farming.  They  erected  a home,  barn  and  other  buildings  neces- 
sary, and  added  eighty  acres  more  of  land  to  their  farm.  The 
mother.  Beret,  died  in  1879,  and  the  father,  John  P.,  in  1893.  Ole 
IT.  was  married  in  1868  to  Mali  Langness,  daughter  of  Ole  and 
Gertrude  (Fundaune)  Langness,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to 
this  country  in  1866,  locating  in  Minneola  township,  where  they 
remained  but  a short  time,  removing  to  South  Dakota,  where 
they  engaged  in  farming.  The  father,  Ole  Langness,  died  in  1896, 
and  the  mother,  Gertrude,  in  1899.  There  were  four  children 
in  the  Vollan  home — Beret,  who  lives  at  home;  John  O.  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch,  who  manages  the  homestead;  Ole  0.  and  Hans, 
who  are  both  deceased.  John  received  his  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools  and  worked  with  his  father  on  the  farm  until  in 
1898,  when  he  entered  business  in  a general  store  at  Zumbrota, 
which  he  conducted  for  one  year,  after  which  he  sold  and  re- 
turned home  and  took  charge  of  the  farm  in  1900,  his  father  retir- 
ing from  active  life,  but  still  remaining  on  the  homestead.  John 
0.  has  made  a great  many  improvements  on  the  farm  and  build- 
ings, and  rents  eighty  acres,  carrying  on  a general  line  of  farm- 
ing, dairying  and  stock  raising.  He  is  single.  Mr.  Yollan  is 
Republican  in  politics,  and  is  a member  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 

Sven  E.  Swenson,  one  of  those  men  whose  industry  and  per- 
severance has  assisted  in  the  development  of  the  agricultural 
resources  of  Minneola  township,  is  a native  born  son,  having 
first  seen  the  light  of  day  in  Minneola,  July  29,  1867.  His  parents 
were  Erick  and  Susanna  Swenson,  substantial  farmers.  He 
lived  on  a farm  in  his  youth,  took  advantage  of  the  educational 
opportunities  offered  in  his  neighborhood  and  then  attended 
St.  Olaf ’s  College  at  Northfield,  Minn.,  where  he  proved  a capable 


822 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


student.  His  natural  bent,  however,  was  toward  agricultural 
pursuits,  and  after  completing  liis  college  studies  he  returned  to 
Minneola  and  farmed  with  his  father  until  1892,  when  he  pur- 
chased a farm  of  160  acres  on  section  26,  Minneola  township, 
where  he  has  since  continued  to  reside.  He  has  brought  the  land 
to  a high  state  of  cultivation,  has  erected  a comfortable  home 
and  a roomy  barn,  and  in  fact  has  made  those  improvements 
which  characterize  the  place  as  an  up-to-date  farm  in  every  par- 
ticular. He  raises  his  own  stock,  makes  a specialty  of  several 
high  grades  and  carries  on  general  farming.  Although  inter- 
ested in  the  progress  of  modern  events,  he  has  never  sought 
public  office,  being  content  to  cast  his  vote  for  others  whom  he 
deems  best  fitted  for  public  position.  Mr.  Swenson  was  married 
at  Pine  Island,  June  4.  1891,  to  Gina  Monson,  daughter  of  Gun- 
der  and  Gertrud  Monson.  The  fruits  of  this  union  are  six  chil- 
dren— Stella.,  Grace,  Mabel,  Anna,  Ervie  and  Adaline. 

Guy  C.  Marshall,  of  Minneola  township,  was  born  in  AYabasha 
county,  this  state,  September  1,  1867,  son  of  Russ  and  Rachel 
(Luke)  Marshall,  who  came  from  Pennsylvania  and  located  in 
Plainview,  AYabasha  county,  in  1862,  and  engaged  in  farming 
until  1890,  when  they  retired  and  spent  the  remainder  of  their 
days  with  their  sons,  Clarence  and  John,  the  father  dying  No- 
vember 20,  1901,  and  the  mother  September  20,  1905.  Guy  C. 
attended  the  schools  of  Elgin  township,  AYabasha  county,  and 
farmed  for  a time  with  his  father.  He  learned  the  barbers’  trade, 
worked  at  it,  three  years,  then  farmed  for  a while,  later  clerked 
in  a hotel  at  Plainview  and  in  1900  came  to  Minneola  township 
and  took  up  farming  on  the  Reitman  estate,  where  he  has  since 
remained.  He  was  married  April  9,  1895,  to  Sophia  Reitman, 
daughter  of  John  and  Christine  E.  (Katterjohn)  Reitman,  na- 
tives of  Germany.  To'this  union  has  been  born  one  child,  Ange- 
line,  who  first  saw  the  light  of  day  in  Plainview,  September  6, 
1901.  Mr.  Marshall  votes  the  Republican  ticket  and  belongs  to 
the  Foresters.  John  and  Christine  E.  Reitman  came  from  Ger- 
many at  an  early  day  and  lived  for  a time  in  Indiana.  In  March, 
1866,  they  came  to  Minneola  township,  purchased  160  acres,  im- 
proved the  farm,  erected  a home  and  became  prominent  citizens. 
The  father  died  December  31,  1904,  and  the  mother  still  occupies 
the  old  homestead  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  They  had 
twelve  children. 

Christian  Peterson  staked  out  the  first  claim  in  Minneola  town- 
ship, built  the  first  cabin,  and  marked  the  way  for  the  influx  of 
civilization  which  was  to  follow.  He  was  born  in  Norway,  May 
16,  1835,  and  there  received  his  education.  In  1852  he  came  to 
America  and  after  living  for  a time  in  Rockford,  111.,  located  in 
Minneola,  and  took  up  a claim  on  section  26  of  160  acres.  The 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


823 

story  of  his  early  experiences  is  told  in  the  general  history  of 
this  township.  In  1882  he  built  a new  home,  commodious  and 
well  furnished.  Here  he  lived  until  his  death,  May  15,  1904. 
He  served  the  township  as  chairman,  as  supervisor  and  as  a 
member  of  the  school  board.  He  was  also  deeply  interested  in 
the  Norwegian  Lutheran  Church,  of  which  he  was  for  many  years 
trustee.  Mr.  Peterson  was  married  March  19,  1859,  at  Red  "Wing, 
to  Hilda  L.  Swenson,  born  in  Smaaland,  Jonkjoping,  Len  Sancl- 
josochen,  Sweden,  February  7,  1838.  She  came  to  America  with 
her  mother  in  1850  and  located  in  Rockford,  111.,  where  she  re- 
mained until  coming  to  Minneola  in  1856.  Her  father,  Swen 
Swenson,  died  in  Sweden  in  1843,  and  her  mother,  Marie  Jonas, 
died  in  Rockford  in  1850.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peterson  were  blessed 
with  the  following  children : Caroline,  born  July  26,  1860.  is  now 
Mrs.  Ivyllo,  of  Red  Wing.  Matilda,  born  September  28,  1862, 
is  the  widow  of  Nels  Ostedahl,  and  is  engaged  in  the  millinery 
business  in  Zumbrota.  Charlotte,  born  July  8,  1866,  died  March 
21,  1867.  John  A.,  born  February  18,  1868,  died  in  1875.  William 
E.,  born  April  27,  1870.  Charlotte  J.,  born  December  11,  1872,  is 
married  to  Olaf  Nordvold,  a farmer.  Carl  A.,  born  November  19, 
1875,  lives  on  the  old  homestead  and  manages  the  farm.  Clara 
A.,  born  April  22,  1879,  is  a music  teacher  and  lives  at  home. 
Mr.  Peterson  was  a good  man  in  every  respect,  and  was  accorded 
that  honor  and  respect  which  he  so  richly  deserved. 

Ole  A.  Lexvold  was  born  in  Minneola,  in  which  township  he 
still  resides,  July  11,  1869,  son  of  Andrew  Lexvold.  His  early 
years  were  spent  in  Minneola,  where  he  attended  the  public 
school,  worked  on  his  father’s  farm,  assisting  him  in  carrying  on 
general  farming  until  going  to  North  Dakota,  where  he  filed  on  a 
homestead  of  160  acres,  on  which  he  lived  five  years.  He  also  pur- 
chased two  and  one-fourth  sections  of  good  farm  land  in  Towner 
county.  He  then  sold  most  of  this  land  and  returning  to  Minne- 
ola township  in  1902  purchased  160  acres  in  section  9.  To  this 
he  added  ninety  acres  in  section  15,  where  he  uoav  conducts  gen- 
eral farming  operations,  raising  the  usual  crops,  breeding  live 
stock  and  meeting  with  considerable  success.  By  his  wife,  Sophie 
Hastad,  born  March  18,  1871.  daughter  of  L.  J.  and  Kristine 
(Romo)  Hastad,  he  has  eight  children — Arthur  L.,  born  March 
17,  1897;  Sidney,  born  January  8,  1899;  Getha  C.,  born  August 
13,  1900,  and  died  April  21.  1904;  Orla  S..  born  April  26,  1902; 
Viola,  born  December  10.  1903,  and  died  April  29,  1904;  Getha 
W.,  born  June  13,  1905;  Ruth,  born  October  10,  1907,  and  George 
K.,  born  April  18,  1909.  The  family  attend  the  Lutheran  Church. 
Mr.  Lexvold  is  a Republican  in  his  political  views,  but  lias  never 
sought  public  office.  He  is  a good  citizen,  a hard  worker  and  an 
honorable  man. 


824 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Hogen  G.  Romo,  Minneola,  was  born  in  Minneola  township, 
October  16,  1869,  son  of  Guilder,  0.  and  Anne  (Trelstad)  Romo, 
of  Norway.  They  emigrated  to  America  in  1865,  and  coming  to 
Minneola  township,  purchased  in  section  20  eighty  acres  of  land, 
which  they  broke  and  improved,  following  general  farming  until 
1877.  Returning  to  Norway,  they  remained  until  1884,  then 
came  back  to  America,  buying  120  acres  in  section  32,  continuing 
general  farming  until  1896,  when  they  retired  from  active  life. 
The  father  died  November  29,  1903,  and  the  mother  still  lives 
with  her  son.  Hogen  G.  first  took  up  agriculture  with  his  father 
until  1896,  when  he  came  into  the  possession  of  the  old  home- 
stead, which  he  has  since  continued  to  farm,  building  upon  it  in 
1903  a new  home.  Mr.  Romo  was  married  February  10,  1897,  to 
Julia  J.,  daughter  of  John  and  Johannah  Johnson,  natives  of 
Norway.  They  came  to  America,  locating  in  Wisconsin,  and  in 
1877,  at  Steele  county,  Minn.,  following  agriculture  for  fourteen 
years,  after  which  they  moved  to  Webster,  Rice  county,  Minne- 
sota, where  they  farmed  and  are  still  residing.  The  children  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Romo  are : John  G.,  born  November  26,  1897 ; Alice 
J.,  born  August  15,  1899 ; Harry  J.,  born  October  5,  1901,  and 
Edwin  P.,  born  March  16,  1905.  Mr.  Romo  is  a Prohibitionist 
and  attends  the  Lutheran  Church.  He  is  now  school  clerk  of 
district  160  and  is  well  thought  of  by  all  who  know  him. 

John  E.  Swenson,  Minneola,  was  born  on  section  27  in  Minne- 
ola township,  October  14.  1871.  His  father  and  mother,  Erick 
and  Susanna  (Engebretson)  Swenson,  were  natives  of  Norway, 
emigrating  to  America  in  the  year  1852  and  settling  first  in  Rock 
Prairie,  111.  Here  they  remained  for  three  years  and  in  1855 
moved  to  Minneola  township,  where  the  father  purchased  230 
acres  of  wild  land,  which  he  broke,  and  soon  had  the  greater 
part  under  cultivation.  On  this  farm  he  has  since  continued  to 
live.  John  E.  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Minneola,  and  after  finishing  his  studies,  continued  to  remain  at 
home.  In  1894  he  took  entire  charge  of  the  farm,  improving  it, 
and  erecting  many  new  buildings.  He  is  now  considered  one  of 
the  successful  farmers  of  the  township.  He  was  married  June  6, 
1894,  at  Land’s  Church,  of  Minneola,  to  Borgel  Ronningen, 
daughter  of  Ole  and  Gurie  (Loken)  Ronningen,  natives  of  Nor- 
way, but  now  prominent  farmers  in  AVanamingo  township.  John 
E.  Swenson  is  a Republican  in  his  political  views  and  he  and  his 
Avife  attend  the  Lutheran  Church.  He  has  always  taken  an  inter- 
est in  the  local  affairs  of  Minneola  and  has  been  road  overseer 
for  the  past  two  years. 

Gunder  H.  Gunderson,  of  Minneola,  Avas  born  in  Norway  Oc- 
tober 5,  1858,  a son  of  Hemming  and  Beret  (Gunderson)  Meehle, 
who  came  to  America  in  1872,  settling  in  section  16,  Minneola 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


825 


township,  where  they  purchased  forty  acres  of  land  and  engaged 
in  farming  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  The  father  died  April  17, 
1889,  and  the  mother  January  25,  1896.  Gunder  received  his 
education  in  Norway  and  America,  after  which  he  took  up  farm- 
ing with  his  father  until  the  latter’s  death,  when  he  came  into 
possession  of  the  property.  On  this,  together  with  an  adjoining 
eighty-acre  farm,  which  he  rents,  he  carries  on  general  farming. 
Mr.  Gunderson  was  married  March  11,  1896,  to  Ragnheld,  daugh- 
ter of  Andrew  and  Beret  Anderson,  of  Norway.  Three  children 
blessed  this  union — Herman,  born  September  10,  1897 ; Borghild, 
born  September  21,  1899;  Alma,  born  August  17,  1902;  all  living 
at  home.  Although  he  has  never  sought  public  office,  Mr.  Gun- 
derson is  prominent  as  a Republican  voter.  The  family  wor- 
ship at  the  Lutheran  Church. 

Swen  0.  Swenson,  of  Minneola,  was  born  in  Minneola  town- 
ship, November  3,  1862,  son  of  Ole  Swenson  Sumbreen,  and  his 
wife,  Julia  Rude,  natives  of  Norway.  Ole  came  to  America  in  1852, 
and  settled  in  Illinois,  where  he  and  his  brother  Erick  worked 
for  two  years,  after  which  they  went  to  the  pinery  for  one  year. 
In  the  spring  of  1855  they  located  in  Minnesota  township,  where 
they  pre-empted  160  acres  of  timber  land.  This  they  later  traded 
for  prairie  land,  which  they  broke,  cleared  and  improved,  erect- 
ing suitable  buildings.  They  were  bachelors  for  three  years, 
after  Avhich  Ole  was  married  in  1858.  He  then  continued  general 
farming  until  his  death  in  March,  1896.  The  mother  still  lives 
at  the  age  of  eighty  years.  Swen  received  his  education  in  the 
Minneola  public  schools  and  attended  St.  Olaf ’s  College  at  North- 
field  for  one  year.  After  leaving  school  he  worked  with  his 
father  until  1893,  when  he  purchased  a farm  of  160  acres  in  sec- 
tion 29.  He  erected  a new  house  and  remodeled  the  barn,  and 
has  since  followed  general  farming.  Mr.  Swenson  was  married 
June  27,  1891,  to  Mina  Steberg,  who  was  born  in  Minneola  town- 
ship, January  26,  1871,  daughter  of  Amund  and  Charlotte 
(Seljord)  Steberg,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in 
1861  and  located  in  Minneola  township,  where  they  engaged  in 
farming.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Swenson  have  six  children — Clara,  born 
July  4,  1894;  Mabel,  August  29,  1896;  Oscar,  November  12,  1898; 
Lillian.  June  8,  1901;  Alton,  May  31,  1904;  Selma,  July  30,  1908. 
Mr.  Swenson  is  an  independent  voter,  and  is  now  director  of 
school  district  No.  160,  which  office  he  has  held  for  ten  years.  He 
and  his  family  are  communicants  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 

Nels  Thornberg,  a veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  and  of  the  In- 
dian expedition,  is  now  a farmer  of  Wacouta  township,  where, 
upon  a place  of  108  acres,  he  does  general  farming  combined  with 
dairying.  He  was  born  in  Sweden,  May  25,  1845,  and  came  to 
this  county  in  1857  with  his  father,  Francis,  who  died  about  three 


826 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


months  after  his  arrival  here.  Nels  spent  a larger  part  of  his 
life  in  Red  Wing,  working  in  lumber  and  flour  mills  and  as  clerk 
in  a hardware  store,  the  latter  employment  occupying  his  atten- 
tion for  fifteen  years.  In  1862,  while  still  practically  a boy, 
he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Seventh  Minnesota  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, under  Captain  (now  Judge)  W.  W.  Williston  and  Lieu- 
tenants Herman  Betclier  and  Daniel  Densniore.  The  company 
engaged  the  Indians  in  battle  at  Wood  Lake,  September  22,  1862, 
and  continued  the  campaign  in  Minnesota  until  the  execution  of 
thirty-nine  of  the  ring  leaders  at  Mankato,  which  Mr.  Thornberg 
witnessed.  The  regiment  Avas  then  ordered  south  and  placed  in 
the  sixteenth  army  corps,  being  discharged  at  Fort  Snelling  at 
the  close  of  the  war  in  1865.  In  1900  Mr.  Thornberg  decided 
to  spend  the  remainder  of  his  life  on  a farm,  and  consequently 
purchased  his  present  place.  His  abilities  have  been  recognized 
to  the  extent  of  his  being  called  to  serve  as  chairman  of  Wacouta 
as  Avell  as  on  the  school  board.  He  is  also  assessor  of  the  town- 
ship. Mr.  Thornberg  still  retains  his  membership  in  the  United 
Workmen  and  the  G.  A.  R.  at  Red  Wing.  He  was  married  in 
1872  to  Nellie  Nelson,  daughter  of  Abram  Nelson,  who  came  from 
Sweden  in  the  fifties  and  settled  in  Vasa  township,  this  county, 
later  moving  to  Douglass  county,  Minnesota.  Mrs.  Thronberg 
died  May  30,  1908,  leaA7ing  four  children.  Ernest,  the  oldest,  is  a 
jeweler  in  Park  River,  N.  D.  Anna,  Eda.,  Avho  is  a school  teacher, 
and  Clarence  are  at  home  with  their  father. 

W.  H.  Turner,  retired  farmer,  is  an  old  resident  of  Kenyon 
and  during  the  long  period  of  his  life  here  he  has  always  been 
known  as  an  honorable  and  law-abiding  citizen.  His  record  of 
public  service  includes  nine  years  as  chairman  of  the  township 
of  Kenyon,  several  terms  as  assessor,  eight  years  as  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  many  years  as  a school  officer  of  his  district.  He  Avas 
born  in  NeAv  York,  November  6,  1839,  a son  of  Henry  and  Mar- 
garet (Sprague)  Turner,  the  former  of  whom  died  in  NeAV  York 
state.  The  latter  came  to  Kenyon  and  for  many  years,  until  her 
death  in  1886,  kept  house  for  her  son.  In  the  family  Avere  eight 
children,  two  of  Avhom,  aside  from  W.  LI.,  are  still  living,  namely: 
Lyman  and  Delia.  W.  II.  came  to  this  county  in  1868  and  pur- 
chased a farm  in  Kenyon  township.  He  has  iioav  practically  re- 
tired, and  rents  his  farm,  but  still  does  some  work  on  it  when  he 
feels  so  inclined.  In  the  early  days  Mr.  Turner  Avas  a school 
teacher,  and  he  still  keeps  up  his  interest  in  education,  being  a 
great  reader.  He  is  unmarried  and  lives  alone,  but  finds  in  his 
work  and  his  books  the  consolation  and  companionship  that  oth- 
ers find  in  their  families.  Mr.  Turner  is  a veteran  of  the  Civil 
War,  having  enlisted  in  1864  in  Company  B,  Forty-first  Wiscon- 
sin Volunteer  Infantry,  receiving  his  discharge  at  the  close  of 


HISTORY  OR  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


827 


the  conflict.  He  votes  the  Democratic  ticket  and  takes  an  active 
interest  in  public  affairs.  He  is  now  a resident  of  the  village  of 
Kenyon. 

Timothy  R.  Bullis,  of  Kenyon  village,  was  born  at  St.  Armond, 
Canada,  September  10,  1829,  son  of  Stephen  and  Anna  (Brill) 
Bullis,  natives  of  Canada.  The  father  was  born  February  15, 
1807,  and  the  mother  March  19,  1808.  They  were  married  in  1827, 
and  were  the  parents  of  five  children — Timothy  R.,  Benjamin  D. 
(deceased)  ; Polly  U.,  married  to  Freeman  Callimore,  who  died  in 
the  army;  Elizabeth  (deceased),  married  to  Addison  Hilton,  and 
Stephen  A.,  who  resides  in  Kenyon.  Stephen  Bullis,  the  father, 
brought  his  family  to  Minnesota  in  1856  and  pre-empted  land  in 
Kenyon  township,  section  21.  He  died  February  6.  1888.  His 
wife  passed  away  October  28,  1889.  Timothy  R.  Bullis  received 
his  education  in  Canada  and  at  the  Franklin  Academy  at  Malone, 
New  York.  He  came  to  Goodhue  county  in  the  early  days  and 
made  claim  on  land.  In  1858  he  went  to  Reed’s  Landing,  AYa- 
basha  county,  and  clerked  in  the  old  American  House.  In  1861 
he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  First  Minnesota  Cavalry,  and  served 
with  General  Sibley  in  his  campaign  against  the  Indians,  serving 
until  November,  1862,  when  he  received  his  discharge.  He  then 
returned  to  Kenyon  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  op- 
erating a general  store  for  eighteen  years,  after  which  he  retired 
on  account  of  ill  health.  In  partnership  with  C.  L.  Bruesletten 
he  built  two  brick  stores.  He  built  his  house  where  he  now  lives  in 
November  25,  1869.  Mr.  Bullis  married  Phoebe  0.  Sevey,  who 
was  born  in  Maine,  April  5,  1848,  daughter  of  Benjamin  H.  and 
Catherine  B.  (Gray)  Sevey.  Benjamin  Sevey  moved  his  family 
to  Wabasha  county,  Minnesota,  in  1853.  In  1864  he  came  to 
Goodhue  county  and  bought  a farm  in  section  2,  Kenyon  town- 
ship. They  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  five  of  whom  are 
living.  Mrs.  T.  R.  Bullis,  Mrs.  Etta  Maker,  of  Portland,  Ore. 
(deceased),  L.  B.  Sevey.  Ft.  Smith,  Ark.;  Wright  N.,  AYebb  City 
Mo. ; Harry  S.  old  Mexico,  and  Mrs.  F.  S.  Brown,  of  Portland, 
Oregon.  The  father  died  Sept.  22,  1885,  and  the  mother  lives 
with  her  daughter  at  Portland,  Ore.  The  children  born  to  Air. 
and  Airs.  Bullis  are:  Stephen  T.,  born  March  1.  1871;  Kitty,  born 
Nov.  3,  1872,  married  to  Rev.  J.  C.  AYilliamson ; Harriet  E.,  born 
April  30,  1875;  Pearl  E.  and  B.  Earl  (twins),  born  Sept.  4,  1882, 
and  Frank  Grover,  born  Aug.  4.  1887.  Air.  Bullis  served  as  clerk 
of  Kenyon  township  for  several  years,  and  one  term  as  postmaster 
under  President  Cleveland.  He  has  also  filled  the  office  of  mayor 
of  Kenyon.  Fraternally  he  is  a member  of  Kenyon  lodge  No.  201, 
A.  F.  and  A.  Al.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  Airs.  Bullis  is  a 
member  of  the  Alethoclist  church. 

S.  A.  Bullis,  a prominent  citizen  of  the  county,  now  residing 


828 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


in  one  of  the  handsomest  residences  in  the  village  of  Kenyon,  is 
the  fifth  child  of  Stephen  and  Anna  (Brill)  Bullis,  who  were 
among  the  earliest  pioneers  in  this  part  of  the  county.  He  was 
born  at  Clareneeville,  Canada,  near  the  Vermont  line,  in  1848, 
and  there  lived  as  a boy  until  coming  west  with  his  parents  in 
1855.  The  family  located  for  one  winter  in  Hastings,  and  in 
March,  1856,  came  to  Kenyon,  where  the  father  took  up  a quarter 
section  of  government  land  in  section  24,  near  the  village,  where 
at  that  time  there  was  only  a small  store  and  postoffice.  He 
erected  the  Pioneer  Hotel,  and  remained  its  landlord  and  prop- 
rietor for  a quarter  of  a century.  He  then  built  the  house  which 
stands  next  door  to  the  residence  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
and  there  lived  until  his  death  in  1888.  The  mother  died  in  1889 
In  the  family  there  were  five  children.  T.  R.  lives  in  Kenyon. 
Benjamin  died  in  1887.  Polly,  now  a widow,  lives  in  California. 
Harriett  E.  died  in  1908  at  Fergus  Falls,  this  state.  She  married 
Addison  Hilton  and  was  the  mother  of  C.  L.  Hilton,  first  assist- 
ant, states  attorney,  of  Minnesota.  S.  A.,  the  youngest  child, 
received  his  education  in  the  common  schools,  and  since  early 
youth  has  made  Kenyon  his  home.  Plis  success  in  life  is  shown 
by  the  fact  that  he  owns  700  acres  of  good  land  in  this  county, 
and  320  in  Richland  county,  North  Dakota.  His  present  beauti- 
ful residence  was  built  in  1904.  Mr.  Bullis  is  a Republican  in  poli- 
tics and  has  served  his  village  as  councilman  and  as  president  a 
number  of  terms.  He  belongs  to  the  Brotherhood  of  America  and 
the  United  Workmen.  By  his  wife,  Emma  Hewitt,  a niece  of  Dr. 
A.  W.  Hewitt  of  Kenyon,  whom  he  took  as  a partner  of  his  joys 
and  sorrows  in  1874,  he  has  two  children.  Clara  B.,  a musician  of 
much  promise,  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  then  grad- 
uated from  St.  Mary’s  Hall  at  Faribault.  She  is  now  studying 
music  and  vocal  culture  in  St.  Paul.  Mahlon  M.,  the  second 
child,  is  attending  school  in  Kenyon.  The  family  are  members  of 
the  Episcopal  church. 

George  Elcock,  of  Kenyon  township,  was  born  in  the  township 
May  16,  1863,  son  of  William  and  Anna  (Carmichael)  Elcock, 
both  natives  of  Ireland.  The  father  lived  for  several  years  in 
Canada,  and  in  1858  came  to  Kenyon  township,  buying  a farm 
in  sections  10  and  15.  He  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was 
Anna  J.  Fraser,  by  whom  he  had  four  children : John,  Simon, 
William  and  Robert.  Ills  second  wife  was  Anna  Carmichael,  and 
their  children  were  George,  Elizabeth,  and  Anna  J.  George  El- 
coek  was  educated  in  the  public  school  and  lias  always  lived  on 
the  farm  where  he  was  born.  He  now  owns  160  acres,  on  which 
he  conducts  general  farming,  being  interested  mostly  in  dairying, 
for  which  purpose  he  keeps  from  30  to  40  milch  cows  during  the 
year.  Sept.  12,  1894,  he  married  Anna  G.  Wilson,  born  in  Good- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


859 

hue  county,  June  20,  1866,  daughter  of  Frank  J.  and  Louisa 
(Eclsal)  Wilson,  who  came  to  Goodhue  county  in  1866.  The 
father  was  born  in  Canada  of  American  parents  and  died  Aug. 
14,  1908.  The  mother  was  born  in  Auburn,  New  York,  and  died 
some  four  and  one-half  years  before  her  husband.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Elcock  have  one  son,  William  George  Eleock,  born  Jan.  24,  1896. 
Mr.  Elcock  is  a Democrat  in  politics  but  never  sought  or  held 
public  office.  He  is  a member  of  Kenyon  Lodge  No.  201,  A.  F. 
and  A.  M.,  of  Kenyon  village.  The  family  are  members  of  the 
Episcopal  church. 

Andrew  Finstuen,  lawyer,  and  editor  and  proprietor  of  the 
Kenyon  Leader,  is  a native  of  Roscoe  township,  this  county,  born 
June  27,  1875.  Elis  parents,  P.  P.  and  Mathea  (Coplen)  Finstuen, 
came  to  this  country  in  1867  and  purchased  160  acres  of  land. 
Both  parents  are  still  living,  being  well-to-do  and  prosperous  res- 
idents of  Roscoe  township.  Andrew 'was  given  the  advantages 
of  such  schooling  as  his  neighborhood  afforded,  and  then  attended 
the  high  school  at  Zumbrota.  Subsequently  entering  the  law 
department  of  the  state  university  at  Minneapolis,  he  graduated 
in  1902  and  at  once  started  the  practice  of  his  profession  in 
Kenyon.  He  also  purchased  the  Kenyon  Leader,  which  he  has 
since  conducted.  His  law  practice  is  large,  and  he  enjoys  the 
confidence  of  all  those  with  whom  he  has  legal  dealings.  His 
paper  is  bright  and  newsy,  with  able  editorials,  and  is  a welcome 
guest  in  some  thousand  homes  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  county. 
A republican  in  politics,  he  has  taken  an  active  interest  in  the 
betterment  of  the  village.  His  services  as  a member  of  the  village 
council,  president  of  that  board,  as  member  of  the  school  board, 
and  secretary  of  the  Commercial  Club  have  been  highly  esteemed. 
He  is  also  an  active  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen.  Mr. 
Finstuen  was  married  January  16.  1909  to  Matilda  Strandness, 
daughter  of  Jacob  Strandness,  an  old  settler  of  this  county,  now 
deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Finstuen  make  their  home  in  a pleasant 
residence  in  Kenyon  village,  Mr.  Finstuen  being  a property  owner 
here.  It  is  worthy  of  note  that  in  the  family  of  P.  P.  Finstuen 
are  eight  children,  Andrew,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  being  the 
oldest. 

Joseph  A.  Gates,  M.  D.,  of  Kenyon  Village,  was  born  in  Olm- 
stead  County,  Minnesota,  September  11.  1870,  a son  of  Elnathan 
J.  and  Jane  (Waldron)  Gates,  the  former  a native  of  Vermont 
and  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania.  Elnathan  J.  Gates  came  to  Minne- 
sota in  1856  and  in  1860  to  Olmstead  County,  where  he  died 
May  20,  1904.  The  mother  is  living  in  Rochester,  Minn.  Joseph 
A.  received  his  education  in  Rochester,  Minn.,  graduating  from 
the  high  school.  He  then  entered  the  University  of  Minnesota, 
where  he  graduated  from  the  medical  department  in  1895.  Im- 


830 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


mediately  after  his  graduation  he  located  in  Kenyon  village,  and 
commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession.  Dr.  Gates  has  always 
taken  an  active  interest  in  politics.  He  has  been  for  eleven  years, 
a member  of  the  village  school  board.  He  served  as  president  of 
the  city  council  in  1900  and  was  elected  a member  of  the  State 
Legislature  for  three  terms,  1904,  1906  and  1908.  He  built  the 
Kenyon  telephone  exchange  in  1901  which  covers  all  the  territory 
to  Kenyon.  He  also  served  as  editor  of  the  Kenyon  Leader  for 
several  years,  and  is  a director  in  the  Citizens’  State  Bank  of 
Kenyon.  June  10,  1896,  he  married  Jennie  Clark,  of  Rochester, 
Minn.  They  have  five  children  : Elnathan,  Russell,  Nellie,  Joseph 
and  Jennie.  Fraternally  Dr.  Gates  is  a member  of  Kenyon  Lodge 
No.  201  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  Tyrian  No.  6 R.  A.  M.,  Faribault  Com- 
mandery  No.  8 Iv.  T.  and  Osman  Temple,  St.  Paul.  He  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  and  M.  W.  A.  of  Kenyon,  the  B.  P.  O.  E. 
No.  1166  of  Faribault.  Dr.  Gates  is  a Republican  in  polities  and 
affiliates  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

John  Elcock,  Kenyon  village,  whose  boyhood  memories  ex- 
tend back  to  the  first  decade  of  the  settlement  of  this  township 
and  county,  was  born  in  Ontario,  Canada,  on  New  Year’s  day, 
1845,  son  of  William  and  Annie  J.  (Fraser)  Elcock,  the  former 
a native  of  Ireland,  and  the  latter  a Canadian  of  staunch  Scot- 
tish descent.  The  mother  died  in  Canada,  when  John  was  very 
young,  and  the  father  brought  his  motherless  family  to  the 
United  States  in  1858,  coming  first  to  Hastings,  this  state.  Sub- 
sequently they  spent  a short  time  in  Faribault,  and  then  pur- 
chased 160  acres  of  land  two  miles  south  of  Kenyon.  On  this 
farm,  young  John  lived  and  grew  to  manhood,  assisting  his 
father  in  all  the  work  about  the  place  until  1889  when  the 
father  died.  During  the  latter  part  of  his  father’s  life,  John 
had  practical  charge  of  the  home  farm.  In  1889  he  moved 
to  his  oAvn  farm  in  Kenyon  township,  which  he  had  previously 
purchased,  and  there  he  carried  on  farming  operations  until 
1907,  when  he  rented  his  farm  and  in  company  with  his  brother 
and  sister,  Robert  and  Annie  purchased  their  present  fine  resi- 
dence on  Main  street  in  the  village  of  Kenyon,  where  the  three 
now  reside.  Aside  from  this  home  he  owns  over  200  acres  of 
farm  land,  in  this  township.  Mr.  Elcock  is  a public  spirited 
gentleman  and  has  served  on  the  town  board  a number  of  terms. 
He  votes  the  Democratic  ticket.  For  many  years  he  has  be- 
longed to  the  Masonic  order.  Simon,  a brother  of  John,  lives  in 
Oregon.  George,  another  brother  resides  on  the  old  homestead 
and  Elizabeth,  a sister,  is  Mrs.  Shepard,  of  Kenyon,  her  hus- 
band being  manager  of  the  Farmers  Elevator.  The  religious 
preference  of  the  family  is  that  of  the  Episcopal  church.  It  is 
worthy  of  note  that  in  the  early  days  before  the  railroad  came 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


831 


through,  the  members  of  the  Eleock  family  hauled  their  grain 
to  Red  Wing,  the  journey  taking  two  or  three  days.  The  roads 
were  poor  and  the  loads  heavy,  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
has  many  interesting  stories  to  tell  of  some  of  these  early  trips. 

Eugene  L.  Blaker,  and  his  brother  Frank  J.  Blaker  are  pro- 
prietors of  “Brookside  Farm”  of  Cherry  Grove,  in  which  town- 
ship both  were  born,  the  former  Nov.  26,  1868  and  the  latter 
Dec.  20,  1870.  The  father,  Jacob  Blaker,  a native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, came  to  Minnesota  and  located  in  Pine  Island,  where  he 
was  married  to  Jane  Root,  a daughter  of  Byington  and  Maria 
Root,  who  came  to  Cherry  Grove  township  in  1856  and  pre- 
empted 160  acres  on  which  the  father  erected  a house,  barns 
and  other  necessary  buildings,  carried  on  general  farming,  and 
to  his  original  purchase  later  added  80  acres  more.  Mr.  Root 
died  in  November,  1881.  Jacob  Blaker  died  April  6,  1881, 
aged  53  years.  His  wife  now  lives  with  her  sons.  Eugene 
Avas  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Cherry  Grove,  and  the 
high  school  of  Zumbrota  and  Kenyon  after  Avhich  he  taught 
school  in  the  county  for  three  years.  In  1889  he  took  up  the 
management  of  the  homestead,  with  his  brother  Frank,  and 
they  ha\Te  since  continued  to  carry  on  general  farming  and 
stock  raising,  oAvning  a farm  of  240  acres  and  renting  160  acres 
which  they  also  cultivate.  They  have  gradually  made  improA^e- 
rnents  on  the  house  and  buildings  in  general  having  a barn 
40x88,  a good  granary,  a hog  house  and  machine  sheds.  March 
1,  1889  Eugene  Avas  married  to  Elizabeth  Frederick  of  Dodge 
county,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Mary  (Stewart),  the  former  a 
native  of  NeAv  York  and  the  latter  of  Wisconsin.  They  came 
to  Minnesota  and  located  in  Dodge  county,  Avhere  they  pur- 
chased a farm  on  which  they  still  reside.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Blaker 
liaAre  three  children:  Mabel  D.,  born- June  6,  1900;  Elmer  F.,  born 
November  2,  1903 ; and  Francis  E.,  born  December  15,  1907. 
E.  L.  Blaker  lost  his  right  arm  in  the  corn  shredder  NoA^ember 
5,  1904.  He  has  an  artificial  arm,  carries  on  all  the  farm  and 
dairy  work,  • the  same  as  usual  and  has  no  difficulty  in  doing 
team  work,  or  in  driving  and  running  all  kinds  of  machinery 
about  the  farm.  Frank  Blaker  Avas  married  June  1,  1904  to 
Hannah  Arvidson,  of  Cannon  Falls,  by  whom  he  has  tAVO  daugh- 
ters ; Bernice  E.,  born  April  2,  1906,  and  Helen  G.,  born  Janu- 
ary 22,  1909.  The  Blakers  liaAre  one  sister  Mary  E.  aaTlo  married 
Clarence  E.  Fitzgarald  of  Iowa,  June  28,  1905,  Mabel  D.  another 
sister  died  August  24,  1889,  aged  17  years.  E.  L.  Blaker  is  a 
Republican  in  politics,  and  has  held  several  offices,  having  been 
supervisor,  justice  of  the  peace,  director  of  school  district  85, 
road  overseer,  and  in  1900,  census  enumerator.  He  is  also  in- 


832 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


terested  in  the  Farmer’s  Elevators  of  Kenyon  and  Bombay. 
The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

J.  A.  Barsness,  was  born  on  the  farm  in  Cherry  Grove  town- 
ship where  he  now  resides,  September  6,  1863,  son  of  A.  J.  and 
Gertrude  Maria  (Skaar)  Barsness,  natives  of  Norway.  The 
father  came  to  America  in  1854  and  located  in  Chicago,  where 
he  was  employed  in  a shingle  mill  and  in  the  pinery  until  1858 
when  he  came  to  Cherry  Grove  township  and  purchased  120 
acres  of  land.  Here  he  built  a home  and  other  buildings,  and 
improved  his  land,  carrying  on  general  farming,  extensive  dairy- 
ing, and  stock  raising,  now  having  300  acres  under  cultivation. 
In  November,  1862,  he  married  Gertrude  Maria  Skaar,  daughter 
of  Johannes  and  Martha  (ITeltne)  Skaar,  natives  of  Norway, 
who  came  to  America  in  1856  and  located  in  Wisconsin,  remain- 
ing a year,  after  which  they  came  to  Wanamingo  township, 
bought  160  acres  of  land  and  built  a home,  barn  and  other  out- 
buildings. Later  they  bought  80  acres  more  in  the  same  town- 
ship making  a farm  of  240  acres  on  which  they  carried  on  general 
farming  until  the  death  of  the  father  in  1896,  the  mother  having 
passed  away  in  1882.  There  were  six  children  in  the  Barsness 
home : J.  A.,  who  manages  the  farm ; Martha,  married  to  Olaf 
Hoff,  now  of  Spokane,  Wash.;  Maria,  married  to  Ole  P.  Holman 
of  Minneapolis ; Johanna,  married  to  Nels  Severson,  now  of 
Spokane,  Wash.;  Lena,  who  lives  at  home;  and  Fred,  of  Wash- 
ington. 

J.  A.  Barsness  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Cherry  Grove  and  Zumbrota  and  in  the  Red  Wing  Seminary. 
After  leaving  school  he  worked  with  his  father  on  the  farm  and 
later  became  interested  in  the  creamery  and  flour  mill  at  Brand- 
on, Douglass  county.  In  1898  he  returned  home  and  took  charge 
of  the  homestead.  He  has  never  married.  Mr.  Barsness  is  a Re- 
publican in  His  politics,  but  has  never  sought  a public  office. 
He  is  a stock  holder  in  the  Farmer’s  Elevator  at  Kenyon,  and 
attends  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church. 

Ole  T.  Berg,  of  Cherry  Grove  township,  was  born  in  Norway, 
July  16,  1843,  son  of  Tliov  and  Lieve  (Gjermundson)  Berg,  na- 
tives of  Norway,  who  emigrated  to  America  in  1853.  The  father 
and  his  son  Ole  arrived  safely,  while  the  mother  and  two  sisters 
died  on  the  ocean  of  a contagious  disease.  The  father  located 
in  Rock  county,  Wisconsin,  where  he  remained  for  eight  years, 
then  came  to  Minnesota  in  1861  and  settled  in  Pine  Island  town- 
ship, where  he  purchased  120  acres  of  land.  This  he  broke  and 
cleared,  built  a home  and  other  outbuildings,  and  carried  on 
general  farming  until  his  death  in  1887.  Ole  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  Rock  county,  Wisconsin,  and 
worked  with  his  father  until  August  15,  1862  when  he  enlisted  in 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


o o o 
OOO 

Co.  G,  7th  Minn.  Yol.  Inf.,  as  a private,  being  later  promoted  to 
the  rank  of  corporal.  He  remained  in  the  north  until  hi  October 
1863,  fighting  Indians;  then  with  the  Seventh  Regiment  was 
ordered  south  where  he  staid  till  the  war  closed  being  mustered 
out  at  the  hospital  in  Baton  Rogue,  La.,  June  7,  1865.  After  the 
Avar,  he  returned  home,  and  in  1869  purchased  125  acres  of  farm 
land  and  ten  acres  of  timber  in  Cherry  Gro\Te  township  where  he 
built  a home,  barn,  and  other  outbuildings,  carrying  on  general 
farming  and  raising  horses  and  cattle.  On  June  20,  1872  he  Avas 
married  to  Carrie  S.  Flatland.  daughter  of  AndreAV  and  Martha 
Flatland,  natives  of  Noiway,  avIio  came  to  America  in  1844  and 
located  in  Dane  county,  AYisconsin.  Here  they  remained  ten 
years,  after  which  they  removed  to  Waushara  county,  AYis- 
consin, remaining,  until  1865.  Then  they  came  to  Pine  Island 
toAAmship  and  purchased  160  acres,  later  adding  80  more.  Here 
they  lived  until  the  death  of  the  father  in  October  1894.  The 
mother  died  in  June  1904.  Mr.  and  Airs.  Berg  haAre  been 
blessed  Avitli  ten  children,  of  whom  seA^en  are  living:  AndreAV 
lives  in  Wanamingo;  Tilda  lives  at  home;  Martha  married  Alel- 
Aun  Strom  of  Michigan  City.  Inch ; Lydia  litres  at  home ; Thomas 
lives  in  Michigan  City,  Inch;  Olga  and  Magnus  live  at  home. 
Air.  Berg  is  an  independent  voter.  He  has  served  his  toAAmship, 
as  supervisor  and  assessor,  and  has  been  clerk  of  school  district 
No.  84  for  the  long  period  of  34  years.  He  is  director  and 
treasurer  of- the  Alinneola  Creamery  Co.,  at  Wanamingo,  and 
director  of  the  Cherry  GroA^e,  Wanamingo  and  Alinneola  Fire 
Ins.  Co.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  121  of  Ziun- 
brota.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Thomas  Taft  Comstock,  of  Cherry  Grovre  Avas  born  in  the 
toAvnship,  August  19,  1862,  son  of  E.  G.  and  Catherine  J.  (AYins- 
ton)  Comstock,  natives  of  Alassachusetts  and  Ncav  York  states, 
who  came  Avest  to  Alinnesota  in  1856,  and  located  in  Cherry 
Grove  township,  Avhere  they  pre-empted  240  acres  of  land  which 
the  father  cleared  and  broke,  built  a home,  barn  and  other  out- 
buildings,  and  carried  on  general  farming,  raising  horses,  cattle 
and  sheep.  The  father  died  in  1891,  but  the  mother  is  still  living 
in  Kenyon.  Thomas  Taft  Comstock  received  his  education  at 
the  public  schools  and  at  Carleton  College.  In  1892  he  entered 
the  employment  of  the  Case  Threshing  Machine  Co.,  as  general 
agent,  Avhieh  position  he  held  for  thirteen  years.  In  1905  he 
interested  himself  in  the  Cannon  Aralley  PoAver  Co.,  and  the  Root 
River  Water  PoAver  Co.,  Avith  which  he  has  since  been  con- 
nected. He  is  also  interested  in  agriculture  has  240  acres  of  land 
under  cultivation  and  carries  on  general  farming,  dairying  and 
stock  raising.  Mr.  Comstock  was  married  December  29,  1887, 
to  Jessie  M.  Andrist  of  Roscoe,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Eliz- 


834 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


abeth  (Spreiter)  Andrist,  natives  of  Switzerland,  Avho  came  to 
America  and  located  in  Wisconsin,  removing  later  to  Minnesota 
where  the  father  died.  The  mother  is  still  living  at  West  Con- 
cord, Minn.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Comstock  had  two  children : Belle 
M.,  born  January  9,  1889,  and  Walter  J.,  born  June  1,  1899. 
The  mother  of  these  children  died  June  1,  1899;  and  December 
31,  1901,  Mr.  Comstock  was  married  to  Anna  M.  Rapp,  daughter 
of  Martin  and  Mary  (Moser)  Rapp,  natives  of  New  York  and 
Wisconsin.  Her  father  came  to  Wisconsin  in  1862,  purchased 
land,  carried  on.  general  farming  and  was  also  a merchant  for  a 
number  of  years.  He  died  in  December  1904.  The  mother  is 
still  living.  By  this  marriage,  Mr.  Comstock  has  one  child, 
Lucille  Agnes,  born  May  28,  1903.  Mr.  Comstock  is  an  in- 
dependent voter,  and  has  served  as  town  clerk.  Fraternally  he 
affiliates  with  the  Elks  and  the  United  Workmen.  The  family 
attend  the  Catholic  and  Methodist  Episcopal  churches. 

George  E.  Callister,  Cherry  Grove  township  was  born  in  the 
Isle  of  Mann,  January  24,  1864,  son  of  Thomas  and  Jane  (Moore) 
Callister,  natives  of  the  Isle  of  Mann,  who  emigrated  to  America 
in  1869  locating  at  Northfield,.  Minn.,  where  the  father  farmed 
for  two  years,  after  which  they  removed  to  Cherry  Grove  town- 
ship, where  they  purchased  160  acres  of  land  which  the  father 
broke  and  improved,  erecting  a home,  barn  and  other  outbuild- 
ings necessary  to  carry  on  successful  farming,  remaining  until 
his  death  in  Decemb'er  1895.  The  mother  died  in  the  fall  of  1900. 
George  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  the  town- 
ship, and  worked  on  the  farm  until  in  1895,  He  then  pur- 
chased a farm  of  80  acres,  in  1909  added  80  more,  and  has 

since  followed  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  making  many 
improvements  on  his  farm.  April  4,  1900  Mr.  Callister  was  mar- 
ried to  Nona  M.  Conner,  daughter  of  Frank  T.  and  Caroline 
(Scott)  Conner,  the'  father  a native  of  New  Hampshire  and 
the  mother  of  Roscoe  township,  this  county.  The  father  came 
west  in  1863  and  located  at  Roscoe,  where  he  purchased  240 
acres  of  land  and  carried  on  general  farming.  He  died  on 
February  29,  1908,  the  mother  having  passed  away  on  July  11, 
1893.  The  farm,  at  the  death  of  the  father  came  into  pos- 
session of  his  son  Benton  and  daughter  Nona.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 

Callister  have  no  children.  Mrs.  Callister  has  one  brother,  Ben- 
ton D.  Conner,  now  of  Minneapolis,  and  Mr.  Callister  has  two 
brothers,  William  R.,  and  John  J„  both  living  at  Kenyon,  Minn. 
Mr.  Callister  is  a Republican  in  his  political  views,  and  has  held 
several  public  offices.  He  has  been  town  supervisor  for  eight 
years,  and  has  served  the  school  board  of  District  120  for  a 
similar  period.  He  is  a member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen,  and  is 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


83d 


director  of  the  creamery  at  Skyberg.  The  family  faith  is  that 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Erick  C.  Heltne,  was  born  April  7,  1867,  on  .the  homestead 
where  he  is  now  located  in  Cherry  Grove  township.  He  was  the 
son  of  Christ  and  Martha  Erickson,  natives  of  Norway.  The 
father  was  a tailor  and  farmer,  and  came  to  America  in  1857,  set- 
tling in  Wisconsin.  In  1859  they  came  to  Minnesota,  and  located 
in  Cherry  Grove,  where  they  purchased  80  acres  of  land  where 
the  father  built  a dugout,  in  which  they  lived  for  a time  while 
preparing  the  farm  for  cultivation.  Later,  40  acres  more  was 
added  to  the  farm  and  the  father  built  a home,  barn  and  other 
out  buildings,  carrying  on  general  farming,  dairying  and  stock 
raising.  The  father  died  September  9,  1879  and  the  mother 
February  23,  1905.  Erick  C.  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Cherry  Grove,  and  worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father 
until  the  death  of  the  latter,  when  he  and  his  brother  undertook 
the  management  of  the  farm.  In  1896  he  purchased  the  home-, 
stead  and  has  since  continued  general  farming,  dairying  and 
stock  raising.  January  22,  1896  he  was  married  to  Inger  Erager, 
daughter  of  Nels  and  Susie  Erager,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came 
to  America  in  1878  settling  in  Cherry  Grove,  where  they  are  still 
living.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Heltne,  have  seven  children : Carl,  born 
April  12,  189-6 ; Selma,  born  May  3,  1898 ; Arthur,  born  Ferbuary 
2,  1900 ; Mabel,  born  April  13,  1902 ; Joseph,  born  February  4, 
1904,  one  child  who  died  in  infancy,  and  Emma,  born  February 
25,  1908.  Mr.  Heltne  is  a Republican  in  his  political  views,  and 
has  held  the  office  of  treasurer  of  school  district  No.  85  for 
several  years.  He  owns  stock  in  the  Farmer’s  Elevators  of  Ken- 
yon and  Bombay.  Mr.  Heltne  has  one  brother  and  one  sister. 
The  brother  Christ  C.  is  living  on  the  homestead  and  owns  20 
acres  of  improved  land  in  Cherry  Grove  township,  also  40  acres 
in  Wanamingo  township.  He  Avas  boim  in  Wisconsin,  June  5, 
1859,  and  *is  unmarried.  The  sister  Inger,  married  Knut  Kolstad, 
and  lives  at  Cherry  Grove.  All  are  members  of  the  Norwegian 
Lutheran  church. 

N.  B.  Lunde,  of  Cherry  Grove  township,  Ayas  born  in  Norway, 
June  2,  1837,  son  of  Botlolf  Lunde  and  Bertha  Thurve,  avIio 
were  farmers.  N.  B.  Lunde,  received  his  education  in  Norway, 
also  in  America  to  which  country  he  came  in  1859,  locating  in 
Wisconsin,  Avhere  he  remained  for  tAvo  years.  He  then  came  to 
Minnesota  in  1861  locating  in  Cherry  Grove  tOAvnship,  where  he 
purchased  160  acres  of  land  Avhich  he  broke  and  improved,  erect- 
ed home,  barn  and  other  outbuildings,  and  has  since  carried 
on  a general  line  of  farming,  also  raising  horses  and  stock.  He 
now  owns  504  acres  of  land,  all  under  cultivation.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  June  1874  at  the  age  of  37  to  Christine,  at  that  time  19 


8.36  HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 

years  old,  daughter  of  George  and  Martha  (Mellaum)  Davidson, 
natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  and  located  at  Cherry 
Grove  where  they  purchased  land  and  carried  on  general  farm- 
ing. The  father  died  in  1908  and  the  mother  still  lives  on  the 
farm.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lunde  have  nine  children : Bertinius,  who 
lives  at  home,  David  M.,  a farmer  of  Douglass  county;  Martha, 
married  to  Samuel  Bugge,  cashier  in  a bank  at  Bagley,  Clear- 
Avater  county ; Bertha  married  to  Jones  Charleston,  a merchant 
at  Edmonds,  North  Dakota;  Herman,  who  is  in  partnership  Avitli 
J.  Charleston  at  Edmonds,  N.  I).,  Carrie,  Lena,  Annie  and  Marie, 
Avho  live  at  home.  Mr.  Lunde  is  a Republican  in  liis  politics  and 
has  served  as  supervisor,  of  the  school  board  and  director  of 
District  85.  He  is  also  interested  in  the  Farmer’s  Elevator  at 
Kenyon  and  Bombay.  The  family  worship  at  the  Norwegian 
United  church. 

John  H.  Otterness,  of  Cherry  Grove  township,  Avas  born  in 
Warsaw  township  November  20,  1868,  son  of  Hans  and  Bertha 
Otterness,  natives  of  NorAATay,  who  came  to  America  in  1857 
and  settled  in  Wisconsin  where  they  remained  for  seven  years, 
after  Avhich  they  came  to  Minnesota  locating  in  WarsaAv  town- 
ship where  they  purchased  95  acres  of  improved  land  and  en- 
gaged in  general  farming.  The  mother  died  April  20,  1907  and 
the  father  still  lives  on  the  homestead.  John  IT.  received  his 
education  in  the  common  school  working  with  his  father  on  the 
farm  until  the  spring  of  1903  when  he  went  to  Lake  Benton, 
Minn.,  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  with  Jonas  Charl- 
son  for  one  year.  On  May  15,  1904  he  started  in  business  at  Bom- 
bay where  he  has  since  continued.  Mr.  Otterness  was  married 
September  24,  1908  to  Turi  Homme,  daughter  of  T.  G.  and  Inger 
Homme,  both  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  and  pur- 
chased a farm  of  160  acres  in  Wanamingo  township  where  they 
still  live.  He  has  served  as  constable  and  school  clerk  and  is  in- 
terested in  the  Farmer’s  Elevator.  Mr.  Otterness  has  one  broth- 
er, Jens  L.  living  on  a farm  at  Warsaw. 

John  J.  Quam,  of  Cherry  Grove  township,  was  born  in  Nor- 
way, January  14,  1855,  son  of  John  and  Christina  (Olness)  Quam, 
natives  of  Norway  Avhere  they  owned  land  and  lived  up  to  the 
time  of  their  death.  The  father  died  in  1882  and  the  mother 
in  1888.  John  J.  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools 
of  Norway  and  in  America,  attending  high  school  one  Avint.er 
in  Zumbrota.  He  came  to  America  in  June  1873,  locating  at 
Stoughton,  Wis.,  where  he  worked  on  a farm  for  one  year,  then 
Avent.  to  IoAva,  where  he  worked  on  a farm  for  thirteen  months, 
after  which  he  came  to  Minnesota  and  worked  on  a farm  until 
married.  He  was  married  April  1878  to  Cecelia  Fardahl,  daugh- 
ter of  Jens  A.  and  Christina  (Vikum)  Fardahl,  both  natives  of 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


837 


Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1854  locating  in  Wisconsin, 
where  they  lived  for  three  years  after  which  they  came  to 
Minnesota  and  located  in  Cherry  Grove  township  where  they 
gradually  acquired  extensive  tracts  of  farming  lands.  On  tneir 
first  purchase  of  120  acres  they  erected  a home,  bam  and  other 
out  buildings,  and  carried  on  general  farming.  They  retired  in 
1896,  purchasing  a home  in  Kenyon,  whc^e  the  father  died  in 
1897  and  the  mother  in  1906.  At  the  time  of  his  marriage  (John 
J.  Quam  to  Cecelia  Fardahl)  as  before  mentioned,  they  received 
from  the  latter’s  father,  Jens  A.  Fardahl  a 160  acre  farm  where 
they  carried  on  general  farming  and  extensive  dairying  also 
raising  horses  and  cattle.  They  now  own  610  acres,  which  is  al- 
most all  under  cultivation,  and  most  of  which  was  formerly  of 
the  Jens  A.  Fardahl  estate.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Quam  have  thirteen 
children:  Christina,  (deceased),  Christina,  married  to  Charles 

Steberg  of  Wanamingo;  Jens  living  at  home;  Annie  married  to 
Peter  Langeness  living  in  Cherry  Grove;  John  E.,  living  in 
Cherry  Grove,  Henry  Selma,  Clarence,  Gena,  Arthur,  Gerhard, 
Jeanette  and  Alfred  all  living  at  home.  Mr.  Quam  is  a Republic- 
an in  his  politics  and  the  family  attends  the  Norwegian  Lutheran 
church. 

Osten  E.  Skaar,  pioneer  farmer  of  Cherry  Grove  township, 
was  born  in  Lyster,  Norway,  Nov.  11,  1823,  and  after  spending 
his  boyhood  and  young  manhood  in  that  country  came  to  America 
in  1854.  After  living  in  Wisconsin  a short  time  he  came  to  Good- 
hue  with  the  early  settlers  and  took  up  a homestead  in  Cherry 
Grove  township,  where  he  at  once  built  a home.  In  1859  he  was 
married  to  Mari  Barsness,  born  in  Sogndal,  Norway,  August  10, 
1840.  She  came  to  Chicago  in  1855  and  remained  a short  time 
with  her  uncle,  Ole  Anfinson,  with  whom  she  removed  to  Wana- 
mingo township,  this  county,  one  year  later.  The  uncle  took  up 
a homestead,  upon  which  he  and  his  niece  resided  until  her  mar- 
riage. In  1859,  at  the  beginning  of  their  long  and  happy  life 
together,  Mr.  and  Mi’s.  Skaar  took  up  their  residence  in  a sod 
roof  shanty.  Soon  however,  Mr.  Skaar  erected  a good  sized,  two 
story  log  house,  but  misfortune  overtook  them  and  the  house 
was  burned  to  the  ground,  entailing  a total  loss.  It  was  1866, 
before  he  was  able  to  rebuild,  but  in  that  year  he  erected  a 
comfortable  20x28  two  story  house  which  has  since  been  the 
home  of  the  family.  Besides  carrying  on  general  farming,  he  was 
a blacksmith  and  did  repairing  for  himself  and  for  his  neighbors. 
For  several  years  he  conducted  a horse-power  thresher  in  part- 
nership with  neighbors.  Some  of  the  finest  horses  in  the  county 
at  that  time,  were  raised  on  his  farm.  Osten  E.  Skaar  died 
October  8,  1898.  He  had  nine  children : Martha  lives  at  home ; 
Gertrude  M.  married  Hans  E.  Isaacson  and  lives  in  Minneapolis ; 


838 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Anna  M.  married  Anton  Hofstad,  of  Minneapolis,  and  now  lives 
in  Spokane,  Wash.;  Andrew  A.  manages  the  home  farm;  Johanna 
married.  Ole  B.  Hofstad,  of  Minneapolis;  John  is  a clerk  in 
Spokane,  Wash.;  Nels  0.  assists  his  brother  on  the  home  farm; 
Christine  died  in  1893  and  Bertha  lives  at  home.  The  mother  of 
this  large  family  is  still  living,  and  occupies  the  old  homestead, 
her  declining  years  made  happy  by  the  love  and  care  of  her 
children. 

J.  S.  Brock,  of  Florence  township,  was  born  in  New  York 
state  September  18,  1839,  son  of 'Smith  and  Abigail  (Norton) 
Brock,  who  came  to  Wisconsin  in  1854  where  the  father  died 
shortly  after.  The  mother  died  in  Iowa.  J.  S.  Brock  came  with 
his  parents  to  Wisconsin  and  later  to  Minnesota  in  1864  settling 
in  Florence  township  where  he  bought  land  which  he  broke 
cleared  and  cultivated.  He  has  built  a fine  house  and  other 
buildings  and  carries  on  general  farming  and  dairying.  He  has 
160  acres  of  which  100  is  under  cultivation.  He  Avas  married  in 
1866  to  Anna  White,  daughter  of  James  and  Jane  White, 
natives  of  Scotland,  who  emigrated  to  this  country  and  settled  in 
Rock  county,  Wisconsin.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brock  have  seven  chil- 
dren : William  of  Central  point:  Bert,  of  Idaho;  Margaret  of 

North  Dakota;  Abbie  of  North  Dakota;  Flora  of  North  Dakota; 
Arthur  living  at  home ; and  Frank  of  Lake  City. 

E.  N.  Lewis,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  Aug.  18,  1844,  son  of  Lot 
and  Clarissa  Lewis,  came  to  Frontenac  in  1854  with  the  first  set- 
tlers and  has  since  made  this  his  home.  The  parents  took  up  a 
claim  June  23,  1854,  and  the  father  at  once  set  about  cultivating 
the  wilderness.  He  planted  the  first  orchard  in  the  county, 
and  according  to  family  traditions  made  the  first  furniture  in  the 
county,  at  the  old  Post  mill  in  Wacouta.  For  a number  of  years 
he  followed  general  farming,  and  died  September  6,  1887,  his 
farm  being  purchased  by  his  son  who  had  at  that  time  managed 
it  for  several  years  while  his  father  lived  in  retirement.  In 
1862,  when  a mere  youth  he  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  6th  Minn.  Yol.Tnf., 
under  Capt.  Horace  B.  Wilson.  He  took  part  in  the  Indian  cam- 
paign, then  went  to  Arkansas,  and  spent  the  remainder  of  the 
time  in  the  south,  being  present  at  the  capture  and  surrender  of 
Mobile.  He  was  honorably  discharged  and  returned  to  his  farm; 
August  18,  1865.  Since  that  time  he  has  continued  to  conduct 
farming  operations  on  his  place,  eight  miles  from  Red  Wing, 
where  lie  owns  over  450  acres.  Of  this  80  is  under  the  plow 
and  200  is  timber  land.  A rich  bed  of  peat  underlies  the  lower 
part  of  this  farm,  covering  about  100  acres ; and  realizing  the 
rapid  decrease  of  the  fuel  supply  of  the  country  Mr.  Lewis  justly 
has  hopes  that  the  peat  will  sometime  be  of  considerable  value. 
Upon  the  productive  portions  of  his  land  he  carries  on  general 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


839 


farming  and  makes  a specialty  of  stock  raising  and  dairying, 
shipping  considerable  quantities  of  cream.  He  has  a record  of 
having  made  as  high  as  1 ,400  pounds  of  butter  a year.  Mr.  Lewis 
was  married,  in  1877  to  Helen  E.  Thomas,  daughter  of  Tyler 
Thomas  and  Eliza  A.  Spralce,  the  father  a native  of  Massachu- 
setts and  the  mother  of  New  Hampshire.  They  spent  the  larger 
part  of  their  lives  in  Hudson,  N.  H.,  where  the  father  was  first 
a mechanic  and  later  a farmer.  Both  father  and  mother  are 
now  deceased.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lewis  have  been  born  two  chil- 
dren. Berdena  is  the  wife  of  Israel  Ward,  a farmer  of  Long 
Prairie,  Todd  county,  Minnesota.  Harry  still  lives  at  home. 
Mr.  Lewis  believes  in  a general  way  in  the  platform  of  the  Re- 
publican party,  but  to  a large  extent  votes  independently.  He 
affiliates  with  the  G.  A.  R.  at  Red  Wing. 

Michael  Ackerman,  of  Frontenac  village,  was  bom  in  Ger- 
many, August  12,  1834,  son  of  Jacob  and  Annie  (Messenschmidt) , 
natives  of  Germany,  where  they  both  died.  Michael  received  his 
education  in  Germany  and  in  1852  he  came  to  this  country  and 
settled  in  Old  Frontenac.  He  was  a carpenter  by  trade,  and  was 
employed  by  Gen.  Garrard,  with  whom  he  remained  for  28  years. 
He  also  owns  80  acres  of  land  in  Florence  township  which  he 
rents  and  spends  his  time  equally  with  his  son  at  Frontenac  and 
his  daughter  at  Missoula,,  Mont.  He  had  another  son  William 
who  is  now  deceased.  In  1862  Mr.  Ackerman  enlisted  in  Co.  G, 
2d,  Minn.  *Vol.  Inf.,  and  served  in  all  the  battles  in  which  that 
regiment  participated.  Mr.  Ackerman  was  married  in  1859  to 
Barbara  Katzenberger,  and  three  children  blessed  this  union. 
Anna,  married  to  Mr.  Drefford  a wheelwright  of  Missoula, 
Mont.;  Edward  of  Frontenac,  and  William,  (deceased).  Mr. 
Ackerman  is  Republican  in  his  politics.  He  is  a member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.  of  Lake  City,  and  attends  the  German  Lutheran  church. 

0.  J.  Bakko,  one  of  the  honored  old  pioneers,  of  Holden  town- 
ship, whose  name  will  live  in  the  county  whenever  is  told  the 
story  of  those  sturdy  Norsemen  who  came  into  this  section  in  the 
early  days  was  born  in  Norway,  May  26,  1832,  son  of  Gjergin  and 
Kirsten  Bakko,  the  former  of  whom  died  in  1846  and  the  latter 
in  1872.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  his  education  in  the 
schools  of  his  native  country  and  took  up  farming  with  his  father 
until  coming  to  America  in  1852,  when  he  located  in  Green  Bay, 
AYis.  June  3,  1855  he  came  to  Holden  township,  and  pre-empted 
160  acres  of  land.  He  was  among  the  earliest  pioneers,  and  the 
story  of  the  part  he  took  among  the  first  settlers  is  found  in  the 
general  history  of  Holden  township  appearing  in  this  volume. 
After  arriving  here,  Mr.  Bakko  lived  in  an  old  pioneer  ox-wagon 
until  completing  a 12x14  log  cabin  which  for  some  years  he  made 
his  home.  From  this  early  beginning  he  developed  a farm  equal 


840 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 

to  any  in  the  county,  having  well  tilled  land  and  comfortable 
buildings.  In  1908  he  retired,  since  which  time  he  has  rented 
his  farm.  Mr.  Bakko  is  a Republican  in  politics  and  has  for 
many  years  been  an  ardent  supporter  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran 
church.  He  was  married  in  December,  1854  to  Margaret  Finseth, 
daughter  of  Knute  and  Margaret  Finseth,  natives  of  Norway  who 
came  to  America  in  1853  and  located  in  "Wisconsin  until  1855 
when  they  came  to  this  county  and  here  ended  their  days.  Mrs. 
Bakko  was  undoubtedly  the  first  white  woman  in  Holden  town- 
ship, and  the  story  of  her  early  adventures  has  often  been 
told.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bakko  were  born  eleven  children.  The 
oldest  George  0.  is  married  and  lives  in  Bottineau  county, 
North  Dakota,  tie  is  the  one,  who  as  a baby,  so  took  the  fancy 
of  an  Indian  squaw  that  she  stole  him,  and  would  have  succeeded 
in  getting  away  had  not  Mrs.  Bakko,  who  had  been  drawing  a 
pail  of  water  shouted  in  such  a way  that  the  terrified  squaw 
dropped  the  infant  and  fled  into  the  woods.  Christine  the  second 
child,  is  the  wife  of  Nels  Nyhagen,  of  Kenyon.  Knute  0.  also 
lives  in  Kenyon.  Margaret  married  Ole  Berg  and  lives  in  Cali- 
fornia. Sophia  is  the  wife  of  E.  A.  Satron,  of  Kenyon.  EdAvard, 
the  youngest,  married  Emma  Sands,  daughter  of  Henry  and 
Gurine  (Elstead)  Sands,  and  conducts  a drug  store  in  Kenyon. 

A.  T.  Kjos,  of  Holden  township,  was  born  in  Skien,  Norway, 
March  5,  1849,  and  came  to  America  the  same  year  with  his 
parents,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  Anderson  Kjos.  They  settled  in 
"Walworth  county,  Wisconsin,  where  they  lived  until  1856,  when 
they  moved  to  Minnesota  and  settled  in  section  23,  Holden  town- 
ship, where  the  family  still  reside.  A.  T.  Kjos  AAras  the  only  son 
and  was  obliged  to  assist  his  father  at  an  early  age.  When  he 
Avas  ten  years  of  age  he  drove  a string  of  four  yoke  of  oxen 
before  a breaking  ploAv,  and  at  twelAre  years  hauled  wheat  to 
Red  Wing  with  a yoke  of  oxen,  the  trip  taking  three  days.  In 
1869  he  Avas  married  to  Karen  Marie  Ulvigen,  and  fifteen  children 
have  blessed  this  union,  nine  boys  and  six  girls,  all  of  whom 
are  living.  In  1887  a Washington  Territory  colony,  with  a mem- 
bership of  35  families  Avas  organized  and  Mr.  Kjos  Avas  chosen 
to  go  out  and  locate  for  the  colony;  but  finding  the  country  and 
conditions,  there,  altogether  different  from  Avhat  AAras  expected, 
Mr.  Kjos  concluded  to  still  continue  his  residence  in  Goodhue 
county,  and  advised  his  followers  to  keep  aAvay  from  Washing- 
ton. In  1888  Mr.  Kjos  was  elected  county  commissioner,  of  the 
Third  district,  and  has  held  that  office  for  16  years.  He  has 
also  held  other  minor  offices,  such  as  toAvn  supervisor,  toAvn  as- 
sessor, district  school  clerk,  etc.  Mr.  Kjos  Avas  prominent  in  or- 
ganizing the  Farmer’s  Elevator  company  of  Kenyon,  and  served 
the  first  six  years,  as  secretary  of  the  company.  The  family  are 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


841 


members  of  the  United  Lutheran  church  of  Holden  of  which 
Mr.  Kjos  is  a trustee,  and  has  several  times  been  elected  to 
represent  the  church  at  the  annual  meetings. 

Iver  Haugen,  proprietor  of  Prodigy  Farm,  Holden  township, 
was  born  on  the  homestead  where  he  now  lives,  April  9,  1875,  son 
of  Albert  and  Soneva  (Bjoreker)  Haugen,  natives  of  Norway, 
who  came  to  America  in  1853,  locating  in  Wisconsin  where  the 
father  worked  for  three  years,  after  which  they  removed  to  Min- 
nesota, where  they  pre-empted  160  acres  of  land  in  Holden  town- 
ship, which  the  father  cleared  and  improved,  built  a log  house 
where  they  lived  for  sixteen  years,  after  which  they  erected 
a modern  home.  They  carried  on  general  farming  until  1902 
when  they  retired  from  active  life  and  lived  with  the  son.  The 
mother  died  in  1904,  but  the  father  is  still  living.  Iver  received 
his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Holden,  and  completed 
with  a course  at  the  State  Agricultural  school,  graduating  in 
1897.  For  five  years  after  graduating  he  was  at  the  experiment 
station  at  Crookston,  Minn.,  where  he  was  interested  in  horses 
and  cattle.  He  returned  home  in  1902  and  purchased  180  acres 
of  the  homestead,  and  has  since  been  successful  in  general  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising,  also  dairying.  April  17.  1902,  he  was 
married  to  Gertrude  Hofdahl,  daughter  of  Ole  and  Mary 
(Flakne)  Hofdahl,  natives  of  Norway,  Avho  came  to  America  in 
1895,  settling  in  Polk  county,  Minnesota,  where  they  took  up  a 
homestead  of  160  acres  of  land  and  carried  on  a general  line  of 
farming  until  the  death  of  the  father  in  1907.  The  mother  still 
lives  at  Beltrami,  Polk  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haugen  have  five 
children : Myrtle  S.,  Ila  S.,  Arnold  O.,  Ingmar  G.,  and  Gurine  A. 
Mr.  Haugen  is  a Republican  in  his  polities.  He  is  ar  member  of 
the  Farmer’s  Club  of  Goodhue  county,  and  is  a director  in  the 
Farmers’  Creamery  at  Kenyon.  The  family  attend  the  Nor- 
wegian Lutheran  church. 

Knute  Dalbotten,  was  born  in  Holden  township  on  the  home- 
stead where  he  now  lives,  January  5,  1870,  son  of  Iver  and  Anna 
(Trove)  Dalbotten,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in 
1861  settling  in  Holden  township,  where  they  bought  160  acres 
of  timber  land,  which  the  father  broke,  built  a home  and  other 
out  buildings  and  carried  on  a general  line  of  farming  until  his 
death  in  October  1888.  The  mother  died  in  October  1907. 
Knute  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  the  town- 
ship and  worked  at  home  on  the  farm  until  in  1900  when  he  pur- 
chased the  homestead,  and  has  continued  general  farming,  dairy- 
ing and  stock  raising.  He  now  cultivates  about  100  acres  of  his 
land  with  much  success.  He  has  five  sisters  and  one  brother. 
The  sisters  are : Martha  married  Andrew  Charlson  living  in 
Kenyon  township ; Carrie  married  O.  I.  Haugen ; Ella  married 


842 


Hi  STORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Chas.  Cliarlson  living  in  Warsaw  township;  Ida  married  Martin 
Flom  of  Holden ; and  Melvina  lives  at  home.  The  brother 
Oliver  is  a.  farmer  in  California.  Mr.  Dalbotten  is  a Republican 
in  his-  politics  and  is  a member  of  Yang’s  Norwegian  Lutheran 
church. 

Hiram  Alberts,  Jr.,  proprietor  of  the  Pleasant  Valley  Spring 
Stock  farm,  Roscoe  township,  comes  of  an  early  Goodhue  county 
family,  and,  although  it  has  not  been  his  choice  to  . engage  active- 
ly in  public  affairs,  is  known  as  a man  in  whom  every  good  en- 
terprise has  a friend.  He  is  a native  born  son,  having  first  seen 
the  light  of  day,  May  9,  1878,  on  the  old  homestead,  section  31, 
Roscoe  township,  where  he  still  resides.  After  receiving  his 
schooling  and  spending  his  boyhood  on  the  farm,  he  went  to 
North  Dakota  and  farmed  until  1907.  He  became  a popular 
resident  in  that  state  and  was  on  the  high  road  to  prosperity,  but 
upon  the  retirement  of  his  father  lie  came  back  to  this  township 
and  assumed  charge  of  the  home  farm.  Using  up-to-date 
methods  he  has  developed  the  farm  until  it  is  one  of  the  best  in 
the  township,  and  admirably  adapted  to  general  farming  which 
he  conducts  in  connection  with  stock  raising,  making  a specialty 
of  Poland  China  hogs,  of  which  he  markets  over  100  each  year. 
Thoroughly  appreciating  the  advantages  of  good  fellowship  and 
the  fraternal  spirit,  Mr.  Alberts  has  associated  himself  with  both 
the  United  Workmen  and  the  Odd  Fellows.  By  Anna  Bury, 
daughter  of  David  and  Augusta  Lick,  whom  he  married  July  12, 
1897,  he  has  two  children:  Ll.yod,  born  August  12,.  1898,  and 
Esther,  born  April  23,  1900.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the 
German  Lutheran  church. 

Hiram  Alberts,  Sr.,  of  Roscoe  township,  came  from  Switzer- 
land to  America  in  1854  followed  a short  time  afterward  by  the 
lady  who  was  to  become  his  wife,  whom  he  married  at  her  par- 
ents home  in  Dodge  county.  In  1856  they  took  up  their  home 
on  a quarter  section  in  Cherry  Grove  township.  April  16,  1875, 
they  sold  this  farm  and  purchased  300  acres  in  section  31, 
Roscoe  township,  together  with  65  acres  across  the  street  in 
Dodge  county,  making  365  acres  in  all.  Here  they  followed 
farming  until  1907  when  they  turned  the  management  of  the 
place  over  to  their  son  with  whom  they  now  make  their  home, 
being  most  estimable  old  people  in  every  respect. 

C.  H.  Freeman,  proprietor  of  Elm  Grove  Stock  and  Dairy 
Farm,  Roscoe  township,  was  born  in  Canada,  January  27,  1862, 
son  of  George  and  Ann  (Shields)  Freeman.  He  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools,  and  worked  with  his  father  until  1889, 
when  he  bought  97  acres  of  the  home  farm  in  Roscoe  township. 
Here  he  built  a fine  home,  modern  stock  barn,  36x60,  also  other 
out  buildings  and  carries  on  a general  diversified  line  of  farming 


. HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


843 


and  stock  raising.  He  was  married  November  26,  1892  to  Minnie 
F.  Mann  of  Zumbrota,  daughter  of  E.  A.  and  Mary  Everett 
Mann,  natives  of  Massachusetts,  who  were  farmers,  and  came 
west  locating  in  Roscoe  township,  where  they  purchased  80 
acres  of  land  and  engaged  in  farming.  In  1884  they  retired 
from  active  life,  and  moved  to  Zumbrota,  later  going  to  Red- 
wood county,  where  they  reside.  Mr.  Mann  was  in  the  Indian 
massacre.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Freeman  have  no  children.  Mr.  Free- 
man is  .independent  in  his  polities.  He  has  served  On  the  town 
board  for  several  years,  and  has  been  road  master  and  overseer 
for  several  years  and  also  a member  of  the  Farmer’s  Elevator 
Company  of  Zumbrota.  He  is  a member  of  the  Modern  Wood- 
men, and  Mutual  Life  and  Accident  Insurance  Co.  The  family 
faith  is  that  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

P.  P.  Finstuen,  of  Roscoe  township,  was  born  in  Norway, 
November  7,  1846.  lie  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Norway,  and  worked  on  the  farm.  In  1868  he  emi- 
grated to  America,  coming  to  Zumbrota,  where  he  worked  at 
various  labor  for  five  years.  In  1873  he  went  to  Roscoe  town- 
ship, and  bought  160  acres  of  land  which  he  broke  and  cleared 
for  cultivation.  This  farm  he  sold,  and  in  1885  purchased  163 
acres  in  the  same  township  where  he  built  a dwelling,  a modern 
barn,  and  other  out  buildings,  and  carried  on  general  farming 
as  well  as  horse  and  stock  raising.  March  1873  he  was  married 
to  Mathea  Goplin,  daughter  of  A.  and  Ingebor  Goplin,  natives 
of  Norway.  They  came  to  America  in  1870  and  located  in  Roscoe 
township,  and  engaged  in  farming  on  80  acres  of  land,  but 
later  added  to  it  160  acres  more.  Both  parents  are  now  de- 
ceased. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Finstuen  have  eight  children:  Andrew 
now  of  Kenyon;  John  of  North  Dakota;  Mathilda,  the  wife  of 
Edwin  Swenson  now  living  in  Canada ; Albert,  of  Roscoe ; Oscar 
Mella,  William  and  Carl,  living  at  home.  Mr.  Finstuen ’s  par- 
ents. Peter  and  Agnes  ( Olson)  Finstuen,  were  natives  of  Norway. 
The  father  was  a farmer.  He  died  in  1851  and  the  mother  in 
1901.  Mr.  Finstuen  is  a Republican  in  his  political  views,  and 
has  served  on  the  board  of  county  commissioners  for  the 
past  three  years,  also  on  the  school  board  for  a number  of  years, 
The  family  attend  the  Lutheran  church. 

Peterson  Brothers,  proprietors  of  a general  store  at  Roscoe 
village,  opened  their  present  establishment  in  1907  and  in  the 
short  time  that  the  business  has  continued  it  has  met  with  the 
liberal  patronage  and  lias  won  an  enviable  reputation  for  honest 
methods  and  square  dealing.  The  brothers  are  highly  esteemed 
and  both  are  faithful  attendants  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran 
church. 

Julius  P.  Peterson  was  born  in  1877  and  received  his  educa- 


844 


HISTOKY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY  . 


tion  in  the  schools  of  his  neighborhood,  remaining  on  the  farm 
until  1907.  He  is  married  to  Anna  Berg,  daughter  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  O.  Berg  o'f  Pine  Island. 

Otto  Peterson  was  born  on  September  5,  1881  and  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Roscoe  township,  after  which 
he  worked  as  a carpenter  and  also  as  a thresher  until  1907.  He 
was  married  September  4,  1908,  to  Dinah  Ellfson,  daughter  of 
Ellef  and  Tha  Ellfson,  natives  of  Norway  who  came  to  America 
and  located  in  Roscoe  township  where  they  own  90  acres..  The 
father  is  now  in  the  employ  of  the  United  States  government 
in  Panama  and  the  mother  and  a brother  conduct  the  home 
farm. 

Peter  Peterson  and  Bertha  Trealstad  Peterson,  his  wife,  par- 
ents of  the  Peterson  Bros.,  came  from  Norway  to  America  in  the 
early  days  and  after  locating  a short  time  in  Hager,  purchased 
80  acres  which. he  broke  and  improved,  erecting  house,  barns 
and  out  buildings.  Upon  this  place  he  conducted  general  farm- 
ing until  his  death,  in  1891  his  wife  having  preceded  him  to  the 
grave  by  about  two  years. 

George  Franklin  Freeman,  the  proprietor  of  Poplar  Grove 
Stock  and  Dairy  farm,  Roscoe  township,  was  born  in  Canada, 
September  27,  1865.  His  parents,  George  Freeman  and  Annie 
Shields  Freeman,  natives  of  England,  came  to  America  in  1854, 
to  Lower  Canada.  In  1857  they  emigrated  west  to  Wisconsin 
where  they  remained  until  in  1868,  when  they  came  to  Minnesota, 
and  purchased  80  acres  of  land  in  Roscoe  township.  This  they 
broke  and  cultivated,  built  a home,  barn  and  other  out-buildings 
and  added  to  their  farm,  until  they  had  194  acres.  Here  they 
carried  on  a general  line  of  farming  and  stcok  raising  until  the 
father  died  on  February  14,  1889.  The  mother  died  in  November 
1895.  George  F.  Avas  educated  in  the  schools  of  Zumbrota.  After 
leaving  school,  he  took  up  farming  on  the  home  place  where  he 
still  resides,  carrying  on  farming  and  stock  raising.  July  3, 
1883,  he  AA^as  married  to  Louisa  Spriestersbaeh,  daughter  of  John 
and  Catherine  Spriestersbaeh,  natives  of  Germany,  who  came 
to  Wisconsin  in  1860  and  in  1870  to  Minnesota,  locating  at  Pine 
Island,  and  engaged  in  farming.  Both  are  hoav  dead.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Freeman  have  had  three  children : Ethel  is  dead ; Gladys, 
born  November  28,  1895,  attends  the  Zumbrota  high  school, 
George,  born  November  16,  1891,  has  graduated  from  the  same 
institution.  Mr.  Freeman  is  a Republican.  He  has  been  town 
treasurer  one  year,  treasurer  of  the  school  board  for  the  past  18 
years,  and  road  master  and  inspector  of  state  highway  since 
1908.  Fraternally  he  affiliates  with  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  United 
Workmen,  and  the  Rebeccas,  in  which  organizations,  he  has  held 
office.  He  and  his  family  attend  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


845 


John  Rebrud,  Roscoe  township,  was  born  in  Cherry  Grove 
township,  March  31,  1861,  son  of  Ole  and  Ingerbor  Rebrud,  na- 
tives of  Norway,  who  emigrated  to  America  in  1850  and  came  to 
Dane  county,  AYisconsin,  where  the  father  worked  at  various 
labor,  remaining  two  years.  In  1852  they  came  to  Minnesota, 
and  bought  80  acres  of  land  in  Cherry  Grove  township,  which 
they  cleared  and  farmed  until  in  1869,  when  they  sold  this  farm 
and  purchased  200  acres  in  Roscoe  township,  broke  and  im- 
proved the  land,  built  a home  and  other  out  buildings,  and  car- « 
ried  on  general  and  diversified  farming,  also  stock  raising.  In 
1896  the  father  retired  from  active  life,  and  enjoyed  the  benefits 
of  liis  labors  until  he  died  on  December  21,  1901,  the  mother  hav- 
ing passed  away  April  16,  of  the  same  year.  John  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  and  took  up  farming  at  home 
until  1886,  when  he  went  to  North  Dakota,  and  remained  for  five 
years,  engaged  in  farming.  In  1891  he  sold  his  farm,  and  en- 
tered the  general  mercantile  business,  at  White  Earth,  which 
he  conducted  until  1896,  when  he  sold  his  business  and  returned 
to  Roscoe  township,  and  assumed  the  management  of  his  father’s 
farm  of  200  acres,  which  he  has  since  conducted,  carrying  on 
general  and  diversified  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  April  1909,  to  Mary  Moe,  daughter  of  John  and  Ingerbor 
Moe,  of  Zumbrota,  natives  of  Norway,  where  the  father  was  a 
ship-builder.  Mr.  Rebrud  is  a Republican,  and  has  served  on  the 
school  board  and  as  town  supervisor  for  a-  number  of  years.  He 
and  his  wife  attend  the  Lutheran  church  society. 

Gustav  L.  Hastad,  who  resides  on  a splendid  farm  in  section 
5,  Roscoe  township,  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides, 
March  19,  1868.  He  was  brought  up  on  a farm,  acquiring  rugged 
health  and  such  education  as  the  district  schools  afforded,  work- 
ing with  his  father  until  1890,  when  he  took  charge  of  the  home 
place.  Being  a hard  worker  and  of  a progressive  turn  of  mind, 
he  has  made  many  improvements,  erecting  a new  house  and 
barns,  and  carrying  on  farming  along  the  latest  approved 
methods.  Since  easting  his  first  ballot  he  has  consistently  voted 
the  Republican  ticket.  November  8,  1888,  he  was  married  to 
Mattie  Hjalpdahl,  daughter  of  John  and  Eli  Hjalpdahl,  natives 
of  Norway.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hastad  attend  the  Lutheran  church. 
Lawrence  and  Gertrude  Hastad,  parents  of  Gustav  L.,  came  to 
America  in  1865  from  Norway,  their  native  country  and  located 
in  Wanamingo  township.  The  following  year  they  purchased  the 
present  homestead,  breaking  and  improving  the  land  and  erect- 
ing a suitable  residence.  The  mother  died  May  30,  1906  and  the 
father  now  makes  his  home  with  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  be- 
ing an  honored  and  venerable  citizen  of  the  community.' 

Carl  J.  Davidson,  of  Roscoe  township,  son  of  David  and 


S46  HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 

Johanna  (Hasted)  Davidson,  was  born  in  Wanamingo  township 
November  12,  1867.  He  received  his  education  in  the  public 
school  of  the  township,  and  assisted  his  father  in  the  work  on  the 
farm  until  in  1895,  when  he  purchased  120  acres  of  land  in 
Roscoe  township.  This  farm  he  improved,  built  a large  barn 
60x38,  and  other  out  buildings,  and  has  recently  completed  a 
modern  home  well  furnished  throughout.  All  this  land  is  under 
cultivation,  and  he  carries  on  general  and  diversified  farming, 
and  stock  raising.  He  has' also  added  80  acres  more  to  his  farm, 
making  a total  of  200  acres.  He  was  married  March  4,  1890  to 
Ingerborg  A.  Osteros,  daughter  of  Ole  and  Elizabeth  (Hasted) 
Osteros,  of  Roscoe  township,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to 
America  in  1872,  direct  to  Roscoe  township,  where  they  pur- 
chased 40  acres  of  land  and  engaged  in  general  farming.  Both 
parents  are  now  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davidson  have  been 
blessed  with  six  children:  Ella  J.,  Lillian  C.,  Gitta  E.,  Dorthena 
O.,  Lynn  I.,  and  David  J.,  all  living  at  home.  Mr.  Davidson  is 
Republican  in  politics.  He  and  his  family  attend  the  Norwegian 
Lutheran  church. 

Albert  A.  Erstad,  of  Roscoe  township,  son  of  Andrew  and 
Oline  (Johnson)  Erstad,  was  born  in  Minneola  township, 
August  16,  1866.  His  parents  were  natives  of  Norway,  and  came 
to  this  country,  in  1854,  locating  in  Iowa  where  they  remained  a 
year,  after  which  they  came  to  Minnesota  and  purchased  a home- 
stead of  160  acres  of-  wild  land  in  Minneola  township,  which  the 
father  improved  and  cultivated,  built  a home,  and  carried  on 
general  farming  and  stock  raising.  In  1877  the  mother  died  and 
the  father  married  again.  He  died  in  1908  and  his  widow  is 
living  in  Minneola  on  the  homestead.  Albert  A.  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Minneola  and  remained  on  the 
farm,  working  with  his  father  until  1896.  He  then  bought  80 
acres  of  his  father  in  Roscoe  township,  and  engaged  in  farming 
for  himself.  Here  he  built  a home  and  improved  the  land.  In 
December  30,  1896  he  was  married  to  Karen  Lunde,  daughter  of 
Bernt  and  Inger  (Goplin)  Lunde,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came 
to  this  country,  in  1866,  locating  at  Roscoe,  remaining  two  years, 
then  went  to  the  pineries,  where  they  lived  until  1871.  They 
then  returned  to  Roscoe  township  and  bought  40  acres  of  wild 
land,  increasing  this  to  340  acres  gradually.  They  have  carried 
on  a general  line  of  farming  until  recently,  when  they  retired 
and  rented  the  farm.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Erstad  have  two  children : 
AVinfred  A.,  boi’n  November  16,  1897  and  Nora  Borghild,  born 
June  8,  1907.  Mr.  Erstad  is  a Republican  in  his  politics  and  has 
been  road  overseer.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Nor- 
wegian Lutheran  church. 

Albert  Finstuen,  of  Roscoe  township,  son  of  Peter  P.  and 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


847 

Martha  (Goplin)  Finstuen,  was  born  in  Roscoe,  October  30,  1882. 
His  parents,  both  natives  of  Norway,  came  to  America  in  1868, 
and  located  in  Zumbrota,  where  he  worked  at  various  labor  for 
five  years.  Then  he  came  to  Roscoe  township,  and  bought  160 
acres  of  land.  This  he  improved,  and  built  a home,  barn  and 
other  out  buildings,  carrying  on  general  farming  and  stock 
raising.  They  still  reside  on  the  farm.  Albert  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools  of  the  township,  and  worked  with 
his  father  on  the  farm.  In  1907  he  purchased  160  acres  and 
has  since  carried  on  a general  line  of  farming  for  himself.  He 
was  married  January  9,  1907,  to  Clara  Swenson,  daughter  of 
Peter  and  Mali  (Okelberg)  Swenson,  natives  of  Norway,  who 
came  to  this  country  in  1859,  locating  at  Rockford,  111.,  remain- 
ed a short  time,  then  came  to  Minnesota,  and  bought  land  in  Min- 
neola  township,  which  they  broke  and  improved,  carrying  on 
general  farming,  and  adding  more  land  gradually,  until  they  had 
acquired  over  700  acres  in  all.  The  father  died  September  21, 
1891,  and  the  mother  June  6,  1905.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Finstuen  have 
one  son,  Curtiss,  born  July  5.  1905.  Mr.  Finstuen  is  a Republican 
in  politics,  but  has  never  sought  or  held  any  public  office.  He 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Gunder  S.  Gresseth,  of  Roscoe  township,  was  born  in  Norway, 
May  22,  1860,  son  of  Sever  Olstad,  and  Rebur  Gresseth,  natives 
of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1865  and  located  in  Roscoe 
township,  where  they  bought  160  acres  of  land,  which  the  father 
broke  and  improved,  carrying  on  general  farming  until  his  death 
in  1896.  The  mother  died  in  1899.  Gunder  S.  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools  of  Roscoe  and  later  took  a course 
at  the  Red  Wing  Seminary.  This  he  completed  in  1881,  and  re- 
turned to  the  farm,  where  he  remained  until  1886  when  he 
purchased  80  acres  of  land  in  Roscoe  township,  which  in  1893  he 
sold  and  returned  home,  remaining  two  years.  Then  he  rented 
80  acres  in  Roscoe  township,  where  he  farmed  for  twelve  years. 
In  the  fall  of  1907,  he  purchased  120  acres  and  has  since  carried 
on  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  has  also  been  in  the 
real  estate  business  for  the  past  five  years.  February  27,  1885, 
Mr.  Gresseth  was  married  to  Annie  O.  Tiller,  of  Hader,  daughter 
of  Ole  and  Annie  E.  (Storsve)  Tiller,  natives  of  Norway,  who 
came  to  America  in  1866  locating  in  Hader,  on  a farm  carrying 
on  general  farming  until  the  death  of  the  father.  The  mother  is 
still  living  on  the  homestead  in  Hader.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gresseth 
have  eight  children : Rosie  IT.,  Selma  E.,  Gerd  A.,  Melvin  E., 

Emelus,  Hilma  S.,  Orlando,  and  Seref,  all  of  whom  are  living  at 
home.  Mrs.  Gresseth  died  December  24,  1907.  Mr.  Gresseth  is  a 
Prohibitionist  in  politics,  has  been  chairman  of  the  Prohibition 
political  committee  of  Roscoe  township,  and  was  clerk  of  school 


848 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


district  81,  which  office  he  held  for  three  years.  The  family  are 
members  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church,  of  which  Mr.  Gres- 
seth  has  been  trustee  and  deacon  for  the  past  twenty  years. 

Gunder  H.  Hoven,  Koscoe  township,  was  born  in  Norway, 
September  8,  1850,  son  of  Iialvor  and  Malina  Hoven,  natives  of 
Norway  who  were  farmers,  which  occupation  the  father  followed 
until  his  death  November  15,  1908.  The  mother  died  in  1903. 
Gunder  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Norway 
and  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm.  In  1870  he  emigrated  to 
America  coming  direct  to  Roscoe  township,  where  he  worked  for 
three  years.  In  1873  he  purchased  80  acres  of  land  which  he 
cleared  and  improved,  built  his  home,  barn  and  other  out 
buildings,  now  carrying  on  a general  line  of  farming,  also  rais- 
ing stock  and  horses  of  the  Clyde  grade.  He  now  owns  347  acres 
of  which  nearly  all  is  under  cultivation.  He  was  married  on 
December  7,  1874  to  Betsy  Langness,  daughter  of  Ole  and  Gert- 
rude Langness,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  this  country  in 
1865,  located  in  South  Dakota,  and  engaged  in  general  farming 
until  the  death  of  the  father  in  1896.  The  mother  died  in  1898. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hoven  have  had  six  children : Olaf,  of  Roscoe ; 

Henry,  of  Roscoe ; Martin,  of  Roscoe ; Edwin  and  Gitta,  at  home, 
and  George  (deceased).  Mr.  TIoven  is  a Republican  and  has 
served  as  town  supervisor  for  six  years.  The  family  faith  is  that 
of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Henry  G.  Hoven,  was  born  in  Roscoe,  in  which  township  he 
still  resides,  April  19,  1875,  son  of  Gunder  II.  and  Betsy  Hoven, 
natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1870,  and  located 
in  Roscoe  township,  where  the  father  worked  for  farmers  for 
three  years,  after  which  he  purchased  80  acres  of  land  which  he 
broke  and  cultivated.  He  built  a home  and  other  out  build- 
ings, and  gradually  adding  more  land  until  he  now  owns  347 
acres,  and  carries  on  a general  line  of  farming  also  raising  Clyde 
horses,  Shorthorn  cattle  and  sheep.  All  of  his  land  can  be  culti- 
vated. Henry  received  his  education  iu  the  public  schools  of 
Roscoe  township,  completing  with  a business  course  at  a Red 
Wing  business  college.  After  leaving  school  he  took  up  farming 
with  his  father,  remaining  Avith  him  until  1898,  when  he  rented 
a farm  of  160  acres  in  Roscoe  township  and  began  farming  for 
himself.  In  1905  he  bought  this  farm  and  continued  diversified 
farming  and  stock  raising,  making  many  improvements  on  the 
place,  remodeled  the  out  buildings,  and  built  a large  granary 
and  a machine  shed.  Mr.  Hoven  was  married  May  19,  1898  to 
Jane  Thoreson  of  Roscoe,  daughter  of  Otto  and  Sigri  (Everson 
Lund)  Thoreson,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  this  country 
and  located  in  Wanamingo  township.  After  two  years,  they  pur- 
chased 120  acres  of  land  which  the  father  improved,  and  on 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


849 

which  he  conducted  general  diversified  farming  until  1876  when 
he  sold  this  farm,  and  bought  200  acres  in  Roscoe  township, 
where  they  still  reside,  later  adding  120  acres  more.  He  also 
lias  160  acres  of  improved  land  in  North  Dakota,  with  a house 
and  buildings.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Iloven  have  four  children : Bertha 
S.,  born  April  29,  1900 ; Otto  G.,  born  April  2,  1903 ; Georgia  E., 
born  February  12,  1905,  and  Gillner,  born  September  21,  1908. 
Mr.  Hoven  is  a Republican  and  is  a director  of  the  school  board 
of  his  district,  which  office  he  has  held  for  the  past  your  years. 
He  is  also  town  treasurer,  and  is  serving  his  third  term.  He 
and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church. 

Bernt  J.  Lunde,  of  Rosco  township,  was  born  in  Norway,  June 
1,  1847,  son  of  Johannes  and  Caroline  (Jerland)  Lunde,  natives 
of  Norway.  He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools 
of  Norway  and  later  attended  the  high  school.  After  school  days 
were  over,  he  took  up  farming  at  home  with  his  father  and  in 
1866  he  came  to  this  country,  direct  to  Zumbrota,  where  he 
worked  on  the  farms  in  the  summer,  and  in  the  pineries  in  the 
winter.  In  1871  he  purchased  40  acres  of  land  in  Roscoe  town- 
ship, of  which  17  acres  was  improved  land,  and  the  rest  he 
cleared  and  improved.  For  four  years  he  cultivated  this  land 
and  then  purchased  80  more,  gradually  adding  more  and  more 
until  he  had  330  acres,  all  under  cultivation.  He  now  carries  on 
general  farming  and  stock  raising.  March  4,  1871,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Inger  Goplin  of  Roscoe,  whose  parents  were  natives  of 
Norway,  and  came  to' America  in  1869  locating  in  Roscoe  town- 
ship, where  the  father  died  in  1888,  the  mother  having  passed 
away  in  1878.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lunde  had  eight  children:  Marie 
married  Erick  A.  Strand  and  lives  at  Roscoe;  Carry  married 
Albert  Erstacl  of  Roscoe;  Julia  A.  married  Knute  O.  Strand; 
Lena  married  Albert  Swenson  of  Roscoe ; Ada  married  Elling  O. 
Bakke  of  Minneola ; John,  Alfred  and  Ellen  live  at  home.  Mr. 
Lunde  is  a Republican  and  has  served  as  treasurer  for  school 
district  No.  106  for  the  past  six  years,  also  as  road  overseer  for  a 
number  of  years.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Nor- 
wegian Lutheran  church  of  which  Mr.  Lunde  is  one  of  the 
trustees. 

John  Money,  of  Roscoe  township,  was  born  in  Switzerland, 
October  20,  1851,  oldest  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Bringgold) 
Money,  natives  of  Switzerland,  where  the  father  was  a cooper 
and  carpenter.  They  emigrated  to  America  in  1854,  settling  in 
New  York  state,  where  they  engaged  in  farming.  In  1877  the 
mother  died,  and  in  1882  the  father  came  west  to  Minnesota  and 
took  up  his  residence  with  his  son,  where  he  died  May  20,  1903. 
John  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  the  town  of  Louise, 
Lewis  county,  New  York,  and  after  finishing  his  studies,  worked 


850 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


on  the  farm  with  his  father,  also  at  coopering,  and  in  a saw  mill. 
In  1878  he  came  west  to  Minnesota  and  landed  at  Red  AVing 
March  13.  He  bought  40  acres  of  land  in  Roseoe  township,  which 
he  cleared  and  improved,  and  built  a home,  barn  and  all  out 
buildings,  carrying  on  a general  and  diversified  line  of  farming. 
In  1891  he  added  50  acres,  which  he  cleared,  and  improved. 
Later  on  he  built  a saw  mill  and  general  repair  shop,  a business 
which  is  now  increasing  rapidly.  In  1875,  March  8,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Elizabeth  Meyers,  of  New  York  state,  daughter  of  Ed- 
ward and  Catherine  Meyers,  natives  of  Germany,  who  came  to 
America  in  1851  and  located  in  New  York  state,  where  the  father 
engaged  in  farming.  They  are  both  living.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Money 
have  one  son,  John  Edward,  born  in  New  York  state  March  8, 
1876,  who  is  interested  in  business  with  his  father.  *He  is  mar- 
ried, his  wife  being  Mabel  Josephine  Belden.  They  have  four 
children:  Lillian,  George,  Bernice,  Harley.  Mr.  Money  is  a 

democrat  in  his  political  views,  and  lias  been  clerk  of  the  school 
board  for  the  past  24  years.  lie  has  also  served  as  town  super- 
visor for  one  year,  and  road  master  for  a number  of  years.  They 
are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Ludwig  H.  Ofstie,  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides 
in  Roseoe  township,  June  9,  1871,  son  of  Hans  and  Mary  (David- 
son) Ofstie,  natives  of  Norway  who  came  to  America  in  1861, 
direct  to  Goodhue  county.  The  father  worked  on  a farm  for  a 
time,  and  in  1869  purchased  160  acres  of  land  and  engaged  in 
farming.  The  land  was  wild  and  he  broke  a small  part  of  it  and 
built  a house  which  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1871.  A log  house 
was  built  just  after  the  fire  and  this  was  used  until  1902  when  it 
was  replaced  by  a fine  modern  house  of  brick.  They  have  con- 
tinued to  improve  the  land  and  buildings,  erecting  a barn  and 
other  buildings  also  a large  silo  in  1908.  The  father  died  October 
22,  1893,  and  the  son  then  assumed  the  management  of  the  farm. 
Ludwig  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  the 
township,  worked  Avith  his  father  on  the  farm,  and  has  since  con- 
tinued to  carry  on  general  farming  and  dairying  extensively, 
keeping  a large  number  of  cows  of  the  Holstine  grade.  His  land 
is  all  under  cultivation.  Mr.  Ofstie  is  an  only  child  and  is  single, 
his  mother  living  on  the  homestead  Avith  him.  He  is  Republic- 
an in  his  politics,  has  served  as  constable  for  eight  years,  and  as 
road  master  for  a number  of  terms.  He  is  the  president  of  the 
AVauamingo  creamery,  which  office  he  has  held  since  1901.  He 
is  a member  of  Land’s  Norwegian  Lutheran  church. 

Fetter  Oluff  Petterson,  of  Roseoe  township,  was  born  in  Rock 
Prairie,  AALs..  December  4,  1860,  son  of  Frederick  and  Anna  (Jen- 
son) Petterson,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  this  country,  in 
1857,  and  located  at  Rock  Prairie,  AVis.  The  father  followed 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


851 


painting  and  carpentering  for  five  years,  after  which  they  came 
to  Roscoe  township  in  1862  and  engaged  in  farming.  In  1868- 
they  purchased  160  acres  of  wild  land,  which  they  cleaned  and 
improved,  and  followed  general  farming.  The  father  died  in 
1908,  September  4,  and  the  mother  June  2,  1908.  In  1875  the 
father  was  elected  to  the  legislature  for  one  term.  There  were 
three  children  in  the  Petterson  home : Christian  of  Clearwater 
county,  Minnesota;  Christine  (adopted),  of  Olmstead  county, 
Minnesota,  and  Petter  0.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Petter  0. 
received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  the  township 
and  worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  1894.  when  he  took 
entire  charge  of  the  farm.  At  his  father’s  death  he  came  into 
possession  of  the  homestead,  and  has  carried  on  general  farming, 
also  manufacturing  “Gammal-ost”  cheese.  Being  the  only  one 
in  the  county  who  produces  the  commodity  he  finds  a ready  mar- 
ket. Mr.  Petterson  is  single.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics  and 
belongs  to  the  Lutheran  church. 

Tollef  0.  Sundry,  of  Roscoe  township,  was  born  in  Norway, 
March  4,  1864,  son  of  Ole  and  Aagot  (Newhouse)  Sundry,  natives 
of  Norway.  The  father  came  to  America  in  1880,  with  his  son, 
and  located  in  Saint  Ansgar,  Iowa.  The  father  died  May  22, 
1894,  and  the  mother  August,  1872.  Tollef  came  to  America  in 
1880,  located  in  Iowa,  attended  the  public  schools  and  also  the 
high  school  at  Saint  Ansgar.  After  school  days  Avere  over  he 
took  up  farming  until  1886,  when  he  went  to  North  Dakota  and 
was  employed  as  car  inspector  for  the  Great  Northern  railroad 
at  Minot,  for  five  years.  While  in  North  Dakota  he  took  up  a 
homestead  of  160  acres,  and  in  1892  he  remoA^ed  to  Roscoe  toAvn- 
ship  and  purchased  160  acres  in  section  19,  which  he  improved, 
erecting  a neAAT  barn  in  1897  and  a neAV  house  in  1907.  He  noAV 
follows  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  January  26,  1890, 
Mr.  Sundry  Ava.s  married  at  Zumbrota,  to  Emma  Thoreson,  daugh- 
ter of  Otto  and  Sigricl  Thoreson.  They  have  six  children : Orrin 
E..  born  February  12,  1891 ; Sigrid  O.,  born  June  15,  1892 ; Thur- 
low  E.,  born  February  21,  1894;  Archie  V.,  born  May  7,  1896; 
Roy  M.,  born  July  7,  1901 ; and  George  J.,  born  February  9,  1903, 
all  living  at  home.  Mr.  Sundry  is  a Republican  in  political  vieAvs, 
and  fraternally  affiliates  with  the  Masons  of  Zumbrota  and  the 
Modern  Samaritans.  He  has  been  assessor  of  the  toAvnship  for 
a good  many  years,  is  noAV  clerk  of  school  district  81  and  has 
been  employed  in  the  House  of  Representatives  as  doorkeeper 
and  telephone  messenger.  He  is  also  a stockholder  in  the 
Farmers’  Elevators  of  Zumbrota  and  WanamingO,  and  in  the 
Minneola  Creamery.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the 
NorAvegian  Lutheran  church. 

Alfred  Swan,  of  Roscoe  toAAmship,  Avas  born  in  Sweden  NoArem- 


852 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


ber  18,  1865,  son  of  John  P.  and  Mary  Swan,  natives  of  Sweden. 
The  mother  died  on  April  13,  1875,  and  the  father,  a shoemaker 
by  trade,  emigrated  to  this  country  in  1879,  locating  in  Wiscon- 
sin, where  he  remained  a short  time,  then  came  to  Minnesota  and 
settled  in  Roscoe  township,  where  he  rented  land  and  engaged 
in  farming  nine  years.  He  then  went  to  Belvidere  township, 
where  he  lived  fifteen  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  Roscoe, 
where  he  died  January  26,  1908.  Alfred  received  his  education 
in  the  common  schools  of  Sweden  and  later  in  America,  where 
he  attended  for  a short  time.  After  leaving  school  he  worked 
at  farming  and  later  as  carpenter,  and  also  engineered  a thresh- 
ing machine.  In  1898  he  rented  the  farm  where  he  now  lives. 
Later  he  secured  the  farm,  and  now  owns  200  acres,  which  he 
manages,  carrying  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He 
was  married  August  1,  1891,  to  Mary  Swenson,  adopted  daughter 
of  Charles  and  Dorthia  Swenson,  natives  of  Sweden  and  Nor- 
way, who  came  to  the  United  States  in  1859,  locating  in  Rock- 
ford, 111.,  where  they  remained  but  a short  time,  subsequently 
coming  to  Minnesota,  purchasing  a farm  of  160  acres  in  Roscoe 
township.  This  they  cleared  and  improved,  built  a home,  and 
carried  on  general  farming  until  his  death,  November  8,  1891. 
The  mother  died  January  16,  1908.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Swan  have 
five  children:  Ella  M.,  born  October  10,  1896;  Alice,  born  Octo- 
ber 14,  1897  (deceased)  ; Clara  A.,  born  December  7,  1898;  Hulda 
E.,  born  April  10,  1901;  and  Esther  V.,  born  November  15,  1906. 
Mr.  Swan  is  a Republican  in  his  political  views,  and  has  served 
his  township  as  roadmaster  and  clerk  of  school  district  80  for  a 
number  of  years.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church. 

Otto  Thoreson,  of  Roscoe  township,  was  born  in  Norway,  May 
25,  1842,  son  of  Thore  Eleven  and  Engeborg  (Skordahl)  Eleven, 
natives  of  Norway,  the  former  of  whom  died  in  Norway  in  1878 
and  the  mother  in  1861.  Otto  received  his  education  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  Norway  and  worked  with  his  father  on  the  farm. 
In  1861  he  emigrated  to  America  and  located  in  Wanamingo 
township,  where  he  worked  for  farmers  for  two  years,  after  which 
he  purchased  120  acres  of  land  which  he  broke  and  improved. 
In  1876  he  sold  this  farm  and  bought  160  acres  in  Roscoe  town- 
ship. Later  he  purchased  eighty  more  and  again  added  forty. 
Here  he  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  All  his 
land  is  under  cultivation  and  he  has  160  acres  of  improved  land 
in  North  Dakota.  He  was  married  in  July,  1863,  to  Sigrid  Ever- 
son, daughter  of  Ole  and  Jonette  (Opem)  Lund,  natives  of  Nor- 
way, who  came  to  this  country  in  1857  and  located  in  Wanamingo, 
where  they  bought  a claim  of  160  acres  and  carried  on  general 
farming  until  the  death  of  the  father  in  1886.  The  mother  is 


IIIST0BY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


853 


still  living  in  Wanamingo  at  the  age  of  ninety-three.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Thoreson  have  a family  of  seven  children : Gurina,  mar- 

ried to  John  A.  Johnson,  of  Zumbrota ; Engeborganna,  married 
to  T.  0.  Sundry,  of  Roscoe ; Theodore,  married  to  Emma  Starz, 
living  at  Zumbrota;  Jonette,  married  to  Henry  Hoven;  Othelia, 
married  to  Charles  Olson,  of  Roscoe;  George  and  Leonard  B., 
living  at  home.  Mr.  Thoreson  is  a Republican,  and  has  served  on 
the  town  board  and  school  board  for  a number  of  years.  The 
family  attend  the  Luthern  church. 

Axel  Ahlgren,  of  Belvidere  township,  was  born  in  Sweden, 
September  3,  1867,  son  of  John  and  Annie  Ahlgren,  natives  of 
Sweden,  who  came  to  America  in  1869  and  located  in  Red  Wing, 
Avhere  the  father  worked  in  a lumber  yard  for  twelve  years,  after 
which  he  rented  a farm  in  Featherstone  township  for  about  ten 
years,  carrying  on  general  farming.  He  then  removed  to  Todd 
county,  and  later  to  Adams  county,  North  Dakota,  where  he  took 
a homestead  of  160  acres,  and  where  the  mother  died  August  17, 
1908.  The  father  died  July  1,  1909.  Axel  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  Red  Wing,  after  which  he  worked  on 
a farm  and  clerked  in  a grocery  store  in  Red  Wing  until  1897, 
when  he  entered  into  business  with  H.  J.  Bang,  of  Belvidere, 
the  firm  being  known  as  H.  J.  Bang  & Co.  This  firm  has  since 
continued  successfully,  enjoying  a large  trade.  Mr.  Ahlgren  was 
married  July  21,  1893,  to  Mary  A.  Nelson,  daughter  of  Erick  and 
Anna  (Johnson)  Nelson,  natives  of  Sweden,  who  came  to  Amer- 
ica in  1869,  settling  in  Red  AYing,  where  he  is  employed  in  the 
Red  Wing  Furniture  Factory.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ahlgren  have  three 
children:  Hazel  Marie,  born  July  15,  1894;  Raymond  A.,  born 
April  3,  1897 ; and  Bernard  II.  E..  born  May  26.  1903.  Mr.  Ahl- 
gren served  for  two  years  in  Company  G,  at  Red  AYing,  as  private. 
He  is  justice  of  the  peace  of  Belvidere  and  a member  of  the 
Modern  AYoodmen.  The  family  attends  the  English  Lutheran 
church. 

Carl  P.  Benrud,  of  Belvidere  township,  was  born  in  Norway, 
September  3,  1858,  son  of  Peter  and  Sophia  (Johnson)  Benrud, 
natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  June  24,  1875,  and 
located  in  Monroe  county,  Wisconsin,  where  they  purchased  ninety 
acres  of  land,  remaining 'two  years,  after  which  they  sold  and 
purchased  forty  acres  and  farmed  for  five  years.  He  then  sold 
this  land  to  his  son,  with  whom  the  father  now  makes  his  home. 
The  mother  died  in  1903,  aged  eighty-six  years.  Carl  P.  received 
his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Norway  and  came  to  Amer- 
ica with  his  parents,  remaining  with  them  until  1880,  when  he 
bought  eighty  acres  in  Monroe  county,  AYisconsin,  of  which  he 
cleared  sixty-five  acres  and  built  a house  and  other  buildings. 
He  remained  until  1884,  when  he  returned  to  Minnesota  and  pur- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


854 

chased  160  acres  in  Belvidere  township,  improving  the  land  and 
erecting  buildings  and  carrying  on  a general  line  of  farming,  add- 
ing eighty  acres  in  1908,  so  that  he  now  cultivates  240  acres,  mak- 
ing a specialty  of  raising  fine  stock  and  horses.  November  11, 
1882,  he  was  married  to  Gunnel  Knutson,  daughter  of  Ole  and 
Gunnel  (Nelson)  Knutson,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  Amer- 
ica in  1856,  locating  in  Staton,  Wis.,  coming  later  to  Minnesota, 
in  1858,  and  settling  in  Goodhue  county,  where  they  conducted 
farming  operations  on  160  acres  of  land  until  the  death  of  the 
father  in  1867.  Later  the  mother  married  Oliver  Knutson,  a 
brother  of  her  first  husband,  and  they  purchased  another  160 
acres  and  carried  on  general  farming.  The  mother  died  Septem- 
ber 21,  1875.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benrud  have  six  children:  Gust  A., 
born  September  7,  1886;  living  at  Goodhue;  Hannah  P.,  born 
July  16,  1888;  Ole  Christian,  born  January  2,  1890;  George  Ken- 
neth, born  July  27,  1892;  Paul  Albert,  born  September  3,  1894; 
and  Minnie  Sophia,  born  February  21,  1899.  Mr.  Benrud  is  a 
Republican  in  his  political  views  and  the  family  attend  the 
Norwegian  Lutheran  church. 

Henry  E.  Bollum,  one  of  the  substantial  residents  of  Belvidere, 
is  a native  born  son,  having  first  seen  the  light  of  day  in  the 
township,  July  21,  1865,  son  of  Ole  J.  and  Helena  (Oppergaard) 
Bollum,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1862  and 
located  in  Belvidere,  where  they  purchased  a farm  of  120  acres, 
which  they  increased  until  the  homestead  consisted  of  680  acres 
of  good  land.  Here  the  father  died  in  October,  1890,  and  the 
mother  still  lives  on  the  home  place,  with  her  son.  Henry  E. 
attended  the  schools  of  his  neighborhood  and  took  a course  at 
St.  01  af ’s  College  at  Northfield.  Since  leaving  he  has  engaged  in 
farming,  owning  200  acres,  and  renting  eighty  more,  raising  the 
usual  crops  and  breeding  live  stock.  Mr.  Bollum  is  a Republican 
in  politics  and  is  now  serving  as  town  clerk  of  Belvidere  and  as 
clerk  of  school  district  117.  He  is  vice  president  of  the  Farmers’ 
Mercantile  Association  of  Goodhue,  and,  being  an  active  church 
worker,  has  served  several  years  as  secretary  and  treasurer  of 
the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church  at  Belvidere.  By  Minnie  C. 
Johnson,  whom  he  married  February  24,  1890,  Mr.  Bollum  lias  six 
children:  Ordner,  Lillian,  Edna,  Elmer,  Florence  and  Walter. 

Tollef  Johnson,  father  of  Mrs.  Bollum,  was  born  in  Norway, 
December  28,  1841,  and  came  to  America  in  1861.  One  year  later 
he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Seventh  Minnesota  Volunteer  Infan- 
try, and  served  in  the  Indian  campaign,  afterward  participating 
in  a number  of  Southern  campaigns.  Upon  his  return  he  pur- 
chased a farm  of  160  acres  in  May  Creek  township,  where  he 
remained  seven  years,  afterward  selling  out.  He  then  purchased 
eighty  acres  in  Belvidere,  increased  this  to  200  and  carried  on 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


855 


general  farming  until  1907,  when  he  retired  and  moved  to  Red 
Wing.  He  was  married  in  December,  1861,  to  Caroline  Christson, 
by  whom  he  had  eight  children:  Julia,  Clara  E.,  Minnie  C., 
Charles  0.,  Christian  J.,  Carl  J.,  Caroline  M.  and  May  0. 

Henry  Fitschen,  a scientific  farmer  of  Belvidere,  was  born 
in  Germany,  June  22,  1852,  son  of  Jurgen  and  Kate  (Hoeft) 
Fitschen,  both  natives  of  that  country.  He  received  his  educa- 
tion in  Germany,  and  later  attended  school  in  America  for  three 
months.  He  came  to  America  in  1869,  took  up  farming  and  in 
1869  came  to  Minnesota  and  located  in  Hay  Creek,  where  he 
worked  for  his  brother  Cord  for  seven  years.  In  1876  he  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  in  Belvidere  township,  where  he  has  since 
made  his  home,  improving  his  land,  adding  more  gradually,  until 
he  owns  over  400  acres,  of  which  300  are  under  cultivation.  He 
carries  on  general  farming  and  makes  a specialty  of  raising  fine 
stock  and  horses.  He  was  married  March  22,  1876,  to  Margaret 
Ohlhaber,  daughter  of  Claus  and  Christina  (Gerken)  ' Ohlhaber, 
natives  of  Germany,  who  came  to  America,  where  the  mother 
died  in  1884.  The  father  is  still  living  with  a daughter  in  Feather- 
stone  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fitschen  have  had  seven  children, 
of  whom  six  are  living:  Annie  AY.,  married  to  Cord  Kohrs,  living- 
on  a farm  in  Belvidere ; Claus,  now  of  Belvidere ; Eliza  C.,  mar- 
ried to  William  Betcher,  a farmer  of  Hay  Creek;  John  C.,  Louis 
J.,  and  Albert  AY.,  living  at  home.  Mary  died  in  infancy.  Air. 
Fitschen  is  a Republican  and  lias  been  treasurer  of  school  dis- 
trict 34,  which  office  .he  held  for  five  years.  He  has  been  path- 
master  for  four  years.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  German 
Lutheran  church.  Air.  Fitschen  is  a fine  example  of  a farmer 
whose  heart  is  in  his  work  and  who  performs  his  duties  intelli- 
gently and  with  a knowledge  of  agricultural  conditions.  He  has 
fed  stock  since  early  boyhood  and  carries  on  farming  not  only 
for  the  purpose  of  making  a living,  but  for  the  pleasure  he  derives 
from  watching  the  sprouting  and  maturing  of  the  harvests  and 
the  development  of  the  animals.  His  stock  receives  the  best  of 
care  and  each  animal  on  the  place  realizes  that  it  has  a friend 
and  thoughtful  caretaker  in  its  owner.  Since  Air.  Fitschen  com- 
menced farming  all  the  straw  raised  on  his  place  has  been 
returned  to  the  land  for  fertilizer ; thus  the  land  grows  richer 
year  by  year,  instead  of  becoming  worn  out.  It  is  such  farmers 
as  he  who  add  to  the  dignity  of  what  is  one  of  the  .noblest  callings 
in  which  man  can  engage. 

Nelson  B.  Gaylord,  first  settler  of  Belvidere,  was  a man  well 
suited  for  pioneer  life.  Staunch  of  mind  and  body,  fearing 
neither  difficulties  nor  hardships,  he  worthily  carved  the  way 
for  the  prosperity  of  modern  times.  He  was  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, November  1,  1823,  migrated  to  Illinois  in  1837  and  came 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


856 

to  Goodhue  county,  with  his  brother  George,  in  the  spring  of 
1855,  taking  up  his  residence  on  Rock  creek,  in  the  northern 
part  of  what  is  now  Belvidere.  Later  he  moved  to  a location  near 
Wells  creek.  .In  1858  he  started  the  milling  business  by  grinding 
grain  and  coffee  for  his  neighbors  with  a large  hand  coffee  mill. 
In  1861,  he  erected  a grist  mill,  which  had  a large  business.  He 
opened  a general  store  and  in  1878  was  appointed  postmaster. 
Mr.  Gaylord  took  an  active  part  in  public  affairs,  and  served  in 
various  township  and  school  offices.  He  also  served  in  the  Civil 
war  and  later  joined  the  G.  A.  R.  He  was  married  July  8,  1847, 
to  Hanna  Lewis.  Of  the  children  born  to  this  union,  Edwin, 
Ada,  Lot,  Archard  and  Osmer  are  living.  On  April  10,  1895,  he 
was  married  to  Caroline  Maze  Cook,  born  in  Albany,  New  York, 
April  6,  1848.  daughter  of  AY.  II.  and  Christina  (Garrett)  Maze, 
natives  of  New  York.  The  family  came  to  Columbia  county,  YYis- 
consin,  in  the  early  days  and  purchased  160  acres,  where  the 
father  carried  on  general  farming  for  a time  and  then  moved  to 
Pine  Island  township,  where  he  farmed  until  his  death.  The 
mother  died  in  Belvidere.  Caroline  Maze  married  her  first  hus- 
band, Jacob  C.  Cook,  at  Pine  Island,  April  5,  1865.  Mr.  Cook  was 
born  in  Freedom,  Cattaraugus  county,  New  York,  March  13,  1825. 
A carpenter  and  wheelwright  by  trade,  he  came  west  in  the  early 
days  and  worked  for  a time  in  the  employ  of  D.  C.  Hill,  also 
living  for  a time  in  Pine  Island.  He  died  in  Red  AYing,  July  28, 
1878.  By  this  marriage  three  children  were  born:  AVilliam  P., 
who  died  at  the  age  of  three  months ; Allan  .C.,  who  after  twenty 
years  in  the  mail  service  is  still  employed  as  a Red  AYing  mail 
carrier,  and  Ralph  E.,  now  employed  at  the  Red  AYing  Sewer 
Pine  works.  After  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Gaylord,  Mrs.  Gaylord 
lived  with  him  at  Belvidere  Mills  until  his  death,  December  27, 
1903,  after  which  she  moved  to  Red  AYing,  where  she  now  resides 
at  707  Potter  Street- 

Perry  George,  of  Belvidere  township,  was  born  in  Sheldon, 
AYyoming  county,  New  York,  April  8,  1847,  son  of  Peter  and 
Anna  Maria  (AVagner)  George,  natives  of  Luxemburg,  Belgium, 
who  came  to  America  in  1834  and  located  in  AYyoming  county, 
New  York,  where  they  purchased  land  and  carried  on  a general 
line  of  farming  until  the  spring  of  1861,  when  they  sold  the  farm, 
emigrated  Avest  to  Minnesota,  and  settled  in  Hay  Creek  toAvnsliip, 
remaining  until  the  spring  of  1862,  when  they  removed  to  Bel- 
videre township  and  bought  eighty  acres  of  land,  which  the 
father  improved,  erecting  a home,  barn  and  other  outbuildings, 
and  carrying  on  a diversified  line  of  farming.  In  1870  they 
retired  and  lived  with  the  son  on  the  homestead.  The  father 
died  in  August,  1890,  and  the  mother  February,  1901.  Perry 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  New  York  state 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


857 


and  Red  Wing,  being  taught  at  the  latter  place  by  Rev.  J.  W. 
Hancock.  He  worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  1868, 
when  he  rented  eighty  acres  which  he  farmed,  also  running  a 
threshing  machine  for  five  years.  In  1869  he  purchased  eighty 
acres  in  Belvidere  township.  This  was  wild  land,  which  he 
broke,  improved  and  cultivated.  In  1872  he  purchased  the 
homestead,  adding  eighty  acres,  making  a farm  of  210  acres,  on 
which  he  conducts  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  Mr.  George 
was  married  June  10,  1871,  to  Caroline  Isensee  of  Belvidere 
township,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Caroline  (Opperman)  Isensee, 
natives  of  Germany.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  have  been  blessed 
with  ten  children : Alex  H.,  a druggist  of  Chicago,  died  at  the 
age  of  26  years ; Charles  L.,  is  a dentist  of  Park  Rapids,  Minn. ; 
Maud  married  Martin  McHugh  of  North  Dakota;  Alfred  P.  is 
a dentist  of  Chicago;  William  H.  lives  at  home;  Caroline  L.  is  a 
teacher  living  at  home ; Julia  M.,  Grover  C.  and  Florence  E.  live 
at  home,  and  Julius  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  George  is  a Democrat 
in  his  political  views  and  has  taken  an  active  interest  in  public 
life,  being  a representative  in  the  State  Legislature  from  Goodhue 
county  in  1879.  He  has  also  served  as  county  commissioner,  was 
town  supervisor  one  year,  chairman  for  fifteen  years,  also  clerk 
of  school  district  33  for  twenty  years,  assessor  for  twelve  years, 
and  justice  of  the  peace  for  twenty-five  years.  The  family  attend 
the  Lutheran  and  Episcopal  churches. 

Julius  H.  Isensee,  Belvidere  township,  was  born  in  Frontenac, 
August  14,  1860,  son  of  Henry  and  Caroline  (Opperman)  Isensee, 
natives  of  Germany,  who  came  to  America  in  1853,  locating  in 
Loekport,  N.  Y.,  where  the  father  Avas  employed  on  the  suspen- 
sion bridge  for  a short  time.  He  came  west  to  St.  Paul,  Minn., 
the  same  year  and  in  1854  located  in  Frontenac,  where  they  pur- 
chased a home,  later  taking  a homestead  of  160  acres  in  Florence 
township,  where  the  father  carried  on.  general  farming  and 
worked  at  his  trade  of  stone  mason  until  the  spring  of  1869, 
when  he  sold  his  home  and  farm  and  bought  160  acres  in  Belvi- 
dere township,  to  Avhich  he  added  until  he  had  240  acres.  They 
retired  from  active  life  in  1889.  The  father  died  in  May,  1907, 
and  the  mother  in  September,  1906.  Julius  H.  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  Frontenac  and  Behddere,  after 
Avhich  he  took  up  farming  until  1881,  Avhen  he  learned  the  black- 
smith’s trade,  Avhich  he  folloAved  for  five  years  in  Red  Wing. 
In  1886  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  improved  land  and  carried 
on  general  farming  for  five  years.  Later  he  sold  this  land,  pur- 
chasing another  eighty  acres,  Avliere  he  built  a home  and  other 
necessary  buildings,  adding  to  his  land  until  noAv  he  has  240 
acres  under  cultUation.  He  carries  on  general  farming  and 
stock  raising,  and  lias  erected  a modern  stock  barn.  He  uras 


858 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


married  June  15,  1893,  to  Alvina  H.  Ivriett,  daughter  of  Peter 
and  Mattie  (Hendrick)  Kriett,  natives  of  Germany,  who  came 
to  America  in  1860,  locating  in  St.  Louis,  where  the  father  worked 
on  vessels.  Coming  to  Minnesota  in  1875,  he  took  up  a home- 
stead of  160  acres,  where  he  continued  a general  line  of  farming 
until  his  death  in  1881.  The  mother  was  married  later  to  John 
Boesch  of  Lake  City,  where  she  still  resides.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Isensee  have  four  children:  Henrietta  M.,  Julia  A.,  Alvin  L.  and 
Henry  D.  Mr.  Isensee  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  lias  served  as 
supervisor  for  six  years,  and  has  been  constable  and  director  of 
school  district  117.  The  family  attend  the  German  Lutheran 
church. 

Ammon  Larson,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Belvidere,  was 
born  in  Norway  and  brought  his  family  to  America  in  1855,  lived 
in  Wisconsin  a year  and  then  in  1856  coming  to  Belvidere  town- 
ship, where  he  farmed  160  acres  of  land,  which  when  he  pre- 
empted it  was  wild  and  uncultivated.  He  built  the  first  frame 
house  that  was  erected  on  the  prairies  of  Belvidere,  and  in  many 
other  ways  assisted  in  the  development  of  the  township.  An 
account  of  his  death  is  found  in  the  sketch  of  David  A.  Larson. 

Lewis  A.  Larson,  clergyman,  was  born  in  Norway,  son  of 
Ammon  Larson,  and  came  to  this  country  with  his  parents  at 
the  age  of  five  years.  He  worked  on  the  home  farm  in  Belvidere 
township  until  attaining  his  majority,  at  which  time  he  studied 
for  the  Methodist  ministry,  in  which  holy  calling  he  continued 
until  his  death,  August  9,  1908.  During  his  long  ministry  he  was 
stationed  at  St.  Paul;  Chicago;  Racine,  "Wis. ; Minneapolis;  New- 
burg,  Minn.;  Freeport,  Iowa,  and  Lansing,  Iowa.  His  wife,  who 
was  Martha  Planson,  is  living. 

Otto  A.  Larson,  son  of  Lewis  A.  Larson,  was  born  in  St.  Paul, 
February  8,  1879,  and  there  received  his  early  education,  also 
attending  the  high  school  at  Racine,  Wis.  Soon  after  leaving 
school  lie  came  to  Belvidere  township  and  took  up  work  on  his 
grandfather’s  old  homestead,  where  he  now  carries  on  general 
farming,  owning,  in  addition,  a neighboring  tract  of  eighty  acres. 
In  1908  he  erected  a fine  new  barn.  Mr.  Larson  is  a Republican 
in  politics  and  belongs  to  the  Norwegian  Methodist  church,  in 
which  denomination  his  father  was  a clergyman.  Otto  A.  was  this 
fourth  of  a large  family  of  children.  The  others  are  as  follows: 
Marion  A.,  wife  of  Oscar  Swan,  of  Beach,  N.  D. ; Jennie  E.,  wife 
of  Andrew  Tollefson,  a Chicago  printer;  Abner  B.,  of  Belvidere; 
Lillian  M.,  wife  of  Lester  Hanson,  a railroad  mail  clerk  in  South 
Dakota;  Dennis  J.,  a timekeeper  for  Turner  & Johnson  at  Chi- 
cago ; Caleb  F.,  who  lives  at  home ; George  W.,  also  a timekeeper 
for  Turner  & Johnson,  at  Chicago.  For  three  generations  the 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


859 


family  lias  been  highly  esteemed,  and  its  members  all  occupy  an 
honorable  place  in  the  community. 

David  A.  Larson  was  born  in  Belvidere  township,  August  4, 
1859,  son  of  Ammon  E.  and  Bertha  (Davidson)  Larson,  natives 
of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  and  located  in  Iowa  in  1855. 
July,  1856,  they  came  to  Goodhue  county  and  started  as  new 
beginners  on  the  farm  that  their  son,  Rev.  L.  A.  Larson,  bought 
about  ten  years  ago.  Ammond  Larson  was  born  February  20, 
1823,  and  was  drafted  to  serve  in  the  Civil  war.  He  was  mustered 
May  27,  1864,  in  Company  D,  Second  Minnesota  Volunteer  Infan- 
try, and  was  discharged  for  disability  May  22,  1865.  He  was  taken 
ill  and  came  home,  where  he  died  a month  later,  September  2, 
1865,  and  was  buried  beside  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in 
Belvidere.  His  wife,  Bertha,  who  is  still  living,  was  also  born 
in  Norway,  July  24,  1827.  They  had  seven  children,  of  whom 
only  two  are  living,  David,  and  John  A.  of  Tennessee.  David 
received  his  education  in  the  public  school  of  Belvidere  and 
worked  on  the  farm  until  1880,  when  he  rented  eighty  acres,  and 
five  years  later  purchased  eighty.  In  1886  he  bought  his  present 
farm  in  Belvidere  township  and  has  since  sold  his  eighty  acres.  He 
now  carries  on  general  farming  and  dairying.  He  was  married 
November  10,  1886,  to  Helena  Olsen,  of  Gilman,  Pierce  county, 
Wisconsin.  She  was  born  in  Norway,  December  27,  1859, 
daughter  of  Christopher  Olsen,  born  in  Norway,  August  3,  1825, 
and  Anna  Maria  (Peterson)  Olsen,  born  April  5,  1823,  also  a 
native  of  Norway.  They  came  to  America  in  1865,  and  located 
in  Racine,  AVis.,  where  they  lived  for  five  years,  the  father  a 
carpenter  by  trade,  being  employed  at  woodwork.  In  1870  they 
moved  to  Gilman,  Pierce  county,  Wisconsin,  and  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  land  and  farmed  until  1886,  after  which  they 
removed  to  Hutchinson,  Minn.,  where  the  father  had  charge  of 
the  Norwegian  Methodist  Episcopal  church  for  two  years.  Then 
they  returned  to  the  farm,  where  the  father  died  November  17, 
1890,  and  was  buried  in  Martell,  Pierce  county,  Wisconsin.  The 
mother  died  in  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  May  7.  1899.  and  was  buried  at 
Forest  Home  cemetery.  Mr.  and  Airs.  Larson  had  four  children : 
Clarence  Alvin,  born  August  12,  1887,  now  an  electrical  student, 
of  St.  Paul;  Alison  Bernard,  born  November  3.  1889;  Edwin 
Fletcher,  born  July  2,  1894,  and  Lilly  Ruth  Delia,  born  June  10. 
1898,  all  of  whom  are  at  home.  Mr.  Larson  is  a Republican  in 
his  politics.  He  has  served  as  township  supervisor  for  the  past- 
three  years,  road  master  for  four  years,  and  clerk  of  school  dis- 
trict 32  for  the  past  twelve  years.  The  family  attend  the  Aleth- 
odist  Episcopal  church  in  Belvidere. 

William  H.  Labbitt,  proprietor  of.AIaple  Lawn  farm,  Belvidere 
township,  was  born  in  Wabasha  county,  Alinnesota,  July  *21,  1865, 


SGO 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


son  of  George  and  Mary  (Hutchinson)  Labbitt,  natives  of  Eng- 
land and  New  York  state.  The  father,  a farmer,  came  to 
America  in  1839  and  located  in  New  York  state  until  .1856,  when 
he  emigrated  west  to  Minnesota,  and  settled  in  Winona,  remain- 
ing one  year,  after  which  he  removed  to  Lake  City  and  purchased 
160  acres  of  land,  where  he  carried  on  general  farming  until 
his  death,  December  10,  1901.  The  mother  died  November  4, 
1900.  William  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  and 
worked  on  the  farm  until  1890,  when  he  bought  eighty  acres 
of  land  in  Belvidere  township,  later  purchasing  160  acres  more, 
making  many  improvements  on  the  land  and  buildings,  and 
erecting  a modern  barn  in  1900.  He  raises  tine  horses,  short-horn 
cattle  and  other  stock  and  carries  on  general  farming.  Mr. 
Labbitt  was  married  September  10,  1890,  to  Ella  M.  Brown, 
daughter  of  Walter  and  Mary  (Pearson)  Brown,  natives  of  New 
York  and  England.  The  father,  a carpenter  and  shipbuilder, 
came  to  Minnesota  in  1857  and  located  in  Lake  City,  where  he 
pre-empted  land  and  carried  on  general  farming  until  he  retired 
in  1894,  and  removed  to  Lake  City,  where  he  died  July  25,  1901. 
The  mother  died  January  21,  1906.  The  father  was  a veteran  of 
the  Civil  War.  The  old  homestead  remained  in  the  Brown  family 
until  the  death  of  Mrs.  Brown.  Mr.  Babbitt’s  father  and  Mr. 
Brown  were  of  the  early  settlers,  who  used  shingles  as  currency, 
there  being  no  money  in  circulation.  Shingles  denoted  so  much 
money  and  were  considered  legal  tender.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Labbitt 
•have  three  children:  Raymond  W.,  born  June  21,  1891;  Ralph 
IT.,  born  May  30,  1896,  and  Herbert  W.,  born  August  5,  1900. 
Mr.  Labbitt  is  a Prohibitionist  in  his  political  views,  and  has 
served  as  treasurer  of  school  district  33.  He  is  now  serving  as 
constable.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church. 

John  Martens,  Belvidere  township,  was  born  in  Hanover, 
Germany,  July  23,  1846,  son  of  Deitrick  and  Margaret  (Platrig) 
Martens,  natives  of  Germany.  The  father  died  in  August,  1846, 
and  the  mother  passed  away  in  Belvidere.  John  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  Germany,  after  which  he  learned 
the  trade  of  brick  and  stone  mason,  which  he  followed  until  1865. 
Tie  then  went  to  England,  where  he  was  employed  in  a sugar 
factory,  remaining  nine  months.  In  1866  he  emigrated  to 
America,  coming  to  New  York,  where  he  stayed  for  a short  time, 
working  in  a sugar  factory,  then  came  west  to  Minnesota,  set- 
tling in  Belvidere  township,  where  lie  purchased  160  acres  of 
wild  land  in  section  14,  which  he  cleared  and  improved,  later 
purchasing  an  additional  160  acres  in  section  22.  Here  he  built 
a home,  barn  and  other  outbuildings  and  now  carries  on  general 
farming.  He  also  has  160  acres  in  section  26  and  160  acres  in 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


861 


Gilford  township,  Wabasha  county,  all  of  which  is  under  cultiva- 
tion. He  raises  Percheron  horses  and  fine  stock,  including  full- 
blood  and  short-horn  Durham  cattle.  In  November,  1871,  Mr. 
Martens  was  married  to  Anna  C.  Schmidt,  daughter  of  Hans  and 
Mary  (Fitch)  Schmidt,  natives  of  Germany,  who  came  to 
America  in  1865  and  located  in  Belvidere  township,  where  they 
purchased  land  and  carried  on  general  farming  until  the  death 
of  the  father  in  1893.  The  mother  is  still  living  at  Red  Wing. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Martens  have  had  thirteen  children : Mary,  married 
to  Dick  Burfiend,  now  of  Washington;  John,  a granite  worker 
at  Lake  City;  Margaret,  married  to  Henry  Reinke,  of  Belvidere; 
Katie,  married  to  Adolph  Amundson,  of  Belvidere;  Johanna, 
married  to  Henry  Siewert",  of  Gilford,  Wabasha  county;  Edward 
S.,  now  of  Montana;  Henry,  who  lives  near  Goodhue;  Frank, 
Emma,  Bernard,  Charles  W.  and  Lawrence,  who  are  at  home,  and 
Dick,  who  died  in  infancy.  In  his  political  views  Mr.  Martens 
is  a Republican.  He  has  been  director  of  school  district  33  for 
seven  years  and  is  a stockholder  in  the  Farmers’  Elevator  of 
Goodhue,  in  which  township  he  also  owns  other  property.  He 
and  his  family  are  members  of  the  German  Lutheran  church,  of 
which  he  has  been  a trustee  for  thirteen  years. 

Anton  Schafer,  Belvidere  township,  was  born  in  Hay  Creek 
township  January  27.  1868,  son  of  John  and  Gertrude  (Strom- 
berg)  Schafer,  natives  of  Germany,  who  came  to  America  July 
26,  1866,  and  settled  in  Hay  Creek,  where  they  rented  eighty 
acres  of  land  and  carried  on  farming  for  a period  of  five  years. 
In  1871  they  purchased  160  acres  in  Belvidere  township.  A part 
of  this  land  was  improved  and  had  a log  house  on  it.  The  father 
continued  to  improve  the  place,  built  a home,  barn  and  other 
necessary  buildings,  and  added  more  land  from  time  to  time, 
until  he  owned  at  the  time  of  his  death  600  acres,  of  which  160 
acres  are  in  Wabasha  county.  He  retired  from  active  life  in  1895 
and  died  November  11,  1905.  The  mother  is  still  living  on  the 
homestead,  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  Anton  Schafer  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Hay  Creek  and 
worked  on  the  farm  at  home  until  1896,  when  he  came  into 
possession  of  240  acres  of  improved  land,  and  has  since  carried 
on  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  February  2.  1898.  he  was 
married  to  Margaret  Meyer,  daughter  of  John  and  Katie  (Bur- 
fiend)  Meyer,  the  father  a native  of  Germany  and  the  mother  of 
America.  - The  father  came  to  America  August  6,  1868,  and  was 
employed  at  farm  work  in  Belvidere  township  six  years.  In 
1874  he  purchased  160  acres  in  the  same  township  and  carried 
on  a diversified  line  of  farming.  He  is  now  retired  and  lives 
in  Lake  City.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schafer  have  two  children:  Arthur 
J.,  born  September  12,  1900,  and  Vincent  A.,  born  September  14, 


862 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1905.  Mr.  Schafer  is  a Republican  in  His  politics  and  has  served 
four  years  as  town  supervisor,  has  been  chairman  for  the  past 
three  years,  and  clerk  of  school  district  23  for  fourteen  years. 
He  is  a director  in  the  Hay  Creek  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Com- 
pany. The  family  attend  the  German  Lutheran  church. 

Howard  M.  Scovell,  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Goodhue,  is  a native  of  Minnesota,  born  at  St.  Charles,  Winona 
county,  April  22,  1861,  son  of  Harris  and  Sarah  (Owens)  Scovell, 
natives  of  New  York  state.  The  father  conducted  a foundry  and 
milling  enterprise  and  was  also  interested  in  various  other  busi- 
ness affairs.  He  sold  out  and  came  west  in  1856,  locating  at  St. 
Charles,  this  state,  where  he  was  proprietor  of  a hotel  five  years, 
He  then  sold  out  and  located  at  Waseca  county,  Minnesota,  where 
he  was  also  proprietor  of  a hotel  and  general  store.  His  hotel 
was  destroyed  by  fire,  so,  selling  his  general  store,  he  removed 
to  Murray  county,  this  state,  where  he  procured  a number  of 
acres  of  land.  This  he  broke  and  cultivated,  following  a diversi- 
fied line  of  farming  until  his  death,  in  1895.  Everything  was 
then  sold  and  Mrs.  Scovell  took  up  her  home  with  her  son, 
where  she  died  in  1899.  Howard  M.‘  received  his  education  in 
the  public  school,  after  which  he  took  up  farming  with  his  father 
until  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  then  became  operator  and 
station  agent  for  the  Omaha  & Northwestern  railroad,  which 
work  he  followed  until  1883,  when  failing  health  compelled  him 
to  resign.  Returning  to  his  farm,  he  remained  there  two  and 
one-half  years,  after  which  he  resumed  his  work  as  railroad 
station  agent,  holding  this  position  two  years.  In  1897  he  entered 
the  banking  business  as  cashier  for  Dunlap  Brothers’  bank,  at 
Leadyard,  Iowa,  which  changed  hands  and  became  known  as  the 
First  City  bank.  In  July,  1900,  Mr.  Scovell  was  elected  vice- 
president  of  the  City  Bank  at  Goodhue.  F.  W.  Spencer  was 
president  and  C.  A.  Arpke  was  cashier.  At  the  reorganization 
in  1905  Mr.  Scovell  was  elected  president,  which  position  he 
now  holds.  Mr.  Scovell  was  married  October  26,  1889,  to 
Matilda  J.  Bunnworth,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Monahan) 
Bunnworth,  of  Elmore.  Her  father,  a native  of  New  York,  was 
as  veteran  of  the  Civil  War.  He  served  in  Company  D,  New 
York  Light  Artillery,  and  was  badly  wounded.  After  his  dis- 
charge he  came  west  and  carried  on  general  farming  until  his 
death.  His  wife  is  still  living  at  Elmore,  Minn.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Scovell  have  five  children : Marion,  born  in  July,  1891 ; Myrtle, 
born  in  July,  1894 ; Frances,  born  in  March,  1896 ; Esther,  born 
in  November,  1902;  Archer  B.,  born  in  November,  1906.  Marion 
in  1909  graduated  from  the  Red  Wing  high  school,  Myrtle  grad- 
iiated  from  the  public  school  in  Goodhue  in  1909,  and  Frances  in 
1908.  while  Esther  and  Archer  are  at  home.  The  family  attend 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


863 


the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Goodhue.  Fraternally  Mr. 
Scovell  is  a member  of  Mason  lodge,  of  Elmore,  and  also  of  the 
Woodmen,  of  which  he  is  treasurer.  Politically  he  .is  a Repub- 
lican and  has  served  five  terms  as  mayor  of  the  village.  He  has 
been  treasurer  of  the  school  district  since  1901.  The  Goodhue 
Telephone  Company,  in  Goodhue,  was  organized  by  him  and  he 
was  manager  for  a number  of  years,  until  he  sold  out  to  Parkins 
& Meyers,  who  now  have  500  subscribers.  Mr.  Scovell  occupies 
an  important  position  both  in  business  and  social  life,  and  he 
and  his  family  are  highly  regarded  throughout  the  community. 
It  is  to  the  men  of  his  stamp  that  the  county  owes  its  financial 
and  business  stability. 

John  O’Reilly  has  been  a conspicuous  figure  in  the  life  of 
Goodhue  township  for  many  years.  He  has  served  as  town 
supervisor  three  different  times,  and  has  occupied  a position  on 
the  school  board  for  the  past  twenty  years,  being  at  the  present 
time  treasurer  of  district  37.  At  the  organization  of  the  Good- 
hue  Farmers’  Elevator  in  1906  he  was  appointed  manager  and 
held  that  position  for  about  a year.  The  Catholic  Temperance 
Society  will  long  remember  him  as  one  of  its  charter  members, 
he  being  one  of  the  six  still  living  who  were  present  at  the  organ- 
ization in  1872.  The  others  are : George  and  David  Franklin, 

John  Connell,  Edward  and  George  Rowles.  In  the  Catholic 
Foresters,  of  which  Mr.  O’Reilly  has  long  been  a member,  he  is 
at  the  present  time  treasurer.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  first 
saw  the  light  of  day  in  Wisconsin,  November  22,  1857,  and 
came  to  this  county  with  his»parents  in  1861,  receiving  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  Belle  Creek  township.  He  farmed 
with  his  father  until  1882,  when  he  purchased  eighty  acres, 
to  which  he  later  added  eighty  more.  He  now  carries  on  general 
farming,  raising  the  usual  crops  and  breeding  horses,  sheep  and 
cattle.  He  was  married  February  15,  1882,  to  Bridget  Keane, 
daughter  of  John  and  Margaret  (O’Connors)  Keane,  natives  of 
Ireland,  who  came  to  America  in  1849  and  located  in  New  Haven 
township,  Olmsted  county,  where  they  farmed  480  acres.  The 
father  is  now  deceased,  but  the  mother  still  lives  on  the  old 
homestead,  making  her  home  with  her  son.  She  is  still  in 
comparatively  good  health  at  the  venerable  old  age  of  ninety 
years.  Five  children  have  blessed  the  O’Reilly  home.  Dennis 
AY.,  the  only  one  living,  was  born  August  4,  1888,  and  took  a 
four  years’  course  in  St.  Thomas  College,  after  which  he  re- 
turned to  the  home  farm,  where  he  now  lives.  John  and  James, 
who  were  twins,  are  dead,  as  are  two  others  who  did  not  survive 
early  infancy.  James  and  Ilanora  (Benton)  O’Reilly,  parents 
of  John  O’Reilly,  came  from  Ireland  in  1851,  and  located  in 
Troy,  N.  Y.,  where  the  father  worked  as  a farm  laborer  three 


864 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


years.  Then  he  moved  to  Wisconsin  and  worked  on  farms  until 
1864,  when  he  brought  his  family  to  Belle  Creek  and  purchased 
183  acres  of  prairie  land,  on  which  he  carried  on  general  farm- 
ing. Later  he  bought  eighty  acres  more,  which  he  also  operated 
until  his  death,  in  1892.  His  wife  passed  away  in  June,  1880. 

Conrad  Meyer,  formerly  an  active  farmer  of  Goodhue  town- 
ship, has  now  rented  his  large  farm  and  is  enjoying  a life  of 
comparative  rest,  after  many  years  of  hard  work.  He  has  served 
as  town  supervisor  and  road  overseer  and  in  many  other  ways 
has  assisted  in  the  general  prosperity  of  the  township.  Mr. 
Meyer  was  born  in  Germany  April  3,  1850,  and  after  receiving 
his  schooling  in  his  native  country  took  up  farming  and  car- 
penter work.  In  1866  he  came  to  America,  and  followed  his 
trade  three  years  as  a carpenter  in  Milwaukee,  subsequently 
working  on  farms  in  Goodhue  until  1873,  when  he  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  his  own.  To  this  he  soon  added  160  acres  more, 
and  on  the  homestead  of  240  acres  carried  on  farming  until 
1901,  when  he  retired.  Since  that  date  he  has  rented  his  farm 
to  others.  Politically  he  has  always  been  a Republican,  and 
religiously  he  is  a member  of  the  German  Lutheran  church,  of 
which  he  has  been  trustee  nine  years.  Mr.  Meyer  was  married 
in  July,  1875,  to  Maggie  Tipke,  of  Goodhue,  daughter  of  Peter 
and  Catherine  (Behrens)  Tipke,  natives  of  Germany,  who,  after 
migrating  to  America  in  1868,  located  in  this  township  and  pur- 
chased first  eighty  acres  and  then  160  acres,  where  they  carried 
on  farming  many  years.  The  mother  died  March  4,  1900,  but 
the  father  is  still  living,  having  reached  the  advanced  old  age  of 
eighty  years.  Henry  Meyer  and  Dorry  (Dickman)  Meyer,  par- 
ents of  Conrad  Meyer,  came  to  America  in  1860  and  located  in 
Iowa,  later  going  to  Illinois,  in  which  state  the  father  died  in 
1870,  the  mother  having  passed  away  in  Germany  in  1861.  Aside 
from  Conrad,  they  have  three  children  living.  William  is  a real 
estate  dealer  in  Iowa,  and  the  sisters  are  Lena  and  Annie. 

Thomas  Maley,  of  Goodhue,  is  the  inventor  of  Maley’s  Quack 
Grass  machine,  a device  for  ridding  farmers  of  one  of  their 
greatest  grass  pests.  A working  model  which  was  on  exhibition 
at  the  Minnesota  state  fair  last  year  met  with  high  approbation 
and  has  proven  of  great,  practical  value.  It  is  patented  in  the 
United  States  and  Canada  and  is  sure  to  result  in  an  important 
industry.  The  inventor  of  this  machine  was  born  in  Great  Bar- 
rington, Mass.,  September  1,  1856,  and  came  west  with  his 
parents  as  an  infant,  receiving  his  educational  training  in  the 
public  and  high  schools  of  Zumbrota.  In  early  life  he  sold  imple- 
ments for  L.  D.  Woodbury,  and  later  dealt  in  pianos  and  organs, 
subsequently  teaching  school . As  an  educator  he  -was  particu- 
larly successful,  and  among  those  who  passed  under  his  tuition 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


865 


were  such  men  as  Edgar  Biglow,  representative  from  Goodhue 
county,  and  Charles  Taylor,  mayor  of  Mankato.  After  teach- 
ing school  for  several  years,  Mr.  Maley  entered  the  employ  of 
the  La  Grange  mills,  at  Red  Wing.  He  then  returned  to  the 
farm,  remaining  two  years,  and  later  worked  for  the  St.  Anthony 
and  Dakota  elevator,  buying  grain.  In  August,  1888,  he  moved 
his  family  to  South  Dakota,  and  lived  there  until  the  following 
year,  in  the  meantime  spending  a short  time  in  Zumbrota,  attend- 
ing to  the  sad  duties  of  burying  his  wife.  He  came  to  Goodhue 
in  1889,  engaged  with  the  T.  B.  Sheldon  Company,  of  Red  Wing, 
erected  an  elevator  and  purchased  grain  for  that  company  until 
1902,  when  he  built  a large  elevator,  since  which  date  he  has 
been  local  manager  for  the  Red  Wing  Malting  Company.  In 
politics  Mr.  Maley  is  a Republican,  and  has  served  as  supervisor, 
road  master  and  school  clerk.  AYliile  in  North  Dakota  he  was 
chief  of  the  fire  department.  In  times  past  he  has  been  an 
officer  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  and  the  United  Workmen,  in 
both  of  which  he  still  maintins  his  membership.  Mr.  Maley  was 
married  in  1878  to  Ivate  Woodbury,  of  Zumbrota,  daughter  of 
Lorenzo  and  Katherine  (Glidden)  Woodbury,  natives  of  Ver- 
mont, who  came  to  this  state  in  1865  and  located  in  Wabasha 
county,  where  they  carried  on  general  farming  near  Mazeppa. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Maley  five  children  have  been  born.  Levi 
William,  a graduate  of  the  State  University,  is  in  the  electrical 
and  telephone  business  in  Fargo,  N.  D.  Elsie  died  in  South 
Dakota.  Bertha  and  Harold,  twins,  graduated  from  the  Zum- 
brota high  school  and  are  both  located  in  that  village.  Eva 
Elizabeth,  also  a graduate  of  that  school,  is  a clerk  for  F.  E. 
Mervin,  of  Zumbrota.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  in 
April,  1889,  and  Mr.  Maley  Avas  married  in  1904  to  Rose  J. 
Eastman,  by  whom  he  has  two  children,  Lysle  and  Oryall,  both 
attending  school  in  Zumbrota.  Mrs.  Maley ’s  father,  Christopher 
Eastman,  Avas  a member  of  the  1st  Minnesota  ATfiunteer  Infantry, 
and  participated  in  the  charge  at  Gettysburg.  William  and 
Elizabeth  (Leonard)  Maley,  parents  of  Thomas  II.  Maley,  were 
natives  of  Ireland.  The  father  was  a farmer  and  tanner  by 
trade,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years  located  in  Massachusetts, 
Avhere  he  remained  on  a farm  a short  time  and  then  took  up  the 
trade  of  tanner  until  1857,  when  he  moved  to  Minnesota.  He 
Avas  one  of  the  first  persons  to  take  the  trip  from  Chicago  to 
Galena  by  rail,  making  the  journey  in  the  first  regular  train 
that  was  run  over  that  line.  Locating  near  Mazeppa,  he  took 
up  160  acres,  which  he  cleared  and  broke,  erecting  a house  of 
native  lumber.  He  later  added  to  his  possessions  until  he  OAAmed 
a place  of  243  acres,  continuing  until  his  death  in  1876,  after 
Avhich  his  Avife  Avent  to  Aberdeen,  Wash.,  Avhere  she  lived  until 


806 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


October,  1906.  There  were  two  children  older  than  Thomas, 
who  are  deceased.  Mary  Jane,  the  younger  sister,  married  Levi 
Woodbury,  now  a retired  hardware  merchant  of  Zumbrota.  A 
younger  brother,  Leslie,  is  now  living  in  Aberdeen,  Wash. 

J.  H.  Nibbe,  an  active  farmer  of  Goodhue  township,  has  been 
prominently  identified  with  the  public  life  of  the  vicinity  for 
many  years.  Lie  has  been  township  chairman  eight  years,  has 
served  on  the  town  board  a similar  period,  has  been  assessor  six 
years  and  has  served  on  the  school  board  for  many  terms.  In 
commercial  life  he  is  no  less  distinguished,  being  one  of  the 
organizers  of  the  Goodhue  Co-operative  store,  of  which  he  is  a 
director  and  member  of  the  executive  board;  and  president  of 
the  Farmers’  Warehouse  Company,  a position  he  has  held  for 
the  past  six  years.  Mr.  Nibbe  was  born  in  Germany,  July  27, 
1853,  and  in  that  country  received  his  education,  coming  to  this 
county  in  1868,  and  engaging  in  farming  with  his  father  until 
1876,  when  he  purchased  160  acres  in  Goodhue  township,  where 
he  now  carries  on  general  farming,  owning  154  acres  in  addi- 
tion to  his  original  purchase.  His  place  is  well  equipped  with 
all  the  latest  farming  appliances,  and  in  addition  to  raising  the 
usual  crops  he  owns  fourteen  head  of  horses,  thirty-three  head 
of  cattle  and  thirteen  sheep,  as  well  as  a number  of  hogs.  Mr. 
Nibbe  was  married  in  November,  1876,  [to  Lizzie  Darhling, 
daughter  of  Charles  and  Anna  Darhling,  natives  of  Germany, 
who  located  in  Hay  Creek  township  in  1856,  taking  up  160  acres 
of  land  and  carrying  on  general  farming  until  their  death.  The 
father  died  in  1891  and  the  mother  in  1906.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nibbe 
have  been  blessed  with  fifteen  children,  fourteen  of  whom  are 
living.  They  are:  John  J.,  proprietor  of  a general  store  at 

Chippewa  Falls,  Wis. ; Carl  Fred,  of  Richland  county,  North 
Dakota ; Mattie  Louise,  wife  of  D.  I.  McHugh,  manager  of  a 
grain  elevator  in  North  Dakota;  John  Henry,  a lawyer,  of  Bill- 
ings, Mont.;  George  E.,  who  died  in  May,  1907;  Clara  Ann,  a 
clerk  in  Goodhue  village ; and  Lydia,  Bertha  C.,  Annie  Margaret, 
Margaret  Lena,  Peter  C.  R.,  Clarence  O.  B.,  Florence  Philippine, 
Raymond  AY.,  Blanche  M.  and  Walter  A.,  all  at  home.  The 
family  faith  is  that  of  the  German  Lutheran  church.  Jacob  and 
Mattie  (St-elin)  Nibbe,  parents  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  came 
from  Germany  in  1868  and  located  in  this  township.  Two  years 
later  they  purchased  eighty  acres  and  to  this  added  from  time 
to  time  until  they  owned  in  all  480  acres,  upon  which  the  father 
carried  on  general  farming  until  his  retirement  in  1877.  He 
died  in  1902  and  his  wife  passed  away  December  24,  1878.  In 
the  family,  aside  from  J.  H.,  there  were  four  brothers  and  one 
sister:  Peter,  Jacob,  John,  Herman  and  Mary,  the  latter  of 

whom  is  now  the  wife  of  John  Gardan. 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


867 


John  H.  Albers  is  a native  of  Goodhue  township,  born  August 
12,  1875.  He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of 
his  neighborhood,  and  farmed  with  his  father  for  some  years, 
also  learning  the  carpenter’s  trade.  Later  he  purchased  a home 
at  the  same  time  doing  considerable  carpenter  work  in  the  village 
of  Goodhue.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics,  but  has  never 
actively  engaged  in  political  affairs.  Mr.  Albers  was  married 
February  8,  1905,  to  Mary  Behens,  daughter  of  John  and  Anna 
(Tipke)  Behens,  farmers,  of  Zumbrota  township.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Albers  have  been  born  three  children : Edna,  July  29, 

1906;  Wilmet,  September  17,  1907,  and  Viola,  February  13,  1908. 
Peter  and  Margaret  (Fitchen)  Albers,  parents  of  John  H.,  came 
to  America  from  Germany  in  May,  1873,  and  located  in  Good- 
hue  township,  where  the  father  purchased  a farm  of  forty  acres 
in  section  16,  on  which  he  carried  on  general  farming,  also 
doing  carpenter  work  in  the  neighborhood.  In  1902  he  purchased 
160  acres.  in  sections  1,  2 and  11,  in  Zumbrota  township,  where 
he  is  now  engaged  in  farming.  In  the  family  were  eight  children, 
aside  from  John  H.,  who  was  the  oldest.  They  are,  in  the  order 
of  their  birth : Peter,  a farmer ; Christ,  deceased ; Henry,  de- 

ceased; Anna,  wife  of  John  Reese,  a farmer,  of  Zumbrota;  Mattie, 
of  Zumbrota ; Christ  and  Margaret,  who  are  at  home,  and  Cath- 
erine, deceased. 

John  N.  Banitt,  proprietor  of  a general  store  at  Goodhue  vil- 
lage, is.  a native  of  this  township,  born  March  8,  1875,  son  of 
Hans  and  Rebecca  (Diercks)  Banitt,  who  emigrated  to  America 
in  1874  and  purchase  100  acres  of  land  in  Goodhue  township, 
where  they  carried  on  general  farming  about  one  year.  They 
then  disposed  of  the  place  and  purchased  137  acres  in  Zumbrota 
township,  where  they  lived  until  the  father’s  death,  in  January, 
1899.  The  old  homestead  has  since  been  sold  and  the  mother 
resides  in  Zumbrota  township.  Nine  children  were  born  to  Hans 
and  Rebecca  Banitt.  They  are:  Margaret,  married  to  John 

Bereholtz,  living  in  Goodhue  township ; Jacob,  living  in  Zum- 
brota township ; Peter  and  Henry,  also  living  in  Zumbrota  town- 
ship ; Harry,  who  died  December  14,  1907 ; Mary,  wife  of  Henry 
Stechmann,  living  in  Zumbrota  township ; Gesche,  wife  of  William 
Borghsehatz,  living  in  Zumbrota  township ; John,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  and  William,  who  clerks  for  his  brother  at  Good- 
hue.  John  N.  Banitt  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Zumbrota  township,  and  after  leaving  school  clerked  for  O. 
Parker,  at  Goodhue,  in  a general  store,  for  four  years.  After 
working  the  following  year  on  a farm  he  entered  the  employ  of 
O.  N.  Berg,  of  Zumbrota,  clerking  in  a general  store  four  years. 
October  29,  1900,  he  bought  the  stock  of  O.  Parker,  at  Goodhue, 
and  started  in  business  in  partnership  with  O.  N.  Berg  and  L. 


868 


HISTORY  OF  GOODI-IUE  COUNTY 


J.  Henning.  This  partnership  continued  two  years,  after  which 
the  firm  became  Berg  & Banitt.  Then  F.  E.  Davis  purchased 
the  Berg  interests.  In  May,  1907,  Mr.  Banitt  became  sole  pro- 
prietor. Mr.  Banitt  was  married  September  28,  1898,  to  Lizzie 
A.  Kopplin,  daughter  of  Alex  and  Augusta  Konig,  natives  of 
Germany,  who  came  to  this  country  many  years  ago.  Here  the 
father  was  employed  as  a farmer,  a bookkeeper  and  a school 
teacher,  but  has  now  retired.  The  mother  died  at  Bellingham, 
Minn.,  in  1897.  The  Banitt  home  has  been  blessed  with  three 
children:  Edna  Cecelia,  born  July  2,  1900;  Cecelia  Rebecca, 

born  March  5,  1903,  and  Walter  John,  born  January  2,  1907. 
The  family  worships  at  the  German  Lutheran  church. 

Hans  H.  Danielson,  also  known  in  the  early  days  as  Hans 
Henry  and  Henry  Danielson,  now  deceased,  was  one  of  the 
pioneer  settlers  of  Goodhue  township.  Lie  was  born  in  Norway, 
December  18,  1832,  and  was  brought  to  America  by  his  parents 
as  a boy  of  ten  years.  His  education  was  received  in  the  public 
schools  of  Albion,  Wis.,  and  in  that  town  he  also  followed  farm- 
ing, blacksmithing  and  carpenter  work.  In  1855,  with  the  influx 
of  Goodhue  county  immigration,  he  settled  in  Goodhue  township 
and  took  up  a government  claim  of  160  acres,  bringing  the  wild 
land  to  a high  state  of  cultivation.  Thirteen  years  later  he  sold 
his  farm  and  purchased  160  acres  in  Belvidere  township,  where, 
as  before,  he  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  also 
operating  an  ingenious  engine  and  threshing  machine  which  he 
built  himself.  He  was  supervisor  and  pathmaster  of  liis  town- 
ship, and  a director  of  school  district  32  for  many  years.  He 
also  affiliated  with  the  G.  A.  R.  In  his  latter  years  Mr.  Daniel- 
son was  handicapped  by  the  loss  of  a leg,  that  member  having 
been  wounded  by  a cannon  ball  and  later  amputated  during  the 
Civil  War,  in  which  terrible  conflict  he  served  as  a member  of 
Company  G,  7th  Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry.  After  receiv- 
ing his  wound  he  was  taken  to  the  hospital  at  Evansville,  Ind., 
and  in  1865  was  discharged  with  honor  at  the  cessation  of  hos- 
tilities. Mr.  Danielson  was  married  August  17,  1856,  to  Eliza- 
beth Anderson,  who  is  still  living  on  the  old  homestead.  By 
this  union  twelve  children  were  born : Caroline  A.  is  Mrs.  M.  C. 
Morgan,  of  Zumbrota.  Hiram  B.  is  a farmer,  of  Lincoln  county, 
this  state.  Augustus  J.  is  a farmer,  of  Lincoln  county,  this  state. 
Jennie  M.  is  Mrs.  II.  C.  Hanson,  of  Lincoln  county,  this  state. 
Minnie  C.  is  deceased.  Danene  S.  is  Mrs.  N.  A.  Herrick,  of 
Lincoln  county.  Wesley  R.  was  killed  by  a train  wreck.  Oscar 
A.  is  an  inventor  of  considerable  note  and  lives  in  New  York 
City.  Irene  E.  is  a missionary  in  Ecuador,  South  America.  Ida 
P.  is  a missionary  in  Kansas  City,  Mo.  Sarah  E.  is  dead.  Edna 
IT.  lives  at  home.  Mr.  Danielson  died  in  1909,  sincerely  mourned 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


869 


by  a large  circle  of  friends  to  whom  he  had  endeared  himself 
by  his  sterling  qualities.  Halvor  Danielson  and  Anna  Ingerbret- 
son,  his  wife,  parents  of  Hans  H.  Danielson,  came  to  America 
from  Norway  in  1842,  and  ended  their  days  in  Jefferson  county, 
Wisconsin.  Bjorn  and  Catherine  (Yon  Krogh)  Anderson,  par- 
ents  of  Mrs.  Hans  TI.  Danielson,  came  to  America  from  Norway 
in  1836  and  located  in  Dayton,  111.,  where  the  father  worked  at 
his  trade  as  cooper  until  locating  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin, 
where  he  purchased  160  acres,  which  he  cultivated  until  his 
death,  in  1850.  IPs  wife  died  in  1881.  Mrs.  Danielson  now  lives 
on  the  old  Danielson  homestead  in  Belvidere  township,  and  is 
well  liked  for  her  patient  and  pleasant  disposition. 

Fredrich  Vollmers,  a well  known  farmer,  of  Goodhue  town- 
ship, was  born  in  Germany,  January  16,  1872,  son  of  John  P. 
and  Anna  (Bomback)  Vollmers,  natives  of  Germany.  After  the 
death  of  the  father,  in  1887,  mother  and  son  determined  to  seek 
their  fortune  in  America,  and  accordingly  set  sail  in  1888.  Upon 
reaching  Belvidere,  Fredrich  worked  for  a time  on  a farm,  and 
then  pursued  a similar  vocation  in  Zumbrota,  after  which,  in 
1901,  he  purchased  160  acres  in  the  township  of  Goodhue,  where 
he  now  lives  and  carries  on  general  farming,  also  breeding 
horses  and  stock  with  great  success.  His  mother  now  makes 
her  home  in  Featherstone  township.  Mr.  Vollmers  is  a Repub- 
lican in  politics.  He  was  married  December  17,  1896,  to  Maggie 
Reese,  by  whom  he  lias  three  children,  William  D.,  Arthur  P. 
and  Minnie,  all  living  at  home.  Mrs.  Vollmers  is  the  daughter 
of  Detrich  and  Engle  (Hendricks)  Reese,  natives  of  Germany, 
who  came  to  America  some  years  ago  and  located  in  Goodhue 
township,  where  they  purchased  160  acres  of  land  and  carried 
on  general  farming.  Her  father  and  mother  are  now  both  dead. 
Mr.  Vollmers  has  two  brothers  and  four  sisters.  Henry  and 
John  are  proprietors  of  the  Vollmers  House,  in  Red  Wing.  Mag- 
gie M.,  who  died  in  1908,  was  the  wife  of  Charles  Daliling,  of 
Hay  Creek.  Mattie  is  the  wife  of  Christ  Hinek,  a Featherstone 
farmer;  Mary  is  the  wife  of  John  Augustine,  also  a Featherstone 
farmer,  and  Annie  is  the  wife  of  Ernest  Wildt,  a farmer  living 
in  Germany. 

Dwight  Cordyon  Pierce,  the  genial  postmaster  and  hustling 
newspaper  editor  of  Goodhue  village,  is  of  Wisconsin  birth,  hav- 
ing first  seen  the  light  of  day  in  Milwaukee,  December  12,  1868, 
son  of  James  M.  and  Harriet  Maria  (Carey)  Pierce,  natives  of 
New  York  state.  The  father,  who  was  a farmer  near  Milwaukee, 
Wis.,  came  west  in  1875  and  located  in  Oskaloosa,  Iowa,  Avhere 
he  purchased  100  acres  of  land  and  engaged  in  general  farming 
until  1880,  when  his  wife  died.  He  then  entered  the  employ  of 
the 'Iowa  Central  railroad,  purchasing  horses  and  supplies  for 


870 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


construction  work.  After  some  years  of  this  work  lie  became 
purchasing-  agent  for  a railroad  contractor  of  Salt  Lake  City, 
Utah.  He  now  lives  in  retirement  in  Boise  City,  Idaho.  Dwight 
C.  received  his  education  in  Big  Rapids,  Mich.,  and  attended  the 
graded,  the  high  and  the  business  schools  of  that  place.  He 
then  took  'up  newspaper  work,  coming  to  this  county  first  in 
1885.  After  taking  charge  of  the  Zumbrota  “Independent”  two 
years  he  did  similar  work  in  St.  Cloud,  this  state,  and  in  1896 
established  the  Goodhue  “Enterprise.”  This  is  a bright,  newsy 
paper  of  700  circulation,  and  its  influence  has  ever  been  exerted 
in  favor  of  everything  that  tends  toward  the  civic,  moral  and 
industrial  betterment  of  the  village  and  county.  Mr.  Pierce’s 
popularity  grew,  and  on  January  1,  1900,  his  appointment  as 
postmaster  met  with  general  approval.  Mr.  Pierce  is  a Repub- 
lican in  politics  and  has  taken  an  active  interest  in  political 
affairs,  having  served  as  secretary  for  the  Republican  county 
committee  on  several  occasions.  Being  a public  spirited  man,  it 
is  natural  that  his  attention  has  been  directed  toward  sanitary 
problems,  making  his  services  on  the  board  of  health  most  effi- 
cient and  discreet.  As  a member  of  Company  D of  the  state 
militia  he  proved  a faithful  soldier,  and  his  presence  is  always 
gladly  welcomed  in  the  Masons,  the  Elks  and  the  United  Work- 
men. Mr.  Pierce  ivas  married  October  3,  1889,  to  Florence  Cram, 
of  Zumbrota,  daughter  of  James  and  Lucinda  (Dickinson)  Cram, 
whose  father  was  originally  a contractor  and  builder,  but  who 
later  took  up  the  furniture  and  undertaking  business,  in  which 
latter  he  has  remained  nearly  forty  years.  Mrs.  Pierce  is  a 
woman  of  many  accomplishments,  and  has  been  an  able  helpmeet 
of  her  husband  in  all  his  undertakings.  The  family  faith  is  that 
of  the  Congregational  church. 

Herbert  P.  Sawyer,  M.  D.,  of  Goodhue  village,  one  of  the  well 
known  physicians  of  Goodhue  county,  has  built  up  a large  prac- 
tice, being  in  every  respect  an  ideal  village  doctor,  true  to  the 
ethics  of  his  profession  and  faithful  in  his  administration  of 
the  duties  of  his  high  calling.  He  has  allied  himself  with  the 
county  and  state  medical  societies,  and  as  a member  of  the  board 
of  health  has  done  most  efficient  service.  Dr.  Sawyer  was  born 
in  Berlin,  Steele  county,  this  state,  November  25,  1870,  and  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  that  place,  also 
attending  the  high  school  at  Owatonna.  He  was  graduated  from 
the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  Minnesota  in  1895, 
and  at  once  opened  an  office  in  Goodhue  village,  where  he  has 
since  remained.  Philo  and  Catherine  (Bettschue)  Sawyer,  par- 
ents of  Dr.  Sawyer,  were  married  in  Minnesota,  the  mother  being 
a native  of  Illinois  and  the  father  of  Hyde  Park,  Vt.  In  1856 
the  father  located  in  Berlin,  Minn.,  and  pre-empted  160  acres, 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


871 


upon  which  he  carried  on  general  farming  until  his  death,  in 
August,  1893.  The  mother  died  in  July,  1902. 

Oscar  F.  Nelson,  a rising  young  business  man  of  Goodhue, - 
was  born  April  19,  1877,  son  of  Peter  Nelson,  who  came  to 
America  from  Sweden  in  1876,  locating  in  Vasa,  Goodhue  county, 
Minnesota,  where  he  worked  at  the  carpenter  trade  for  about 
three  years.  He  then  bought  160  acres  in  Goodhue  township 
and  followed  general  farming  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  March, 
1895.  The  mother  died  in  November,  1906,  at  St.  Paul.  They 
had  four  sons:  N.  John,  engaged  in  the  banking  business  at 

East  Grand  Forks,  N.  D. ; E.  Alfred,  Editor  of  the  Hallock 
(Minn.)  “Weekly”;  Frank  J.,  a partner  of  Alfred  in  the  news- 
paper, and  Oscar  F.  One  sister  died  in  infancy.  Oscar  F. 
received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  neighborhood.  Shortly 
after  leaving  school  he  entered  the  secret  service  of  Pinkerton 
at  St.  Paul  for  two  years,  1897  and  1898.  He  then  purchased 
the  old  homestead  and  took  up  farming  for  eight  years,  after 
which  he  sold  the  farm,  January  1,  1907,  and  with  a partner, 
C.  R.  Johnson,  entered  the  hardware  business  in  Goodhue  village, 
carrying  a full  supply  of  goods  usually  handled  in  such  a store, 
including  farm  machinery  and  carriages.  This  establishment 
has  been  very  successful  in  every  way.  Mr.  Nelson  was  married 
June  27,  1901,  to  Lorena  G.  Johnson,  daughter  of  C.  R.  and 
Emma  (Sundell)  Johnson,  the  former  a native  of  Delaware  and 
the  latter  of  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Johnson  came  west,  and  still 
farms  in  Goodhue  township.  Mrs.  Johnson  died  March  17,  1907. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nelson  there  have  been  born  two  children : 
Bernice  L.,  born  December  7,  1902,  and  Vernon  Sidney,  born  June 
18,  1907.  Fraternally  Mr.  Nelson  associates  with  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  several  Masonic  chapters,  including  the  Knights  Tem- 
plar, the  Modern  Woodmen  and  the  Yeomen,  in  the  latter  of 
which  he  serves  as  foreman.  Politically  he  is  a Republican  and 
has  served  as  a member  of  the  town  board  two  years  and  as  clerk 
of  the  school  board  three  years.  He  has  also  been  village  re- 
corder. In  all  of  these  public  capacities  he  has  given  much 
satisfaction,  and  in  private  life  he  enjoys  the  esteem  of  a large 
circle  of  friends. 

Christian  R.  Johnson,  hardware  merchant,  of  Goodhue  village, 
was  born  December  19,  1812,  in  Denmark,  where  he  lived  until 
1857,  when  he  came  to  this  country  with  his  parents.  Pie  at-, 
tended  the  American  schools  a short  while  after  his  arrival  here, 
and  worked  with  his  father  for  a time,  after  which  he  pur- 
chased 220  acres  of  land  in  Goodhue  township,  where  he  carried 
on  general  farming  until  January  1,  1907,  when  he  engaged  in 
the  hardware  business  in  company  with  O.  F.  Nelson,  in  the 
village  of  Goodhue.  This  partnership  still  continues,  and  the 


872 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


establishment  is  one  of  the  leading  stores  in  the  village.  Aside 
from  the  usual  lines  of  hardware,  the  company  carries  farming 
machinery  and  wagons,  and  enjoys  a large  trade.  Mr.  Johnson 
is  a Republican  in  politics  and  has  served  as  justice  of  the  peace 
and  as  clerk  of  school  district  105.  He  is  a member  of  the  E. 
A.  Welch  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  having  enlisted  in  the  Civil  War  shortly 
toward  the  close  as  a private  in  the  1st  Minnesota  Heavy  Artil- 
lery under  Captain  Carney.  By  Emma  Sundell,  of  Chicago, 
whom  he  married  in  1870,  he  had  ten  children.  The  oldest  and 
the  youngest  died  in  infancy.  The  others  are : Albert,  Lorena, 
Maynard,  Georginna,  Bernard  Lewis,  Winnie  Ida,  Clarence  Gar- 
field, Lulu  Maude,  Myron  Herbert  and  Sidney  Percy.  The 
mother  of  these  children  died  in  1895,  and  Mr.  Johnson  was  mar- 
ried March  19,  1902,  to  Amanda  Emmaline  Swanson,  by  whom 
he  has  four  children : Laverna  Mae,  Dorothy  Anne,  Raymond 

and  Harland.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church.  Carl  and  Elizabeth  Sundell,  parents  of  Mrs.  Emma 
Johnson,  came  to  America  in  the  early  fifties  and  lived  both  in 
New  York  state  and  Pennsylvania  before  coming  to  Red  Wing. 
The  father  worked  at  his  trade  as  a shoemaker  until  1862,  when 
he  enlisted  in  the  Civil  War.  He  served  about  twenty-seven 
months,  and  met  his  death  by  falling  from  a wagon  while  still 
in  the  service.  His  death  left  his  widow  to  provide  for  four  chil- 
dren. Later  she  married  0.  P.  IJougher.  The  parents  of  Mrs. 
Amanda  Johnson  located  in  this  country,  where  her  father,  who 
had  previously  been  a miller,  became  a stone  mason,  and  followed 
that  occupation  until  His  death,  in  1908,  at  the  age  of  eighty 
years.  His  wife  is  also  dead.  John  Larson  and  Catherine  Han- 
son, parents  of  Christian  R.  Johnson,  were  married  in  Denmark 
and  came  to  this  country  in  July,  1857.  After  living  in  Red 
Wing  two  years,  they  pre-empted  160  acres  in  Goodhue  township, 
which  the  father  broke  and  improved,  and  with  the  assistance 
of  his  sons,  Lewis  and  Christian,  farmed  until  1884,  when  he 
died,  his  wife  having  died  in  1883.  Peter,  the  other  brother  in 
the  family,  was  drowned  in  the  Mississippi  river  while  on  a canoe 
trip,  in  1858. 

Jacob  Hadler,  a retired  farmer  of  Goodhue  township,  was 
born  in  Germany  September  10,  1836,  and  came  to  America  in 
1865,  locating  for  a short  time  in  Red  Wing,  and  then  working 
six  months  in  Hay  Creek  and  Featherstone.  He  next  rented  a 
farm  of  240  acres  in  Belvidere  township,  and  in  company  with 
a partner  cultivated  sixty-five  acres.  During  the  first  year  the 
two  partners  lived  in  a log  cabin,  and  raised  grain  and  corn. 
He  remained  on  this  farm  three  years  in  all,  and  in  1869  came 
to  Goodhue  township  and  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  for 
general  farming  purposes.  To  this  farm  in  1878  he  added  eighty 


Ill  ST  OB  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


873 


acres  more,  and  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising 
until  1907,  when  on  account  of  failing  health  he  found  it  advis- 
able to  turn  the  management  of  the  place  over  to  his  sons,  John 
J.  and  Herman  H.,  who  have  continued  with  success  the  work 
which  their  father  so  faithfully  performed  for  so  many  years. 
Mr.  Hadler  is  a Republican  in  politics,  as  are  also  his  sons.  He 
was  married  May  24,  1868,  to  C’atherina  Krimson,  by  whom  he 
has  seven  children:  Margaret,  born  in  1870;  Peter,  born  in  1871; 
Catherina,  bom  in  1872;  Jacob,  born  in  1871,  and  another 
Peter,  born  in  1876,  are  all  dead,  while  John  J.  and  Herman  IT., 
who  conduct  the  home  farm,  were  born  in  1878  and  1880,  re- 
spectively. The  family  faith  of  the  Hadlers  is  that  of  the  German 
Lutheran  church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jurgen  Krimson,  parents  of 
Mrs.  Hadler,  both  died  in  Germany,  in  which  country  they  spent 
their  entire  lives. 

Gustaf  R.  Ericson,  of  Goodhue  village,  was  born  in  Sweden, 
April  29,  1855,  son  of  Erie  and  Dorothea  (Renberg)  Ericson,  the 
former  of  whom  was  a shoemaker  and  farmer  until  his  death  in 

1872.  The  mother  died  in  1901.  The  family  consisted  of  two 
sons  and  three  daughters,  the  latter  of  whom  are : Hildur,  who 
is  married  and  lives  in  Chicago;  Ella,  wife  of  Gustaf  'Wall,  a car- 
penter at  Hayfield,  Minn. ; and  Anna,  married  to  C.  Carlson,  a 
farmer  living  in  Sweden.  Gustaf  acquired  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Sweden  and  the  Red  Wing  Seminary,  after 
which  he  worked  for  three  years  farming.  He  then  rented  eighty 
acres  of  land  in  Goodhue  township,  where  he  carries  on  general 
farming  and  dairying,  owning  twenty-six  head  of  cattle  and 
shipping  his  cream  to  Zumbrota  and  St.  Paul.  Mr.  Ericson  was 
married  April  20,  1889,  to  Ellen  Maria  daughter  of  Andrew  and 
Sophia  (Johnson)  Newman,  who  came  from  Sweden  to  America 
in  1869,  locating  at  Goodhue,  where  they  purchased  eighty  acres, 
on  which  they  followed  common  agriculture  until  they  retired, 
in  1890.  Mr.  Newman  died  in  1891  and  his  wife  February  17, 

1873.  Mrs.  Ericson  has  one  sister,  Justine,  married  to  Ludwig 
Schultz,  a truck  farmer,  living  at  Excelsior;  also  one  brother, 
Arad,  who  died  May  3,  1885.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ericson  are  parents 
of  six  children : Dwight  S.  E.,  born  July  5,  1890 ; Myrtle,  born 
May  2,  1892;  Palmer  E.  N.,  born  September  24,  1893;  Mamie  F. 
A.,  born  March  5,  1898;  Vincent  R.  T.,  born  June  2,  1903,  and 
Joyce  V.  R.,  born  July  14,  1905.  Dwight  attended  the  agricul- 
tural department  of  St.  Anthony’s  school,  at  Minneapolis,  and 
is  now  taking  a course  in  bookkeeping  at  the  Red  Wing  Sem- 
inary. Myrtle  is  attending  the  Red  Wing  high  school  and  will 
graduate  in  1910.  The  others  are  all  at  home.  Mr.  Ericson  is  an 
independent  voter  and  has  served  as  clerk  of  the  school  board. 


874  HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 

He  is  now  road  overseer.  The  family  worships  at  the  Methodist 
church. 

Henry  Luhman,  of  Goodhue  township,  was  horn  in  Hay  Creek 
January  6,  1874,  son  of  John  and  Mattie  (Olkers)  Luhman,  na- 
tives of  Germany,  who  came  to  America  in  1872,  locating  at 
Hay  Creek,  where  the  father  worked  on  a farm  for  three  years. 
In  the  spring  of  1875  they  came  to  Goodhue,  purchased  a half 
section  of  land  and  carried  on  general  farming.  The  father  died 
in  1903  and  the  mother  is  still  living  with  her  son  in  Goodhue. 
Henry  received  his  education  in  the  public  and  German  schools 
of  Goodhue.  He  remained  on  the  farm  with  his  father  and  also 
worked  on  a thresher  for  several  years.  In  1900  he  rented  eighty 
acres  and  in  1905'  purchased  120  acres  and  in  addition  to  this 
owns  forty  acres  of  his  father’s  farm.  On  this  land  Mr.  Luhman 
conducts  general  farming  and  dairying,  disposing  of  his  cream 
to  the  Goodhue  Creamery.  Mr.  Luhman  was  married  January 
10,  1901,  to  Mary,  daughter  of  Chris  and  Katie  (Holtz)  Vieths, 
who  came  from  Germany  to  Goodhue  township,  where  they  now 
reside.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Luhman  have  two  children:  Ernest  A.  J., 
born  February  14,  1902,  and  Alfred  IT.  C.,  born  August  25,  1903. 
Thy  both  attend  school.  Mr.  Luhman  is  a Republican  and  a 
member  of  the  German  Lutheran  church.  He  is  a prosperous 
young  man  and  merits  the  success  he  has  thus  far  won. 

John  H.  Quast,  of  Goodhue  village,  was  born  in  Germany 
December  14,  1868,  son  of  John  J.  and  Marguerite  (Behr)  Quast, 
the  former  of  whom  followed  farming  until  his  death,  in  1908. 
The  mother  died  in  1883.  John  attended  the  public  schools  in 
Germany,  and  farmed  until  1886,  when  he  came  to  America  and 
located  in  Goodhue  township.  Here  he  secured  work  on  farms 
summers  and  attended  the  public  schools  winters,  finally  finish- 
ing with  a course  at  Beeman’s  Business  College,  at  Red  Wing. 
In  1891  he  entered  the  employ  of  Grondahl- Brothers  as  sales- 
man at  Red  AVing,  where  he  remained  about  'six  years.  He  then 
came  to  Goodhue,  February  20,  1897,  and  purchased  the  general 
merchandise  store  of  K.  L.  Anderson.  He  was  also  appointed 
assistant  postmaster.  Soon  his  growing  business  required  larger 
quarters,  so  in  1905  he  built  the  Quast  block,  one  of  the  finest 
in  the  village.  On  July  1,  1905,  he  removed  his  stock  to  the  new 
building  and  now  carries  a full  line  of  dry  goods,  hats,  caps, 
shoes,  rubbers,  wall  paper,  crockery  and  groceries;  in  fact,  every- 
thing required  in  a general  village  store.  Mr.  Quast  was  mar- 
ried April  5,  1891,  to  Mary  Augustine,  daughter  of  Peter  and 
Catlirina  (Luhman)  Augustine.  This  union  resulted  in  four 
children:  John  P.,  born  July,  1892,  who  attends  the  Red  AVing 
Seminary,  taking  a business  course;  Jacob  II.,  born  1894;  Julius 
E.,  born  1896,  and  Aliva.  E.,  born  1898.  The  last  three  named 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


875 

attend  the  public  schools  of  Goodhue.  The  mother  of  these  chil- 
dren died  in  January,  1903.  Mr.  Quast  is  a Republican  in  politics 
and  has  been  clerk  of  the  school  board  and  village  trustee,  as  well 
as  mayor.  At  one  time  he  Avas  a private  in  Company  G,  at  Red 
Wing.  Taking,  as  he  does,  an  active  interest  in  the  business 
development  of  Goodhue,  he  is  an  enthusiastic  member  of  the 
Commercial  Club,  which  for  two  years  he  served  as  president. 
The  family  worships  at  the  German  Lutheran  church- 

John  Schafer,  of  Goodhue  township,  was  born  in  Germany 
September  11,  1860,  son  of  John  and  Gertrude  (Stromberg) 
Schafer,  who  were  also  natives  of  Germany.  John  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Hay  Creek  and  Belvidere,  and 
worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  June  16,  1887,  when 
he  rented  160  acres  of  his  father  and  in  1890  purchased  160 
acres  of  improved  land  in  Belvidere  township.  Twelve  years 
later  he  purchased  another  160  acres  of  land  in  Goodhue  town- 
ship, and  has  built  a home,  barn  and  other  outbuildings,  includ- 
ing a.  large,  modern  granary,  which  he  erected  in  1909.  He  now 
carries  on  extensive  farming,  has  all  his  land  under  cultivation 
and  raises  tine  horses  and  stock.  Mr.  Schafer  was  married  June 
1,  1887,  to  Annie  M.  Fitschen,  daughter  of  Cord  and  Margaret 
(Prigge)  Fitschen,  natives  of  Germany,  who  came  to  America 
in  1865  and  located  in  Hay  Creek  township,  where  they  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  of  land  and  carried  on  general  farming, 
gradually  adding  to  their  farm,  until  they  had  in  all  over  400 
acres.  They  have  now  retired  from  active  life,  sold  their  farm 
and  reside  in  Wabasha  county.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schafer  have 
been  born  three  children:  Wesley  II.,  born  September  28,  1888; 
Albert  J.,  born  September  26,  1890,  and  Louis  C.  A.,  born  Jan- 
uary 12,  1895.  Mr.  Schafer  is  a Republican  in  his  political  views, 
has  been  town  supervisor  for  some  years  past,  and  treasurer  for 
five  years ; also  clerk  and  treasurer  of  school  district  32  for  a 
number  of  terms.  He  is  a stockholder  in  the  Farmers’  Elevator 
at  Goodhue. 

George  S.  Tether,  of  Goodhue  village,  a native  of  New  York 
state,  was  born  July  7,  1861,  son  of  Francis  and  Malvina  (Cabot) 
Tether.  The  father  was  born  May  17,  1831,  in  Lincolnshire, 
England,  and  came  to  America  in  1855,  locating  in  New  York 
state,  where  he  farmed  for  six  years.  In  1862  he  came  to  Good- 
hue  township  and  purchased  130  acres  of  land,  carrying  on  a 
general  line  of  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  retired  in  1887 
and  purchased  a home  in  Red  AVing,  where  he  lived  until  his 
death,  November  12,  1891.  The  mother  lives  with  her  son  in 
Goodhue  township.  Her  parents  were  John  and  Lucy  (Farmer) 
Cabot,  natives  of  New  York  state.  John  Cabot  was  a farmer,  a 
mechanic  and  a carpenter,  first  coming  to  Faribault  in  1856  and 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


876 

then  to  Goodhue,  where  he  remained  until  his  death  in  1879. 
Mrs.  Cabot  died  in  her  native  state  in  1848.  There  were  eight 
children:  Harriet  (deceased)  wife  of  Edson  Rice;  Albert  (de- 

ceased); Mary  (deceased),  wife  of  Tyler  Gorton;  Luther  (de- 
ceased) ; Lydia,  married  to  Herman  Fisher ; Malvina,  married  to 
Francis  Tether;  Louisa,  wife  of  Thomas  Branch,  and  Betsy  (de- 
ceased), wife  of  Guarts  Gorton.  Chester  Tether,  brother  of 
George  S.  Tether,  was  born  in  Goodhue  township  and  received 
his  earlier  education  in  the  Goodhue  public  schools  and  the  Red 
Wing  high  school  and  Hamlin  University.  He  graduated  from 
the  chemistry  course  of  the  Chicago  Medical  College  in  1897 
and  now  teaches  pedigogical  methods  of  advanced  science  in  the 
Oswego  (N.  Y.)  state  normal  school.  George  S.  Tether  acquired 
his  education  in  the  public  school  and  took  up  farming  with  his 
father.  He  has  managed  the  farm  since  1887,  and  carries  on 
general  farming,  doing  considerable  dairying  and  also  breeding 
horses.  Mr.  Tether  was  married  November  1,  1882,  to  Mary 
Jane,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Margaret  (McDonald)  Stogdill, 
both  natives  of  Canada.  Mr.  Stogdill  and  family  came  to  Red 
Wing  in  1865  and  then  went  to  Wisconsin,  where  he  purchased 
100  acres  of  land  on  which  he  farmed.  In  the  family  were  seven 
children : Mary  Jane,  Samuel  Edward,  Edmond  Alfred,  Lucinda 
(deceased),  Francis  Robert,  Richard  Herbert  and  William  II. 
Mr.  Stogdill  died  in  February,  1891,  but  His  wife  still  lives  in 
Wisconsin.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tether  there  have  been  born  four 
children:  Francis,  born  August  4,  1884;  Howard  L.,  born  August 
6,  1889 ; Florence  M.,  born  September  24,  1899,  and  Clarence  W., 
born  August  22,  1906.  Mr.  Tether  is  a Republican  and  a member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  His  fraternal  affiliations  are 
with  the  Woodmen,  Yeomen  and  the  Independent  Order  of  For- 
esters. For  ten  years  lie  was  school  clerk  and  for  twelve  years 
school  director.  He  held  the  position  of  road  overseer  for  twelve 
years  and.  was  constable  for  two  years.  Mr.  Tether  and  family 
are  well  liked  both  in  business  and  social  circles. 

J.  H.  Bryan,  for  nearly  a quarter  of  a century  the  town  treas- 
urer of  Burnside,  is  a native  of  County  Cork,  Ireland,  born 
September  27,  1846.  His  parents,  Barnabus  and  Mary  A.  (Mc- 
Givern)  Bryan,  settled  in  Erie,  Pa.,  in  1852,  and  some  years  later 
came  to  Goodhue  county  and  located  in  Burnside  township,  bring- 
ing their  children,  J.  II.,  Thomas,  John,  Timothy,  Eliza,  Ellen 
and  Sarah  A.  They  purchased  the  pioneer  house  which  had  been 
erected  by  the  Rev.  J.  C.  Johnson  and  started  farming,  the 
valley  where  they  made  their  home  being  at  that  time  practically 
a wilderness.  Since  that  time  the  farm  has  remained  in  the 
family.  Of  the  original  family,  only  J.  II.,  John  and  Sarah 
remain.  These  three  live  together  on  the  old  homestead.  J.  IT. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


S?7 

helped  his  father  develop  the  land  and  erect  buildings.  He 
and  his  brother  John  now  own  620  acres,  500  of  which  is  plow- 
able,  and  the  two  carry  on  general  farming  and  raise  cattle, 
hogs  and  horses.  The  buildings  are  in  excellent  condition,  and 
the  place  presents  a pleasing  aspect.  Mr.  Bryan  served  during 
the  Civil  War  as  a sailor  on  board  the  battleship  Michigan  for 
three  years,  enlisting  as  cabin  boy  and  being  discharged  as 
second-class  fireman.  Aside  from  his  services  as  town  clerk, 
above  mentioned,  he  has  served  many  years  as  school  treasurer. 
He  belongs  to  the  Odd  Fellows  and  the  United  Workmen  at  Red 
Wing.  Mr.  Bryan  was  married  in  early  life  to  Lissette  E.  Heil- 
man, by  whom  he  has  two  children.  Thomas  B.  is  a musical 
instructor  in  New  York  City,  while  Daisy  L.  is  the  wife  of 
Elmer  B.  Palmer,  of  St.  Paul.  Mr.  Bryan  deals  extensively  in 
live  stock  and  is  noted  far  and  wide  for  his  sagacity  as  a trader. 

Bennett  I.  Melin,  of  Burnside  township,  has  seen  life  in  three 
countries — Sweden,  where  he  was  born ; Mexico,  where  he  has 
worked,  and  America,  which  has  been  his  home  practically  since 
early  youth,  and  of  which  he  is  a prosperous  and  well-to-do 
citizen.  He  was  brought  to  this  country  by  his  parents  in  1856, 
at  the  age  of  three  years.  While  looking  about  for  a location 
they  stayed  thirty  days  in  St.  Paul,  and  then  settled  in  Carver 
county,  this  state,  remaining  there  three  years.  After  a short 
time  in  Afton,  Washington  county,  Minnesota,  they  again  re- 
turned to  Carver  county,  and  there  remained  until  1863,  sharing 
in  the  pioneer  development  of  that  section  of  the  country.  Their 
first  home  in  Goodhue  county  was  on  a farm  in  Featherstone 
township,  where  they  remained  from  1863  to  1865,  going  in  the 
latter  year  to  Burnside  township,  where  the  family  residence 
was  established.  The  father  died  in  1881.  Bennett  I.  was  twelve 
years  of  age  when  his  family  came  to  Burnside.  His  education 
was  obtained  in  the  district  schools  and  at  Minneapolis,  since 
Which  time,  with  the  exception  of  a short  period  spent  in  the 
sugar  industry  in  Mexico,  he  has  made  his  residence  on  the 
old  homestead.  Mr.  Melin  is  a Republican  as  far  as  broad  and 
general  principles  are  concerned,  but  to  a large  extent  he  votes 
independently.  He  has  been  town  'treasurer  and  a member  of 
the  school  board.  In  1879  Mr.  Melin  was  married  to  Julia  An- 
derson, daughter  of  John  Anderson,  who  settled  in  this  county 
in  1860. 

S.  A.  Thompson,  who  carries  on  general  farming  on  a place 
of  135  acres  in  Burnside  township,  was  born  hi  Erie  county, 
Pennsylvania,  December  25,  1846,  a son  of  William  and  Nancy 
(Kennedy)  Thompson,  of  whom  a sketch  will  be  found  in  this 
history  in  connection  with  the  biography  of  Thomas  J.  Thomp- 
son, of  Red  Wing.  S.  A.  was  brought  to  this  county  by  his 


878 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


parents  in  the  early  fifties,  and  grew  to  young-  manhood  on  the 
home  farm  in  Burnside  township,  helping  his  father  and  brother 
with  the  breaking,  developing,  cultivating,  etc.  He  then  moved 
to  ( 'hippewa  county,  this  state,  where  he  remained  in  all  thirty 
years.  For  a larger  part  of  the  time  he  was  a farmer,  but  kept 
a store  in  Maynard,  in  that  county,  six  years.  During  his  long- 
stay  in  Chippewa  county  he  served  in  a number  of  public  offices, 
including  that  of  assessor,  and  to  him  also  belongs  the  honor  of 
having  done  the  first  township  work  on  the  roads  of  Stoneham, 
in  that  county.  A few  years  ago  he  came  back  to  the  old  home- 
stead in  Burnside  township,  where  he  noAV  resides  and  carries 
on  general  farming.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics,  and  was 
formerly  a member  of  the  Odd  Fellows.  Mr.  Thompson  is  Avell 
liked  throughout  the  township. 

N.  G.  Sandberg,  of  Burnside  township,  a public  spirited  cit- 
izen and  an  earnest  advocate  of  good  roads,  Avas  born  in  SAveden 
August  5,  1850,  son  of  Karl  and  Christina  M.  Sandberg,  avIio  lived 
and  died  on  a farm  in  the  old  country.  N.  G.  Avas  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  his  native  land,  and  in  1871  came  to  America, 
locating  for  a time  in  Red  Wing.  He  then  came  to  Burnside 
township,  where  he  has  since  remained,  engaged  in  farming. 
His  place  is  in  a pleasant  location  about  five  miles  out  of  Red 
Wing,  and  the  house  and  buildings  are  modern  and  well  kept. 
Mr.  Sandberg  keeps  a dozen  head  of  good  cows,  makes  a spe- 
cialty of  dairy  farming  and  sells  butter  in  the  city.  A Repub- 
lican in  politics,  he  has  served  as  a member  of  the  town  board 
of  supervisors  five  years  and  as  school  treasurer  for  several  terms. 
He  Avas  married  in  1880  to  Clara  E.  Bunch,  by  whom  he  has  one 
child,  Karl  Q.,  a pupil  in  the  Red  Wing  high  school.  Edna  H. 
Anderson,  a niece  of  Mrs.  Sandberg,  has  been  a member  of  their 
family  since  1898.  She  is  also  a student  in  the  Red  Wing  high 
school.  Q.  Bunch,  father  of  Mrs.  Sandberg,  was  born  in  North 
Carolina  October  4,  1826,  and  lived  successively  in  Ohio  and 
Michigan.  He  came  to  Red  Wing  in  1856  and  later  located  in 
Burnside.  Mr.  Bunch  was  a veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  having 
served  in  Company  D,  1st  Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry.  By  his 
first  Avife,  Helen  S.  Rudd,  whom  he  married  April  3,  1856,  he 
had  two  children,  Clara  E.,  born  December  10,  1857,  and  Helen 
S.,  born  April  10,  1869.  By  his  second  wife,  Mary  A.  Buck- 
master,  whom  he  married  November  10,  1870,  he  had  three  chil- 
dren : Ellen  I.,  born  February  14,  1872;  Frank,  born  August 

19,  1874.  and  Alice  M.,  born  December  23,  1878. 

John  Nelson,  of  Burnside,  a veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  of 
the  Indian  campaign,  was  born  in  Norway  November  12,  1844. 
a son  of  Nels  and  Ingebor  Nelson,  who  came  to  the  United  States 
in  1848,  and  located  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin.  In  1855  a part 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


879 


of  the  family  came  to  Goocllme  county,  followed  in  the  fall  of 
1857  by  John  and  his  sister.  John  received  his  education  in 
the  common  schools  and  also  had  the  advantages  of  one  year’s 
tuition  in  Hamline  University,  at  that  time  located  in  Red  AVing. 
ITe  took  up  farming  on  the  home  place,  remaining  until  1862, 
when  as  a youth  of  eighteen  years  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  6th 
Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry,  August  11,  1862.  He  took  part 
in  the  Indian  campaign  under  General  Sibley,  being  sent  with  his 
regiment  to  the  rescue  of  the  detachment  beleagured  by  the 
Indians  at  Birch  Coolie.  In  the  battle  of  AYood  Lake,  September 
23-,  the  regiment  held  an  important  position.  Mr.  Nelson  par- 
ticipated in  all  the  battles  of  the  memorable  Sibley  campaign. 
June  15,  1864,  he  went  south  with  the  regiment,  and  was  at 
Helena,  Ark.,  and  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  until  January,  1865,  when  the 
regiment  was  sent  to  New  Orleans  and  assigned  to  the  16th 
army  corps.  He  participated  in  the  engagements  of  Spanish 
Fort  and  Fort  Blakely,  in  April,  1865,  and  was  discharged 
with  the  regiment  at  Fort  Snelling  August  27,  1865.  After 
returning  home,  Corporal  Nelson  taught  school  one  year.  He 
then  clerked  seven  years,  and  having  been  frugal  and  saving, 
gathered  enough  to  start  a store  of  his  own.  This  store  he  con- 
tinued fourteen  years,  after  which  he  interested  himself  in  the 
veneer  and  hardwood  lumber  business.  In  1900  he  moved  to  the 
place  in  Burnside  township  which  he  now  operates.  He  has  296 
acres  of  land  and  is  engaged  in  general  farming,  keeping  dairy 
cows,  etc.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics,  and  has  served  as  super- 
visor of  Burnside  township.  Mr.  Nelson  was  married  in  1874 
to  Lucy  E.  Bussitt,  by  whom  he  has  one  child,  R.  J.  Nelson,  em- 
ployed^ with  the  Fairbanks,  Morse  Company,  in  St.  Paul. 
After  his  first  wife’s  death  Air.  Nelson  was  married  to  Jessie 
Eames,  by  whom  he  lias  three  children : Horace  E.,  Frances  C. 

and  Walter  IT.  Nelson. 

John  Larson,  of  Burnside  township,  was  born  in  Sweden 
August  24,  1838,  son  of  Lars  Erikson,  native  of  Sweden.  Both 
parents  died  there.  John  received  his  education  in  Sweden  and 
came  to  America  in  1866,  locating  at  Red  Wing.  In  1870  he 
came  to  Burnside  and  purchased  land,  which  he  broke  and  im- 
proved, built  a home  and  all  buildings  necessary  and  carried  on 
general  farming,  which  he  now  continues  with  great  success. 
In  1870  he  was  married  to  Martha  Peterson,  a native  of  Sweden. 
They  have  no  children.  Mr.  Larson  is  a Republican  in  his  polit- 
ical views.  They  attend  the  Lutheran  church. 

Fred  Van  Guilder,  of  Stanton  township,  comes  of  the  hon- 
ored Knickerbocker  stock,  his  forebears  having  been  among  those 
sturdy  Hollanders  who  settled  New  York  state.  The  original 
Van  Guilder,  founder  of  the  family  in  America,  fought  in  the 
Revolution,  and  the  account  of  the  courage  of  this  valiant  old 


880 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


soldier  is  still  a part  of  the  history  of  the  early  days  of  the 
Empire  State.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  New  York 
state  February  24,  1841,  son  of  Daniel  and  Mariah  (Alcott)  Van 
Guilder,  both  natives  of  the  Empire  state.  He  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  schools  of  his  neighborhood,  and  at  the  call  ’to 
arms  in  1862  enlisted  for  two  years  in  Company  Iv,  123rd  New 
York  Volunteer  Infantry.  After  the  expiration  of  the  term  of 
enlistment  he  came  to  Stanton  township  and  farmed  for  a while, 
but  the  love  of  his  country  was  strong  in  his  heart,  and  after 
a while  he  again  went  east  and  enlisted  in  Company  A,  8th  Ver- 
mont Volunteer  Infantry,  serving  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
Hostilities  concluded,  he  came  to  Stanton  township  once  more 
and  purchased  the  place  upon  which  lie  has  since  resided.  He 
cleared  the  land  himself,  brought  it  under  cultivation  and  carried 
on  general  farming,  an  occupation  in  which  he  continues  at  the 
present  time.  Aside  from  raising  the  usual  crops,  he  also  does 
dairy  farming  and  sells  considerable  cream.  He  also  raises 
sheep,  a subject  to  which  he  has  given  much  thought.  The  farm, 
which  with  its  neat  house  and  well-kept  barn,  presents  a strong 
contrast  to  the  wild  land  upon  which  Mr.  Van  Guilder  first  built 
his  rough  log  cabin,  originally  consisted  of  194  acres,  but  forty 
acres  was  recently  sold  to  a son,  leaving  154  acres.  Mr.  Van 
Guilder  is  a Republican  in  political  views  and  cast  his  first  vote 
for  Abraham  Lincoln,  but  of  late  years  he  has  at  many  elections 
voted  independently  on  those  occasions  when  the  merits  of 
the  candidates  seemed  a greater  issue  than  the  platform  of  the 
parties.  He  has  for  some  years  past  affiliated  himself  with  the 
McKinley  Post,  No.  92,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Cannon  Falls.  Although 
not  an  office  seeker,  he  has  consented  at  various  times  .|o  serve 
as  road  overseer  and  on  the  school  board.  Mr.  Van  Guilder  was 
married  in  1859  to  Harriet  Cooper,  daughter  of  Matthew  and 
Mary  Cooper,  who  on  July  3,  1909,  celebrated  the  fiftieth  anni- 
versary of  their  marriage.  The  Van  Guilder  home  has  been 
blessed  with  seven  sturdy  children : Mary,  Carrie,  Fred,  Nathan, 
Daniel,  Charles  and  George,  all  of  whom  are  alive. 

Alvin  Van  Guilder  was  born  in  Stanton  township  February 
14.  1869,  son  of  Albert  and  Jane  (Winchell)  Van  Guilder,  natives 
of  New  York,  who  spent  their  early  life  there,  the  father  being 
engaged  at  his  trade  of  cooper,  and  later  in  farming.  They 
came  west  with  Fred  Van  Guilder  and  purchased  land  in  Stanton 
township,  which  the  father  improved,  carrying  on  general  farm- 
ing. They  had  a family  of  ten  children,  all  of  whom  are  living: 
Henry,  Frank,  Albert,  William,  Alvin  (the  subject  of  this  sketch), 
Herbert,  Edith,  John,  Samuel  and  James  J.  The  father  is  still 
living  in  Waterville,  Minn.  The  mother  died  in  1901.  Alvin 
received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  worked  on  the 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


881 


home  farm,  later  purchasing*  140  acres  of  land  in  Stanton  town- 
ship. During*  his  twenty  years’  ownership  he  has  greatly  im- 
proved the  place,  remodeling*  the  buildings  and  developing  the 
land,  110  acres  of  which  is  under  cultivation.  He  carries  on  gen- 
eral farming,  keeps  a number  of  good  cattle  and  disposes  of  con- 
siderable cream  to  the  Cannon  Falls  creamery.  In  1889  Mr.  Van 
Guilder  was  married  to  Cynthia  Deline,  daughter  of  J.  J.  and 
Eliza  (Housed)  Deline,  who  were  old  settlers  of  this  county. 
Both  are  now  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Van  Guilder  have  one 
daughter,  Ruth,  who  attended  the  high  school  at  Cannon  Falls, 
but  who  is  now  at  home  and  devotes  considerable  of  her  time 
to  the  study  of  music.  In  politics  Mr.  Van  Guilder  is  a 
Republican. 

Wallace  Van  Guilder,  of  Stanton  township,  was  born  in  New 
York  state  June  28,  1843,  son  of  Phenner  and  Jane  Van  Guilder, 
natives  of  New  York  state,  where  they  were  engaged  in  farming 
until  their  death.  Wallace  Van  Guilder  received  his  education 
in  the  common  schools  of  the  state,  and  worked  in  a stave  fac- 
tory for  several  years.  When  the  war  broke  out  he  enlisted,  in 
July,  1862,  in  Company  B,  14th  Vermont  Volunteer  Infantry, 
served  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  and  took  part  in  all  the 

battles  of  the  campaign,  including  the  battle  of  Gettysburg.  He 

was  discharged  in  Vermont  in  1864.  After  his  return  home, 
on  receiving  his  discharge  from  the  army,  he  decided  to  come 
west,  locating  in  Cannon  Falls,  where  he  worked  in  the  hotel  for 
a time,  after  which  he  rented  a farm  in  partnership  with  his 

cousin,  and  engaged  in  farming.  He  went  back  later,  to  New 

York,  and  worked  for  one  year  for  an  old  comrade,  after  which 
he  again  returned  to  Cannon  Falls  and  purchased  182  acres  of 
land  in  Stanton  township,  where  he  has  been  engaged  in  general 
farming  for  twenty  years.  He  was  at  one  time  also  engaged  in 
ball  playing,  being  a professional.  He  played  with  the  Minne- 
haha club,  of  Northfielcl,  Minn.,  which  held  the  championship  of 
Minnesota  until  they  disbanded  in  1868.  All  the  improvements 
on  his  land  and  buildings  have  been  made  by  himself,  and  about 
120  acres  is  under  cultivation.  He  is  now  retired  and  his  stepson 
rents  the  farm.  Mr.  Van  Guilder  was  married  in  November, 
1869,  to  Aribell  Poe,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Margaret  Poe, 
by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Milton  A.,  living  in  Stanton; 

Julia,  who  married  Dr.  Houston,  now  of  Montana,  and  one  child 
who  died  in  infancy.  His  wife  died,  and  later  he  married  Mrs. 
Matilda  Saylor,  who  had  three  children  by  her  first  marriage, 
Elizabeth,  Frank,  now  deceased,  and  Lester,  the  latter  of  Avhom 
rents  the  farm.  Wallace  and  Matilda  Van  Guilder  have  one  son, 
Jesse,  who  is  attending  the  State  University,  where  he  is  pre- 
paring to  practice  dentistry.  Mr.  Van  Guilder  is  a Republican, 


882 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


but  has  never  sought  or  held  any  public  office.  He  affiliates  with 
the  George  McKinley  Post,  No.  92,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Cannon  Falls. 
Mr.  Van  Guilder’s  uncle  and  grandmother  were  victims  of  the 
Indian  massacre  near  New  Ulm,  Minn. 

Francis  Goudy,  Sr.,  one  of  the  large  farmers  of  Stanton  town- 
ship, has  been  assessor  of  his  township  for  about  thirty-five 
years,  and  has  also  served  a long  period  as  school  clerk.  Pie 
comes  of  good  old  stock,  his  ancestors  being  of  that  sturdy  and 
devoted  race  who  people  the  northern  part  of  Ireland.  Born  in 
County  Down,  in  that  country,  August  3,  1838,  he  came  to 
America  in  the  dawn  of  his  early  manhood  and  settled  at  once 
in  Stanton  township.  He  worked  four  months  as  a farm  hand, 
then  rented  a farm  a short  time,  and  subsequently  made  his 
first  start  as  a land  owner  by  purchasing  eighty  acres.  On  this 
land  he  built  a log  cabin,  and  lived  in  it  five  years.  From  this 
small  beginning  has  grown  his  present  prosperity.  He  now  owns 
563  acres  of  tillable  land,  aside  from  several  tracts  of  timber. 
He  has  made  all  the  improvements  on  the  place,  which  is  eight 
miles  from  Cannon  Falls  village  and  four  miles  from  Stanton 
village.  Aside  from  general  farming,  he  engages  in  dairying  and 
owns  some  excellent  stock.  Mr.  Goudy  faithfully  adheres  to  the 
Republican  party,  and  affiliates  with  the  Masonic  lodge  at  Cannon 
Falls.  lie  was  married  in  1865  to  Bridget  McWeeney,  who  has 
proven  a good  wife  and  mother.  To  this  union  has  been  born 
a goodly  number  of  sturdy  children.  They  are  AVilliam  R.,  A.  P., 
Francis,  James  A.,  Marie  M.,  Nathaniel,  Robert  J.,  John  T., 
George  II.  and  Elizabeth  A.,  all  of  whom  are  at  home.  Annie, 
the  fourth  child,  is  dead.  Mr.  Goudy  Avas  one  of  the  organizers 
of  the  Stanton  cheese  factory  and  was  secretary  and  manager 
of  the  same  for  about  ten  years  of  its  first  existence.  He  also 
assisted  in  organizing  the  Stanton  Farmers’  Mutual  Insurance 
Company,  in  1895,  of  which  company  he  Aims  elected  treasurer 
and  still  holds  that  office. 

Andrew  Felien  owns  a fertile  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Stanton 
township,  Avhere  he  is  rearing  a family  of  ten  sturdy  children. 
He  was  born  in  Sweden  April  22,  1860,  son  of  AndreAV  and  Kate 
(Johnson)  Feline,  Avho  lived  and  died  in  the  old  country.  In 
1882,  at  the  age  of  tAArenty-two  years,  Andrew  left  the  shores  of 
his  native  land  and  made  his  first  venture  in  America  as  a rvork- 
man  in  St.  Paul.  He  also  labored  for  a short  time  in  Spring 
Garden,  but  a short  time  later  came  to  Stanton.  When  he  first 
came  here  he  worked  about  five  years  as  an  employee  of  Johnson 
Miller.  Subsequently  lie  rented  Mr.  Miller’s  farm,  but  three 
years  later  went  to  Dakota  and  tilled  the  land  there  seven  years. 
About  a dozen  years  ago,  he  came  back  to  this  township  and 
purchased  the  farm  which  he  now  owns.  Plere  he  has  made  many 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


883 


improvements  on  the  house  ancl  buildings,  and  has  erected  a 
fine  windmill.  He  makes  a specialty  of  dairying  and  sells  milk  to 
the  Cannon  Falls  cheese  factory.  Politically  he  is  a Republican, 
and  is  now  serving  as  treasurer  of  his  school  district.  He  was 
married  in  1887  to  Emma  Denning,  daughter  of  Sidney  and 
Annie  Denning,  who  came  to  this  county  before  the  war.  The 
children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Feline  are : Cora,  Kattie,  Arthur, 
Lulu,  Florence,  Clara,  Lawrence  and  Clarence  (twins),  Edward 
and  Ernest.  All  the  children  are  at  home,  and  those  of  suitable 
age  attend  school. 

John  H.  Whitson,  Stanton  township,  was  born  in  Canada, 
January  15,  1862,  son  of  Robert  and  Mary  (Riddell)  Whitson. 
The  father  was  a native  of  Scotland,  and  the  mother  of  Canada. 
They  spent  their  early  life  in  Canada,  and  came  to  Minnesota  in 
1863,  settling  in  Sciota  township,  Dakota  county,  where  they 
remained  but  a short  time,  after  which  they  removed  to  Stanton, 
Goodhue  county  and  engaged  in  farming  up  to  the  time  of  the 
father’s  death.  They  had  a family  of  seven  children,  all  of  whom 
are  living.  John  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools 
in  the  county,  and  at  Northfield,  where  he  attended  Carleton  Col- 
lege two  years.  After  leaving  school  he  took  up  farming  in  the 
western  part  of  the  state  for  a while,  after  which  he  went  west 
and  located  in  Portland,  Ore.,  where  he  remained  seven  years, 
managing  a drug  store  for  two  years  and  working  in  a shingle 
mill  for  five  years.  He  then  returned  to  Minnesota  and  settled 
in  Stanton  township  on  a farm  of  240  acres,  which  is  the  old 
Miller  homestead,  and  engaged  in  general  farming  and  dairying. 
In  1886  he  was  married  to  Cora  Miller,  daughter  of  H.  D.  Miller. 
They  have  three  children : Helen  and  Harry,  attending  high 

school  at  Northfield,  and  Claude,  at  home.  Mr.  Whitson  is  a 
Republican  in  his  political  views, .is  a supervisor  of  the  township, 
and  a member  of  the  school  board.  Mr.  AYhitson  is  a Mason, 
member  of  Lodge  No.  34  of  Cannon  Falls,  and  of  the  M.  W.  A. 
camp  8466,  of  Stanton. 

N.  J.  Miller,  Stanton  township,  was  born  in  Goodhue  county, 
Minnesota,  January  3,  1861,  son  of  H.  D.  and  Harriet  (Ellis) 
Miller.  The  father  is  a native  of  Vermont  and  came  to  Stanton 
in  the  early  days,  being  among  the  first  settlers.  After  arriving 
here  he  purchased  220  acres  of  land,  which  he  broke  and  im- 
proved, hauling  his  products,  which  consisted  mostly  of  grain, 
to  Hastings  and  St.  Paul,  bringing  back  lumber  for  his  home 
and  buildings,  doing  all  himself.  He  also  had  large  flocks  and 
herds  of  stock,  having  brought  sheep  and  cattle  here  with  him. 
His  wife  died  in  1907.  N.  J.  was  educated  in  the  common  schools, 
and  worked  with  his  father  on  the  farm  until  his  marriage. 
After  marriage  he  carried  on  his  father’s  farm  eighteen  years, 


884 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


subsequent  to  which  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land,  across 
the  road  from  his  father’s  farth,  and  engaged  in  general  farming 
and  dairying,  which  he  still  continues,  making  a specialty  of 
raising  sheep  of  which  lie  owns  a flock  of  over  100.  Mr.  Miller 
was  married  in  1882  to  Edith  Yanguilder,  daughter  of  Stephen 
and  Caroline  (Knowlton)  Yanguilder,  the  former  a native  of 
Vermont  and  the  latter  of  Boston.  They  came  to  Cannon  Falls' 
in  1855,  where  the  father  engaged  in  his  trade  of  carpenter.  He 
died  in  1897  and  the  mother  in  1906.  They  had  eight  children: 
Ida,  Ira,  Edith,  John,  Cecil,  Mabel,  and  Stephen.  Two  children 
died  in  infancy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  have  five  children:  Inez, 
married  to  William  Moorehouse,  of  Stanton ; Beatrix,  Archie, 
Beryl,  and  Herschel,  who  are  at  home.  Mr.  Miller  is  a Republican, 
but  has  never  sought  or  held  public  office. 

James  Pollard,  of  Stanton  township,  was  born  in  Manchester, 
England,  January  22,  1828,  son  of  Thomas  and  Ann  (Cosgrove) 
Pollard,  the  former  a native  of  England  and  the  latter  of  Ire- 
land. They  were  married  in  England  in  1827,  one  year  later 
came  to  America,  landing  at  New  York,  where  they  remained  a 
short  time,  afterward  living  near  Hudson,  N.  Y.,  and  at  North 
Adams,  Mass.,  the  father  being  a calico  manufacturer.  In  1842 
they  located  in  Watertown,  Jefferson  county,  Wisconsin,  and 
engaged  in  farming  until  the  father’s  death  in  1846.  The  mother 
died  in  Hastings,  Minn.  James  Polland  was  an  only  child.  In 
1856  he  came  to  Minnesota  and  located  in  Stanton  township,  and 
is  consequently  believed  to  be  the  oldest  living  resident  of  the 
township.  Upon  his  arrival  here  he  pre-empted  160  acres  of  land, 
which  he  broke  and  improved,  using  horses  at  first  and  later  oxen. 
For  two  years  he  and  his  wife  lived  in  a small  board  shanty, 
later  adding  a small  room.  In  1876  the  present  residence  was 
built.  In  February,  1865,  Mr..  Pollard  enlisted  in  Company  I, 
First  Minnesota  Heavy  Artillery,  under  Captain  Thomas  Carney. 
He  served  in  the  Army  of  Cumberland  and  Tennessee,  and  was 
discharged  October  II,  1865.  October  11,  1850,  he  was  married 
to  Margaret  M.  Gibson,  born  in  County  Clair,  Ireland,  July  4, 
1832,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Ellen  Gibson,  also  natives  of  County 
Clair,  Ireland,  who  came  to  America  in  1847  and  settled  in 
Watertown,  Jefferson  county,  Wisconsin,  living  on  a farm  in 
Milford  township,  in  the  same  county,  until  1859,  when  they 
came  to  Stanton.  James  and  Margaret  Pollard  were  the  parents 
of  twelve  children:  John,  now  of  Dunbar,  Ohio;  James,  of 

Minnesota;  Ella  E.,  of  Spearfish,  S.  D. ; Henrietta,  of  South  Da- 
kota; Adeline  (deceased);  Benjamin,  a railroad  man  of  Min- 
neapolis; William  H.,  of  Idaho;  George  C.,  of  Rochford,  S.  D.; 
Eugene  (deceased)  ; Thomas  (deceased)  ; Francelia,  of  Boise, 
Idaho;  Margaret,  of  Spearfish,  S.  D.  Mrs.  Pollard  died  August 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


885 


3,  1885,  and  on  December  5,  1891,  Mr.  Pollard  was  married  to 
Ellen  A.  Carel,  a native  of  Canada.  There  were  no  children  by 
this  marriage.  Mr.  Pollard  has  a fine  farm  and  carries  on  gen- 
eral farming  and  dairying  with  much  success.  He  is  a Democrat 
in  political  views  and  is  a strong  advocate  of  free  trade.  He  has 
been  justice  of  the  peace  since  1867  and  is  notary  public,  road- 
master  and  member  of  the  school  board.  He  is  a charter  member 
of  the  G.  A.  R.  of  Cannon  Falls;  also  a charter  member  of  the 
Stanton  Insurance  Company  and  Farmers’  Mutual  Fire  Insur- 
ance Company.  Mr.  Pollard  is  not  a member  of  any  church,  but 
gives  impartially  to  all. 

John  S.  Lilleskov,  Stanton  township,  son  of  Sjur  Tokvam  and 
Anna  Lilleskov,  was  born  in  Norway,  September  30,  1873.  The 
father  came  to  this  country  in  1871,  and  settled  in  Minnesota  for 
a short  time,  then  went  to  Pembina  county,  North  Dakota.  Later 
he  moved  to  Grafton,  N.  D.,  and  Avhere  he  has  since  remained. 
The  mother  still  lives  in  Norway.  There  were  five  children: 
Mike,  Annie,  Gertrude,  Herman,  and  John,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch.  John  S.  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Norway,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1893,  locating  in  Free- 
born county,  Minnesota,  where  he  worked  on  a farm  for  two 
years,  after  which  he  came  to  Goodhue  county,  where  he  Avas 
employed  on  a farm  for  three  years.  He  then  purchased  147 
acres  of  land,  of  Avhich  120  acres  Avas  improved,  and  engaged  in 
farming  for  himself,  having  since  carried  on  general  farming  and 
dairying.  He  also  sells  cream  to  the  Stanton  cheese  factory. 
He  has  made  many  improvements  on  the  place,  lias  remodeled 
some  buildings,  and  lias  a fine  farm  located  six  and  a half  miles 
from  Cannon  Falls.  In  1898  he  was  married  to  Betsy  Frettam, 
daughter  of  Ole  and  Soniva  (Wangen)  Frettam.  Avho  are  old 
settlers  of  this  county,  and  farmers  of  Warsaw  touniship.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Lilleskov  ha\re  five  children : Oscar  J.,  Martin  J., 

Annie  S.,  Theodore  0.,  and  Selmer  C.  Mr.  Lilleskov  is  inde- 
pendent in  his  politics.  He  is  a member  of  the  BeneA'ulent  Society 
of  Wangen  Prairie,  and  he  and  his  family  attend  the  Norwegian 
Lutheran  church  of  Wangen  Prairie. 

Robert  Goudy,  of  Stanton  township,  Avas  born  in  Ireland. 
March  1,  1832,  son  of  William  and  Betty  Ann  (Reid)  Goudy. 
Robert  and  his  brother  came  to  America  in  1857,  direct  to  Stanton 
toAvnship,  where  they  bought  and  improved  land,  living  Avith  their 
sister  and  her  husband,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCorkell,  avIio  had  come 
six  months  previous,  until  they  could  put  up  a shanty  of  their 
oval.  By  hauling  their  products  to  Hastings  and  Red  Wing,  and 
bringing  back  lumber,  they  were  enabled  in  a short  time  to  build 
a home.  Since  their  first  arrival  they  engaged  in  farming  and 
continued  to  improve  the  place.  In  1869  their  brother,  Nathaniel, 


8S6 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


and  sister,  Elizabeth  Ann,  came  to  this  country  and  have  since 
made  their  home  with  the  brothers.  Elizabeth  has. eighty  acres 
of  her  own  in  Section  20.  In  1879  Robert  paid  a visit  to  the  old 
home  in  Ireland.  He  is  a Republican  and  is  a stockholder  in 
the  Stanton  cheese  factory.  The  brothers  have  some  fine  land 
which  they  have  brought  to  a high  state  of  cultivation.  Through 
hard  work  and  thrift  they  have  become  prosperous  and  are  highly 
respected. 

0.  E.  Emery,  of  Stanton  township,  was  born  in  New  York 
state,  May  30,  1853,  son  of  Jacob  and  Eliza  (Portman)  Emery, 
natives  of  Jamestown,  N.  Y.,  who  came  to  Rice  county  in  1855 
and  engaged  in  farming.  0.  E.  Emery  received  his  education  in 
the  early  days,  when  a log  cabin  served  for  a school  house  and 
long  planks  for  seats.  After  school  days  were  over,  he  worked 
on  his  father’s  farm  until  he  was  twenty-seven  years  old,  when 
he  came  to  Stanton  township  and  purchased  land  which  he  im- 
proved, starting  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  which  he  has 
carried  on  for  twenty  years.  He  was  the  first  man  in  the  town- 
ship to  bring  in  a registered  Holstein  bull.  He  now  does  some 
dairying,  and  has  twenty-six  Holstein  cows.  His  farm  consists 
of  200  acres  of  land,  of  which  all  but  twenty-five  acres  is  under 
cultivation.  The  house  and  outbuildings  are  in  excellent  condi- 
tion, Mr.  Emery  having  made  all  the  improvements  himself.  He 
was  married  in  1879  to  Isabelle  Whitson,  daughter  of  Andrew 
and  Abigail  (Dack)  Whitson,  who  are  old  settlers,  having  lived 
in  this  county  for  over  forty  years.  Four  children  have  blessed 
the  Emery  home : Earl,  Ethel,  Orville,  and  Charles,  all  of 

whom  are  with  their  parents.  Mr.  Emery  had  three  brothers 
who  served  in  the  Civil  War,  two,  three  and  four  years  respec- 
tively. Mr.  Emery  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  served  as 
supervisor,  also  on  the  school  board.  He  was  one  of  the  organ- 
izers of  the  Stanton  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company,  of  which 
he  is  a director;  also  helped  start  the  Farmers’  Elevator  at 
Stanton.  He  is  a member  of  the  M.  W.  A.  Camp  1540,  of  Cannon 
Falls. 

W.  F.  Deline,  of  Stanton  township,  was  born  in  Lenawee 
county,  Michigan,  July  1,  1845,  son  of  Nelson  and  Debora  (Lott) 
Deline,  natives  of  New  York  state,  where  they  spent  their  early 
life  and  were  married;  later  removing  to  Michigan  and  remain- 
ing four  years,  after  which  they  returned  to  their  native  state, 
where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days,  the  father  dying 
in  October,  1907,  and  the  mother  in  1859.  W.  F.  received  his 
education  in  the  common  schools,  and  later  attended  the  academy 
at  Medina,  N.  Y.,  until  the  war  broke  out,  when  he  enlisted  in 
Company  L.  Second  New  York  Mounted  Rifles,  in  1863.  He 
served  in  the  Army  of  Potomac  and,  with  the  exception  of  when 


W.  F.  Deline 


IIISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


887 


lie  was  disabled,  took  part  in  all  the  battles  and  conflicts  of  the 
campaign,  from  the  wilderness  to  Appomattox.  He  was  severely 
wounded  at  Petersburg  and  spent  several  months  in  the  hospital, 
but  returned  to  duty  after  his  recovery,  and  remained  till  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  was  discharged  at  City  Point,  Va.,  and 
mustered  out  August,  1865.  He  then  returned  home  and  attended 
the  Eastman  Commercial  Business  College  at  Poughkeepsie,  N. 
Y.,  and  afterwards  came  to  Minnesota,  where  he  engaged  in 
farming  in  Stanton  township  for  one  and  a half  years.  He  then 
went  to  Faribault  county,  Minnesota,  and  took  up  a homestead 
near  Blue  Earth  City,  remaining  for  five  years,  after  which  he 
returned  to  New  York,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  seven 
years.  Later  he  removed  to  Stanton  township,  where  he  now 
owns  ninety  acres  of  land  and  is  engaged  in  general  farming  in 
a small  way,  being  secretary  of  the  Stanton  Farmers’  Mutual 
Fire  Insurance  Company ; that,  with  other  outside  duties,  taking 
a good  share  of  his  time. 

Mr.  Deline  was  married  in  1868  to  Julany  D.,  daughter  of 
John  and  Eliza  Deline.  They  were  natives  of  eastern  New  York, 
and  in  1855  came  to  Stanton  township,  where  they  pre-empted 
land  and  engaged  in  farming.  Both  parents  are  deceased.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Deline  have  had  two  children.  Jennie,  who  lives  at 
home,  is  a retired  school  teacher  with  years  of  experience  in  the 
schools  of  the  county  and  in  different  towns  of  the  state,  being 
now  a successful  poultry  raiser.  Franklin  Ward  married  Myrtle 
Scott,  of  Red  Wing,  and  lives  in  Cass  county,  Minnesota,  engaged 
in  farming.  Mr.  Deline  is  a Republican  in  his  politics,  and  has 
been  chairman  of  the  town  board  for  several  years.  He  is  also 
.justice  of  the  peace.  He  has  been  a member  of  George  McKinley 
Post  No.  92,  G.  A.  R.,  since  1878  and,  although  living  five  miles 
from  the  post  hall,  lias  never  missed  a meeting  in  the  past  twenty- 
five  years  unless  absent  from  home.  He  also  belongs  to  the  A. 
0.  U.  W.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church. 

A.  H.  Van  Voorhis,  now  deceased,  was  born  in  Dutchess  county, 
New  York,  in  1830,  son  of  Christian  and  Elizabeth  (Hate)  Voor- 
his, natives  of  New  York,  of  Holland  descent.  A.  IT.  came  west 
in  1856  and  located  in  Minnesota,  where  he  took  up  land  in 
Section  34  of  Stanton  township,  and  remained  several  years, 
after  which  he  removed  to  the  present  homestead  of  160  acres, 
also  in  Stanton  township,  and  engaged  in  general  farming  until 
his  death  in  1906.  All  the  improvements  on  the  place  were  made 
by  himself,  the  first  home  of  the  family  here  being  a log  house, 
which  was  on  the  farm  when  he  purchased  it.  He  later  erected 
a more  comfortable  home  and  other  outbuildings,  making  gen- 
eral improvements.  In  1857  he  was  married  to  Catherine  Lipp. 


S88 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Her  parents  were  natives  of  Ohio,  where  she  was  born,  and  Avhere 
her  father  was  engaged  at  his  trade  of  tailor.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Voorhis  Avere  blessed  with  seven  children:  Elizabeth,  married 

to  Manley  Davis,  of  Stanton  township;  Eugene,  noAv  of  Wiscon- 
sin; Georgette,  living  at  Cascade;  Walter,  Avho  manages  the  farm; 
Abbie  (deceased)  ; Oliver,  iioav  of  Canada;  and  Lewis,  a farmer 
of  Warsaw  toAvnship.  Mr.  Voorhis  was  a Republican  in  his  poli- 
tics, and  held  several  offices  in  the  township.  lie  Avas  a veteran 
of  the  Civil  War,  enlisted  in  1864,  Avas  assigned  to  the  army  of 
the  Cumberland  and  Tennessee,  and  took  part  in  all  the  battles 
of  the  campaign.  lie  Avas  a member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  Masons 
of  Cannon  Falls.  The  family  attend  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church. 

Mr.  Yan  Voorhis  Avas  a man  of  staunch  character  and  kindly 
disposition,  a Avorthy  example  of  those  pioneers  Avliose  belief  in 
the  right  and  abhorrence  of  the  wrong  served  to  make  the  county 
a place  of  peace  and  order  since  the  earliest  settlement.  He  was 
a faithful  husband,  solicitous  of  the  welfare  and  pleasure  of  his 
family,  never  so  happy  as  when  doing  something  for  the  comfort 
of  his  Avife  and  the  prosperity  of  his  children.  His  death  was 
sincerely  mourned  by  the  community  in  which  he  lived,  by  the 
societies  to  which  he  belonged,  by  the  church  in  which  he  Avas 
a worshiper  and  by  the  family  in  which  he  Avas  loved  the  best. 

Hon.  Ole  K.  Naeseth,  of  Wanamingo  toAvnship,  avIio  repre- 
sents Goodhue  county  in  the  Minnesota  senate,  is  a man  of  rugged 
character,  unswerving  principles  and  rigid  adherence  to  duty, 
and  his  long  years  of  public  service  have  proven  his  ability. 
From  early  manhood  he  has  been  active  in  public  life.  His  first 
office  Avas  that  of  clerk  of  school  district  number  60.  From 
1879  to  ’84  he  Avas  county  ’ commissioner,  and  from  1885  to  ’87 
served  in  the  state  legislature.  His  occupancy  of  his  present 
position  dates  from  1903.  In  him  the  interests  of  the  county 
have  an  earnest  advocate  and  supporter,  and  his  Avork  has  more 
than  justified  the  confidence  that,  has  been  reposed  in  him.  Mr. 
Naesseth  was  born  in  Walworth  county,  Wisconsin,  November 
30,  1844,  and  Avas  brought  to  Wanamingo  toAvnship  by  his  parents 
at  the  age  of  tAvelve  years,  spending  his  boyhood  here  during  the 
days  of  the  early  pioneers.  Here  he  received  such  education  as 
the  schools  of  the  neighborhood  afforded,  and  looked  after  his 
father’s  business  until  1885,  wdien  he  came  into  possession  of  the 
old  homestead,  where  he  still  carries  on  general  farming,  man- 
aging in  addition  to  this  a farm  of  140  acres  in  Section  25,  OAvned 
by  his  Avife.  Being  Avilling  to  contribute  of  his  money  as  well  as 
of  his  influence  to  aid  in  the  general  progress  of  the  county,  he 
has  taken  stock  in  a number  of  farmers’  elevators  and  in  the 
First  State  Bank  of  Zumbrota.  Senator  Naeseth  Avas  married, 


Hon  0.  K.  Xaeseth 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


889 


June  12,  1874,  at  Wanamingo,  to  Mrs.  Rachael  Seiurn  Olson,  by 
whom  he  has  had  five  children : Herman  is  manager  of  the 

elevator  at  Wanamingo  and  also  manages  a farm;  Carl  is  a dray- 
man in  Minneapolis ; John  is  a student  in  the  law  department 
of  the  State  University ; Ida,  who  has  graduated  from  the  Luther- 
an Ladies’  Seminary  at  Red  Wing,  is  a school  teacher;  Adolf  is 
a graduate  of  the  Lutheran  College,  at  Decorah,  Iowa.  The 
family  faith  is  that  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church.  Kjostel 
and  Maria  II.  (Faehn)  Naeseth,  parents  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  were  born  in  Norway  and  upon  coming  to  America  lived 
in  Walworth  and  Dane  counties,  Wisconsin,  until  moving  to 
Wanamingo  township  in  1856.  Here  they  purchased  160  acres  of 
wild  land,  which  they  broke  and  improved,  holding  and  dispos- 
ing of  other  tracts  from  time  to  time,  but  always  retaining  the 
original  homestead  in  Section  10.  The  father  died  in  July,  1897, 
and  the  mother  in  January,  1895. 

Martin  Halvorson,  cashier  of  the  Farmers’  State  Bank  of 
Wanamingo,  is  a native  product  of  the  village,  born  May  24, 
1881,  son  of  Martin  and  Gretha  (Fraas)  Halvorson,  both  natives 
of  Norway.  After  coming  to  this  country  the  father  clerked  for 
a while  in  a store  at  Wanamingo,  and  then  opened  a general 
store  of  his  OAvn,  which  business  he  followed  until  his  death  in 
1899.  His  widow  is  still  living.  Martin  was  brought  up  in  this 
village,  and  aside  from  attending  the  public  schools  here,  also 
took  courses  in  the  Augsbury  Seminary  at  Minneapolis  and  the 
Normal  school  at  Mankato.  After  leaving  school  he  worked  for 
a time  on  his  father’s  farm,  and  clerked  in  his  father’s  store.  A 
short  period  before  the  father’s  death,  the  two  brothers,  Martin 
and  Henry,  purchased  the  store  and  in  December,  1904,  they  or- 
ganized the  Farmers’  State  Bank  of  Wanamingo.  Martin  at 
first  was  assistant  cashier,  but  in  January,  1909,  was  promoted  to 
his  present  position.  He  is  a Prohibitionist  in  politics  and  is 
interested  financially  in  the  Wanamingo  Lumber  Company.  In 
church  circles  he  is  well  liked,  being  president  of  the  Young 
People’s  Association  of  the  Wanamingo  church  and  superintend- 
ent of  the  Sunday  school.  He  was  married,  December  19,  1906. 
at  Mankato,  Minn.,  to  Anna  Gunderson,  daughter  of  Ole  and 
Ingeborg  (Kelly)  Gunderson,  natives  of  Norway.  The  father  is 
a tailor  in  Mankato,  where  he  conducts  a successful  business. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Halvorson,  one  son,  George  M.,  was  born  October 
23,  1907. 

Henry  M.  Halvorson,  one  of  those  hustling  young  men  who 
have  given  the  village  of  Wanamingo  the  reputation  for  pro- 
gressiveness which  it  so  richly  deserves,  is  a native  product,  born 
in  this  village  June  3,  1875,  son  of  Martin  Halvorson.  His  edu- 
cation was  received  in  the  public  schools  of  Wanamingo  and 


890 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Zumbrota,  the  Augsbury  Seminary  and  Beeman’s  Business  Col- 
lege. Thus  equipped  with  a classical  and  business  training,  he 
took  up  the  mercantile  business  in  Wanamingo,  following  same 
for  six  years.  In  1904,  together  with  his  brother  Martin  and 
others,  he  organized  the  Farmers’  State  Bank  of  Wanamingo, 
of  which  he  is  vice  president  and  secretary.  In  addition  to  this 
he  was  postmaster  of  the  village  for  eleven  years  until  his  resig- 
nation in  February,  1909.  He  has  been  clerk  of  district  No.  63 
for  many  years  and  was  for  some  time  secretary  of  the  Wana- 
mingo,  Minneola  and  Cherry  Grove  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Com- 
pany. He  is  interested  in  the  Wanamingo  Lumber  Company. 
To  his  efforts  as  director,  the  Wanamingo  choir,  a musical  organi- 
zation of  young  folks,  owes  much  of  its  excellence  and  merit. 
Mr.  Halvorson  was  married  October  24,  1900,  to  Nettie  Cliris- 
lock,  daughter  of  Relief  and  Dordi  (Lund)  Chrislock,  natives 
of  Norway  and  well  known  farmers  of  Wanamingo.  The  Llal- 
vorson  home  has  been  brightened  by  the  arrival  of  three  children : 
Martha  Louise,  born  July  16,  1902;  Ralph  Donald,  born  Septem- 
ber 4,  1904;  and  Flelen  Josephine,  born  December  1,  1907.  Mr. 
Halvorson  is  an  independent  Republican  and  the  family  faith 
is  that  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  church. 

Andrew  H.  Tongen,  one  of  the  substantial  and  well-to-do 
farmers  of  Wanamingo  township,  is  a native  of  Wisconsin,  born 
in  Columbia  county,  October  20,  1862.  At  the  age  of  nine  years 
he  came  to  Wanamingo  township  with  his  parents,  attended  the 
schools  of  his  neighborhood  and  took  up  farming  with  his  father 
until  1882,  when  he  assumed  charge  of  the  home  farm.  Being 
a hard  worker  and  taking  a thorough  interest  in  his  under- 
takings, he  soon  had  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  township, 
adding  to  its  well  kept  appearance  in  1905  by  erecting  a fine 
residence.  The  original  homestead  has  been  increased  by  the 
purchase  of  sixty  acres  adjoining,  and  in  1908  Mr.  Tongen  bought 
another  farm  of  138  acres  in  Minneola  township,  which  he  also 
manages.  Llis  farming  operations  consist  in  raising  general 
crops  and  breeding  live  stock.  As  an  encouragement  to  public 
enterprise  Mr.  Tongen  has  taken  stock  in  the  elevators  at  AYana- 
mingo  and  Zumbrota,  and  since  January  1,  1906,  he  lias  been 
secretary  of  the  AVanamingo,  Cherry  Grove  and  Minneola  Mutual 
Fire  Insurance  Company.  By  Anna  M.  Thompson,  whom  he 
married,  November  27,  1882,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  has  had 
nine  children : Ole  H.  and  Eddie  are  in  Minneola  township,  and 
Oscar,  Chester,  Henry,  Peter,  Alfred,  Luella  and  Clara  are  at 
home,  Chester  being  a student  in  St.  Olaf’s  College  at  Northfield. 
Mrs.  Tongen ’s  parents  were  Peter  O.  and  Bretha  Thompson, 
natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  and  settled  in  Min- 
neola township,  where  the  mother  still  lives,  the  father  being 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


891 


dead.  Ole  H.  Tongen  and  his  wife,  Karen  Andrea  Ruglad,  par- 
ents of  Andrew  H.  Tongen,  came  to  America  in  1845,  and  after 
living  three  years  in  Chicago,  farmed  in  Columbia,  AYis.,  until 
1871,  and  then  came  to  Wanamingo  township,  purchasing  160 
acres  on  which  they  carried  on  general  farming  until  the  death 
of  the  father,  May  17,  1882.  The  mother  died  in  November,  1905, 
at  the  home  of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  0.  H.  Houkos,  having  been 
blessed  in  her  declining  years  with  the  loving  care  of  her  children. 

Hans  H.  Holtan,  of  Wanamingo,  now  deceased,  was  born  in 
Norway,  December  14,  1820,  and  came  to  America  in  1845,  set- 
tling in  Chicago.  In  1849  he  moved  to  Belvidere,  111.,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1850  located  in  Portage  City,  Wis.,  where  he  remained 
one  year,  after  which  he  purchased  a farm  on  what  was  known 
as  “Indian  land,”  about  six  miles  from  Portage ’City.  Here  he 
tilled  the  soil  until  1856,  when  he  came  to  Wanamingo  and  pur- 
chased 160  acres  on  Section  17,  which,  on  account  of  sickness, 
he  afterward  sold.  Later  he  made  another  purchase,  to  which 
he  added  from  time  to  time  until  he  owned  400  acres,  160  being 
in  Section  13  and  240  in  Section  24.  Upon  this  farm  he  erected 
a home  which  at  that  time  was  considered  the  finest  country 
residence  in  the  county,  and  which  is  still  a beautiful  country 
place.  Mr.  Holtan  had  the  distinguished  honor  of  sitting  in  the 
first  general  assembly  of  the  state  of  Minnesota,  and  in  addition 
to  this  he  was  chairman  of  the  township  several  terms  and  also 
served  in  other  public  positions  of  trust  and  honor.  He  was  a 
liberal  public-spirited  man,  greatly  liked  in  the  community 
wherein  he  resided.  By  his  first  wife.  Aline  Svenungsdatter, 
whom  he  married  July  4,  1848,  and  who  died  August  12,  1855, 
he  had  two  children.  Of  these,  Hans  is  dead  and  Samuel  lives 
in  Dawson,  Minn.  He  was  married  again  in  Faribault,  October 
31,  1857,  to  Anna  Maria  Pedersdatter  Nostebiae,  who  died  Janu- 
ary .13,  1876.  By  this  union  there  were  six  children.  Charles 
lives  in  Madison,  Peter  lives  in  Kenyon;  Gunhild  lives  in  Madi- 
son, AYis. ; Andrew  lives  in  Zumbrota  and  Henry  lives  in  Madison, 
AYis.;  as  does  also  Christine.  July  11.  1877,  he  was  married 
again  to  Sophia  Mosleth,  by  whom  he  had  six  children.  Marie  is 
the  wife  of  T.  T.  Rygh ; Joseph  lives  in  Park  City,  Mont.;  John 
lives  in  Wanamingo  township;  Louise  also  lives  in  Wanamingo 
township ; Hulda  and  Selma  are  both  deceased.  Hans  II.  Holtan 
died  September  4,  1904,  and  his  death  caused  genuine  sorrow 
throughout  the  county. 

John  M.  Holtan  was  born  April  1,  1882,  on  the  farm  in  Wana- 
mingo  where  he  is  now  located,  his  parents  being  the  pioneers, 
Hans  FI.  and  Sophia  (Mosleth)  Holtan.  After  completing  the 
courses  offered  in  the  Wanamingo  public  schools,  he  attended 
a business  college  in  Minneapolis,  subsequently  returning  to  the 


S92 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


old  homestead  where  he  has  since  remained.  He  is  the  worthy 
son  of  a worthy  father,  and,  like  his  noble  sire  before  him,  car- 
ries on  farming  on  an  extensive  scale.  He  is  unmarried,  and 
looks  after  the  comfort  of  his  mother  who  is  still  sorrowing  the 
loss  of  her  distinguished  and  loving  husband.  Mr.  Holtan  is  a 
staunch  Republican  and  has  served  the  town  as  road  overseer. 
He  holds  stock  in  the  Wanamingo  Elevator  Company,  and  frater- 
nally has  associated  himself  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the 
Modern  Samaritans,  in  both  of  which  he  is  a popular  member. 
The  family  has  for  many  years  been  prominent  in  the  Norwegian 
Lutheran  church,  and  to  that  faith  Mr.  Iloltan  gives  his  loyal 
support  and  sympathy. 

Peter  J.  Blakstad,  an  esteemed  farmer  of  Wanamingo  town- 
ship, has  reason  to  be  proud  of  the  record  he  has  made  as  a pro- 
gressive citizen.  Born  in  Norway,  January  10,  1840,  son  of 
John  Johnson  and  his  good  wife,  Gertrude  Peterson,  he  came  to 
America  in  1871,  locating  first  in  Roscoe  township  and  then  in 
Pine  Island  township.  It  was  in  1892  that  he  came  to  Wana- 
mingo township  and  purchased  160  acres  of  improved  land  in 
Sections  2 and  11.  This  farm  he  has  continued  to  cultivate, 
erecting  a new  dwelling  house  and  several  commodious  farm 
buildings,  his  operations  consisting  of  raising  the  usual  crops  and 
breeding  live  stock.  Mr.  Blakstad ’s  seven  years’  service  as 
supervisor  has  been  cautious  and  economical,  and  his  work  as 
treasurer  of  school  district  64  has  shown  his  interest  in  the  liberal 
education  of  the  younger  generation.  Aside  from  his  farm  prop- 
erty he  owns  stock  in  several  elevator  and  creamery  enterprises. 
In  September,  1872,  shortly  after  coming  to  America,  Mr.  Blak- 
stad was  married  to  Carrie  Gundesdatter.  Three  children  have 
blessed  their  home:  Andrew,  Joseph  and  Mattie,  the  latter  of 

whom  is  married  to  Sivert  IJagge,  of  South  Dakota.  The  family 
worships  at.  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church. 

Ole  Follingstad,  president  of  the  First  State  Bank  of  Wana- 
mingo, was  born  in  Norway,  August  15,  1834,  son  of  Ole  and 
Mary  (Kolb erg)  Follingstad,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to 
America  in  1861  and  lived  with  their  son,  Martin  Follingstad, 
until  the  time  of  their  death,  both  passing  away  in  1882  or  1883. 
Ole  0.  Follingstad  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Norway  and  came  to  this  country  in  1861,  locating  in  Wana- 
mingo township.  In  1868  lie  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land, 
which  he  has  since  increased  until  he  now  owns  380  acres  of 
highly  improved  land.  His  home  is  a pleasant  one  and  well 
furnished,  the  large  amount  of  books  in  the  house  testifying  to 
his  literary  tastes.  He  still  carries  on  general  farming.  In 
politics  an  independent  voter,  he  has  been  elected  assessor  of 
the  township  seven  different  years,  and  has  served  on  the  school 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


893 


board  many  terms.  Aside  from  his  farming  interests  he  owns 
stock  in  the  elevator  and  lumber  companies  as  well  as  in  the 
financial  institution  of  which  he  is  president.  He  was  married 
October  30,  1868,  to  Emma  Bakkertun,  daughter  of  Sivert  and 
Gure  (Onstad)  Bakkertun,  natives  of  Norway,  who  settled  in 
Rock  county,  Wisconsin,  in  1858  and  in  Leon  township,  this 
county,  in  1861,  engaging  in  farming  operations  for  the  remainder 
of  their  days,  the  father  dying  in  1866  and  the  mother  in  1894. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Follingstad  have  been  born  eight  children : Olaf 
is  dead,  passing  away  in  1897  at  the  age  of  twenty-six  years ; 
Mary,  born  in  1872,  is  the  wife  of  Deafin  Goplin,  of  North  Dakota ; 
Julia  is  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Hanson,  of  Franklin,  Minn. ; 
Oscar,  Ida,  Matilda  and  Lewis  are  the  next  four  children ; Henry, 
the  youngest,  is  a graduate  of  the  agricultural  department  of  the 
State  University,  and  is  now  in  North  Dakota.  The  family  faith 
of  the  Follingstad  family  is  that  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran 
church.  Mr.  Follingstad  is  one  of  the  substantial  men  of  the 
township  and  his  influence  is  strongly  felt  in  the  village  where 
he  has  contributed  both  his  efforts  and  his  money  to  assist  in  the 
upbuilding  of  the  business  interests. 

Ole  I.  Haugen  owns  a well  cultivated  farm  in  Wanamingo 
township,  known  as  Highland  Brook  Farm,  and  carries  on  agri- 
cultural operations  along  the  latest  approved  lines.  He  is  a 
native  of  this  county,  born  in  Holden  township,  September  28, 
1862.  After  receiving  his  earlier  education  in  the  schools  of  his 
neighborhood,  he  attended  the  high  schools  of  Faribault  and 
Northfield,  and  subsequently  clerked  in  a store  for  one  year.  In 
1884  he  went  north  to  Polk  county,  this  state,  and  purchased 
160  acres  which  he  farmed  one  year.  The  fall  of  that  year  saw 
him  again  on  the  old  homestead  in  Iloldeu  township,  and  in  the 
following  spring  he  sold  his  Polk  county  farm  and  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  the  home  place,  remaining  there  until  1898.  It 
Avas  in  that  year  that  he  came  to  Wanamingo  township,  pur- 
chased 175  acres,  and  started  general  farming,  altering  and  im- 
proving the  buildings  and  developing  the  farm,  upon  which  he 
now  raises  the  usual  crops  and  makes  a specialty  of  dairying, 
having  a fine  herd  of  Holstein  cattle.  To  this  farm  he  has 
recently  added  fifteen  acres,  and  in  addition  OAvns  the  remaining 
eighty  acres  of  the  old  homestead  in  Holden  township.  An  inde- 
pendent voter  in  politics,  Mr.  Haugen  has  served  as  justice  of 
the  peace  and  is  now  clerk  of  school  district  61.  He  Avas  mar- 
ried, November  16,  1892,  to  Carrie  Dalbotten,  daughter  of  Iver 
and  Anna  (Trove)  Dalbotten,  natives  of  Nonvay,  Avho  came  to 
this  country  in  1857  and  settled  in  Holden  township,  where  they 
both  died.  Before  her  marriage  Mrs.  Haugen  was  a teacher  of 
instrumental  music.  She  has  borne  to  her  husband  seA^en  chil- 


894 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


dren : Irvin,  Eva,  Obert,  Edward,  Clifford,  Anna  and  Rudolph, 
all  of  whom  are  at  home.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Lutheran 
church.  Iver  and  Bretha  (Earager)  Haugen,  parents  of  Ole  I. 
Haugen,  were  born  in  Norway  and  came  to  America  in  1857, 
locating  in  Holden  township  where  they  purchased  160  acres  of 
wild  land,  which  they  broke  and  cleared,  and  built  a comfortable 
home,  following  general  farming  until  November  11,  1885,  when 
the  father  died.  The  mother  is  still  living  on  the  old  homestead. 

Edward  Oredalen,  editor  of  the  AVanamingo  Progress,  a 
newsy  little  paper  which  has  for  its  purpose  the  relating  of  the 
news  of  the  neighborhood  and  the  booming  of  the  village  as  a 
commercial  center,  is  a native  born  son  of  the  county,  having 
first  seen  the  light  of  day  in  Cherry  Grove  township,  June  30, 
1880,  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  G.  O.  Oredalen,  natives  of  Norway, 
who  came  to  America  in  1873  and  located  in  Cherry  Grove  town- 
ship. To  their  first  purchase  of  forty  acres  they  soon  added 
eighty  more,  and  upon  these  120  acres  they  have  since  continued 
to  carry  on  general  farming.  They  have  raised  a goodly  family 
of  children,  being  the  parents  of  Emma,  Ole,  Guri,  Turina,  Mary, 
Edward,  Nels,  Olena  and  Julia,  all  of  whom  except  Nels  are 
living.  Edward  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his 
native  township,  and  took  a course  in  the  Red  AVing  Business 
College.  He  then  studied  two  years  in  the  Minnesota  Normal 
School  and  Business  College,  in  Minneapolis,  and  for  several 
months  after  graduation  was  an  instructor  in  the  commercial 
department  of  that  institution.  He  subsequently  became  book- 
keeper and  stenographer  For  the  Central  Fuel  and  Transfer  Com- 
pany of  Minneapolis,  afterward  returning  to  Cherry  Grove  town- 
ship where,  in  company  with  his  brother,  he  purchased  160  acres 
adjoining  the  old  homestead.  He  still  spends  his  spare  time 
in  assisting  his  brother  on  this  farm.  In  April,  1909,  yielding 
to  the  entreaties  of  his  fellow  citizens,  who  deemed  him  the  man 
most  suited  to  start  the  enterprise,  he  established -the  AVanamingo 
Progress,  which  he  has  since  conducted  with  discretion  and  abil- 
ity. Editor  Oredalen  is  a fine  example  of  a self-made  young  man. 
He  worked  his  own  way  through  college  and  acquired  liis  educa- 
tion by  dint  of  hard  work.  Being  a deep  thinker  on  all  political 
questions,  he  has  refused  to  follow  the  dictates  of  any  party 
leader,  and  votes  independently.  In  religion  he  is  a believer  in 
the  faith  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church.  He  is  still  a 
young  man,  and  his  friends  predict  for  him  and  his  paper  a 
brilliant  future. 

Sam  J.  Swenson  was  born  in  AVanamingo  township,  where  he 
still  resides,  November  15,  1864,  son  of  John  and  Anna  Swenson. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  school  of  AVanamingo,  and  in 
1904  went  to  Yellow  Medicine  county,  where  in  1896  he  pur- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


895 


chased  640  acres  of  land,  built  a home  and  followed  general 
farming  until  1904,  when  he  returned  to  Wanamingo  township 
and  engaged  in  farming  in  Section  20  on  a farm  of  160  acres. 
In  1905  he  added  forty  acres,  making  in  all  a farm  of  200  acres, 
all  under  cultivation.  Since  returning  to  Wanamingo  he  has  sold 
his  land  in  Yellow  Medicine  county  and  bought  160  acres  in 
North  Dakota.  On  his  farm  in  Wanamingo  he  has  erected  a 
good  home  at  a cost  of  $3,500 ; also  a barn  thirty  by  sixty  feet. 
Mr.  Swenson  was  married,  October  1,  1893,  to  Laura  Gulmon, 
daughter  of  Agil  and  Anna  Gulmon,  natives  of  Fillmore  county. 
They  later  went  to  North  Dakota,  where  the  father  died  in 
1904.  The  mother  is  still  living  in  the  old  home  in  Sanborn,  N. 
D.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Swenson  have  four  children : Florence,  John, 
Alvira  and  Stella.  Mr.  Swenson  is  a Republican  in  his  political 
views,  and  is  a stockholder  in  the  elevator  at,  Bombay. 

Hans  M.  Hjermstad,  of  Wanamingo  township,  was  born  in 
Norway,  December  28,  1854,  son  of  Martin  and  Martha  (Erick- 
son). Hjermstad,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in 
1866  and  located  in  Belle  Creek  township,  where  they  bought 
160  acres  of  land  which  the  father  broke  and  improved,  erecting 
a home  and  following  general  farming  until  1906,  when  they 
retired  and  purchased  a home  in  Kenyon  village.  The  mother 
died  December  12,  1894,  in  Belle  Creek,  and  the  father  is  still 
living.  Hans  M.  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Belle 
Creek  and  worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  1882,  when 
he  went  to  Wanamingo  township  and  engaged  in  farming  four 
years,  after  which  he  removed  to  Red  AVing  and  took  up  the 
trade  of  electrical  engineer  at  the  electric  plant,  remaining  six 
years.  He  then  entered  the  employ  of  Boxrud  Bros.,  worked  for 
them  six  years  and  in  1898  returned  to  the  farm,  since  which  he 
has  followed  general  farming.  Mr.  Hjermstad  was  married 
June  16,  1882,  to  Anna  Quaal,  daughter  of  John  and  Rosa 
(Bjorngaard)' Quaal,  natives  of  Norway.  They  came  to  America 
in  1866,  locating  in  Wanamingo  township,  where  they  remained 
two  years,  after  which  they  went  to  Minneola  township,  remain- 
ing five  years.  In  1872  they  removed  to  Wanamingo  township, 
where  they  purchased  a farm  and  engaged  in  general  farming, 
the  father  also  Avorking  at  his  trade  as  blacksmith  at  Hader. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hjermstad  have  had  six  children:  Matilda,  mar- 

ried to  George  M.  Draper,  of  Mankato ; Julius,  of  Kenyon ; Agnes, 
who  is  a stenographer  at  Zumbrota ; Minda,  Ruth,  and  Norma. 
The  last  three  named  live  at  home.  Mr.  Hjermstad  is  an  inde- 
pendent voter  and  has  held  the  office  of  supervisor,  and  has  been 
clerk  of  the  school  board  in  district  64  for  nine  years.  He  is 
also  road  OArerseer.  The  family  attend  the  Lutheran  church. 

Haagen  Thoreson  was  born  on  the  farm  in  AATanamingo  toAvn- 


896  IilSTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 

ship,  where  he  now  resides,  September  6,  1879,  son  of  Tliorsten 
and  Sigrid  (Satren)  Thoreson,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to 
America  in  1858  and  located  in  Wanamingo  township,  where 
they  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land,  adding  more  from  time  to 
time,  until  they  owned  in  all  400  acres,  the  home  being  located 
in  Section  13.  The  father  broke  and  improved  most  of  this  land, 
built  a fine  brick  house  and  other  outbuildings,  and  followed 
general  farming  until  in  1901,  when  he  retired  from  active  life, 
enjoying  the  result  of  his  diligent  labors,  until  he  was  borne  to 
his  last  resting  place  July  18,  1908.  Ilis  wife  is  still  living  on 
the  old  homestead.  Iiaagen  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  Wanamingo,  and  worked  with  his  father  on  the  farm 
until  in  1902,  when  he  rented  the  farm  which  he  has  since  con- 
ducted. He  also  owns  and  works  120  acres  of  land  in  Minneola 
township.  Mr.  Thoreson  was  married  November  29,  1906,  to 
Gurena  Johnson,  daughter  of  Burtenus  and  Randy  (Satren) 
Johnson,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  and  located 
in.  Goodhue  county,  later  removing  to  Lac  qui  Parle  county,  where 
they  engaged  in  farming.  The  mother  died  in  October,  1877, 
and  the  father,  October  11,  1904.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thoreson  have 
one  child,  Thorney,  born  August  11,  1908.  Mr.  Thoreson  is  an 
independent  Republican  in  politics,  and  is  a treasurer  of  school  - 
district  No.  99.  He  is  also  a stockholder  in  the  Farmers’  Ele- 
vator of  Wanamingo.  The  family  are  communicants  of  the 
Lutheran  Free  church. 

John  J.  Tiller,  of  Wanamingo  township,  was  born  in  Chicago, 
111.,  June  19,  1865,  son  of  John  and  Marith  (Skjervold)  Tiller, 
natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1864,  settling  in 
Chicago,  where  they  remained  for  two  years.  In  1866  they  came 
to  Red  Wing,  where  the  father  secured  employment  in  Dens- 
more  Bros’,  foundry,  where  he  worked  nine  years,  after  which 
they  removed  to  Wanamingo  township  and  engaged  in  farming 
and  blacksmithing,  purchasing  150  acres  of  land  in  Section  26, 
where  he  remained  until  his  death,  January  28,  1908.  The  mother 
still  lives  on  the  old  homestead.  John  received  his  education 
in  the  common  schools  of  Wanamingo,  and,  after  leaving  school, 
entered  business  with  his  father  and  learned  the  blacksmith  and 
woodworking  trade,  which  he  has  since  followed.  Mr.  Tiller  has 
never  married.  In  politics  he  is  a Prohibitionist  and  belongs  to 
the  United  Lutheran  church.  He  is  a stockholder  in  the  Farmers’ 
State  Bank  of  Wanamingo,  the  Farmers’  Mutual  Telephone  Com- 
pany of  Wanamingo,  and  in  the  Farmers’  Elevator  of  AYana- 
mingo. 

Lauritz  Z.  Johnson,  of  Wanamingo  township,  was  born  in 
Fillmore  county,  Minnesota,  August  18,  1872,  son  of  Edward  and 
Guri  (Tew)  Johnson,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


897 

in  1849,  locating  in  Fillmore  county,  and  engaged  in  fanning 
until  the  death  of  the  father,  August  17,  1891.  The  mother  is 
still  living  at  Peterson,  Fillmore  county.  Lauritz  received  his 
education  in  the  schools  at  Fillmore  and  later  attended  business 
college  at  Ottawa,  111.  After  leaving  school  he  was  employed 
in  the  grocery  store  for  three  years  at  Ottawa,  111.  Then  he  took 
up  pharmacy  for  a couple  of  years,  after  which  he  went  to  Jewel, 
Iowa,  and  took  a business  course.  When  he  had  completed  this 
course,  he  returned  to  the  drug  store,  and  remained  until  1889, 
when  he  came  to  Wanamingo  township  and  purchased  the  old 
William  Williams  farm  of  240  acres.  Here  he  made  a great  many 
improvements,  and  built  a new  house,  with  all  modern  conven- 
iences, including  an  electric  light  plant,  with  air  pressure  water 
system,  and  hot  water  heat.  This  house  is  valued  at  $6,000. 
He  now  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  and  has 
been  very  successful.  Mr.  Johnson  Avas  married  November  16, 
1899,  to  Angeline  Wing,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Lilly  (Hill) 
Wing,  natives  of  Illinois,  now  residents  of  Leon  township.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Johnson  have  two  children:  Charles,  born  October  2, 

1906,  and  Geneva,  born  June  15,  1908.  Mr.  Johnson  is  a Repub- 
lican in  politics  and  has  served  as  town  clerk  of  Wanamingo 
and  as  clerk  of  the  school  board  of  District  61.  He  owns  stock 
in  the  farmers’  elevators,  creameries  at  different  places,  and  is 
also  interested  in  the  Farmers’  Telephone  Company. 

Ole  Bygd  was  born  in  Wanamingo  township,  where  he  still 
resides,  March  12,  1857,  son  of  Hans  and  Catherine  (Bolstad) 
Bygd,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1853,  settling 
in  Illinois,  where  they  remained  until  1856,  when  they  came  to 
Wanamingo  township,  where  they  took  up  a government  claim  of 
160  acres  which  the  father  cleared,  built  a home  and  other  out- 
buildings and  followed  general  farming  until  1882,  when  they 
retired.  The  mother  died  in  March,  1898,  but  the  father  is  still 
living.  Ole  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of 
Wanamingo  and  worked  with  his  father  on  the  farm  until  1882, 
when  he  bought  the  old  homestead  and  has  followed  a general 
line  of  farming.  Mr.,  Bygd  was  married  July  14,  1900,  to  Sophie 
Island,  daughter  of  Martin  and  Gertrude  Island,  natives  of  Nor- 
Avay,  Avho  came  to  America  and  settled  in  Cherry  Grove  town- 
ship.  The  father  died  in  1899,  but  the  mother  is  still  living. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bygd  haATe  three  children:  Lillian,  born  October 

24,  1901 ; Mary,  born  February  20.  1903 ; Llelen,  born  August  2, 
1904.  Mr.  Bygd  is  a Republican  in  his  politics  and  is  a stock- 
holder in  the  farmers’  eleArators  at  Wanamingo  and  Kenyon.  The 
family  attend  the  Lutheran  church. 

John  A.  Bonhus  Avas  born  in  Wanamingo  township,  where  he 
still  resides,  February  7,  1856,  son  of  AndreAv  K.  and  Anna 


898 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Olsbrygge,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1846, 
locating  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  remaining  until  1854,  when 
they  removed  to  Wanamingo  township  where  they  pre-empted 
240  acres  of  wild  land  which  the  father  broke  and  improved.  He 
erected  a home  and  other  outbuildings  and  followed  general 
farming  until  his  death  on  June  11,  1866.  The  mother  died  on 
June  17,  1897.  John  A.  received  his  education  in  AVanamingo 
township.  After  leaving  school  he  took  up  farming  and  now 
owns  115  acres  in  Section  7 where  he  resides,  and  where  he  has 
followed  general  farming.  AVlien  he  was  twenty-one  years  of 
age  he  went  to  Brookings  county,  South  Dakota,  took  up  a home- 
stead of  160  acres  and  a tree  claim  of  160  acres,  which  he  proved 
up  in  three  years  and  then  sold  the  land.  He  now  has  160  acres 
in  North  Dakota  under  cultivation.  Mr.  Bonhus  has  never  mar- 
ried. He  has  seven  brothers  and  sisters : Gunder  and  Anna,  who 
died  in  infancy ; Gunder,  who  owned  the  old  homestead  and  died 
May,  1905 ; Knute,  who  died  at  the  age  of  sixteen ; Anna,  who 
died  in  1880;  Ivjostolf,  of  Valley  City,  N.  D. ; Jorgen,  who  died 
June  1,  1903.  Mr.  Bonhus  is  an  independent  voter  and  has  never 
sought  public  office.  He  is  a member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Arnt  J.  Fordahl,  of  Wanamingo  village,  a native  of  Norway, 
was  born  June  16,  1868,  son  of  John  and  Randi  (IJegge)  Fordahl, 
who  came  to  America  in  1869  and  located  on  Section  1,  Cherry 
Grove,  in  the  spring  of  1870.  .Here  they  first  bought  120  acres 
and  later  forty  acres  more,  upon  which  the  father  built  a large 
home  and  roomy  barns,  improving  it  until  it  was  under  a high 
state  of  cultivation.  He  died  November  9,  1879,  but  the  mother 
still  lives  on  the  old  homestead.  Arnt  J.  acquired  his  education 
in  the  common  school  at  Cherry  Grove.  Completing  this,  he 
worked  on  the  farm  and  threshed  for  a number  of  years.  In 

1890  he  purchased  a half  interest  in  the  Wanamingo  mill,  and 
in  1891  his  brother  purchased  the  other  half.  In  the  fall  of 

1891  the  brothers  built  a mill  which  burned  down  January  18, 
1892.  They  erected  a new  mill  in  the  spring  and  installed  ma- 
chinery for  grinding  feed  and  making  flour.  The  mill  was  then 
conducted  under  the  name  of  A.  J.  Fordahl  & Co.,  until  1900; 
when  the  brother  sold  his  interest  to  Arnt  J.,  who  now  conducts 
it  under  the  name  of  the  Wanamingo  Flour  Mills.  They  make  a 
specialty  of  “Nonpareil”  and  “Staff  of  Life”  flours.  This  mill 
was  first  built  by  a Mr.  Clark,  and  in  1861  he  sold  it  to  Nels 
Norby,  who  later  sold  a half  interest  to  Henry  Nelson.  Norby 
and  Nelson  were  in  partnership  for  some  time,  after  which  Norby 
bought  Nelson  out.  The  old  mill  was  originally  half  a mile 
further  west,  but  in  1868  was  moved  to  the  present,  site.  Mr. 
Fordahl  put  steam  power  into  the  mill,  so  it  is  now  operated  by 
both  steam  and  water.  He  was  united  in  marriage  July  1,  1890, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


899 


to  Hannah  Akre,  daughter  of  Hans  C.  and  Anna  Akre,  natives 
of  Norway.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Akre  came  to  America  and  located  at 
Madison,  Wis.,  where  Mr.  Akre  worked  at  cabinet  making  until 
1866.  They  then  came  to  Holden  township  and  followed  farming 
until  1895,  when  they  removed  to  Kenyon  to  live  a retired  life. 
Mrs.  Akre  died  in  1904.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fordahl  have  ten  chil- 
dren : Joseph  H.,  Rosa  A.,  Anna  J.,  Kenneth  E.,  Ellen  V.,  Albert 
H.,  Clarence  R.,  Elmira  M.,  Joel  B.  and  Nora  M.  Politically  Mr. 
Fordahl  affiliates  with  the  Prohibitionists  and  fraternally  with 
the  Modern  Samaritans.  He  is  a man  of  recognized  ability,  as 
is  shown  by  the  fact  that  he  was  state  boiler  inspector  for  two 
years  under  Governor  Van  Sant.  For  six  years  Mr.  Fordahl 
was  school  director  in  District  63,  and  for  three  years  township 
supervisor.  For  a similar  period  he  was  president  of  the  Farmers  ’ 
Telephone  Company.  He  is  a stockholder  in  the  Telephone  Com- 
pany and  the  Farmers’  Elevator  Company.  By  his  fair  business 
dealings  and  genial  temperament,  Mr.  Fordahl  has  won  for  him- 
self a large  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances  Avho  respect  and 
admire  him. 

Nels  Gunderson,  of  Wanamingo  township,  was  born  in  Nor- 
way in  1844,  and  there  received  his  education,  after  which  he 
learned  the  blacksmith’s  trade.  He  then  came  to  America  and 
located  in  Wanamingo  township,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade 
until  1879,  when  he  purchased  120  acres  of  land  in  Section  9, 
which  he  improved,  building  a fine  house  and  outbuilcjings,  and 
where  he  has  since  followed  general  and  diversified  farming. 
Mr.  Gunderson  is  married,  his  wife  also  being  of  Norwegian  birth, 
and  they  have  four  children : Dina,  now  at  Beltrami  county ; 

Tilda,  now  at  Los  Angeles,  Cal. ; Andrew,  now  at  Lawson,  Canada, 
and  Joseph,  who  lives  at  home,  looking  after  the  farm  and  car- 
ing for  his  parents.  Mr.  Gunderson  is  a Republican  in  his  politics, 
but  has  never  sought  public  office,  being  too  busy  with  his  own 
duties.  He  is  a hard  worker,  and  lias  through  his  own  efforts 
acquired  the  prosperity  which  he  now  enjoys.  The  family  attend 
the  Lutheran  church. 

Halvor  P.  Groven  was  born  in  Wanamingo  township,  where 
he  still  resides,  September  2,  1856,  son  of  Saave  and  Anna  Groven, 
natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1852,  settling  in 
Dane  county,  AVisconsin,  where  they  remained  four  years.  In 
1856  they  came  to  Wanamingo  township,  where  they  pre-empted 
several  acres  of  wild  land,  which  the  father  broke  and  improved, 
built  a home  and  carried  on  general  farming  until  August  13, 
1862,  when  he  was  killed  by  lightning.  The  mother  died  in  June, 
1895.  Halvor  P.  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Wanamingo.  In  1884  he  purchased  130  acres  of  the  homestead, 
making  a great  many  improvements.  In  1890  he  built  a new 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


900 

home,  and  in  1908  he  erected  a barn  fifty-four  by  fifty  feet.  He 
now  follows  general  farming  and  dairying  with  considerable  suc- 
cess. Mr.  Groven  was  married  July  1,  1885,  at  Holden  church, 
to  Sophia  Jargo,  daughter  of  Knute  and  Asborg  (Aker)  Jargo, 
natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1845,  locating  at 
Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  where  they  engaged  in  farming,  and 
where  the  father  still  lives.  The  mother  died  in  February,  1908. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Groven  have  been  blessed  with  nine  children : 
Selma  A.,  who  is  a trained  deaconness ; Clara  C.,  who  is  attend- 
ing St.  Olof’s  College;  Laura  C.,  a high  school  student;  Andreas 
F.,  Helga  S.,  Gerhard  M.,  Christine  C.,  Harold  P.,  and  Kenneth 
M.  The  last  named  died  when  one  year  old.  Mr.  Grover  is  an 
independent  voter,  is  now  serving  as  supervisor,  and  is  also 
director  of  the  school  board  in  District  18.  The  family  attend 
the  Lutheran  church  of  Holden,  of  which  Mr.  Groven  is  treasurer. 

Lars  J.  Gjemse,  farmer  and  business  man,  was  born  December 
8,  1866,  on  his  grandfather’s  farm  in  Wanamingo  township,  re- 
ceived his  early  education  in  the  schools  of  the  neighborhood, 
afterwards  took  a course  of  three  months  at  St.  Olof’s  College 
at  Northfield,  and  later  four  months  at  Carleton  College.  Leav- 
ing college,  he  secured  a position  as  teacher  in  Goodhue  county, 
teaching  subsequently  in  seven  different  districts,  being  well 
liked  and  much  respected.  In  1897  he  engaged  in  farming  on 
forty  acres  of  land,  which  he  inherited  from  his  grandparents. 
He  purchased  twenty  acres  more  in  1908  and  rented  200  acres,  all 
of  which  he  has  under  cultivation.  In  1906,  he  built  a house.  A 
year  later  his  barn  was  destroyed  by  lightning.  He  then  rebuilt 
a new  barn  fifty  by  thirty-two.  He  now  follows  general  and 
mixed  farming  on  a large  scale.  Mr.  Gjemse  was  married  April 
18,  1899,  to  Anna  Hilan  a Norwegian,  born  in  Nqrway,  October 
17,  1869,  and  this  union  has  been  blessed  with  five  children: 
Harald,  Clara,  Minda,  Joseph  and  Louis.  Mr.  Gjemse  is  a Repub- 
lican in  politics,  and  has  served  as  assessor  for  five  years.  He 
belongs  to  the  United  Brotherhood  of  America,  also  to  the  Mod- 
ern Samaritans.  He  has  served  as  president  of  the  Goodhue 
County  Farmers’  Telephone  Company  of  Wanamingo  for  two 
years,  and  one  year  as  secretary.  He  helped  to  organize  the 
Farmers’  Elevator  Company,  holding  the  position  of  president 
since  its  organization.  He  is  a good  citizen  and  highly  respected 
in  the  community  in  which  he  lives.  He  and  his  family  attend 
the  Lutheran  church. 

Sever  K.  Haugen  was  born  in  Wanamingo  township,  where 
he  still  resides,  June  7,  1871.  son  of  Iv.  S.  Haugen.  He  received 
his  education  in  the  schools  of  the  neighborhood  and  worked  on 
the  farm  with  his  father  until  1899,  when  he  began  farming  for 
himself  on  a farm  of  240  acres  in  Sections  30-31-32  of  Wana- 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COURT Y 


901 


mingo  township.  He  improved  the  land  and  buildings  and  now 
carries  on  general  and  diversified  farming,  in  which  he  has  been 
very  successful.  Mr.  Haugen  was  married  February  21,  1900,  to 
Thea  C.  Omsberg,  daughter  of  Willard  and  Katrina  (Lindtvedt) 
Omsberg,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1872  and 
settled  in  Wisconsin,  where  they  remained  until  1876,  when  they 
came  to  Holden  township  and  remained  there  one  year,  after 
which  they  removed  to  Leon  township  and  engaged  in  farming. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haugen  have  four  children : Corie  B.,  born  Octo- 

ber 14,  1901 ; Hazel  L.,  born  October  15,  1902 ; Verna  C.,  born 
June  3,  1906 ; and  Kesper  W.,  January  24,  1909.  Mr.  Haugen  is 
a stockholder  in  the  Farmers’  Elevator  of  Bombay.  He  is  an 
independent  voter  and  he  and  his  family  attend  the  United 
Lutheran  church. 

Knute  S.  Haugen,  a prosperous  farmer  of  Wanamingo  town- 
ship, was  born  at  Haugen,  in  Hedalen  Valders,  Norway,  October 
26,  1833,  and  came  to  America  in  1854,  locating  in  Wisconsin, 
where  he  remained  for  six  years.  In  1860  he  came  to  Wana- 
mingo  township,  where  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  wild  land 
which  he  broke  and  cleared,  erecting  a home  and  necessary  out- 
buildings. He  continued  to  improve  and  add  more  land  to  his 
farm  until  he  now  has  500  acres,  all  in  Wanamingo  township 
and  all  under  cultivation.  On  this  farm  he  now  successfully  car- 
ries on  a general  line  of  mixed  farming.  Air.  Haugen  was  mar- 
ried August  26,  1858,  at  Blue  Mont,  Wis.,  to  Bertha  Nelson 
Reppe#n,  daughter  of  Nels  Jenson  Reppen  and  Bertha  Nelson 
Reppen.  Mr.  and  Airs.  Haugen  have  had  ten  children : Chris- 

tine, married  to  Christian  L.  Kinstad,  of  South  Dakota;  Bertine, 
married  to  Ole  Thompson,  of  South  Dakota;  Oline  (deceased); 
Louise . (deceased) ; Elizabeth  (deceased);  Alatilda,  married  to 
Olaf  E.  Clauson,  of  South  Dakota;  Syver,  living  in  Wanamingo 
township;  Nels,  living  in  Wanamingo  township;  and  Belle  and 
Lewis,  living  at  home.  Mr.  Haugen  is  a Republican  in  politics. 
He  and  his  family  are  communicants  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Nels  K.  Haugen  was  born  in  Wanamingo  township,  where  he 
still  resides,  November  21,  1876,  son  of  K.  S.  Haugen.  He  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  worked  with  his 
father  on  the  farm  until  1900,  when  he  went  to  Great  Falls, 
Mont.,  where  he  was  employed  as  stationery  engineer  for  three 
years,  after  which  he  returned  to  the  old  home  and  engaged  in 
general  farming  on  120  acres,  which  he  greatly  improved,  erect- 
ing a pleasant  home  and  other  necessary  buildings.  Air.  Haugen 
was  married  February  17,  1904,  to  Alma  Findberg,  daughter  of 
Ole  and  Eva  Findberg.  natives  of  Sweden,  where  they  still  reside. 
Air.  and  Airs.  Haugen  have  two  children : Evangeline,  born  No- 
vember 10,  1904,  and  Clarence,  born  September  19,  1906.  Airs. 


1)02  HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 

Haugen  died  May  27,  1909.  Mr.  Haugen  is  a Republican  in  poli- 
ties and  a member  of  the  United  Lutheran  church  of  Holden. 

A.  H.  Dicke,  of  Featherstone,  who  has  done  excellent  service 
as  county  commissioner,  was  born  in  Germany  September  8,  1851, 
son  of  Frederick  W.  and  Anna  Dicke,  natives  of  Germany,  who 
came  to  America  in  1852,  and  located  in  New  Orleans,  La.,  where 
they  remained  only  a short  time.  Then  they  went  to  St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  where  the  father  worked  for  three  years,  after  which  they 
came  to  Red  Wing,  remained  two  years,  then  removed  to  Hay 
Creek  township,  which  was  not  then  organized,  and  took  up  a 
homestead.  Here  the  family  lived,  and  the  father  went  to  Red 
Wing  to  work,  being  employed  on  the  courthouse  building, 
which  was  at  that  time  in  the  course  of  construction.  In  1858 
he  left  his  work  in  Red  Wing  and  devoted  his  whole  time  in 
clearing  and  cultivating  the  farm.  There  were  three  children 
in  the  family,  two  dying  in  infancy.  A.  H.  Dicke  received  his 
education  in  the  common  schools  of  the  township,  and  worked 
with  his  father  on  the  farm,  later  purchasing  240  acres  of  land 
in  Featherstone  township,  all  under  cultivation,  on  which  he  has 
made  extensive  improvements,  built  a new  barn,  and  remodeled 
the  other  buildings,  his  home  being  pleasantly  situated  and  well 
furnished.  Fie  now  successfully  conducts  general  farming  opera- 
tions and  also  takes  much  interest  in  dairying.  He  was  married 
in  1877  to  Catherine  Cordes,  daughter  of  Frank  and  Meta  Cordes, 
natives  of  Germany,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in  the  early 
days,  to  Featherstone  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dicke  have  had 
ten  children,  of  whom  eight  are  living:  Anna,  married  H.  P. 

Voth,  of  Featherstone;  William  lives  at  home;  Louise  married 
Peter  II.  Voth,  of  North  Dakota;  Herman,  Fred,  Walter,  Lydia 
and  Eddie  live  at  home.  In  politics  Mr.  Dicke  is  a Republican, 
and  is  now  serving  his  third  term  of  four  years  as  county  com- 
missioner of  Goodhue  county,  having  been  two  times  re-elected 
without  opposition.  He  has  also  served  on  the  Featherstone  town 
board  for  eleven  years.  lie  and  his  family  are  members  of  the 
German  Lutheran  church,  of  which  Mr.  Dicke  has  been  a promi- 
nent member  of  the  board  for  the  past  twenty-five  years,  having 
always  taken  a most  active  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  con- 
gregation. Mr.  Dicke  is  a man  of  more  than  average  ability  and 
his  fellow  citizens  have  thoroughly  appreciated  his  sterling 
qualities. 

Henry  James,  of  Featherstone  township,  was  born  in  Middle- 
sex, Ontario,  April  14,  1847,  son  of  Henry  and  Margaret  (Max- 
well) James,  natives  of  Sheffield,  England,  who  came  to  Canada 
when  young.  The  father,  a veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  devoted 
his  life  to  farming.  Henry,  the  son,  received  his  education  in 
the  schools  of  Canada,  and  in  1869  came  to  the  United  States, 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY. 


903 


locating  in  Belle  Creek,  where  he  bought  a farm  of  eighty  acres, 
later  purchasing  120  acres  in  Section  2,  Featherstone.  This  he 
improved,  erected  all  the  necessary  buildings,  and  has  since  car- 
ried on  general  farming,  dairying  and  stock  raising.  December, 
1875,  he  was  married  to  Aletha  Chandler,  daughter  of  Samuel 
P.  and  Martha  (Miller)  Chandler,  both  natives  of  Maine,  Avho 
in  1846  came  to  Illinois,  where  they  remained  eight  years,  after 
which  they  removed  to  Minnesota,  coming  to  Red  Wing  in  1854. 
Later  they  went  to  Belle  Creek  township,  where  they  lived  on  a 
farm.  The  father,  who  was  a clergyman  of  the  Episcopal  church, 
was  the  'first  supervisor  of  Belle  Creek  township,  and  died  in 
1902.  He  is  mentioned  in  various  places  in  this  history.  The 
mother  died  when  Aletha  was  small.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  had 
three  children:  Fannie  P.,  a teacher;  Thomas  W.,  of  Red  Wing, 
employed  by  the  Red  Wing  Union  Stoneware  Company;  and 
Margaret  (deceased).  Mr.  James  is  a Democrat  in  his  politics, 
and  he  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Episcopal  church. 

Otto  H.  Bang,  a prosperous  farmer  living  on  Section  14, 
Featherstone  township,  is  a native  born  son,  having  made  his 
appearance  in  life’s  arena  March  12,  1857,  only  a short  time  after 
the  first  settlement  of  Featherstone.  His  parents,  Henry  and 
Fredericka  (Horstmeyer)  Bang,  were  natives  of  Germany  and 
came  to  America  at  an  early  age.  The  father  settled  first  in  Illi- 
nois, worked  on  farms  for  a while,  then  located  near  St.  Paul. 
In  1856  he  came  to  Featherstone,  took  up  160  acres  on  Section 
24,  and  there  lived  until  his  death  at  the  age  of  seventy  years, 
May  29,  1894.  His  wife  survived  until  August,  1906.  Otto  H. 
was  one  of  eleven  children,  six  of  whom  are  still  living.  He 
received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  and  worked  on  the 
home  farm  until  1891,  also  running  a steam  threshing  machine. 
He  then  rented  a farm  in  Goodhue  township  two  years,  after 
which  he  returned  to  Featherstone  and  purchased  his  present 
farm  of  160  acres,  where  he  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock 
raising.  For  the  past  two  years  he  has  been  an  assessor  of  the 
township.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics  and  belongs  to  the 
Modern  Woodmen.  The  faith  of  the  Methodist  church  is  the 
family  religion.  Mr.  Bang  was  married  in  1891  to  Minnie  S. 
Kress,  who  died  leaving  two  children,  Maynard,  a pupil  in  the 
Red  Wing  high  school,  and  Walter,  who  died  in  infancy.  Later 
Mr.  Bang  married  Mary  Bluhm,  nee  Mary  Holst,  the  daughter  of 
Claus  and  Mary  Holst,  early  settlers  of  Belvidere  township,  but 
now  living  at  Fair  Oaks,  Cal.  The  first  husband  of  Mrs.  Bangs 
was  John  G.  Bluhm,  a native  of  Germany,  who  came  to  America 
at  the  age  of  seventeen  and  remained  with  his  parents  in  Feather- 
stone township  until  his  marriage.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he 
owned  160  acres  of  well  improved  land  in  this  township.  He 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


904 

died  in  California,  where  lie  had  gone  for  his  health,  February  5, 
1901.  To  this  union  were  born,  in  Featherstone  township,  three 
children : Lydia  L.  is  the  wife  of  Charles  Kress,  of  North  Da- 
kota ; George  B.  Bluhm  is  a farmer  of  North  Dakota,  and  Harvey 
AY.  Bluhm  lives  at  home.  No  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Bang  by  their  present  marriage.  It  is  worthy  of  note,  in 
connection  with  this  sketch,  that  Mrs.  Bang  was  the  first  white 
child  born  in  Belvidere  township,  while  her  father,  Claus  Holst, 
is  honored  as  one  of  the  pioneer.  Germans  of  this  county. 

Gustav  Larson,  of  Featherstone  township,  is  a fine  example  of 
a self-educated,  self-made  man.  In  addition  to  acquiring  his 
present  fine  property,  he  also  found  time  to  serve  the  town  as 
supervisor  sixteen  years,  and  as  a member  of  the  school  board 
for  several  terms.  He  was  born  in  Sweden,  November  5,  1849, 
and  came  to  America  as  a boy  of  eleven  years  with  his  parents, 
John  and  Carrie  (Johnson)  Larson,  in  1860,  locating  in  AYash- 
ington  county,  Minnesota,  near  Stillwater,  until  1867,  Avhen  they 
took  up  their  residence  in  A^asa  township.  Later  they  came  to 
Featherstone  and  lived  until  about  eighty  years  of  age,  in  a 
home  built  purposely  for  them  by  their  son.  Gustav  attended 
the  public  schools,  but  has  received  the  greater  part  of  his  educa- 
tion from  reading  and  observation.  He  is  a deep  thinker  and 
has  a retentive  memory,  so  that  his  mind  is  a storehouse  of  gen- 
eral information  obtained  by  himself.  He  subscribes  to  numerous 
newspapers  and  magazines,  and  keeps  well  abreast  of  the  times 
by  perusing  the  latest  books.  AYhen  he  came  to  his  present  farm 
of  160  acres,  in  1872,  the  land  was  so  wild  that  it  was  impossible 
to  get  with  a team  into  what  is  now  the  front  yard.  The  place 
is  uoav  in  a high  state  of  cultivation  and  is  well  adapted  to  the 
general  farming  operations  which  Mr.  Larson  conducts.  Among 
the  improvements  on  the  farm  is  a gasoline  engine  which  is  used 
to  supply  the  motive  power  needed  in  pumping  water,  sawing 
wood  and  grinding  feed.  Mr.  Larson  was  married  in  1873,  to 
Martha  Anderson,  daughter  of  E.  M.  and  Louise  Anderson,  born 
in  New  York  state  where  they  stopped  for  a short  time  after 
coming  to  this  country  from  Sweden.  They  settled  in  Yasa  in 
the  early  days  and  carried  on  farming.  The  mother  is  now 
deceased,  but  the  father  still  lives  on  the  old  homestead  at  the 
good  old  age  of  seventy-seven  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Larson  have 
five  children : Richard  is  employed  by  the  Tri-State  Telephone 

Company,  at  Minneapolis ; Edna  is  the  wife  of  P.  J.  Engberg, 
cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank,  of  Braham.  Minn. ; Esther 
is  a teacher  in  a Minneapolis  business  college;  Alice  is  the  wife 
of  Delmar  Brynildson,  a merchant  of  Yasa  village,  and  Ernest  O. 
is  at  home.  The  family  worships  at  the  Swedish  Lutheran 
Evangelical  church. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


905 


Daniel  J.  Mix,  now  residing  on  section  29,  Featherstone  town- 
ship, where  he  owns  and  operates  160  acres  of  farm  land,  was 
born  in  Genesee  county,  New  York,  October  22,  1854,  a son  of 
Daniel  and  Sophia  (Park)  Mix,  who  moved  to  Woodson  county, 
Neosho  Falls,  Kansas,  when  Daniel  J.  was  but  a few  weeks  old, 
and  there  ended  their  days,  the  father  at  the  age  of  eiglity-two 
and  the  mother  at  the  age  of  fifty  years.  Daniel  J.  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools,  the  district  where  he  attended 
having  been  organized  by  his  father.  It  was  taught  by  his 'older 
sister,  she  being  the  first  teacher  in  that  district.  After  leaving 
school,  Daniel  J.  continued  to  work  on  the  home  farm  until  1875, 
when  he  came  to  Red  Wing,  and  for  fifteen  years  was  engaged 
in  running  a threshing  machine.  He  spent  the  next  four  years 
in  operating  a portable  sawmill  in  Pierce  county,  Wisconsin,  and 
then  purchased  his  present  farm,  where  he  has  made  many 
improvements  in  the  way  of  buildings  and  equipment.  He  does 
general  farming  and  raises  stock  to  some  extent.  Mr.  Mix  is 
a Republican  in  politics  and  has  been  a justice  of  the  peace  for 
many  years.  He  was  married,  December  24,  1883,  to  Clara 
Anderson,  daughter  of  Nels  and  Justine  Anderson,  born  in 
Sweden,  the  native  home  of  her  parents,  in  1863.  The  family 
came  to  America  in  1867  when  Mrs.  Mix  was  a small  girl,  stayed 
in  Pennsylvania  for  a short  time  and  then  located  in  Boone  county, 
Iowa,  where  the  mother  died.  Subsequently  the  father  came  to 
Pierce  county,  Wisconsin,  and  farmed  for  about  fifteen  years 
before  his  death.  Mrs.  Mix  received  a common  school  education 
in  the  schools  of  Iowa  and  Wisconsin.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mix  have 
been  born  three  children,  all  of  whom  first  saw  the  light  of  day 
in  Featherstone  township.  Frank  Jay  assists  his  father  at  home. 
George  Park  goes  to  the  Red  Wing  schools,  and  Raymond  Lorenzo 
is  a pupil  in  the  district  schools.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mix  attend  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  the  town  of  Featherstone. 

James  Brennen,  of  Welch  township,  was  born  in  Lowell,  Mass., 
December  4,  1853,  son  of  Thomas  and  Winnifred  (McDermott) 
Brennen,  who  came  to  Minnesota  in  1857  and  located  in  Dakota 
county  for  a short  time,  then  removed  to  Washington  county, 
where  they  remained  until  1867,  after  which  they  came  to 
Goodhue  county  and  located  in  Welch  township,  where  they  pur- 
chased 160  acres  of  land,  which  the  father  cleared  and  improved, 
built  a home,  barn  and  other  outbuildings,  the  lumber  for  which 
they  hauled  from  Hastings.  They  carried  on  general  farming 
and  stock  raising,  until  the  death  of  the  father  March  13,  1876. 
The  mother  died  May  25,  1883.  There  Avere  four  children  in  the 
Brennen  home:  Timothy  of  Rice  county;  Thomas  of  Welch; 

Ellen,  and  James  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  James  received  his 
education  in  the  common  schools  and  worked  on  the  farm  Avitli 


906 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


his  father  and  later  purchased  the  farm,  where  he  has  since  made 
improvements  and  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising. 
He  was  married  in  1876  to  Mary  McDermott,  daughter  of  Michael 
and  Ann  (Brennen)  McDermott,  the  father  being  one  of  the 
oldest  settlers  in  the  state.  He  came  in  1849  and  settled  in 
Dakota  county  where  he  farmed  until  his  death.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Brennen  were  blessed  with  nine  children : Mary,  Anna,  Teressa, 
Ellen,  Jane,  Loretta,  Seraphine,  Thomas  and  Florence.  Mr. 
Brennen  is  Democratic  in  his  political  views  and  has  been  a 
member  of  the  town  board  for  the  past  ten  years,  also  clerk, 
treasurer  and  director  of  school  district  No.  114  for  two  terms. 

John  M.  Olson  was  born  in  Welch  township,  where  he  still 
resides,  November  22,  1881,  son  of  Andrew  and  Hannah  Olson, 
natives  of  Sweden  who  came  to  the  United  States  in  the  early 
days,  and  settled  in  Vasa  township,  where  they  purchased  land 
and  remained  until  the  late  seventies,  when  they  bought  160 
acres  in  section  29  and  engaged  in  farming  until  the  death  of  the 
father  in  1899.  The  mother  still  lives  at  home.  After  the  death 
of  the  father,  the  sons  took  charge  of  the  farm  and  have  carried 
on  general  farming,  and  also  selling  considerable  cream  to  the 
Welch  creamery  in  which  they  are  stock  holders.  J.  M.  and  his 
brother  made  all  the  improvements  on  the  farm  and.  buildings. 
There  were  six  children  in  the  Olson  home : Charles,  now  of 

South  Dakota;  Oscar  of  Cannon  Falls;  Anton;  Victor,  a civil 
engineer ; Luther  of  Kansas  City,  employed  by  the  Armour 
•packing  plant  as  assistant  meat  inspector;  and  J.  M.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch. 

Charles  Black,  was  born  in  Welch  township,  where  he  still 
resides,  July  21,  1869,  son  of  Archibald  and  Elizabeth  (Mul- 
liolland)  Black,  natives  of  Ireland.  They  lived  in  Scotland  until 
they  came  to  this  country,  in  1868,  when  they  located  in  Welch 
township  and  bought  land  which  they  improved  and  carried  on 
general  farming  until  the  death  of  the  father  in  1889.  The 
mother  died  in  1906.  They  had  a family  of  nine  children : 
Archibald,  Charles,  Mary,  James,  Elizabeth,  AVilliam,  Richard, 
Annie  and  Sarah.  Charles  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  township,  and  since  1900  lias  farmed  on  the  home 
place  of  160  acres  with  his  brothers  and  sisters.  He  also  buys 
and  ships  all  kinds  of  live  stock.  He  was  married  in  1907,  to 
Hattie  May  Gipford,  daughter  of  Julius  and  Hattie  Teichman 
Gipford,  of  Red  Wing.  Tliey  have  one  son,  Donald  Mulholland. 
Mr.  Black  is  a Republican  in  politics  and  has  held  the  office  of 
supervisor  of  Welch  township  for  the  past  five  years. 

Frank  Boothroyd  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides 
in  Welch  township,  on  October  8,  1866,  son  of  William  and  Mary 
(Bevers)  Boothroyd,  natives  of  England,  who  came  to  the  United 


HISTORY  OR  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


907 


States  in  1852.  Frank  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and 
worked  with  his  father  on  the  farm.  June  27,  1894,  he  was 
married  to  Emma  Tillman,  daughter  of  Erick  and  Nellie  (Person) 
Tillman,  natives  of  Sweden.  Mr.  Tillman  came  to  this  country 
in  1865  and  settled  in  Afton,  Minn.,  where  he  remained  six 
years,  after  which  he  came  to  Welch  township,  bought  a farm, 
and  engaged  in  farming.  The  mother  died  March  23,  1906,  and 
the  father  August  29,  1908.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Boothroyd  have  one 
child,  Myrtle,  who  attends  the  high  school  at  Red  Wing.  Mr. 
Boothroyd  has  a fine  farm  of  270  acres,  all  under  cultivation, 
and  carries  on  general  and  diversified  farming,  and  dairying,  also 
.stock  raising.  He  has  been  justice  of  the  peace  eight  years  and 
is  at  present  town  clerk,  which  office  he  has  held  for  eleven  years. 
He  belongs  to  the  M.  W.  A.  of  Welch,  of  which  he  has  been  clerk 
for  nine  years.  He  is  also  director  and  secretary  of  the  Welch 
Co-Operative  Creamery  Company,  and  director  and  treasurer  of 
Goodhue  County  Co-Operative  Mercantile  Company.  In  politics 
he  is  Republican. 

John  Berg,  of  Welch  township,  was  born  in  Sweden,  July  16, 
1846,  son  of  Nets  and  Marie  Berg,  also  natives  of  Sweden.  John 
Berg  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Sweden,  and  in 
1868  came  to  this  country,  and  located  in  Red  Wing,  remaining 
for  two  years.  Then  he  went  to  Minneapolis,  where  he  worked 
at  brick  making  for  a while,  and  later  went  into  the  business 
of  brick  making  for  himself.  In  March,  1885,  he  came  to  Welch 
township,  and  bought  a farm  of  120  acres  of  improved  land. 
This  he  continued  to  improve  and  has  remodeled  the  house  and 
outbuildings.  He  now  has  a fine  farm,  with  a large  grove  of  soft 
maple,  birch  and  butternut  trees.  He  has  made  a success  of 
general  farming  and  has  taken  a great  interest  in  bees,  owning 
thirty-two  hives.  Mr.  Berg  was  married  January  21,  1875,  to 
Clara  Anderson,  who  is  now  deceased.  They  had  a family 
of  eight  children:  Emil  C.,  Alecla  E.,  Oscar  T.,  Edward  J., 

William  E.,  Edgar  E.,  Albin  N.  and  Fred  L.  Mr.  Berg  is  at 
present  town  treasurer,  which  office  he  has  held  for  the  past 
twenty  years,  and  is  also  treasurer  of  the  school  district  No.  5. 
In  his  politics  he  is  a Republican. 

Peter  Jefferson,  a business  man  of  Welch,  Avas  born  in  Sweden 
October  9,  1849,  son  of  Jefferson  and  Annie  (Anderson)  Larson, 
natives  of  Sweden  where  the  father  died.  Peter  received  his 
education  in  SAveden,  and  came  to  America  in  1873  locating 
in  Red  Wing  where  he  Avorked  at  various  labor  until  1877,  AAdien 
he  purchased  a team  and  wagon,  Avent  to  YelloAv  Medicine  county, 
and  bought  160  acres  of  land  two  miles  south  of  Granite  Falls, 
the  county  seat.  This  land  he  improved,  carrying  on  general 
farming  for  fourteen  years.  His  Avife,  hoAvever,  was  in  poor 


908 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


health  and  thinking  a change  of  climate  would  be  beneficial,  he 
sold  his  farm  and  went  to  Sweden  also  taking  his  daughter  with 
him.  He  left  his  family  there,  returned  to  this  country,  came 
to  Goodhue  county  and  in  1893  engaged  in  business  in  Welch 
village,  where  he  has  since  successfully  continued,  enjoying  a 
good  trade  and  holding  the  confidence  of  the  community.  In  1881 
he  was  married  to  Carrie  Nelson  by  whom  he  has  one  child, 
Nina  J.  Wife  and  daughter  live  in  Sweden.  Mr.  Jefferson  is  an 
independent  voter,  and  was  supervisor  in  Yellow  Medicine  county 
for  nine  years.  Fie  also  established  a school  on  his  farm,  thereby 
showing  his  public  spirit  and  his  interest  in  education. 

M.  T.  Nilan,  merchant  of  Eggleston,  was  born  in  Pittsburg,. 
Pa.,  July  18,  1859,  son  of  Patrick  and  Sarah  (Maloy)  Nilan, 
natives  of  Ireland  who  came  to  America  in  1851  and  located  in 
Virginia  where  they  lived  until  1855.  Then  they  moved  to  Pitts- 
burg, Pa.,  remaining  there  until  June,  1868,  when  they  came  to 
Minnesota  and  engaged  in  farming  in  AVeleh  township,  until  their 
death.  They  had  twelve  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living.  M.  T. 
Nilan  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  and  later 
attended -a  business  college  at  Minneapolis.  After  leaving  school 
he  worked  on  the  farm  seven  years.  He  then  took  charge  of  the 
elevator  at  Eggleston,  also  conducting  a small  store.  This  he 
continued  until  1902  when  he  was  obliged  on  account  of  his  great 
increase  of  trade  to  build  a larger  store.  He  has  since  conducted 
a general  store,  and  carries  hardware.  Mr.  Nilan  has  been  twice 
married.  His  first  wife  was  Jane  O’Connell,  daughter  of  Patrick 
and  Catherine  O’Connell,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Annie 
married  to  Mat.  P.  Gulden,  and  Catherine  (deceased).  The 
mother  died  January  9.  1888,  and  ^ay  1,  1893,  Mr.  Nilan  was 
married  to  Catherine  Glynn,  a native  of  Kansas,  daughter  of 
Martin  and  Catherine  (Connell)  Glynn,  natives  of  Ireland.  Mr. 
Glynn  was  a contractor  and  mason  and  died  in  Kansas  where 
Mrs.  Glynn  is  still  living.  Air.  and  Airs.  Nilan  have  eight 
children:  Sarah,  born  April  9,  1894;  Edward,  born  October  22, 
1895  ; Catherine,  born  August  23,  1897  ; Ellen,  born  Alay  3,  1899  ; 
Alary  L.,  born  February  2,  1901;  Dorothy,  born  April  16,  1902; 
Michael,  born  November  2,  1903,  and  Martin  G.,  born  August 
23,  1905.  Mr.  Nilan  is  Democrat  in  politics.  He  rvas  the  station 
agent  at  Eggleston  for  twenty-five  years,  and  has  been  postmaster 
since  1882.  In  addition  to  his  business  interests  he  owns  land 
in  AVeleh  township  consisting  of  726  acres,  most  of  which  is 
timber.  He  is  a member  of  the  K.  of  C.  and  he  and  his  family 
are  communicants  of  the  Catholic  church. 

August  Westerson,  a rvell  known  resident  of  AVeleh  village, 
was  born  in  Sweden  October  1,  1854,  son  of  Lars  and  Betsy 
(Nelson)  Westerson,  natives  of  Sweden,  who  came  to  America 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


909 


in  1855  and  settled  in  Moline,  111.,  where  they  remained  a short 
time,  after  which  they  came  to  Minnesota  and  bought  land  in 
Vasa  township,  and  engaged  in  farming  until  in  1895  when  they 
retired  and  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives  with  their  children. 
The  father  died  in  1898  and  the  mother  in  1902.  A.  Westerson 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the  county,  after  which 
he  worked  on  the  railroad.  In  1873  he  learned  the  milling  trade, 
which  he  followed  until  1903.  He  spent  two  and  a half  years 
in  the  Diamond  Milling  Company  at  Ked  Wing,  then  went  to 
Hastings  where  he  rented  and  operated  the  mill  there  until  1892 
when  he  went  back  to  Welch,  operated  the  Welch  Holler  Mill 
until  1903,  and  then  took  charge  of  the  elevator  there.  He  was 
also  agent  for  the  Great  Western  railroad  until  June,  1909.  Mr. 
Westerson  was  married  in  1876  to  Kate  Larkin,  who  died  in 
January,  1880.  In  1882  he  was  married  to  Margaret  Wynn, 
daughter  of  Pat  and  Catherine  Wynn,  old  settlors  of  Belle  Creek 
township,  where  they  were  farmers.  To  this  union  was  born  one 
child,  Marie,  who  lives  at  home.  The  mother  died  in  1908.  Mr. 
Westerson  lias  one  sister  and  two  brothers  living.  The  sister, 
Esther,  married  J.  R.  Tampain,  of  Cannon  Falls ; Charles  lives  at 
Abercrombie,  N.  D.,  and  Frank  is  in  Montana.  Mr.  Westerson 
is  independent  in  politics  and  while  in  Hastings  served  as  com- 
missioner and  alderman.  He  belongs  to  the  M.  AY.  A.  of  Cannon 
Falls. 

Charles  A.  Nylen,  blacksmith  and  implement  dealer,  was  born 
in  Sweden  January  23,  1874,  son  of  Andrew  and  Anna  (Mattson) 
Nylen,  natives  of  Sweden,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in  1890 
and  located  in  Yasa  township,  Minnesota,  where  the  father 
worked  two  years,  then  rented  a farm  and  engaged  in  farming 
for  three  years,  after  which  he  went  to  Burnside  township  and 
rented  a farm,  where  he  remained  another  three  years.  He  then 
returned  to  Vasa  township  and  purchased  240  acres  of  land,  of 
which  100  is  under  cultivation.  Here  they  remained  for  ten  years, 
and  in  February,  1909,  he  moved  to  Welch  village  and  started  a 
blacksmith  shop  and  implement  house.  He  now  rents  his  farm  and 
has  sold  all  his  farming  machinery  and  stock.  He  has  always 
lived  with  and  cared  for  his  parents.  He  has  one  brother  living 
at  Argyle,  Minn.  He  also  had  one  sister,  Mary,  who  died  in  1907. 
Mr.  Nylen  is  a stockholder  in  the  creamery.  He  is  an  independent 
voter,  and  belongs  to  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church. 

Charles  Danielson,  a prosperous  merchant,  of  Cannon  Falls 
village,  was  born  in  Ottumwa,  Iowa,  January  1,  1867,  and  was 
brought  to  Cannon  Falls  as  a small  boy,  receiving  his  education 
in  the  graded  and  high  schools  of  the  village.  After  leaving 
school  he  clerked  with  his  father,  becoming  a partner  in  1889, 
the  firm  name  being  changed  to  J.  Danielson  & Son.  This  general 


910 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


store  was  continued  until  1906,  when  Mr.  Danielson  changed  his 
line  of  business  and  became  a furniture  dealer.  Aside  from  a full 
line  of  fine  furniture,  the  store  carries  musical  instruments.  An 
undertaking  establishment,  which  is  one  of  the  departments  of 
the  store,  is  conducted  conscientiously,  Mr.  Danielson  being  a 
licensed  embalmer.  A branch  store  at  Zumbrota,  ownecl  by  Mr. 
Danielson,  is  managed  by  John  A.  Boraas.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  belongs  to  the  Modern 
Woodmen,  the  United  Workmen,  the  Modern  Samaritans.  He 
is  president  of  the  Minnesota  Retail  Furniture  Dealers’  Associa- 
tion and  chairman  of  the  co-operative  buying  committee.  He 
was  married  June  9,  1891,  to  Eva  J.  Westman,  of  Cannon  Falls, 
by  whom  he  has  one  child,  Laverne  N.,  born  April  22,  1895. 
Mr.  Danielson  is  a sagacious  business  man,  thoroughly  upright 
and  honorable,  having  in  his  nature  a vein  of  kindly  considera- 
tion for  others  which  makes  him  a great  favorite  in  the  village. 
John  and  Christine  L.  (Magnuson)  Danielson,  natives  of  Sweden, 
and  parents  of  Charles  Danielson,  came  to  America  in  1865,  lived 
in  Illinois  one  year  and  in  Ottumwa,  Iowa,  five  years,  coming  to 
Cannon  Falls  in  1871.  Here  the  father  entered  into  partnership 
with  G.  Westman  in  the  general  mareantile  business.  In  1889 
the  interest  of  Mr.  Westman  was  sold  to  Charles  Danielson,  and 
the  company  became  John  Danielson  & Son,  until  the  father’s 
death,  April  8,  1903.  The  mother  died  April  16,  1907. 

H.  E.‘  Conley,  M.  D.,  of  Cannon  Falls,  is  one  of  those  men  who 
fulfill  the  highest  ideals  of  one  of  the  highest  of  callings.  While 
choosing  to  ‘attend  quietly  to  his  duties  rather  than  to  act  in 
public  office,  the  call  to  service  has  nevertheless  reached  him  in 
so  importune  a manner  as  to  make  it  almost  impossible  for  him 
to  decline  the  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility  that  have  been 
thrust  upon  him.  He  is  a trustee  of  the  Cemetery  Association, 
health  officer  of  the  village,  and  ex-president  of  the  village  coun- 
cil, having  previously  served  four  terms  as  an  alderman  and 
eleven  years  on  the  school  board.  He  is  president  of  the  Good- 
hue  County  Medical  Association  and  a member  of  both  the  state 
and  national  bodies  also.  Fraternally  he  associates  with  the 
Masons,  in  which  he  has  taken  a number  of  high  degrees,  the 
Modern  Woodmen,  the  United  Workmen,  the  Royal  Neighbors, 
the  Independent  Foresters  and  the  Modern  Samaritans.  Taking 
an  interest  in  the  industrial  growth  of  the  village  he  has  become 
a trustee  in  the  Cannon  Falls  Canning  Company,  and  also  has 
other  financial  holdings.  Dr.  Conley  was  born  in  Palo,  Iowa, 
July  11,  1855,  and  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools, 
in  the  academy  at  Kossuth,  Iowa,  and  in  the  Iowa  State  Uni- 
versity at  Iowa  City,  Iowa,  graduating  in  1884.  At  once  after 
leaving  college  he  took  up  the  practice  of  medicine  in  his  native 


\ 


M.  D.  Fox 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


911 


town  for  a few  months,  and  then  practiced  with  Dr.  E.  C.  Case 
in  Waterville,  Me.,  eight  months.  In  November,  1885,  he  came  to 
Cannon  Falls  and  opened  an  office,  at  once  becoming  identified 
.with  the  progress  of  village  events.  His  office  is  well  equipped 
and  his  practice  is  large  in  both  village  and  township.  Dr. 
Conley  was  married  August  28,  1884,  at  the  beginning  of  his 
professional  career,  to  Sarah  L.  Dibble,  daughter  of  Alonzo  and 
Louise  (Aiders)  Dibble,  early  settlers  and  substantial  farmers 
of  Cannon  Falls,  the  father  dying  July  11,  1891,  and  the  mother 
March  25,  1869.  The  Conley  home  has  been  blessed  with  the 
arrival  of  five  children:  Mira  V.,  born  September  16,  1885,  died 
April  10,  1892;  Emma  L.,  born  September  15,  1890,  died  April  8, 
1892;  Alonzo  D..  born  May  24,  1892;  Ora  K..  born  February  19, 
1894,  and  Lewis  E.,  born  February  16,  1900,  all  live  at  home. 
Lewis  and  Betsy  (Hutchins)  Conley,  parents  of  II.  E.,  were  born 
in  the  nortlrwestern  part  of  New  York  state,  and  in  the  early 
fifties  started  west,  living  for  a time  in  Sugar  Grove,  Cane  county, 
Illinois,  and  then  locating  in  Linn  county,  Iowa.  From  1855 
to  1871  they  lived  on  a homestead  in  Mitchell  county,  Iowa,  and 
then  went  to  Kossuth,  Iowa,  where  the  father  operated  a saw 
mill,  getting  out  lumber  for  the  railroad.  They  came  to  Cannon 

Falls  in  , and  here  ended  their  days.  The  father  was  born 

in  Leroy,  Jefferson  county,  New  York,  November  20,  1822,  and 
died  January  5,  1900.  The  mother  Avas  born  in  the  same  locality, 
June  3,  1827,  and  died  August  23,  1900. 

M.  D.  Fox,  of  Cannon  Falls  village,  is  one  of  those  thrifty 
Vermonters  Avho  have  brought  to  this  state  the  perseverance  and 
ability  of  NeAv  England  ancestry,  combined  with  the  progressHe 
and  expansive  spirit  of  the  AYest.  He  is  a supervisor  of  the 
township  of  Stanton,  in  which  he  oavus  640  acres  of  fine  land, 
president  of  the  Stanton  cheese  factory,  president  of  the  Stanton 
Elevator  Company,  and  president  of  the  school  board.  He  is 
not  only  one  of  the  prominent  men  of  the  township,  but  also 
of  the  county,  and  his  name  is  honored  far  and  wide,  standing 
as  it  does  for  honest  dealing,  integrity,  ability  and  uprightness. 
M.  D.  Fox  was  born  in  Wilmington,  Vt.,  August  8,  1843,  son  of 
I.  L.  and  Unus  (Church)  Fox,  Avho,  after  spending  their  early 
days  in  Vermont,  came  to  Goodhue  county  in  1866  and  located 
in  Warsaw  toAvnship,  remaining  eight  years.  They  then  spent 
four  years  in  Northfield,  and  subsequently  came  to  Stanton  toAvn- 
ship.  where  the  father  died  in  1903.  The  mother  lived  to  the 
good  old  age  of  eighty-seven,  and  died  August  7,  1909.  Of  the 
family  of  seven  children,  but  two  are  living,  M.  D.  and  E.  K. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  his  early  education  in  Arer- 
mont,  and  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War  enlisted  in  Company 
E,  11th  Vermont  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  August,  1862.  He  .was 


912 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  during  its  entire  campaign,  with 
the  exception  of  five  weary  months  which  he  spent  in  Anderson- 
ville  prison.  He  was  discharged  in  July,  1865,  and  took  part 
in  the  grand  review  in  Washington.  In  1866  he  came  west  with 
his  parents,  and  after  spending  a number  of  years  in  this  county, 

went  to  Fergus  Falls, , where  he  spent  three  years.  Since 

that  time  he  has  continued  to  reside  in  Stanton.  He  rents  220 
acres  of  his  land,  but  upon  the  remainder  carries  on  general 
farming  and  dairying,  selling  milk  to  the  cheese  factory  of 
which  he  is  president.  Mr.  Fox  was  married  in  1884  to  Carrie 
Rydlund,  daughter  of  John  and  Christine  Rydlund,  the  latter  of 
whom  is  spending  her  declining  years  at  the  Fox  home.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Fox  have  been  born  nine  children:  Oscar  L.,  Lillian 

R„  Henry  L.,  John  W.,  Esther  S.,  George  E.,  Eva  F.,  Moses  D. 
and  Arthur  T. 

Peter  A.  Peterson,  the  able  and  distinguished  postmaster  at 
Cannon  Falls,  was  born  in  Sweden  January  24,  1855,  and  came 
to  America  with  his  parents  in  1869,  completing  his  education 
in  the  schools  of  Cannon  Falls.  After  school  he  clerked  in  a 
drug  store  until  1880,  when  he  purchased  the  business  of  Sand- 
berg Brothers  and  became  sole  proprietor,  the  store  being  con- 
ducted on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Fourth  streets,  where  the 
postoffice  is  now  located.  In  1889  he  moved  his  business  to  a 
fine  brick  block  on  Fourth  street,  which  he  had  just  completed. 
In  October,  1889,  he  received  from  President  Harrison  the  ap- 
pointment of  postmaster,  in  which  position  he  has  since  continued, 
giving  great  satisfaction.  During  his  long  term  of  office  the 
service  has  increased  in  efficiency  and  his  efforts  have  met  with 
much  favor.  The  income  of  the  office  in  1889  was  $1,500,  and  in 
the  year  1908  had  increased  to  over  $5,500.  In  March,  1904,  Mr. 
Peterson  sold  a half  interest  in  his  drug  business  to  George  V. 
Williams,  and  four  years  later  disposed  of  the  remaining  half 
interest  to  the  same  gentleman,  thus  enabling  him  to  give  his 
entire  time  to  his  duties  as  postmaster.  He  still,  however,  owns 
the  block,  and  also  a fine  residence.  Mr.  Peterson  also  owns 

I, 200  acres  of  wild  land  in  northwestern  Minnesota;  owns  a 
store  and  two  residences  in  Two  Harbors,  Minn.,  and  has  stock 
in  a packing  plant  at  Fergus  Falls,  as  well  as  in  the  Cannon  Falls 
Canning  Company  and  the  Farmers’  Elevator,  of  Cannon  Falls. 
He  has  served  on  the  village  council  and  on  the  school  board,  has 
been  treasurer  of  the  Scandinavian  Benevolent  Society  twenty 
years  and  secretary  of  the  society  for  many  years.  His  allegiance 
has  always  been  with  the  Republican  party.  June  24,  1880,  Mr. 
Peterson  was  married  to  Mary  L.  Swanson,  who  died  in  April, 
1895,  leaving  one  child,  Edna,  who  lives  at  home.  A son,  Elric 

J. ,  died  in  infancy.  He  was  again  married,  October  4,  1900,  to 


F.  B.  Seager 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


913 


Hilma  C.  Holxner,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  II.  J.  Ilolmer,  the 
latter  of  whom  died  in  June,  1909,  the  father  still  making  his 
home  in  Cannon  Falls,  now  with  Mr.  Peterson.  Two  children, 
Holmer  Loranzo  and  Helen  Elaine,  have  blessed  this  happy  union. 
The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church,  of 
which  Mr.  Peterson  has  served  as  secretary  and  treasurer  for 
many  terms. 

Foster  B.  Seager,  the  popular  mayor  of  Cannon  Falls  village, 
was  first  elected  in  1880  and  has  since  that  time  served  fourteen 
different  terms.  He  was  born  in  Cattaraugus  county,  New  York, 
July  13,  1847,  son  of  "William  N.  and  Sophia  (Eldridge)  Seager. 
After  receiving  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
county  he  lived  temporarily  in  Illinois,  Kansas,  Missouri  and 
Nebraska,  locating  in  Cannon  Falls  July  22,  1869.  He  then 
farmed  six  years,  and  subsequently  for  a similar  period  engaged 
in  the  meat  business,  after  which  he  took  up  his  present  business 
of  raising  fruit  and  vegetables  and  conducting  a nursery.  This 
business  has  constantly  grown,  and  his  place  is  now  one  of  the 
finest  of  its  kind  in  the  county,  his  goods  having  a fine  reputation 
throughout  the  state.  He  has  a partner,  William  Tanner,  and 
in  addition  to  their  nursery  interests,  these  gentlemen  annually 
buy  from  1,000  to  3,000  sheep,  which  they  fatten  on  their  farms 
for  the  spring  trade.  Mr.  Seager  is  also  interested  in  the  Cannon 
River  Electric  Power  Company.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics, 
has  served  on  the  school  board  several  terms,  belongs  to  the 
Masons  and  attends  the  Episcopal  church.  He  was  married  Jan- 
uary 9,  1879,  to  Susie  Cross,  of  Cannon  Falls,  daughter  of  George 
IT.  and  Olive  (Noble)  Cross,  the  former  of  whom  died  in  1905 
and  the  latter  in  1906.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Seager  have  been  born 
two  children : Clarence  in  October,  1884,  and  Marion  in  April, 

1893.  Mr.  Seager ’s  service  as  mayor  has  been  marked  by  prog- 
ress and  integrity,  and  the  people  of  Cannon  Falls  have  regretted 
the  fact  that  he  has  not  consented  to  serve  continuously  since 
his  first  election. 

C.  O.  Bye,  for  over  thirty  years  a well  known  business  man 
of  Cannon  Falls,  was  born  in  Norway  August  24,  1850,  and  there 
received  his  education,  also  attending  the  American  schools  a 
few  weeks  after  coming  to  this  country,  September  3,  1872.  From 
late  in  that  year  until  1877  he  engaged  in  the  tannery  business  in 
Northfield,  Minn.,  and  then  came  to  this  village,  where  he  opened 
the  Cannon  Falls  Tannery,  which  he  has  since  successfully  con- 
ducted. In  1894  he  combined  the  tannery  with  a fur,  wool, 
tallow,  hides  and  pelt  department,  and  commenced  the  manufac- 
ture of  fur  coats  and  robes,  also  doing  remodeling  and  repairing. 
He  now  continues  all  these  lines,  having  a large  business,  both 
wholesale  and  retail.  A Republican  in  politics,  Mr.  Bye  has 


914 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


served  on  the  board  of  health  and  has  been  interested  in  a number 
of  public  movements.  He  Avas  married  July  25,  1877,  to  Ellen 
Johnson,  a native  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1872. 
Mrs.  Bye  died  in  the  Rochester  Hospital,  August  20,  1900,  leaving 
five  children,  one  being  dead.  The  children  are : Carl,  acci- 

dentally killed  in  St.  Paul  in  1906;  Oscar,  now  of  North  Dakota; 
Clara,  who  keeps  house  for  her  father;  Arthur,  who  works  in 
the  tannery ; Gurina,  who  died  in  1885,  and  Lena,  who  assists 
in  her  father’s  office.  The  family  worships  at  the  Swedish  Lu- 
theran church.  Ole  and  Gunne  Bye,  parents  of  C.  0.  Bye,  spent 
all  their  life  in  Norway.  The  father,  who  for  thirty-one  years 
was  a sergeant  in  the  NorAvegian  army,  died  in  1895,  and  the 
mother  passed  away  in  1890. 

Louis  F.  Blinco,  superintendent  and  part  owner  of  the  elec- 
tric plant  of  the  village  of  Cannon  Falls,  has  shown  his  faith  in 
the  future  growth  of  industrial  activity  here  by  investing  his 
money  in  a plant  which  has  a capacity  far  beyond  the  present 
demands,  and  his  faith  bids  fair  to  be  justified.  He  was  born 
in  Canada  June  11,  1876,  and  as  a small  boy  was  taken  to 
Nebraska,  Avhere  he  received  his  early  education.  After  leav- 
ing school  he  took  up  the  work  of  steel  bridge  construction  in 
Sioux  City,  Iowa,  with  tfie  Phoenix  Bridge  Company,  being  later 
promoted  to  engineer.  From  1901  to  1906  he  thoroughly  mas- 
tered electrical  and  constructing  engineering,  and  September  23 
of  the  latter  year  located  in  Zumbrota  and  managed  the  city 
electric  light  plant  there.  In  1908  he  came  to  Cannon  Falls,  in- 
stalled a new  electric  plant  and  fixtures  and  has  since  enjoyed 
a prosperous  business,  which  in  coming  years  will  be  still  larger. 
Mr.  Blinco  is  a genial  companion  and  is  well  liked  in  the  Masonic 
and  Modern  Woodmen  orders,  with  which  he  has  associated  him- 
self. He  Avas  married  December  16,  1902,  to  Hattie  E.  TAviss, 
daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  L.  Twiss,  prominent  residents  of 
Meadow  Grove,  Neb.  Three  children  have  blessed  this  union: 
Eva,  born  October  16,  1903;  Hattie,  born  October  2,  1906,  and 
Lois,  born  June  14,  1907.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church.  The  electric  plant  is  owned  by  a com- 
pany officially  known  as  the  Cannon  Falls  Electric  Service. Com- 
pany, of  which  the  proprietors  are  E.  L.  Twiss  and  Y.  E.  Twiss, 
of  Meadow  Grove,  Neb.,  and  L.  F.  Blinco,  of  Cannon  Falls,  Minn. 
The  officers  are : President,  E.  L.  Twiss ; superintendent,  .L.  F. 
Blinco ; cashier,  Hattie  E.  Blinco.  » 

Martin  Chellson,  present  supervisor  of  Cannon  Falls  township, 
Avas  born  in  Sweden  October  20,  1864,  son  of  Nels  and  Anna  Chell- 
son, who  came  to  the  United  States  June  29,  1865,  stopping  first 
in  Red  Wing  and  then  coming  to  Cannon  Falls,  Avhere  they  pur- 
chased land  in  section  14,  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  their 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


915 


days,  the  father  dying  in  1874  and  the  mother  in  1893.  Of  the 
seven  children  in  the  family,  five  are  still  alive.  Martin  received 
his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  has  since  carried  on 
farming  operations  in  this  township.  He  owns  120  acres  of  land 
in  section  15,  100  being  plowed  land  and  twenty  woodland.  Here 
he  carries  on  mixed  farming  with  much  success.  He  is  a con- 
scientious, hard-working  man,  highly  regarded  for  his  good  qual- 
ities. Aside  from  his  position  on  the  town  board,  he  has  served 
nine  years  as  a member  of  the  school  board.  Mr.  Cliellson  was 
married  in  1888  to  Christine  Pearson,  daughter  of  Peter  Pearson, 
who  settled  in  Yasa  in  1869.  The  home  of  the  Chellsons  has  been 
brightened  by  the  presence  of  four  children,  Fred,  Florence,  Eva 
and  Pearl,  all  of  whom  are  still  under  the  home  roof. 

Henry  A.  Van  Campen,  of  Cannon  Falls,  was  born  at  Ran- 
dolph, N.  Y.,  July  24,  1849.  His  parents  were  Benjamin  and 
Adelia  Z.  Van  Campen.  The  father  was  born  in  New  York  state 
December  31.  1820,  and  the  mother  was  born  March  20,  1824.  In 
1857  they  moved  to  Minnesota,  locating  at  Cannon  Falls  on  May 
7 of  that  year.  Here  they  lived  until  their  death.  The  father 
died  February  23,  1888,  and  the  mother  October  7,  1902.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  received  his  education  in  the  Cannon  Falls 
schools  and  the  Shattuck  School,  of  Faribault,  Minn.  His  first 
business  engagement  was  clerking  in  a general  store  at  Cannon 
Falls.  He  later  became  the  owner  of  the  store  and  engaged  in 
that  business  until  the  spring  of  1887,  when  he  moved  on  his 
farm.  The  fall  of  the  following  year,  1888,  he  removed  to  Cannon 
Falls  and  engaged  in  the  boot  and  shoe  business,  which  he  con- 
tinued about  four  years,  then  he  engaged  in  his  present  business, 
dealer  in  agricultural  implements,  buggies,  harness,  etc.  Mr. 
Van  Campen  was  married  at  Milton,  Wis.,  October  4,  1877,  to 
Anna.  S.  Greenma.n,  and  they  have  five  children,  Benjamin  H., 
Harry  A.,  George  B.,  Merl  M.  and  Viola  G. 

John  H.  Carlson,  the  well  known  hardware  merchant,  of  Can- 
non Falls,  was  born  in  Sweden  August  22,  1866,  and  came  to 
America  as  a baby  with  his  mother  in  1869.  From  1869  to  1872 
they  lived  in  Chicago,  and  then  located  in  Cannon  Falls,  where 
John  II.  received  his  common  school  education.  His  first  situa- 
tion was  with  the  Cannon  Falls  branch  of  the  Charles  Betcher 
Lumber  Company,  and  after  twenty  years  in  that  employ  he  did 
similar  work  two  years  for  the  Ballord-Trimble  Lumber  Company, 
purchasers  and  successors  of  the  Betcher  retail  interests.  In 
1907  he  engaged  in  the  hardware  business.  The  store  is  well 
equipped  and  appointed  and  aims  to  carry  in  stock  everything  in 
the  hardware  line  that  is  needed  in  the  households  and  on  the 
farms  of  the  people  of  this  vicinity.  Mr.  Carlson  is  a stanch 
Republican  and  has  served  the  village  as  recorder.  November 


916 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


29,  1893,  he  was  married  to  Delia  M.  Peterson,  of  Yasa,  daughter 
of  Johannes  Peterson,  a prominent  farmer,  who,  with  his  wife, 
is  now  deceased.  The  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carlson  is  bright- 
ened by  two  children,  Gladys  E.  and  Irena  A.  Mildred,  the 
youngest,  is  dead.  The  family  is  connected  with  the  Swedish 
Lutheran  church. 

Peter  ChelgTen  was  born  in  Sweden  January  7,  1846.  After 
spending  his  boyhood  in  the  old  country  he  came  to  America  in 
1868  and  took  up  his  residence  in  Featherstone  township,  this 
county,  where  he  worked  a short  time,  and  then  went  to  Hastings, 
this  state,  where  he  resided  five  years.  Here,  in  1871,  he  was 
married  to  Christine  F.  Ericson.  It  was  in  1874  that  he  moved  to 
his  farm,  previously  purchased  by  him  at  Cannon  Falls,  and 
where  he  still  lives.  On  this  farm  of  120  acres  he  conducts 
general  farming  along  the  latest  approved  lines.  He  has  made 
many  improvements,  including  setting  out  an  orchard,  which  has 
proved  a profitable  venture.  Pasture  and  timber  land  take  up 
about  twenty  acres,  and  the  remainder  is  in  a high  state  of  culti- 
vation. Mr.  Chelgren  has  not  been  unmindful  of  the  advantages 
of  intelligent  co-operation,  for  lie  is  one  of  the  farmers  who  have 
been  interested  in  the  creamery,  which  has  for  its  object  the 
handling  of  milk  with  greater  economy  of  time  and  effort  than 
the  farmers  could  accomplish  my  making  butter  themselves.  Of 
this  creamery  Mr.  Chelgren  is  secretary.  He  is  also  a member 
and  stockholder  of  the  Cannon  Falls  Farmers’  Elevator  Com- 
pany, and  a member  and  director  of  the  Spring  Garden-Leon 
Insurance  Company,  which  works  in  the  interest  of  the  farmers. 
Mr.  Chelgren  has  also  served  with  credit  as  clerk  in  school  dis- 
trict No.  14  for  over  twenty-five  years,  surely  a record  of  which 
any  man  might  well  be  proud.  In  addition  to  this,  lie  has  served 
as  supervisor  of  Cannon  Falls  township.  Mr.  Chelgren  has  three 
children:  Mary,  living  at  home;  Emma,  a teacher  in  the  Red- 
wood Falls  city  schools,  and  Victor,  a druggist  in  Dickinson,  N.  D. 

Dr.  Owen  E.  Doely,  dentist,  of  Cannon  Falls,  has  been  here 
but  a short  time,  but  has  already  demonstrated  his  ability  and 
worth,  both  in  his  profession  and  as  a citizen.  He  has  a well 
appointed  office,  is  thoroughly  versed  in  the  latest  developments 
in  the  line  of  dental  surgery,  and  enjoys  a large  patronage, 
being  a favorite  both  in  the  city  and  in  the  surrounding  country. 
Born  in  Canton,  Minn.,  he  received  his  education  in  the  graded 
schools  of  Spring  Grove  and  in  the  Spring  Grove  high  school, 
later  attending  the  University  of  Iowa,  at  Iowa  City,  and  the 
University  of  Minnesota,  at  Minneapolis,  graduating  from  the 
dental  department  of  the  latter  in  1907  with  honors.  At  once 
upon  graduation  he  came  to  Cannon  Falls,  where  he  has  since 
successfully  practiced  his  profession.  He  belongs  to  the  Masons, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


917 


the  Modern  Samaritans  and  the  Scandinavian  Benevolent  Asso- 
ciation, and  also  associates  with  the  Minnesota  State  Dental  Asso- 
ciation. Dr.  Doely  is  a stanch  Republican,  and  attends  the  Nor- 
wegian Lutheran  church.  T.  I.  and  Gert.in  (Foss)  Doely,  parents 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  became  prominent  residents  of 
Spring  Grove,  Houston  county,  Minnesota,  where  the  father  was 
store  keeper  and  postmaster.  He  died  July  1,  1907,  leaving  a 
widow  and  four  children,  Ina,  Owen  E.,  Carlton  and  Genevieve. 

Dan  Danielson,  of  Cannon  Falls,  is  said  by  his  friends  to  be 
the  champion  cheese  maker  of  the  state,  and  this  claim  is  sub-- 
stantiated  by  the  fact  that  in  the  June  contest  of  1908,  conducted 
under  the  auspices  of  the  state  dairy  and  food  department,  the 
cheese  made  by  him  won  first  prize,  being  awarded  a percentage 
of  98  on  a scale  of  a possible  100.  The  winning  of  this  prize 
was  a greater  honor  in  that  the  other  contestants  submitted  a 
much  better  grade  of  cheese  than  in  previous  years,  thus  neces- 
sitating a high  degree  of  excellence  on  the  part  of  whoever 
should  carry  off  first  honors.  His  diploma  is  beautifully  engraved 
and  bears  the  signature  of  no  less  a personage  than  the  gov- 
ernor of  Minnesota  himself.  Mr.  Danielson  was  born  in  Leon 
township  January  19,  1867,  was  raised  on  a farm  and  attended 
the  public  schools.  In  early  manhood,  having  a natural  aptitude 
for  mechanics,  he  became  a stationary  engineer,  an  occupation 
lie  followed  twenty-four  years,  later  learning  the  cheese  making 
business.  Since  1907  he  has  filled  his  present  position  with  the 
Cannon  Falls  Co-operative  Creamery  Company.  The  officers  of 
this  company  are:  President,  George  T.  Valentine;  vice-presi- 

dent, O.  L.  Benson ; secretary,  Peter  Chelgren ; treasurer,  Clif 
W.  Gress ; manager,  O.  L.  Benbenson ; cheese  maker,  Dan  Daniel- 
son. Mr.  Danielson  votes  the  Democratic  ticket,  belongs  to  the 
Odd  Fellows,  the  Masons,  the  Star  of  Bethlehem  and  the  Re- 
bekahs,  and  is  an  excellent  citizen  in  every  respect.  He  was 
married  March  20.  1892,  to  Agnes  E.  Gustafson,  a native  of  Leon 
township.  The  Danielson  home  is  brightened  by  the  presence 
of  one  son,  Harold,  born  February  17,  1904.  The  family  faith 
is  that  of  the  English  Lutheran  church.  Carl  and  Karie  (John- 
son) Danielson,  parents  of  Dan  Danielson,  were  early  pioneers, 
settling  in  Nicolet  county  in  1857  and  in  Leon  township  in  1859. 
They  suffered  greatly  during  the  Indian  outbreak  and  lost  $800 
by  being  compelled  to  leave  their  residence  at  Swan  Lake,  which 
was  in  the  heart  of  the  danger  district.  The  father  is  still  living 
and  the  mother  died  November  12,  1885. 

Peter  S.  Aslakson,  a prominent  member  of  the  Bar  Association 
of  Goodhue  county,  is  a man  who  has  taken  a deep  interest  in 
the  affairs  of  Cannon  Falls  since  he  first  came  here  to  live,  in 
1886.  He  has  been  city  attorney  and  city  recorder  and  is  now 


918 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


serving  as  secretary  of  the  board  of  education,  a position  he 
has  occupied  with  credit  since  1891.  As  captain  of  the  hook 
and  ladder  company  of  the  Cannon  Falls  fire  department  he  has 
done  much  toward  improving  and  maintaining  the  facilities  for 
fire  protection  in  this  village.  Born  in  Norway  June  3,  1852, 
Attorney  Aslakson  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools 
of  Minneola,  to  which  town  he  was  brought  at  the  age  of  six 
years.  He  studied  in  Carlton  College,  at  Northfield;  in  Miller’s 
Normal  School,  Iveokuk,  Iowa,  and  took  a full  course  in  Prof. 
C.  IP.  Pierce’s  Penmanship  Institute;  also  Baylie’s  Business  Col- 
lege, at  Keokuk,  Iowa,  and  finally  in  the  Iowa  State  University, 
Iowa  City,  Iowa,  graduating  from  the  law  department  of  the 
latter  institution  in  1878.  Like  many  other  young  lawyers,  he 
secured  his  start  in  life  by  teaching  school,  and  for  one  year  was 
professor  of  penmanship.  Then,  desiring  to  obtain  a practical 
business  training,  he  kept  books  for  Fred  George,  of  Zumbrota, 
one  year.  Since  June  1,  1886,  he  has  practiced  law  in  Cannon 
Falls  with  marked  success,  being  an  able  consulting  attorney  as 
well  as  a convincing  pleader.  In  addition  to  the  Bar  Associa- 
tion, he  has  joined  both  the  Modern  Woodmen  and  the  United 
Workmen.  Since  casting  his  first  vote  he  has  remained  a con- 
sistent and  loyal  Republican  and  served  as  chairman  of  the  Re- 
publican committee  of  the  third  congressional  district  from  1896 
to  1902.  Attorney  Aslakson  was  married  May  7,  1879,  to  Mary 
Christina  Ullevig,  of  Ilacler,  Minn.,  by  whom  he  has  seven  chil- 
dren: Laura  M.,  wife  of  E.  IP.  Lidstrand,  a printer  at  Faribault; 
Selma  A.,  who  married  E.  S.  Olson  and  died  July  29,  1905;  Anna 
M.,  who. lives  at  home;  John  S.,  a graduate  of  St.  Olaf’s  College 
and  now  located  in  Duluth;  Pearl  M.,  Mabel  IP.  and  Cora  A.,  the 
latter  three  of  whom  are  at  home  and  in  school.  Sven  Aslakson 
and  his  wife,  Lizzie  Peterson,  parents  of  Peter  S.  Aslakson, 
were  land  owners  in  Yinje,  Thelemarken,  Norway,  their  place 
being  known  as  the  Odegaard  Farm.  They  came  to  America  in 
1858,  purchased  160  acres  from  an  Indian  squaw  in  Minneola 
township  and  here  ended  their  days,  the  father  November  11, 
1894,  and  the  mother  February  1,  1908,  both  being  fine  old  people 
in  every  respect. 

Foster  D.  Barlow,  a pioneer  merchant  of  Cannon  Falls,  now 
deceased,  was  born  in  Oneida  county,  New  York,  July  16,  1821, 
and  after  attending  the  district  school  took  a course  in  the 
academy  at  Western,  N.  Y.  His  business  career  started  with  a 
clerkship  in  his  father’s  store  in  Canewango,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
remained  until  coming  to  Cannon  Falls  in  1857.  From  that 
year  until  1876  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  also  man- 
aging his  large  farm  of  400  acres.  In  the  middle  seventies  ill 
health  forced  his  practical  retirement,  although  he  kept  in  touch 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


919 


with  the  progress  of  modern  events  up  to  the  time  of  his  death, 
February  1,  1905.  Mr.  Barlow  took  an  active  part  in  the  early 
progress  of  the  village,  was  one  of  the  first  presidents  of  the 
village  council  and  served  several  years  as  postmaster.  A good 
citizen,  a wise  father,  a loving  husband  and  a faithful  friend, 
he  combined  a rigid  adherence  to  high  ideals  in  himself  with 
a gentle  tolerance  of  shortcomings  in  others,  being  of  the  true 
type  of  pioneer  gentleman.  He  Avas  an  old-time  Democrat,  a 
member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  of  the  Masons,  and  a communicant 
of  the  Episcopal  church.  The  family  name  is  perpetuated  by 
a widow  and  by  tAvo  sons,  Frank  A.,  of  Cannon  Falls,  and  Fred 
S.,  of  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.  Mr.  BarloAV  Avas  married  June  12, 
1878,  to  Minnie  M.  Reynolds,  daughter  of  John  and  Millie 
(Searle)  Reynolds,  both  natives  of  New  York  state,  the  former 
of  Avhom  died  February  6,  1865,  and  the  latter  in  August,  1882. 
Mrs.  BarloAV,  before  her  marriage,  was  principal  of  the  Cannon 
Falls  high,  school  five  years,  and  AAdiile  serving  in  this  capacity 
was  wooed  and  won  by  Mr.  Barlow,  aaJio  at  that  time  Avas  presi- 
dentof  the  school  board.  She  is  a graduate  of  Alfred  University, 
in  NeAv  York,  and  is  a woman  of  many  accomplishments,  one 
Avhose  character  and  work  have  had  an  important  part  in  the 
educational  side  of  Cannon  Falls  life. 

Paul  W.  Rothe,  of  Cannon  Falls  village,  is  a fine  type  of  the 
educated,  Avell  informed  gentleman  Avho  are  giving  the  impetus 
to  modern  business  and  commercial  life.  He  was  born  in  Ger- 
many July  23,  1869,  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools 
and  then  graduated  from  a high  school  at  the  age  of  sixteen 
years,  subsequently  going  to  Switzerland  and  studying  scientific 
milling,  a trade  which  had  been  folloAved  by  his  father  and 
grandfather  before  him.  Upon  landing  in  America  in  1892,  he 
worked  on  a farm  three  months  and  Avas  then  employed  six 
years  in  the  old  Goodhue  mill  in  this  Aullage.  Subsequently  he 
worked  in  mills  in  Minneapolis,  Hastings  and  Pine  Island,  return- 
ing to  Cannon  Falls  in  1902  and  leasing  the  Thompson  & Smith 
mill.  Here  he  has  since  remained,  building  up  a large  business 
and  attaining  a reputation  for  milling  a superior  product.  The 
mill  turns  out  rye  and  Avheat  flour,  as  Avell  as  corn  meal,  making 
a specialty  of  fancy  patent  Salle  flour  and  the  Gem  Bismarck 
Breakfast  Food,  both  of  which  have  already  attracted  faAmrable 
attention  by  their  excellence.  The  merit  of  the  output  of  this 
mill  is  shoAAm  by  the  fact  that  Mr.  Rothe  has  contracts  Avith  the 
state  for  furnishing  his  flours  to  the  state  institutions  at  Still- 
Avater,  Hastings,  Red  Wing,  Fergus  Falls,  Anoka,  St.  Cloud,  Fari- 
bault and  Rochester.  Aside  from  owning  the  mill,  Mr.  Rothe  is 
interested  in  the  Cannon  Falls  Canning  Company  and  also  in  the 
Horse  Breeders’  Association.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics, 


920 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


belongs  to  the  Congregational  church  and  is  a member  of  the 
Elks,  the  Union  Commercial  Travelers,  the  Odd  Fellows,  the 
United  Workmen,  the  Modern  Woodmen,  the  Modern  Samaritans 
and  other  fraternal  organizations.  April  23,  1893,  he  was  married 
to  Salle  Zimmerman,  by  whom  he  has  four  children,  Paul  E., 
Otto  E.,  Francis  and  Edward  R.  The  mother  of  these  children 
died  June  16,  1903,  and  Mr.  Rothe  was  married,  April  16,  1905, 
to  Tillie  Schlueter,  of  St.  Paul.  Ernest  and  Johannali  (Plahn) 
Rothe,  parents  of  Paul  W.  Rothe,  were  natives  of  Germany,  The 
father,  a miller,  is  still  living,  and  the  mother  died  March  12,  1903. 

William  Williamson,  a retired  farmer  of  Cannon  Falls  village, 
was  born  in  Steuben  county,  New  York,  May  2,  1833,  and  there 
received  his  education.  His  first  venture  for  himself  was  in 
doing  farm  work  for  one  year  near  Lake  Ontario,  after  which 
he  returned  home  and  soon  afterward  moved  to  Ohio,  where  he 
farmed  a short  time  near  Cleveland.  Subsequently  he  worked 
as  engineer  in  a saw  mill  in  Illinois,  then  returned  to,  Cleveland, 
and  in  October,  1855,  came  to  Stanton  township  and  took  up  a 
quarter-section  of  wild  land,  which  he  broke  and  improved.  Later 
he  purchased  more'  land,  until  he  owned  a fine  farm  of  244 
acres,  upon  which  he  carried  on  general  farming  until  1900, 
when  he  rented  the  farm,  purchased  a home  in  Cannon  Falls 
village  and  retired,  seeking  that  rest  from  arduous  toil  which 
he  so  richly  deserves  after  a life  of  hard  work.  In  February, 
1864,  Mr.  Williamson  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  and  served  in 
Company  Id,  1st  Minnesota  Heavy  Artillery,  under  Colonel  Col- 
vill,  being  discharged  at  Nashville,  Tenn.  He  served  several 
terms  as  supervisor  of  his  township  and  for  a considerable 
length  of  time  was  on  the  school  board.  Mr.  Williamson  was 
married  in  October,  1862,  to  Sarah  McKinley,  of  Warsaw, 
daughter  of  George  McKinley,  a native  of  Scotland.  To  this 
union  were  born  four  children : George  M.,  after  working  twelve 
years  in  the  pension  bureau  at  Washington,  is  now  a hotel  pro- 
prietor in  Bowling  Green,  Ivy.  Frederick  was  drowned  at  the 
age  of  two  years.  Emma  is  principal  of  the  high  school  at 
Cannon  Falls.  Anna  lives  at  home  and  keeps  house  for  the 
family.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Methodist  church.  Mr. 
Williamson  votes  the  Republican  ticket  and  belongs  to  the  Ma- 
sonic order.  Abraham  and  Sarah  (Smith)  Williamson,  parents 
of  William  Williamson,  were  natives  of  New  Jersey,  but  went 
to.  New  York  state  in  the  early  twenties  aud  there  spent  the 
remainder  of  their  lives,  the  father  being  a stone  mason  and 
farmer. 

Gustav  Westman,  now  deceased,  was  a leader  in  the  affairs 
of  Cannon  Falls  township  and  village  and  also  in  matters  per- 
taining to  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church,  of  which  he  was  a 


Gustav  Westman 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


921 


prominent  member.  A^  mayor  his  services  were  highly  esteemed 
and  as  a justice  of  the  peace  his  decisions  were  always  wise  and 
conservative.  Born  in  Sweden  January  20,  1828,  he  attended 
the  common  schools,  and  like  the  other  young  men  of  his 
country,  entered  the  standing  army.  From  1853  to  1856  he  lived 
in  Lafayette,  Ind.,  and  in  the  latter  year  came  to  Cannon  Falls, 
where  he  opened  a mercantile  establishment,  continuing  until 
his  death,  February  5,  1887.  He  was  married  June  9,  1878,*  to 
Mrs.  Josephine  (Hawkins)  Norelius,  daughter  of  Nels  and  Eva 
(Kolstrom)  Hawkins,  who,  after  leaving  their  native  country  of 
Sweden,  lived  in  Indiana  from  1853  to  1856,  and  then  came  to 
Cannon  Falls,  engaging  in  farming  for  the  remainder  of  their 
lives.  The  father  died  April  10,  1889,  and  the  mother  May  10, 
1889.  Mrs.  W estman  was  born  in  Sweden  February  23,  1816,  and 
received  an  excellent,  education,  being  a most  estimable  woman 
in  every  respect.  There  is  one  daughter  in  the  family,  Eva  West- 
man,  who  lives  at  home. 

J.  E.  Johnson,  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  Cannon  Falls 
township,  was  born  in  Sweden  April  10,  1867,  son  of  Ole  and 
Christina  (Kronberg)  Johnson,  natives  of  Sweden,  who  came 
to  America  in  1869  and  located  in  the  town  of  Belle  Creek,  this 
county,  where  the  father  worked  for  five  years,  after  which 
they  came  to  Cannon  Falls  township  and  purchased  160  acres 
in  section  3$,  where  the  father  improved  the  land  and  built  a 
home,  carrying  on  general  farming  until  his  death,  in  1907.  The 
mother  died  in  1903.  J.  E.  was  the  only  child,  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  the  township  and  worked  with 
his  father  on  the  farm.  In  June,  1891,  he  was  married  to  Ida 
Larson,  daughter  of  Johannes  and  Carolina  Larson,  natives  of 
Sweden,  who  came  to  America  and  settled  in  Cannon  Falls  town- 
ship, where  they  engaged  in  farming.  The  mother  died  in  1887, 
but  the  father  is  still  living  with  his  daughter.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Johnson  have  one  child,  Charles  W.,  who  is  at  home.  Mr.  John- 
son has  made  a great  many  improvements  on  his  farm  and  build- 
ings and  has  a fine  home,  owning  in  addition  to  his  cultivated 
land  thirty  acres  of  good  timber.  He  now  successfully  carries 
on  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  Mr.  Johnson  is  a Re- 
publican in  his  political  views,  and  has  been  chairman  of  the 
township  board  for  the  past  three  years,  justice  of  the  peace  for 
two  terms,  and  director  of  school  district  14  for  a number  of 
years.  In  addition  to  his  Cannon  Falls  farm,  Mr.  Johnson  owns 
160  acres  of  land  in  Lamour  county,  North  Dakota. 

John  J.  Lee,  of  Cannon  Falls  village,  is  a native  of  this  county, 
born  on  the  old  homestead  in  Leon  township  December  19,  1863, 
son  of  John,  Jr.,  and  Ingeborg  (Rislov)  Lee,  natives  of  Norway, 
who  came  to  the  United  States  in  the  forties,  settling  in  Boone 


92,2 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


county,  Illinois,  where  they  farmed  for  tsonie  years,  afterward 
coming  to  Leon  township.  Being  true  pioneers,  they  made  the 
trip  by  ox  team,  and  in  addition  to  this  the  father  also  made  a 
return  trip  to  Illinois  by  the  same  means.  At  once  upon  his 
arrival  here  the  father  pre-empted  a quarter-section  of  land  and 
began  farming  operations,  erecting  a shack  for  the  shelter  of 
himself  and  family  until  better  quarters  could  be  provided.  Dur- 
ing.these  early  days  the  pioneers  had  to  depend  upon  Red  AYing 
for  lumber  and  provisions  and  as  a market  for  their  grain.  The 
father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  often  made  this  trip,  some- 
times taking  his  son  John,  camping  on  the  prairie  by  night  and 
spending  three  weary  days  in  making  the  distance  which  is  now 
made  in  a few  hours.  For  many  years  the  father  followed  farm- 
ing in  Leon  township,  but  in  1897  moved  to  AYanamingo,  where 
he  now  resides.  Of  his  five  children,  only  two  survive,  the  other 
besides  J.  J.  being  a son  who  makes  his  home  with  his  father. 
J.  J.  Lee  was  brought  up  on  the  old  homestead,  attended  the 
public  schools  and  the  Red  AYing  Seminary,  and  then  took  up 
farming  operations,  which  he  has  since  continued.  He  is  a Re- 
publican in  politics  and  was  at  one  time  supervisor  of  Leon 
township,  also  serving  on  the  school  board.  He  now  owns  the 
home  place  of  160  acres  and  fifteen  acres  of  woodland  adjoining 
but  since  1905  he  has  lived  in  a new  residence  which  he  erected 
in  Cannon  Falls  village.  Mr.  Lee  is  now  engaged  in  the  farm 
implement  business  in  partnership  with  John  Ritchie.  Mr.  Lee 
was  married  in  1896  to  Bertha  Quale,  whose  parents  were  early 
settlers  of  AYanamingo  who  now  live  in  South  Dakota.  The 
Lee  home  has  been  blessed  with  three  children,  AY alter  J.,  Edna 
S.  and  Irene  L. 

J.  F.  Larson  resides  on  the  place  in  Cannon  Falls  township 
where  his  father  lived  before  him.  He  was  born  in  Sweden 
October  21,  1864,  son  of  Gustav  and  Anna  (Carlson)  Larson,  who 
came  to  America  in  1869,  and  settled  first  in  Belle  Creek  town- 
ship, this  county.  In  1874  they  came  to  Cannon  Falls  township 
and  purchased  a farm  of  200  acres,  which  they  at  once  set  about 
improving  and  developing  and  where  they  continued  to  live. 
The  father  died  at  his  home  in  Cannon  Falls  in  1904  and  the 
mother  still  makes  her  home  in  Cannon  Falls.  In  the  family  there 
were  six  children,  four  of  whom  are  living.  J.  F.  Larson  was 
blit  five  years  old  when  he  started  life  in  America.  He  was 
brought  up  on  the  farm  and  lived  at  home  until  twenty-seven 
years  of  age.  Desiring  to  see  something  of  the,  world  before 
settling  down  for  life,  he  went  to  St.  Paul  and  Minneapolis  and 
worked  several  years  on  the  street  cars,  in  a saw  mill  and  as 
a milk  dealer.  He  then  returned  to  the  old  homestead,  which  he 
now  is  working  for  his  mother.  A larger  part  of  the  farm  is 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


923 


plowed  land,  but  much  of  it  is  also  pasture,  affording  plenty 
of  grazing  for  his  herds  of  cattle,  which  furnish  him  with  cream 
for  extensive  shipments  to  St.  Paul.  Mr.  Larson  votes  independ- 
ently. In  1894,  two  years  after  he  started  life  for  himself,  he 
was  married  to  Anna  Bergquist,  by  whom  he  has  four  children, 
Margaret,  Evelyn,  Elvera  and  Paul  S.,  all  of  whom  are  at  home. 
The  Larsons  are  ardent  supporters  of  the  Swedish  Congrega- 
tional church. 

J.  G.  Nelson,  who  has  several  times  served  his  fellow  citizens 
as  supervisor  of  the  township  of  Cannon  Falls,  was  born  in 
Sweden  December  14,  1851,  son  of  Ole  and  Anna  Nelson,  early 
settlers  in  Chisago  county,  this  state,  Avliere  they  lived  from 
1856  to  1862.  In  the  latter  year  they  came  to  this  township 
and  after  renting  a farm  for  some  years,  purchased  in  1870  the 
land  upon  which  the  subject  of  this  sketch  still  lives.  The  father 
died  in  1887  and  the  mother  .in  1899.  Their  three  children  are  all 
living.  J.  G.  Nelson  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools, 
experienced  the  rigors  of  pioneer  life,  and  lias  followed  in  his 
father’s  footsteps  as  a farmer.  He  has  160  acres  of  land,  130 
of  which  is  plowed.  Here  he  carries  on  general  farming  and 
dairying,  selling  milk  to  the  Cannon  Falls  creamery.  His  place 
is  about  four  miles  from  the  village,  and  the  buildings,  all  of 
which  have  been  erected  either  by  himself  or  his  father,  are 
neat  and  well  kept.  Mr.  Nelson  is  a Republican  in  politics,  and 
being  a thorough  believer  in  education,  has  served  with  credit  on 
the  school  board.  He  was  married  in  1876  to  Ellen  Pearson,  by 
whom  he  has  five  children,  Adeline,  Alfred,  Henry,  Leonard  and 
Bennett.  After  the  death  of  his  first  wife  he  was  married  to 
Jennie  Holm,  by  whom  he  has  two  children,  Bertrice  and  Everett. 

John  A.  Ohnstad,  clothing  merchant  and  up-to-date  men’s 
haberdasher,  of  Cannon  Falls,  was  born  in  Norway  October  21, 
1867,  and  came  to  America  in  1875  with  his  parents,  receiving 
his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Leon  township  and  the 
Cannon  Falls  high  school.  For  several  years  he  worked  in 
the  clothing  stores  of  B.  Van  Campen  and  C.  R.  Grebie  & Co., 
and  thep  entered  the  employ  of  Olson  Brothers,  subsequently 
going  to  Duluth  with  that  concern.  In  1896  he  returned  to  Can- 
non Falls,  clerked  ten  years  for  Henry  Thompson  and  then  pur- 
chased the  business.  He  carries  a large  stock  of  goods,  equal 
to  that  handled  in  many  city  stores,  and  enjoys  an  extensive  trade 
in  the  city  and  surrounding  country.  He  is  a Republican  in 
politics,  has  served  on  the  park  board,  and  belongs*  to  the  Lu- 
theran church.  Mr.  Ohnstad  was  married  January  8,  1903,  to 
Anna  Underdahl,  of  Warsaw  township,  by  whom  he  has  three 
children,  Myron,  Olga  and  Ruth.  Andrew  E.  and  Seneva  (Rvom) 
Ohnstad,  parents  of  John  A.,  came  from  Norway  in  1875  and 


924 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


settled  in  Leon  township,  Avhere  the  father  still  resides,  the 
mother  having  died  October  8,  1904. 

J.  A.  Peters,  who  owns  a good  farm  in  Cannon  Falls  town- 
ship, came  to  this  county  as  a child  with  the  early  settlers,  and 
lives  on  the  place  where  his  parents  first  settled  and  where  the 
family  has  made  all  the  improvements,  developing  the  place  from 
a wilderness'  to  its  present  high  state  of  cultivation.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Sweden  May  30,  1849,  son  of  John 
and  Christina  Peters,  also  natives  of  that  country.  After  com- 
ing to  America  in  1851  they  lived  successively  in  Chicago,  Indiana 
and  Iowa,  and  in  1856  came  to  Cannon  Falls  township  and  pur- 
chased the  place  where  J.  A.  still  lives.  After  farming  for  many 
years,  the  father  retired  to  Cannon  Falls  village,  where  he  died. 
J.  A.  attended  the  public  schools,  but  since  early  boyhood  has 
devoted  his  life  to  farming.  He  owns  320  acres,  has  200  under 
the  plow  and  carries  on  general  farming  and  dairying,  selling 
cream  in  large  quantities  to  the  creamery.  He  is  a Republican 
in  politics,  but  beyond  serving  as  a school  officer  lias  never  cared 
to  seek  political  preferment.  In  1875  Mr.  Peters  was  married 
to  Hattie  Johnson,  by  whom  he  has  five  children,  Edward, 
Clarence,  Esther,  Ella  and  Edith.  Edward  is  in  Minneapolis  in 
the  hardware  business,  and  Esther  is  a ladies’  tailoress  in  Min- 
neapolis, the  others  being  at  home. 

Eugene  D.  Stone  is  one  of  the  genuine  old  settlers  still  living- 
in  Goodhue  county.  He  named  the  town  of  Leon  from  a place 
with  a similar  name  in  Cattaraugus  county,  New  York,  and  was 
the  first  supervisor  after  the  organization  in  1858,  in  which  organ- 
ization his  father  had  an  important  part.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  10, 
1832,  son  of  William  and  Lavina  (Collins)  Stone,  natives  of 
Vermont.  Moved  by  the  venturesome  spirit  which  has  always 
been  prominent  in  the  breasts  of  the  sons  and  daughters  of  the 
Green  Mountain  State,  they  moved  to  New  York  and  then  to 
Pennsylvania,  later  pushing  their  way  further  west  to  this  county, 
where  in  1856  they  pre-empted  a farm  in  Leon  township.  This 
farm,  now  consisting  of  222  acres,  197  of  which  is  plowed,  has 
since  that  date  remained  in  the  family.  E.  D.  Stone,  who  had 
received  his  education  in  the  East,  worked  with  his  father  in 
breaking  the  land  and  bringing  it  under  cultivation,  and  had  an 
important  part  in  the-  establishment  of  the  family  roof  tree,  com- 
ing into  possession  of  the  place  after  the  death  of  his  parents. 
For  over  fiffy  years,,  either  alone  or  with  his  father,  he  carried 
on  farming,  conducting  general  agricultural  operations  and  stock 
raising  and  selling  cream  furnished  by  his  fine  Jersey  cows. 
More  recently  he  has  moved  to  the  village  of  Cannon  Falls  and 
lived  a retired  life.  Aside  from  being  chairman  of  Leon  for 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


925 


several  terms,  lie  also  served  many  years  as  school  treasurer. 
He  enlisted  in  the  army  in  1864  and  served  two  years  four 
months  and  twenty  days.  He  was  married  in  1860  to  Ellen 
Johnson,  daughter  of  Nels  and  Mariah  (Mathew)  Johnson,  who 
came  from  Sweden  to  the  United  States  in  the  early  fifties  and 
located  in  Elgin,  111.  After  staying  there  a year,  they  came  up 
the  Mississippi  river  to  Red  Wing  on  the  “Mississippi  Bell.” 
Red  Wing  was  then  a pioneer  village,  with  the  Indian  tepees 
still  standing.  Soon  afterward  they  c-ame  to  Leon  township,  and 
ended  their  days  near  Spring  Garden  church.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Stone  were  born  six  children,  three  boys  and  three  girls.  Two 
sons  are  living:  F.  S.,  married  to  Anna  Benson,  lives  in  Min- 

neapolis and  manages  a creamery,  and  owns  a creamery  in  Can- 
non Falls ; Silas  E.,  married  Emma  Headland  and  is  a carpenter 
by  trade.  It  is  worthy  of  note  that  Spring  Garden,  now  the 
name  applied  to  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  and  the  com- 
munity surrounding  it,  was  named  many  years  ago  by  Mrs. 
Stone.  William  E.  Stone  died  in  1867  and  his  Avife  in  1879.  Nels 
Johnson  passed  aAvay  in  1879  and  his  Avife  in  1869. 

James  L.  Scofield,  of  Cannon  Falls  A’illage,  is  a native  of  the 
Empire  State,  born  at  Mt.  Morris,  Livingston  county,  NeAv  York, 
May  8,  1844.  He  came  to  Goodhue  county  with  his  parents, 
Luther  and  Roxanna  Scofield,  when  about  eleA^en  years  of  age, 
in  1855,  and  this  has  been  his  home  since.  He  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools  of  Cannon  Falls  and  the  old  Flam- 
line University,  of  Red  Wing.  When  eighteen  years  6f  age  he 
enlisted,  on  August  13,  1862,  in  Company  F,  8tli  Minnesota  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  and  serAred  until  July  11,  1865,  when  he  was 
honorably  discharged.  After  returning  home  he  resumed  farm- 
ing. In  1868,  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  Wilbur  IF,  he 
established  a drug  business  at  Cannon  Falls,  which  he  has  con- 
tinued since.  His  brother  died  in  1894  and  his  nepheAv,  Fred 
AY.  Scofield,  son  of  Wilbur  IF.,  became  his  partner.  Air.  Scofield 
was  married  in  Cannon  Falls  June  25,  1876.  to  Alary  I.  Hillman. 
Her  father,  LeAri  B.  Hillman,  Avas  among  the  early  pioneer  settlers 
of  Cannon  Falls.  Air.  Scofield  Avas  elected  to  the  legislature  in 
1892  and  re-elected  in  1894. 

Harrison  M.  Slocum,  of  Cannon  Falls  village,  is  one  of  those 
men  Avho  belieA^es  in  the  industrial  improvement  of  farming  con- 
ditions through  co-operation.  He  Avas  one  of  the  organizers  of 
the  Stanton  Co-operative  Creamery  Company  and  was  one  of 
its  directors  for  seAmral  years.  He  also  assisted  in  organizing 
the  Stanton  Farmers’  Fire  Insurance  Company,  of  Stanton,  and 
Avas  one  of  its  directors  for  a considerable  period.  In  1895,  upon 
the  organization  of  the  Cannon  Falls  Co-operative  Creamery 
Company,  he  became  its  first  president  and  retained  that  position 


926 


HI  ST OK Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


five  years.  From  1900  to  1905  he  was  secretary  of  the  Cannon 
Falls  Telephone  Company,  of  which  he  was  also  one  of  the 
originators  and  organizers.  In  addition  to  all  of  this,  he  lias  been 
a successful  farmer,  and  has  found  time  to  serve  as  chairman  of 
the  town  board  of  Stanton  several  years.  He  was  born  July  9, 
1858,  in  Stanton  township,  received  his  schooling  in  Fond  du  Lac, 
Wis.,  and  in  1879  took  charge  of  the  home  place.  Upon  this 
farm  he  made  many  improvements,  remodeling  the  house  and 
other  buildings  and  erecting  a large,  sanitary  barn,  40x50  feet. 
His  farm  was  one  of  the  finest  in  the  township,  and  his  fanning 
operations  were  conducted  on  a large  scale  until  1906,  when  he 
came  to  the  village  of  Cannon  Falls,  where  he  now  lives  retired. 
Mr.  Slocum  is  a mason  and  votes  an  independent  ticket.  John 
F.  Slocum,  father  of  Harrison  M.,  was  born  in  Luzerne  county, 
Pennsylvania,  December  19,  1803,  and  came  with  his  father, 
Isaac  Slocum,  to  Ohio  in  1824.  He  subsequently  lived  in  Fond 
due  Lac,  Wis.,  and  in  1855,  after  a short  stay  in  St.  Paul,  came  to 
Cannon  Falls  and  built  a store,  the  second  one  in  the  place. 
About  the  same  time  he  pre-empted  a farm  in  section  14,  and  the 
old  land  deed  signed  by  President  Lincoln  is  still  one  of  the 
cherished  possessions  of  the  family.  On  this  place  the  family 
erected  a cabin,  and  were  on  the  high  road  to  prosperity  when  a 
fire  swept  the  prairie,  and  during  Mr.  Slocum’s  absence  in  Red 
Wing,  destroyed  the  cabin  and  all  its  contents.  The  family  then 
returned  to  St.  Paul,  spent  the  winter  there,  then  returned  to 
the  claim,  lived  there  until  1861,  then  went  to  Fond  du  Lac,  Wis., 
and  lived  there  until  1874,  afterward  returning  to  this  county. 
Barbara  E.  Morrell,  who  married  John  F.  Slocum  May  1,  1849, 
was  born  in  England  March  9,  1820,  and  died  January  25,  1899. 
John  E.  Slocum  died  June  29,  1879.  To  this  union  were  born 
three  children,  Sarah  E.,  Mary  H.  and  Harrison  M.  Sarah  E.  was 
born  August  15,  1851,  and  died  December  27,  1905.  Mary  H. 
was  born  September  30,  1853,  and  keeps  house  for  her  brother. 

Arthur  T.  Clifford,  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  retired 
farmer,  of  Cannon  Falls,  was  born  in  Prospect,  Waldo  county, 
Maine,  and  after  receiving  his  education  worked  with  his  father, 
coming  west  with  his  parents  and  settling  in  Stanton  township 
in  1855.  He  pre-empted  a quarter-section  of  land,  brought  the 
wilderness  under  cultivation  and  carried  on  general  farming  until 
his  retirement,  in  1893,  at  which  time  he  rented  his  farm  and 
moved  to  the  village  of  Cannon  Falls,  where  he  now  resides. 
In  the  month  of  February,  1864,  he  joined  Company  I,  1st  Min- 
nesota Heavy  Artillery,  and  served  under  Colonel  William  Col- 
vili  until  discharged  at  Fort  Snelling  at  the  close  of  the  war. 
Since  then  it  has  always  been  his  delight  to  associate  with  the 
good  old  comrades  of  those  days,  and  he  has  served  as  chaplain 


HISTORY  OR  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


927 


of  McKinley  Post,  No.  96,  G.  A.  R.,  for  many  years  past.  Polit- 
ically lie  has  not  desired  to  be  conspicuous,  but  lias  consented  to 
serve  as  school  treasurer  eight  years  and  town  treasurer  two 
years.  As  the  result  of  a lifelong  consideration  of  the  problems 
confronting  the  nation,  Mr.  Clifford  has  become  a Prohibitionist 
and  looks  for  the  ultimate  victory  of  the  principles  of  that  party. 
He  is  interested  in  church  matters  also,  and  has  taken  a prominent 
part  in  the  growth  of  the  Congregational  demonination  of  this 
vicinity.  November  28,  1860,  Mr.  Clifford  was  married  to  Sarah 
E.  Ellis,  of  Grinnell,  Iowa.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  two 
children : Minnie  E.,  the  wife  of  Dr.  Wilbur  Morrell,  and 

Frank  F.,  a physician  in  West  Concord,  Minn.  Jonathan  L.  and 
Susan  B.  (French)  Clifford,  parents  of  A.  T.  Clifford,  were 
natives  of  Maine,  where  the  father  was  a merchant  and  farmer. 
They  came  to  Stanton  township  in  the  early  days  and  continued 
to  add  to  their  original  quarter-section  until  they  owned  500 
acres.  In  later  life  they  retired  and  are  both  now  deceased.  It  is 
worthy  of  note  that  the  Cliffords  arrived  in  Red  Wing  October 
10,  1855,  and  have  since  that  date  been  residents  of  this  county. 

Sever  S.  Hommedahl,  of  AYanamingo  township,  was  born  in 
Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  December  4,  1853.  His  parents  were 
Sever  T.  and  Ingeborg  (Selje)  Hommedahl,  natives  of  Norway, 
who  came  to  the  United  States  in  1852,  locating  in. Dane  county, 
Wisconsin,  where  the  father  was  engaged  at  his  trade  of  shoe- 
maker until  1855,  when  he  came  to  Goodhue  county,  bought  land 
in  Leon  township  and  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death,  in  1897. 
The  mother  died  in  1907,  at  the  good  old  age  of  eighty-three 
years.  They  experienced  all  the  hardships  of  the  early  settlers, 
hauling  all  their  products  to  Red  Wing  by  ox  team,  cultivating 
their  land  without  any  of  the  conveniences  of  our  time.  Sever  S. 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  the  county,  after- 
ward taking  a course  at  Augsborg  Seminary,  after  which  he 
returned  to  the  farm  and  later  engaged  in  farming  for  himself, 
purchasing  170  acres  of  land  in  AYanamingo.  In  1883  he  was 
married  to  Mary  Loven,  daughter  of  Thor  and  Guri  (Finberg) 
Loven,  old  settlers  of  this  county,  who  farmed  in  AYanamingo 
until  their  death.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hommedahl  are  the  parents  of 
seven  children : Selmar,  Ida  Thorwald,  Hilda,  Susie,  Esther  and 
Herman,  all  of  whom  live  at  home.  Mr.  Ilomijiedahl  has  besides 
his  own  farm,  100  acres  in  Leon  township,  also  eighty  acres  near 
Houston,  Tex.  For  many  years  he  carried  on  general  farming, 
but  has  now  retired  and  rents  his  farm.  In  1906  he  bought  the 
Falls  House,  at  Cannon  Falls.  Mr.  Hommedahl  is  Republican 
and  has  held  the  offices  of  assessor  of  AYanamingo,  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  clerk  of  the  school  board  for  a number  of  years.  He 
and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church. 


928 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Albert  L.  Hjermstad  was  born  in  Wanamingo  township,  where 
he  still  resides,  March  20,  1871,  son  of  Lars  and  Anna  (Overby) 
Hjermstad,,  natives  of  Norway.  Lars  Hjermstad  came  to  America 
in  1817,  locating  in  Rock  River,  Aids.,  remaining  a few  years, 
after  which  he  removed  to  Fillmore  county,  Minnesota,  and  en- 
gaged in  farming  until  1859,  when  he  came  to  AVanamingo  town- 
ship, where  he  purchased  160  acres  of  prairie  land  in  section  3, 
which  he  broke  and  cleared,  erecting  a home  and  other  outbuild- 
ings, following  general  farming  until  his  death,  October  9,  1877. 
He  was  married  in  1865  to  Anna  Overby,  who  still  lives  with  her 
son.  Albert  L.  received  his  education  in  the  district  school  of 
Wanamingo,  and  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years  managed  the 
farm.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  years  he  rented  it,  and  in 
1900  bought  eighty  acres  of  it.  In  1908  he  bought  forty  acres 
adjoining  and  five  acres  of  timber  land  in  Leon.  He  now  carries 
on  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  Mr.  Hjermstad  was  mar- 
ried November  4,  1903,  to  Hannah  Moe,  daughter  of  Hans  and 
Anna  (Overby)  Moe,  natives  of  Norway,  Avho  came  to  America 
and  about  a year  later  located  in  Wanamingo  township  and  en- 
gaged in  general  farming.  The  mother  died  in  1903.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hjermstad  have  been  blessed  with  three  children:  Lars, 
born  July  18,  1904;  Hans,  born  July  8,  1907,  and  Alf,  born  July 
3,  1909.  Mr.  Hjermstad  is  a Republican.  The  family  attend  the 
Lutheran  church. 

Bernt  Hennum,  of  Wanamingo  township,  was  born  in  Norway 
January  14,  1857,  son  of  Gunder  A.  Hennum  and  Lena  Erickson, 
natives  of  Norway.  Bernt  came  to  America  in  1878,  locating  in 
Iowa,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade,  that  of  blacksmithing,  for 
two  years,  then  moved  to  Nebraska,  where  he  worked  for  two 
years,  then  came  to  St.  Paul,  where  he  worked  for  three  months. 
From  there  he  went  to  AYarren,  Minn.,  and  in  1893  came  to 
Wanamingo,  where  he  bought  160  acres  of  land  and  engaged  in 
general  farming.  Later  he  added  forty  acres  and  made  extensive 
improvements.  Mr.  Hennum  was  married  January  8,  1887,  to 
Randi  Imsdahl,  daughter  of  T.  and  Anna  Imsdahl,  natives  of 
Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1865,  settling  in  Zumbrota. 
In  1867  they  engaged  in  farming  and  are  still  living.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hennum  have  six  children : Leofred,  born  October  7,  1887 ; 
Arthur,  born  February  5,  1890 ; Gunda,  born  May  14,  1891 ; 
Harold  O.,  born  April  18,  1895,  and  died  October  7,  1901;  Louise, 
born  December  30,  1897,  and  died  April  29,  1903;  Lydia,  born 
May  8,  1903.  Mr.  Hennum  is  a Republican  in  his  political  views, 
and  the  family  attend  the  Lutheran  church. 

Sivert  O.  Haugen,  of  Wanamingo  township,  was  born  in  Min- 
neola  township  February  18,  1870,  son  of  O.  S.  and  Sigrid  (Romo) 
Haugen,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1861,  locat- 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


929 


ing  in  Nerstrand,  Rice  county,  remaining  there  eight  years,  after 
which  they  came  to  Minneola  and  bought  160  acres  of  land, 
which  the  father  improved  and  built  a home,  following  general 
farming  until  in  1908,  when  they  retired  and  moved  to  Wana- 
mingo.  Sivert  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Minneola 
and  the  Reel  Wing  Seminary.  After  leaving  school  he  worked 
on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  1897,  when  he  purchased  240 
acres  of  land  in  Wanamingo  township,  section  1,  where  he  has 
since  followed  general  farming.  Mr.  Haugen  was  married  May 
14,  1897,  to  Nettie  Jensen,  daughter  of  Andrew  Jensen,  of  Rice 
county.  They  have  four  children,  Oscar,  Alma,  Sigrid  and  Agnes, 
all  living  at  home.  Mr.  TIaugen  is  a Republican  in  polities  and 
is  clerk  of  the  school  board  in  district  64.  He  and  his  family 
attend  the  Lutheran  church. 

Nils  A.  Hostager,  of  Wanamingo  township,  was  born  in  Cherry 
Grove  township  February  27,  1867,  son  of  Anfin  N.  and  Mary 
(Olson)  Hostager,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in 
1861  and  located  in  Cherry  Grove  township,  where  the  father 
engaged  in  farming  for  two  years,  after  which  he  removed  to 
Wanamingo  township,  where  he  bought  a farm  in  section  28  and 
engaged  in  general  farming  until  1898,  when  they  retired  and 
moved  to  Kenyon  village.  The  father  died  May  10,  1904,  but  the 
mother  is  still  living  at  Kenyon.  Nils  A.  received  his  education  in 
the  schools  of  Wanamingo  and  worked  on  the  farm  with  his 
father  until  1896,  when  his  father  presented  him  with  a farm 
of  160  acres,  which  he  improved  and  built  a new  barn.  Mr. 
Hostager  was  married  June  6,  1897,  to  Anna  Ronningen,  daughter 
of  Ole  and  Gura  Ronningen,  who  were  farmers  in  Wanamingo 
township  and  are  still  living.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hostager  have  two 
children:  Myrtle,  born  December  20,  1901,  and  Olga,  born  Jan- 
uary 5,  1905.  Mr.  Hostager  is  a Republican  in  his  politics,  and  he 
and  his  family  attend  the  Lutheran  church. 

James  Jordal  was  boim  in  Wanamingo  township,  where  he 
still  resides,  August  7,  1872,  son  of  Hans  and  Carrie  (Flesslie) 
Jordal,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1864,  locating 
in  Wisconsin,  remaining  there  two  years,  after  which  they  came 
to  Holden  township,  where  they  lived  two  years,  then  removed 
to  Wanamingo  township  and  purchased  120  acres  of  wild  land, 
which  the  father  broke  and  cleared,  built  a home  and  followed 
general  farming  until  his  death,  June  2,  1891.  John  received  his 
education  in  the  common  schools  of  Wanamingo  and  worked  with 
his  father  on  the  farm  until  the  latter’s  death,  when  he  took 
charge  of  the  homestead  and  has  since  carried  on  a general  line 
of  farming.  Mr.  Jordal  has  six  sisters  and  three  brothers.  Susie 
married  Peter  Rostad,  of  Belle  Creek;  Martha  married  Iver  Jel- 
lum ; Sarah  married  Ole  Anfinson,  Stina  married  Carl  Stromme,  of 


930 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Hannaforcl,  N.  D. ; Carrie  married  Thomas  Egtoet;  Josephine 
married  Olaf  Anderson,  who  was  killed  three  months  later,  after 
which  she  came  home  to  live.  The  brothers  are : Hans,  now  of 
Shell  Lake,  Wis. ; Ole,  now  of  Morrison  county,  and  Henry,  who 
lives  at  home.  Mr.  Jordal  is  a stockholder  in  the  Farmers’  Ele- 
vator and  Creamery  at  Wanamingo,  and  is  a Republican  in  his 
politics.  He  attends  the  Lutheran  church. 

Andrew  E.  Lee  was  born  in  Wanamingo  township,  where  he 
still  lives,  November  19,  1886,  son  of  Erick  and  Ragnild  (Kulseth) 
Lee.  He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Wan- 
amingo and  worked  with  his  father  on  the  farm  until  his  father’s 
death,  when  he  took  charge  of  the  place,  with  his  brothers,  and 
continued  general  farming.  Mr.  Lee  is  a Republican  in  politics, 
and  attends  the  Lutheran  church.  The  father  of  Mr.  Lee  was 
born  in  Illinois,  came  to  Wanamingo  township  when  a young 
man  and  purchased  160  acres  of  land,  which  he  broke  and  cleared, 
built  a home  and  carried  on  a general  line  of  farming  up  to  the 
time  of  his  death,  April  18,  1903.  The  mother  was  born  in 
Norway  and  emigrated  to  America  in  1882.  They  had  eight 
children.  Gertrude,  who  married  John  IJegvik,  is  now  deceased. 
The  others  are:  Henry,  of  Zumbrota;  Martin,  Andrew,  Caroline, 
Mary,  Julia  and  Simon. 

Enar  B.  Lunde.  one  of  the  prosperous  farmers  of  AYanamingo 
township,  was  born  in  Norway  in  June,  1832,  son  of  Bottle  and 
Breta  (Erickson)  Lunde,  both  natives  of  Norway.  The  father 
died  in  1866  and  the  mother  in  1890.  Enar  received  his  education 
in  Norway  and  came  to  America  in  1852,  locating  in  Dane  county, 
Wisconsin,  where  he  remained  for  four  years.  In  1856  he  came 
to  Wanamingo  and  purchased  160  acres  of  wild  land,  which  he 
broke  and  cleared,  erecting  a home  and  other  outbuildings.  To 
this  he  has  added  land  until  he  now  has  a farm  of  435  acres, 
all  in  section  34,  constituting  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  county. 
Mr.  Lunde  was  married  in  1857  to  Christie  Ellingson,  by  whom 
he  had  two  children : Breta,  married  to  Nels  Almi,  now  in 

North  Dakota,  and  Bertha,  married  to  B.  Lunde,  of  Cherry  Grove. 
Mrs.  Christine  Lunde  died  in  1875,  and  on  September  11,  1879, 
Mr.  Lunde  was  married  to  Anna  Johnson,  daughter  of  John 
Johnson.  Both  her  parents  died  in  Norway.  By  this  union  were 
born:  Ellen,  married  to  David  Davidson;  and  Anna,  living  at 

home.  Mr.  Lunde  has  been  successful  and  owes  his  present  pros- 
perity to  his  own  untiring  efforts  and  hard  work.  He  is  a Re- 
publican in  politics,  but  has  never  sought  public  office.  He  is 
a stockholder  in  the  Farmers’  Bank  of  Wanamingo,  in  the  Farm- 
ers’ Elevator  at  Wanamingo  and  in  the  Farmers’  Elevator  at 
Kenyon.  He  and  his  family  are  communicants  of  the  United 
Lutheran  church. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


931 


Bottolf  B.  Lunde,  of  Wanamingo  township,  was  born  in  Nor- 
way November  8,  1862,  son  of  B.  B.  and  Anna  A.  (Hogi)  Lnnde, 
natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1868  and  located  in 
Cherry  Grove.  In  1876  they  came  to  AYanamingo,  where  they 
purchased  160  acres  of  wild  land,  which  they  improved  and  culti- 
vated, following  a diversified  line  of  farming.  The  father  died 
November  18,  1889,  and  the  mother  June  1,  1907.  Bottolf  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  common  school  of  Wanamingo  and 
worked  with  his  father  on  the  farm  until  the  latter’s  death, 
when  he  rented  the  old  homestead  until  1907,  after  which  he  pur- 
chased it  and  lias  since  followed  diversified  farming.  Air.  Lunde 
has  never  married.  He  has  two  brothers  and  two  sisters.  The 
sisters  are : Gertrude  and  Bertha,  living  at  Petersburg,  N.  D., 

and  the  brothers  are  Arne  B.,  of  Wanamingo  township,  and  Erick, 
living  at  home.  Mr.  Lunde  is  a Republican  in  his  political  views, 
but  has  never  sought  public  office.  He  has  stock  in  the  AYana- 
mingo  Farmers’  Elevator  and  the  Farmers’  State  Bank  of  AA^ana- 
mingo,  and  is  a member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Oliver  J.  Lee,  AYanamingo  township,  was  born  in  Leon  town- 
ship January  17,  1876,  son  of  John  and  Emily  (Rislov)  Lee, 
natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1846  and  located  in 
Illinois  until  1856,  when  they  came  to  Leon  and  took  up  a home- 
stead of  160  acres  of  wild  land,  which  the  father  cleared,  built 
a home  and  other  outbuildings  and  carried  on  farming  and  thresh- 
ing. In  1899  they  removed  to  AYanamingo  and  purchased  a farm 
of  K.  B.  Smith,  in  section  11,  where  they  farmed  for  four  years, 
after  which  they  retired  from  active  life.  Oliver  J.  received  his 
education  in  the  scdiools  of  Leon  and  at  the  Red  Wing  Seminary, 
after  which  he  attended  the  Northern  Illinois  Normal  School  and 
Business  College,  of  Dixon,  111.,  graduating  in  1898,  receiving  the 
degree  of  bachelor  of  accounts.  He  then  entered  the  employ  of 
the  county  attorney  as  stenographer,  at  Dixon,  111.,  and  later 
taught  bookkeeping  and  shorthand  in  the  business  college  of 
Iowa  City,  Iowa,  remaining  two  years,  after  which  he  returned 
to  Wanamingo  township  and  took  up  teaching  in  the  public  school 
in  the  winter  and  worked  on  the  farm  in  the  summer.  In  1903 
he  took  charge  of  the  farm  and  has  since  engaged  in  general 
farming.  Mr.  Lee  was  married  April  4,  1906,  to  Louise  Walsvik, 
daughter  of  L.  A.  and  Inga  (G.jesme)  Walsvik,  natives  of  Nor- 
way, who  came  to  America  and  were  among  the  first  settlers  of 
Wanamingo  township.  Air.  and  Mrs.  Lee  have  one  child,  Jerome 
Llewellyn,  born  July  26,  1907.  Air.  Lee  is  a Republican  in  his 
political  views.  The  family  attends  the  Lutheran  church. 

Joseph  A.  Norstad,  a rising  young  business  man  of  Wana- 
mingo village,  was  born  at  Eagle  Grove,  Iowa,  September  10, 
1880,  son  of  Lars  and  Ingebor  (Lenning)  Norstad,  natives  of 


932 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Norway,  who  came  to  America  aucl  located  in  Illinois,  later 
going  to  Iowa,  where  they  still  reside,  carrying  on  farming. 
Joseph  A.  acquired  his  education  in  Iowa  and  attended  Jewell 
Lutheran  College,  in  Jewell,  Iowa,  where  he  completed  the  com- 
mercial-course. After  finishing  school  he  took  a clerkship  at 
Eagle  Grove  for  a time,  and  subsequently  held  a similar  position 
at  Bellmont,  Iowa,  for  three  years.  In  August,  190-1,  he  removed 
to  AYanamingo  and  entered  the  mercantile  business,  which  he 
still  conducts.  He  was  married  October  1,  1903,  to  Hannah  E. 
Haugen,  daughter  of  0.  S.  and  Sigrid  (Romo)  Haugen,  natives  of 
Norway.  The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Norstad  are:  Lester  E., 
born  May  19,  1905,  and  Orwin  S.,  born  January  29,  1908.  Mr. 
Norstad  is  an  independent  Republican  in  politics,  and  attends 
the  Lutheran  church.  He  is  a highly  respected  citizen  in  the 
village  in  which  he  lives.  In  business  he  has  been  very  success- 
ful. He  comes  of  good  stock  and  his  upright  dealings  have 
merited  the  excellent  reputation  which  his  store  bears. 

Halvor  O.  Oakland  was  born  in  AYanamingo  township,  where 
he  still  lives,  September  14,  1861,  son  of  Ole  0.  and  Ture  (ILal- 
vorson)  Oakland,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in 
1852,  settled  in  Kirkland,  AVis.,  and  in  1854  removed  to  AYana- 
mingo township,  where  they  took  up  a homestead  of  160  acres. 
Later  they  sold  this  and  purchased  140  acres  in  sections  18  and 
19,  which  the  father  cleared  and  improved,  building  a home, 
and  followed  general  farming  until  his  death,  January  26,  1895. 
The  mother  died  in  September,  1887.  Halvor  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools,  and  in  1882  he  went  to  Coddington 
county,  South  Dakota,  where  he  took  up  a homestead  of  160 
acres.  This  he  improved  and  farmed  until  1889,  when  he  sold 
out,  returned  to  AYanamingo  township  and  purchased  the  old 
homestead,  where  he  has  made  many  improvements.  In  1901  he 
added  thirty  acres  adjoining,  and  in  1904  built  a new  house, 
which  is  well  furnished  throughout.  He  is  now  remodeling  his 
barn.  Mr.  Oakland  was  married  June  23,  1886,  to  Lena  Nerson, 
daughter  of  Neri  Strand  and  Guri  Toeto,  natives  of  Norway, 
who  came  to  America  and  located  in  Belle  Creek  township, 
where  they  engaged  in  general  farming  until  their  death.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Oakland  have  six  children,  Nora,  Olof,  Gena,  Lydia, 
Hilda  and  Clara,  all  living  at  home.  Mr.  Oakland  is  a Repub- 
lican in  his  political  views.  He  is  now  clerk  of  the  school  board 
of  district  148,  which  office  he  has  held  for  twelve  years.  He  is 
also  a stockholder  in  the  elevators  at  Kenyon  and  Bombay.  The 
family  faith  is  that  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

John  G.  Olstad,  of  AYanamingo  township,  was  born  in  Craw- 
ford county,  AVisconsin,  November  25,  1863,  son  of  Ole  C.  and 
Carrie  (Ilostager)  Olstad,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


933 


America  in  1859,  located  in  Crawford  county,  Wisconsin,  and 
engaged  in  farming  until  1882,  when  they  sold  the  farm,  came 
to  Wanamingo  township  and  purchased  a farm  in  section  23, 
following  general  farming  up  to  the  time  of  the  father’s  death. 
The  mother  still  lives  in  Wanamingo  village.  John  G.  received 
his  education  in  Crawford  county.  After  leaving  school  he  took 
up  farming,  and  in  1882  came  with  his  parents  to  Wanamingo 
township.  In  1889  he  purchased  a farm  in  section  35,  upon  which 
he  built  a home  and  all  other  buildings  necessary  and  where  he 
has  since  followed  general  farming.  Mr.  Olstad  was  married 
July  2,  1889,  to  Bertha  Lawson,  daughter  of  Andrew  H.  and 
Catrina  (Egeland)  Lawson,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to 
America  and  settled  in  Wanamingo  township,  engaging  in  general 
farming.  The  mother  died  October  4,  1908,  but  the  father  is 
still  living.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Olstad  have  had  eight  children:  Elmer, 
Clara,  Nellie,  Gilbert,  Charles,  William,  Leroy  and  Ida,  all  living 
at  home.  Mr.  Olstad  is  a Republican.  He  and  his  family  attend 
the  Lutheran  church. 

Theodore  T.  Rygh  was  horn  in  Wanamingo  township  on  the 
farm  where  he  now  lives,  March  13,  1873,  son  of  Torger  and 
Rachel  Rygh,  natives  of  Norway.  Torger  came  to  America  with 
. his  parents  in  1845,  locating  in  Chicago,  where  they  lived  until 
1856,  when  they  came  to  Wanamingo  and  pre-empted  160  acres  of 
land  in  section  15.  He  received  his  education  in  Wanamingo 
and  worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  the  latter’s  death, 
when  he  came  into  possession  of  the  farm.  He  made  many  im- 
provements, erected  buildings  and  followed  general  farming 
until  1905,  when  he  went  to  Traill  county,  North  Dakota,  where 
he  owns  160  acres  of  land  and  where  he  now  resides.  The  mother, 
Rachel,  died  in  1887.  Theodore  received  his  education  in  the 
common  schools  and  at  the  Augsborg  Seminary,  at  Minneapolis. 
In  1904  he  took  charge  of  the  old  homestead  in  Wanamingo  town- 
ship and  has  since  followed  general  farming  and  dairying.  Mr. 
Rygh  was  married  September  5,  1901,  to  Mary  Holtan,  daughter 
of  Hans  Holtan.  To  this  union  have  been  born  four  children: 
Rachel,  born  April  2,  1902 ; Hans,  born  July  16.  1903 ; Ramer,  born 
January  21,  1905  (deceased)  ; and  Leah,  born  February  8,  1908. 
Mr.  Rygh  is  an  independent  voter,  and  was  at  one  time  clerk  of 
school  board  for  district  60.  He  is  also  a stockholder  in  the 
Farmers’  Elevator  at  Wanamingo.  The  family  attend  the  Lu- 
theran church. 

Joseph  J.  Swenson  was  born  in  Wanamingo  township  on  the 
farm  where  he  now  resides  May  1,  1872,  son  of  John  and  Anna 
Swenson,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  and  located, 
in  Illinois,  later  coming  to  Wanamingo  township,  where  they 
purchased  a farm  consisting  of  160  acres,  subsecpiently  adding 


934 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


more  land  until  they  had  a farm  of  302  acres  in  sections  5 and 
8.  Upon  this  land  the  father  built  a home  for  his  family  and 
other  buildings  necessary  for  his  stock  and  followed  general 
farming  until  his  death,  April  25,  1902.  The  mother  still  lives 
in  Kenyon.  Joseph  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Wanamingo  and  worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father  up  to  the 
time  of  his  death.  In  1902  he  purchased  the  old  homestead 
of  302  acres  and  improved  the  land  and  buildings,  carrying  on 
general  farming,  dairying  and  stock  raising.  He  has  now  under 
construction  a new  barn,  40x90.  November  1,  1905,  Mr.  Swenson 
was  married  at  Leon  to  Emma  Edstrom,  daughter  of  Charles  and 
Christine  Edstrom,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  and 
settled  in  Leon  township,  where  they  still  reside,  engaged  in 
farming.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Swenson  have  two  children : Evelyn  B., 
born  September  24,  1906,  and  Ernest  Joseph,  born  July  13,  1909. 
Mr.  Swenson  is  a Republican  in  politics,  but-  has  never  sought 
public  office.  The  family  are  communicants  of  the  Lutheran 
church. 

Harry  S.  Swan  is  a well  known  young  man  of  Wanamingo 
village.  He  was  born  April  29,  1876,  to  John  J.  and  Marguerite 
(Swenson)  Swan,  natives  of  Sweden,  who  came  to  America  June 
24,  1887,  and  reached  Kansas,  where  they  lived  until  1896,  en- 
gaged in  farming.  Then  they  removed  to  Sherburne  county, 
Minnesota,  where  they  farmed  for  three  years,  after  which  they 
went  to  Minneapolis,  where  Mr.  Swan  was  in  the  employ  of  the 
Bovey  & Delaittre  Lumber  Company  seven  years.  Removing  to 
Isanti  county,  they  remained  until  they  came  to  Goodhue  county, 
locating  on  their  farm  of  100  acres.  Harry  S.  acquired  his  edu- 
cation in  Sweden  and  America’,  after  which  he  farmed  with  his 
father  for  a time  and  later  went  to  Minneapolis,  where  he  worked 
for  the  Bovey  & Delaittre  Lumber  Company  for  four  years.  He 
then  went  to  the  village  of  Isanti,  working  in  the  lumber  yards 
two  years,  subsequently  coming  to  Wanamingo  and  entering  the 
service  of  the  Charles  Betcher  Lumber  Company  as  local  manager. 
This  business  was  later  sold  to  McMullin  Lumber  Company,  and 
in  1908  to  the  Wanamingo  Lumber  Company,  but  Mr.  Swan  still 
retained  his  position  as  general  manager,  which  office  he  now 
holds  and  the  duties  of  which  he  performs  most  faithfully.  Mr. 
Swan  was  married  December  12,  1902,  at  Minneapolis,  to  Tillie 
Johnson,  a native  of  Sweden,  born  February  9,  1876.  The  chil- 
dren of  this  union  are : Herbert  C.,  born  at  Isanti,  July  15,  1904 ; 
Mildred  P.,  born  January  19,  1906,  and  Russel  W.,  born  March 
15,  1908,  all  of  whom  are  at  home.  Mr.  Swan  is  a Republican  in 
politics  and  the  family  attend  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church.  He 
fraternizes  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Mod- 
ern Samaritans.  For  some  years  he  was  constable  of  Wanamingo. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COURT Y 


935 


Mr.  Swan  is  a man  of  good  character,  always  willing  to  use  his 
influence  in  behalf  of  anything  pertaining  to  the  good  of  the 
community. 

Lars  H.  Voxland,  of  Wanamingo  township,  was  born  in  Holden 
township,  September  1,  1861,  son  of  Halvor  and  Clara  (Quam), 
natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  the  late  fifties,  and 
located  in  Wisconsin,  where  they  were  married  and  came  to 
Holden  township  in  1858,  where  they  purchased  eighty  acres  of 
land  to  which  they  added  from  time  to  time,  until  they  had  in 
all,  680  acres,  all  in  Holden  township.  Here  they  carried  on 
general  farming  until  the  death  of  the  father,  March  4,  1894. 
The  mother  is  still  living  on  the  old  homestead  with  her  son 
George.  Lars  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of 
Holden  township  and  the  high  school  at  Faribault,  Minn.  After 
leaving  school  he  worked  with  his  father  on  the  farm  until  he 
was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  came  to  Wanamingo  town- 
ship and  purchased  251  acres  in  Section  19,  where  he  has  since 
carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  has  added 
land  at  different  times  to  his  farm,  until  he  now  has  a fine  farm 
of  750  acres,  all  in  Wanamingo  township,  except  110  acres,  which 
is  in  Holden  township,  but  adjoins  the  other  land.  It  is  all  under 
cultivation.  On  October  27,  1882,  Mr.  Voxland  was  married  to 
Christine  Aabye,  daughter  of  Tliorsten  A.  and  Olena  (Bergan) 
Aabye,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  Dodgeville,  AATis.,  from 
Norway  in  1851.  In  1854  they  removed  to  Wanamingo  township 
and  took  up  a homestead  of  160  acres  of  wild  land  which  the 
father  improved,  following  general  farming  until  his  death,  May 
3,  1901.  The  mother  is  still  living  with  her  daughter  at  the  age 
of  eighty-th^ee  years.  She  and  her  husband,  with  two  others, 
Henry  Nelson  and  William  Ronnin,  were  among  the  first  settlers 
in  this  locality.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Voxland  have  been  blessed  with 
ten  children:  Clara,  married  to  Ole  L.  Thoen,  of  Litchfield,  Minn. ; 
Lena  (deceased)  ; Halvor,  who  is  a farmer  of  Wanamingo,  mar- 
ried to  Hannah.  Wrolstad,  June  3,  1909;  Olof,  Lena,  Laura,  Man- 
ton,  Alice,  Harriett,  who  are  at  home,  and  Carl  (deceased).  Air. 
Voxland  is  an  independent  voter,  and  has  been  treasurer  of 
school  district  No.  148.  He  is  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Farmers’ 
Elevator  in  Kenyon.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Lutheran 
church. 

Lars  A.  Walsvik,  of  Wanamingo  township,  was  born  in  Nor- 
way, November  24,  1847,  son  of  Andreas  and  Segre  (Nesseth), 
natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1856,  settling  in 
Illinois,  and  remaining  there  three  years.  In  1859  they  came  to 
Wanamingo  township  where  they  purchased  120  acres  of  wild 
land,  which  the  father  broke  and  improved,  following  general 
farming  until  his  death,  February  19,  1906.  The  mother  died 


HISTOBY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


936 

June  26,  1906.  Lars  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools 
and  worked  on  the  farm  until  1882,  when  he  went  to  North 
Dakota,  later  returning  and  purchasing  the  old  homestead,  where 
he  has  made  many  improvements.  He  now  follows  general  farm- 
ing. Mr.  Walsvik  was  married  in  July,  1875,  to  Inga  M.  Gjesme, 
daughter  of  Lars  and  Anna  (Mayland)  Gjesme.  The  mother  died 
several  years  ago,  but  the  father  is  still  living.  Mrs.  AYalsvik 
died  April  13, 1908.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walsvik  have  had  nine  children : 
Saralp  who  lives  at  home ; Anna,  now  Mrs.  Anders  Turk,  of  Minne- 
apolis ; Alma,  of  Minneapolis ; Leonard,  living  at  home ; Louisa, 
married  to  0.  Lee,  of  Wanamingo;  Hattie,  married  to  C.  M.  Nes- 
seth ; Bertha,  Inger,  and  Mary,  who  live  at  home.  Mr.  Walsvik  is  a 
Republican  in  politics,  and  has  held  the  offices  of  supervisor  and 
town  treasurer,  for  several  years.  He  is  now  treasurer  of  school 
district  No.  61,  which  office  he  has  held  for  the  past  five  years. 
He  is  a stockholder  in  the  Farmers’  Elevator  of  Kenyon. 

Senkpiehl  Brothers.  Among  the  prosperous  and  progressive 
farmers  of  Goodhue  county,  G.  F.  and  LI.  W.  Senkpiehl  are  well 
entitled  to  prominent  mention.  Their  large  farm  is  brought  to  a 
high  degree  of  cultivation,  and  the  brothers  take  pride  in  keeping 
everything  in  the  best  of  condition.  In  the  spring,  when  the 
black  earth  is  plowed  in  deep  furrows ; in  the  summer,  when  the 
crops  wave  in  beauty  on  the  rolling  land,  and  in  the  fall,  when 
the  ripened  grains  stand  in  shocks  or  stacks  awaiting  the  thresher, 
the  farm  presents  a pleasing  picture  of  intelligent  and  successful 
effort  along  agricultural  lines.  To  the  property  left  them  by 
their  father  the  brothers  and  their  sister,  who  keeps  house  for 
them,  have  added  from  time  to  time  until  they  now  own  620 
acres  of  as  good  land  as  is  found  in  the  county.  They  carry  on 
general  farming  with  great  success  and  also  raise  considerable 
stock,  their  barns  being  arranged  with  a view  to  the  best  housing 
of  their  cattle.  All  the  stock  is  well  looked  after,  with  the  result 
the  dairying  operations  on  the  place  have  proven  most  profitable. 
Christian  and  Mary  Senkpiehl,  parents  of  the  Senkpiehl  brothers, 
were  born  in  Germany  and  came  to  Hay  Creek  township  in  1858 
Avitli  the  early  pioneers,  taking  up  a homestead  of  160  acres, 
erecting  the  necessary  buildings  and  carrying  on  general  farming. 
In  the  family  were  seven  children : Charles,  Hinnarika,  Gustaf, 
Christine,  William,  Henry  and  Christian.  The  mother  died  in 
1896  and  the  father  in  1901.  At  the  time  of  the  father’s  death  he 
left  400  acres  to  his  children.  This  has  since  been  increased  to 
620  acres  and  some  fine  buildings  have  been  erected  thereupon. 

H.  J.  Kells,  of  Hay  Creek  township,  was  born  in  Columbia 
county,  New  York,  October  3,  1833,  son  of  Henry  IT.  and  Caroline 
(Avery)  Kells,  natives  of  New  York,  Avho  moved  to  Wisconsin 
late  in  life  and  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days  there.  LI.  J. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


937 


Kells  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  New  York  and  later 
attended  a commercial  school  in  Wisconsin.  He  came  to  Minne- 
sota in  1857  and  settled  in  Wacouta  township,  where  he  worked 
at  his  trade  of  blacksmith  for  several  years.  Afterward  he  moved 
to  Hay  Creek  township,  where  he  has  since  resided,  and  carried 
on  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  also  devoting  a part  of  his 
time  to  blacksmithing,  having  a well  equipped  shop  on  the  farm. 
He  owns  200  acres  of  land,  of  which  eighty-three  are  under  culti- 
vation, the  place  being  managed  by  his  son.  Mr.  Kells  was  mar- 
ried in  Wisconsin  to  Naomi  Stewart,  a native  of  Maine.  The 
mother  died  when  her  daughter  Naomi  was  small,  and  the  father 
moved  to  Wisconsin,  where  he  died.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kells  have 
seven  children:  James,  of  Minneapolis,  and  Alice,  Alfred,  Henry, 
Sarah,  William,  and  George,  all  of  whom  live  at  home.  Mr.  Kells 
is  Republican  in  politics,  and  lias  served  as  town  supervisor  and 
justice  of  the  peace  for  a number  of  years.  He  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  Lodge  of  Red  Wing. 

Gust  Ekblad  has  devoted  his  life  to  farming.  He  was  born 
in  Sweden  in  May,  1868,  and  was  brought  to  this  country  by  his 
parents  while  still  an  infant,  spending  his  early  boyhood  in  Yasa, 
where  they  settled.  His  father,  Peter,  who  is  still  living,  is  men- 
tioned in  the  sketch  of  Albert  Ekblad,  found  in  this  volume. 
Gust  attended  the  common  schools  of  Yasa,  and  went  to  Mower 
county  with  his  parents  in  early  young  manhood.  For  many 
years  he  has  been  a farmer  in  Hay  Creek  township.  Of  his  eighty- 
five  and  a half  acres,  forty-five  are  under  the  plow,  and  on  this 
place  he  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  sells 
butter  and  makes  a specialty  of  raising  Plymouth  Rock  fowls. 
Among  other  improvements  he  has  sunk  a good  well,  from  which 
is  obtained  pure  sparkling  water  for  stock  and  household  pur- 
poses. Mr.  Ekblad  is  an  independent  voter  and  is  now  serving 
as  road  master  of  Hay  Creek.  He  was  married  in  1896  to  Jennie, 
the  daughter  of  Thomas  Perrott  and  Susan  (Bryan)  Perrott, 
and  to  this  union  have  been  born  three  children,  Elizabeth  An- 
netta,  Ruby  Jeanette  and  Yiolet  Evelyn. 

Albert  Helmeke,  an  honest,  law-abiding  citizen  of  Hay  Creek 
township,  has  spent  his  entire  life  in  this  county,  and  has  wit- 
nessed its  development  into  one  of  thp  most  prosperous  sections 
of  the  state.  He  was  born  October  2,  1862,  his  parents  being 
Henry,  and  Ricke  (Lenke)  Helmeke,  natives  of  Germany.  They 
came  to  America  in  1857,  and  for  a time  lived  in  Indiana,  until 
drawn  to  this  part  of  the  country  by  the  reports  that  many  of 
their  fellow  countrymen  were  attaining  prosperity  and  success  on 
the  rich  acres  of  the  then  newly  developed  Goodhue  county.  They 
settled  in  Hay  Creek  township,  and  there  remained  many  years. 
In  his  latter  years  the  father  sold  out  and  moved  to  Red  Wing. 


938 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


All  his  eight  children  are  living.  Albert  obtained  such  education 
as  the  district  schools  offered,  and  from  earliest  boyhood  took  an 
interest  in  farming.  He  now  owns  the  home  place  of  160  acres, 
having  ninety  acres  under  the  plow.  His  crops  are  of  a general 
nature,  and  his  stock  of  a high  grade.  His  fellow  citizens  have 
accorded  him  their  trust  and  esteem  and  for  three  years  have 
called  him  to  serve  as  their  town  clerk.  He  votes  the  Republican 
ticket.  Mr.  Helmeke  Avas  married  in  1888  to  Maggie  Ivruckenburg, 
daughter  of  Fred  Kruckenburg,  an  old  settler  of  Minneapolis, 
who,  being  a carpenter,  erected  many  of  the  early  buildings  there. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Helmeke  have  been  born  four  children,  Lillie,, 
Fred,  John  and  Anton.  The  Lutheran  faith  is  the  family  religion. 

John  B.  Zignego  has  a large  farm  on  Section  5,  Hay  Creek 
township,  .just  outside  of  the  limits  of  the  city  of  Red  Wing,  200 
of  his  338  acres  being  render  the  plow  and  in  a high  stage  of 
cultivation.  On  this  farm  he  does  general  farming,  together  Avit.li 
stock  raising  and  dairying,  making  a specialty  of  hogs.  He  has 
made  many  improvements  on  his  place  and  lrves  in  a pleasant 
residence  with  his  wife  and  six  children.  He  was  born  in  Italy, 
June  24,  1856,  son  of  Andrew  and  Carrie  Zignego,  both  of  whom 
died  in  Italy.  Ills  uncle  brought  him  to  this  country  when  ‘he 
Avas  a youth  of  fourteen  years,  in  1869,  and  until  twenty-five 
years  of  age  he  assisted  this  uncle  Avith  farm  work,  subsequently 
renting  his  uncle’s  farm  three  years.  He  then  purchased  eighty 
acres  in  Florence  township,  still  later  purchasing  the  farm  where 
he  noAv  resides.  Mr.  Zignego  is  an  independent  voter  and  has 
never  sought  public  office.  He  Avas  married,  in  1883,  to  Minnie 
Lubbe,  daughter  of  Frederick  and  Dora  (Warnbold)  Lubbe,  na- 
tives of  Germany.  The  former  is  dead  and  the  latter  still  lives 
in  the  old  country.  The  six  children  born  to  this  union  are : 
Minnie,  John  C.,  Lavina,  Marie,  Joseph  and  Willis.  The  uncle 
avIio  brought  John  B.  Zignego  to  this  country  is  now  living  in 
Minneapolis,  at  the  good  old  age  of  eighty-eight  years. 

Edward  Behrens,  of  Hay  Creek  toAvnship,  Avas  born  in  Boone- 
Adlle,  Inch,  December  14,  1849,  son  of  Conrad  and  Caroline 
Behrens,  natives  of  Germany,  aaJio  came  to  America  and  located 
in  Warrick  county,  Indiana,  where  the  father  died  of  cholera 
soon  after.  The  mother  died  in  1904.  Edward  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools  of  Warrick  county,  and  later 
learned  the  shoe  trade,  which  he  followed  until  1893.  In  1871 
he  came  west  and  settled  in  Red  Wing,  where  he  worked  at  his 
trade  for  two  years,  after  which  he  started  a shoe  shop  at  Hay 
Creek,  also  managing  a small  farm  until  1894,  when  he  rented  a 
farm  of  244  acres,  of  which  100  Avas  under  cultivation,  the  rest 
being  good  timber.  This  he  managed  for  eleven  years,  carrying 
on  general  farming  and  dairying.  In  1905  he  purchased  the  farm 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


939 


and  made  many  improvements,  both  on  the  land  and  buildings. 
In  June,  1882,  he  was  married  to  Ida  Saupe,  daughter  of  Fred  and 
Emilia  Schubert  Saupe,  natives  of  Germany,  where  the  father 
was  a sexton.  They  came  to  America  in  1855  and  located  in 
Milwaukee,  remaining  one  year,  after  which  they  came  to  Min- 
nesota and  located  in  Hay  Creek  township,  where  they  pre- 
empted 160  acres  of  land  and  engaged  in  general  farming.  There 
were  nine  children,  all  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  Beherns  is  a 
Republican  in  politics  and  has  been  treasurer  and  director  of 
school  district  No.  161  for  the  past  nine  years.  Fraternally  he 
affiliates  with  the  Sons  of  Herman  and  the  Red  Men  of  Red.  Wing. 

A.  A.  Burkard,  the  genial  store  keeper  at  Hay  Creek  village, 
popularly  known  to  the  public  in  general  as  ‘ ‘ Burkard ’s,”  is  a 
lifelong  resident  of  this  county,  having  been  born  in  Red  Wing 
March  24,  1867.  His  parents  were  A.  A.,  Sr.,  and  Odella  (ITolst- 
man)  Burkard.  The  father  came  from  Baaden,  Germany,  when 
a young  man  and  took  up  a homestead  in  Hay  Creek.  He  then 
engaged  in  the  hotel  business  in  Red  Wing  and  in  1867  moved  to 
Featherstone  township,  where  he  conducted  a general  store  and 
hotel.  Twenty  years  later,  in  1887,  he  came  to  Hay  Creek  village 
and  started  a store  and  hotel,  erecting  the  substantial  brick  build- 
ing now  occupied  by  his  son.  He  occupied  a number  of  public 
offices  and  was  postmaster  in  Featherstone  and  Hay  Creek  for 
a period  of  nearly  thirty-five  years.  He  died  August  1,  1903. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools,  and  worked  with  his  father,  managing  the  farm  in 
Featherstone  twelve  years.  Upon  his  father’s  death  he  took 
charge  of  the  hotel  and  store  at  Hay  Creek  village,  which  he  now 
conducts.  He  is  well  known  throughout  the  county  and  state 
and  is  prominent  in  fraternal  circles,  being  a member  of  the  Red 
Men  at  Red  Wing  and  the  Eagles  at  St.  Paul.  In  September, 
1898,  he  was  married  to  Helena  Schaffer,  by  whom  he  lias  three 
bright  boys,  Harold,  Karl  and  Tilden,  all  of  whom  are  at  .school. 

Carl  Veek,  a prosperous  farmer  of  Warsaw  township,  was 
born  in  Rock  county,  Wisconsin,  January  15,  1871.  His  parents 
were  Ilalgren  and  Julia  (Mikkelson)  Yeek,  natives  of  Norway. 
The  father  came  to  America  with  the  grandparents  in  1852,  and 
located  in  Rock  county,  Wisconsin,  where  they  engaged  in  farm- 
ing. Later  he  purchased  the  homestead  of  280  acres  and  farmed 
until  1898.  The  mother  died  in  1898,  and  the  son  Carl  now  man- 
ages the  farm  and  makes  a home  for  his  father.  Carl  received 
his  education  at  Decorah,  Iowa,  entering  Luther  College  at  the 
age  of  fourteen  years,  and  spending  four  years  there.  Then  he 
went  to  Northfield,  and  attended  St.  Olaf’s  College  one  year. 
In  1889  he  came  into  possession  of  250  acres  of  land  in  Warsaw 
township,  of  which  nearly  all  was  under  cultivation ; and  engaged 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


940 

in  general  farming,  dairying  and  stock  raising,  continuing  to 
improve  his  farm  in  many  ways.  October  7,  1889,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Petrine  Brekken,  daughter  of  Even  and  Bertha  (Oldre) 
Brekken,  natives  of  Norway,  who  immigrated  in  1856  to  Stough- 
ton, Dane  county,  Wisconsin.  In  1860  they  removed  to  Minne- 
sota and  purchased  160  acres  of  land,  gradually  increasing  this 
to  385  acres.  They  carried  on  farming  until  1888,  when  they 
retired  from  active  life,  but  remaining  on  the  homestead,  where 
the  father  died  in  1891.  The  mother  is  still  living  at  Warsaw. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Veek  have  had  nine  children:  Even  (deceased); 
Herman  Julius,  Byron,  Josephine,  Clara,  and  Minnie,  who  are 
at  home,  and  Evangeline,  Clara  P.,  and  Ole,  deceased.  Mx*.  Veek 
is  a Republican  in  politics  and  has  served  as  chairman  of  War- 
saw township  for  the  past  four  yeai's,  clerk  of  school  district  53 
for  the  past  twelve  years,  and  president  of  the  Goodhue  County 
Good  Roads  Association  for  two  years.  The  family  faith  is  that 
of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Henry  H.  Svein  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides, 
in  Warsaw  township,  December  25,  1873,  son  of  John  and  Mary 
Turtness,  xxatives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1856,  locat- 
ing in  Wisconsin,  where  the  father  worked  on  a faimx  for  three 
years,  after  which  they  went  to  Iowa,  remaining  three  years ; 
then  came  to  Warsaw  township,  Minnesota,  in  1862,  and  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  of  land  which  the  father  cleared  and  broke, 
and  built  a home.  Here  they  remained  for  two  years,  when  they 
bought  a farm,  consisting  of  195  acres,  in  the  same  township, 
where  the  father  made  extensive  improvements,  building  a home, 
barn  and  other  outbuildings,  and  followed  general  farmixxg  until 
in  1905  when  he  retired  from  active  life.  In  1907  he  moved  to 
Dennison,  where  he  died  in  1908,  and  the  mother  in  1882.  Henry 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Warsaw  and  St. 
Olaf’s  College,  Northfield,  which  he  attended  two  yeai’s,  after 
which  he  took  up  farming  at  home  until  1905.  He  then  bought 
155  acres  of  the  old  homestead,  and  later  forty  acres,  of  which 
about  175  acres  are  under  cultivation,  and  on  which  he  has  car- 
ried on  general  farming  and  dairying,  raising  of  fine  horses  and 
stock.  Mr.  Svein  has  one  sister  and  two  brothers : Annie,  the 

sister,  married  C.  Strand,  who  died,  and  later  she  married  Thomas 
Bakken,  of  Warsaw.  The  brothers  are:  Sever,  who  lives  at 

home,  and  Olaus,  who  is  living  at  Dennison,  Minn.  Mr.  Svein  is 
a Repixblican  in  politics,  but  has  never  sought  or  held  public 
office.  He  belongs  to  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church. 

John  Edward  Norsving,  president  of  the  village  council  of 
Dennison,  was  born  in  Holden  township,  January  24,  1873,  and 
received  his  education  in  the  Holden  coiximon  schools,  St.  Olaf 
College  at  Northfield,  and  the  Lutheran  Academy  at  Albert  Lea, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


941 


subsequently  remaining  on  the  home  farm  until  1904,  with  the 
exception  of  two  years,  1900-02,  which  he  spent  on  the  Pacific 
coast.  In  1904  he  entered  into  partnership  with  the  Messrs.  El- 
lingboe  and  Austinson,  in  a general  store  at  Dennison,  where  he 
now  remains,  he  and  Mr.  Austinson  having  purchased  the  interest 
of  Mr.  Ellingboe.  The  firm  has  a large  trade  from  the  neighbor- 
ing country  districts  in  both  Rice  and  Goodhue  counties,  and,  in 
addition  to  a general  line  of  provisions  and  household  necessities, 
carries  a full  stock  of  hardware  and  farm  machinery.  In  addi- 
tion to  this  property  Mr.  Norsving  has  160  acres  of  the  old  home- 
stead which  he  rents.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics,  and  before 
being  elected  president  of  the  council  had  served  three  terms  as 
village  assessor.  June  4,  1903,  he  was  married  to  Sadie  Austin- 
son, daughter  of  Throud  and  Mary  (Stiele)  Austinson,  who,  after 
coming  to  America  in  1851,  lived  in  Wisconsin  and  Iowa,  and 
in  1859  took  up  their  residence  on  240  acres  in  Warsaw,  where 
they  lived  until  1907,  when  they  retired  and  moved  to  Dennison 
village.  In  1868  they  took  a long  vacation  and  visited  their  old 
home  in  Norway.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Norsving  have  been  blessed  with 
two  children:  Gudmund  T.  AY.,  born  September  28,  1905,  and 

Bernice  M.,  born  September  29,  1907.  The  family  faith  is  that 
of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church.  G.  K.  and  Bertha  (Holien) 
Norsving,  parents  of  John  Edward,  were  born  in  Norway  and  in 
1850  migrated  to  the  United  States.  After  living  in  AVisconsin 
and  Iowa  several  years  they  came  to  Holden  township,  this 
county,  and  purchased  160  acres  which  they  broke  and  improved, 
later  adding  eighty  acres  more,  which  was,  however,  subsequently 
disposed  of.  They  retired  in  1904  and  now  make  their  home  in 
a pleasant  residence  in  Kenyon.  During  his  active  life  G.  K. 
Norsving  was  at  one  time  interested  in  a store  in  Tennessee,  but 
this  interest  he  later  sold.  The  entire  family  is  well  esteemed 
throughout  this  section  of  the  country.  G.  K.  Norsving  served 
in  the  legislature  in  1872-3.  He  has  also  served  as  county  com- 
missioner, township  supervisor,  clerk,  treasurer,  justice  and 
assessor. 

T.  O.  Bonde,  of  Warsaw  township,  was  born  in  Black  Hammer 
township,  Houston  county,  Minnesota,  September  5,  1855,  son  of 
Ole  T.  and  Mary  G.  (Riste)  Bonde,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came 
to  America  in  1848  and  located  in  Wisconsin,  where  the  father 
purchased  forty  acres  of  land,  which  he  cleared  and  improved, 
remaining  until  1855,  when  they  removed  to  Houston  county, 
Minnesota,  residing  there  eight  years.  Then  they  went  to  Rice 
county,  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land,  built  a home  and  other 
buildings  necessary,  and  carried  on  general  farming  for  twelve 
years,  after  which  they  sold  and  came  to  Warsaw  township  and 
bought  170  acres  of  land  which  the  father  improved,  and  carried 


942 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


on  general  farming  until  in  1892,  when  he  retired  from  active 
life.  He  died  in  1903  and  the  mother  passed  away  in  1904.  T.  O. 
Bonde  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  at  Northfield, 
Minn.,  and  took  a business  course  at  a La  Crosse  business  college. 
After  leaving  school  he  took  up  farming,  and  in  1900  purchased 
160  acres  in  Dakota,  remaining  three  years,  after  which  he  sold 
and  returned  to  the  old  home,  where  he  has  since  managed  the 
farm  with  his  brother.  Mr.  Bonde  has  three  sisters  and  three 
brothers.  The  sisters  are:  Bertha  E.,  married  to  Charles  Asper, 
of  Portland,  Ore.;  Emma,  married  to  John  Beauline;  and  Belle, 
married  to  Oliver  Tucker,  of  Ilibbing,  Minn.  The  brothers  are: 
G.  O.,  living  in  North  Dakota;  Austin,  now  of  North  Dakota; 
Albert,  living  at  home.  Mr.  Bonde  is  a Republican  in  politics, 
has  served  as  chairman  of  the  town  board  four  years,  and  was 
justice  of  the  peace  two  years.  He  is  interested  in  the  Farmers’ 
Elevator  at  Dennison. 

John  Engersetter,  of  Warsaw  township,  was  born  in  North- 
field,  Rice  county,  Minnesota,  November  28,  1869,  son  of  Erick 
and  Julia  Haland  Engersetter,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to 
America  in  1852,  locating  in  Wisconsin,  where  the  father  worked 
on  a farm,  remaining  two  years.  In  1854  they  moved  to  Rice 
county,  Minnesota,  where  the  father  homesteaded  eighty  acres  of 
timber  land,  which  he  broke  and  cleared.  He  also  built  a house 
of  logs.  Later  he  purchased  160  acres  of  land  in  Northfield  town- 
ship, where  he  moved  the  log  house  and  improved  the  land,  carry- 
ing on  general  farming,  and  adding  more  land,  at  one  time  160 
acres  and  another  time  eighty  acres,  until  he  owned  in  all  480 
acres,  which  he  managed  until  his  death,  January  28,  1904.  The 
mother  is  still  living  on  the  old  homestead  with  her  son,  Edward. 
John  Avas  one  of  six  children:  Albert,  hoav  of  Canada;  Carrie, 

married  Albert  Mohn,  noiv  of  Rice  county;  Julia,  married  George 
Rank,  now  of  Rice  county ; Edward,  lives  on  the  homestead ; 
Bertha,  married  Carl  Knutson,  noAv  of  Rice  county;  and  John  is 
the  subject  of  this  sketch.  John  received  his  education  at  the 
public  schools  of  Rice  county  and  worked  on  the  farm  at  home 
until  1893,  when  he  bought  200  acres  of  land,  of  which  180  acres 
Avas  in  Goodhue  county,  where  he  built  a home,  barn  and  other 
outbuildings,  and  noAV  carries  on  general  farming  and  dairying, 
also  raising  fine  horses  and  stock.  The  other  tAventy  acres  are  in 
Rice  county.  Mr.  Engersetter  was  married  March  8,  1898,  to 
Julia  Lein,  daughter  of  Gunder  and  Annie  (Estrem)  Lein,  natives 
of  Norway,  who  came  to  this  county  and  settled  in  Holden  toAvn- 
ship,  where  they  purchased  land  and  carried  on  general  farming 
until  the  father  died  in  1906.  The  mother  is  still  living  on  the 
homestead.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Engersetter  have  four  children : Gil- 

man A.,  Eddie  G.,  Annie  J.,  and  Gunda  Lenora.  Mr.  Engersetter 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


943 


is  a Republican  in  politics-  and  the  family  are  members  of  Yang’s 
Norwegian  Lutheran  church. 

Ingwel  Enderson,  of  Warsaw  township,  was  born  in  Norway, 
February  24,  1839,  son  of  Andrew  Amunson  and  Bertha  Ing- 
welson,  natives  of  Norway,  the  father  being  a tailor  by  trade,  in 
which  he  engaged  until  his  death  in  1846.  The  mother  came  to 
America  in  1864  and  located  in  Blooming  Prairie,  where  she  re- 
married and  lived  until  her  death  in  1899.  Ingwel  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Norway,  and  after  leaving 
school  took  up  farming  until  in  1861,  when  he  came  to  Goodhue 
county  and  located  in  Warsaw  township,  where,  he  worked  for 
five  years.  In  1866  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  improved  land, 
built  a home  of  logs,  and  carried  on  general  farming.  In  1882 
he  bought  eighty  acres  adjoining  and  built  a new  home,  barn  and 
other  buildings  and  now  continues  to  carry  on  general  farming 
and  dairying,  having  all  but  fifteen  acres  under  cultivation.  July, 
1867,  he  was  married  to  Carrie  Olson,  daughter  of  Ole  and  Ing- 
borg  Aastad,  natives  of  Norway,  where  both  parents  died.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Enderson  have  been  blessed  with  two  children:  Bertha, 
born  September  19,  1868,  and  died  September  30,  1893,  and  An- 
drew, born  October  7,  1870,  who  lives  at  home.  Mr.  Enderson 
is  a Republican  in  his  political  views,  and  the  family  attend  the 
Lutheran  church. 

Elija  L.  Clark,  now  deceased,  was  the  pioneer  school  teacher 
of  Cannon  Falls.  He  taught  this  school  in  1856-57,  in  a building 
which  he  erected  for  the  purpose,  principally  of  basswood,  giving 
it  the  name  of  Basswood  College.  In  this  building  the  early 
church  services  were  also  held.  Mr.  Clark  was  born  in  Franklin 
county,  Maine,  February  28,  1830,  received  an  academy  educa- 
tion, worked  in  a cutlery  factory  in  Lowell,  Mass.,  four  years, 
and  engaged  in  surveying  in  Ohio  five  years,  coming  to  Cannon 
Falls  in  1855.  From  then  until  1862  he  did  carpenter  work,  leav- 
ing this  occupation  to  respond  to  Lincoln’s  call  for  volunteers, 
serving  in  Company  F,  Eighth  Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry 
until  promoted  to  first  lieutenant  in  the  123d  U.  S.  C.  Infantry. 
He  was  mustered  out  at  Camp  Nelson,  Kentucky,  in  October, 
1865.  After  being  in  business  for  many  years  in  Cannon  Falls, 
he  went  to  South  Dakota,  homesteaded  a claim,  and  remained 
until  1902,  when  he  retired  and  returned  to  Cannon  Falls.  His 
interests  have  always  been  toward  the  encouragement  of  patriot- 
ism, and  to  him  is  due  in  some  measure  the  agitation  which  re- 
sulted in  locating  the  Colonel  William  Colvill  monument  in  this 
place.  Mr.  Clark  died  Feb.  17,  1909,  while  visiting  his  daughter, 
Mrs.  W.  P.  Ilitchings,  in  California.,  He  was  married  October  30, 
1858,  to  Mary  E.  Wright,  daughter  of  James  II.  and  Rebecca 
(Evans)  Wright,  natives  of  Indiana,  who  came  to  Cannon  Falls 


944 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


in  the  early  days  and  engaged  in  farming  until  the  end  of  their 
life,  the  father  dying  November  25,  1876,  and  the  mother  Septem- 
ber 16,  1887.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark  were  born  three  children : 
E.  W.  is  a coal  dealer  in  Minneapolis;  Nellie  C.  is  the  wife  of 
W.  P.  Iditchings,  of  California ; Frank  W.  is  a sheriff  in  Arizona. 
Mr.  Clark  was  a fine  old  gentleman  in  every  respect,  a figure 
much  honored  in  the  village.  Kindly,  ever  considerate,  willing  at 
personal  cost  to  assist  in  every  good  movement,  he  was  a distinct 
addition  to  pioneer  life,  and  his  training  of  the  boys  and  girls  of 
the  early  days  had  much  to  do  tvith  the  success  which  many  of 
them  achieved  in  after  life. 

Marten  C.  Westermo,  of  Wanamingo  township,  has  attained 
honor  and  distinction  during  his  lifelong  residence  in  this  county. 
He  was  born  in  Holden  township,  March  13,  1856,  and  received 
such  school  training  as  his  district  afforded.  As  a boy  he  helped 
about  the  farm,  and  after  leaving  school  he  remained  on  the  old 
homestead  until  1882,  when  his  father  presented  him  with  160 
acres  on  which  he  farmed  until  coming  to  Wanamingo  in  1889. 
At  the  present  time  he  carries  on  general  farming,  owning  110 
acres  upon  which  he  has  erected  a pleasant  home  and  some  fine 
barns.  In  the  midst  of  a busy  life,  he  has  found  time  to  attend 
to  higher  things  and  has  taken  a prominent  part  in  the  United 
Lutheran  church,  being  especially  interested  in  the  parochial 
schools  connected  with  that  body.  He  was  married  May  22,  1877, 
to  Anna  M.  Huseth,  by  whom  he  has  eight  children : Rev.  Chris- 
tian, born  March  24,  1879,  now  of  New  York  city;  Ilalvor,  born 
October  23,  1881,  and  Isaac,  born  August  14,  1883,  both  of  North 
Dakota;  Ingeborg,  born  December  9,  1886;  Alfred,  born  March 
27,  1889 ; Aslang,  born  May  4,  1891,  Laura,  born  September  17, 
1893,  and  Herman,  born  July  13,  1897,  all  at  home. 

The  parents  of  Mrs.  Marten  C.  Westermo  were  ILalvor  Olsen 
and  Aslang  Huseth,  both  born  in  Norway,  the  former  in  1824 
and  the  latter  in  1828.  Upon  coming  to  America  in  1844  he  en- 
gaged in  farming  at  Stoughton,  Wis.,  for  twelve  years.  In  1856 
they  came  to  AVanamingo  township,  this  county,  with  the  early 
pioneers  and  bought  a farm,  making  the  usual  developments  and 
improvements.  The  mother  died  January  18  and  the  father 
August  23,  1901.  Christian  and  Ingeborg  (Hansdatter)  Wes- 
termo, parents  of  Marten  C.  AYestermo,  were  born  in  Norway,  the 
former  in  1812  and  the  latter  in  1815.  In  his  early  manhood  the 
father  was  manager  of  a lumber  estate,  but  upon  coming  to 
America  in  1846  he  engaged  in  farming  at  Sugar  Creek,  Wis.,  for 
two  years.  In  1856  they  came  to  Holden  township,  this  county, 
with  the  early  pioneers  and  homesteaded  160  acres,  making  the 
usual  developments  and  improvements.  The  mother  died  March 
20,  1885,  and  the  father  spent  his  declining  years  with  his  son. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


945 


George  V.  Williams  is  one  of  the  leading  druggists  of  Good- 
hue  county,  and  has  taken  an  active  part  in  those  activities  which 
have  made  Cannon  Falls  equal  in  importance,  in  a commercial 
and  political  way,  to  cities  of  much  larger  growth.  During  the 
last  campaign  he  was  secretary  of  the  Taft-Jacobson  Republican 
Club;  he  is  secretary  of  the  Cannon  Falls  Business  Men’s  Asso- 
ciation, member  of  the  Commercial  Club,  member  of  the  Minne- 
sota State  Pharmacy  Association,  president  of  the  Goodhue 
County  Retail  Druggists’  Association,  member  of  the  city  council, 
and  a popular  brother  in  the  Masons,  the  Modern  Samaritans  and 
the  Maccabees.  Born  in  Evansville,  Minn.,  July  19,  1880,  he 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  and  later  entered 
the  School  of  Pharmacy  at  Minneapolis.  From  1898  to  1901  he 
worked  at  the  drug  business  in  Evansville,  Minneapolis,  Madison, 
Fergus  Falls  and  Forest  River.  In  1901  he  became  druggist  for 
the  statp  hospital  in  Fergus  Falls,  Minn.,  and  then,  after  three 
years,  took  up  his  residence  in  Cannon  Falls,  and  on  May  17,  1904, 
entered  into  partnership  with  P.  A.  Peterson  in  the  drug  business. 
Since  March  17,  1908,  Mr.  Williams  has  been  sole  owner,  carry- 
ing a full  line  of  drugs,  sundries,  paints,  silverware,  liand-deco- 
rated  china,  wall  paper,  jewelry,  sewing  machines,  etc.  Mr.  Will- 
iams was  married  November  24,  1903,  to  Minnie  Strehlow,  the 
daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Otto  Strehlow,  of  St.  Peter,  Minn.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Williams ’are  both  members  of  the  Congregational 
church.  John  O.  and  Sophia  J.  (Johnson)  Williams,  parents  of 
George  V.  Williams,  came  to  America  from  Sweden  in  1866  and 
lived  in  Yasa,  until  1870,  when  they  went  to  St.  Paul.  In  1878 
they  moved  to  Evansville,  Minn.,  and  conducted  a hotel  until 
1881,  when  the  father  engaged  in  the  furniture  business.  In 
1905  he  resumed  his  trade  of  carpenter  and  contractor  which  he 
is  now  following. 

Frank  J.  Vanberg,  son  of  John  J.  and  Joliannah  (Johnson) 
Vanberg,  was  born  in  Leon  township,  where  he  still  resides,  Au- 
gust 20,  1859.  His  parents  came  to  America  in  1854,  making  the 
voyage  in  a sail  boat,  the  trip  lasting  sixteen  weeks.  They  spent 
about  one  year  in  Iowa,  and  in  the  spring  of  1855  came  to  Leon 
township,  where  they  took  up  a homestead  and  built  a home  of 
logs,  improving  their  land  and  engaging  in  general  farming  the 
remainder  of  their  lives,  the  father  dying  in  1860  and  the  mother 
in  1887.  They  had  three  children  : Charles  (deceased),  Christine, 
married  to  Walford  Anderson,  of  Belle  Creek,  and  Frank  J., 
the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Frank  received  his  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  the  township  and  worked  on  the  farm.  After- 
wards he  managed  a sawmill  and  feed  mill  in  Wastedo,  for  fifteen 
years,  and  also  ran  a threshing  outfit  for  some  time.  Since  1900 
he  has  been  engaged  in  farming  on  the  old  homestead,  which  con- 


946 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


sists  of  eighty  acres  of  improved  land  and  twenty-eight  acres  of 
timber.  He  has  remodeled  the  outbuildings  and  built  a new  home, 
also  making  other  general  improvements.  He  was  married  in 
1900  to  Clarinda  Anderson,  daughter  of  C.  J.  and  Ellen  (Velan- 
der)  Anderson,  natives  of  Sweden,  who  came  to  America  in  the 
early  days,  settled  in  Cannon  Falls  township  and  engaged  in 
farming.  They  are  now  retired  and  live  in  St.  Paul.  The  father 
is  an  old  Civil  AVar  veteran,  having  spent  four  years  in  the  army. 
He  enlisted  in  1861  in  Company  D,  Third  Minnesota  Volunteer 
Infantry,  as  a private,  and  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  corporal 
a year  later.  He  took  part  in  all  the  battles  of  the  campaign, 
and  was  discharged  with  the  regiment.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vanberg 
have  three  children:  Florence,  Blanche  and  Hazel.  Mr.  Van- 

berg is  Republican  in  his  political  views,  has  held  the  position 
of  assessor  for  seven  years  and  is  at  present  town  clerk.  He  is 
a member  of  the  A.  0.  U.  AV.  at  Cannon  Falls,  and  he  and  his 
family  attend  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  at  Spriug  Garden. 

Joseph  Persig  was  born  in  Hay  Creek  township,  where  he  still 
resides,  May  5,  1871,  son  of  Gottleib  and  Catherine  (Bauleg) 
Persig,  natives  of  Germany,  who  came  to  America  in  1858  and 
settled  in  Hay  Creek  township,  where  they  took  up  a homestead 
of  160  acres  of  land,  which  they  broke  and  improved,  and  car- 
ried on  general  farming.  AVlien  the  Avar  broke  out  the  father 
enlisted  and  served  three  years.  After  the  Avar  he  returned  home 
and  took  up  farming,  having  erected  a home  and  outbuildings 
as  Avell  as  making  general  improvements.  He  died  in  1895,  and 
the  mother  in  1897.  Joseph  Avas  one  of  six  children:  Julia  and 
Annie,  who  were  both  victims  of  the  Sea  AVing  disaster;  Lena, 
now  of  Noble  county;  AVilliam  of  AVacoota  township;  and  Fred 
(deceased).  Joseph  attended  the  common  schools  of  the  town- 
ship and  worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father,  later  coming  into 
possession  of  the  home  place.  In  1901  he  was  married  to  Freda 
Jones,  by  whom  he  has  two  children:  Benjamin  and  Irene.  Mr. 
Persig  is  Republican  in  his  politics,  but  has  never  sought  or  held 
public  office. 

P.  J.  Frenn,  an  estimable  and  well-known  citizen  and  farmer 
of  Featherstone  township,  was  born  in  Sweden,  June  5,  1843,  son 
of  Lars  and  Christina  (SAvanson)  Frenn,  who  upon  coming  to 
America  in  1852  settled  in  St.  Charles,  111.,  where  the  father 
worked  as  a farm  and  stone  mason  about  ten  years.  It  was  about 
1864  when  they  came  to  Featherstone  township  and  purchased 
the  place  which  has  since  been  the  Frenn  homestead.  Here  they 
lived  for  the  remainder  of  their  years,  the  father  dying  in  No- 
vember, 1880,  and  the  mother  in  September,  1874.  P.  J.  Frenn 
received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  then  took  up 
farming  on  the  home  place,  adding  to  the  improvements  which 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


947 


his  father  had  started.  He  has  brought  the  land  to  a high  state 
of  cultivation,  and,  aside  from  the  commodious  buildings  for  his 
stock,  he  has  a comfortable  residence  for  himself  and  family. 
The  farm  consists  of  220  acres,  all  of  which  is  tillable,  and  upon 
which  he  carries  on  general  farming  and  dairying,  selling  cream 
in  considerable  quantities.  Five  acres  of  the  farm  constitutes  a 
fine  orchard,  and  there  are  also  on  the  place  many  trees  which 
Mr.  Frenn  has  planted  for  shade.  Aside  from  his  land  in  this 
township,  he  also  owns  eighty  acres  in  Wisconsin  and  166  acres  in 
Texas.  In  addition  to  being  a good  farmer,  Mr.  Frenn  is  a good 
carpenter,  an  occupation  which  he  followed  for  ten  years  during 
his  younger  life.  Although  not  an  office  seeker,  he  has  consented 
to  serve  two  terms  on  the  town  board,  being  elected  on  the  Re- 
publican-ticket, to  which  party  he  pays  allegiance.  Mr.  Frenn 
was  married  July  26,  1872,  to  Christina  M.  Swanson,  daughter  of 
Carl  and  Inga  C.  Swanson,  who  lived  and  died  in  the  old  country. 
To  this  union  were  born  eight  children : Hilda  M.  Bruber  lives 
in  Hay  Creek ; Hanna  C.  lives  in  California ; Esther  A.  also  lives 
in  the  same  state;  Carl  S.  married  Wilhelmena  Zignego  and  lives 
in  Hay  Creek  township;  Martin  L.  lives  at  home  and  helps  on 
the  farm;  Albert  E.,  Elmer  A.  and  Lilly  W.  are  also  at  home. 
The  family  attends  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church. 

A.  H.  Hardy,  of  Featherstone  township,  was  born  in  Janes- 
ville, Wis.,  July  22,  1845,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  (Carlton) 
Hardy,  natives  of  Massachusetts.  The  father  spent  his  early  life 
in  the  east  coming  west  to  Rock  county,  AYiseonsin,  when  thirty- 
five  years  of  age.  He  remained  a few  years,  then  went  to  Green 
county,  and  in  1854  came  to  Minnesota,  where  he  took  up  a 
homestead  in  Burnside  township  and  built  a log  cabin  which  still 
stands.  Later  he  removed  to  Pine  Island  township  and  carried 
on  general  farming  until  he  retired  from  active  live  and  moved  to 
Red  Wing,  where  he  died  in  1888.  The  mother  passed  away  in 
October,  1887.  They  had  a family  of  fourteen  children,  of  whom 
only  three  are  living : A.  IT.  Hardy  received  his  education  in 

the  common  schools,  and  worked  with  his  father.  He  enlisted 
in  Company  A,  Hatch’s  Independent  Cavalry,  July  20,  1863,  and 
served  three  years,  being  discharged  June  6,  1866.  During  this 
time  he  was  in  the  Dakotas.  Mr.  Hardy  was  married  in  1874  to 
Melissa  (Benham),  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Harriet  (Heliker)  Ben- 
ham,  natives  of  New  York  state.  They  emigrated  west  in  the 
early  days,  and  came  to  Wisconsin,  and  later  removed  to  Minne- 
sota, remaining  but  a short  time,  when  they  went  still  farther 
west  to  Montana,  where  the  father  died,  on  May  30,  1906,  having 
spent  forty  years  in  Montana.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hardy  are  the  par- 
ents are  thirteen  children : Harriet  (deceased)  ; Edith,  of  Min- 

neapolis ; Flora,  now  Mrs.  Hennings,  of  North  Dakota;  Matilda 


948 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


J.,  married  to  Gust  Anderson,  of  Featlierstone ; William  (de- 
ceased); Ethel,  of  Minneapolis;  Albert,  Jr.,  living  at  home; 
Edward,  of  Minneapolis;  Mabel,  at  home;  Helen,  at  home; 
Arthur,  at  home;  and  Cyrus  and  George  (deceased).  Mr.  Hardy 
has  been  in  Goodhue  county  for  twenty-five  years.  Eleven  years 
he  spent  in  Douglass  county.  He  lias  a farm  of  forty-seven  acres 
in  Featlierstone  township  and  rents  200  acres,  where  he  carries  on 
general  farming  and  dairying,  keeping  from  fifteen  to  twenty 
cows  for  the  purpose.  He  is  a member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  of 
Red  Wing  and  is  a Republican  in  politics.  He  and  his  family 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

J.  A.  Edstrom,  whose  father  was  the  second  man  to  take  up 
land  in  Leon  township,  has  been  town  clerk  twenty-three  years, 
county  commissioner  six  years,  assessor  four  years,  and  has  held 
school  office  since  nineteen  years  of  age.  He  carries  on  general 
farming  as  he  has  for  many  years  past,  owning  485  acres,  135 
of  which  is  in  Leon  township.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
born  in  the  province  of  Smaland,  Sweden,  July  12,  1848,  son  of 
M.  A.  and  Mary  E.  (Jackson)  Edstrom,  who  first  located  in  Illi- 
nois, and  one  year  later  came  up  the  Mississippi  by  boat  to  Red 
Wing,  May  11,  1855,  at  that  time  a pioneer  village.  There  they 
lived  on  the  levee  in  tents  for  some  weeks,  and  then  came  to 
Leon  township  and  pre-empted  160  acres  on  Section  21,  where 
they  erected  a cabin  and  started  bringing  the  wilderness  under- 
cultivation. The  Edstroms  were  true  pioneers,  and  had  many 
thrilling  experiences.  In  the  winter  of  1856,  200  Sioux  camped 
near  the  farm,  and  though  carefully  watched  stole  hay  and  pro- 
visions, and  even  helped  themselves  to  seed  corn  which  the  fam- 
ily was  carefully  hoarding  for  planting  the  following  spring. 
During  the  first  years  of  their  residence  in  Leon  the  Edstroms 
hauled  grain  to  Red  AYing  by  ox  team,  and  on  one  occasion,  when 
the  family  provisions  were  running  low,  the  father  shouldered 
fifty  pounds  of  flour  and  carried  it  all  the  way  from  Red  Wing 
to  the  homestead,  a distance  of  twenty-two  miles.  M.  A.  Ed- 
strom did  some  carpenter  and  blacksmith  work,  but  devoted  the 
greater  part  of  his  life  to  farming.  He  died  January  18,  1890, 
and  his  wife  preceded  him  to  her  grave,  September  12,  1887.  J.  A. 
was  educated  in  the  primitive  public  schools,  was  brought  up  on 
the  farm,  and  has  always  made  farming  his  business.  He  was 
married  in  1872  to  Matilda  Magnusson,  daughter  of  C.  M.  and 
Ellen  Magnusson,  natives  of  Sweden,  who  located  in  Goodhue 
county  in  1865,  and  in  Leon  township  in  1867.  Her  father  died 
in  1908,  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety  years,  and  the  mother 
passed  away  in  1904.  The  three  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edstrom 
are:  A.  M.,  who  has  been  a merchant,  but  now  is  farming  at 
Randolph;  Agnes,  who  for  some  time  attended  the  Red  AVing 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


949 


Seminary,  now  married  to  Theodore  G.  Hultgreen,  a Chicago  rail- 
road man,  and  Frances,  a school  teacher  who  has  received  the 
advantages  of  an  education  in  the  Cannon  Palls  high  school.  The 
family  faith  is  that  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church. 

Charles  Edstrom,  of  Leon  township,  was  born  in  Sweden,  Feb- 
ruary 14,  1850,  son  of  Magnus  A.  and  Mary  E.  Edstrom,  natives 
of  Sweden,,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in  1854  and  settled  in 
Henry  county,  Illinois,  remaining  over  winter,  after  which  they 
came  to  Minnesota,  traveling  by  boat  up  the  Mississippi  river 
and  landing  at  Red  Wing,  where  there  was  at  that  time  only  a 
small  group  of  houses.  They  went  on  to  Leon  township  and  pre- 
empted land  in  Section  21  and  engaged  in  farming  until  the 
death  of  the  father  in  1890.  The  mother  died  in  1887.  They 
had  seven  children,  all  of  whom  are  alive.  John  A.,  a farmer  of 
Leon  township ; Christine,  married  to  Aarn  Larson,  of  St.  Paul ; 
August,  of  Belle  Creek;  Mary,  married  to  Charles  Jackson,  of 
Vasa  township  ; Axel,  living  in  Vasa ; Ferdinand  F.,  of  Leon  town- 
ship ; and  Charles,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Charles  attended 
the  public  school  of  the  township  and  worked  on  the  farm  with 
his  father.  While  working  at  home  he  often  drove  cattle  to  Red 
Wing  for  ten  cents  a trip,  the  trip  taking  two  nights  and  a day. 
Later  he  engaged  in  farming  for  himself,  and  purchased  120 
acres  which  he  improved  and  developed,  and  where  he  now  lives, 
carrying  on  general  farming.  He  was  married,  in  1876,  to  Chris- 
tine Onstad,  daughter  of  Ragnald  J.  and  Martha  (Iverson) 
Onstad,  who  came  to  America  in  the  early  days  and  settled  in 
Chicago,  111.,  remaining  for  three  years,  after  which  they  came  to 
Leon  township  and  engaged  in  farming,  which  they  have  since 
continued.  They  had  nine  children,  all  of  whom  are  living.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Edstrom  have  been  blessed  with  four  children : Emma, 
married  to  Joseph  Swenson,  of  Wanamingo  township;  Arthur, 
who  lives  at  home ; Susie,  married  to  Selmer  Hommedalil,  of 
Wanamingo;  and  Frederick,  who  is  at  home.  Mr.  Edstrom  is  a 
Republican  in  his  political  views,  and  has  served  as  supervisor 
and  on  the  school  board.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Swedish 
Lutheran  church. 

K.  K.  Esterby,  was  born  in  Leon  township,  where  he  still 
resides,  January  24,  1867,  son  of  Knut  and  Rannei  (ILougo) 
Esterby,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1863, 
stopped  one  year  in  Fillmore  county  and  then  moved  to  Zum- 
brota,  where  they  remained  for  a short  time,  subsequently  coming 
to  Leon  township,  where  they  bought  160  acres,  and  carried  on 
general  farming  until  the  death  of  the  father,  July  6,  1900,  the 
mother  having  passed  away  in  1877.  K.  K.  Esterby  received  his 
education  in  the  common  schools  of  Leon  and  worked  on  the 
farm  with  his  father  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  when  he  came 


950 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


in  possession  of  the  farm,  which  he  improved  and  on  which  he 
erected  a new  house.  He  now  owns  194  acres  in  Leon  township, 
160  acres  under  cultivation,  and  has  carried  on  general  farming 
and  stock  raising.-  Mr.  Esterby  was  married  in  1901  to  Martha 
Berg,  daughter  of  Iver  and  Martha  Berg,  natives  of  Norway. 
They  have  seven  children,  four  living  in  Wisconsin  and  three  in 
Minnesota.  They  came  to  America,  settling  in  Wisconsin,  and 
in  1902  removed  to  the  home  of  their  daughter,  Mrs.  Esterby,  in 
Leon  township,  where  they  have  lived  most  of  the  time,  but  have 
also  occasionally  stopped  with  their  .children  in  Wisconsin.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Esterby  have  five  children : Clarence,  Edwin,  Ida,  Olga 
and  Clara,  all  living  at  home.  Mr.  Esterby  is  a Republican  in 
his  political  views,  and  he  and  his  family  attend  the  Norwegian 
Lutheran  church. 

Frank  Ferdinand  Edstrom,  a farmer  of  Leon  township,  has 
been  town  clerk  five  years.  Lie  was  born  July  22,  1866,  on  the 
old  homestead  where  he  now  resides,  and  after  finishing  the 
course  in  the  common  schools  of  his  neighborhood  took  up'  farm- 
ing, which  he  has  since  continued.  He  owns  126' acres  on  which 
lie  conducts  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  selling  both  cream 
and  butter.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics,  is  interested  in  public 
affairs,  and,  being  a thorough  believer  in  the  advantages  of  a 
good  education,  lias  served  on  the  school  board  several  terms.  He 
was  married  December  15,  1897,  to  Hanna  Olson,  daughter  of 
Swan  Olson,  of  1416  Twelfth  street,  Red  Wing.  To  this  union 
have  been  born  five  children,  Reuben  L.,  Mildred  E.,  Russell  F., 
Llarvey  L.  and  Yerna  E.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Swedish 
Lutheran  church.  Since  taking  possession  of  the  home  place, 
Frank  F.  Edstrom  has  conducted  many  improvements  and  altera- 
tions, including  the  building  of  a new  house  and  barn,  replacing 
the  original  buildings  erected  by  his  father,  Magnus  Edstrom, 
who  settled  here  in  1855.  Mr.  Edstrom  is  a good  man,  a good 
farmer  and  a good  citizen,  and  is  well  liked  by  the  people  of  the 
community  at  large. 

August  Haggstrom  was  born  in  Leon  township,  where  he  still 
resides,  April  9,  1860,  son  of  C.  A.  and  Martha  C.  (Johnson) 
Haggstrom,  who  came  to  America  in  1854  and  located  in  Andover, 
111.,  where  they  remained  for  one  year,  after  which  they  came 
up  the  Mississippi  river  by  boat,  landing  at  Red  AYing,  where  they 
lived  a short  time.  In  1855  they  removed  to  Leon  township  and 
took  up  a homestead  which  the  father  broke  and. improved,  and 
built  a log-cabin,  at  a cost  of  $2.40  in  cash,  in  which  cabin  the 
Swedish  Lutheran  Conference  of  the  state  held  their  meeting  in 
1859.  He  followed  general  farming  until  he  retired  in  1894,  when 
he  erected  a fine  house,  where  he  lived  up  to  the  time  of  his  death, 
October  4,  1904,  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years.  He  served  as 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


S)5I 

supervisor  of  the  township  for  several  years.  The  mother  died 
January  30,  1905,  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven.  Mr.  Haggstrom 
took  charge  of  the  farm  in  1894  and  made  many  improvements, 
building  a new  home  and  other  outbuildings  necessary.  He  now 
carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  was  married 
in  1894  to  Melinda  Larson,  of  Rice  county,  daughter  of  Simeon 
and  Christina  Larson,  who  came  to  America  in  1870  and  located 
in  Vasa  township,  but  later  removed  to  Holden  township,  where 
the  father  engaged  in  the  carpenter’s  trade.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hagg- 
strom have  five  children : Arthur  E.,  Ephriam,  Elmer,  Clarence 
and  Myrtle.  Mr.  Haggstrom  is  a Republican  in  his  political  views, 
and  has  served  as  assessor  for  five  years,  also  as  chairman  of  the 
board  for  three  years.  He  has  also  been  clerk  of  the  school  board 
of  district  No.  48  since  1882.  The  family  attends  the  Swedish 
Lutheran  church. 

K.  K.  Hougo,  who  was.  born  in  Hallingdol,  Norway,  April  7. 
1840,  came  to  this  country  in  1861.  In  1862  he  purchased  forty 
acres  in  Minneola,  which  he  sold  in  1864,  and  bought  his  present 
place  of  160  acres  in  Leon  township  one  year  later.  To  shelter 
himself  and  his  parents,  he  first  erected  a sixteen  by  sixteen 
cabin,  which  constituted  the  family  residence  until  1869  when  a 
larger  cabin,  sixteen  by  twenty-four,  was  constructed.  In  1890, 
the  present  comfortable  home  was  erected.  Mr.  Hougo  has 
brought  the  wild  land  to  a high  state  of  cultivation,  having  120 
of  the  160  acres  under  the  plow.  On  this  land  he  carries  on  gen- 
eral farming  and  stock  raising.  In  addition  to  his  Goodhue 
county  property  he  owns  240  acres  in  Mahnomen  county,  this 
state,  upon  which  reside  his  children,  Mons  and  Annie.  Mr. 
Hougo  has  been  for  many  years  an  independent  voter  and  lias 
served  on  the  town  board,  lias  been  justice  of  the  peace  and  con- 
stable, and  has  held  school  office  for  over  twenty  years.  With 
the  exception  of  two  years  he  has  been  a member  of  the  board  of 
directors  of  the  Leon  Farmers’  Fire  Insurance  Company  since 
1876,  and  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  that  company.  Mr. 
Hougo  was  married  in  1877  to  Martha  Munson,  daughter  of  Mons 
and  Annie  (Olson)  Munson.  The  former,  a spry  and  healthy  old 
lady,  is  still  living  at  the  good  old  age  of  eighty-nine  years.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hougo  have  been  born  ten  children,  of  whom  seven 
are  living:  Mons,  Gerena,  Knut,  Annie,  Marie,  Andrew  and 

Clara.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran 
church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Knut  Llougo.  parents  of  K.  K.  Hougo, 
came  to  America  in  1863  and  joined  their  son,  who  came  over 
some  time  before.  They  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days  on 
the  Hougo  homestead,  the  father  dying  at  the  age  of  eighty-four 
years  and  the  mother  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven  years.  Before  the 
arrival  of  Mr.  Hougo ’s  parents  in  this  country,  he  lived  with 


952 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  B.  Locke,  for  whom  he  worked.  They  treated  the 
stranger  as  though  he  were  their  own  son,  and  Mr.  Hougo  always 
looks  back  on  their  kindness  with  such  gratitude  that  he  feels 
toward  them  almost  as  he  does  toward  his  own  parents. 

E.  L.  Otterness,  of  Leon  township,  was  born  in  Norway,  Sep- 
tember 7,  1840,  son  of  Lars  and  Martha  Otterness,  natives  of 
Norway.  He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of 
Norway,  and  came  to  Leon  township  in  1857  and  joined  his  broth- 
er, who  came  in  1855.  He  remained  with  his  brother,  working  on 
the  farm  for  seven  years,  after  which  he  purchased  160  acres  of 
land  in  the  township,  where  he  built  a small  house  and  other 
buildings  and  improved  the  farm,  carrying  on  general  and  diversi- 
fied farming.  In  1866  he  was  married  to  Randi  Bergman.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Otterness  have  had  seven  children:  Jensine  (deceased)  ; 
Lars  of  Minneapolis ; Bengt  Lawrence,  of  Yellow  Medicine 
county;  Ingebor,  of  Leon,  and  Edward,  living  at  home.  Mr. 
Otterness  has  now  retired  from  active  life,  and  his  son  manages 
the  farm  and  owns  eighty  acres  of  the  homestead.  Mr.  Otterness 
is  a Democrat  in  his  political  views,  and  has  been  assessor,  super- 
visor for  three  years,  and  member  of  the  school  board  for  thirty 
years,  but  holds  no  office  now.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the 
Norwegian  Lutheran  church. 

John  Ring,  of  Leon  township,  is  a fine  example  of  the  men 
who  as  poor  boys  came  to  this  country  to  seek  their  fortunes, 
and  by  honest  toil  and  frugal  habits,  succeeded  in  achieving  con- 
siderable property  and  an  honorable  position  in  the  community. 
He  was  born  in  Norway,  July  13,  1861,  son  of  Ever  and  Hendreka 
(Vardahl)  Ring,  who  lived  and  died  in  the  old  country.  It  was 
in  1883  that  John  Ring  came  to  America.  He  stayed  at  Chicago 
with  his  brother  for  a short  time  and  then  came  to  Leon  town- 
ship, where  he  entered  the  employ  of  Gilbert  Nelson,  working 
on  the  farm  in  tne  summertime  and  in  the  woods  during  the 
winter.  He  wooed  and  won  the  daughter  of  the  household, 
Martha  by  name,  and  married  her  in  1887.  Her  parents  who  came 
to  this  county  before  the  war,  are  now  both  dead.  At  once  after 
his  marriage,  John  Ring  set  at  work  with  a will  to  become  a man 
of  means.  In  this  he  has  succeeded,  now  owning  one  farm  of 
235  acres,  known  as  Wood  Lawn  Stock  and  Grain  Farm;  an- 
other of  134  acres  in  this  county,  and  one  of  320  acres  in  Edmond 
county,  South  Dakota.  Upon  the  farm  where  he  lives  he  has 
erected  some  roomy  buildings  and  conducts  stock  and  general 
farming.  He  has  an  imported  Belgian  stallion,  and  is  also  a 
breeder  of  several  high  grades  of  cattle  and  swine.  Being  an 
intelligent  farmer,  he  believes  in  a rotation  of  crops,  and  by  the 
use  of  this  method  secures  the  best  results  from  his  land.  Of  his 
nine  children,  Hilda,  the  first  born,  is  dead,  while  Anna,  Joseph, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


953 


Fletcher,  George,  Geneva,  Frances,  John  Matthews  and  Hanna 
live  at  home.  The  members  of  the  family  attend  the  Norwegian 
Methodist  church. 

Mons  S.  Urevig  is  a man  of  considerable  prominence  in  the 
community  wherein  he  resides.  He  has  been  nine  years  chairman 
of  the  township  of  Leon,  three  years  assessor,  ten  years  notary 
public,  eighteen  years  school  clerk  and  justice  of  the  peace  since 
1884.  In  1876  he  was  one  of  the  incorporators  of  the  Leon  Mu- 
tual Fire  Insurance  Company,  and  has  since  been  one  of  its 
directors,  also  serving  thirteen  years  as  its  treasurer,  a position 
he  still  holds.  He  is  a prominent  member  of  the  Norwegian 
Lutheran  church  and  a contributor  to  its  support,  being  a public 
spirited  and  progressive  citizen  in  every  respect.  Mons  S.  Urevig 
was  born  in  Norway,  March  31,  1848,  son  of  Sever  and  Martha 
(Stene)  Urevig,  the  former  of  whom  died  in  that  country.  In 
1861  mother  and  son  set  out  for  America  and  settled  in  Columbia 
county,  Wisconsin,  for  three  and  a half  years.  In  1864  they 
came  to  Goodhue  county,  and  settled  in  Holden  township.  In 
1872,  Mr.  Urevig  came  to  Leon  township,  and  for  one  year  rented 
a farm.  He  then  purchased  his  present  place  of  150  acres,  thirty 
of  which  is  timber  land  and  the  remainder  plowed  land.  Here 
he  carries  on  general  farming  and  raises  graded  stock.  Mr. 
Urevig  was  married  in  1871  to  Gertrude  Flom,  daughter  of  Ever 
Flom,  a blacksmith,  avIio  spent  his  latter  years  in  Holden  town- 
ship. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Urevig  are  the  parents  of  six  children : Sever 
lives  in  Goodhue  township,  this  county;  Edward  farms  in  Mah- 
nomen county,  Minnesota ; Martin  is  at  home ; Minnie,  who  died 
in  1904,  was  married  to  J.  A.  Jacobson ; Louise  died  June  28, 
1909,  and  Mabel,  wife  of  Peter  Strom,  is  on  a homestead  in  North 
Dakota.  Mrs.  Urevig  died  in  November,  1903. 

G.  V.  Young  is  another  of  those  men  who  were  born  and 
brought  up  in  this  county,  and  have  since  spent  their  days  here. 
He  first  saw  the  light  of  day  in  Leon  township,  October  20,  1868, 
son  of  S.  A,  and  Johanna  (Johnson)  Young,  natives  of  Sweden, 
who  came  to  Illinois  in  the  early  days,  and  after  staying  there 
for  a time  came  up  the  river  by  boat  to  Red  Wing.  The  father 
worked  in  the  woods  for  a while  and  then  homesteaded  land  in 
Leon  township.  Aside  from  farming,  he  engaged  in  the  real 
estate  business,  and  at.  one  time  was  the  possessor  of  1,280  acres 
in  this  county  and  160  in  Blue  Earth  county,  this  state.  He 
died  in  1899,  his  wife  having  passed  away  in  1889.  G.  Y.  Young 
was  brought  up  on  the  farm,  attended  the  public  schools  (and 
also  attended  school  at  Northfield  and  a business  college  at  Red 
Wing),  afterward  taking  up  farming.  He  now  owns  215  acres 
of  good  land,  upon  which  he  carries  on  general  farming  and 
stock  raising.  A Republican  in  politics,  he  has  served  on  the 


954 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


school  board  and  is  always  the  friend  of  every  good  movement, 
being  a fine  example  of  the  worthy  sons  of  the  early  pioneers. 
He  was  married  October  23,  1907,  to  Selma  E.  Swanson,  daughter 
of  M.  N.  and  Eva  (Enberg)  Swanson,  who,  like  the  Youngs,  were 
early  settlers  in  the  county. 

Edward  G.  Otterness  was  born  in  the  township  of  Leon,  where 
he  still  resides,  February  4,  1870,  son  of  Guttorm  and  Martha 
Otterness,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1855  and 
located  in  Koshkonung,  AYis.,  for  a short  time,  coming  in  1856 
to  Leon  township,  where  the  father  purchased  a farm,  which  he 
broke  and  improved,  brought  to  a high  degree  of  cultivation, 
built  a home,  and  carried  on  general  farming,  which  he  has  since 
continued,  being  one  of  the  prosperous  farmers  of  Leon  town- 
ship. In  early  days  he  lived  among  the  Indians  and  suffered  all 
the  hardships  of  pioneer  life,  working  hard  to  till  the  soil  and 
hauling  grain  to  Red  AYing.  There  were  nine  children  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Otterness,  of  whom  four  are  living:  Peder,  a 

farmer  of  AYanamingo;  Lars,  a farmer  of  Kenyon  township; 
Annie ; and  Edward,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Edward  received 
his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  the  township,  and  now 
carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  having  attained  con- 
siderable success.  He  is  a genial,  hard-working  man,  always 
ready  to  do  his  share  in  anything  that  tends  to  the  betterment 
of  the  community.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics  and  attends  the 
Lutheran  church. 

Bernt  Swenson,  of  AYarsaw  township,  was  born  in  Norway, 
September  4,  1849,  son  of  Sven  and  Maran  (Holst)  Swensen, 
natives  of  Norway,  who  were  content  to  remain  in  their  native 
land,  where  the  father  died  in  1863  and  the  mother  in  1892. 
Bernt  Swensen  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Norway, 
and  after  leaving  school  worked  at  farming  and  carpentering, 
and  was  also  a sailor.  He  came  to  America  in  1883  and  located 
in  AYesley,  Iowa,  where  the  worked  for  three  years,  after  which 
he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  and  later  added  eighty  more, 
and  carried  on  farming.  In  1903  he  sold  out  and  came  with  his 
family  to  Minnesota,  settling  in  AYarsaw  township,  where  he 
bought  336  acres  of  land  and  later  sold  all  but  170  acres,  which 
he  has  improved  and  where  he  carries  on  general  farming  and 
dairying,  also  raising  fine  horses  and  cattle.  He  also  owns  213 
acres  of  improved  land  in  Canada.  Mr.  Swensen  was  married 
May  12,  1876,  to  Maran  Helen  Gronseth,  daughter  of  Martin  and 
Anna  Gronseth,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1887, 
settling  in  Duluth,  where  the  mother  still  lives,  the  father  having 
died  .in  1895.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Swenson  have  six  children : Martin, 
a farmer  in  Iowa ; Swany,  a farmer  in  Canada ; Carl,  a farmer 
in  Canada ; Annetta,  married  to  J.  Roisum,  living  in  Rice  county ; 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


955 


Arthur  and  William  B.,  living  at  home,  Mr.  Swensen  is  a Repub- 
lican and  is  interested  in  the  Farmers’  Elevator  at  Dennison,  also 
the  Farmers’  Telephone  Company.  He  and  his  family  are  com- 
municants of  Yang’s  United  Lutheran  church,  of  which  Mr.  Swen- 
sen is  a trustee. 

Christopher  T.  Lykken  Avas  born  in  Warsaw  toAvnship  on  the 
farm  where  he  now  lives,  January  15,  1867,  son  of  Torger  and 
Gertrude  (Williams)  Lykken,  natives  of'  NorAvay.  The  father 
came  to  America  in  1854,  the  mother  in  1864.  The  father  located 
in  Wisconsin,  where  he  Avorked  at  farming  and  in  the  pineries 
for  eight  years.  In  1862  he  came  to  Minnesota,  and  settled  in 
Holden  toAvnship,  purchasing  eighty  acres  of  Avild  land,  which 
he  broke  and  improved,  carrying  on  farming  until  1867,  Avhen  he 
sold  this  land  and  bought  160  acres  in  Warsaw  township,  which 
he  cleared  and  built  a home  and  outbuildings,  carrying  on  gen- 
eral farming.  In  1884  he  added  eighty  acres,  and  in  1904  he 
retired,  placing  the  charge  of  the  farm  in  the  hands  of  his  son. 
Christopher  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  War- 
saAV,  and  attended  public  school  at  Northfield  for  one  year,  after 
which  he  returned  to  the  farm  and  in  1904  took  charge  of  the 
old  homestead.  Since  that  date  he  lias  carried  on  general  farm- 
ing, stock  raising  and  dairying.  Mr.  Lykken  has  four  sisters  and 
tAvo  brothers:  The  sisters  are:  Jennie,  married  to  A.  ITuseby, 

of  North  Dakota;  Annie,  aaJio  is  in  the  millinery  business  of 
North  Dakota;  Mary,  married  to  Christ  Haugen,  of  WarsaAv;  and 
Dena,  living  at  home.  The  brothers  are : Anton,  Avho  is  Irving 
at  home,  and  Gilbert,  who  died  in  1902.  In  politics,  Mr.  Lykken 
is  a Democrat,  being  treasurer  of  school  district  No.  51,  which 
office  he  has  held  for  tAvelve  years.  He  is  Arice  president  of  the 
elevator  company  at  Dennison,  and  is  a member  of  the  NorAvegian 
Lutheran  church.  Fraternally  he  affiliates  Avith  the  Modern 
Woodmen,  in  which  organization  he  has  held  the  office  of  clerk. 

Jens  H.  Otterness,  of  Warsaw  toAvnship,  Avas  born  in  Holden 
township,  June  11,  1864,  son  of  Id.  R.  and  Bertha  (Berkvan) 
Otterness,  natives  of  NorAvay,  aaJio  came  to  America  in  1857, 
locating  in  Wisconsin,  where  they  lived  seAren  years,  after  which 
they  came  to  Warsaw  township,  purchased  ninety-five  acres  of 
improved  land  and  engaged  in  farming.  The  father  noAv  rents 
the  farm,  but  still  lives  in  the  old  home.  The  mother  died  April 
20.  1907.  Jens  H.  received  his  education  in  the  Warsaw  public 
schools,  and  worked  at  farming  until  1895.  He  then  entered  the 
employ  of  the  International  Harvesting  Machine  Company,  as 
salesman  for  Polk,  Norman  and  Clay  counties,  remaining  Avith. 
them  for  eight  years.  He  then  engaged  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness, with  IT.  A.  Huseth,  at  Fertile,  Minn.,  which  he  continued 
for  four  years,  after  Avhich  he  sold  out  and  entered  the  employ 


956 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


of  the  Reeves  Threshing  Machine  Company,  of  Chicago,  as  sales- 
man and  expert,  until  1908,  when  he  engaged  in  farming  in  War- 
saw township,  renting  400  acres  of  land.  He  raises  horses  and 
cattle  and  sheep  and  does  general  farming.  Mr.  Otterness  was 
married  March  14,  1887,  to  Tliora  Melhouse,  daughter  of  Ole  and 
Annie  Melhouse,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in 
1866,  locating  in  Warsaw,  and  engaged  in  farming.  The  father 
is  dead  and  the  mother  lives  with  her  daughter.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Otterness  have  had  ten  children:  Nettie,  married  to  Nels  Flom; 
Henry  Robert  Evans,  Oscar,  Myrtle,  Edward,  Effie,  Lillian,  Stew- 
art, and  .Clifford,  living  at  home.  Mr.  Otterness  is  a Prohibition- 
ist in  his  political  views.  He  was  assessor  in  Norman  county  for 
eight  years,  is  president  of  the  Sogn  Dairy  Co-operative  Associa- 
tion, and  a stockholder  in  the  Farmers’  Elevator  at  Bombay. 
Fraternally,  he  affiliates  with  the  United  Workmen  and  I.  0.  G.  T. 
He  and  his  family  attend  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church. 

Ole  J.  Underdahl,  a well  known  farmer  of  Warsaw  township, 
now  deceased,  was  born  in  Norway  in  February,  1832,  and  there 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools,  coming  to  America 
in  1866,  locating  first  in-Wisconsin,  where  he  remained  two  years, 
subsequently  living  in  Wanamingo  township,  this  county,  one 
year.  In  1869  he  purchased  160  acres  in  Warsaw  township  and 
farmed  until  his  death,  March  5,  1909.  Lie  was  married,  January, 
1863,  to  Martha  Ellingson,  daughter  of  Filing  and  Anna  (Alfson) 
Ellingson,  the  former  of  whom  died  in  Norway  in  1850;  long 
years  after  which,  in  1896,  the  latter  came  to  America  and  took 
up  her  home  with  her  daughter.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Underdahl 
were  born  eight  children,  six  of  whom  are  living.  Roy  J.  Under- 
dahl, the  oldest  son,  lives  on  the  home  farm.  He  was  born  in 
Aurland,  Norway,  September  29,  1864,  and  received  his  education 
in  the  schools  of  his  neighborhood.  In  September,  1896,  he  pur- 
chased 160  acres  in  Trail  county,  North  Dakota,  and  lived  there 
two  years,  after  which  he  homesteaded  a quarter  section  in  Itasca 
county,  this  state.  He  next  represented  the  Charlson  Brothers,  the 
Underdahl  and  the  Otterness  families  in  buying  800  acres  in  Mc- 
Lean county,  North  Dakota.  All  these  purchases  were  disposed  of, 
and  for  ten  months  Mr.  Underdahl  was  employed  as  a salesman 
for  the  Marion  Manufacturing  Company,  of  Fargo,  N.  D.  In  1908 
he  made  a trip  to  Montana  and  purchased  160  acres  which  he  now 
owns.  Since  his  return  to  this  township,  September  29,  1908,  he 
has  been  associated  with  his  brother,  John  O.,  in  the  management 
of  the  home  farm,  and  in  addition  to  this  is  interested  in  the 
elevator  at  Cannon  Falls  and  the  Sogn  Dairy  Association.  He 
has  also  taken  an  interest  in  church  affairs  and,  like  his  father 
before  him,  is  a trustee  in  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church. 
Filing,  the  second  child  of  Ole  J.  Underdahl,  is  dead.  John  O. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


' 957 


is  married,  lives  on  the  home  farm,  and  in  1900  assisted  in  taking 
the  government  census.  He  was  the  first  postmaster  in  Sogn,  the 
postoffice  being  located  in  his  father’s  house.  He  also  kept  a 
general  store  at  Sogn  for  one  year.  In  addition  to  his  farm  work 
he  writes  considerable  life  insurance,  and  aside  from  his  interest 
in  the  home  farm  he  owns  160  acres  of  land  in  Minot,  N.  D., 
where  he  lived  three  years.  Ingerborg,  the  fourth  child  of  Ole  J. 
Underdahl,  is  deceased.  Anna  married  John  Ohnstad,  a clothier 
of  Cannon  Falls.  Marie  was  a teacher  for  several  years  in  the 
public  schools  of  this  county,  and  for  two  years  .taught  short- 
hand and  typewriting  at  the  Eclectic  Business  College,  Minne- 
apolis. For  the  past  three  years  she  has  worked  for  the  Viavi 
Company  of  Minneapolis  as  office  manager  and  traveling  repre- 
sentative. Lizzie  married  Sever  Charlson,  of  Warsaw  township. 
Sena  lives  at  home.  All  are  well  regarded  by  the  people  of  the 
respective  communities  wherein  they  reside. 

Iver  Iverson  Rolfseng,  of  Wanamingo  township,  was  born  in 
Norway,  August  29,  1840,  son  of  Iver  and  Mareth.  Rolfseng,  na- 
tives of  Norway,  who  were  farmers.  The  father  died  in  the 
spring  of  1859  and  the  mother  in  the  fall  of  1901.  Iver  I.  re- 
ceived his  education  in  Norway  and  came  to  America  in  1858, 
locating  in  Wanamingo  township,  where  he  purchased  eighty 
acres  of  land  in  Section  13,  which  he  broke  and  cleared.  Later 
he  bought  another  eighty  acres,  adjoining,  and  built  a comfortable 
home  and  all  other  outbuildings  and  followed  general  farming. 
He  also  has  eighty  acres  in  Section  34.  Mr.  Rolfseng  was  mar- 
ried in  the  spring  of  1863  to  Elizabeth  Swenson,  native  of  Nor- 
way. They  had  one  child,  Mattie,  born  March  28,  1864.  Mrs. 
Rolfseng  died  in  1865  and  Mr.  Rolfseng  was  married  the  second 
time,  October  28,  1868,  to  Bereth  Romo,  native  of  Norway,  by 
whom  he  had  thirteen  children:  Elizabeth,  born  July  25,  1869, 
married  to  Carl  Vangsness,  of  Belle  Creek;  Iver  L.,  who  died  in 
infancy;  Iver  L.,  born  December  17,  1871,  living  at  home;  Carl 
G.,  born  October  26,  1893,  living  at  home ; Gurina  S.,  born  October 
20,  1875,  married  to  Rev.  O.  J.  Neslieim,  of  Lisbon,  N.  D. ; Gure- 
nius,  born  October  17,  1877,  now  of  North  Dakota;  Julia,  born 
December  5,  1879,  now  of  Minot,  N.  D.;  Theodore,  born  October 

22,  1887,  now  of  Minot  N.  D. ; Andrew,  born  March  1.  1884,  now  of 
Marmouth,  Brown  county,  North  Dakota;  Louise  E.,  born  June 

23,  1887 ; Benjamin,  born  September  17,  1889 ; Martin,  born  Sep- 
tember 22,  1891 ; and  Gunhild,  born  July  26,  1893 ; the  last  four 
named  are  living  at  home.  Mr.  Rolfseng  is  a Republican  in 
politics  and  has  served  as  road  overseer  and  director  of  the  school 
board  for  District  99  for  many  years.  The  family  attends  the 
Ilauge  Lutheran  church. 

John  I.  Wangen  was  born  in  Warsaw  township,  where  he  still 


958 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


lives,  August  16,  1869,  son  of  Iver  Wangen  and  Iugeborg  (Loven) 
AVangen,  natives  of  Norway,  who  emigrated  to  America  in  1864 
and  settled  first  at  Stoughton,  AA7is.,  remaining  one  year,  subse- 
quently locating  in  Red  Wing  and  later  in  Leon  township,  where 
the  father  farmed  and  worked  at  masonry.  Again  they  moved, 
this  time  settling  in  Warsaw  township,  where  they  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  land  which  the  father  broke  and  improved,  and 
built  a log  house,  in  which  they  lived  for  a time.  Later  he  built 
a more  comfortable  house,  with  barns  and  other  outbuildings,  and 
continued  to  improve  the  land,  carrying  on  a general  line  of 
farming,  adding  to  his  land,  as  he  was  able,  until  he  owned  200 
acres  in  all.  In  1899  they  retired  from  active  life,  but  continue 
to  live  on  the  homestead.  John  I.  received  his  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  the  township  and  worked  on  the  farm  until 
in  1899,  when  he  and  his  brother  assumed  the  management  of 
the  homestead,  improving  and  carrying  on  general  farming  and 
dairying.  They  also  rent  forty-six  acres.  In  the  family  there 
were  seven  children,  six  boys  and  one  girl.  The  boys  are : Andrew 
I.,  who  is  a farmer  in  Becker  county;  Hans  I.,  John  I.,  Christian 
I.,  Elias  I.,  and  Martin  I.  The  girl,  Betsy  I.,  died  in  1889.  Mr. 
Wangen  is  a Republican,  having  served  as  supervisor  for  one 
year,  and  treasurer  of  school  district  147.  He  is  also  interested 
in  the  Farmers’  Elevator  at  Dennison. 

John  T.  Wangen,  formerly  known  as  Johannes  Tostenson, 
enjoys  the  distinction  of  having  been  chairman  of  Warsaw  town- 
ship twenty-two  years.  He  Avas  born  in  Aurlands  Vangen,  Ber- 
gens  Stift,  Norway,  September  26,  1839,  son  of  Tosten  and  Bret.a 
Wangen,  the  former  of  whom  died  in  1874  and  the  latter  in  1864. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  and  clerked  in  a 
store  in  Bergen  until  coming  to  America  in  1858.  The  voyage  was 
long  and  dangerous,  and  the  ship  Avas  disabled,  making  it  doubt- 
ful at  one  time  whether  the  passengers  would  ever  reach  the  shore 
in  safety.  After  working  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  and  work- 
ing in  a sawmill  in  the  city  of  Winona,  Minn.,  he  came  to  Warsaw 
toAvnship  in  1866  and  bought  160  acres  of  land,  which  he  broke, 
cultivated  and  improved.  Previous  to  this,  however,  be  -enlisted 
in  the  Civil  War  and  served  honorably  from  April  22,  1862,  to 
April  22,  1865.  Mr.  Wangen  hoav  owns  270  acres  of  highly  culti- 
vated land,  and  until  1906,  Avhen  he  retired,  conducted  general 
farming  and  stock  raising  on  a large  scale.  April  9,  1869,  he 
was  married  to  Carrie  J.  Buene,  daughter  of  Jens  and  Ragnald 
Buene,  the  former  of  whom  died  in  1895  and  the  latter  in  1897. 
The  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wangen  has  been  blessed  with  seven 
children : Thomas ; Betsy  M.,  wife  of  AVilliam  Dunn  ; Roggine, 

wife  of  Anton  Daniels;  Joseph,  wife  of  John  Owoumb;  and  John, 
Jensine  and  Carl,  who  live  on  the  farm.  The  family  faith  is 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


959 


that  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church,  Mr.  AVangen  having 
been  trustee  of  the  ErlancI  church.  Aside  from  his  rich  farm, 
Mr.  Wangen  owns  an  interest  in  the  cheese  factory  and  elevator 
at  Stanton,  and  in  the  elevator  at  Dennison.  For  many  years 
past  he  has  been  an  honored  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  at 
Cannon  Falls.  Highly  esteemed  and  honored,  he  is  one  of  those 
citizens  who  go  to  make  up  the  rank  and  file  of  the  substantial, 
law-abiding  and  God-fearing  citizens  of  Goodhue  county. 

James  L.  Crump,  of  Warsaw  township,  was  born  in  Canada, 
September  2,  1860,  son  of  Michael  and  Elizabeth  (Brownell) 
Crump,  natives  of  Canada.  The  father,  a farmer,  came  to  Min- 
nesota in  1863,  and  located  in  Warsaw  township,  where  he  worked 
until  in  1867,  after  which  he  purchased  160  acres  of  prairie  land, 
which  he  broke  and  cleared,  built  a home  and  barn  and  Carried 
on  general  farming  until  he  retired  from  active  life  in  1893. 
Four  brothers  arrived  here  from  Canada  a few  years  previous  to 
James,  and  the  youngest  brother  came  here  eight  years  later,  in 
1871.  James  Crump  died  October  27,  1899,  but  the  mother  is 
still  living  near  Dennison,  at  the  old  homestead,  at  the  old  age 
of  83.  James  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  AVar- 
saw  and  the  Northfield  high  school.  After  leaving  school,  he 
took  up  farming  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age, 
when  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  improved  land  and  carried  on 
dairy  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  also  owns  a half  interest  in 
the  homestead,  a farm  of  160  acres.  James  is  one  of  a family  of 
six  children : Hannah,  married  Martin  Olson,  farmer  and  lum- 

ft 

berman,  now  of  Hubbard  county,  Minnesota;  Emma,  married 
Charles  Saxe,  now  of  Morris,  Minn. ; Georgie,  married  Bradford 
Saxe,  of  Morris,  Minn. ; Elizabeth  lives  at  home ; Alice  lives  at 
home,  and  James  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Mr.  Crump  is  a 
Republican  in  politics,  and  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church.  He  has  served  as  clerk  of  the  school  district  No.  51 
for  twelve  years. 

Charles  Monson,  of  Yasa  township,  was  born  in  Sweden,  April 
27,  1853.  His  parents  were  Andrew  and  Nancy  (Swanson)  Mon- 
son, natives  of  Sweden,  who  came  to  America  in  1856  and  located 
in  Vasa  township,  where  they  pre-empted  government  land,  con- 
sisting of  160  acres  which  the  father  broke  and  cleared,  living  in 
a dugout  for  a year.  Later  the  father  built  a log  house,  and  car- 
ried on  general  farming  increasing  his  land  until  he  had  210  acres, 
and  also  improving  by  erecting  a more  comfortable  home  and 
other  outbuildings.  Three  years  before  his  death  he  retired  from 
active  life.  He  died  in  the  month  of  July,  1899.  The  mother 
perished  in  a snow  storm  on  December  13,  1856,  being  lost  on  the 
prairie.  The  body  was  found  by  a searching  party  a few  days 
later.  Charles  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of 


960 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Vasa,  and  worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  1875,  when  he 
bought  160  acres  of  land  in  Murray  county,  which  he  broke  and 
improved.  In  1879  he  sold  this  land,  returned  home  and  located 
in  Belle  Creek  township,  where  he  purchased  120  acres  of  land  in 
Section  21.  Here  he  built  a home  and  other  buildings,  and  has 
since  carried  on  general  and  diversified  farming,  also  raising 
horses,  cattle  and  sheep. 

Mr.  Monson  was  married  August  28,  1878,  to  Mary  Hobart, 
daughter  of  Peter  and  Inger  Hobart,  natives  of  Sweden,  who  came 
to  America  in  1872  and  located  in  St.  Peter,  Minn.,  later  remov- 
ing to  Vasa  township,  and  again  removed  to  Murray  county, 
where  they  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  and  carried  on  general 
and  diversified  farming  until  their  death.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Monson 
have  been  blessed  with  ten  children : Agnes,  now  of  St.  Paul ; 

Mrs.  A.  V.  Anderson,  of  Belle  Creek ; Hilman,  Harry,  Andrew, 
Esther,  Edith  and  Mary  X.,  and  Elizabeth  and  Edgar  (deceased). 
Mr.  Monson  is  a Republican  in  his  politics.  The  family  faith  is 
that  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Swan  G.  Jackson,  of  Belle  Creek  township,  was  born  in  Sweden 
December  2,  1870,  son  of  John  and  Anna  L.  Jacobson,  natives  of 
Sweden,  who  emigrated  to  America  in  the  spring  of  1871,  located 
in  Leon  township,  and  after  six  months  came  to  Belle  Creek 
township  and  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land,  of  which  fourteen 
acres  was  improved  and  the  rest  all  timber.  This  the  father 
proceeded  to  clear,  the  family  living  in  a dugout  at  first.  As 
soon  as  they  were  able  they  built  a home,  barn  and  other  build- 
ings, and  carried  on  a general  line  of  farming  until  the  father 
died,  in  1901.  The  mother  still  lives  on  the  homestead  with 
her  son.  Swan  G.  received  his  education  in  the'  public  schools 
of  Belle  Creek  and  worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father,  and  .in 
1901,  at  the  death  of  his  father,  he  took  charge  of  the  farm, 
carrying  on  general  farming  and  dairying.  Mr.  Jackson  is  a 
Republican  in  politics,  and  is  a member  of  the  Good  Templar’s 
lodge,  of  which  he  has  been  Chief  Templar  for  three  years.  He 
is  secretary  of  the  Belle  Creek  Creamery  and  of  the  Belle  Creek 
Co-operative  Mercantile  Company,  which  office  he  has  held  since 
their  organization.  He  is  also  a stockholder  of  the  Farmers’ 
Elevator  at  Goodhue.  Mr.  Jackson  has  one  brother,  who  is  a 
farmer  in  Vasa. 

Ole  O.  Odden,  of  Belle  Creek  township,  was  born  in  Norway 
March  15,  1835,  and  came  to  America  in  1851,  locating  in  Dane 
county,  Wisconsin,  where  he  remained  six  years.  In  1860  he 
came  to  this  county  and  purchased  eighty  acres  in  Belle  Creek. 
To  this  he  soon  added  eighty  more,  now  owning  a fine  farm  of 
160  acres,  and  in  addition  a ten-acre  timber  tract.  On  this  place 
he  conducts  general  farming  and  raises  horses  and  cattle.  In 


HISTORY  OR  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


9G1 


1880  the  family  moved  to  Red  Wood  county,  Minn.,  and  lived 
five  years,  breaking  and  improving  .160  acres  and  owning  in 
addition  forty  acres  of  timber  claim.  He  disposed  of  his  Red 
Wood  property  in  1885  and  returned  to  the  home  place  in  Belle 
Creek  township,  where  he  has  since  remained.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  the  fall  of  1861  to  Anna  Larson,  by  whom  he  has  had 
twelve  children,  Ole,  Mary,  Ingeborg,  Lizzie,  Salvina  E.,  Elling, 
John,  Andrew,  Laura,  Lars  0.,  Reinert  J.  and  Elling. 

Lars  0.  Odden,  son  of  Ole  0.  and  Anna  (Larson)  Odden, 
was  born  in  Belle  Creek  township  and  received  his  education 
in  the  schools  of  his  neighborhood.  He  also  had  the  advantages 
of  a course  in  the  Red  Wing  Business  College.  While  the 
greater  part  of  his  life  has  been  devoted  to  farming  and  thresh- 
ing, he  has,  nevertheless,  found  time  to  take  an  interest  in  public 
affairs.  He  was  assessor  in  1905.  In  1900  he  took  the  govern- 
ment census  and  in  1901  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  of 
Belle  Creek  township,  which  office  he  held  for  four  years.  He 
has  been  chairman  of  the  Republican  town  committee  for  the 
past  five  years.  Lie  is  a member  of  the  Sons  of  Norway  and 
of  the  Red  Men.  Lars  0.  Odden  was  married  April  21,  1906,  to 
Ingerborg  Stormoe,  daughter  of  Rollang  and  Jonnetta  Stormoe, 
natives  of  Norway.  Two  children  have  blessed  this  union,  Ralph 
0.,  born  March  31,  1907,  and  Alf  J.,  born  February  22,  1908. 

James  O’Neill,  Jr.,  of  Belle  Creek  township,  was  born  in  New 
York  state  December  22,  1852,  and  was  brought  to  this  county 
by  his  parents  while  still  an  infant.  He  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  his  neighborhood  and  took  up  farm- 
ing with  his  father  until  1871,  when  he  purchased  eighty  acres 
of  land  and  carried  on  general  farming  until  1908,  when  he  took 
a vacation  and  made  an  extended  Ansit  to  the  West,  taking  in  the 
principal  points  in  Idaho,  Montana,  Oregon  and  the  Dakotas. 
Since  that  time  he  has  rented  his  farm  and  now  lives  with  his 
brother.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  has  served  on  the 
school  board  a number  of  years.  Fraternally  he  associates  with 
the  Modern  Woodmen. 

James  O'Neill,  Sr.,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Belle  Creek, 
was  born  in  County  Wexford,  Ireland,  and  married  Margaret 
Edwards.  He  came  to  America  in  1848  and  lived  in  New  York 
state  three  or  four  years.  Subsequently  he  resided  a few  years 
in  Illinois,  and  in  July,  1854,  came  to  Belle  Creek  and  purchased 
160  acres  of  land,  which  he  broke  and  improved.  Later  he 
purchased  160  acres  more,  and  upon  this  large  farm  carried 
on  general  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  retirement,  in  1894. 
Mr.  O’Neill  is  still  living,  at  the  honored  old  age  of  eighty-eight 
years,  being  one  of  the  very  few  actual  pioneers  of  the  county 
now  alive.  When  he  arrived  many  of  the  townships  were  still 


962 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


unsettled,  and  Red  AVing  was  a tiny  village.  He  has  watched 
the  county  grow  from  a barren  wilderness  in  which  life  at  best 
was  accompanied  by  all  sorts  of  hardships,  into  a blossoming 
and  fruitful  land,  with  busy  cities  and  thriving  hamlets,  and 
with  all  the  luxuries  within  the  reach  of  all,  even  those  of 
the  most  modest  means.  In  March,  1901,  he  was  called  upon  to 
mourn  the  loss  of  the  partner  of  his  toil  and  wife  of  his  youth. 
Three  of  his  five  children  are  still  living  to  give  him  comfort 
in  his  old  age.  James,  Jr.,  is  a retired  farmer;  John  lives  in 
Washington  county,  Minnesota,  and  owns  a large  farm;  Anna, 
born  in  1856,  was  the  third  white  child  born  in  Belle  Creek 
township,  the  other  two  being,  according  to  the  records,  May 
Cook,  born  in  August,  1855,  to  Jacob  Cook,  and  John  Cavanaugh, 
born  in  November,  1855,  to  Patrick  Cavanaugh.  Charles,  the 
third  son  of  James  O’Neill,  Sr.,  is  dead,  and  Henry  lives  on  the 
old  homestead  with  his  father.  The  family  faith  of  the  O’Neills 
is  that  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church. 

Erick  0.  Hagman,  of  Belle  Creek  township,  was  born  in  Yasa 
township  October  1,  1864,  son  of  Ole  and  Mary  (Munson)  Hag- 
man,  natives  of  Sweden,  who  came  to  America  in  1861  and  lo- 
cated in  Yasa  township.  Here  they  bought  forty  acres  of  wild 
prairie  land,  which  the  father  broke,  cleared  and  improved, 
built  a home,  barn  and  other  outbuildings  and  carried  on  general 
farming  for  twenty  years,  after  which  he  removed  to  Belle 
Creek  township  and  continued  farming  on  a farm  of  133  acres, 
which  he  purchased  in  1865.  The  father  died  in  March,  1891, 
and  the  mother  in  February,  1908.  Erick  0.  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  Yasa  and  worked  on  the  farm  with 
his  father  until  1889,  when  he  rented  133  acres  from  his  father 
in  Belle  Creek  and  started  general  farming  and  stock  raising, 
which  he  has  since  successfully  conducted.  He  has  five  brothers 
and  four  sisters.  The  brothers  are : Andrew  0.,  now  of  North 
Dakota;  John  R.,  and  Ole  R.,  living  at  home;  Henry,  now  of 
Cannon  Falls,  and  Peter,  now  of  AAHiite  Rock.  The  sisters  are: 
Annie,  married  to  Peter  Holm,  now  of  Douglass  county;  Betsy, 
married  to  Swan  AVaganeus,  of  Belle  Creek;  Carrie,  married  to 
Claus  Lind,  employed  by  the  Chicago,  Minneapolis  & St.  Paul 
railroad  at  Minneapolis;  Christina,  married  to  Peter  Ferstad,  of 
Belle  Creek.  Mr.  Hagman  is  a Republican  in  politics,  and  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Yasa. 

Andrew  M.  Anderson,  of  Belle  Creek  township,  was  born  in 
Sweden  December  24,  1842,  son  of  Andrew  and  Betsy  (Olson) 
Anderson,  natives  of  Sweden,  where  the  father  was  a blacksmith 
and  wagon  maker.  He  died  September  26,  1856,  the  mother 
having  passed  away  in  October,  1848.  Andrew  received  his  edu- 
cation in  Sweden  and  worked  at  farming  until  June  1,  1864, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


963 


wlien  he  left  his  native  land  and  emigrated  to  America,  landing 
at  Quebec  August  3.  He  went  to  Chicago,  where  he  stopped  two 
days,  then  went  to  Michigan  and  was  employed  in  the  copper 
mines  for  nine  months,  after  which  he  came  to  Red  AYing,  where 
he  was  employed  as  stone  mason  from  1865  to  1867.  He  then 
removed  to  Leon  township,  and  sis  months  later  purchased  eighty 
acres  of  wild  land  in  Belle  Creek  township,  which  he  improved, 
erecting  a house,  barn  and  outbuildings.  He  now  does  general 
farming  and  raises  Cylde  horses  and  Shorthorn  cattle,  owning 
in  addition  to  his  farm  seventeen  acres  of  timber  land  in  Vasa 
township.  Mr.  Anderson  was  married  June  1,  1868,  to  Betsy 
Johnson,  daughter  of  Olaf  and  Margaret  (Paulson)  Johnson, 
natives  of  Sweden,  who  came  to  America  in  1858,  locating  in 
St.  Peter,  Minn.,  where  he  pre-empted  land,  and  in  1862  was 
forced  by  the  Indians  to  leave,  losing  everything,  and  he  and 
his  family  barely  escaping  with  their  lives.  They  then  settled 
in  Belle  Creek  township,  where  the  father  died  in  1900,  the 
mother  having  passed  away  in  1881.  Andrew  M.  and  Betsy 
Anderson  had  four  children:  Julia  A.,  married  to  John  Ander- 

son, a business  man  of  Red  Wing;  Anton  F.,  of  Red  AYing; 
Lawrence  G.,  living  at  home ; Arthur  A.,  of  Red  AATing.  February 
6,  1889,  the  mother  of  these  children  died,  and  in  the  fall  of 
1894  Mr.  Anderson  married  Ililma  Josephine  Swanson,  daughter 
of  Swan  and  Lizzie  (Larson)  Swanson,  natives  of  Sweden,  where 
they  were  farmers.  The  father  died  April  22,  1909,  and  the 
mother  died  December  25,  1904.  To  this  marriage  three  children 
were  born : Hattie  Josephine,  Nancy  Julia  and  Clarence  Gerhard, 
all  living  at  home.  Mr.  Anderson  is  an  independent  voter.  He 
has  served  as  town  supervisor  for  nine  years,  also  treasurer  for 
school  district  38  for  the  long  period  of  eighteen  years,  and 
road  overseer.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran 
church. 

Anton  V.  Anderson  was  born  in  Vasa  October  31,  1873,  son 
of  John  and  Hannah  (Hanson)  Anderson,  natives  of  Sweden,  who 
came  to  America  in  1868  and  located  in  Arnsa  township,  where 
they  purchased  eighty  acres  of  improved  land  and  carried  on 
general  farming  until  1875,  when  they  sold,  removed  to  Belle 
Creek  township  and  bought  120  acres  of  land,  where  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  now  lives.  Here  the  father  built  a home  and  other 
buildings  and  carried  on  farming  until  his  death,  December  11, 
1882.  In  1888  the  mother  was  married  to  P.  M.  Ljungren.  Anton 
V.  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Belle  Creek, 
and  afterward  took  a course  at  Beeman’s  Business  College,  of 
Red  AYing.  He  also  attended  the  State  Agricultural  School  in 
1903  to  1906.  During  this  time,  in  1905,  he  took  up  farming  on 
the  old  homestead.  He  has  since  continued  agricultural  opera- 


964- 


IIIST  OB  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


tions  on  a large  scale,  raising  excellent  crops,  horses  and  dairy 
cattle.  He  believes  in  scientific  farming,  and  all  his  farm  ma- 
chinery is  of  the  latest  approved  design.  His  progressiveness 
is  shown  by  the  fact  that  for  the  past  year  and  a half  he  has  used 
a milking  machine  which  milks  four  cows  at  a time.  Its  power 
is  furnished  by  a fine  gasoline  engine.  Mr.  Anderson  is  an  up-to- 
date  farmer  in  every  way,  standing  in  the  front  rank  of  those 
who  have  endeavored  to  better  farm  conditions  in  this  county. 
February  11,  1907,  he  was  married  to  Emma  Monson,  daughter 
of  Charles  and  Mary  (Hobart)  Monson,  both  of  whom  are  living 
in  Belle  Creek  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anderson  have  two 
children : Leonard  A.,  born  December  3,  1907,  and  Edgar  J., 

born  January  22,  1909.  Mr.  Anderson  is  a Prohibitionist  in  his 
political  views  and  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  the 
welfare  of  his  community,  having  held  the  positions  of  constable 
for  four  years  and  justice  of  the  peace  for  the  past  six  years. 
In  1908  he  was  a candidate  on  the  Prohibition  ticket  for  the 
state  legislature.  He  has  been  president  of  the  Belle  Creek 
Mercantile  Co-operative  Company  since  1904,  and  of  the  Belle 
Creek  Creamery  since  1901.  He  is  a member  of  the  Good 
Templar’s  Mutual  Benefit  Association  of  Wisconsin,  and  he  and 
his  family  belong  to  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church. 

Johannes  Boraas,  a substantial  farmer,  of  Belle  Creek  town- 
ship, was  born  in  Norway  March  18,  1850,  son  of  John  and  Eliza- 
beth (Storset)  Boraas,  who  came  to  America  in  1866  and  located 
in  Minneola  township,  remaining  until  1871,  when  they  came 
to  Belle  Creek  township.  Here  the  father,  in  partnership  with 
Johannes,  purchased  130  acres  of  land  and  carried  on  general 
farming  until  his  death,  in  November,  1893,  the  mother  having 
died  many  years  before.  Johannes  received  his  education  in 
the  schools  of  Norway,  and  came  to  this  country  in  1866  with 
his  parents.  Since  his  father’s  death  he  has  added  eighty  acres 
to  the  original  purchase  of  130  acres,  and  on  this  farm  he  carries 
on  general  agricultural  operations.  He  was  married  June  30, 
1871,  to  Ellen  Anna,  daughter  of  Erick  P.  and  Anna  Hegge, 
natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1867  and  located 
in  Minneola  township,  where  they  engaged  in  farming  for  the 
remainder  of  their  life.  To  Johannes  and  Ellen  Boraas  have 
been  born  thirteen  children.  The  oldest,  Prof.  Julius,  is  super- 
intendent of  county  schools ; Anna  is  the  wife  of  Rev.  O.  J. 
Marken,  of  Lac  qui  Parle  county,  this  state ; Lena  is  the  wife 
of  Prof.  E.  O.  Ellingson,  of  Northfield,  Rice  county,  this  state; 
Ingmar  is  superintendent  of  the  high  school  at  Ida,  Norman 
county,  this  state;  Joseph,  married  to  Mary  Nerison,  is  a farmer 
in  Belle  Creek;  Julia,  a normal  school  graduate,  is  a school 
teacher;  Lydia,  Nora,  Justinus,  Esther,  Ethel  and  Herman  are 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


965 


at  liome.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran 
church. 

Erick  P.  Erickson  is  now  serving  his  second  term  as  a member 
of  the  board  of  supervisors  of  Belle  Creek  township  and  has  been 
on  the  school  board  for  a number  of  years.  He  was  born  in 
Sweden  November  12,  1867,  and  received  his  education  in  the 
schools  of  his  native  land,  also  in  Rock  Island,  111.,  where  he 
lived  from  1884  to  1887.  He  has  devoted  his  time  to  farming 
since  early  boyhood,  and  still  continues  in  that  occupation,  with 
his  father  and  brother  in  this  township,  making  his  home  with 
his  parents.  Politically  he  is  an  independent  voter  and  fra- 
ternally he  associates  with  the  Modern  Woodmen,  the  Royal 
Neighbors  and  the  Red  Men.  Peter  and  Betsy  (Johnson)  Erick- 
son, parents,  of  Erick  P.,  came  from  Sweden  to  America  in  1884, 
and  after  remaining  in  Rock  Island,  111.,  three  years,  came  to 
Belle  Creek,  where  the  father,  in  company  with  his  four  sons, 
rented  320  acres  of  land,  upon  which  they  have  since  conducted 
general  farming  and  stock  raising.  In  the  family  are  four 
brothers  and  three  sisters.  Erick  P.  is  the  oldest.  John  P.  was 
born  March  24,  1869 ; Carl  P.  was  born  December  14,  1870,  and 
lives  in  San  Francisco;  Nels  P.  was  born  July  24,  1874,  and  died 
November  20,  1907 ; Ellen  was  born  January  31,  1877,  and  lives 
in  St.  Paul;  while  Margaret,  born  November  14,  1878,  and  Anna, 
born  April  2,  1881,  both  live  at  home.  The  family  faith  if  the 
Ericksons  is  that  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church. 

Waif  red  Anderson,  of  Belle  Creek  township,  was  born  in 
Sweden  November  20,  1852,  son  of  Andrew  and  Catherine  An- 
derson, natives  of  Sweden,  who  came  to  America  July  3,  1864, 
locating  in  Leon  township,  where  they  purchased  eighty  acres 
of  land,  remaining  until  I860,  when  they  sold  and  purchased 
120  acres  in  Belle  Creek  township,  section  19,  which  the  father 
broke  and  improved,  following  general  farming  until  his  death, 
January  19,  1908,  at  the  age  of  eighty-nine  years.  The  mother 
died  February  12,  1893.  Walfred  received  his  education  in  the 
common  schools  and  worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father.  In 
1877  he  took  charge  of  the  old  homestead,  made  many  improve- 
ments, built  a new  house  and  barn  and  has  since  followed  general 
farming.  In  addition  to  his  farm,  upon  which  he  resides,  he 
otos  101  acres  adjoining  and  fifty  acres  of  timber  land  in  Leon 
township,  a total  of  271  acres.  Mr.  Anderson  was  married  No- 
vember 26,  1880,  to  Christine  Johnson,  daughter  of  John  and 
Johannah  Johnson,  natives  of  Sweden.  They  came  to  America 
in  1854,  locating  in  Chicago,  where  they  remained  for  two  years, 
after  which  they  came  to  Leon  township  and  took  up  a claim  of 
160  acres  and  engaged  in  farming  until  the  father’s  death,  five 
years  later.  The  mother  died  in  July,  1883.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ander- 


966 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


son  have  four  children:  Selma  married  Arthur  Swenson,  who 

has  a share  in  the  G.  0.  Miller  & Co.  store  at  White  Rock,  where 
he  resides ; Alice,  Clifton  and  Whilmer  live  at  home.  Mr.  Ander- 
son is  a Republican  in  politics,  has  held  the  office  of  supervisor 
for  seven  years,  and  has  been  director  on  the  school  board  for 
twelve  years.  He  owns  stock  in  the  Farmers’  Elevator  at  Good- 
hue  and  in  the  Belle  Creek  Creamery.  Mr.  Anderson  has  achieved 
success  through  his  own  efforts. 

John  CJ.  Jacobson  was  born  in  Belle  Creek  township  Septem- 
ber 15,  1872,  son  of  Colbin  and  Mary  (Burg)  Jacobson,  natives' 
of  Norway,  who  emigrated  to  America  in  1870,  locating  in 
Illinois,  where  the  father  was  employed  at  form  work.”  In  1871 
they  removed  to  Minnesota,  settled  in  Belle  Creek  township  and 
purchased  eighty  acres  of  wild  land,  which  the  father  broke 
and  improved,  built  a home  and  other  buildings,  and  carried  on 
general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  has  now  retired  and  his 
son,  Aron  0.,  manages  the  farm.  John  C.  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  Belle  Creek  and  worked  at  home  on 
the  farm  until  1896,  when  he  bought  eighty  acres  in  Belle  Creek 
township,  where  he  has  made  many  improvements  and  carries  on 
farming  and  stock  raising.  Mr.  Jacobson  was  married  November 
15^  1896,  to  Hilda  C.  Vanberg,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Augusta 
(Erickson)  Vanberg.  The  mother  was  a native  of  Sweden  and 
the  father  of  America.  They  farmed  in  Goodhue  county  until 
the  death  of  the  father,  in  1877.  The  mother  is  now  living  in 
California.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jacobson  have  three  children:  Mabel 
A.,  born  August  16,  1897;  Conrad  H.  J.,_  born  February  16,  1900, 
and  Esther  A.,  born  September  20,  1901.  Mr.  Jacobson  is  a 
Republican  in  politics,  and  is  serving  his  second  term  as  town 
supervisor.  He  is  also  a stockholder  in  the  Farmers’  Elevator 
of  Goodhue.  The  family  attend  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church. 

John  P.  Marn,  proprietor  of  Belle  Rock  Farm,  of  Belle  Creek, 
was  born  in  Wisconsin  August  2,  1857,  son  of  John  and  Louise 
Peterson,  natives  of  Sweden,  who  came  to  America  in  1845,  set- 
tling in  Boston,  Mass.,  where  they  remained  until  1849,  when 
they  emigrated  west  to  California,  the  father  engaging  in  pros- 
pecting for  four  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  Boston,  and 
removed  to  Wisconsin  the  same  year,  locating  at  Stoughton. 
Here  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land,  of  which  a part  was 
improved.  They  remained  in  Wisconsin  until  1862,  after  which 
the  father  sold  his  farm  and  moved  to  Minnesota,  settling  in 
Leon  township,  where  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  prairie  land, 
which  he  improved,  and  carried  on  general  farming,  built  a 
home  and  other  buildings  necessary,  remaining  twelve  years. 
In  1874  he  sold  and  came  to  Belle  Creek  township  and  purchased 
160  acres  of  land,  which  he  improved  in  many  ways.  The  father 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


9G7 


died  in  1902  and  the  mother  in  1901.  John  P.  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  and  the  Swedish  parochial  schools  and 
worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  in  1880,  when  he  took 
up  a homestead  of  160  acres  of  land  in  Dakota  territory,  which 
he  proved  up,  and  bought  160  acres  more,  built  a home  and  all 
buildings  necessary  and  carried  on  general  farming  for  fourteen 
years,  after  which  he  returned  to  Belle  Creek  township  on 
account  of  the  death  of  his  brother,  to  assume  the  management 
of  his  father’s  farm,  which  he  has  since  continued,  carrying 
on  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  also  making  a specialty 
of  dairying.  He  has  now  under  construction  a barn  36x64.  Mr. 
Mark  was  married  March  15,  1880,  to  Christine  Anderson,  of  Red 
Wing,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Katie  Anderson,  natives  of  Sweden, 
who  came  to  America  in  1870  and  located  at  Red  Wing,  where 
the  father  worked  at  various  labprs.  The  mother  died  in  1892, 
but  the  father  is  still  living  with  his  daughter.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Mark  have  been  blessed  with  five  children:  Louise  C.,  Chester, 
Levi  E.,  Inez  II.  and  Ward  J.  Mr.  Mark  has  held  several  prom- 
inent offices,  and  is  a member  of  the  Episcopal  church.  Fra- 
ternally he  affiliates  with  the  A.  O.  U.  W. 

John  P.  Schweiger  was  born  in  Belle  Creek  township  Febru- 
ary 5,  1871,  son  of  Henry  and  Martha  C.  (Chandler)  Schweiger, 
who  were  natives  of  Canada  and  Maine.  The  father,  a farmer, 
came  to  Minnesota  in  October,  1855,  landed  at  Red  Wing  and 
located  in  Belle  Creek  township,  where  he  purchased  160  acres 
of  land,  a part  of  which  was  improved.  He  continued  to  improve, 
erecting  a home  and  other  buildings,  and  carried  on  general 
farming  and  stock  raising.  He  added  more  land  from  time  to 
time  until  he  had  285  acres,  which  he  managed  until  his  death, 
July  5,  1907,  at  the  age  of  sixty-six  years.  He  was  treasurer 
of  the  township  and  school  district  many  years.  The  mother 
resides  on  the  homestead  with  her  son,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
John  P.  received  his  education  in  the  Belle  Creek  schools  and 
worked  with  his  father  on  the  farm  until  1907,  when  he  assumed 
the  management  of  the  homestead.  He  has  one  sister,  Louisa 
Ellen,  living  at  home,  and  one  brother,  Carl  B.,  also  living  at 
home,  working  on  the  farm  with  liis  brother.  Mr.  Schweiger  is 
an  independent  voter.  He  is  a stockholder  in  the  Belle  Creek 
Creamery.  Fraternally  he  affiliates  with  the  M.  W.  A.,  venerable 
council,  and  holds  the  office  of  advisor.  The  family  faith  is  that 
of  the  Episcopal  church. 

J.  Albert  Swanson  was  born  in  Belle  Creek  township  February 
1,  1860,  son  of  John  F.  and  G.  Albertina  (Carlson)  Swanson, 
natives  of  Sweden,  who  came  to  America  in  1851,  settling  in 
Boston,  Mass.,  where  the  father  worked  at  his  trade  of  shoe- 
making until  1858,  when  they  emigrated  west  to  Minnesota, 


968 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


and  settled  in  Yasa  township,  where  they  took  up  a homestead 
of  160  acres  of  land,  which  the  father  broke,  cleared  and  im- 
proved, remaining  there  until  1865,  when  they  removed  to  Belle 
Creek  and  bought  a farm  consisting  of  160  acres,  of  which  Gustaf 
Carlson  owned  a half  interest,  and  carried  on  a general  line  of 
farming.  Later  Mr.  Swanson  purchased  Mr.  Carlson’s  interest. 
J.  A.  Swanson  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Belle  Creek  and  worked  on  the  home  farm,  where  he  still  remains. 
J.  F.  Swanson,  the  father,  died  in  1902  and  his  wife  is  still  liv- 
ing. J.  A.  is  one  of  four  children,  of  whom  two  are  living. 
Mary  Louise  and  Emma  C.  are  dead,  and  C.  E.  and  Albert  live 
on  the  farm.  Albert  was  married  in  1886  to  Elizabeth  'Smithson, 
daughter  of  Robert  and  Sarah  Smithson,  natives  of  England, 
who  emigrated  to  America  in  1858  and  settled  in  Belle  Creek 
township,  where  they  purchased  320  acres  of  land  and  have 
since  carried  on  general  farming.  The  father,  Robert  Smithson, 
died  in  1906  and  the  mother  in  1874.  To  Albert  Swanson  and 
his  wife  have  been  born  nine  children,  of  whom  the  six  living 
are:  Arnold,  Charlotte,  Gladys,  Harold,  Raymond  and  Laura. 

The  Swanson  brothers  are  Republican  in  politics,  and  attend  the 
Swedish  Lutheran  church. 

Hans  Mattson,  pioneer  and  soldier,  was  born  December  23, 
1832,  in  Onnestad,  Skane,  Sweden;  died  March  5,  1893.  The 
“North,”  at  the  time  of  his  death,  gave  the  following  biography 
of  him:  “He  received  a good  education  in  Kristianstad;  served 
a year  and  a half  in  the  Swedish  army  as  cadet  of  the  artillery. 
Emigrated  in  the  spring  of  1851,  arriving  at  Boston  June  29. 
Suffered  in  the  hardships  and  disappointments  incident  to  igno- 
rance of  the  English  language,  and  inability  to  perform  hard 
manual  labor.  Went  west  to  Illinois  in  1852,  settling  the  next 
year  in  Minnesota,  which  henceforth  remained  his  home.  Was 
married  in  1855  at  Yasa,  Goodhue  county,  Minnesota,  to  Cherstin 
Peterson,  who,  Avith  five  children,  survives  him.  Quit  farming 
and  Avent  into  mercantile  business,  but  was  caught  in  the  crisis 
of  1857.  Read  law  at  Red  Wing  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar, 
but  soon  gaAre  up  practice  to  become  county  auditor  of  Goodhue 
county.  Commenced  to  take  active  part  in  politics  as  a Repub- 
lican. During  the  summer  of  1861  organized  a company  of 
young  Goodhue  county  SAvedes  and  Norwegians,  with  Avliom,  in 
the  fall,  he  reported  at  Fort  Snelling,  Avas  elected  its  captain  and 
Avent  south  with  the  Third  Regiment  in  November.  Was  pro- 
moted to  major  the  folloAving  year;  was  on  his  Avay  back  after 
having  been  home,  sick,  on  furlough,  when  the  regiment  sur- 
rendered at  Murfeesboro.  AYas  made  lieutenant  colonel  after  the 
surrender  of  Vicksburg,  and  in  April,  1863,  was  promoted  to 
colonel,  remaining  in  command  of  the  regiment  until  September 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


969 


16,  1865,  when  it  was  mustered  out  at  Fort  Snelling,  Minn. 
Assisted  in  establishing  ‘Svenska  Amerikanaren  ’ in  Chicago. 
Was  in  1867  appointed  secretary  of  the  Minnesota  board  of 
emigration,  returning  on  his  first  visit  to  Sweden  in  1868.  Was 
in  1869  elected  secretary  of  state  for  Minnesota,  but  left  before 
the  expiration  of  his  term  with  his  family  for  Sweden,  as  general 
agent  in  northern  Europe  for  the  Northern  Pacific  Railroad  Com- 
pany. Returned  to  the  United  States  early  in  1876.  Was  elected 
a presidential  elector  the  same  year.  Helped  establish  ‘Svenska 
Tribunen,’  of  Chicago,  having  previously  commenced  the  publi- 
cation of  the  Minnesota  ‘Stats  Tidning, ’ at  Minneapolis,  with 
which  latter  he  remained  identified  until  1881.  On  July  2,  1881, 
was  appointed  consul  general  to  India.  Filled  this  important 
position  with  great  credit  for  two.  years,  when  he  returned  home 
and  tendered  his  resignation.  Was  appointed  manager  of  a land 
grant  company  in  New  Mexico  and  Colorado.  In  1886  Avas  elected 
secretary  of  state  for  Minnesota,  and  re-elected  in  1888,  sernung 
tAvo  terms.  In  1887  he  organized  the  Security  Savings  and  Loan 
Association,  of  Minneapolis,  Avliose  president  he  Avas  at  the  time 
of  his  death.  Tavo  years  later  he  formed  a company  for  the 
publication  of  ‘The  North.’  Was  one  of  the  principal  pro- 
moters, in  1888,  of  the  250th  anniversary  celebration  of  the  land- 
ing of  the  first  Swedish  settlers  on  the  Delaware,  and  collected 
the  addresses  delivered  on  this  occasion  in  a small  souvenir.  In 
1891  AA^rote  and  published  a volume  of  recollections,  which  in  the 
Swedish  version  is  knoAvn  as  ‘Minnen,’  while  the  English  edition  is 
entitled  ‘The  Story  of  an  Emigrant.’  Mattson’s  knoAAdedge  Avas 
confined  to  no  particular  class  of  people.  Swedish- Americans 
naturally  looked  up  to  him  as  a leader,  for  he  possessed  in  an 
eminent  degree  many  of  the  requirements  of  leadership.”  The 
“Valkyrian”  for  August,  1897,  says  of  Mattson:  “His  character 
■shoAvs  us,  in  general  features,  the  product  of  the  two  factors, 
Swedish  birth  and  education  combined  Avith  a long  and  active 
life  under  the  protection  of  the  American  flag.  Very  feAv  SAve- 
dish- Americans  have  led  such  a romantic  life  as  his.  It  Avas  rich 
in  sudden  changes  and  neAV  departures ; and  behind  the  outlines 
of  this  life  lay  an  interesting  world  which  at  first  sight  looked 
less  important,  but  which  in  fact  is  more  instructive  to  him  avIio 
desires  to  study  it  in  the  light  of  the  spirit  of  the  times  in  which 
he  most  vigorously  appeared  as  the  Swedish  pioneer  in 
America.” 

Friedrich  Busch  was  born  October  8,  1839,  in  Reuthen,  West- 
phalia, Germany.  He  attended  the  Catholic  parochial  school  of 
his  native  place,  later  entered  the  Gymnasium  of  Brilon,  at  West- 
phalia, and  afterward  pursued  higher  studies  at  Muenster  Avith 
the  Jesuit  Fathers.  The  opportunities  of  the  United  States 


970 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


attracting  liim,  he  came  to  Red  Wing  in  1860  and  entered  the 
employ  of  Friedrich  & Hack.  Some  years  later  he  went  into 
business  himself,  under  the  firm  name  of  Olson  & Busch,  groceries 
and  dry  goods,  the  business  continuing  for  eleven  years.  In 
1875  Mr.  Busch  left  Red  AYing  and  engaged  in  the  hardware  busi- 
ness in  Mankato,  Minn.,  under  the  firm  name  of  Meagher  & 
Busch.  Ilis  exceptional  qualities  as  a financier  became  well 
known  and  the  position  of  cashier  in  the  First  National  Bank 
was  offered  him.  This  position  he  held  until  he  was  called  to 
a wider  field  of  operation  as  cashier  in  the  Goodhue  County  Bank, 
at  Red  Wing,  through  the  inducement  of  his  elder  brother,  Will- 
iam. Mr.  Busch  in  course  of  time  became  one  of  the  directors, 
the  largest  stockholder  and  president  of  the  bank,  which  posi- 
tion he  held  until  compelled  by  ill  health  to  resign,  in  1906.  Mr. 
Busch  was  connected  with  the  following  enterprises : President 
of  Goodhue  County  Bank,  president  of  the  La  Grange  Mills, 
director  in  Red  AYing  Union  Stoneware  Company,  director  in 
Red  AYing  Sewer  Pipe  Company,  director  in  Red  Wing  Hat  Com- 
pany, and  director  in  Red  AYing  Cigar  Company.  Mr.  Busch  was 
a heavy  investor  in  farm  lands  in  Goodhue  and  Pierce  counties. 
He  was  a member  of  the  German  Roman  Catholic  Benevolent 
Society,  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  and  of  the  Commercial 
Club.  Mr.  Busch  was  a devout  member  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
church  and  deeply  interested  in  church  work.  He  died  January 
27,  1908,  leaviug  nine  children : Joseph  F.,  now  Rev.  J.  F.  Busch, 
director  of  Mission  Band  of  the  archdiocese  of  St.  Paul;  Mary, 
now  Yen.  Sr.  M.  Hildegard  of  Sisters  of  Christian  Charity;  Fried- 
rich A.,  residing  at  Red  Wing;  Clement,  residing  at  Bismarck, 
N.  D.;  Francis,  noAv  with  Jesuit  Fathers,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  to  be 
ordained  three  years  hence ; Lucy,  wife  of  Patrick  W.  McKasey, 
residing  at  Le  Sueur,  Minn.;  William,  now  Rev.  William  Busch, 
assistant  priest  at  St.  Luke’s  church,  St.  Paul;  Bernard,  student 
at  St.  Paul  Seminary;  Margaret,  residing  with  her  mother  at 
St.  Paul. 

Elias  P.  Lowater  was  born  July  20,  1820,  at  Dunham,  Canada, 
and  in  1854  came  to  Red  Wing,  where  he  opened  a shoe  store, 
afterward  conducting  a book,  stationery  and  jewelry  business 
where  the  St.  James  hotel  now  stands,  which  he  sold  to  Rosen- 
bloom  & Sheldon  and  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  on  the 
corner  of  Fourth  street  and  West  avenue.  He  took  an  active 
part  in  the  affairs  of  the  little  settlement  that  he  found  here, 
and  in  his  store  was  discussed  the  future  greatness  of  the  recently 
settled  village.  To-  Mr.  Lowater,  it  is  believed,  belongs  the  credit 
for  having  proposed  the  introduction  of  the  alley  system,  when 
the  place  was  first  platted  and  laid  out.  In  politics  he  was  a 
Republican,  and  held  the  office  of  postmaster  in  the  early  sixties. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


971 


He  was  an  earnest  advocate  of  temperance,  belonged  to  the  Sons 
of  Temperance  and  Good  Templars,  and  was  one  of  the  founders 
of  the  Methodist  church,  to  which  he  belonged  for  many  years. 
He  was  married  October  27,  1847,  to  Susan  J.  Melntire,  of  Han- 
over, N.  TL,  and  six  children  blessed  this  union,  three  of  whom 
are  living:  Wallis  S.,  of  Red  Wing;  Mrs.  Fred  Tebben,  of 

Spokane,  Wash.,  and  Mrs.  L.  P.  Cordell,  of  La  Crosse,  Wis. 
Effie,  Edith  and  Lettie,  the  other  sisters,  are  deceased.*  Mr. 
Lowater  died  in  1888. 

Wallis  S.  Lowater,  proprietor  of  a boat  livery  on  the  levee 
at  Red  AYing,  is  a native  of  the  city,  born  April  10,  1869,  son  of 
Elias  P.  and  Susan  J.  (Melntire)  Lowater,  early  pioneers.  After 
attending  the  public  and  high  schools  of  Red  Wing  Wallis  S. 
worked  in  the  store  with  his  father,  and  after  his  father’s  death 
took  charge  of  the  business  for  his  mother  several  years.  The 
store,  together  with  the  house  and  lot,  was  sold  after  the  death 
of  the  mother,  and  in  1904  Mr.  Lowater  took  up  his  present 
business,  in  partnership  with  H.  E.  Sayles,  with  whom  he  also 
engaged  in  wood  sawing.  He  has  never  married  and  has  never 
cared  for  public  life,  either  in  a fraternal  or  political  way.  He 
has,  however,  since  his  first  vote,  consistently  voted  the  Repub- 
lican ticket.  He  attends  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

F.  W.  Kohn,  of  Florence  township,  was  born  in  Hay  Creek 
township  April  24,  1856,  son  of  Frederick  and  Sophia  (Vesphal) 
Kohn,  natives  of  Mecklenburg,  Germany,  who  came  to  America 
in  1853  and  located  in  New  York  state,  remaining  three  years. 
In  1856  they  came  to  Hay  Creek  township,  where  they  took  up 
a homestead,  which  the  father  cleared  and  improved,  and  carried 
on  general  farming  until  a few  years  before  his  death,  when  they 
moved  to  Florence  township.  The  father  died  in  1900  and  the 
mother  in  1906.  F.  W.  Kohn  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  township,  and  after  being  employed  by  others  for 
a while,  engaged  in  farming  for  himself  on  a place  of  264  acres, 
of  which  140  is  under  cultivation.  He  has  made  many  improve- 
ments on  the  place,  built  a fine  house  and  barns,  and  carries  on 
general  and  diversified  farming,  also  dairying.  He  was  married 
March  14,  1882,  to  Louise  Isensee.,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Caro- 
line (Opperman)  Isensee,  natives  of  Brunswick,  who  came  to 
the  United  States  in  1852,  remaining  in  New  York  for  one  year, 
after  which  they  came  to  St.  Paul.  They  remained  only  a short 
time  in  St.  Paul,  and  then  went  to  Florence  township,  where 
the  father  engaged  in  his  trade  of  plasterer  and  stone  mason. 
He  plastered  the  first  house  in  Red  AYing.  He  carried  all  his 
supplies  to  Florence  from  Red  AYing,  sometimes  using  ox  teams. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kohn  have  three  children  living:  Clara  married 

John  Steff enhagen ; Caroline  and  Fred  live  at  home.  Louis,  the 


97,2 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


oldest,  died  in  1898,  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years.  Mr.  Kohn  is 
a Republican  in  polities,  has  served  on  the  town  board  four 
years,  and  has  been  clerk  of  school  district  No.  93  for  the  past 
twenty-two  years. 

Nels  J.  Olness,  vice-president  of  the  Farmer’s  State  Bank,  of 
Wanamingo,  since  its  organization,  was  born  in  Norway  May  7, 
1855,  son  of  Jacob  and  Carrie  (Quam)  Olness,  the  latter  of  whom 
died  in  the  late  fifties  and  the  former  of  whom  is  still  living  in 
Norway  at  the  grand  old  age  of  ninety-seven  years.  Nels  J. 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  and  farmed  in  his 
native  country  until  1877,  when  he  came  to  America,  located  in 
Adams  Mower  county,  Minnesota,  and  two  years  later  went  to 
Moorehead,  Clay  county,  this  state,  and  did  farm  and  railroad 
work  for  several  years,  after  which,  in  1879,  he  purchased  a 
quarter-section.  Some  seven  years  later  he  came  to  Cherry 
Grove  and  acquired  145  acres,  to  which  he  afterward  added  by 
purchase  until  he  now  owns  305  acres,  upon  which  he  conducts 
general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  also  owns  seventeen  acres 
of  timber  land  in  Dodge  county,  Minnesota.  In  addition  to  his 
banking  and  farming  interests,  he  lias  been  president  of  the 
Wanamingo  Lumber  Company  since  its  organization,  and  was 
director  in  the  Wanamingo  Creamery  Company  for  twelve  years. 
Politically  he  is  a Republican,  and  has  been  school  director  of 
district  84.  Mr.  Olness  was  married  November  12,  1886,  to  Chris- 
tina Anderson,  who  has  borne  him  four  children:  Josephine 

(deceased),  Annie  J.  (deceased),  Arthur  (deceased)  and  Jacob. 
The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church,  of 
which  Mr.  Olness  has  been  trustee  for  several  years.  Arne  A. 
and  Carrie  Bjorg,  parents  of  Mrs.  Olness,  came  from  Norway  to 
Wisconsin,  and  in  1862  to  Cherry  Grove,  where  they  purchased 
the  farm  where  the  Olness  family  now  resides.  The  father,  who 
served  in  the  Civil  War,  died  in  1894,  and  the  mother  lived  until 
1900,  when  she,  too,  passed  to  her  eternal  reward. 

Relief  0.  Lund,  a retired  farmer  of  Minneola,  was,  born  in 
Norway,  June  28,  1851.  son  of  Ole  and  Jennette  (Opem)  Lund, 
who  emigrated  to  America  in  1857.  After  stopping  at  Red  Wing 
one  month,  they  came  in  March  to  Minneola,  where  they  acquired 
160  acres  of  land,  which  they  broke  and  improved,  following  gen- 
eral farming  until  1879.  At  the  end  of  this  time  they  lived  a 
retired  life  until  Mr.  Lund’s  death,  January  6,  1885.  Mrs.  Lund 
still  lives  with  her  son,  being  ninety-two  years  of  age.  Rollof 
came  to  America  in  1857  with  his  parents,  at  the  age  of  six. 
Receiving  a common  school  education,  he  took  up  farming  with 
his  father  until  1879,  when  he  purchased  the  old  home  farm. 
This,  with  an  addition  of  240  acres,  he  has  continued  to  cultivate, 
erecting  thereon  a pleasant  home  and  a 36x84  barn.  In  1908  he 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


973 


sold'  115  acres  of  his  farm,  leaving  285,  which  he  still  owns. 
Besides  this,  he  owns  320  acres  of  wild  land  in  Edmunds  county, 
South  Dakota.  In  1897,  at  the  opening  of  the  Security  State 
Bank  in  Zumbrota,  Mr.  Lund  was  called  as  its  assistant  cashier, 
which  position  he  faithfully  filled  for  three  years,  after  which  he 
succeeded  Mr.  Noeseth  as  manager  of  the  Farmers’  Elevator  of 
Zumbrota,  a position  which  he  held  for  three  years.  He  then 
removed  to  Wanamingo  village,  at  which  place  he  conducted  an 
elevator  of  his  own  for  one  year,  after  which  he  sold  it  to  the 
Milwaukee  Elevator  Company.  This  company  retained  him  as 
manager  of  the  elevator  for  three  years,  and  he  then  returned  to 
his  farm,  which  is  now  conducted  by  his  son's.  Mr.  Lund  was 
married  May  8,  1879,  to  Johannah  Hembre,  daughter  of  Ole  and 
Anna  Hembre,  natives  of  Norway,  who  located  in  Red  Wing, 
where  Mr.  Hembre  followed  his  trade  as  a carpenter  until  his 
death,  in  1908.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lund  are  the  parents  of  nine  children  : 
Ole,  Nettie,  Oaf,  Inga,  Einar,  Oscar,  Robert,  William  McKinley 
and  Harold.  Of  these,  Inga  teaches  school.  In  politics  Mr. 
Lund  is  a stanch  Republican  and  in  religion  a true  Lutheran. 
He  has  served  in  many  official  capacities,  having  been  supervisor 
of  his  village,  a member  of  the  village  council  and  director  of  his 
school  district,  while  for  many  years  he  was  treasurer  and  one 
of  the  directors  of  Zumbrota  Hospital.  For  sixteen  years  he 
held  the  office  of  treasurer  of  the  Wanamingo,  Cherry  Grove  and 
Minneola  Fire  Insurance  Company,  and  for  seven  years  he  con- 
ducted a creamery  of  his  own  at  Zumbrota.  He  operated  a 
threshing  machine  for  twenty- five  years.  Mr.  Lund’s  life  has 
been  a busy  one  and  the  success  gained  by  him  is  due  to  his  own 
work,  honestly  and  faithfully  performed.  Fie  is  loved  by  his 
friends  and  esteemed  by  all. 

Iver  J.  Lunde,  of  Roscoe  township,  was  born  in  Norway  April 
11,  1843,  son  of  Johannes  and  Karen  (Joranlid)  Lunde,  natives  of 
Norway,  where  the  father  was  a farmer  and  owned  200  acres 
of  land.  He  died  in  1896,  the  mother  having  passed  away  in 
1880.  Iver  J.  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Norway,  completing  his  studies  with  a course  at  a seminary. 
After  leaving  school  he  took  up  teaching  for  five  years,  after 
which  he  emigrated  to  America,  in  1866,  locating  in  Roscoe  town- 
ship, remaining  for  one  year,  during  which  time  he  worked  for 
farmers.  In  1867  he  bought  120  acres  of  land  in  the  township, 
which  he  improved,  erecting  a home,  barn  and  other  buildings 
necessary.  He  also  taught  parochial  school  in  Land’s  church 
for  two  years.  In  1906  he  purchased  120  acres  more  of  improved 
land,  also  eleven  acres  of  timber,  and  carried  on  general  farming. 
Mr.  Lunde  was  married  October  24,  1869,  to  Nicotine  Aasen, 
daughter  of  Hans  and  Marie  (Roste)  Aasen,  natives  of  Norway. 


974 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Both  parents  are  now  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lunde  have  ha,d 
eight  children:  Hilda,  John,  Mary,  and  Norman,  of  Roscoe 

township;  Susie,  married  to  Albert  Peterson,  of  Red  Wood 
county;  Carl,  Gunda,  Josephine  and  Karen  Martha,  deceased. 
Mr.  Lunde  is  a Republican,  and  he  and  liis  family  are  members 
of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  Synod  church. 

Josiah  Lothrop,  formerly  of  Roscoe  township,  now  of  Zum- 
brota,  retired  farmer  and  veteran  of  the  Civil  AVar,  is  of  New 
England  parentage,  but  a native  of  Canada,  born  in  the  province 
of  Quebec  October  15,  1839,  son  of  Howard  and  Olive  (Leavitt) 
Lothrop,  the  former  born  in  Massachusetts  and  the  latter  in  New 
Hampshire.  The  parents  went  to  Canada  in  1817,  and  there  the 
father  engaged  in  farming  until  1852,  when  they  returned  to 
Somerset  county,  Maine,  and  farmed  until  1856.  From  that  year 
until  1860  they  lived  on  a farm  near  La  Crosse,  AVis.  In  Good- 
hue  county,  where  they  next  located,  they  took  up  a quarter- 
section  on  section  10,  Roscoe  township.  They  soon  had  this 
wild  land  broken  and  cultivated  and  in  fine  shape  for  general 
farming,  an  occupation  which  they  followed  for  the  remainder  of 
their  lives.  The  father  laid  down  the  duties  of  life  May  15, 
1883,  and  the  mother  August  10,  1880.  Josiah  Lothrop  received 
his  education  in  AYisconsin  and  Minnesota,  working  as  a farm 
hand  with  his  father  until  1865,  when  he  took  charge  of  the 
home  place.  He  assisted  his  father  with  the  developments,  and 
after  the  latter’s  death  built  a new  home  and  made  other  im- 
provements. AVhile  still  working  for  his  father  he  enlisted  in  the 
LTnion  army,  August  15,  1862.  After  signing  his  enlistment 
papers  in  St.  Paul  he  was  assigned  to  Company  H,  8th  Minne- 
sota Volunteer  Infantry,  with  which  company  he  served  until 
mustered  out  as  corporal,  July  25,  1865.  He  returned  to  St. 
Paul  under  arms,  and  was  discharged  July  25,  1865.  Among 
the  scenes  of  bloody  carnage  in  which  Mr.  Lothrop  participated 
were  the  battles  of  Kill  Deer  Mountain,  August  28,  1864;  Bad 
Lands  (three  days’  engagement)  ; Murfeesboro,  December  5, 
1864;  Nolanville  Pike,  December  7,  1864;  Kingston,  N.  C.,  March 
8,  1865.  Returning  from  the  war,  he  again  took  up  life  on  the 
farm.  He  retired  in  July,  1908,  and  purchased  the  pleasant  home 
in  Zumbrot.a  village  where  he  now  resides.  Mr.  Lothrop  was 
married  December  29,  1867,  to  Sarah  E.  Libbey,  daughter  of 
Charles  AV.  and  Mary  J.  (Mayberry)  Libby,  early  settlers  of 
Roscoe  township.  They  migrated  from  Maine,  their  native  state, 
to  Boone  county,  Illinois,  in  1847,  and  engaged  in  farming  there 
until  1856,  when  they  came  to  Roscoe  township  and  farmed  until 
1865,  when  they  went  to  AVisconsin.  After  three  years  there 
they  removed  to  Kansas  in  1868,  remaining  until  the  end  of  their 
days,  August  5,  1885,  and  February  7,  1900,  respectively.  To 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


975 


Mr.  ancl  Mrs.  Lotlirop  were  born  six  children:  Mary  0.,  born 

October  31,  1868,  is  a school  teacher,  who  has  recently  taken  a 
post-graduate  course  in  the  University  of  Minnesota;  Josiah  Ii. 
was  born  March  20,  1872,  and  lives  on  the  old  homestead;  Charles 
E.,  born  September  7,  1874,  died  January  16,  1890;  Seth  W., 
born  July  10,  1881,  died  January  9,  1883;  Sarah  E.,  born  June 
7,  1886,  is  a stenographer  at  the  University  of  Minnesota,  and 
Hugh  L.,  born  October  19,  1888,  is  a bookkeeper  and  lives  at 
home.  Mr.  Lotlirop  has  occupied  public  office  since  reaching  the 
age  of  twenty-six  years.  He  has  occupied  practically  all  the 
offices  in  Roscoe  township,  including  chairman,  and  is  commander 
of  Scofield  Post,  No.  121,  G.  A.  R.  He  is  an  independent  voter. 
Mrs.  Lothrop,  who  comes  of  an  old  family,  is  a member  of  the 
Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution,  a charter  member  of  the 
Woman’s  Relief  Corps  and  a member  of  the  Eastern  Star.  The 
Lotlirops  take  an  active  interest  in  everything  that  is  improving 
and  ennobling. 

Charles  0.  Roe,  the  efficient  manager  of  the  Farmers’  Elevator 
Company,  at  Kenyon,  is  a native  of  this  state,  born  in  Lyon 
county,  Minnesota,  August  5,  1873.  His  parents,  Ole  and  Dena 
(Loken)  Roe,  natives  of  Hedemarken,  Norway,  came  to  America 
in  the  early  sixties  and  located  in  Wanamingo  township  two 
years.  They  then  went  to  Lyon  county,  homesteaded  160  acres 
of  land,  and  on  this  farm,  which  they  broke  and  improved,  car- 
ried' on  general  farming  for  several  years.  Later  they  returned 
to  Wanamingo  township,  where  the  father  died  in  1874.  The 
mother  now  makes  her  home  in  Kenyon.  Charles  0.  received  a 
common  school  education  and  took  up  farming  on  a place  which 
he  rented  in  Holden  township.  His  first  experience  in  the  grain 
business  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Farmers’  Elevator  Company, 
of  Kenyon,  with  whom  he  remained  eight  years.  He  then 
worked  at  the  same  business  as  manager  of  the  Farmers’  Ele- 
vator at  Ellendale,  Steele  county,  this  state,  and  in  the  fall  of 
1905  located  in  Wanamingo,  where  he  remained  until  August  1, 
1909,  when  he  took  his  present  position.  As  an  elevator  manager 
he  has  given  much  satisfaction,  and  is  highly  regarded  by  all 
with  whom  he  has  business  relations.  In  the  past  four  years  he 
has  taken  an  interest  in  the  business  growth  of  the  village  of 
Wanamingo,  and  is  a director  of  the  Farmers’  State  Bank,  sec- 
retary of  the  Farmers’  Mutual  Telephone  Company,  of  Wana- 
mingo, and  secretary  of  the  Wanamingo  Lumber  Company.  Mr. 
Roe  was  married  in  September,  1899,  at  Faribault,  to  Caroline 
Kleven,  daughter  of  Thomas  Kleven,  of  Kenyon.  To  this  union 
have  been  born  two  daughters,  Lillian  Othelia  and  Dorothy 
Evelyn,  the  former  born  August  20,  1900,  and  the  latter  June 


976 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


28,  1905.  Mr.  Roe  is  a Republican,  ancl  belongs  to  the  I.  0.  0.  F., 
at  Kenyon.  The  family  worships  at  the  Lutheran  church. 

Rev.  Gunder  S.  Froiland,  pastor  of  Lands’  and  Minneola  con- 
gregations of  the  United  Norwegian  Evangelical  Lutheran 
church,  is  an  ideal  village  pastor  in  every  particular,  the  father 
of  his.  people,  eloquent  in  the  pulpit,  comforting  and  encoui'aging 
in  family  life,  and  an  insipration  at  all  times  toward  those  things 
for  which  the  church  stands.  He, was  born  in  Stavanger,  Norway, 
January  13,  ] 867, .son  of  the  pioneers,  Sven  and  Rachel  Froiland, 
natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1869,  and  remained 
in  Fillmore  county,  Minnesota,  until  1873,  when  they  went  to 
Brookings  county,  in  what  was  then  Dakota  territory,  being 
among  the  first,  settlers  there.  With  true  pioneer  vigor  and 
energy  they  homesteaded  160  acres,  which  they  at  once  brought 
under  cultivation.  The  father  remained  on  this  homestead  and 
farmed  until  his  death,  December  1,  1896.  The  mother  is  still 
living  on  the  home  farm.  Gunder  S.  was  brought  to  this  country 
by  his  parents  in  1869  and  has  consequently  spent  almost  his 
entire  life  in  this  country.  He  received  his  preliminary  train- 
ing in  the  schools  of  his  native  county  and  in  1883  entered  the 
Augustana  College,  at  Beloit,  Iowa.  He  went  with  this  college 
when  it  was  removed  to  Canton,  S.  D.,  and  graduated  in  189], 
Thus  equipped  with  a thorough  classical  education,  he  took  up 
his  theological  training  at  Minneapolis,  studying  two  years  in  the 
Augsburg  Seminary  and  one  year  in  the  United  Church  Sem- 
inary. He  graduated  in  1891,  and  was  ordained  June  17  of  the 
same  year.  His  first  charges  were  in  Chippewa  county,  Minne- 
sota, where  he  faithfully  and  satisfactorily  served  the  Milan  and 
Watson  congregations  until  1908,  when  he  received  a call  to  the 
pastorate  of  his  present  churches.  These  churches  have  a com- 
bined membership  of  about  1,450  souls,  making  a very  busy  life 
indeed  for  the  pastor.  In  addition  to  his  pastoral  duties,  Rev. 
Froiland  served  for  several  years  as  elder  of  the  Montevidio 
circuit.  The  Froiland  home  is  filled  with  a goodly  number  of 
bright-faced  children.  Sven,  born  March  24,  1895,  and  Martinus, 
born  April  11,  1897,  are  the  children  of  Molla  Teterud,  whom 
Rev.  Froiland  married  July  6,  1894,  and  who  died  April  19, 
1897.  He  was  married  the  second  time  May  3,  1899,  at  Milan, 
Minn.,  to  Alma  Gorcler,  by  whom  he  has  five  children:  Marius, 
born  February  26,  1900 ; Gerhard,  born  January  9,  1902;  Rudolph, 
born  March  1,  1904;  Margaret,  born  June  13,  1906,  and  Alfred, 
born  August  14,  1908. 

John  Banks  conducts  the  family  homestead  in  Leon  township, 
which  has  not  changed  hands  since  it  was  first  pre-empted  in 
1858.  He  was  born  in  Sweden  May  3,  1843,  son  of  Bengt  Ander- 
son and  Anna  Anderson,  who  came  to  America  in  the  early  days 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


977 


and  lived  for  a time  in  Chicago  and  La  Crosse.  Then  they  came 
up  the  river  to  what  was  then  the  little  village  of  Red  Wing, 
and  in  1858  came  to  Leon  township  and  took  up  a claim,  where 
they  erected  a log  cabin,  and  started  breaking  the  tough  prairie 
glebe.  They  were  hard  at  work  developing  the  place  when  came 
the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War.  Filled  with  love  for  his  adopted 
country,  John  Banks  enlisted  August  21,  1862,  as  a private,  and 
later  was  promoted  to  corporal.  Company  D,  10th  Minnesota 
Volunteer  Infantry,  in  which  he  served,  was  stationed  at  frontier 
posts  until  June,  1863,  when  ordered  on  the  Indian  expedition. 
It  engaged  with  the  Indians  July  26  and  28,  1863,  and  was 
ordered  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  October,  1863,  thence  to  Columbus, 
Ivy.,  April,  1864;  thence  to  Memphis,  Tenn.,  June,  1864,  and  as- 
signed to  the  16th  Army  Corps,  in  which  it  did  valiant  service 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  being  discharged  at  Fort  Snelling 
August  19,  1865.  Mr.  Banks  then  returned  to  the  old  homestead, 
and  after  a few  years  took  entire  charge  of  the  place,  making 
a home  for  his  parents  until  the  time  of  their  death.  On  this 
place  he  has  made  many  improvements,  and  a neat  house  and 
comfortable  barns  take  the  place  of  the  original  log  cabin.  Mr. 
Banks  was  married  in  1867  to  Anna  Anderson,  daughter  of 
Andrew  Anderson,  a farmer  of  Cannon  Falls,  now  deceased.  This 
union  was  blessed  with  eleven  children,  of  whom  eight  are  alive, 
namely:  Charles,  Hannah,  Thelda,  Julius,  Henry,  James,  George 
and  Frank.  The  dead  are:  Jennie,  Mary  and  Bernhardt.  Al- 

though a consistent  Republican,  Mr.  Banks  has  not  cared  to  seek 
political  preferment,  but  being  the  father  of  a large  family  and 
interested  in  education,  he  has  served  several  terms  as  a member 
of  the  school  board. 

R.  P.  Brandvold,  for  the  past  twenty-one  years  secretary  of  the 
Leon  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Coriipany,  was  born  in  Norway  June 
24,  1859,  and  came  to  America  with  his  parents,  P.  R.  and  Kirste 
A.  Brandvold,  in  1873,  when  but  fourteen  years  of  age.  The  family 
settled  at  once  in  Leon  township,  section  19,  where  they  pur- 
chased sixty  acres  of  land,  which  later  passed  into  the  hands  of 
the  son,  R.  P.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  in  their  latter 
years  cared  for  his  father  and  mother  until  their  deaths,  in  1893 
and  1894,  respectively.  In  the  family  there  were  six  children : 
Guri  died  in  1901 ; Annie  lives  in  Polk  county,  near  Crookston, 
Minn.;  Petra  married  Iver  Monson,  a farmer  in  Wanamingo 
township;  R.  P.  was  the  fourth  child;  Albert  is  a merchat  in 
Clay  county,  Minnesota,  and  Carrie  died  when  young.  R.  P. 
Brandvold  was  brought  up  on  the  farm  and  lived  on  the  home 
place  until  about  ten  years  ago,  when  he  sold  the  homestead  and 
moved  to  a place  about  one  mile  away,  where  he  has  ten  acres, 
upon  which  he  does  a little  general  farming,  chicken  raising  and 


978 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


dairying.  He  lias  been  justice  of  the  peace  six  years,  supervisor 
of  the  township  three  years  and  treasurer  of  school  district  No. 
52  for  six  years.  In  many  other  ways  he  lias  shown  his  deep 
interest  in  the  public  and  political  welfare  of  the  township.  Mr. 
Brandvold  was  married  in  1887  to  Lukris  Wangen,  daughter  of 
Andrew  and  Annie  Wangen,  natives  of  Norway,  Avho  came  to 
Leon  township  in  1869  and  became  well  known  citizens.  The 
father  died  in  1893  and  the  mother  is  still  living  on  the  old  home- 
stead in  Leon  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brandvold  have  no  chil- 
dren. Mr.  Brandvold  has  been  trustee  and  treasurer  of  Urland 
Norwegian  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  for  the  past  six  years. 
From  1891  to  1898  he  was  also  engaged  in  the  general  merchan- 
dise business  in  company  with  his  brother  at  Sogn,  Minn. 

Osmund  J.  Wing’  was  born  in  Norway  November  15,  1812,  and 
upon  coming  to  America  located  in  Illinois.  In  1856  he  moved  to 
Wanamingo  township  and  settled  on  a piece  of  land  which  now 
consists  of  320  acres.  He  was  town  supervisor  for  a number 
of  years,  and  in  1875  was  appointed  postmaster  and  served  for 
some  time.  He  was  president  of  the  Aspelund  Society  and  one 
of  the  organizers  of  the  First  State  Bank  of  Zumbrota,  of  which 
he  was  first  president,  and  held  that  office  at  the  time  of  its 
consolidation  with  the  Security  State  Bank,  in  1909.  Fie  is  now 
president  of  the  Wanamingo,  Cherry  Grove  and  Minneola  Mutual 
Fire  Insurance  Company,  as  he  has  been  for  many  years  past. 
He  also  served  in  the  state  senate  in  1895  and  1897,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  state  board  of  equalization  for  many  years.  He 
was  married  to  Susan  Nelson  June  11,  1869,  and  to  this  union 
were  born  five  children,  Sarah  J.,  Henry,  Martha  M.,  John  G. 
and  Emma.  J.  Mrs.  Wing  is  dead.  Mr.  Wing,  retired  from  active 
work  several  years  ago,  and  has  continued  to  live  on  the  old 
homestead,  which  is  now  conducted  by  his  son. 

John  G.  Wing,  son  of  Osmund  AVing,  was  born  July  21,  1876, 
on  the  farm  which  he  now  conducts,  and  here  he  has  spent  prac- 
tically his  entire  life.  In  an  educational  way  he  had  the  advan- 
tages of  training  in  the  common  schools  of  AVanamingo  and  in  an 
academy  at  Minneapolis,  and  in  1896  he  took  a trip  to  Europe, 
adding  materially  to  the  fund  of  information  which  he  received 
in  school.  Since  1902  he  has  conducted  the  home  farm,  making 
a specialty  of  horses,  particularly  those  of  the  Percheron  breed. 
By  Edna  A.  Fuller,  daughter  of  A.  H.  Fuller,  of  Ottawa,  111., 
whom  he  married  May  10,  1905,  he  has  had  two  children : Susan, 
Avho  died  in  infancy,  and  Aurette  J.,  born  August  1,  1907.  The 
family  faith  is  that  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church. 

C.  A.  Sargent,  a dairy  farmer  living  about  a mile  out  of  Red 
AVing,  in  Burnside  township,  where  he  has  a pleasant  home  and 
an  excellent  grazing  farm,  is  the  son  of  one  of  the  earliest  set- 


HISTORY  OF  GOOHFIHE  COUNTY 


979 


tiers  of  the  county.  His  father,  E.  A.  Sargent  (married  to  Abbie 
Currier)  was  a shoemaker  in  Massachusetts,  and  came  to  Good- 
hue  county  in  1856,  locating  in  Leon  township.  His  name  is 
still  prominent  in  the  early  annals  of  that  section  of  the  county. 
In  1857  he  built  a store  and  stocked  it  with  merchandise,  and 
on  July  5,  1858,  the  first  town  meeting  of  Leon  was  held  in  his 
store,  he  being  the  clerk  of  election.  He  also  served  several 
terms  as  town  clerk.  He  was  also  county  commissioner  at  one 
time.  After  farming  many  years  he  moved  to  St.  Paul  and  took 
up  the  real  estate  business,  ending  his  days  in  that  city,  in  1900. 
His  wife  died  in  1877.  C.  A.  was  born  January  17,  1850,  in  the 
historic  town  of  Haverhill,  Mass.,  and  there  spent  his  early 
childhood,  being  brought  to  this  county  by  his  parents  in  early 
boyhood,  his  father  having  preceded  the  rest  of  the  family  by  a 
few  months.  His  education  was  obtained  in  the  common  schools 
of  his  neighborhood  and  in  the  schools  of  Red  Wing.  For  one 
year  he  was  a grocer,  but  aside  from  that,  has  spent  his  life  as  a 
farmer.  He  does  some  general  farming,  but  makes  a specialty  of 
dairying,  keeping  some  forty-five  cows  and  retailing  milk  in 
the  city  of  Red  Wing.  In  addition  to  other  improvements,  Mr. 
Sargent  has  sunk  a 440-foot,  artesian  well,  which  supplies  his 
household  and  stock  with  pure,  fresh  water.  A Prohibitionist 
m politics,  he  has  been  town  chairman  two  years  and  clerk  of 
his  school  district,  which  latter  position  he  still  occupies.  He 
is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  is  also  a member 
of  the  Foresters  at  Red  AAung.  On  October  7,  1874,  C.  A.  Sargent 
was  married  to  Rose  C.  Hart,  daughter  of  W.  B.  and  Clarissa 
(Stone)  Hart,  who  came  from  New  York  in  1870.  Her  father 
was  a farmer  and  jeweler,  and  died  in  1896.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sar- 
gent have  been  blessed  with  ten  children,  Waverly  B.,  Edwin  W., 
Fred  W.,  Luverne  M.,  Forrest  II.,  Ray  L.,  Clara  A.,  Plato  E., 
Lee  W.  and  Cecil  C. 

S.  H.  Purdy,  who  carries  on  general  farming  on  a place  of 
170  acres  in  Burnside  township,  traces  his  ancestry  back  to  the 
founder  of  the  Purdy  family,  who  settled  in  New  York  state  in 
1771.  He  was  born  in  Goodhue  township,  this  county,  January 
5,  1873,  son  of  David  and  Mary  F.  (Rolfe)  Purdy.  The  father 
was  born  in  New  York  state  January  16,  1840,  and  the  mother  in 
the  same  state  January  7,  1841.  They  came  west  in  1859  and 
settled  first  in  Goodhue  township,  where  they  lived  until  1875, 
when  they  moved  to  Burnside  township,  on  a farm  now  occu- 
pied by  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  David  Purdy 
had  four  children,  Anna  (deceased),  Jennie  S.  IT.  and  AY  H. 
S.  H.  Purdy  attended  the  common  schools  and  the  high  school 
at  Red  AVing,  afterward  teaching  school  two  terms.  Of  this  he 
made  a success,  but  decided  that  he  preferred  to  make  farming 


980 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


His  life  work.  In  1897  he  also  tried  the  livery  business  in  Red 
Wing  for  a time,  hut  again  returned  to  the  farm,  where  he  has 
since  remained.  He  belongs  to  the  United  Workmen  and  the 
Foresters  and  votes  the  Democratic  ticket.  Mr.  Purdy  was  mar- 
ried in  1891  to  Anna  M.  Ceder,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Hannah 
(Ferrig)  Ceder,  who  settled  in  this  county  in  1873,  the  father 
being  now  a retired  shoemaker.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Purdy  have 
been  born  five  children,  in  the  order  named : Howard  IF,  David 
W.,  Myron  C.,  Dorothy  M.  and  Evelyn  A. 

Thomas  W.  Lally,  who,  with  John.  McNamara,  is  owner,  pro- 
prietor and  manager  of  the  Lally  & McNamara  hardware  store, 
in  the  village  of  Goodhue,  was  born  in  Red  AVing  October  9, 
1859,  and  spent  his  boyhood  in  Belle  Creek  township,  where  he 
received  his  early  education  and  remained  until  1890,  when  he 
entered  the  employ  of  N.  K.  Simmons,  of  Red  AYing,  as  a grain 
buyer,  being  located  in  Clay  Bank  and  Goodhue.  In  1901  he  en- 
gaged in  the  hardware  business  with  Charles  E.  Perkins  and 
Andrew  Chalmers,  continuing  this  partnership  until  February, 
1905,  when  the  Perkins  and  Chalmers  interests  were  purchased 
by  John  McNamara,  since  which  time  the  present  partnership 
has  continued.  The  firm  carries  a full  line  of  hardware,  build- 
ing material,  farming  implements  and  wagons  and  carriages. 
The  partners  also  conduct  a tinning  and  plumbing  department  in 
connection  with  their  business.  Mr.  Lally,  who  is  an  independent 
voter,  served  as  assessor  of  Belle  Creek  seven  years  and  has 
been  assessor  of  Goodhue  ten  years.  Being  a man  of  sociable 
instincts,  he  belongs  both  to  the  United  Workmen  and  the  Com- 
mercial Club.  On  February  3,  1890,  he  was  married  to  Agnes 
M.  Doyle,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Lyons)  Doyle,  who 
located  in  Belle  Creek  among  the  first  settlers.  Her  father  was 
killed  by  lightning  in  1872,  and  her  mother  died  in  September, 
1897.  Eight  children  have  blessed  the  Lally  home.  John  AVill- 
iam,  born  February  22,  1891,  is  in  the  store  with  his  father. 
Thomas  Walter,  Jr.,  born  January  16,  1893,  is  taking  a course 
in  the  college  at  Prairie  du  Cliien.  The  others,  all  of  whom  are 
at  home,  are : Mabel  Ann,  born  January  13,  1895 ; Marie  Agnes, 
born  December  5,  1897 ; Gertrude  Louise,  born  February  11,  1900; 
Florence  Madeline,  born  January  6,  1902;  Dorris  Genevieve,  born 
May  30,  1904,  and  Helen  Luceil,  born  September  3,  1906.  The 
family  faith  is  that  of  the  Catholic  church.  The  parents  of 
Thomas  W.  Lally  were  John  and  Anna  (Maloy)  Lally,  the  former 
of  whom,  after  coming  to  America  from  Ireland  in  1846,  lived 
in  New  York  and  Ohio  for  a time,  and  then  located  in  Red 
Wing  in  1856,  working  on  a lime  kiln  until  1860,  when  he  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  of  land  in  Belle  Creek  and  carried  on  general 
farming  operations  very  successfully  until  his  death,  December 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


981 


23,  1868.  His  wife  died  November  16,  1879.  In  the  family  were 
six  children:  -John  H.,  born  May  31,  1853,  died  at  the  age  of 
five  years ; Frank,  born  February  22,  1857,  died  at  the  age  of 
ten  years;  Thomas  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Daniel,  born 
February  14,  1861,  lives  at  Belle  Creek;  Mary,  born  February 
16,  1863,  died  April  17,  1898;  Susan,  born  October  3,  1867,  mar- 
ried John  McNamara,  who  is  Mr.  Daily’s  partner  in  the  hardware 
business. 

Carl  Albert  Swenson  was  born  in  Roscoe  township  December 
30,  1875,  son  of  Peter  J.  and  Mollie  (Okelberg)  Swenson,  natives 
of  Norway  and  Sweden.  Carl  received  his  education  in  the 
schools  of  the  township  and  the  high  school  of  Zumbrota,  com- 
pleting his  studies  with  a course  in  a business  college  at  Red 
Wing.  After  leaving  school  he  took  up  farming.  To  his  original 
farm  of  120  acres  he  has  added  eighty  acres,  and  now  carries  on 
general  farming  and  stock  raising  with  considerable  success.  He 
was  married  June  27,  1899,  to  Lena  Lunde,  daughter  of  Bernt 
and  Inger  (Goplin)  Lunde,  natives  of  Norway.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Swenson  have  had  two  children:  John  R.,  born  May  11,  1900, 

and  Sigvald  Victor,  born  March  30,  1905  (deceased).  Mr.  Swen- 
son is  one  of  the  rising  young  men  of  Roscoe  township,  and  takes 
an  active  interest  in  the  affairs  of  his  community.  He  is  an  inde- 
pendent voter,  and  has  served  as  clerk  of  the  school  board  for 
the  past  twelve  years.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran 
church. 

Martin  Swee  was  born  in  Pine  Island  township,  February  9, 
1881,  son  of  Arnt  and  Relia  Swee,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came 
to  America  in  1874,  located  in  Pine  Island  township  and  engaged 
in  farming.  Later  they  purchased  160  acres  of  improved  land  in 
Cherry  Grove  township,  where  they  still  reside.  Martin  received 
his  education  in  the  Pine  Island  high  school,  then  took  a two 
years’  course  in  the  Austin  business  college,  after  which  he  at- 
tended the  Minnesota  State  Agricultural  college  at  Minneapolis. 
He  then  came  to  Wanamingo,  and  for  two  years  worked  at  dray- 
ing.  In  1904  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  creamery,  where  he  is 
now  engaged  as  assistant  manager  and  chief  butter  maker.  Mr. 
Swee  was  married  November  14.  1908,  to  Cora  H.  Haller,  daughter 
of  Ole  and  Mary  ‘(Thompson)  Haller,  the  former  a native  of 
Sweden  and  the  latter  of  Norwegian  descent.  They  live  in  Wana- 
mingo township,  doing  general  farming.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  is  a Republican  in  politics  and  is  a member  of  the  Lutheran 
church.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Modern  Samaritans  of  his 
village.  He  is  a good  citizen  and  has  made  all  by  his  own  efforts. 

Andrew  B.  Haller,  of  Wanamingo  township,  is  a native  of 
Wernland,  Sweden,  born  April  2,  1850,  son  of  Bjorn  and  Martha 
Anderson,  who  brought  their  family  to  America  in  1868  and  lo- 


982  HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 

cated  in  Wanamingo  township,  living  for  the  first  five  years  in  a 
dugout.  They  then  purchased  forty  acres  in  section  13  from 
Henry  Brown,  and  followed  general  farming  many  years,  the 
father  also  practicing  his  trade  as  a tailor.  He  died  June  15,  1899, 
and  the  mother  June  7,  1901.  Andrew  B.  Haller  received  his  edu- 
cation in  his  native  country  and  came  to  America  with  his  par- 
ents. He  assisted  in  purchasing  and  developing  the  homestead 
and  upon  the  death  of  his  father  came  into  possession  of  the  home 
place,  which  he  has  since  conducted,  carrying  on  general  farming. 
He  is  a Republican  in  politics,  and  although  a faithful  adherent 
of  that  party,  has  never  cared  to  seek  public  office.  In  the  family, 
aside  from  Andrew  B.,  there  were  nine  brothers  and  sisters. 
Inge.borg  is  the  wife  of  Ole  Gunderson,  of  Red  Wing.  Mary  is  the 
Avife  of  John  Johnson,  of  Red  Wing.  Nels  lives  in  Lac  qui  Parle 
county.  Ole  lives  Avith  Andrerv  B.  at  home.  Christine  is  the  wife 
of  Andrew  Johnson,  of  Alexandria,  Minn.,  and  John  Martin,  An- 
ton and  Carrie  are  all  on  a farm  in  Canada.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  is  an  honest,  law-abiding  citizen,  Avell  esteemed  in  the  com- 
munity where  he  has  made  his  home. 

Frank  T.  O’Gorman,  one  of  the  rising  young  practitioners  of 
this  county,  is  a native  of  Belle  Creek  township,  born  August  27, 
1874.  He  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  neighbor- 
hood, and  after  completing  the  course  taught  in  the  grades, 
graduated  from  the  high  school  at  Cannon  Falls  in  1900.  Like 
many  other  men  of  his  profession,  he  laid  the  foundation  of  his 
career  by  teaching  school  tAvo  years,  and  then  entered  the  law 
department  of  the  State  University,  from  which  he  Avas  gradu- 
ated in  1905.  As  a preliminary  to  starting  out  for  himself,  he 
practiced  one  year  Avith  the  la.Av  firm  of  C.  I).  and  Thomas  D. 
O’Brien,  of  St.  Paul.  April  1,  1906,  he  came  to  Goodhue,  and 
opened  an  office,  entering  at  once  upon  a legal  career  of  success 
and  prosperity.  He  is  honest,  able  and  fluent,  an  ideal  country 
laAvyer  in  every  respect.  A Democrat  in  politics,  he  has  served 
as  justice  of  the  peace  and  has  been  a candidate  for  the  office  of 
county  attorney.  In  fraternal  eireles  he  has  affiliated  himself 
with  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  the  Yeomen,  the  Catholic  Foresters 
and  the  Commercial  Club,  in  all  of  which  he  has  taken  an  active 
part.  John  O’Gorman,  father  of  Attorney  O’Gorman,  Avas  born 
in  Ireland  and  came  to  America  in  1841,  and  engaged  in  the  livery 
business  in  Racine,  Wis.,  until  1849,  when  he  went  to  California, 
with  the  gold  rush,  and  prospected  five  years.  In  1854  he  re- 
turned to  Wisconsin,  and  lived  in  Portage  until  1865,  Avhen  he 
located  in  Belle  Creek  township  and  purchased  160  acres  of  land, 
which  he  later  increased  to  480  acres,  managing  this  large  farm 
until  his  death,  July  7,  1890.  His  Avife  died  April  27,  1906.  In 
the  family  Avere  fourteen  children : Catherine,  now  Mrs.  William 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


983 


Loftus,  of  Minneapolis;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John  O’Neal;  William, 
a farmer  of  Belle  Creek  township;  John,  who  died  in  infancy; 
Sarah,  now  Mrs.  Thomas  0 'Reilly,  of  Goodhue  township ; Charles, 
living  on  the  old  homestead;  George  M.,  a railroad  agent,  who 
died  July  18,  1904;  Henry,  a railroad  agent  at  Bowman,  N.  D. ; 
Anna,  now  Mrs.  Thomas  McHugh,  of  Litchfield,  Minn. ; Edward, 
a farmer  of  Belle  Creek ; Theresa,  now  Mrs.  Fred  Hutchinson,  of 
Featherstone ; Frank  T.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Joseph,  who 
lives  at  home,  and  Benjamin,  who  also  lives  at  home.  All  the 
members  of  the  family  are  highly  regarded  in  the  respective  com- 
munities wherein  they  reside. 

Edward  L.  Sudheimer,  master  mechanic  for  the  local  branch 
of  the  Great  Western  railroad,  is  a native  of  this  state,  born  in 
Ramsey  county,  near  St.  Paul,  April  21,  1878.  His  parents, 
Charles  J.  Sudheimer  and  Katherine  Simons  Sudheimer,  natives 
respectively  of  Germany  and  France,  came  to  America  in  1849 
and  settled  in  Carver  county,  Minnesota.  There  the  father  re- 
mained several  years,  engaged  in  the  crockery  business.  In  1851 
he  came  up  the  river  with  the  intention  of  settling  on  the  spot 
that  is  now  Reel  Wing,  but  finding  the  Indians  still  in  possession, 
he  continued  his  trip  up  the  river  and  took  up  his  home  in  Ramsey 
county.  He  retired  in  December,  1904,  and  both  he  and  his  wife 
now  make  their  home  in  St.  Paul.  Edward  L.  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  and  high  schools,  and  his  technical  training  in 
the  University  of  Minnesota,  where  he  took  the  course  in  me- 
chanical and  electrical  engineering.  He  worked  two  years  for 
the  Northern  Pacific,  then  in  1900  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Great  Western.  March  1,  1908,  he  received  liis  present  appoint- 
ment and  came  to  Red  Wing.  Mr.  Sudheimer  is  a Mason  and  an 
Elk,  and  while  at  the  University  served  as  captain  of  the  cadet 
corps.  He  was  married,  in  October,  1907,  to  Charlotte  Shipley,  of 
St.  Paul,  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Catherine  Shipley,  the  former 
of  whom  is  a paving  contractor  in  St.  Paul.  It  is  worthy  of  note 
that  Mrs.  Sudheimer ’s  grandfather,  on  her  mother’s  side,  was  an 
admiral  in  the  English  navy.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sudheimer  has 
been  born  one  son,  Lewis,  March  13,  1909. 

J.  M.  R,  Olmstad,  of  Leon  township,  is  a fine  type  of  the  edu- 
cated farmer,  combining  knowledge  of  farming  operations  with 
a goodly  store  of  classical  learning.  He  is  a native  product  of 
this  county,  born  in  Leon  township,  September  29,  1874,  son  of 
R.  J.  and  Perina  (Otterness)  Olmstad,  natives  of  Norway,  who 
located  in  Chicago  in  1853.  After  remaining  there  three  years 
they  came  to  Reel  Wing,  making  the  trip  up  the  river  aboard 
one  of  the  old  Mississippi  steamboats.  After  looking  about  a 
short  time  they  came  to  Leon  township  and  homesteaded  their 
present  farm.  At  once  upon  their  arrival  here  they  put  up  a log 


984 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


cabin,  hauling-  all  their  lumber  from  Red  Wing  by  ox  team.  They 
also  conveyed  their  grain  to  that  city  by  the  same  means.  In  the 
family  there  are  six  sons  and  daughters.  The  mother  is  deceased, 
but  the  father  is  still  living,  having  reached  the  age  of  seventy- 
seven  years.  J.  M.  R.  Olmstad  received  his  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools,  and  then  took  a two  years’  course  in  St.  Olaf’s  Col- 
lege, and  later  two  years  in  Carlton  College.  Upon  his  return  he 
took  up  farming  on  the  home  place,  where  he  still  remains.  The 
family  estate  consists  of  453  acres,  all  in  Leon  township.  Of  this 
300  acres  is  under  the  plow,  and  on  this  rich  land  the  family  car- 
ries on  general  farming,  making  a specialty  of  high  grade  cattle 
and  hogs.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  has  served  for  six  years  as 
town  clerk,  and  his  father  • was  at  one  time  supervisor.  The 
Olmstad  farm  is  well  developed  and  improved  and  has  many  neat 
buildings,  making  the  place  well  suited  for  agricultural  pursuits 
along  the  latest  approved  methods. 

Oscar  R.  Wermuth,  the  leading  furrier  of  Red  Wing,  having 
an  establishment  located  on  Main  street,  is  a German  by  birth, 
having  first  seen  the  light  of  day  in  the  German  empire,  Novem- 
ber 24,  1873.  His  father,  William  Wermuth,  and  his  mother, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Augusta  Fredricka,  came  to  America  in 
1879  and  lived  about  seven  years  in  Chicago,  the  father  working 
at  his  trade  as  furrier.  They  then  located  at  St.  Paul,  where 
William  Wermuth  opened  a fur  establishment,  remaining  in  this 
business  until  his  death,  April  11,  1907.  The  mother  died  Febru- 
ary 11,  1907.  Oscar  R.  went  through  the  public  and  high  schools 
of  St.  Paul  and  also  took  a course  ip  manual  training.  At  the 
age  of  nineteen  he  started  in  life  for  himself  as  a clerk  in  the 
“Standard”  office,  remaining  seven  years.  Another  year,  during 
which  time  he  was  employed  as  clerk  in  the  Minnesota  Club,  com- 
pleted his  residence  in  St.  Paul.  He  came  to  Red  Wing  in  the 
fall  of  1896,  and  with  his  father  as  partner  opened  a fur  dealing 
establishment  on  Plum  street.  This  firm  was  later  changed  to 
O.  R.  Wermuth  & Co.,  with  Oscar  R.  Wermuth  and  Fred  A.  Busch 
as  partners.  This  business  Mr.  Wermuth  has  since  continued, 
the  store  now  being  on  Main  street.  The  business  is  constantly 
increasing,  and  Mr.  Wermuth  handles  not  only  the  finest  goods 
but  also  has  the  select  trade  of  Red  Wing  and  the  surrounding 
country.  Mr.  Wermuth  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  belongs 
to  the  Woodmen,  the  United  Workmen,  the  Yeomen,  the  Elks, 
the  Red  Men,  the  Samaritans,  the  Union  Commercial  Travelers 
and  the  Red  Wing  Commercial  Club.  He  served  four  years  as  a 
member  of  Company  G.  Oscar  R.  Wermuth  was  married  June 
26,  1901,  to  Elizabeth  C.  Metzler,  of  Rect  Wing,  daughter  of 
Daniel  and  Bertha  (Denslage)  Metzler,  the  former  of  whom,  a 
native  of  Germany,  was  a Red  Wing  brewer.  He  died  July  27, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


985 


1906.  The  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W ermuth  has  been  blessed  with 
one  daughter,  Helen  Maria,  born  March  11,  1901.  Mr.  Wermuth 
is  a member  of  the  German  Lutheran  and  his  wife  of  the  Roman 
Catholic  church. 

Charles  J.  Whipple,  a prosperous  farmer  of  Zumbrota  town- 
ship, was  born  in  Madison  county,  New  York,  September  10,  1846, 
son  of  Michael  and  Mary  (Eddy)  Whipple,  natives  and  prominent 
farmers  of  New  York  state.  The  father  died  in  1870  and  the 
mother  in  1856.  Charles  J.  received  his  education  in  New  York 
state,  after  which  he  took  up  farming  near  Rochester,  N.  Y., 
until  coming  west  in  1865.  In  Zumbrota  township,  February  18, 
1886,  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  and  later  eighty  acres  ad- 
joining this,  which  lie' has  broken  and  improved.  Besides  this 
160  acres,  he  has  160  acres  in  Wabasha  county.  Mr.  Whipple  was 
married  in  February,  1866,  to  Laura  Nichols,  daughter  of  Harsha 
Nichols,  a prominent  farmer  of  Zumbrota.  The  children  by  this 
wife  were:  Charles,  Lewis  and  Mary,  deceased ; Clarence,  who  is 
engaged  in  farming  at  West  Concord,  Minn. ; and  Wallace,  who  is 
at  Zumbrota  Falls,  Minn.  After  the  death  of  the  mother  of  these 
children,  the  father  was  married  in  1883  to  Mary  Colling,  daugh- 
ter of  Charles  Colling,  a furniture  manufacturer  at  Mazeppa. 
She  died  March  7,  1897.  By  this  union  there  were  nine  children: 
Marvin,  who  is  at  South  Troy,  Wabasha  county;  William,  who  is 
in  Wabasha  county;  Martha,  who  is  at  home;  Dolly,  who  is  in 
Olmsted  county;  George,  Nellie,  John,  Elsie  and  Edna  are  at 
home.  Mr.  Whipple  is  an  independent  Republican  in  politics  and 
the  family  are  worshipers  at  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He 
has  served  on  the  school  board  in  his  district.  Mr.  Whipple  is  a 
hard-working,  conscientious  man  and  well  deserves  the  success 
he  has  gained. 

Charles  Pierpont,  proprietor  of  a tinning  shop  and  well  drill- 
ing works  at  120  East  Fifth  street,  is  of  eastern  birth,  having 
first  seen  the  light  of  day  in  North  Adams,  Mass.,  September  5, 
1841.  His  father,  Levi  Pierpont  (married  to  Jane  Wright,  of 
New  York  state),  was  a machinist  by  trade  and  lived  and  died  in 
Massachusetts.  Charles  received  a grammar  school  education  in 
North  Adams,  and  after  leaving  school  learned  the  trade  of  tin- 
ner. Apprenticeship  in  those  days  meant  far  different  from  what 
it  does  at  the  present  time,  and  during  the  three  years  when  Mr. 
Pierpont  was  learning  the  trade  he  received  in  all  but  $150,  $25 
the  first  year,  $50  the  second  year  and  $75  the  third.  But  he 
learned  the  work  well,  and  after  completing  the  three  years  was 
an  expert  tinner  of  a proficiency  that  more  modern  systems  of 
apprenticeship  do  not  produce.  After  working  at  his  trade  in 
Durand,  Wis.,  from  1867  to  1874,  he  came  to  Red  Wing,  and  en- 
tered the  employ  of  Nelson  and  Peterson,  with  whom  he  remained 


986 


HISTORY  OR  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


about  eleven  years.  In  1886  he  looked  over  the  field  and  deter- 
mined that  the  time  was  ripe  for  another  tinning  concern  in  the 
city.  He  accordingly  opened  an  establishment  of  his  own,  which 
he  has  since  continued.  He  employs  a force  of  men  the  year 
around,  and  the  rush  reason  has  a considerably  increased  force. 
In  politics,  Mr.  Pierpont  is  a Republican.  He  was  married  No- 
vember 8,  1863,  to  Angeline  Martin,  of  Johnstown,  N.  Y.,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Martin,  a New  York  farmer.  Both  her  parents  are 
deceased.  To  Charles  and  Angeline  Martin  were  born  five  chil- 
dren. Carrie  J.  married  Fred  Sempt,  and  upon  his  death  was 
united  in  marriage  with  P.  Gean.ey  She  is  now  deceased.  Mattie 
married  Eli  Coon  and  lives  in  Red  Wing.  Jennie  M.,  married  to 
Richard  Ore,  also  lives  in  Red  Wing.  Georgiana  married  George 
Bounar,  both  she  and  her  husband  being  now  deceased.  Charles, 
Jr.,  is  also  dead.  Angeline  Martin  died  April  10,  1873,  and  Mr. 
Pierpont  was  married,  July  29,  1871,  to  Mrs.  Lovetta  E.  Campbell, 
daughter  of  Alpheus  and  Sallie  (White)  Sanders,  the  former  a 
native  of  Massachusetts  and  the  latter  of  New  York  state.  The 
father  was  a mill  owner  and  lumberman  in  Maine.  He  sold  out 
his  business  in  1849  and  located  at  LaCrosse,  Wis.,  remaining 
there  ten  years.  In  1859  he  came  to  Red  Wing  and  purchased  a 
large  tract  of  land  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  city.  Sanderson 
street,  for  which  he  gave  the  right  of  way,  was  named  in  his 
honor.  Mr.  Sanderson  and  his  wife  are  both  deceased.  To 
Charles  and  Lovetta  Pierpont  was  born  one  daughter,  Cora  T., 
born  May  22,  1877.  She  was  married  January  1,  1893,  and  upon 
his  death  she  was  united  in  marriage  with  William  Eisenbrand, 
who  is  engaged  in  the  tea,  coffee  and  spice  business  in  this  city. 
By  her  former  marriage  to  G.  W.  Campbell,  now  deceased,  Mrs. 
Pierpont  had  two  .children.  Frank  K.  D.  is  married  and  lives  at 
Ellsworth,  AYis.  Nettie  Estelle  married  Oscar  Marchesseault.  The 
family  faith  of  the  Pierpont  family  is  that  of  the  Presbyterian 
church. 

Herman  W.  Zemke,  of  Goodhue  township,  is  another  native 
born  son,  having  first  seen  the  light  of  day  in  Goodhue  town- 
ship March  12,  1883.  Like  other  boys  of  his  time,  he  attended 
the  district  schools  and  spent  his  spare  time  working  on  a farm, 
an  occupation  which  he  continued  for  a number  of  years  with 
his  father.  He  now  rents  the  farm  from  his  father  and  carries 
on  general  farming,  having  160  acres  appropriately  divided  into 
plowed  land  and  pasture.  Being  a man  of  considerable  intelli- 
gence, he  votes  independently,  and  on  one  occasion  he  served  as 
road  overseer.  lie  was  married  October  23,  1907,  to  Clara  Ivliste, 
whose  parents  originally  came  from  Germany.  To  this  union 
has  been  born  one  child,  Earl  Edward,  born  June  3,  1908.  Her- 
man Zemke,  father  of  Herman  W.  Zemke,  came  from  Germany  to 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


987 


America  and  settled  in  this  township,  where  he  purchased  eighty 
acres  which  he  broke  and  improved.  Later  he  purchased  160 
acres  more  and  subsequently  still  another  eighty,  owning  at  the 
present  time  in  addition  to  this,  a half  section  in  North  Dakota. 
He  is  still  in  the  prime  of  his  activities,  but  his  wife  died  several 
years  ago. 

Charles  Zander,  a substantial  German  citizen  of  Hay  Creek 
township,  was  born  in  Mecklinburg,  -July  18,  1850,  son  of  Andrew 
and  Mariah  (Zandmann)  Zander,  who  brought  their  family  to 
America  in  1861,  and  located  on  the  farm  which  is  now  owned 
by  Charles  Zander.  At  first  they  built  a shanty  with  lumber 
brought  from  Red  Wing,  but  later  erected  the  comfortable  home 
where  the  family  now  lives.  The  mother  died  in  1880  and  the 
father  in  1893.  Charles  was  brought  up  on  the  farm,  and  after 
his  parents’  death  took  charge  of  the  home  place.  He  owns 
380  acres  around  the  homestead  in  Hay  Creek  township,  and  in 
company  with  his  brother,  Andrew,  also  possesses  some  land  in 
Belvidere  township.  He  raises  some  stock  and  carries  on  gen- 
eral farming.  Mr.  Zander  is  a Republican  in  politics,  has  been 
a supervisor  of  the  township  one  year  and  path  master  many 
years.  He  attends  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Andrew 
Zander,  brother  of  Charles,  married  Marguerite  Augustine,  and 
has  five  children,  Mary,  Christine.  Louis,  Gustave  and  Lena. 

A.  C.  Bryan  carries  on  general  farming  in  an  up-to-date  man- 
ner, on  a fine  homestead  in  Burnside  township.  He  has  a large 
silo,  commodious  barns,  a well-furnished  house,  and  all  the  latest 
farm  machinery  of  every  description,  having  been  most  success- 
ful in  all  his  undertakings.  Mr.  Bryan  was  born  in  this  county, 
April  28,  1863,  a son  of  Thomas  and  Margaret  (Gleeson)  Bryan. 
The  father  came  from  Ireland  in  1817  and  settled  for  a time  in 
Erie  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  ten  years.  In 
1857  he  came  to  Burnside  and  purchased  a farm,  where  he  con- 
tinued general  farming  until  the  time  of  his  death,  in  April, 
1906.  A.  C.  showed  marked  aptitude  in  his  studies  in  the  com- 
mon schools,  and  supplemented  this  training  with  courses  in 
the  normal  school  at  Winona  and  the  Curtiss  Business  College 
in  Minneapolis.  After  this  he  taught  school  three  years.  He 
now  makes  a specialty,  aside  from  his  agricultural  pursuits,  of 
feeding  stock  and  selling  it  on  the  hoof.  Mr.  Bryan  has  been 
town  chairman  for  five  years  and  for  several  terms  occupied 
school  office.  He  was  married  in  1892  to  Emma  J.  Crandall, 
daughter  of  J.  S.  and  Cinclerilla  Crandall,  early  settlers  of  the 
county,  who  came  from  New  York  state  via  Hlinois.  To  this 
union  have  been  born  five  children,  Helen,  Ralph,  Harry  C., 
Everett  and  Bernice  C. 

Andrew  O.  Berg,  of  Wanamingo  village,  was  born  in  Cherry 


988 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Grove  township,  May  6,  1876.  His  father,  0.  T.  Berg,  was  a 
native  of  Norway,  and  his  mother,  Carrie  Flatland  Berg,  a native 
of  Wisconsin.  The  father  came  with  his  father  to  this  country 
when  a boy  of  ten  years,  after  a long  and  perilous  voyage,  in 
which  his  mother,  one  sister  and  one  brother  died,  and  were 
buried  at  sea.  The  father  and  the  surviving  members  of  his 
family  located  in  Cherry  Grove  township,  where  they  worked  at 
various  labor,  until  1869,  when  he  purchased  120  acres  of  im- 
proved land  and  engaged  in  farming.  Here  he  built  a home, 
barn  and  other  outbuildings,  and  carried  on  general  and  diversi- 
fied farming,  and  which  he  still  manages.  Andrew  0.  Berg  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  common  school  of  Cherry  Grove,  and 
took  a preparatory  course  at  St.  Olof’s  College  at  Northfield, 
completing  with  a course  at  a Minneapolis  business  college  in 
1899.  After  completing  his  studies,  he  entered  the  First  State 
Bank  of  Ziunbrota,  holding  the  position  of  clerk  until  May, 
1901.  He  then  took  the  management  of  the  hardware,  wagon 
and  farm  implement  store  of  Myron  & Olson,  at  Wanamingo, 
which  he  still  conducts.  February  21,  1906,  he  was  married  to 
Mary  Shay,  daughter  of  Nicolai  Shay,  native  of  Norway,  and 
came  to  America,  locating  in  Belle  Creek,  and  took  up  farming. 
The  mother  died  in  1889  and  the  father  was  married  again.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Berg  have  one  child,  Oswald  Norman,  born  December 
21,  1906.  In  his  politics,  Mr.  Berg  is  Prohibition.  He  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Modern  Samaritans,  and  was  a member  of  Company 
D of  Zumbrota  for  one  year.  He  and  his  family  attend  Land’s 
Norwegian  church. 

Michael  J.  Barry,  who  owns  and  operates  120  acres  of  land 
in  Belle  Creek  township,  was  born  in  Wisconsin,  October  22, 
1850,  to  F.  John  and  Ellen  (Murphy)  Barry,  natives  of  County 
Cork,  Ireland.  The  father,  a farmer,  came  to  America  in  1819, 
settling  in  Wisconsin,  where  he  farmed  eighty  acres  of  land. 
Later  he  sold  this  and  purchased  one-half  section  in  Belle  Creek 
township,  where  he  followed  general  farming  until  his  death  at 
Goodhue  in  December,  1892.  The  mother  died  in  July,  1888. 
They  had  four  children,  besides  Michael : Margaret,  married  to 
John  Dewitt,  a farmer  living  at  Goodhue;  Patrick,  living  in 
Ellsworth,  Minn.,  engaged  in  dray  business ; James,  living  at  Min- 
neapolis, engaged  in  express  business;  Hannah,  living  at  home; 
and  Ellen  S.,  who  died  the  summer  of  1881.  Michael  received 
his  education  in  the  public  school  of  Belle  Creek.  After  leaving 
school  he  farmed  with  his  father,  from  whom  in  1874  he  pur- 
chased 120  acres,  on  which  he  still  does  common  farming,  and 
also  raises  Perchon  horses  and  Shorthorn  cattle.  Mr.  Barry 
was  married  November  16,  1875,  to  Elizabeth  Richards,  daughter 
of  George  and  Vandenah  (Wentink)  Richards,  natives  of  New 


t 


T.  H.  Bunn 


989 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 

York.  They  came  west  to  Wacouta  in  1855,  purchased  land  and 
carried  on  farming  until  Mr.  Richards’  death,  November  28, 

1895.  Mrs.  Richards  is  living  in  Red  Wing.  Mrs.  Barry  has 

two  sisters : Emelia,  married  to  Thomas  Harlow,  living  in  Chi- 
cago, and  Julia,  married  to  Patrick  Edwards,  living  at  Red  Wing; 
also  three  brothers,  George,  August  and  Frank,  all  deceased. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barry  there  have  been  born  eight  children,  four 
of  whom  are  now  living:  Lauretta,  married  to  D.  C.  Bell,  of 

Goodhue;  John  F.,  manager  of  the  Farmers’  Elevator  at  Good- 
hue  ; Bernard,  at  home  on  the  farm ; Blanche,  at  home ; and 
George,  who  died  at  the  age  of  seventeen.  Mr.  Barry  is  Demo- 
cratic and  the  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Catholic  church.  He 
is  also  a member  of  the  Red  Men  and  the  Catholic  Foresters. 
He  is  a good  man  and  a progressive,  being  highly  regarded  by 
those  with  whom  he  has  dealings.  For  twelve  years  he  was 
chairman  of  the  toAvn  supervisors  and  is  now  serving  as  clerk 
of  the  school  board,  which  position  he  has  held  for  the  past  five 
years. 

Abbott  L.  Ballord,  of  Minneola  township,  was  born  in  Hen- 
drick county,  Indiana,  June  6,  1874.  He  received  his  education 
in  the  schools  of  Minneola  and  after  finishing  his  schooling 
worked  for  his  father,  engaging  in  general  farming,  but  making 
a specialty  of  dairying  and  hog  raising.  He  has  been  very  suc- 
cessful in  bringing  the  farm  to  a high  state  of  cultivation,  having 
entire  charge  of  the  farm  for  some  time.  His  father  and  mother 
are  living  with  him.  Mr.  Ballard  was  married  September  30, 

1896,  at  Zumbrota,  to  Charlotte  M.  Berg,  daughter  of  C.  0.  Berg, 
merchant  tailor  of  Red  Wing.  His  wife  has  four  sisters  and  two 
brothers,'  she  being  the  eldest  of  the  family.  The  second,  Mary 
L.,  married  to  Edwin  Peterson,  of  Minneola;  Hattie,  married 
Nels  Iverson,  of  Minneapolis;  Oscar  lives  in  Chicago;  Charles, 
lives  in  Superior ; Bettie  married  Carl  Lundt,  of  Minneola,  and 
Nellie  still  lives  in  Red  Wing.  Abbott  L.  Ballord  is  a Republican 
in  his  political  views,  and  is  now  serving  as  clerk  of  school 
district  No.  65.  His  fraternal  affiliation  is  with  the  Modern 
Samaritans.  He  is  a good  citizen  and  takes  an  active  interest 
in  the  affairs  of  the  county  in  which  he  lives.  His  parents  are 
Joshua  and  Nancy  E.  (Eames)  Ballord.  The  father  was  born  in 
Indiana  and  the  mother  in  Maine,  but  later  moved  to  Indiana, 
where  she  taught  school  until  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Ballord,  one 
of  the  prominent  farmers  of  that  community.  In  1884  Mrs. 
Ballord ’s  uncle,  a cotton  manufacturer  of  Massachusetts,  pre- 
sented her  with  a farm  in  Minneola  township,  to  which  they 
removed  and  still  occupy.  The  father  is  a member  of  Friend’s 
church  and  the  mother  is  a Baptist. 

T.  H.  Bunn,  the  leading  druggist  of  Pine  Island,  was  born  in 


990 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Pine  Island  township,  October  12,  1866,  son  of  Isaac  and  Cynthia 
(Cryley)  Bunn,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  came  to  Pine 
Island  in  1856,  where  they  took  up  a homestead  of  160  acres 
and  followed  general  farming  until  the  death  of  the  father  in 
1887.  The  mother  died  in  April  29,  1905.  They  had  a family  of 
fourteen  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living.  T.  H.  Bunn  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  worked  on  the 
farm  with  his  father  until  he  was  eighteen  years  old.  He  then 
entered  a drug  store  and  learned  the  business.  In  1893  he  started 
in  the  drug  business  for  himself,  taking  his  brother-in-law  as  a 
partner,  but  five  years  later  bought  out  his  interest,  and  has 
since  continued  to  conduct  the  store.  Pie  organized  the  present 
telephone  exchange  in  1900,  which  he  controlled  until  1908, 
when  he  sold  out,  and  also  operated  the  Oronoco  telephone  sys- 
tem in  partnership  with  L.  L.  Cornwell,  but  sold  out  the  same 
year  in  1903.  In  1892  Mr.  Bunn  was  married  to  Florence  Miller, 
daughter  of  Charles  R.  Miller,  an  early  settler  in  Roseoe  town- 
ship. They  have  one  child,  Lloyd.  In  politics  Mr.  Bunn  is  a 
Democrat.  Pie  belongs  to  the  Masonic  and  Modern  Woodmen 
orders.  Mr.  Bunn  is  a wideawake  and  energetic  business  man 
and  takes  an  active  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  village.  He  has 
a fine  home  which  he  erected  last  summer. 

James  R.  Mills,  of  Stanton  township,  was  born  in  London, 
Ohio,  August  24,  1840,  son  of  Lewis  and  Ann  (Havener)  Mills, 
natives  of  Virginia,  who  came  to  Ohio  in  the  early  days  and 
engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising.  In  1856  they  emigrated 
west,  traveling  by  team  to  Dubucpie,  Iowa,  and  from  there  by 
boat  up  the  Mississippi  river  to  Red  Wing.  They  located  in 
Warsaw  township  and  took  up'  a homestead,  which  the  father 
broke  and  cultivated.  His  life  in  the  west,  however,  was  destined 
to  be  short,  and  he  died  a year  after  coming  to  Warsaw,  in  Feb- 
ruary of  1857.  The  mother  lived  until  1876.  They  had  a family 
of  six  children:  John,  who  left  home  in  1856  and  was  never 

heard  from;  Margaret,  now  of  North  Dakota;  Joseph  and  Will- 
iam, deceased ; Silas,  a farmer,  and  James  J.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch.  James  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  the 
county,  and  worked  at  home  on  the  farm.  In  1865  he  enlisted 
in  Company  I,  Heavy  Artillery,  remaining  until  the  end  of  the 
war.  After  the  war,  he  returned  home  and  engaged  in  farming, 
and  has  now  200  acres  of  land  which  he  managed,  carrying  on 
general  farming,  until  he  retired  in  1889  and  rented  his  farm. 
He  also  has  160  acres  in  Polk  county.  He  is  a Republican  and 
is  a member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 

John  Olson,  of  Wacouta  township,  was  born  in  Norway, 
March  24,  1857,  son  of  Hans  and  Helen  (Johnson)  Olson,  natives 
of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1878  and  located  in  IPay 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


991 


Creek  township  and  engaged  in  farming  until  the  death  of  the 
father  in  1901.  The  mother  still  lives  on  the  farm.  John  received 
his  education  in  Norway,  and  came  to  America  with  his  parents, 
where  he  hired  out  to  work  on  the  Ames  farm  for  five  years, 
after  which  he  rented  the  farm,  remaining  ten  years.  Then  he 
purchased  forty-eight  acres  in  Section  36,  which  he  improved 
in  every  way,  both  the  land  and  buildings,  and  lias  carried  on 
dairying  principally.  He  also  has  240  acres  in  Belvidere  town- 
ship which  he  rents.  He  was  married  July  6,  1882,  to  Julia 
Johnson,  daughter  of  Tollef  and  Karin  (Amundson)  Johnson. 
They  have  one  child,  Hiram,  who  is  employed  by  the  express 
company  at  Red  "Wing.  Mr.  Olson  is  a Republican  in  his  political 
views,  and  was  at  one  time  chairman  of  Wacouta  township  for 
three  years.  He  is  also  director  for  school  district  No.  2.  The 
family  attend  the  St.  Peter’s  Norwegian  Lutheran  church. 

William  F.  Koester,  farmer  of  Hay  Creek  township,  is  the  son 
of  Bernard  and  Annie  (Becker)  Koester,  natives  of  Westphalia, 
where  he  was  born  in  1872.  The  family  came  to  America  in 
1884,  and  while  looking  about  for  a suitable  location  lived  for 
one  year  in  Red  Wing,  where  William  F.,  then  a boy  of  twelve, 
attended  the  public  schools  and  began  to  learn  the  English  lan- 
guage, he  having  previously  attended  school  in  Germany.  In 
1885  the  father  purchased  a farm  of  200  acres  on  Section  2,  Hay 
Creek  toAvnsliip,  the  place  being  the  one  now  occupied  by  the 
subject  of  this  sketch.  Father  and  son  at  once  set  about  improv- 
ing and  developing  the  homestead,  which  is  now  well  kept  and 
about  half  under  the  plow.  Upon  the  place  general  farming  and 
stock  raising  is  now  carried  on,  and  dairying  is  conducted  on  a 
somewhat  extensive  scale.  In  polities  Mr.  Koester  is  a Repub- 
lican, but  he  has  never  sought  public  office,  although  his  interest 
in  education  has  caused  him  to  accept  the  position  of  clerk  of 
his  school  district.  He  was  married  in  1892  to  Annie  Sweney, 
daughter  of  Michael  SAveney,  of  St.  Johns,  NeAV  Brunswick, 
Canada.  Her  father,  an  early  settler  of  Minnesota,  Avent  to  Cali- 
fornia in  the  early  days,  and  upon  his  return  farmed  in  Goodhue 
and  Wabasha  counties,  remaining  until  his  death  in  Wabasha 
county  in  1899.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Koester  haAre  been  born  three 
children,  George,  Angeline  and  Roland.  Bernard  Koester,  father 
of  William  F.,  served  several  years  in  the  German  army  before 
coming  to  this  country. 

Christian  F.  Kalass,  of  Minneola  toAAUiship,  a native  born  son 
of  this  state,  comes  of  sturdy  old  pioneer  stock,  his  parents  being 
Christian  and  Sophia  (GrindAvald)  Kalass,  Avho  came  to  America 
from  Germany  in  1856.  After  a year  in  Illinois,  they  came  to 
Scott  county,  Minnesota,  farmed  for  nine  years,  and  then  mo\’ed 
to  Minneola  township  in  1866.  To  a quarter  section  which  he 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


992 

originally  purchased  he  later  added  one  and  a half  section.  He 
developed  and  improved  this  land,  and  carried  on  general  farm- 
ing until  the  time  of  his  death,  August  7,  1907.  The  mother  is 
still  living  on  the  old  homestead.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
attended  the  schools  of  Minneola  township,  and  then  took  up 
farming  with  his  father  until  twenty-five  years  of  age,  when  his 
parents  presented  him  with  160  acres  in  Section  2.  This  prop- 
erty he  has  greatly  improved,  erected  a number  of  buildings  and 
brought  the  place  to  a high  degree  of  cultivation  and  produc- 
tiveness. Recently  he  has  become  interested  in  scientific  for- 
estry, and  has  set  out  1,080  Norway  poplar  trees,  from  which  a 
heavy  financial  benefit  will  be  received  many  years  hence.  In 
spite  of  his  busy  life,  Mr.  Kalass  has  found  time  to  serve  the 
town  of  Minneola  as  supervisor,  a position  he  occupies  at  the 
present  time  as  he  has  several  times  in  the  past.  He  has  been 
clerk  of  his  school  district  for  the  past  fifteen  years.  Aside  from 
his  farm  holdings,  he  owns  stock  in  the  Zumbrota  Clay  Manu- 
facturing Company,  and  is  also  interested  in  the  Zumbrota 
Farmers’  Elevator  Company.  Mr.  Kalass  was  married  November 
21,  1894,  to  Lena  Aldag,  a native  of  Germany,  by  whom  he  has 
had  issue  as  follows:  Verona,  Arnold,  Ilulda  and  Christian. 

The  family  worships  at  the  Lutheran  church. 

A.  Henry  Kellett,  painter  and  paper  hanger,  came  to  Zum- 
brota as  a boy  Avith  the  earliest  settlers,  having  been  born  in 
Lowell,  Mass.,  March  4,  1854.  His  father,  Thomas  P.  Kellett, 
Avas  a member  of  the  Stafford  "Western  Emigration  Company 
and  of  the  Strafford  Western  Immigration  Company,  kept  the 
first  store  in  Zumbrota,  was  the  first  postmaster,  one  of  the  early 
chairmen  of  supervisors,  and  in  many  ways  was  prominently 
identified  with  the  early  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  town  and 
village.  A.  Henry  Kellett  attended  the  early  schools  of  Zum- 
brota township  and  village,  and  clerked  for  several  years  in  his 
father’s  store.  Later  he  engaged  in  his  present  occupation.  He 
has  built  up  a profitable  business  and  has  a large  list  of  cus- 
tomers, his  Avork  being  of  the  kind  that  commends  itself  to  all. 
He  is  a justice  of  the  peace,  and  a number  of  important  cases 
have  been  brought  before  him.  Mr.  Kellett  Avas  married  at 
Zumbrota  to  Ida  Leonard,  daughter  of  Samuel  Leonard,  a native 
of  "Wisconsin,  who  settled  in  Zumbrota,  Avhere  he  took  up  farm- 
ing. Both  Mr.  Leonard  and  his  wife  are  now  deceased.  One 
son,  Everett  A.,  born  March  27,  1873,  has  blessed  the  Kellett 
home.  He  is  married  and  lives  in  Minneapolis,  Adhere  he  con- 
ducts a real  estate  office.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kellett  are  Avell  regarded 
in  Zumbrota,  and  their  home  on  Third  street  has  been  the  scene 
of  many  a pleasant  gathering  of  friends.  The  family  faith  is  that 
of  the  Congregational  church. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


993 


Henry  Edwin  Larson,  of  Belle  Creek  township,  was  born 
April  29,  1872,  in  Belle  Creek  township,  son  of  John  and  Hannah 
Eleffson,  natives  of  Sweden.  They  came  to  America  and  took 
a homestead  of  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Meeker  county,  Minne- 
sota, where  they  remained  for  two  years,  when  they  were  forced 
to  leave  on  account  of  the  Indians.  They  came  to  Red  Wing 
for  a'  short  time  and  later  removed  to  Belle  Creek  township, 
where  he  purchased  eighty  acres,  which  the  father  broke,  cleared 
and  improved,  carrying  on  general  farming  until  his  death  in 
1882.  The  mother  is  still  living  and  resides  with  her  sons  on  the 
farm.  Henry  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Belle 
Creek  and  worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father,  and  in  1894  taking 
charge  of  the  farm,  he  carries  on  a general  line  of  farming, 
dairying  and  stock  raising.  He  and  his  brother,  0.  W.,  own 
320  acres  of  land  in  Montana,  which  they  are  improving.  Henry 
Edwin  had  three  sisters  : Anna,  married  Gustaf  Warn,  of  Feath- 
erstone;  Johanna,  married  Nels  ’Munson  (deceased)  ; and  Hattie, 
married  Swan  Warn,  died  February  1,  1909.  Four  brothers: 
John  M.  (deceased)  ; Andrew,  now  of  AYhite  Rock;  Albert,  now 
of  Montana,  and  0.  W.,  living  at  home.  Mr.  Larson  is  an  inde- 
pendent voter,  and  is  a member  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church. 

Ernst  Lueck  was  born  in  Pine  Island  township,  January  20, 
1880,  son  of  August  and  Augusta  (Zimmerman)  Lueck,  natives 
of  Germany.  They  emigrated  to  this  country  in  1874,  settling 
in  Pine  Island  township,  where  they  engaged  in  farming.  In 
1904  they  retired  and  moved  to  Pine  Island  village,  where  they 
still  reside.  They  had  a family  of  four  children : Louisa,  Carl, 
Ernst  and  Mary.  Ernst  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools,  and  when  his  school  days  were  over  he  worked  on  the 
farm  with  his  father.  He  has  now  185  acres  of  land,  where  he 
carries  on  a general  line  of  farming  and  dairying.  He  has  im- 
proved the  place  iu  many  ways,  and  remodeled  the  buildings. 
In  1905  he  was  married  to  Elnora  Glamm.  They  were  farmers 
and  lived  in  Pine  Island,  where  they  both  died.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lueck  have  two  children : Elmer  and  Leonard.  Mr.  Lueck  is 

a Republican  in  his  politics. 

John  Luchan  was  born  in  Belvidere  township,  February  26. 
1866,  son  of  Mathias  and  Ellen  (Riggies)  Luchan,  natives  of 
Germany,  who  came  to  America  in  1863  and  located  in  Belvidere 
township,  Goodhue  county,  Minnesota,  where  they  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  wild  land  which  the  father  cleared  and  improved, 
remaining  here  a few  years,  after  which  he  sold,  and  bought 
eighty  acres  in  Section  10,  same  township,  where  he  now  resides. 
Here  he  built  a home,  barn  for  his  stock  and  other  buildings 
necessary.  In  1900  he  purchased  160  acres  of  improved  land, 
making  240  acres  in  all.  He  has  retired  and  lives  with  their  sons. 


994 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  Luchan  have  been  blessed  with  four  children : 
John,  manages  the  farm  with  his  brother,  Henry  W. ; Margaret, 
married  John  Miller,  a farmer  of  Hay  Creek;  and  Annie,  married 
John  Isendorf,  a farmer  of  Belvidere.  John  and  Henry  received 
their  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Belvidere,  working  on 
the  farm  with  their  father  and  later  assuming  the  management. 
They  carry  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  They  are 
Republican  in  their  politics,  and  John  has  been  clerk  of  school 
district  No.  30  for  the  past  fifteen  years.  The  family  faith  is 
that  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

R.  W.  Irish,  Pine  Island  village,  was  born  in  Dodge  county, 
Minnesota,  April  12,  1872,  son  of  Joseph  and  Evelyn  Irish.  He 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools,  after  which  he  went 
west  to  the  Dakotas,  where  he  was  employed  as  a cattle  herder 
for  a few  years.  He  returned  to  Pine  Island  and  engaged  in  the 
barber  business  for  five  years.  He  then  purchased  the  Pine  Island 
Record,  which  he  conducted  for  five  years,  after  which  he  sold 
out  and  moved  to  Minneapolis,  remaining  one  year.  Returning 
the  second  time  to  Pine  Island,  he  engaged  in  the  general  mer- 
cantile business,  but  sold  out  in  1908,  and  now  has  several  pat- 
ents for  the  handling  of  laces,  to  which  he  devotes  his  entire 
time.  He  was  married  December  1,  1895,  to  Georgana  McCarty, 
daughter  of  J.  B.  and  Helen  (Wyman)  McCarty,  who  were  old 
gettlers.  They  have  one  son,  Wynot,  who  attends  school.  Mr. 
Irish  is  Republican  in  his  politics,  and  has  been  deputy  oil  in- 
spector of  Goodhue  county  for  a number  of  years.  He  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  M.  W.  A. 

Edward  Walter  was  born  in  Pine  Island  township,  May  10, 
1866,  son  of  Christian  and  Susan  (Bringgold)  natives  of  New 
York,  and  came  to  Pine  Island  township  in  1866  and  bought  forty 
acres  of  land  which  is  inside  of  the  corporation.  They  are  still 
living  in  Pine  Island.  Edward  received  his  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  the  township,  and  later  engaged  in  farming. 
He  now  has  160  acres  of  land  under  cultivation  in  Pine  Island 
township,  and  carries  on  general  farming  and  stockraising.  He 
lias  a fine  farm,  which  is  well  cared  for  and  improved,  with  good 
buildings,  has  a new  barn,  forty  by  seventy,  and  a good  house. 
He  was  married  in  1899  to  Minnie  Manthei,  and  two  children 
have  blessed  this  union.  Elmer  II.  and  Viola,  both  of  whom  are 
at  home.  Mr.  Walter  is  an  independent  voter  and  a successful 
farmer.  He  is  a member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  No.  84  and  he  and 
his  family  attend  the  German  Lutheran  church. 

V.  E.  Parker,  of  Pine  Island  village,  was  born  in  Pine  Island 
township,  March  2,  1874,  son  of  Elton  C.  and  Mary  C.  (Dickey) 
Parker.  His  grandfather,  James  Parker,  a farmer  of  Zumbrota, 
was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  county.  His  father  served 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


995 


in  the  Civil  War,  and  enlisted  in  Company  Id,  Minnesota  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  in  1862,  remaining  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
and  took  part  in  all  the  battles  of  that  campaign.  He  died  when 
V.  E.  was  only  five  months  old.  V.  E.  Parker  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools  of  the  township,  and  after  leaving 
school  he  worked  for  the  Crescent  Cream  and  Cheese  Company, 
remaining  with  them  for  ten  years.  In  1903  he  engaged  in  the 
general  mercantile  business  in  Pine  Island,  which  he  has  since 
conducted  very  successfully,  and  is  a highly  respected  and  promi- 
nent citizen  of  Pine  Island.  He  was  married  in  1900  to  Blanche 
N.  Irish,  daughter  of  Loomis  P.  Irish,  president  of  the  State  Bank 
of  Pine  Island.  In  politics  Mr.  Parker  is  independent. 

Edwin  0.  Johnson,  of  Red  Wing,  seventh  child  of  Carl  G. 
* and  Sophia  (Samuelson)  Johnson,  natives' of  Jonkopingslan,  Swe- 
den, was  born  in  Red  Wing,  November  3,  1869.  His  father,  who 
was  a carpenter,  came  to  America  in  1866  and  for  two  years 
farmed  at  Burnside  township.  In  1868  he  took  up  his  residence 
at  Red  Wing  and  until  1880  continued  to  follow  his  trade.  Dur- 
ing the  latter  year  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Red  Wing  Fur- 
niture Company,  as  cabinet  maker,  continuing  at  this' work  until 
1905,  when  he  retired.  He  died  in  this  city  in  September,  1908. 
Plis  wife  is  still  living,  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years.  The 
schools  of  Red  Wing  afforded  Edwin  O.  his  early  educational 
training,  and  in  1884  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Red  Wing 
Furniture  Company  as  band  sawyer.  For  over  a quarter  of  a 
century  he  has  continued  at  practically  the  same  occupation, 
making  a record  of  industry  and  faithfulness  of  which  any  man 
might  Avell  be  proud.  Mr.  Johnson  votes  the  Republican  ticket, 
but  has  never  interested  himself  in  public  office.  He  affiliates 
with  the  Scandinavian  Benefit  Association  and  belongs  to  the 
Swedish  Lutheran  church.  He  is  still  single.  Of  the  eight  others 
in  Mr.  Johnson’s  family,  Charlotte,  the  oldest,  married  Charles 
Heglund,  of  Red  Wing;  Augusta  is  deceased;  Charles  E.  lives  in 
this  city,  as  do  Gustav  A.  and  Oscar  F. ; Nellie  J.  married  Charles 
McKenna,  deceased,  and  lives  in  Chicago ; Fred  E.  is  employed 
in  a laundry  at  Spokane,  Wash.  The  family  residence  is  at  111 
East  Eighth  street,  Red  Wing. 

Peter  O.  Holman,  of  Wanamingo  township,  was  born  in  Nor- 
way April  1,  1831,  son  of  Ole  and  Sonneva,  natives  of  Norway, 
who  came  to  America  in  1865,  living  with  their  son  until  their 
death.  Peter  received  his  education  in  Norway  and  came  to 
America  in  1852,  locating  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  where  he 
remained  until  1862,  when  he  came  to  Wanamingo  township  and 
bought  160  acres  of  land  which  he  improved,  and  erected  a house 
and  barn,  and  has  carried  on  a general  line  of  farming.  Mr. 
Holman  was  married  in  1862  to  Karin  Everson,  whose  parents 


99  G 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


were  natives  of  Norway.  Both  are  dead.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Holman 
are  the  parents  of  nine  children : Lorana,  married  to  Thomas 

Kennedy,  of  California ; Ole  A.,  of  Minneapolis,  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business;  Nels  and  John,  also  merchants  at  Minneapolis; 
Susanna,  of  California ; Lena,  who  is  a dressmaker  in  Illinois ; 
Julius  and  Christina,  living  at  home;  and  Andrew,  of  Minne- 
apolis. Mr.  Holman  has  been  successful,  having  through  his  own 
untiring  effort  and  hard  work  risen  to  the  prosperity  he  now 
enjoys.  He  is  a stockholder  in  the  Bombay  cheese  factory,  and 
is  a Republican  in  his  politics.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the 
Lutheran  church. 

Axel  H.  Dahl,  foreman  of  the  finishing  department  at  the 
Red  Wing  Furniture  Company,  was  born  in  Red  Wing,  Decem- 
ber .15,  1877,  son  of  Andrew  M.  and  Elizabeth  Dahl,  of  whom  a 
sketch  is  found  in  this  history.  After  attending  the  public 
schools,  Axel  in  1891  entered  the  employ  of  the  finishing  depart- 
ment of  the  Red  Wing  Furniture  Company  and  has  since  con- 
tinued  in  the  employ  of  the  same  concern,  being  now  the  fore- 
man. He  is  a faithful  workman,  and  highly  regarded  by  his 
associates.  He  is  also  a popular  member  of  the  United  Work- 
men, and  votes  the  Republican  ticket.  Mr.  Dahl  was  married 
April  24,  1907,  to  Elsie  Eaton,  of  Frontenac,  daughter  of  Andrew 
and  Ellen  (Johnson)  Eaton,  natives  of  Norway.  The  father 
after  locating  at  Frontenac  followed  his  trade  as  stone  cutter. 
He  died  at  Red  Wing,  in  December,  1898,  his  wife  having  passed 
away  at  Frontenac  in  1892.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eaton  have  one  daugh- 
ter and  four  sons  besides  Mrs.  Dahl.  Edith  Margaret  lives  in 
St.  Paul,  Fred  M.  lives  in  Minneapolis,  and  George  W.  and  Henry 
A.  both  live  in  New  Mexico.  The  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dahl 
has  been  blessed  with  three  children.  The  oldest  is  Roy  Andrew. 
Marion  Ruth  and  Margaret  Rachael  were  twins,  the  latter  dying 
February  15.  1907.  The  family  worships  at  the  Swedish  Lutheran 
church. 

Elling  M.  Erickson,  of  Roscoe  township,  was  born  in  Houston 
county,  Minnesota,  December  8,  1861,  son  of  Michael  and  Carrie 
(Flatland)  Erickson,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America 
and  located  in  Houston  county,  where  they  took  up  a homestead 
of  240  acres  of  wild  land,  which  the  father  broke  and  improved, 
built  a home,  and  carried  on  general  farming  until  his  death  in 
1885.  The  mother  married  Torbjorn  Kittleson.  Elling  M.  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  county,  and  at 
the  age  of  fourteen  worked  out  for  farmers  until  in  1883,  when 
he  engaged  in  farming  for  himself.  He  purchased  120  acres  of 
land  in  Roscoe  township,  and  carried  on  general  and  diversified 
farming  and  stock  raising.  In  1893  he  added  eighty  acres  to  his 
farm,  and  later  forty,  and  has  all  his  land  under  cultivation. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


997 


Mr.  Erickson  was  married  in  March,  1893,  to  Mary  Tostenson, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  Tostenson,  natives  of  Norway, 
who  came  to  America  and  settled  in  Roscoe  township  where  they 
engaged  in  farming,  purchasing  forty  acres  of  land.  Here  they 
remained  until  their  death-.  The  father  and  mother  are  both 
dead.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Erickson  have  five  children : Ella  M., 

Mabel,  Arthur,  Lillian  and  Julia.  Mr.  Erickson  is  a Republican. 
He  has  served  as  supervisor  and  road  master  for  a number  of 
years.  The  family  are  communicants  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

David  Davidson,  of  Roscoe  township,  was  born  in  Norway, 
April  24,  1831,  son  of  David  and  Sarah  (Llanner)  Davidson, 
natives  of  Norway.  The  father  was  a farmer.  He  died  in  1881. 
the  mother  having  passed  away  in  1858.  David  was  educated 
in  the  schools  of  Norway  and  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm. 
In  1865  he  emigrated  to  America  and  located  in  Minnesota,  where 
he  worked  on  farms  in  Holden  township,  for  three  years.  In 
1868  he  bought  eighty  acres  in  Roscoe  township,  which  he  broke 
and  improved.  Later  he  bought  160  acres,  and  again  140  acres, 
and  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  In  1905  he 
retired  from  active  life  and  lives  on  the  homestead  with  his  wife, 
leaving  the  management  of  his  farm  to  his  son.  Mr.  Davidson 
was  married  in  November,  1854,  in  Norway,  to  Johanna  ITastad, 
daughter  of  Lars  and  Ingerborg  Hastad,  natives  of  Norway. 
They  came  to  America  and  located  in  Holden  township,  where 
they  engaged  in  farming.  The  father  and  the  mother  are  de- 
ceased. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davidson  had  six  children:  Sarah,  mar- 

ried A.  Goplin;  Dena,  married  Swan  Myren,  and  she  died  in 
March,  1904;  Louis  and  Tver  (deceased)  ; C.  J.,  living  at  Roscoe, 
and  Elizabeth  (deceased).  Mr.  Davidson  is  a Republican.  He 
has  served  as  roadmaster,  and  he  and  his  family  attend  the 
Lutheran  church.  Mr.  Davidson  is  a good  citizen,  and  has  al- 
ways been  a hard  worker,  having  acquired  his  prosperity  which 
he  now  enjoys  through  his  own  untiring  efforts  and  thrift.  He 
is  highly  respected  by  all. 

William  R.  Callister,  of  Kenyon  township,  was  born  in  the 
Isle  of  Mann,  March  28,  1857,  son  of  Thomas  and  Jane  (Moore) 
Callister.  In  1869,  on  the  9th  of  September,  Thomas  Callister 
landed  with  his  family  at  Castle  Rock,  Dakota  county,  Minne- 
sota, where  he  remained  two  years.  In  1871  he  came  to  Goodhue 
county  and  purchased  a quarter  section  of  land  in  Cherry  Grove 
township,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  There  were 
eight  children  in  Thomas  Callister ’s  family,  all  of  whom  are 
living:  Catherine,  who  married  William  Kinoig;  Jane,  married 

William  Lace;  Annie,  married  John  Golden;  William  R.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch;  John  of  Kenyon  village;  George,  of  Cherry 
Grove;  Ella,  widow  of  Arthur  Norton;  Emily,  married  Arthur 


998 


HISTORY  OF  GOODI-IHE  COUNTY 


Cook.  Thomas  Callister  died  December  29,  1895,  the  mother 
having  passed  away  September  10,  1899.  William  Callister  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  district  schools  and  remained  on  the 
farm  with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  when 
he  rented  a farm  in  Cherry  Grove  known  as  the  old  Churchill 
farm,  where  he  remained  six  years,  when  he  bought  360  acres  in 
Kenyon  township.  He  remained  here  two  years,  then  sold  this 
farm,  and  purchased  280  acres  in  Sections  24  and  25,  Kenyon 
township,  where  he  now  lives.  December  27,  1881,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Lizzie  Owen,  who  was  born  in  Green  Lake  county,  Wis- 
consin, July  13,  1861,  a daughter  of  Robert  and  Celestia  (Beers) 
Owen,  who  came  to  Cherry  Grove  township  in  1871,  where  they 
still  live.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Callister  are  the  parents  of  fourteen 
children:  Bert  R.,  born  November  27,  1882;  George  0.,  born 
December  31,  1884;  Ella  C.,  born  April  1,  1887 ; Merle  K.,  August 
13,  1888;  Gladys  V.,  October  10,  1890;  Warren  S.,  born  September 
1,  1892;  Hazel  L.,  born  April  21,  1893;  Mona  R.,  born  November 
25,  1895;  Harold  G.,  born  January  6,  1897 ; Yernon  K.,  born  Feb- 
ruary 13,  1898 ; Bernice  M.,  July  15,  1900 ; Stanley  D.,  born  July 
5,  1902;  Carol  F.,  born  January  20,  1905;  and  Dorcas  L.,  born 
October  13,  1907.  Mr.  Callister  was  fourteen  years  assessor  of 
Kenyon  township  and  on  the  school  board  nine  years.  He  also- 
served  on  the  Farmers’  Elevator  board  at  Kenyon  for  eight 
years,  and  on  the  board  of  the  Farmers’  Co-operative  Creamery 
at  Skyberg,  since  its  organization  twelve  years  ago.  He  was 
elected  county  commissioner  of  Goodhue  county,  third  district, 
in  the  fall  of  1904,  and  re-elected  in  1908.  He  was  for  many 
years  land  agent  for  the  Aetna  Life  Insurance  Company  in  this 
section.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics.  He  is  a member  of  the 
A.  O.  U.  W and  the  Modern  Woodmen.  In  religious  matters 
Mr.  Callister  is  liberal  and  supports  each  denomination  as  their 
needs  may  require. 

Carl  Grendahl,  of  Wanamingo  township,  son  of  Ole  and  Ger- 
trude (Ivyllo)  Grendahl,  was  born  in  Norway,  May  24,  1872. 
His  parents  were  natives  of  Norway  and  came  to  America  in 
1879,  locating  in  Roscoe  township.  Here  they  purchased  120 
acres  of  land.  At  the  end  of  six  years  the  farm  was  sold  and  the 
family  moved  to  Canada,  where  the  mother  died  in  1897.  Carl 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Roscoe,  and  when 
his  school  days  were  over  he  engaged  in  farming  in  Roscoe  until 
the  year  1901,  when  he  removed  to  Wanamingo  township,  becom- 
ing one  of  the  prominent  farmers  of  that  township.  Mr.  Gren- 
dahl was  married  June  15t  1903,  to  Dena  Stai,  daughter  of  Ole 
and  Ram  Stai,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  this  country  in 
the  year  of  1866,  settling  in  Spring  Creek,  and  eight  years  after- 
wards, in  1874,  he  moved  to  Wanamingo  township  and  bought 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


999 


140  acres  of  farmland  in  Section  36.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grendahl 
liave  two  children,  one  son  and  one  daughter : Clara,  born  June 
11,  1905,  and  Melvin,  born  September  27,  1906.  Mr.  Grendahl  is 
a Republican,  stockholder  in  the  Farmers’  Elevator  Company  of 
Wanamingo.  He  and  his  family  attend  the  Lutheran  church. 

Peter  J.  Mogaard,  of  Belle  Creek  township,  was  born  in  Nor- 
way, April  18,  1842,  son  of  John  and  Mollie  (Mulnuse)  Mogaard, 
natives  of  Norway.  The  mother  died  in  1859  and  the  father  in 
1897.  Peter  received  his  education  in  Norway  and  worked  with 
his  father  until  he  came  to  America,  in  1866.  He  located  in 
Olmstead  county,  Minnesota,  where  he  remained  for  three  years, 
when  he  went  to  the  Pineries  at  Eau  Claire,  Wis.,  where  he 
worked  one  year;  then  he  spent  one  year  in  Menominee,  Wis., 
and  in  1871  came  to  Goodhue  county  and  purchased  eighty  acres 
of  land  in  Wanamingo  township,  where  he  engaged  in  farming 
for  six  years.  He  then  sold  and  came  to  Belle  Creek  township 
and  purchased  160  acres  in  Section  21,  and  later  added  eighty 
acres  adjoining.  This  he  broke  and  cleared  and  built  a home 
and  a large  barn,  and  continued  to  improve  and  cultivate  his  land 
until  now  he  has  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  county.  He  has 
carried  on  general  and  diversified  farming  and  dairying,  also 
making  a specialty  of  raising  Shorthorn  cattle.  On  April  7, 
1866,  he  was  married  to  Bertha  Moslet,  in  Norway.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  John  0.  and  Mollie  (Lean)  Moslet,  natives  of  Nor- 
way, who  came  to  America  in  1867  and  located  in  Wanamingo 
township  and  engaged  in  farming.  The  father  died  in  1879  and 
the  mother  in  1906.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mogaard  have  had  six  chil- 
dren: Michael,  of  North  Dakota;  Cornelius,  Henry  and  Paulena, 
who  live  at  home;  John,  who  is  a physician  at  Chicago;  and 
Simon,  now  of  South  Dakota.  Mr.  Mogaard  is  a Republican  in 
his  politics,  but  has  never  sought  public  office.  He  is  a stock- 
holder in  the  Farmers’  Elevator  at  Wanamingo.  He  and  his 
family  are  communicants  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church. 

Robert  E.  Mathews,  a retired  farmer  living  at  Zumbrota,  was 
born  in  Ohio,  April  15,  1859.  His  parents,  Thomas  and  Mary 
(IJalfyard)  Mathews,  came  to  America  in  1853,  locating  in  Ohio, 
where  the  father  engaged  in  farming  until  the  breaking  out  of 
the  Civil  War  in  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  Eighth  Ohio  Vol- 
unteer Infantry  as  a private  and  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  the 
Wilderness.  The  mother  died  in  Ohio  in  1895.  Robert  E.  spent 
his  early  days  in  Ohio,  * receiving  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  that  state.  In  December,  1874,  he  came  to  Red  Wing 
and  took  up  farming,  remaining  there  until  1879,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Zumbrota,  still  engaged  in  farming.  In  1883  he  became 
the  owner  of  a fine  farm  of  160  acres,  on  which  he  carried  on  a 
general  and  diversified  farming  for  ten  years,  after  which,  in 


1000 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1893,  he  retired  from  active  work  and  bought  a home  on  East 
avenue  in  Zumbrota.  Mr.  Mathews  was  married,  July  1,  1883, 
at  Zumbrota  to  Anna  J.  Miller,  daughter  of  Alfred  J.  and  Amy 
A.  (Davis)  Miller,  who  came  from  Nova  Scotia,  first  settling  in 
Illinois  and  later  removing  to  Zumbrota.  The  father  died  in 
1882  and  the-  mother  is  still  living.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mathews  had 
three  children:  Leslie  E.,  born  August  23,  1884;  Margie  A., 

born  October  7,  1886 ; Robert  A.,  born  September  21,  1889.  Mrs. 
Mathews  died  October  14,  1898,  at  Zumbrota  and  Mr.  Mathews 
was  married  June  24,  1908,  to  Emma  E.  Miers,  of  Zumbrota, 
daughter  of  Simon  and  Catherine  (Weiss)  Miers,  the  father  being 
a retired  farmer  of  that  place.  Mr.  Mathews  is  a Republican  in 
his  political  views  and  is  a member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America  and  the  Modern  Samaritans.  He  and  his  family  attend 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Swen  L.  Swenson,  of  Zumbrota  village,  was  born  in  Minneola 
township,  August  25,  1864,  son  of  Lars  and  Borgel  (Haugen) 
Swenson.  They  located  in  Minneola  township  in  1860,  purchas- 
ing 170  acres  of  land,  which  the  father  broke  and  improved, 
erecting  a comfortable  home  for  himself  and  family,  and  other 
farm  buildings  for  his  stock.  He  followed  general  farming  until 
he  retired  in  1894,  at  which  time  his  son,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  purchased  the  homestead.  Swen  L.  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  Minneola  and  after  finishing  his 
school  days  remained  with  his  father  on  the  farm,  assisting  him 
until  he  became  owner.  Lie  added  many  improvements  to  the 
place  and  was  a very  successful  and  progressive  farmer,  continu- 
ing to  live  on  the  farm  until  1906,  when  he  rented  it  and  removed 
to  Zumbrota  village,  purchasing  a substantial  home,  where  he 
now  resides  with  his  mother,  his  father  having  passed  away  in 
1895.  Mr.  Swenson  is  Republican  in  his  political  views,  but  has 
never  sought  public  office.  He  has  made  his  own  way  by  industry 
and  perseverance,  being  a man  who  was  not  only  a good  farmer, 
but  a good  citizen,  being  interested  in  the  affairs  of  the  village 
in  which  he  lives.  He  and  his  mother  attend  the  Lutheran 
church.  Mr.  Swenson  has  never  married. 

Ole  A.  Stonedahl,  of  Zumbrota  village,  was  born  in  Decorah, 
Iowa,  August  25,  1854,  son  of  Ragnald  K.  and  Martha  Stonedahl, 
originally  from  Norway.  They  came  to  America  in  1878,  locat- 
ing in  Wisconsin  for  five  years,  for  one  year  in  Iowa,  and  then 
in  1854  in  Fillmore  county,  Minnesota,  where  they  purchased 
160  acres  of  land.  To  this  they  added  at  different  times  until 
they  had  520  acres,  which  they  broke  and  improved,  following 
general  farming  up  to  the  time  of  the  father’s  death  in  1851. 
The  mother  died  June  20,  1865.  Ole  acquired  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  and  the  business  college  of  LaCrosse,  Wis.,  and 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1001 


worked  with  his  father  until  twenty  years  of  age.  Subsequently 
he  farmed  one  year  for  himself  in  the  county,  worked  at  the 
machine  trade  one  year  and  then  located  in  South  Dakota  two 
years.'  After  this  he  went  to  Norman  county,  Minnesota  and 
homesteaded  160  acres  of  land  on  which  he  farmed  for  seven 
years.  In  1889  he  removed  to  Cummings,  N.  D.,  and  bought 
grain  for  two  years,  and  in  1891  became  manager  of  the  Na- 
tional Elevator  Company  for  twelve  years,  after  which  he  ac- 
cepted the  position  of  general  manager  for  the  Zumbrota 
Farmers’  Mercantile  and  Elevator  Company,  which  position  he 
still  holds.  Mr.  Stonedahl  was  married  October  9,  1892,  at  Cum- 
mings, N.  D.,  to  Martha  Holm.  Their  home  is  brightened  by  the 
presence  of  an  adopted  daughter  Mary  and  a little  niece  whom 
they  have  cared  for  since  two  years  old.  Mr.  Stonedahl  is  a 
Republican  and  has  the  excellent  record  of  twelve  years’  service 
as  constable  and  two  years’  service  as  assessor  at  Cummings, 
N.  D.  He  belongs  to  the  Modern  AYoodmen  and  attends  the 
Lutheran  church. 

Charles  Himmelman  is  a name  that  will  be  remembered  for 
many  generations  to  come,  whenever  the  story  is  told  of  the  early 
days  of  Yasa  township.  He  first  saw  the  light  of  day  in  Sweden, 
April  26,  1827,  and  after  going  to  school  and  working  for  a time 
in  that  country  he  came  to  America  in  1853.  One  year  later  he 
took  up  his  residence  in  Yasa  and  pre-empted  some  land,  where 
he  carried  on  farming  operations  on  an  extensive  scale.  Adding 
to  his  property  from  time  to  time,  he  finally  owned  160  acres, 
all  rich  and  under  cultivation.  He  was  the  first  chairman  of 
the  township  of  Vasa  and  he  and  his  family  were  numbered 
among  those  who  joined  the  church  at  Vasa  at  the.  time  of  its 
organization  by  the  Rev.  E.  Norelius.  In  1859,  he  rented  his 
farm  and  came  to  Red  Wing,  where  he  carried  on  the  grain 
business  until  1870.  In  1862,  Avhile  still  engaged  in  selling  grain, 
he  purchased  a farm  in  Belle  Creek  township,  and  eight  years 
later  moved  onto  the  place,  carrying  on  general  farming  for  sev- 
eral years.  From  1888  to  1892  he  sold  sewing  machines  in  Red 
Wing  and  then  went  to  California  with  his  family  for  the  benefit 
of  his  health.  There  he  remained  until  his  death,  November  9, 
1901.  After  his  decease,  his  widow  returned  to  Red  AYing  and 
took  up  her  residence  at  611  East  avenue,  where  she  still  resides. 
Aside  from  the  office  above  mentioned,  Mr.  Himmelman  saw  pub- 
lic service  as  supervisor,  justice  of  the  peace  and  town  clerk. 
He  was  married  October  23,  1850,  at  Boraas,  Sweden,  to  Pauline 
Constantia  Brovall,  who  came  to  America  in  1857,  and  joined 
her  husband  at  Yasa.  To  this  union  were  born  three  children: 
Alma  M.,  born  March  10,  1851,  died  July  26,  1867 ; Teekla  M., 
born  March  6,  1852,  died  March  31.  1852 ; Charles,  born  May  4, 


1002 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1853,  at  Sweden,  is  now  a farmer  in  Belle  Creek  township,  this 
county.  Hilma  (adopted)  married  John  Webster,  of  Red  Wing. 

Dr.  H.  L.  Brynildsen,  the  late  physician  of  Vasa,  was  born  in 
Nedre  Telemark en,  Norway,  where  he  for  a short  period  at- 
tended the  public  schools.  In  the  early  sixties  he  emigrated  to 
America,  settling  first  in  Minneapolis,  where  he  began  to  study 
medicine,  and  later  on  engaged  in  the  practice  of  the  medical 
profession  in  Goodhue  county,  where  he  resided  about  thirty 
years,  until  his  death,  June  29,  1908.  During  all  these  years  Dr. 
Brynildsen  also  engaged  in  the  general  merchandise  business  and 
enjoyed  the  confidence  of  the  entire  community.  Dr.  Brynildsen 
Avas  for  many  years  f‘the  Good  Samaritan”  in  Vasa,  and  hun- 
dreds are  those  to  whom  he  extended  a helping  hand,  medical 
assistance,  when  in  sickness  and  distress.  His  true  worth  has 
perhaps  nor  never  will  be  appreciated  as  it  should  in  Vasa  and 
the  surrounding  towns,  but  be  that  as  it  may,  he  was  an  un- 
selfish man,  possessed  of  a tender  heart  and  had  the  welfare  of 
the  community  at  heart.  Mrs.  H.  L.  Brynildsen,  who  is  also  a 
native  of  Norway,  was  married  to  Mr.  Brynildsen  in  Minneapolis 
about  thirty  years  ago  and  has,  together  with  her  husband,  spent 
her  life  in  Vasa,  where  she  still  resides  with  two  sons  and  one 
daughter.  To  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Brynildsen  were  born  the  folloAving 
children,  who  are  all  alive : Allan  Ludvig,  hardware  merchant, 
Stampede,  N.  D. ; Robert  Justus,  farmer  at  Fern,  N.  D. ; Lillie, 
nee  Mrs  Bertie  Nelson,  whose  husband  is  the  leading  banker  and 
attorney  at  Flaxton,  N.  D. ; Delmar,  merchant  at  Vasa,  Minn.; 
and  Herbert,  who  is  engaged  as  a clerk  in  his  brother’s  store  at 
Vasa.  Delmar  Avas  born  in  Vasa,  March  12,  1885.  He  attended 
the  public  schools  in  Vasa  and  from  early  boyhood  his  mind  has 
turned  to  business,  so  that  it  Avas  not  a surprise  to  his  many 
friends  that  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  in  which  he 
is  making  a splendid  success.  In  December,  1908,  he  married 
Alice  Larson,  the  youngest  daughter  of  Gustaf  Larson,  a well- 
to-do  farmer  of  Featherstone.  Young  Brynildsen  is  a member 
of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  at  Vasa  and  of  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America,  takes  a great  deal  of  interest  in  road  im- 
provements and  is  a rising  man  in  the  community. 

Osee  Matson  Hall,  of  Red  Wing,  Avas  born  in  Conneaut,  Ohio, 
graduated  at  Williams  College  in  the  class  of  1868 ; has  since 
resided  and  practiced  law  in  Red  Wing;  Avas  elected  to  the  fifty- 
second  congress  and  re-elected  to  the  fifty-third  congress,  repre- 
senting the  third  Minnesota  district.  At  present  he  is  a member 
of  Minnesota  State  Tax  Commission.  In  the  early  days  of  his 
practice  he  Avas  in  partnership  with  W.  C.  Wiliston,  later  district 
judge-,  and  later  with  N.  0.  Werner,  noAV  president  of  the  Swedish- 
American  Bank  of  Minneapolis. 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1003 


Charles  P.  Hall  was  born  in  Red  Wing,  graduated  at  Hobart 
College  in  the  class  of  1897 ; taught  school  one  year  in  western 
New  York,  and  graduated  from  the  law  department  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Michigan  in  1901.  Admitted  to  the  bar  in  Minnesota 
in  1902;  practiced  in  co-partnership  with  0.  M.  Hall  until  1901, 
when  he  located  at  Cannon  Falls,  holding  position  of  city  attor- 
ney 1905-6-7.  At  present  he  practices  in  Red  Wing  and  Cannon 
Falls. 

William  Busch  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Germany,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  years,  in  1851,  came  to 
America.  Seventeen  months’  work  at  the  baker’s  trade  in  New 
York  gave  him  enough  money  to  move  to  Chicago,  where  he 
remained  from  1853  to  1858.  At  Hay  Creek,  in  this  county, 
which  was  then  being  settled,  he  took  up  a claim  of  160  acres 
and  carried  on  farming  about  eighteen  years.  Although  he  pros- 
pered in  this  venture  he  had  a desire  for  larger  business  ventures, 
and  in  1876  he  sold  his  farm  and  came  to  Red  Wing,  where  he 
invested  his  money  in  several  different  concerns,  including  the 
Goodhue  County  Bank,  of  which  he  is  now  a director.  He  is 
also  a'  director  in  the  Red  Wing  Sewer  Pipe  Company,  the  Red 
Wing  Milling  Company,  the  Linseed  Oil  Company  and  the  Red 
Wing  Brick  Manufacturing  Company.  He  is  vice  president  of 
the  LaGrange  Mills.  His  real  estate  holdings  include  city  prop- 
erty, a 320-acre  farm  in  Yasa  township  and  a 185-acre  farm  in 
Featherstone  township.  In  politics,  Mr.  Busch  is  a Democrat. 
He  has  been  to*wnship  supervisor  and  a member  of  the  city  coun- 
cil. In  1853-1854  he  served  in  the  militia.  To  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  he  pays  his  fraternal  allegiance.  William  Busch  was 
married  in  February,  1868,  to  Fredericka  Wolbrus,  by  whom  he 
has  six  children. 

Carl  E.  Vangsness  was  born  in  Wisconsin,  October  14,  1860, 
son  of  Iver  and  Unni  Vangsness.  He  received  his  education  in 
Belle  Creek,  and  worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  he 
was  • twenty-eight  years  of  age,  when  he  purchased  eighty  acres 
of  land  in  Section  29 ; he  also  rents  160  acres  and  follows  a gen- 
eral line  of  farming  and  stock  raising.  Mr.  Vangsness  was  mar- 
ried March  2,  1888,  to  Elizabeth  Iverson,  daughter  of  Iver  and 
Berit  (Romo)  Iverson,  natives  of  Nonvay.  They  came  to  America 
and  located  in  Wanamingo  township,  where  they  have  spce 
been  engaged  in  farming.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vangsness  have  ten 
children:  Ingmar,  who  is  a student  at  the  State  University; 

Iver,  Bella,  Henry,  Rudolph,  George,  Ida,  Florence,  Luella  and 
Clarence.  Mr.  Vangsness  is  a Republican  in  his  politics  and  has 
been  road  overseer  and  director  of  the  school  board  for  several 
years.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Norwegian  Lu- 
theran church. 


1004 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


George  F.  Wolfe  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides, 
in  Belle  Creek  township,  September  4,  1878,  son  of  Zenius  and 
Susan  (Cook)  AYolfe.  The  father  was  born  in  Minnesota  and 
the  mother  in  Pennsylvania.  The  father  worked  at  various  labor 
in  early  life,  then  engaged  in  farming  in  this  county,  which  he 
folloAved  until  his  death  in  November,  1896.  The  mother  still 
lives  with  her  son.  George  received  his  education  in  Belle  Creek 
township,  after  which  he  took  up  farming  on  the  farm  he  now 
owns,  renting  it  in  1901,  and  in  1904  he  purchased  it.  This  farm 
consists  of  200  acres  located  in  Section  16,  and  was  the  old 
homestead  of  his  grandfather  Jacob  Cook,  who  purchased  the 
land  in  1856.  It  was  all  wild  land,  and  he  broke,  cleared  and 
improved  it  and  followed  general  and  diversified  farming  until 
his  death.  This  land  is  now  all  under  cultivation  and  George 
has  erected  a new  house  and  several  outbuildings,  following  gen- 
eral farming  and  stock  raising.  September  11,  1907,  George  was 
married  to  Sarah  M.  Nelson,  who  was  a prominent  school  teacher, 
having  taught  for  several  years  in  this  county.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  C.  J.  and  Jennette  Nelson.  The  father  was  of  Swed- 
ish descent  and  the  mother  of  Norwegian.  They  were  prominent 
farmers  of  Belle  Creek  township.  The  father  died  in  June,  1905, 
but  the  mother  is  still  living  on  the  old  homestead  with  her  son. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  AYolfe  have  no  children.  Mr.  AYolfe  is  a staunch 
Prohibitionist  in  his  political  views,  and  is  constable  of  the  town- 
ship, also  clerk  of  the  school  board  of  district  No.  39,  which 
office  he  has  held  for  seven  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  AYolfe  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Episcopal  church.  Fraternally  Mr.  and  Mrs.  AYolfe 
affiliate  with  the  I.  O.  G.  T.  of  Belle  Creek. 

John  A.  Cavanaugh  was  born  at  Belle  Creek  February  6,  1871, 
son  of  Timothy  and  Mary  (Ryan)  Cavanaugh,  natives  of  Ireland. 
They  came  to  America  and  located  in  Belle  Creek  township, 
where  they  took  a homestead  of  160  acres,  which  they  broke  and 
improved.  Timothy  Cavanaugh  served  in  the  Civil  AYar  as  cor- 
poral Company  G,  Seventh  Regiment  Minnesota  Volunteers.  Be- 
side doing  a general  line  of  farming,  the  father  raised  horses  and 
cattle.  In  1886  he  had  110  acres  under  cultivation,  and  in  that 
year  he  took  up  his  home  in  St.  Paul,  where  he  died  in  1894. 
The  mother  is  still  living  in  St.  Paul.  John  A.  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  common  school  of  Belle  Creek  and  completed  the 
commercial  course  of  study  in  the  high  school  of  St.  Paul.  He 
then  worked  in  a railroad  office  until  the  summer  of  1894,  when 
he  came  to  Belle  Creek  and  took  charge  of  the  farm,  doing  a 
general  line  of.  farming.  He  has  eight  horses  and  twenty  head 
of  cattle,  also  raises  pure  bred  Plymouth  Rock  chickens  as  a 
specialty,  and  is  now  erecting  a 36x78  stock  barn  which  is  mod- 
ern in  every  way,  also  20x36  grain  elevator  and  20x30  hog  house 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1005 


in  connection  with  same,  all  with  basement  bottom.  Mr.  Cava- 
naugh Avas  married  December  31,  1895,  to  Annie  M.  Underdahl, 
daughter  of  Engebrecht  Underdahl  and  Johanna  Lilleskov,  of 
Norway,  who  came  to  America  and  settled  near  Cannon  Falls, 
where  they  carry  on  a general  line  of  farming.  They  have  now 
retired  from  farming  and  are  living  in  Albert  Lea,  Minn.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Cavanaugh  have  a family  of  six  children:  Mary  T.,  Thomas 
E.,  John  H.,  Bernard  F.,  Joseph  I.,  and  Helen  J.,  all  at  home. 
Mr.  Cavanaugh  is  an  independent  voter  and  the  family  faith  is 
that  of  the  Catholic  church.  At  the  present  time  he  is  serving 
as  town  clerk  of  Belle  Creek ; he  is  also  secretary  of  the  Farmers  ’ 
Co-operative  Elevator  of  Goodhue.  He  is  a member  of  the  Mod- 
ern Woodmen  of  America,  the  Royal  Neighbors  and  the  Catholic 
Order  of  Foresters,  the  latter  of  which  he  is  financial  secretary. 
Mrs.  Cavanaugh  is  also  a member  of  the  Royal  Neighbors. 

A.  W.  Tillman  lives  on  the  Tillman  homestead  in  Welch, 
which  he  conducts  for  the  family  estate,  the  property  not  having 
been  divided  upon  the  death  of  the  parents.  He  was  born  in 
this  township,  on  the  place  where  he  still  resides,  May  7,  1877, 
son  of  E.  and  Nellie  (Nelson)  Tillman,  early  settlers  of  Afton, 
Washington  county,  this  state,  where  they  settled  after  coming  to 
this  country  from  Sweden.  In  1874  they  came  to  Welch  town- 
ship, and  followed  farming  for  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  The 
mother  died  March  23,  1906,  and  the  father  August  29,  1908. 
They  left  children,  all  of  whom  are  an  honor  to  the  family  name. 
Emma  is  married;  Lillian  is  at  home;  A.  W.  is  the  subject  of 
this  sketch ; Frank  is  associated  with  his  brother  in  managing  the 
family  estate ; Gillmore  is  a bookkeeper  and  stenographer  for 
the  Eagle  Iron  Works  at  Minneapolis;  and  Hildegard  is  at  home, 
keeping  house  for  her  brothers.  A.  W.  was  brought  up  on  the 
home  farm  and  has  since  remained  here  with  the  exception  of 
three  years  at  different  intervals  spent  on  his  farm  of  360  acres 
in  Canada.  Like  many  men  who  like  to  think  for  themselves, 
he  is  an  independent  voter.  Having  a liking  for  congenial  com- 
panionship, he  has  associated  himself  with  the  Modern  Woodmen 
at  Welch.  The  Tillman  estate  consists  of  120  acres  of  good  land, 
with  comfortable  house  and  buildings,  all  the  improvements  being 
the  work  of  the  father  and  sons. 

Richard  A.  Tiller,  son  of  John  and  Mina  (Sjervold)  Tiller, 
was  born  in  Wanamingo  township,  October  5,  1875.  The  parents 
were  natives  of  Norway,  where  the  father  was  a blacksmith  by 
trade.  They  came  to  the  United  States  in  1863,  locating  in 
Chicago,  111.,  where  they  remained  for  two  years,  the  father  being 
employed  as  carpenter.  Then  they  came  to  Red  Wing,  where 
he  was  employed  in  Densmore  Brothers’  foundry,  remaining  for 
ten  years,  after  which  he  went  to  Wanamingo  and  started  a 


100G 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


blacksmith  shop,  and  in  1894  purchased  land  consisting  of  148 
acres.  Here  he  built  a home  and  other  outbuildings  and  carried 
on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  until  his  death,  February, 
1908.  The  mother  is  still  living  on  the  homestead.  Richard 
received  his  education  in  the  public  school,  and  after  leaving- 
school  days  behind  worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  in 
1903,  when  he  went  into  the  dray  and  livery  business,  which  he 
has  since  continued.  He  was  married  October  28,  1905,  to  Jen- 
nie Kolsum,  daughter  of  S.  E.  Kolsum,  a native  of  Norway, 
who  came-  to  America  and  located  in  Minneola  township,  and 
later  moved  to  Cherry  Grove  township,  where  they  engaged  in 
farming  on  160  acres  of  land.  The  mother  died  May,  1893,  and 
the  father  died  January  24,  1908.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tiller  have  no 
children.  Mr.  Tiller  is  a Prohibitionist  in  his  politics,  and  has 
served  as  constable  for  two  terms.  Mr.  Tiller  is  a succesful  busi- 
ness man,  doing  an  extensive  dray  and  livery  business,  and  has 
recently  erected  a new  and  modern  barn. 

Andrew  Johnson,  of  Welch  township,  was  born  in  Sweden, 
April  10,  1846,  son  of  John  and  Sara  Johnson,  natives  of  Sweden. 
He  came  to  America  in  1871  and  located  in  Red  Wing,  where 
he  worked  for  farmers  for  five  months,  and  in  the  pineries,  where 
he  was  employed  two  Avinters.  Then  he  came  to  Welch  toAAm- 
sliip,  renting  a piece  of  land  for  a short  time,  after  which  he  pur- 
chased 162  acres  of  land  which  he  improved,  built  a home,  and 
carried  on  general  farming,  dairying  and  stock  raising.  In  1876 
he  was  married  to  Eunice  Peterson.  Their  home  has  been  blessed 
with  five  children:  Mary,  married  Nels  Arlingson,  a farmer  of 

Vasa  township;  Frank  A.,  lives  at  home;  Carrie,  Avho  is  in  St. 
Paul,  married  Emil  Carlson,  foreman  of  the  stock  yards ; Charles 
N.,  is  a bookkeeper  at  Adler  & Schacht,  of  Red  Wing;  and  Arthur 
C.,  lives  at  home.  Mr.  Johnson  is  a Republican  in  his  political 
Auews,  and  has  served  as  supervisor  for  the  past  ten  years ; he 
is  also  a member  of  the  school  board  of  his  district.  The  family 
are  members  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church,  of  which  he  is 
one  of  the  trustees. 

Thomas  A.  Agnew,  proprietor  of  the  Cannon  Falls  Canning 
Company,  is  at  the  head  of  an  institution  which  has  already  met 
with  great  success,  and  promises  in  the  future  to  meet  Avith  still 
greater  prosperity,  furnishing  as  it  does  an  opportunity  to  the 
farmers  for  disposing  of  their  products  without  seeking  far-away 
city  markets.  Mr..  Agnew  Avas  born  April  11,  1873,  and,  after 
attending  the  common  schools,  learned  stenography  and  book- 
keeping. His  first  experience  in  the  canning  business  Avas  in 
Westfield,  N.  Y.,  where  he  thoroughly  mastered  all  the  details. 
In  1904  he  came  to  Cannon  Falls  and  opened  his  present  estab- 
lishment, canning  vegetables  of  all  kinds,  but  making  a specialty 


history;  of  goodhue  county 


1007 


of  a fine  grade  of  sweet  corn.  The  corn  chosen  for  canning  by 
Mr.  Agnew  is  of  the  sweetest  and  best,  and  the  process  insures 
absolute  cleanliness.  Mr.  Agnew  has  associated  himself  with  the 
Masonic  order,  and  in  politics  he  is  an  independent  voter.  By 
Laura  Watson,  whom  he  married  September  16,  1897,  he  has  one 
daughter,  Dorothy,  born  March  24,  1907.  The  family  faith  is 
that  of  the  Congregational  church.  William  and  Minnie  (Leahy)f 
Agnew,  parents  of  Thomas  A.,  were  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania. 
The  mother  died  in  1877,  and  the  father  still  lives  in  his  native 
state,  where  he  is  engaged  as  a railroad  engineer. 

Andrew  J.  Vangsness,  of  Belle  Creek  township,  was  born  in 
Wisconsin,  January  8,  1858,  son  of  Tver  and  Una  Yangsness, 
natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1854  and  located 
in  AVisconsin,  where  the  father  engaged  in  general  labor  until 
1862,  when  they  came-  to  Belle  Creek  township  and  purchased  130 
acres  of  wild  land  on  Section  31,  which  the  father  broke  and 
cleared,  improved  the  land  and  built  a home  and  other  buildings 
necessary  to  carry  on  successful  farming.  Here  he  died  on  May 
2,  1905,  the  mother  having  passed  away  in  1868.  Andrew  re- 
ceived his  education  in  Belle  Creek  township,  and  worked  with 
his  father  on  the  farm  until  1905,  when  he  and  his  brother  came 
into  possession  of  the  farm,  which  they  have  continued  to  im- 
prove, and  are  now  among  the  leading  farmers  in  the  township. 
Mr.  Yangsness  was  married  November,  1885,  to  Anna  Johnson, 
a native  of  Norway.  They  have  been-  blessed  with  three  chil- 
dren : Una,  born  March  20,  1887,  married  to  Carl  Nerison,  now 
of  Minneola  township;  Julius,  born  December  1,  1891,  lives  at 
home ; Ingvald,  born  October  7,  1888,  died  June  2,  1904.  Mr. 
Vangsness  is  a Republican  in  politics  and  has  taken  an  active  in- 
terest in  the  affairs  of  his  community.  He  has  served  as  super- 
visor for  five  years,  is  now  treasurer  of  school  district  No.  92, 
and  has  been  road  overseer  several  times.  He  and  his  family 
are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Lewis  L.  Agrey,  of  Minneola  township,  son  of  Erick  and 
Bertha  Agrey,  was  born  June  8,  1854,  in  Norway.  His 
parents  both  being  natives  of  that  country,  immigrating  to 
America  in  the  year  1856  when  Lewis  was  two  years  old.  They 
settled  in  AVinneshiek  county,  Iowa,  engaging  in  farming  until 
1864,  when  they  moved  to  Fillmore  county,  purchased  a farm,  re- 
maining here  for  one  year.  In  the  spring  of  1865  they  removed  to 
Minneola  township,  purchasing  a farm  of  166  acres,  mostly  wild 
land,  which  they  cultivated  and  improved.  The  father  died  No- 
vember 1,  1865.  The  mother  continued  to  live  on  the  homestead 
until  she  died,  May  1,  1895.  Lewis  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Minneola,  and  after  finishing  his  education  he  re- 
mained on  the  home  farm,  building  a new  house  and  other  build- 


1008 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


ings,  and  followed  general  and  mixed  farming  ever  since.  Mr. 
Agrey  is  single,  living  with  his  mother  until  her  death.  He  is 
a Republican  and  a member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Nels  Ellingston,  proprietor  of  the  Cannon  Yalley  Stock  Farm, 
Warsaw  township,  was  born  in  Norway,  September  3,  1837,  and, 
after  attending  school  as  a boy,  took  up  farming  with  his  father, 
working  in  Norway  and  in  Boone  county,  Illinois,  where  the 
family  located  in  1845.  In  1863  he  came  to  Warsaw,  purchased 
160  acres,  and  started  farming  for  himself,  later  adding  to  his 
original  place  by  purchase  until  he  now  owns  226  acres  of  excel- 
lent farm  land,  upon  which  he  carries  on  general  farming  and 
stock  raising,  making  a specialty  of  Norman  horses  and  Short- 
horn cattle.  A staunch  Republican  in  politics  he  has  served  the 
town  as  supervisor  and  has  been  clerk  of  school  district  No.  52 
many  years.  He  has  stock  in  the  farmers’-  elevators  at  Cannon 
Falls  and  at  Dennison,  and  lias  been  chairman  of  the  Sogn  Co- 
operative Dairy  Association.  His  wife,  Gertrude  Lee,  whom  he 
married  May  25,  1868,  has  borne  him  five  children : Elizabeth, 
wife  of  N.  J.  Nesheim,  of  Willow  Lake;  George  II.,  a professor 
in  the  Red  Wing  Seminary;  Gerena,  living  in  Red  AYing;  Louisa, 
wife  of  Christopher  Gensvold;  and  Andrew  J.,  who  lives  at  home. 

Mrs.  Ellingson’s  parents  were  Johannas  and  Gertrude  Lee, 
who  came  to  America  in  1846,  located  in  Illinois  and  remained 
several  years,  after  which  they  took  up  their  residence  in  Leon 
township,  where  they  ended  their  days. 

Lars  and  Gerena  Ellingson,  parents  of  Nels  Ellingson,  came 
to  this  country  from  Norway  in  1845,  and  located  in  Boone 
county,  Illinois,  where  the  mother  died  in  1849.  The  father 
came  to  Minnesota  in  1865  and  died  in  South  Dakota  in  1875. 

Jorgen  Ingebretson  was  born  in  Norway,  September  18,  1844, 
son  of  Englebret  and  Dorothy  (Johnson)  Ingebretson,  who  came 
to  America  in  1872,  locating  in  Michigan,  where  the  father  en- 
gaged in  the  carpenter’s  trade  for  four  years,  after  which  they 
removed  to  Wabasha  county  and  engaged  in  farming.  Here  they 
lived  for  sixteen  years,  and  then  came  to  Wanamingo  town- 
ship to  reside  with  their  son.  The  father  died  June  30,  1906, 
while  the  mother  passed  away  in  June,  1889.  Jorgen  received 
his  education  in  Norway,  and  came  to  America  in  1866  and  lo- 
cated in  Michigan,  where  he  was  employed  in  the  pineries  for 
three  years.  In  1869  he  returned  to  Norway,  remaining  one 
year.  In  1870  he  came  back  to  America  and  engaged  in  car- 
pentering in  Michigan  for  four  years,  after  which  he  removed  to 
Wabasha  county,  Minnesota,  and  purchased  228  acres  of  land 
and  carried  on  general  farming  until  in  1880,  when  he  came  to 
Wanamingo  township  and  bought  320  acres  in  Section  22,  where 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1009 


lie  built  a liome  and  other  outbuildings,  following  general  and 
diversified  farming.  Mr.  Ingebretson  was  married  in  June,  1870, 
to  Dorothy  Hanson,  natives  of  Norway,  daughter  of  Hans  and 
Maron  (Jacobson)  Hanson,  who  were  farmers  and  fishermen. 
The  father  met  his  death  on  the  sea  with  eight  neighbors,  while 
on  a fishing  trip  in  1848.  The  mother  died  in  1865.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Engebretson  have  had  nine  children : Mary,  married  to 

Peter  Thompson;  Nettie  (deceased);  Anna  (deceased);  Patrena, 
who  is  a dressmaker;  Nettie,  married  to  E.  Everson,  of  South 
Dakota;  Henry  aud  John,  living  at  home;  Julia  (deceased)  ; and 
Nora,  living  at  home.  Mr.  Engebretson  is  a Republican  in  his 
political  views  and  is  a stockholder  in  the  elevator  at  AVanamingo 
and  the  Minneola  Creamery.  Mr.  Ingebretson  and  family  attend 
the  Lutheran  church. 

George  M.  Harlow,  a retired  brick  manufacturer,  living  at 
1025  Bush  street,  is  a Neiv  Englander  by  birth,  a native  of  San- 
gerville,  Piscataquis  county,  Maine,  where  he  made  his  first 
appearance  May  24,  1840.  Ilis  father,  Ivory  Harlow  (married 
to  Rachael  D.  Mayo),  was  a brick  manufacturer  in  Brewer,  a 
suburb  of  Bangor,  Maine,  where  he  continued  in  business  until 
the  time  of  his  death,  July  7,  1875.  The  mother  died  on  the  old 
homestead  in  1903.  A brother  of  George  M.  still  carries  on  the 
brick  business  at  Brewer,  while  two  sisters  are  dead.  George  M. 
attended  the  public  schools  of  Brewer  and  worked  in  his  father’s 
establishment  until  reaching  the  age  of  eighteen,  when  he  started 
in  business  for  himself,  manufacturing  and  laying  brick.  In 
1862  he  entered  the  service  of  the  government  hi  the  quarter- 
master’s department  at  Nashville,  serving  until  after  the  close 
of  tbe  war.  In  Red  Wing,  where  he  arrived  in  1867,  he  started 
the  manufacture  of  bricks,  also  doing  general  contracting.  From 
that  time  until  1900,  a period  of  twenty-three  years,  he  continued 
in  business,  making  and  laying  the  bricks  on  many  important 
buildings  in  this  city.  Since  his  retirement,  he  occasionally,  as 
he  feels  inclined,  takes  a small  contract  for  mason  work.  lie  has 
been  recorder  of  the  United  Workmen  twenty-nine  years,  and 
gave  efficient  service  to  the  city  of  Red  AVing  four  years  as  a 
member  of  the  city  council,  and  twelve  years  on  the  water 
board.  He  votes  the  Republican  ticket,  belongs  to  the  Masonic 
order  and  attends  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  Harlow 
was  married,  in  this  city,  March  4,  1868,  to  Mrs.  Alice  F.  Pratt, 
daughter  of  Samuel  Carpenter,  who  is  now  deceased,  as  is  his 
wife.  Of  the  eight  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harlow,  six 
are  living.  Minnie,  the  oldest,  is  dead;  Grace  R.,  married  to 
Rufus  R.  Misenhemer,  lives  at  Portland,  Ore. ; ^Edward  I.,  is 
married,  and  is  employed  in  the  advertising  department  of  the 


1010 


HISTORY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Minneapolis  “Journal’';  George  C.  is  civil  engineer  for  the  city  of 
Portland,  Ore. ; Fred  G.,  living  at  Minneapolis,  is  a mail  clerk 
on  the  Milwaukee  railroad ; Ernest,  married,  is  a painter  in 
Minneapolis;  Florence  G.  lives  at  home,  and  Harry  is  dead. 

Joseph  Huneke  was  born  in  Westphalia,  Germany,  September 
3,  1854,  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Huneke,  natives  of  Germany, 
where  the  mother  still  lives.  Joseph  received  his  education  in 
Germany,  and  came  to  America  in  1874,  locating  in  Goodhue 
county,  Minnesota,  where  he  took  up  farming  on  a farm  consist- 
ing of  120  acres  of  land  in  Hay  Creek  township,  which  he  im- 
proved and  built  all  the  outbuildings  himself,  and  where  he  has 
carried  on-  general  farming  and  dairying  for  the  past  thirty 
years,  also  working  part  of  the  time  as  carpenter.  He  has  eighty 
acres  under  cultivation  and  has  a fine  home.  Mr.  Huneke  was 
married  in  1879  to  Mary  Koester,  daughter  of  William  Koester, 
who  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  in  Hay  Creek  township ; he 
came  from  Germany  and  engaged  in  farming.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Huneke  have  eight  children : Theresa,  Theodore,  who  is  a farmer 
of  Hay  Creek  township ; Annie,  Frank,  Christine,  William,  Peter 
and  Bernard,  all  of  whom  are  at  home.  Mr.  Huneke  is  an  inde- 
pendent voter,  and  has  been  supervisor  for  the  past  five  years, 
also  roadmaster.  In  1905  Mr.  Huneke  paid  a visit  to  his  mother 
in  Germany,  returning  three  months  later.  He  is  a member  of 
the  Sons  of  Herman,  ahd  he  and  his  family  are  members  of  the 
Catholic  church  in  Red  Wing. 

Ole  A.  Haug'en,  of  Warsaw  township,  was  born  in  Holden 
township,  September  23,  1865,  son  of  Albert  and  Susan  (Bjora- 
ker)  Haugen,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  in  1855, 
settling  in  Holden  township,  where  they  purchased  160  acres 
of  land,  which  the  father  broke  and  cleared,  and  built  a house 
of  logs,  engaging  in  general  farming.  Later  he  purchased  140 
acres,  and  again  165  acres  in  Warsaw  township.  He  retired  in 
1903,  and  the  mother  died  in  1904.  Ole  A.  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  Holden,  and  worked  at  home  on  the 
farm  until  1889.  He  then  purchased  the  165  acres  in  Warsaw 
township,  belonging  to  his  father,  and  engaged  in  general  farm- 
ing and  raising  of  horses  and  stock.  All  his  land  can  be  culti- 
vated. On  October  17,  1889,  he  was  married  to  Martha  Broin, 
daughter  of  Jens  K.  and  Guri  Broin,  of  Wanamingo,  who  came 
to  America  from  Norway  in  1862,  locating  in  Wanamingo  town- 
ship, where  they  engaged  in  farming  on  160  acres  of  land,  to 
which  they  have  added  until  they  own  over  600  acres.  They 
retired  July  13,  1908,  but  still  reside  on  the  homestead.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Haugen  have  had  six  children : Ida  Sophia,  John  G., 

Albion  N.,  Helen  A.,  Otilda  M.,  all  living  at  home,  and  Clifford, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


10  LI 


who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Haugen  is  a Republican  in  his  political 
views,  and  has  been  treasurer  of  school  district  No.  53.  He  is 
a stockholder  in  the  North  Star  creamery  at  Kenyon.  He  and 
his  family  are  members  of  Wang’s  Norwegian  Lutheran  church, 
of  which  Mr.  Haugen  is  trustee. 

Olai  Haugen  was  bom  December  3,  1883,  on  the  farm  where 
he  now  resides,  in  Section  7,  Minneola  township.  He  is  the  son 
of  Ole  and  Sigricl  (Romo)  Haugen,  of  Norway,  who  came  to 
America  and  first  located  in  Rice  county,  Minnesota,  then  in 
Minneola  township,  where  they  purchased  200  acres  of  land. 
They  improved  part  of  this,  following  general  farming  until 
August,  1908,  when  he  retired  and  moved  to  Wanamingo  village, 
where  he  is  now  located.  Olai  attended  the  common  schools  in 
his  township,  then  entered  the  Minnesota  Agricultural  College 
in  Minneapolis,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1906.  He  then  re- 
turned to  the  farm  and  worked  with  his  father  until  1908,  when 
he  took  charge  of  the  homestead,  carrying  on  general  and  diversi- 
fied farming  principally  dairying,  and  making  a specialty  of 
high  grade  stock.  Father  and  son  are  both  staunch  Republicans 
and  attend  the  Lutheran  church.  The  former  has  served  several 
years  as  treasurer  of  school  district  No.  95.  Olai  has  six  brothers 
and  sisters : Siverte,  who  is  a farmer  in  Wanamingo  township; 
Louis,  of  Harmony,  Minn. ; Hannah,  Rebecca  and  Marite,  of 
Wanamingo ; and  Martin,  who  conducts  the  farm  with  his  brother. 

Martin  A.  Hostager  was  born  in  Wanamingo  township,  Febru- 
ary 20,  1871,  son  of  Anfin  and  Mary  (Simonson)  Hostager,  natives 
of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  and  located  at  Kansas,  but 
later  came  to  Cherry  Grove  township,  where  they  purchased  120 
acres  of  land  and  engaged  in  farming  until  1861,  when  they  re- 
moved to  AYanamingo  township  and  purchased  210  acres  in  Sec- 
tions 21-22-27-28,  which  the  father  improved,  building  a home 
and  other  outbuildings,  and  followed  general  farming  until  1899, 
when  the  family  moved  to  Kenyon  village,  where  the  father  died 
in  -June,  1901.  The  mother  still  lives  in  Kenyon.  Martin  A. 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Wanamingo  and 
worked  with  his  father  on  the  farm  until  in  1896,  when  he  took 
entire  charge  of  the  homestead,  making  a great  many  improve- 
ments and  erecting  new  buildings,  and  has  carried  on  a general 
farming.  Mr.  Hostager  was  married  March  20,  1896,  to  Matilda 
Chrislock,  daughter  of  Roph  Chrislock.  They  have  four  children : 
Alfred,  Rachel,  Mary,  Alma,  and  Rudolph,  all  living  at  home. 
Mr.  Hostager  is  a Republican  in  his  political  views,  and  is  clerk 
of  school  district  No.  62;  he  is  also  a stockholder  in  the  elevator 
and  creamery  of  Wanamingo. 

Ole  J.  Hamre  was  born  in  AArarsaw  township,  on  the  old  home- 
stead, on  October  3,  1863,  son  of  John  Torgeson,  who  came  to 


1012 


H1STOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


America  from  Norway  and  located  in  Racine,  Wis.,  remaining 
for  a year,  after  which  they  came  to  Wai'saw  township,  Goodhue 
county,  Minnesota,  and  pre-empted  land  consisting  of  160  acres, 
which  he  broke  and  cleared.  Fie  built  a log  house,  which  he 
shared  with  three  others,  being  some  of  the  first  settlers,  and 
houses  scarce.  Later  he  built  a more  comfortable  home  and 
outbuildings ; also  added  eighty  acres  to  his  land,  which  he  con- 
tinued to  improve,  and  carried  on  general  farming  until  his  death 
in  1890,  his  wife  surviving  him  six  years.  Ole  J.  received  his 
education  at  the  public  schools  of  Warsaw,  and  after  leaving 
school  he  worked  at  the  blacksmith’s  trade  for  two  years,  then 
was  employed  for  six  months  in  the  flour  mills  at  Cannon  Falls. 
In  1890  he  engaged  in  business  in  a general  store  at  Grant,  con- 
tinuing three  years,  after  which  he  sold  out  and  purchased  the 
old  homestead,  and  has  since  carried  on  a general  line  of  farming 
and  raising  of  fine  horses  and  stock.  Mr.  Ilamre  was  married 
to  Gunel  Bakken,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Carrie  (Tassa)  Bakken, 
who  were  natives  of  Norway,  and  emigrated  to  America  and 
located  in  Warsaw  township,  where  he  pre-empted  160  acres 
of  land  and  carried  on  general  farming,  adding  later  forty-six 
acres.  The  father  died  in  1905,  but  the  mother  is  still  living  on 
the  homestead.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harare  have  nine  children:  Emelia, 
Johnnie,  Ilelga,  Paul,  Carl,  Margaret,  Denali,  and  Ole,  who  live 
at  home,  and  Carrie,  now  of  Iowa.  Mr.  Hamre  is  a Republican 
in  his  political  views  and  has  served  as  chairman  of  the  town  of 
Warsaw  for  four  years,  supervisor  for  eight  years.  He  is  agent 
and  director  for  the  Holden  and  Warsaw  Fire  Insurance  Com- 
pany, in  which  capacity  he  has  served  for  eighteen  years.  He 
is  also  a stockholder  in  the  Farmers’  Elevator  at  Kenyon. 

Richard  H.  Dorn,  a well  known  Minneola  farmer  and  an  ac- 
complished musician,  was  born  on  the  place  where  he  still  lives, 
February  17,  1868,  son  of  John  and  Bertha  (Kopplin)  Dorn, 
natives  of  Germany.  The  father,  who  was  a farmer  and  mer- 
chant, was  born  in  Germany  and  came  to  America  in  1855,  locat- 
ing in  Watertown,  Wis.,  for  a period  of  six  years.  He  then 
came  to  Minneola  township  and  purchased  160  acres,  which  he 
broke,  cultivated  and  improved,  erecting  a home  and  other  neces- 
sary buildings.  To  this  farm  he  added  three  quarter  sections 
at  different  times,  but  sold  313  acres,  leaving  the  home  farm 
now  consisting  of  327  acres,  which  is  conducted  by  the  brothers, 
Richard  and  Julius  Dorn,  who  raise  the  usual  crops  and  breed 
horses,  cattle  and  sheep.  The  father  died  in  1903,  and  the  mother 
still  lives  on  the  old  homestead.  Richard  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools,  and  also  studied  music.  He  has  always 
remained  on  the  home  farm.  He  is  a cornet  player  and  played 
for  eight  years  in  the  Ilader  band.  In  1893  he  organized  the 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1013 


Minneola  brass  band,  which  has  a membership  of  seventeen.  Of 
this  band  he  was  leader  two  years.  In  politics  Mr.  Dorn  is  a 
Democrat,  and  for  many  years  served  as  roadmaster.  In  the 
Dorn  family  were  ten  children:  Paul  lives  in  Minneola  town- 

ship ; Louis  lives  in  Otter  Tail  county ; Clara  lives  in  Zumbrota ; 
Julius  is  at  home;  Frank  S.  lives  in  Rochester;  Richard  lives  at 
home ; Bertha  lives  in  Brookfield ; Tracey  lives  in  Goodhue,  and 
Matilda  and  Elenor  are  both  at  home. 

Edward  Back  was  born  in  Ontario,  Canada,  August  7,  1815, 
son  of  Edward  and  Letitia  (Robinson)  Dack.  He  received  his 
education  in  Canada  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  the  early 
sixties  with  his  parents  and  located  in  Stanton  township,  Good- 
hue  county,  Minnesota,  where  they  purchased  195  acres  of  land, 
which  he  and  his  father  broke  and  improved,  and  remained  with 
his  father  until  the  latter’s  death,  assuming  charge  of  the  farm, 
which  he  has  improved,  and  planted  trees,  and  in  every  way 
beautifying  the  place.  He  has  carried  on  general  farming,  and 
has  almost  all  his  land  under  cultivation.  In  1871  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Rebecca  Variem,  daughter  of  William  and  Sarah  (Kings- 
ton) Variem,  natives  of  New  York,  who  were  old  settlers  of  the 
county.  Both  parents  are  dead.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dack  have  been 
blessed  with  thirteen  children,  of  whom  seven  are  living : Me- 

linda J.,  Lizzie,  Pearl,  Edna,  Genevieve,  Abigail  and  William. 
Mr.  Dack  is  Republican  in  his  politics,  and  has  served  on  the 
school  board. 

Herman  Dahl,  of  Zumbrota  township,  was  born  in  Minneola 
township,  October  12,  1870,  son  of  S.  T.  and  Martha  T.  Dahl, 
both  natives  of  Norway.  In  1856  they-  emigrated  to  America, 
locating  in  Minneola;  three  years  later,  in  1859,  they  home- 
steaded eighty  acres  of  wild  land,  which  they  broke  and  culti- 
vated, making  many  improvements.  Later  he  added  eighty  acres 
to  the  homestead  farm,  seven  of  these  adjoining  in  1894.  He 
purchased  a farm  of  240  acres  in  Zumbrota  township,  and  fol- 
lowed general  farming,  where  the  father  still  lives,  the  mother 
having  passed  away  June  5,  1904.  Herman  acquired  his  educa- 
tion in  the  schools  of  Minneola  and  after  finishing  his  studies  he 
assisted  his  father  on  the  farm,  until  he  was  twenty-six  years  of 
age.  In  1896  he  went  with  his  father  to  the  Zumbrota  farm  of 
240  acres,  which  he  has  continued  to  improve,  having  it  all 
under  cultivation,  and  rebuilt  the  home.  January  1,  1904,  he 
was  married  to  Kate  Seibrecht,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Catherine 
(Augustine)  Seibrecht,  who  were  farmers  of  Pine  Island.  Her 
mother  died  July  17,  1907,  and  her  father  still  lives  on  the  farm. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dahl  have  one  child.  Sylvester.  Mr.  Dahl  is  inde- 
pendent in  his  political  views.  He  is  supervisor  of  Zumbrota. 
and  also  road  overseer.  He  is  a member  of  the  Farmers’  Ele- 


1014 


II I STORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


vator  Company,  of  Zumbrota ; lie  also  belongs  to  the  Modern 
Samaritans.  ITe  and  liis  ivife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran 
church.  Mr.  Dahl  is  a good  citizen,  taking  an  interest  in  the 
affairs  of  his  county,  and  is  highly  respected  by  all  who  know 
him. 

Michael  H.  Gregoire,  proprietor  of  Maple  Grove  Farm,  was 
born  in  Belgium,  August  28,  1853,  son  of  John  B.  and  Gertrude 
(Hubberty)  Gregoire.  The  father  was  a native  of  France  and 
the  mother  a native  of  Belgium.  They  came  to  America  in  1856 
and  located  in  Sheboygan  county,  Wisconsin,  where  they  pur- 
chased 320  acres  of  land  and  built  a home  and  all  necessary 
buildings,  carrying  on  general  farming  until  in  1889,  when  they 
retired  from  active  life.  The  father  died  in  May,  1905.  The 
mother  makes  her  home  with  her  daughter  in  Chicago.  Michael 
Id.  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Wisconsin  and 
worked  on  the  farm  at  home  until  in  1878,  when  he  rented  120 
acres  of  his  father,  which  he  conducted  for  five  years.  In  1883 
he  came  to  Minnesota  and  purchased  160  acres  of  improved 
land  and  built  a home,  barn  and  other  outbuildings,  and  has 
carried  on  a general  line  of  farming.  In  1893  he  bought  160 
acres  more  in  Belvidere,  and  also  has  160  acres  of  improved  land 
in  North  Dakota.  All  his  land  is  under  cultivation.  He  makes  a 
specialty  of  raising  fine  horses  and  stock.  On  January  29,  1878, 
he  was  married  to  Annie  Smith,  daughter  of  Michael  Smith, 
who  located  in  Wisconsin,  where  the  mother  died  and  the  father 
passed  away  in  1902.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gregoire  have  been  blessed 
with  eleven  children:  Edward  M.,  of  North  Dakota;  Elinora 
C.,  who  has  charge  of  the  printing  department  at  the  Sisters’ 
Home,  Notre  Dame  College,  Milwaukee,  Wis. ; John  (deceased); 
May,  married  Clements  Mageras,  of  Belvidere;  William;  Alvina; 
Arthur ; Grace  and  Gertrude,  twins,  live  at  home ; Michael  and 
Caroline  (deceased).  Mr.  Gregoire  is  a Demoerat'in  his  political 
views,  and  was  assessor  of  Belvidere  for  five  years ; also  has 
been  clerk  of  school  district  No.  101  for  the  past  fifteen  years. 
He  is  a stockholder  in  the  Farmers’  Elevator  of  Goodhue  and 
the  Mercantile  Association  of  Goodhue.  Fraternally  he  affiliates 
with  the  A.  O.  U.  AY.  of  Goodhue,  and  has  held  different  offices, 
now  being  Master  Workman  of  Goodhue.  The  family  faith  is 
that  of  the  Catholic  church. 

.Cliff  W.  Cress,  cashier  of  the  Citizens’  State  Bank,  of  Can- 
non Falls,  is  well  known  in  banking  circles,  having  been  presi- 
dent of  the  Minnesota  Bankers’  Association  in  1905-06.  No  less 
is  he  honored  at  home,  where  he  has  been  president  of  the  school 
board  for  the  past  sixteen  years.  He  was  born  in  St.  Paul, 
April  23,  1864,  and  was  taken  to  Nortlifield  by  his  parents  when 
a small  boy,  receiving  there  his  early  education.  After  leaving 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1015 


school,  lie  secured  a clerical  position  in  the  Citizens’  State  Bank, 
of  that  city,  serving  successively  as  bookkeeper,  teller  and  as- 
sistant cashier.  In  1893  he  removed  to  Cannon  Falls,  and  estab- 
lished the  Servier-Bess  banking  house,  which  in  1895  was  con- 
verted into  a state  bank,  with  Mr.  Gress  as  cashier.  He  was 
married  April  18,  1893,  to  Marion  He'ald,  daughter  of  Charles 
T.  and  Amelia  (Aiken)  Heald,  the  former  of  whom  is  a banker 
of  Canton,  111.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gress  attend  the  Congregational 
church. 

William  Spilman,  oldest  son  of  Peter  and  Teresa  (Ivoester) 
Spilman,  Avas  born  in  Hay  Creek  township  in  1876,  and  has 
always  made  his  home  here.  His  parents  came  to  this  township 
before  the  Civil  War,  took  up  land,  and  carried  on  general  farm- 
ing for  many  years.  In  1908  the  father  retired,  purchased  city 
property  and  moved  to  Ked  Wing,  where  he  now  makes  his 
home.  Aside  from  William,  the  children  in  the  family  were 
Mary,  Emma  and  Peter,  born  in  the  order  named.  William  was 
sent  to  the  district  schools  and  acquired  a good  common  school 
education.  Since  early  boyhood  he  has  worked  on  a farm,  and 
is  now  acknowledged  as  an  expert  in  that  line,  owning  160  acres 
of  good  land,  about  100  of  which  is  under  the  plow.  He  does 
general  farming  and  raises  some  live  stock.  Mr.  Spilman  was 
married  in  1908  to  Clara  Miller,  daughter  of  George  and  Emma 
Miller.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Catholic  church.  It  is 
interesting  to  note  that  when  Peter  and  Teresa  Spilman  came 
to  this  country  they  made  a part  of  the  trip  in  an  ox  cart  in  true 
pioneer  fashion,  bringing  with  them  the  furniture  and  other 
equipment  for  starting  life  anew  in  the  wilderness.  They  after- 
ward used  two  oxen  in  breaking  the  land  and  in  hauling  their 
crops,  horses  being  a rarity  in  this  pai't  of  the  country  in  those 
early  days. 

Lambert  Skillman,  a native  of  Red  Wing,  was  born  April  25, 
1868,  son  of  John  and  Clarincla  (Philley)  Skillman,  of  New  York 
state,  who  migrated  west  to  Belchester,  Wabasha  county,  Min- 
nesota, in  1859,  and  remained  there  until  1861,  when  they  moved 
to  Red  Wing,  where  they  engaged  in  the  hotel  business  until 
1868.  They  then  came  to  Zumbrota  and  followed  farming,  pur- 
chasing a large  tract  of  land  in  Lac  qui  Parle  county,  Minnesota. 
The  father  and  mother  spent  the  years  1901  and  1902  in  Cali- 
fornia, where  the  father  died  and  where  the  mother  resided. 
Lambert  received  his  education  in  Zumbrota,  after  which  he  car- 
ried on  farming  in  Lac  qui  Parle  county  until  1898,  when  he  went 
to  Appleton,  AVis.,  engaging  in  the  machine  business  for  two 
years.  He  then  spent  two  years  in  California,  returning  to  Zum- 
brota in  1902,  engaging  in  contracting  work  until  October,  1907, 
when  he  established  a machine  business  which  he  has  since  con- 


1016 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


tinned.  This  enterprise  includes  a repair  shop  for  automobiles 
and  gasoline  engines  and  a store  for  sporting  goods,  paints  and 
oils.  Mr.  Skillman  was  married  June  23,  1897,  to  Hannah  M., 
daughter  of  John  and  Rhoda  Bardwell.  The  father  was  a miller 
and  died  some  years  ago,  while  the  mother  is  still  living.  The 
union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Skillman  has  been  blessed  with  one  child, 
Leona,  who  was  born  September  4,  1898.  Lambert  Skillman  is  a 
Republican  and  attends  the  Baptist  church.  Fraternally  he  asso- 
ciates with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  Lie  has  succeeded 
well  in  all  his  undertakings  and  is  well  liked  by  his  many  friends. 

Henry  Stehr,  of  Zumbrota  township,  was  born  in  Goodhue 
county,  Minnesota,  February  21,  1881,  son  of  J.  D.  and  Mattie 
Stehr,  natives  of  Germany.  They  came  to  America  in  1864,  locat- 
ing in  Hay  Creek,  where  they  engaged  in  farming  on  a farm  of 
eighty  acres,  remaining  five  years,  after  which  they  removed 
to  Goodhue  township  and  purchased  160  acres  of  improved  land. 
This  they  continued  to  improve  and  carried  on  general  farming 
until  1902,  when  he  retired  from  active  life  and  moved  to  Lake 
City.  The  mother  died  in  1897,  but  the  father  is  still  living. 
In  1908  he  visited  his  old  home  in  Germany,  returning  in  the 
fall  of  that  year.  Henry  receiyed  his  education  in  Goodhue 
township,  and  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years  his  father  gave  him 
eighty  acres  of  land  in  Goodhue  township,  on  which  he  farmed 
for  five  years.  In  1903  he  sold  this  place  and  purchased  the 
D.  M.  Hall  farm  of  160  acres,  in  Zumbrota  township,  and  has  since 
followed  general  and  diversified  farming  and  stock  raising.  Mr. 
Stehr  was  married  in  1902  to  Mattie  Luman,  daughter  of  John 
and  Mattie  Luman,  who  were  farmers  in  Goodhue  township. 
They  have  two  children : LaAvrence,  born  April  3,  1903,  and 

Sylvester,  born  June  23,  1908.  Mr.  Stehr  is  a Democrat  in  his 
political  views,  but  has  never  sought  or  held  any  public  office. 
The  family  attend  the  German  Lutheran  church. 

Erick  O.  Swenson  Avas  born  in  Minneola  tOAvnship  June  12, 
1869,  son  of  Ole  and  Gunor  (Rnde)  Swenson,  of  Norway,  Avho 
came  to  America  and  located  in  Minneola  township  and  engaged 
in  general  farming  until  the  death  of  the  father.  The  mother 
is  still  living  with  her  son,  and  is  eighty  years  of  age.  After 
receiving  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Minneola, 
Erick  worked  with  his  father  on  the  farm  until  1897,  Avhen  he 
purchased  the  homestead  of  185  acres,  located  in  the  northwest 
corner  of  section  28,  where  he  has  since  carried  on  general  farm- 
ing. He  lias  greatly  improved  the  farm,  has  remodeled  all  the 
buildings  and  erected  a 50-foot  poAver  windmill.  In  1905  he  Avas 
married  to  Alfreda  Hanson,  a native  of  Norway,  and  they  have 
three  children : Ole,  born  April  5,  1906 ; Hilda,  born  April  6, 

1907,  and  Gladys,  born  April  12,  1909.  Mr.  Swenson  is  a Repub- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1017 


lican  in  his  polities,  and  is  a stockholder  in  the  Wanamingo 
Creamery.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Alfred  K.  Simmons,  a successful  Red  Wing  Dentist,  is  a native 
born  son  of  this  city,  his  father  being  0.  K.  Simmons.  He  was 
born  June  6,  1875,  and  attended  the  public  schools,  after  which 
he  decided  to  make  the  profession  of  dentistry  his  life  work. 
Through  a year  each  in  the  dental  department  of  the  state  uni- 
versity, the  Chicago  College  of  Dental  Surgery  and  the  Louis- 
ville College  of  Dentistry,  he  acquired  excellent  training,  and 
graduated  from  the  latter  school  in  1899.  He  started  practice 
in  Spring  Yalley,  AYis.,  and  remained  there  until  1903.  After 
a year  in  St.  Paul  he  returned  in  1901  to  the  city  of  his  birth  and 
opened  an  office  on  Bush  street,  well  equipped  with  all  the  latest 
appliances.  He  has  a large  practice  and  enjoys  the  confidence 
of  all  who  have  availed  themselves  of  his  services  and  advice  in 
dental  matters.'  Dr.  Simmons  belongs  to  the  Psi  Omega  Delta 
fraternity  and  to  the  Louisville  College  Alumni  Association.  He 
was  married  July  17,  1902,  at  Red  Wing,  to  Carrie  Christopher- 
son,  of  Eau  Claire,  Wis.,  daughter  of  John  Cliristoplierson,  native 
of  Norway.  After  many  years’  residence  at  Eau  Claire  they 
moved  for  a time  to  Dakota,  later  returning  to  Eau  Claire.  The 
father  is  deceased  and  the  mother  still  survives.  To  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  Simmons  have  been  born  two  children,  Knute  N.  and  Arvicl 
K.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church. 

William  P.  Glardon,  who  has  given  general  satisfaction  to  the 
people  of  Red  Yung  as  president  of  the  board  of  public  works, 
is  engaged  in  the  dray  mg  and  transfer  business,  dealing  also  in 
coal  and  wood  on  a large  scale.  He  was  born  at  Lawrenceburg, 
Ind.,  April  17,  1858,  son  of  Peter  F.  and  Sarah  E.  (Cox)  Glardon. 
the  former  a native  of  France  and  the  latter  of  Boone  county, 
Kentucky.  Peter  F.,  the  father,  was  born  September  6,  1820, 
and  came  to  this  country  with  his  parents  in  1831,  settling  in 
Butler  county,  Ohio.  He  then  lived  for  a time  in  Indiana,  and 
was  married  December  30,  1852.  In  November,  1865,  after 
having  served  with  valor  as  captain  in  the  Civil  War,  he  migrated 
with  his  family  to  Wisconsin,  settling  in  Trenton,  Wis.  In  1867 
he  came  to  this  city  and  started  the  cooper  business,  which  in 
1872  he  sold  to  O.  Fames,  becoming  superintendent  for  Mr. 
Eames.  He  died  in  this  city  in  October,  1895,  and  his  wife  passed 
away  in  February,  1906.  William  P.  was  brought  to  Red  Wing  as 
a boy  and  attended  the  public  and  high  schools.  After  leaving 
school  he  worked  several  years  with  his  father,  and  did  other 
work  until  he  became  manager  of  the  Eames  livery  business  for 
five  years,  and  for  two  years  engaged  in  a similar  business  for 
himself,  with  Edward  Johnson  as  partner.  In  1886  he  started 
the  draying  and  transfer  business,  which  he  has  since  continued 


1U1S 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


with  much  success.  He  also  deals  in  coal  and  wood,  owns 
eighteen  horses  and  employs  a number  of  men.  His  office  is  at 
209-211  Broadway.  Mr.  Glardon  is  a director  of  the  Modern 
Woodmen,  in  which  society  he  has  occupied  all  the  chairs.  He 
is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  the  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Epis- 
copal church.  William  P.  Glardon  was  married  in  April,  1883, 
to  Caroline  Lillienthal,  of  White  Water,  Wis.,  daughter  of  Will- 
iam Lillienthal,  natives  of  Germany,  who  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1870  and  located  at  Rome,  Wis.,  where  the  father 
worked  as  a stone  mason.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lillienthal  now  live  at 
Palmyra,  Wis.  The  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Glardon  lias  been 
blessed  with  six  children:  Jessie  M.,  born  July  28,  1884;  AYalter 
E.,  born  October  14,  1885 ; Mollie,  born  May  3,  1887 ; Frances, 
born  October  19,  1890 ; Margaret,  born  August  9,  1895,  and  AVill- 
iam  D.,  born  August  9,  1898.  The  family  residence  is  a pretty 
home  at  468  Seventh  street.  Mr.  Glardon  has  three  brothers,  all 
living  in  Red  AVing.  They  are  George,  Walter  and  Frederick. 

Frank  M.  Wilson,  attorney  at  law,  Red  AVing,  waS  born  in 
New  Albany,  Ind.,  March  30,  1845,  son  of  H.  B.  AVilson,  a native 
of  Maine,  and  Mary  J.  Chandler  AVilson,  a native  of  Virginia. 
He  came  to  Red  AVing  as  a boy  in  1858,  and  after  attending  the 
public  schools,  entered  Ilamline  University.  In  1862-63  he  at- 
tended the  West  Point  Military  Academy,  at  AVest  Point,  New 
Aroi\k.  Later  he  took  a course  at  the  University  of  Indiana,  at 
Bloomington,  Ind.  His  law  education  was  obtained  in  Milan, 
Ind.,  in  the  middle  sixties,  his  preceptor  being  Steven  Harding, 
afterward  governor  and  chief  justice  of  Iowa.  Mr.  AVilson  then 
returned  to  Red  AVing,  where  he  has  since  practiced  law.  He 
was  married  in  1875  to  Clotilde  Marconnier,  by  whom  he  has  one 
son,  Horace  A.,  born  August  1,  1878,  now  a leading  attorney  of 
Seattle,  AVash.  Mrs.  Clotilde  AVilson  died  in  1879  and  in  1883 
Mr.  Wilson  married  Emma  IJeising,  by  whom  he  has  one  son, 
Harry,  born  July  22,  1884,  noAV  of  the  firm  of  Augstine  & AVilson, 
Red  Wing  hardware  merchants.  Mr.  Wilson  served  in  the  legis- 
lature in  1893-95,  was  county  attorney  in  the  eighties  and  city 
attorney  at  various  times.  He  has  been  a delegate  to  many  con- 
ventions, both  county  and  state.  He  belongs  to  the  Masons  and 
the  Elks. 

Arthur  P.  Pierce,  the  genial  mayor  of  Red  AVing,  has  occu- 
pied the  mayoralty  chair  of  the  city  for  a longer  period  than 
any  other  man  in  its  history.  He  is  of  New  England  parentage, 
born  in  Hudson,  N.  II.,  November  10,  1855,  son  of  John  Preble 
Pierce  and  Martha  Ellen  (Chase)  Pierce.  As  a small  boy  he 
came  to  what  was  then  the  village  of  Red  Wing  and  lived  with 
his  uncle,  the  banker,  J.  C.  Pierce.  He  attended  the  schools  of 
Red  Wing  and  in  1875  graduated  from  the  Shattuck  School  at 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1019 


Faribault.  After  a number  of  years  as  bank  clerk  in  Zumbrota 
and  also  in  the  Bank  of  Pierce,  Simmons  & Co.,  of  Red  Wing,  lie 
started  in  the  insurance  business,  which  he  has  since  continued, 
having  an  office  on  Main  street.  In  1893  he  was  first  elected 
mayor  and  since  that  date  has  served  continuously  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  term  1899-01,  when  E.  II.  Blodgett  served;  and 
1901-03,  when  John  H.  Rich  served.  He  was  commissioned  first 
captain  of  Company  G,  First  Minnesota  National  Guards,  at  the 
organization  of  the  company  and  remained  in  that  office  until 
June  13,  1887,  when  he  was  promoted  to  major.  Subsequently 
he  was  promoted  to  lieutenant  colonel,  resigning  in  1894.  Later 
he  again  entered  the  local  company  and  served  as  captain  from 
January  6,  1902,  to.  July  7,  1905,  when  he  retired  from  the  ser- 
vice. Mayor  Pierce  was  the  fourth  president  of  the  Commercial 
Club  and  in  this  capacity  he  has  served  several  years.  He  has 
also  been  fleet  captain  of  the  yacht  club  for  several  years.  In 
addition,  to  these  two  organizations,  he  belongs  to  the  Elks.  He 
married  Jennie  C.  Cummings,  of  Windsor,  Vt.  This  union  has 
been  blessed  with  four  children,  as  follows : George ; Kate,  now 
Mrs.  Fred  Seebach;  Marian,  now  traveling  in  Europe,  and  Ray- 
mond, who  attends  the  public  schools.  Several  years  ago.  Mr. 
Pierce  was  elected  secretary  of  the  Red  Wing  Building  Associa- 
tion, a position  he  still  retains.  The  story  of  the  growth  and 
development  of  Red  Wing  under  his  administration,  as  well  as 
the  account  of  the  beautifying  of  the  Mississippi  levee,  which 
was  his  pet  project,  is  told  elsewhere  in  this  history  with  the 
records  of  the  municipal  government  of  the  city. 

David  Middleton  Neill,  manager  of  the  Red  AA7ing  Telephone 
Company,  was  born  in  Perthshire,  Scotland,  February  2,  1852, 
and  came  to  America  with  his  parents,  John  and  Margaret  (More- 
land) Neill,  in  1860.  They  located  in  Montgomery  county,  New 
York,  where  the  father  was  a contractor  for  the  structural  iron 
works  for  one  year,  after  which  they  migrated  west  and  settled 
in  Columbia  county,  AVisconsin,  and  engaged  in  farming.  The 
father  died  in  June,  1879,  and  the  mother  in  1903.  David  M. 
Neill  received  his  education  in  the  district  school  and  later  at- 
tended the  high  school  at  Portage,  Wis.  He  then  entered  the 
drug  store  of  Purdy  & Merrill  at  Portage,  with  whom  he  re- 
mained eleven  years,  after  which  he  went  into  the  same  business 
for  himself  at  Big  Stone  City,  N.  D.  In  1883  he  sold  out  and 
engaged  in  the  lumber  business  at  Ortonville,  becoming  super- 
intendent of  all  retail  yards  for  the  Charles  Betcher  Lumber 
Company  of  Red  Wing.  In  1886  he  came  to  Red  AVing,  where 
he  held  a similar  position  in  the  same  firm.  He  became  manager 
* of  the  Red  AYing  Manufacturing  Company  in  1889,  and  subse- 
quently became  president  of  the  company.  He  severed  his  con- 


1020 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


nection  with  the*  company  in  1904  and  organized  the  Red  Wing 
Telephone  Company  of  Red  Wing,  December  15  of  that  year, 
being  elected  secretary,  treasurer  and  manager  at  its  incorpora- 
tion. In  1908  Mr.  Neill  was  elected  president  of  the  Minnesota 
Federation  of  Commercial  Clubs  and  was  re-elected  in  1909.  He 
has  served  as  president  of  the  Red  Wing  Commercial  Club,  and 
in  September,  1909,  was  appointed  by  Governor  Eberlmrdt  as  a 
member  of  the  Governor  John  A.  Johnson  Memorial  Commission. 
Mr.  Neill  was  married  May  20,  1875,  to  Alice  A.  Purdy,  of  Fox 
Lake,  Wis.,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edmund  Purdy,  and  to 
them  have  been  born  three  children : Edmund  P.,  July  26,  1877, 
now  advertising  representative  of  the  Billings  “Gazette  and 
Journal”  at  Billings,  Mont.;  Victor  S.,  born  April  20,  1884,  now 
engaged  with  liis  father  as  assistant  manager  and  chief  inspector 
of  the  Red  Whig  Telephone  Company,  and  Margaret  A.,  born 
October  6,  1890,  who  is  attending  the  Lutheran  Ladies’  Seminary. 
In  politics,  Mr.  Neill  is  a Republican  and  in  religion  a member 
of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  was  a member  of  the  board  of 
public  works  in  1907,  and  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the 
library  board,  of  which  he  was  the  first  president. 

Charles  J.  Sargent,  cashier  of  the  Goodhue  County  National 
Bank  of  Red  Wing,  was  born  in  Mower  county,  Minnesota,  Sep- 
tember 13,  1872,  son  of  Millard  II.  and  Elizabeth  (Decker)  Sar- 
gent, natives  of  New  York  and  Pennsylvania  respectively.  They 
migrated  west  in  1858,  and  located  in  Mower  county,  where  they 
engaged  in  general  farming,  and  where  they  still  reside.  Charles 
J.  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  neighbor- 
hood, attended  the  high  school  of  Austin  and  upon  completing 
his  studies  entered  the  First  National  Bank  of  Austin,  with 
which  he  remained  until  1906,  when  he  resigned  his  position  as 
teller  and  came  to  Red  AVing  to  assume  the  responsible  position 
of  cashier  of  the  Goodhue  County  National  Batik,  which  posi- 
tion he  still  holds.  He  is  also  secretary,  treasurer  and  one  of  the 
trustees  of  the  Goodhue  County  Savings  Bank.  During  his  resi- 
dence here  he  has  shown  his  public  spirit  by  associating  himself 
with  the  Red  AVing  Commercial  Club,  and  has  taken  an  active 
interest  in  the  Civic  League,  of  which  he  was  president  in  1908. 
He  is  a member  of  the  M.  AAr.  A.,  and  belongs  to  the  Presbyterian 
church,  in  which  he  takes  an  active  interest.  In  September  4, 
1895,  Mr.  Sargent  was  married  to  Katherine  Fox,  of  Austin, 
Minn.,  and  they  have  two  children,  Ruth  A.,  born  September  30, 
1899,  and  Ralph  M.,  born  May  10,  1904.  The  family  resides  in  a 
nice  home  at  718  East  avenue. 

Ole  A.  Strand,  of  Minneola  township;  now  deceased,  was  a 
sturdy  old  Norse  pioneer,  born  in  Ilallingdahl,  Norway,  in  1843. 
He  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents,  arriving  July  4, 


0.  A.  Strand 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1021 


1856.  The  family  located  on  section  34,  Minneola  township,  and 
in  the  old  homestead  both  parents  passed  away.  Ole  A.  Strand 
Avas  raised  on  the  farm  and  until  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War, 
remained  Avith  his  parents,  or  worked  for  the  neighboring  farm- 
ers. In  August,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Captain  Williston’s  com- 
pany, Avhich  became  Company  G,  Seventh  Minnesota  Volunteer 
Infantry.  He  was  a bugler  and  served  much  of  the  time  at 
brigade  headquarters.  At  the  battle  of  Nashville  he  carried 
dispatches  amid  scenes  of  the  greatest  danger.  He  Avas  mustered 
out  with  his  company,  August  16,  1865,  at  Fort  Snelling,  and 
then  returned  to  his  farm,  carrying  on  general  farming  and  stock 
raising  for  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  met  an  untimely  death 
in  Zumbrota,  September  20,  1906,  as  the  result  of  bursting  a 
blood  vessel  during  a runaway.  Mr.  Strand  Avas  married  to 
Brethea  Lysne,  daughter  of  Ole  T.  Lysne,  a native  of  Norway. 
Mrs.  Strand  was  born  in  Norway  in  1845  and  came  to  this  coun- 
try Avith  her  parents  in  1856,  being  one  of  thirteen  children.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Strand  had  eleAren  children,  five  of  whom  are  dead. 
The  living  are : Matilda  A. ; Alfred ; Annie,  Avife  of  P.  A.  Hen- 
ning, to  Avhom  she  has  borne  one  child,  Orrin;  Selma,  uoav  Mrs. 
Woodbury;  Oscar  B.,  a graduate  of  the  laAV  department  of  the 
Minnesota  State  University;  Carl  I.,  a graduate  of  the  Zumbrota 
high  school.  Mrs.  Strand  is  still  living  on  the  home  place,  which 
is  managed  by  the  son  Alfred.  During  his  life  Ole  A.  Strand 
seived  many  years  on  the  school  board  of  district  138  and  was  a 
thorough  believer  in  education.  He  served  some  time  as  super- 
visor and  Avas  chairman  of  his  township  at  the  time  of  his  death. 
He  Avas  a hard  working  man,  thoroughly  respected  and  Avell  liked 
throughout  the  county  and  tOAvnship. 

James  D.  Grover,  Zumbrota,  is  a native-born  son  of  this 
county,  having  first  seen  the  light  of  day  in  Zumbrota,  March 
29,  1872.  Since  that  date  he  has  continued  to  make  his  residence 
in  the  village  of  his  birth.  His  parents,  Barker  C.  and  Lizzie 
Grover,  came  3iere  in  the  early  post-bellum  days.  The  former 
was  born  in  Bethal,  Oxford  county,  Maine,  in  1840,  and  there  in 
1863  married  Lizzie  Rose,  who  was  born  in  Plymouth,  Mass., 
in  1840.  Together  they  came  to  this  county  in  April,  1868,  and 
here  B.  C.  Grover  became  a prominent  resident,  taking  up  farm- 
ing and  the  livery  business.  He  has  serATecl  in  the  legislature 
and  held  many  other  positions  of  public  trust  and  honor.  James 
D.  attended  the  graded  and  high  schools  of  Zumbrota  and  took 
up  work  in  his  father’s  stable,  in  Avhieli  employment  he  has  since 
remained,  being  noAV  part  OAvner  of  the  stable,  the  firm  name  be- 
ing B.  C.  GroA^er  & Son.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  served  five 
years  in  the  national  guard  and  has  been  constable  eight  years.  He 


1022 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


votes  the  Republican  ticket,  and  belongs  to  the  Masons  and  the 
Woodmen.  He  was  married,  May  25,  1901,  to  Elina  S.  Stageberg. 

A.  G.  Henderson,  for  twenty-five  years  a prominent  clothing 
merchant  of  Red  Wing,  was  born  in  Stavenger,  Norway,  Janu- 
ary 6,  1844,  and  there  received  his  boyhood  education.  At  the 
age  of  thirteen  years  he  came  to  America  and  remained  for  a 
considerable  period.  In  1875  he  engaged  in  the  clothing  busi- 
ness in  Red  Wing  and  after  twenty-five  years  of  active  commer- 
cial life,  retired.  He  died  September  23,  1907,  as  the  result  of  a 
stroke  of  apoplexy.  Mr.  Henderson  was  interested  in  various 
business  enterprises,  and  had  a part  in  starting  several  of  the 
important  industries  in  the  city.  He  was  shrewd  and  frugal, 
and  thus  accumulated  a fortune  estimated  at  between  $300,000 
and  $500,000.  He  had  the  faculty  of  looking  into  the  future, 
and  was  a thorough  believer  in  Red  Wing  as  a future  commer- 
cial center.  Mr.  Henderson  is  survived  by  two  children,  Mrs. 
L.  M.  Ivoons,  of  Minneapolis,  and  George  Norman,  also  of  that 
city.  J.  Adolph,  another  son,  died  in  the  spring  of  1909. 

William  Hennings,  a hard  working  farmer  of  Goodhue  town- 
ship, was  born  in  Germany,  April  15,  1845,  and  there  received 
his  education.  He  came  to  America  in  1857  after  the  death  of 
his  mother,  with  his  father,  and  assisted  on  the  home  farm  until 
1868,  when  he  purchased  eighty  acres  in  Goodhue  township, 
where  he  has  since  continued  to  reside.  He  has  increased  his 
Goodhue  farm  to  24614  acres  and  in  addition  to  this  owns  a half 
section  elsewhere.  He  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing on  a large  scale,  having  met  with  considerable  success.  He 
has  served  one  term  as  supervisor  of  his  township  and  six  years 
as  a member  of  the  school  board.  Mr.  Hennings  votes  independ- 
ently, and  belongs  to  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  By  liis  wife,  Catherine, 
whom  he  married  September  17.  1871,  he  has  had  eight  children: 
Annie  Maria ; Frederick ; Sophia ; AY.  II. : Louisa  C. ; Lena  II. ; 
C.  G.  and  John  L.  Frederick  and  Maria  Viet  Hennings,  parents 
of  William  Hennings,  were  natives  of  Germany,  where  the  latter 
died  in  1857.  Soon  afterward,  the  father  came  to  America  and 
settled  in  Featherstone  township. 

Albert  W.  Pratt  was  born  in  Chagrin  Falls,  Ohio,  July  10, 
1837,  son  of  Richard  and  Sarah  (Fitch)  Pratt,  who  located  in 
that  place  in  1835.  The  father  was  a native  of  Massachusetts 
and  the  mother  of  New  York  state.  At  Chagrin  Falls,  Richard 
Pratt  engaged  for  many  years  in  the  boot  and  shoe  business. 
For  a time  he  lived  in  Keokuk,  Iowa,  but  later  returned  to  Cha- 
grin Falls,  where  he  died  in  1868.  His  wife  died  at  Hamilton, 
III,  in  1872.  Albert  W.  received  his  early  education  in  the 
schools  of  his  native  town,  and  for  several  years  was  employed  in 
the  postoffice  at  Painsville,  Ohio.  He  came  to  Red  Wing  in 


A.  G-.  Henderson 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1023 


1856  and  was  commissioned  by  Judges  H.  and  E.  T.  Wilder  to  sell 
land  warrants,  and  loan  money  to  new  settlers,  who  took  advan- 
tage of  the  pre-emption  law.  In  this  capacity  he  continued  until 
1857,  when  the  land  office  was  removed  to  Henderson,  Minn., 
Mr.  Pratt  going  with  the  office  and  following  the  same  business 
until  the  Indian  outbreak  of  1862,  at  which  time  he  was  ap- 
pointed a member  of  the  board  of  state  auditors,  to  adjust  claims 
made  by  the  whites  for  property  impressed  by  the  state  to  enable 
them  to  fight  the  Indians.  Locating  again  in  Red  Wing  in  1863, 
he  entered  the  office  of  Judge  Wilder,  at  the  same  time  working 
in  the  bank  of  Pascal  Smith  as  clerk.  In  1865,  when  the  banking- 
business  of  Mr.  Smith  was  disposed  of  to  the  First  National  Bank, 
Mr.  Pratt  became  connected  with  the  latter  institution,  serving 
as  bookkeeper  until  1868.  In  1868  with  J.  C.  Pierce  and  T.  K. 
Simmons,  he  organized  the  bank  of  Pierce,-  Simmons  & Co.;  Josia 
C.  Pierce  was  the  first  president,  and  Mr.  Pratt  the  cashier. 
Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Pierce,  Mr.  Pratt  succeeded  him  as  presi- 
dent, occupying  that  position  until  January,  1908,  when  he  re- 
signed and  retired.  In  addition  to  his  banking  interests,  Mr.' 
Pratt  opened  , what  he  called  “The  Old  Book  Store,”  on  Bush 
street,  which  he  later  sold  to  Arthur  D.  Danielson,  the  present 
proprietor.  A Democrat  in  politics,  Mr.  Pratt  has  always  been 
interested  in  public  affairs,  and  for  many  years  he  served  as 
treasurer  of  the  city.  Pie  is  a member  of  the  Episcopal  church 
and  belongs  to  the  Elks.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married 
at  Painsville,  Ohio,  November  8,  1860,  to  Agnes  V.  Russell,  of 
that  place.  Four  children  have  blessed  the  union.  Tracy  AY. 
is  general  manager  of  the  large  cotton  and  oil  works  at  Hunts- 
ville, Ala.  Henrietta  S.  is  the  wife  of  Ralph  Taber,  a literary 
man  of  some  note.  Russell  A.  is  manager  of  a bottling  establish- 
ment at  Sheffield,  Ala.,  and  Arthur  P.  is  in  charge  of  the  Coca- 
Cola  Bottling  Company  in  New  York  City.  Mrs.  Pratt  died  in 
Red  Wing  in  1897. 

Otto  Remmler,  whose  efficient  service  as  alderman  from  the 
first  ward  in  Red  Wing  has  done  much  to  advance  the  interests 
of  the  city  in  the  past  twelve  years,  was  born  in  St.  Louis,  Mo., 
February  10.  1869,  son  of  Adolph  and  Helena  Remmler.  He  at- 
tended the  Catholic  parochial  school  and  the  public  schools  of 
Red  AVing,  after  which  he  entered  St.  John’s  College  at  College- 
ville,  Minn.  Subsequently  he  attended  the  Maryland  Military 
and  Naval  Academy  at  Oxford,  Md.,  and  completed  his  schooling 
with  a commercial  course.  After  leaving  school  he  was  em- 
ployed by  August  Beck  & Co.,  the  B.  & T.  Tobacco  Company 
and  the  Twin  City  Rapid  Transit  Company.  He  is  now  manager 
of  Remmler ’s  Brewery,  in  which  capacity  he  has  demonstrated 
his  business  ability.  Mr.  Remmler  is  known  for  his  good  fellow- 


1024 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


ship  and  is  prominent  in  fraternal  circles,  being  a member  of  the 
Red  Men,  the  Elks,  the  A.  0.  U.  W.,  the  Sons  of  Herman,  the 
Sons  of  Veterans,  the  United  Commercial  Travelers,  the  United 
States  Brewers’  Association,  the  Red  Wing  Commercial  Club 
and  the  Red  AVing  Yacht  Club.  He  is  a Republican  in  polities 
and  has  served  as  alderman  from  the  first  ward  since  1897  with 
the  exception  of  1903-4  and  1907-8.  Air.  Remmler  was  married 
May  27,  1892,  to  Rosie  C.  Bremer,  of  St.  Paul,  Minn.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Remmler  have  one  daughter,  Elsie,  born  November  23,  1893. 

Rev.  Chauncey  Hobart,  now  deceased,  was  born  in  St.  Albans, 
Vt.,  June  9,  1811,  son  of  Calvin  and  Sarah  Hobart,  who  were 
natives  of  New  England.  He  came  with  his  parents  to  Schuyler 
county,  111.,  in  1823,  where  his  father  built  the  first  cabin,  and. 
here  Mr.  Hobart  was  educated  by  his  parents,  who  had  both  been 
teachers  before  their  marriage.  In  1831  he  enlisted  as  a private 
in  Captain  Fellows’  company,  in  General  Duncan’s  brigade  of 
volunteers,  in  the  first  campaign  of  the  Black  Hawk  war,  and 
later  was  enrolled  as  a non-commissioned  officer  in  Captain  Hol- 
lingsworth’s company,  Fourth  regiment,  of  General  AVliiteside’s 
brigade,  where  lie  served  for  a time.  In  1834  he  was  converted 
and  became  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
was  licensed  to  preach  in  September,  1836.  His  first  appointment 
was  on  the  frontier  in  Iowa  and  he  served  as  pastor  of  churches 
in  many  towns  of  Illinois,  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota.  In  1849 
he  came  to  Minnesota  and  was  stationed  at  St.  Paul,  and  was 
presiding  elder  of  the  Minnesota  district  of  the  Wisconsin  con- 
ference. In  1850  he  took  charge  of  the  district,  which  included 
all  of  Minnesota  and  Wisconsin  west  of  the  Wisconsin  river, 
continuing  four  years.  He  was  stationed  at  Milwaukee  one  year, 
and  returned  to  Red  AVing  in  1855  ; in  1857  he  organized  the 
Lake  City  circuit.  In  1858  he  was  presiding  elder  of  Prescott  dis- 
trict, and  in  1861  was  chaplain  of  the  Third  Minnesota  Volun- 
teer Infantry.  He  resigned  in  April,  1862,  and  served  as  pastor 
and  presiding  elder  in  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota  until  he  retired 
from  active  work.  In  1875  he  served  at  Red  AVing  as  pastor  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  two  years.  Rev.  Hobart  was 
twice  married.  His  first  wife  was  Betsey  C.  Ticknor,  whom  he 
married  April  13,  1834,  and  died  January,  1867,  and  in  April, 
1868,  he  married  Harriett  A.  Duncan,  of  New  York  city.  She 
died  February  17,  1898. 

Mrs.  Harriet  A.  Duncan  Hobart  was  born  in  the  north  of  Ire- 
land in  1825  and  in  the  early  days  came  to  this  country,  where 
she  engaged  in  teaching  school  in  New  York  city  for  twenty-five 
years.  During  this  time  she  was  also  principal  of  a school  for 
fifteen  years.  She  was  married  to  Rev.  Chauncey  Hobart  in  1868. 
Mrs.  Hobart  was  a great  advocate  of  temperance  and  worked 


. +• 


E.  W.  Schmidt 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1025 


faithfully  and  with  great  zeal  in  the  W.  C.  T.  U.,  being  president 
of  the  Minnesota  union  from  1881  to  1891.  In  recognition  of  her 
faithful  service  in  the  W.-C.  T.  U.  they  have  placed  a panel 
memorial  window  to  her  in  the  new  First  Methodist  church  at 
Red  Wing;  the  other  panel  in  the  same  window  was  given  in 
memory  of  her  husband  by  James  and  Mathew  Norton,  of  Winona, 
Minn.  Active  in  missionary  work,  Mrs.  Hobart  served  in  the 
state  offices  as  secretary  and  treasurer  at  different  times  and 
spoke  in  the  interest  of  the  union,  all  the  time  traveling  ex- 
tensively and  almost  up  to  the  end  of  her  life.  She  died  Feb- 
ruary 17,  1898. 

August  E.  Engstrom,  former  county  superintendent  of  schools, 
now  deceased,  was  born  in  the  western  part  of  Sweden,  near  the 
city  of  Skofde,  March  22,  1851,  and  came  to  this  country  in  his 
seventeenth  year,  direct  to  Red  Wing,  where  he  secured  employ- 
ment, but  as  lie  was  of  small  stature  and  not  endowed  with  great 
strength,  he  found  the  work  too  hard.  Being  ambitious  to  make 
something  of  himself  in  the  new  country,  he  entered  Carleton  Col- 
lege in  1871,  where  he  took  the  entire  seven  years’  course,  work- 
ing his  way  through  and  graduating  with  honors  in  1878.  He  was 
elected  principal  of  the  schools  of  Cannon  Falls  in  the  fall  of  the 
same  year,  which  position  he  held  for  three  years,  when  he  was 
chosen  to  a larger  field,  that  of  county  superintendent  of  schools, 
being  elected  in  the  fall  of  1881.  This  position  he  held  con- 
tinuously up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  October  12,  1899.  Prof. 
Engstrom  was  modest  and  unassuming  in  his  manner,  and  his 
death  was  sincerely  mourned  by  all  throughout  the  county.  He 
was  married  to  Mary  A.  Conley  December  27,  1880,  and  to  them 
was  born  seven  children : Carl  Conley,  born  October  1,  1881,  was 
a photographer  at  Canuon  Falls  and  died  June  24,  1904.  leaving 
his  wife,  Clara  Bissell  Engstrom,  and  one  daughter,  Caryl;  Fred- 
erick A.,  born  June  15,  1883,  is  a physician  and  surgeon,  practic- 
ing at  Clitherall.  Minn. ; Mildred  L.,  born  April  3,  1885,  is  a 
teacher  in  the  schools  of  Fergus  Falls;  Paid  A.,  born  November 
16,  1886,  manager  the  photog'raph  gallery  at  Cannon  Falls ; 
George  W.,  born  June  8,  1889,  is  foreman  in  the  printing  office 
of  the  LeSueur  “Sentinel,”  at  LeSueur,  Minn.;  Lawrence  E.. 
born  February  19,  1893,  is  a junior  in  the  high  school  at  Cannon 
Falls,  and  Glenn  M.,  born  April  29,  1896,  attends  school.  Prof. 
Engstrom  was  an  honored  member  of  the  Masonic  and  A.  0.  U.  W. 
fraternities  and  in  politics  was  a Republican.  He  was  also  a con- 
stant attendant  6f  the  Congregational  Church. 

Edward  William  Schmidt,  whose  researches  in  archaeology, 
originally  undertaken  as  a matter  of  recreation,  have  proven  a 
valuable  addition  to  the  knowledge  possessed  by  scientists  in 
regard  to  the  pre-historic  occupation  of  Minnesota,  was  born  at 


1026 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Decorah,  Iowa,  November  26,  1866.  At  the  age  of  six  years  he 
began  to  attend  parochial  sodiool  in  St.  Louis.  While  living  at 
Madison,  Wis.,  he  entered  the  Northwestern  University  at  the  age 
of  thirteen  years.  When  sixteen  years  old  he  entered  the  Uni- 
versity of  Wisconsin  anl  graduated  with  special  honors  in  Greek 
iu  1887.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  he  started  the  study  of  theology 
under  Doctors  Bockman  and  Schmidt.  On  New  Year’s  day,  1888, 
he  started  teaching  at  St.  Olaf’s  College  and  in  1888-89  again  at- 
tended the  University  of  Wisconsin  at  Madison,  receiving  the 
degree  of  Master  of  Arts.  From  1889  to  1904,  with  the  exception 
of  one  year  when  he  taught  mathematics  and  physics  at  St.  Olaf' 
College,  he  taught  at  the  Red  Wing  Seminary.  From  1904  to 
1908  he  occupied  the  chair  of  biology  at  St.  Olaf’s  and  then  ac- 
cepted the  chair  of  English  theology  at  the  Red  Wing  Seminary, 
teaching  chiefly  church  history  and  exegesis.  He  has  repeatedly 
spent  his  summers  at  the  Universities  of  Wisconsin  and  Chicago, 
and  has  thus  added  greatly  to  his  depth  as  a scholar  and  his  value 
as  a teacher.  As  a matter  of  recreation  he  became  interested 
several  years  ago  in  geology  and  archaeology,  and  in  studying 
the  latter  subject  has  discovered  and  noted  some  1,700  Indian 
mounds  hitherto  not  observed  by  scientists.  He  has  also  made 
valuable  contributions  of  Indian  relics  to  the  state  museum  and 
his  contributions  of  articles  to  the  subject  of  the  pre-historic 
occupants  of  this  county  have  been  most  valuable.  His  article 
of  “What  the  Mounds  Tell,”  which  appears  in  this  volume,  is  a 
valuable  addition  to  the  knowledge  possessed  of  the  archaeology 
of  this  region.  Prof.  Schmidt’s  religious  affiliations  are  with  the 
Hauge  Synod  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church.  He  was  mar- 
ried on  Thanksgiving  day,  1892,  to  Inga  Elizabeth  Eisteinsen, 
daughter  of  Rev.  I.  Eisteinsen.  To  this  union  have  been  born  five 
children:  Frederick  Ingvald,  born  October  14,  1893;  Robert 

Eugene,  born  January  27,  1896;  Inga  Edwina,  born  January  22, 
1899;  Roy  Orpando,  born  December  13,  1901,  and  Herbert  Will- 
iam, born  February  23,  1903.  Rev.  I.  Eisteinsen,  the  father  of 
Mrs.  Schmidt,  was  a well  known  clergyman  in  Hauge ’s  Synod 
and  was  the  first  principal  of  the  Red  Wing  Seminary.  Mrs. 
Eistensen  resides  with  her  daughter. 

Edgar  Fitch  Davis,  the  genial  editor  of  the  Zumbrota  “News,” 
was  born  in  Augusta,  Maine,  and  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Eau  Claire  and  North  St.  Paul,  completing  his 
education  at  the  State  Normal  school  at  Winona,  Minn.  He 
learned  the  printer’s  trade  in  North  St.  Paul  and  afterward 
worked  for  a short  time  in  Superior,  Wis.  Subsequently  he  came 
to  Zumbrota,  where  he  took  up  the  work  on  the  Zumbrota 
“News”  in  1895.  In  1900  he  became  part  owner.  He  has  since 
been  editor  and  publisher.  Mr.  Davis  was  a member  of  Company 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1027 


D,  Third  Infantry,  Minnesota  National  Guard,  for  thirteen  years, 
and  held  all  the  offices  up  to  captain.  He  also  served  with  Com- 
pany D,  Fourteenth  Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry,  during  the 
Spanish-American  war.  In  March,  1905,  he  was  elected  village 
recorder  and  served  three  years.  He  was  married  to  Elizabeth 
Morgan  in  June,  1905.  Mr.  Davis  is  an  ideal  village  editor.  He 
understands  the  publishing  business  from  writing  editorials  to 
running  a press,  and  his  paper  has  a wide  influence  in  the  com- 
munity. Possessing  those  qualities  of  good  fellowship  and  kindly 
consideration  which  are  so  desirable  in  any  man,  he  adds  to  this 
good  business  judgment,  a capacity  for  hard  work,  and  an  able 
and  fluent  pen.  Being  yet  a young  man,  his  friends  predict  for 
him  a still  more  successful  future. 

Charles  E.  Friedrich,  in  building  up  a large  and  successful 
business,  has  contributed  in  no  small  degree  to  the  general  pros- 
perity which  has  made  Red  AVing  an  example  for  all  citizens  of 
similar  size  in  the  United  States.  He  is  a native  of  this  city,  born 
June  T,  1862,  when  the  early  pioneers  were  still  in  their  prime 
and  some  of  the  old  log  cabins  stood  within  the  limits  of  what 
is  now  the  city  of  Red  AVing.  He  has  literally  grown  up  with 
the  town.  The  parents,  John  M.  and  Anna  C.  (Ivempe)  Friedrich, 
the  former  of  German  birth  and  the  latter  a native  of  Sweden, 
came  to  America  in  the  early  fifties,  the  father  locating  for  a 
short  time  at  AVaeouta,  later  coming  to  Red  AVing  and  engaging- 
in  the  merchandise  business  which  the  father  followed  all  his  life. 
He  died  October  12,  1887,  and  his  widow  now  resides  in  Red 
Wing.  Of  the  family  of  three  children,  Charles  was  the  oldest. 
Helen  A.,  the  next  child  in  the  family,  lives  in  Red  AVing.  The 
youngest  son  was  John  H.  Friedrich,  lieutenant  colonel  in  the 
Thirteenth  Minnesota  Wlunteer  Infantry,  in  the  Spanish-Ameri- 
can war,  who  died  soon  after  his  return  from  that  conflict.  Fur- 
ther mention  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Friedrich  will  be  found  in 
the  military  history  of  the  county,  which  appears  elsewhere  in 
this  volume.  Charles  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Red  Wing,  and  even  as  a boy  took  an  interest  in  the  mercan- 
tile business.  After  leaving  school  he  engaged  in  the  wholesale 
and  retail  grocery  business  with  his  father,  John  M.  Friedrich, 
under  the  name  of  C.  E.  Friedrich  & Co.,  until  1894,  when  the 
present  company  Avas  incorporated,  the  company  now  being- 
known  as  Friedrich  & Kempe  Company.  Of  this  company,  Air. 
Friedrich  lias  continued  as  president  and  manager.  Its  success 
may  be  learned  from  the  description  found-  in  the  account  of  the 
mercantile  'houses  of  this  city,  appearing  in  this  volume.  Air. 
Friedrich  was  married  December  12,  1894,  at  Red  Wing,  to 
Catherine  A.  Wolff,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Amalia  (Bottenus) 
Wolff,  natives  of  German,  who  came  to  America  in  the  early 


1028 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


fifties,  locating  first  in  Ohio,  then  in  Iowa,  and  in  1855  in  Red 
Wing,  where  the  father  followed  his  trade,  retiring  from  active 
work  some  twenty  years  before  his  death,  September  26,  1902. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Friedrich  have  been  born  three  bright  children: 
John  C.  was  born  August  22,  1897 ; Edward  II.,  July  15,  1901, 
and  James  K.,  August  22,  1903.  These  boys  all  first  saw  the  light 
of  day  in  Reel  Wing.  The  family  resides  in  a pleasant  home  at 
the  corner  of  Seventh  and  East  avenue,  the  residence  being  one 
of  the  most  comfortable  in  the  city.  A democrat  in  politics,  Mr. 
Friedrich  has  served  in  a number  of  important  public  capacities, 
was  alderman  two  terms,  member  of  the  city  cemetery  board 
two  terms  and  was  on  the  fire  board  for  a similar  period.  His 
most  distinguished  public  service  lias  consisted  in' acting  as  chair- 
man, and  a most  active  and  interested  member  of  the  committees 
that  have  wrought  for  the  city  its  three  most  important  improve- 
ments. These  three  committees  were:  The  citizens’  committee 

that  promoted  the  high  bridge  across  the  Mississippi;  the  joint 
committee  of  the  fire  board  and  city  council  that  located  and 
built  the  present  beautiful  city  hall,  and  the  committee  of  the 
city  council  that  negotiated  with  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  and 
St.  Paul  and  consummated  the  Levee  park  ordinance.  Mr.  Fried- 
rich associates  with  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  attends  the  Epis- 
copal church. 

William  Freeborn,  one  of  the  original  proprietors  and  second 
mayor  of  the  city  of  Red  Wing,  was  born  in  Ohio,  moved  to  Ful- 
ton county,  111.,  as  a boy,  and  in  territorial  days  located  in  St. 
Paul.  His  sister  Maria  married  Dr.  AY.  W.  Sweney,  and  the  two 
families  came  to  Red  Wing  in  1852.  He  was  a member  of  the 
territorial  legislature.  His  generous  policy  made  possible  the 
city  of  Red  Wing  as  it  is  today,  and  to  this  policy  is  also  due 
the  fact  that  such  rivals  of  those  days  as  Wacoota  and  Lake  City 
Avere  rapidly  outdistanced  as  trading  and  shipping  points.  He 
and  Dr.  Sweney  gave  liberally  of  land  for  various  enterprises 
and  donated  parcels  for  school,  public  and  church  purposes,  the 
land  thus  donated  today  representing  a value  which  would 
amount  to  several  fortunes.  An  evidence  of  his  generosity  is 
found  in  Hancock’s  History  of  Goodhue  County,  where  that  ven- 
erable clergyman  and  pioneer  says : ‘ ‘ The  close  of  the  year  1853 
was  made  memorable  by  the  fact  that  the  entire  community  were 
invited  by  that  generous,  whole-souled  town  proprietor,  William 
Freeborn,  to  partake  of  the  annual  Thanksgiving  dinner  at  his 
house.  With,  the  exception  of  one  or  two  persons,  the  invited 
guests  were  all  present  and  had  a grand  social  time.  It  was  one 
of  those  occasions  when  the  rich  and  the  poor  meet  together  and 
acknowledge  God  as  the  Maker  of  all,  and  the  source  from 
whence  all  blessings  flow.”  In  the  early  sixties,  Mr.  Freeborn 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1029 


moved  to  California,  where  he  died.  In  his  honor,  Freeborn 
county,  this  state,  is  named. 

William  C.  Santelman,  proprietor  of  the  general  store  at  Clay- 
bank,  was  born  in  Hay  Creek,  September  12,  1877.  His  parents, 
August  and  Mary  (Minki)  Santelman,  natives  of  Germany,  came 
to  America  in  1845,  and  farmed  two  years  at  Dayton,  Ohio.  They 
then  bought  200  acres  of  land  in  Hay  Creek,  where  they  carried 
on  general  farming  until  1904,  when  they  retired,  and  purchased 
a home  in  Red  Wing,  where  the  father  still  resides  at  the  age  of 
seventy-two  years.  The  mother  died  April  10,  1909.  In  the 
family  are  five  brothers  and  four  sisters  aside  from  the  subject 
of  this  sketch : Mary,  married,  lives  in  Fargo,  N.  D. ; Edward, 
married,  conducts  the  old  homestead;  Sophia,  married,  lives  in 
this  state ; Henry,  married,  is  proprietor  of  a general  store  at 
Red  Wing;  Emma,  married,  lives  at  Stanton,  Minn.;  August, 
married,  is  proprietor  of  a store  at  Frontenac;  Minnie,  married, 
lives  in  Red  Wing;  George  and  Benjamin  work  on  the  home  farm. 
William  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Hay 
Creek  and  farmed  for  a time_with  his  father.  January  1.  1903, 
he  entered  the  employ  of  H.  L.  Hjermstad  in  the  grocery  busi- 
ness and  one  year  later  started  a general  store  at  Claybank  with 
Mr.  Hjermstad  as  partner.  This  store  has  been  very  successful 
and  has  a good  trade,  which  is  gradually  growing.  Mr.  Santel- 
man was  married  January  17,  1904,  to  Annie  Sass,  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Mary  (Burkhart)  Sass,  who  came  to  America  and 
located  in  Wabasha  county,  where  they  farmed  160  acres  of  land. 
Mrs.  Sass  died  in  1896.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Santelman  have  one  child, 
Syviwla  M.,  born  September  17,  1905.  Mr.  Santelman  is  a Re- 
publican in  polities,  but  has  been  too  busy  to  actively  engage  in 
political  affairs.  Fie  is  a thorough  business  man,  genial  and 
accommodating,  and  has  a bright  future  ahead  of  him. 

Henry  Lidgerding,  Flay  Creek  township,  born  in  Hanover, 
Germany,  January  9,  1848,  has  spent  practically  all  his  life  in 
this  county,  his  occupation  being  that  of  farming.  His  mother 
died  in  the  old  country  while  he  still  a young  boy,  and  his  father, 
leaving  young  Henry  in  the  care  of  relatives,  came  to  this  coun- 
try to  seek  his  fortune  and  to  make  a home  for  his  motherless 
son.  The  father,  William,  is  a resident  of  Red  Wing,  having 
reached  the  honored  and  venerable  age  of  ninety  years.  Henry 
came  to  America  in  1862  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years,  being  met 
at  Red  Wing  by  his  father.  He  went  to  Hay  Creek  township, 
and  there  grew  to  young  manhood,  working  on  the  farm.  Later 
he  moved  to  Goodhue  township,  but  subsequently  returned  to  Hay 
Creek,  where  he  has  lived  for  the  past  dozen  or  so  years.  He  has 
240  acres  of  good  land,  160  being  under  the  plow  and  in  a high 


1030  . 


HI  ST  OK  Y OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


stage  of  cultivation.  The  place  has  been  improved,  and  the 
buildings  remodeled,  the  whole  now  presenting  the  appearance 
of  a model  farm.  Aside  from  the  usual  crops,  he  raises  live  stock 
and  does  some  dairying,  making  a specialty  of  settling  butter. 
Mr.  Lidgerding  is  a Republican  in  politics,  and  while  in  Goodhue 
township  served  on  the  board  of  supervisors.  He  was  married 
March  6,  1873,  to  Mary  Meyer,  daughter  of  Frederic  Meyer,  an 
old  settler  of  this  county.  To  this  union  were  born  five  children, 
Fred,  Benjamin,  Alma,  Martha  and  Edna.  The  family  pays  its 
religious  worship  at  the  Methodist  (German)  church. 

P.  J.  Lundquist,  sheriff  of  Goodhue  county  since  189-t,  was 
born  at  Iluseby,  Skalof  Smaland,  Sweden,  April  17,  1849,  son  of 
Swan  and  Anna  Lundquist,  both  natives  of  that  country.  He 
received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Sweden  and  worked  as  a 
mail  driver.  In  1869  he  came  to  America  and  located  at  once  in 
Yasa,  this  county,  where  he  worked  on  a farm  and  on  the  rail- 
road until  1872,  Avhen  he  purchased  a farm,  upon  Avhich  he 
carried  on  general  farming  until  1883.  He  then  located  in  Red 
Wing  and  Avas  appointed  deputy  sheriff,  serving  four  years.  In 
1887  he  was  elected  constable  and  served  until  1891,  when  he 
Avas  appointed  chief  of  police  of  the  city  of  Red  Wing.  His  ser- 
vices in  this  capacity  Avere  rewarded  in  1894,  Avhen  he  was  elected 
sheriff  of  the  county,  in  which  office  he  has  since  served  Avith 
ability.  In  politics  a Republican.  He  is  a member  of  the  Elks, 
the  A.  0.  U.  W.  and  the  Commercial  club.  Sheriff  Lundquist 
was  married  July  6,  1873.  to  Eva  Turner,  daughter  of  Samuel 
and  Stiena  Turner,  of  the  township  of  Vasa,  Goodhue  county. 
The  mother  died  in  1903  and  the  father  still  survives  at  the  good 
old  age  of  eighty-nine.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lundquist  have  been 
born  five  children,  four  of  whom  are  uoav  living.  Sidney  S.,  born 
July  21,  1874,  is  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  in  Red  Wing. 
Aaron  Y.  was  born  July  23,  1877,  and  served  several  years  as 
deputy  sheriff  until  his  death  December  25,  1906.  He  is  sur- 
vived by  a widow,  Avhose  maiden  name  Avas  Vendalia  Landberg, 
and  one  daughter,  born  April  7,  1906.  Gena  C.,  born  January  15, 
1881,  lives  at  home  and  teaches  in  the  public  schools  at  Red 
Wing.  Reuben  A.,  born  December  30,  1883,  is  married  and  lives 
at  La  Crosse,  V7is.,  where  he  is.  an  electrical  engineer.  Anna  C., 
bom  October  28,  1885,  is  a teacher  in  the  district  schools  at  Vir- 
ginia, Minn.  The  family  worships  at  the  Swedish  Lutheran 
church. 

Watts  Sherman  was  born  at  Morristown,  N.  Y.,  January  13, 
1827,  and  received  his  education  largely  in  Michigan.  While  still 
in  his  teens,  he  started  on  the  road  for  a manufacturing  concern 
and  on  June  10,  1856,  located  at  Red  Wing.  The  folloAving  year 
he  entered  into  the  mercantile  business,  the  firm  name  of  the  com- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1031 


pany  being  Sherman  & Richter.  Three  years  later  he  purchased 
a farm  in  Bell  Creek.  In  Red  Wing  he  took  up  the  grocery  busi- 
ness. Later  he  removed  his  store  to  Third  street  and  the  busi- 
ness is  now  managed  by  his  son.  Frank.  Mr.  Sherman  was  mar- 
ried October  29,  1856,  to'  Delana  Richter,  daughter  of  John  J. 
and  Henrietta  Richter,  pioneers  of  Red  Wing.  To  this  union 
have  been  born  sis  children:  Frank,  William,  Fannie,  Nellie, 
Gertrude  and  Leigh.  The  family  attends  the  Presbyterian  church. 
Mr.  Sherman  died  in  1909. 

Charles  H.  Meyers,  county  auditor,  is  a native  born  son  of  this 
county,  having  first  seen  the  light  of  day  at  Red  Wing,  February 
22,  1858.  He  received  such  education  as  the  country  schools  of 
his  district  afforded  and  then  attended  the  high  school  at  Red 
Wing.  Being  an  ambitious  youngster,  he  started  Avork  in  the 
store  of  Henry  Gross  at  Red  Wing,  Avhile  at  an  early  age.  Later 
he  suav  the  necessity  for  a more  thorough  business  education,  and 
consecpiently  entered  the  Bryant  and  Stratton  business  college 
at  St.  Paul.  In  the  fall  of  1882  he  went  to  the  Red  River  ATalley 
and  conducted  a general  store  until  1891.  In  1892  he  engaged 
in  the  shoe  business  on  Third  street  in  Red  AYing.  In  1904  he  cast 
his  lot  in  the  political  arena,  after  disposing  of  his  shoe  stock. 
He  was  a candidate  for  county  auditor  and  the  same  year  re- 
ceived an  appointment  as  deputy  city  clerk.  His  serArices  in  this 
office  deserAred  the  election  as  city  clerk  which  he  received  in 
1906.  He  Avas  in  charge  of  the  duties  of  this  office,  Avhen  he  re- 
signed to  take  the  office  of  county  auditor  in  January,  1909.  He 
is  also  clerk  of  the  school  board,  haAring  served  as  a member  of 
that  body  since  1898,  three  years  of  which  time  he  Avas  clerk, 
and  two  years  president.  His  political  platform  is  that  of  the  Re- 
publican party,  and  his  religious  faith  that  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church.  His  fraternal  affiliations  include  membership 
in  the  Odd  Fellows,  the  Foresters,  the  Modern  Samaritans  and 
the  Knights  of  Pythias,  in  seA^eral  of  which  he  has  held  office. 
Mr.  Meyers  was  married  October  17,  1883,  to  Emily  Schreiner, 
daughter  of  Rev.  William  Schreiner,  a clergyman  of  the  German 
Methodist  church,  at  that  time  stationed  at  Ft.  Dodge,  IoAva. 
The  mother  died  at  Ft.  Dodge  in  1902  and  the  father  is  uoav  liv- 
ing a retired  life  at  Glad  Brook,  IoAva.  To.  Air.  and  Mrs.  Aleyers 
have  been  born  five  children : Grace  L.  Avas  born  September  26. 
1884 ; Leon  C.,  born  Alay  3,  1886,  is  city  clerk  of  Red  Wing  ;•  Amy 
L.  is  attending  music  school  at  Chicago;  Alilton  Wallace  was 
born  April  3,  1892,  and  Leslie  Y.  was  born  February  14,  1901. 

Hon.  F.  I.  Johnson  has  a civic,  military  and  political  record  of 
AAThich  any  man  might  Avell  be  proud.  He  first  demonstrated  his 
ability  in  public  office  when  he  was  elected  county  commissioner 
in  1875.  In  this  position  he  serAred  until  1880,  when  he  resigned 


1032 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


to  become  a candidate  for  the  high  office  of  state  senator.  Over- 
whelmingly elected,  he  soon  made  himself  a power  in  the  senate, 
and  the  people  of  the  county  returned  him  to  his  seat  two  times, 
his  services  covering  the  three  terms  of  1881,  1883  and  1885.  In 
addition  to  this  he  has  served  ten  years  on  the  state  board  of 
equal  assessments,  has  been  chairman  of  the  township  eleven 
years,  and  treasurer  of  school  district  42  for  over  thirty  years. 
In  business,  religious  and  fraternal  circles  he  has  been  no  less 
prominent,  having  been  president  oi;  the  Farmers’  Mutual  Insur- 
ance Company,  of  Yasa,  seven  years;  president  of  the  Farmers’ 
Elevator  at  Cannon  Falls  many  terms ; treasurer  of  the  Spring 
Garden  church  twelve  years ; trustee  of  the  Orphans  ’ Home  at 
Vasa  twelve  years  and  a director  in  the  Scandinavian  Relief 
Association  thirty  years.  Mr.  Johnson  was  born  iu  Sweden,  De- 
cember 25,  1840,  son  of  John  Carlson  and  his  wife,  Carrie  John- 
son, also  natives  of  that  country.  It  was  in  1858,  at  the  age  of 
eighteen  years,  that  the  subject  of  this  sketch  first  came  to  the 
shore  of  the  country  of  which  he  was  later  to  become  so  promi- 
nent a citizen.  After  working  on  the  St.  Croix,  Apple  and  Snake 
rivers  as  a lumberman,  with  Stillwater,  Washington  county, 
Minnesota,  as  headquarters,  he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Eighth 
Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry,  August  14,  1862.  This  company 
was  sent  on  the  Indian  expedition,  and  was  stationed  at  Ft.  Snel- 
ling,  at  Ft.  Abercrombie  or  on  the  frontier  until  the  spring  of 

1864,  commanded  by  that  valiant  old  warrior,  General  Sibley. 
After  spending  some  time  in  the  Bad  Lands  and  on  the  banks  of 
the  Yellowstone  river,  as  well  as  in  Idaho,  the  company  returned 
with  the  regiment  to  Ft.  Snelling  and  was  then  ordered  south,  to 
Murfreesboro,  later  participating  in  the  battle  of  West  Nash- 
ville. January  1,  1865,  found  them  at  Washington,  after  which 
they  were  attached  to  the  Twenty-third  Army  Corps,  and  ordered 
to  Ft.  Fisher.  This  fort,  however,  was  captured  before  their  ar- 
rival, and  they  accordingly  went  to  Newbern,  N.  C.,  and  subse- 
quently to  Kingston,  N.  C.,  where  the  army  engaged  in  battle 
with  the  command  of  General  Johnson.  At  Gouldsboro,  N.  C., 
the  regiment  took  part  in  another  engagement  and  then  partici- 
pated in  a part  of  Sherman’s  march  to  the  sea.  Remaining  with 
Sherman  until  the  time  of  Lincoln’s  assassination,  the  company 
was  ordered  to  Kingsboro,  N.  C.,  and  then  to  Charlotte.  N.  C., 
where  the  mustering  out  took  place  July  11,  1865.  On  August  1, 

1865,  the  soldiers  received  their  honorable  discharge  at  Ft.  Snel- 
ling. After  the  war,  Mr.  Johnson  returned  to  Vasa  and  lived 
until  1868,  when  he  moved  to  Leon  township,  where  he  has  since 
conducted  general  farming  on  25'5  acres  in  section  1,  Leon  toAvn- 
ship.  Of  late  years  the  son  has  rented  the  place  from  his  father 
and  has  general  charge  of  the  farming  operations.  The  house 


HISTOEY  OP  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1033 


is  comfortable  and  the  barns  well  kept,  everything  about  the 
place  bespeaks  thrift,  intelligence  and  hard  work.  Mr.  John- 
son was  married  in  1865  to  Anna  Larson,  who  died  in  1875,  leav- 
ing four  children : Edward  A.,  now  clerk  of  the  court  at  Kittson 
county,  Minnesota;  Levi  E.,  farmer  living  in  the  same  county; 
Esther  0.,  wife  of  Peter  Johnson,  of  Cannan  Falls,  and  Anton 
E.,  now  living  in  California.  Anton  E.  is  a veteran,  as  well  as 
his  father,  having  served  in  Company  F.  Thirteenth  Minnesota 
Volunteer  Infantry,  in  the  Philippines.  Upon  his  return  to  San 
Francisco  he  worked  two  years  as  a bookkeeper  and  then  became 
a traveling  salesman  on  the  Pacific  coast.  By  Christine  Johnson, 
whom  Senator  Johnson  married  in  1876,  there  were  four  chil- 
dren: Alice,  Clarence,  Susie  and  Isadore.  Clarence  manages  the 
home  farm,  and  Susie  and  Isadore  are  deceased.  The  mother  of 
these  children  died  in  1887  and  Senator  Johnson  then  married 
Mrs.  Wilhelmena  Haggstrom,  daughter  of  G.  M.  Magnusen,  ayIio 
still  survives. 

Albert  George  Scherf,  a progressive  and  prosperous  jeweler 
of  Red  Wing,  is  a native  of  this  county,  born  December  20,  1862, 
in  Hay  Creek  township.  His  father  was  Anton  Scherf,  and  his 
mother,  Elizabeth  E.  Kattergrolin,  whose  brother  and  a Mr. 
Barnes  were  the  first  men  to  make  brick  in  the  city  of  Red  Wing. 
The  father  was  a native  of  the  Black  Forest  district,  in  Germany, 
and  the  mother  was  born  in  Westphalia,  Germany.  Anton  Scherf 
came  to  this  country  in  1852,  and  for  a time  worked  with  his 
brother  on  the  famous  first  suspension  bridge  across  the  Niagara, 
coming  to  Wacoota  in  1854,  where  he  engaged  in  steamboating 
and  rafting  on  the  Mississippi  river,  continuing  for  several  years. 
In  1860,  he  pre-empted  1 60  acres  at  Hay  Creek,  and  to  this  added 
from  time  to  time  until  he  was  the  proud  possessor  of  593  acres 
of  rich  land,  all  in  one  farm  and  mostly  under  cultivation.  There 
he  continued  farming  until  1903,  when  he  moved  to  Red  Wing, 
where  he  and  Mrs.  Scherf  are  living,  but  still  owning  the  old 
homestead  in  Hay  Creek.  They  were  married  at  Red  Wing,  No- 
vember 2,  1861.  Albert  G.  attended  the  district  schools  of  Hay 
Creek,  and  after  one  year  at  the  high  school  of  Red  Wing,  took  a 
four  months  course  at  the  Curtiss  Business  College  of  Minne- 
apolis, after  which  he  entered  Wesleyan  University  of  Mt.  Pleas- 
ant, Iowa,  graduating  in  1890.  Thus  equipped,  with  an  excellent 
education,  he  taught  school  two  years  in  his  native  town,  and 
for  a time  acted  as  agent  for  the  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Com- 
pany. His  next  occupation  was  as  representative  of  the  “Human 
World,”-  of  St.  Paul,  for  which  he  was  manager  one  year.  He 
subsequently  worked  on  his  father’s  farm  eight  years.  In  1901, 
while  on  the  farm,  he  was  sent  to  the  legislature  from  the  Red 
Wing  district,  and  at  about  the  same  time,  in  partnership  with 


1034 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


his  brother,  Fred  A.,  opened  a hardware  and  farming  implement 
establishment  on  Bush  street,  which  was  sold  to  Augustine  & 
'Wilson  in  1907.  Mr.  Seherf  moved  his  family  to  Reel  Wing  in 
1904.  In  June,  1905,  he  launched  in  the  jewelry  business  on 
Third  street,  where  he  has  a large  business.  He  also  owns  200 
acres  of  land  in  Hay  Creek  township  adjoining  his  father’s  farm. 
Mr.  Seherf  was  one  of  the  many  called  upon  to  mourn  after  the 
Lake  Pepin  disaster,  July  13,  1890.  His  brother  Martin  (born  in 
1867),  and  his  aunt,  Mary  Seherf,  together  with  the  latter’s 
daughter,  lost  their  lives  in  that  catastrophe.  A sister,  Matilda 
C.,  born  December  2,  1864,  died  in  1897.  While  at  college,  Mr. 
Seherf  was  captain  of  one  of  the  University  Cadet  Corps,  and  a 
member  of  the  Beta  Theta  Pi  fraternity.  He  belongs  to  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  the  United  Workmen,  the  Royal  Arcanum, 
the  Elks,  Red  Men,  and  the  Red  Wing  Commercial  Club.  He  is 
an  independent  voter,  for  two  years  served  as  justice  of  the  peace 
in  Hay  Creek,  and  is  at  present  connected  with  the  Red  Wing 
Telephone  Company.  The  family  religion  is  that  of  the  Metho- 
dist and  English  Lutheran  churches.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  married  in  Ilay  Creek  township  May  6,  1897,  to  Emily  Saupe, 
born  September  6,  1872,  daughter  of  Frederick  Saupe,  a native 
of  Germany,  and  an  early  settler  of  Hay  Creek.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Seherf  have  been  born  four  children:  Horace  E.,  born  March  6, 
1898;  Eugene  P.,  born  April  18,  1900;  Jerome  L.,  born  May  2, 
1903,  and  Ruth  D.,  born  April  27,  1905.  The  children  are  all  at 
home. 

Hon.  John  W.  Peterson,  one  of  the  county’s  distinguished 
citizens,  has  been  active  in  political,  church,  military  and  agricul- 
tural circles.  He  was  born  March  30,  1838,  in  Gardsby,  Sweden, 
the  second  child  of  his  parents,  who  were  natives  of  Smoland, 
Sweden.  The  father  brought  his  family  to  America  in  1856,  mak- 
ing His  first  settlement  in  Chisago  county,  this  state,  two  miles 
from  Chisago  City.  There  he  established  his  home  and  raised 
his  family  on  a farm  of  eighty  acres,  which  he  purchased  soon 
after  his  arrival.  In  his  family  were  five  children.  John  AY.  at- 
tended the  schools  of  his  native  land,  and  worked  on  the  farm 
with  his  father,  coming  to  America  with  the  family  at  the  age 
of  eighteen  years.  In  August,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  I, 
Sixth  Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry,  subsequently  was  promoted 
to  corporal,  and  still  later  to  sergeant.  He  was  sent  from  Ft. 
Snelling  against  the  Sioux  Indians,  and  was  one  of  that  heroic 
band  which  attacked  1,500  Indians  at  Birch  Cooley,  rescuing  150 
brave  men  who  for  days  had  been  holding  out  against  that  howl- 
ing mass  of  savages.  Sergeant  Peterson  was  with  the  soldiers 
who  followed  the  Indians  to  Yellow  Medicine  county,  where 
General  Sibley  released  170  white  women  and  children.  The  pur- 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  .COUNTY 


1035 


suit  continued  the  next  spring  to  Big  Bend  on  the  Missouri  river. 
On  December  26,  1862,  Sergeant  Peterson  was  among  the  soldiers 
who  witnessed  the  hanging  of  thirty-nine  of  the  ringleaders  of 
the  murderous  Sioux  at  Mankato.  Afterward  he  was  at  Helena, 
Ark.,  as  a part  of  the  Sixteenth  Army  Corps,  having  been  in  the 
hospital  several  weeks.  lie  was  discharged  May  10,  1865.  In 
the  spring  of  1865  he  came  to  Vasa,  where  he  and  his  brother-in- 
law  had  purchased  a quarter  section  of  land.  Today  his  farm  is 
excelled  by  but  few  in  the  township,  his  well  tilled  acres  and 
fine  buildings  being  models  of  their  kind.  His  first  vote  was  cast 
for  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  since  that  time  has  continued  a con- 
sistent Republican.  He  has  been  town  clerk  and  justice  of  the 
peace  as  well  as  a school  officer.  In  1872  he.  was  elected  to  the 
state  senate  and  served  two  terms  with  distinction.  In  1885  he 
was  sent  to  the  house  of  representatives,  and  in  1890  Avas  again 
elected  to  a term  in  the  senate.  In  addition  to  farming,  he  has 
been  an  auctioneer  for  forty  years,  there  being  feAv  men  in  the 
state  more  gifted  in  this  line  than  he.  It  is  worthy  of  note  that 
he  recently  celebrated  his  seArenty-first  birthday  lay  holding  an 
auction  sale.  For  many  years  he  was  treasurer  of  the  Swedish 
Lutheran  church  at  Vasa,  and  as  is  mentioned  in  the  history  of 
the  township  which  appears  in  this  volume,  took  an  active 
part  in  the  collecting  of  the  money  to  complete  the  splendid  edi- 
fice now  occupied  by  the  congregation  of  that  church.  He  has 
also  been  an  active  member  in  the  G.  A.  R.  John  W.  Peterson, 
in  1868,  took  as  his  life-partner,  Carrie  Johnson,  daughter  of 
Erie  Johnson,  of  Vasa  toA\Tnship.  Five  children  have  resulted 
from  this  union.  Lizzie  is  the  wife  of  William  Tilderquist,  a civil 
engineer.  Arthur  has  been  tOAvn  clerk  of  Vasa  for  ten  years. 
Edith  lUes  at  home.  Elmer  G.  is  a dentist  in  Duluth,  this  state, 
and  Mollie  married  0.  F.  Peehl,  Avho  lives  in  Vasa.  Mr.  Peterson 
has  200  acres  of  land,  upon  which  he  carries  on  general  farming 
and  stock  raising.  Although  past  his  three  score  and  ten  years, 
he  is  still  in  the  prime  of  his  activities,  and  is  a fine  type  of  the 
men  of  Swedish  birth  who,  while  honoring  the  traditions  of  their 
noble  race,  haATe  become  true  American  gentlemen  in  e\rery  sense 
of  the  word. 

Seber  R.  Greseth  is  a native  born  son  of  Roscoe,  Avhere  he  still 
resides,  having  first  seen  the  light  of  day  September  7,  1871.  He 
received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  and  finished  with  a 
short  course  in  the  Red  Wing  Seminary.  He  also  studied  elec- 
tricity for  seA^eral  months.  In  1897  he  worked  for  a time  as  a 
miller  in  Wisconsin.  The  greater  part  of  his  life,  however,  has 
been  spent  on  the  home  farm,  and  for  twenty-one  years  he  has 
operated  a threshing  machine.  In  1901  he  took  charge  of  the 
homestead,  which  he  still  manages  carrying  on  general  farming 


1036 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


ancl  stock  raising.  The  farm  is  well  under  cultivation,  and  the 
crops  raised  are  of  the  best.  Mr.  Greseth  is  a Republican  in  poli- 
tics and  has  been  assessor  of  the  township  for  the  past  eight 
years.  He  was  married,  May  15,  1902,  to  Tlionine  Thompson, 
daughter  of  Tliosten  and  Runda  (Boraas)  Thompson,  who  came 
from  Norway  and  located  in  AYanamingo  township,  where  the 
father  is  still  living,  the  mother  having  died  in  February,  1907. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Greseth  has  been  born  one  child,  Regnar  Theo- 
dore, December  20,  1903.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Nor- 
wegian Lutheran  church.  Rollof  F.  and  Margaret  (Rolfseng) 
Greseth,  parents  of  Seber  R.,  were  natives  of  Norway.  The 
father,  after  coming  to  America,  located  in  Roscoe  township,  and 
purchased  eighty  acres.  This  he  afterward  sold  and  purchased 
280  acres  in  the  same  township,  still  later  selling  eighty  acres, 
leaving  a fine  farm  of  200  acres,  where  the  family  still  resides. 
He  and  his  wife  still  live  on  the  home  farm,  being  highly  re- 
spected by  their  neighbors  and  friends. 

Otto  W.  Kolshorn,  a former  school  teacher,  now  a progressive 
farmer  of  Hay  Creek  township,  was  born  in  Featherstone,  this 
county,  December  6,  1872,  and  in  this  county  has  spent  his  life 
up  to  the  present  time.  His  parents,  Henry  and  Mary  (Teitge) 
Kolshorn,  came  from  Germany  to  the  United  States  in  1852  and 
to  Minnesota  in  1856,  where  they  were  married  in  1869.  For  a 
time  they  farmed  in  Hay  Creek  township,  after  which  they  moved 
to  Featherstone,  where  O.  AY.  was  born.  Later  they  returned  to 
Hay  Creek,  where  the  father  continued  to  carry  on  farming  until 
his  death  in  1900.  The  mother  now  lives  on  Seventh  street,  in 
Red  AYing.  O.  AY.  was  early  sent  to  the  district  and  private 
schools  of  his  neighborhood  and  proved  an  apt  pupil.  He  was 
also  an  extensive  reader,  and  a close  observer,  and  started  teach- 
ing school  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years.  He  continued  to  teach 
for  twelve  years  in  the  schools  of  this  county,  assisting  with  the 
farm  work  in  the  summer  time.  For  four  years  he  Avas  a lumber 
and  implement  salesman  at  Red  AYing.  Mr.  Kolshorn  noAV  farms 
320  acres  of  good  land  in  sections  19  and  20,  and  carries  on  gen- 
eral farming  ancl  stock  raising.  He  served  in  the  state  militia 
eight  years,  being  artificer  of  Company  G,  First  regiment,  at  Red 
AA7ing.  In  politics  a Republican,  lie  has  serATed  several  terms  as  a 
school  officer  and  nine  years  as  justice  of  the  peace.  He  is  a 
director  of  the  Hay  Creek  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company.  In 
1904  Mr.  Kolshorn  Avas  married  to  Marie  Bang,  also  a well  known 
teacher  of  this  county  for  a considerable  period.  She  Avas  the 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Fredericka  (Horstmeyer)  Bang,  early 
settlers  of  Featherstone  township,  both  noAV  deceased.  To  Mr. 
and  Airs.  Kolshorn  have  been  born  two  sons,  Yernon  Bang  and 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1037 


Bernard  H.,  who  first  saw  the  light  of  day  in  Hay  Creek  town- 
ship. 

Edward  M.  Matchan,  of  Koscoe  township,  was  born  in  Canada, 
June  27,  1862,  son  of  George  AY.  and  Mary  Ann  (Shield)  Matchan. 
Edward  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Zumbrota 
and  assisted  his  father  with  the  farm  duties  until  he  was  20  years 
of  age,  when  he  assumed  management  in  partnership  with  his 
father  and  has  since  conducted  the  home  farm.  He  has  210  acres, 
and  is  very  much  interested  in  fruit  growing,  making  a specialty 
of  apples  and  grapes.  He  was  married  November  30,  1883,  to 
Julia  Boyd,  of  Zumbrota,  by  whom  he  has  two  children : George 
W.,  born  December  24,  1889,  a druggist  in  North  Dakota,  and 
Eva  M.,  who  lives  at  home,  and  attends  school  at  Zumbrota.  Mr. 
Matchan  is  a Kepublican.  He  has  held  the  office  of  chairman  of 
the  town  board  for  one  and  a half  years,  and  has  been  clerk  of 
the  school  board  and  chairman  for  the  long  period  of  twenty- 
five  years.  He  has  also  been  road  master  and  overseer.  Frater- 
nally, Mr.  Matchan  affiliates  with  the  I.  0.  O.  F.  and  of  which 
order  he  is  a past  officer,  the  Modern  Brotherhood  of  America, 
and  Modern  Samaritans.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church. 

Olaus  Wiggen,  manager  and  part  owner  of  the  Bed  Wing  Ice 
Company,  is  one  of  the  twin  sons  of  Christopher  and  Ollava 
(Jonas)  Wiggen,  born  in  Norway,  January  6,  1844.  The  father 
was  a farmer  by  occupation  at  Foster  Parish,  Norway,  until  his 
death.  Flis  wife  is  also  now  deceased.  The  twin  brother  of 
Olaus  died  in  infancy.  Another  brother  died  at  the  age  of  six 
years  and  two  sisters  are  also  deceased.  One  sister  still  lives  in 
Norway.  Olaus  received  excellent  educational  advantages.  He 
attended  public  school  and  the  Farmers’  Institute  of  his  native 
town,  and  later,  after  an  interim  of  working  on  liis  father’s 
farm,  he  took  a course  in  the  Landbrook  school  at  Werdahlen, 
Norway.  His  residence  in  America  dates  from  1866,  when  he  lo- 
cated in  Vasa  township,  where,  like  so  many  other  young  men 
just  starting  in  life,  he  worked  on  a farm.  After  nine  years  of 
this  work,  he  came  to  Eecl  Wing  in  the  fall  of  1875  and  entered 
the  employ  of  W.  R.  Cross,  the  ice  dealer,  with  whom  he  remained 
fifteen  years.  In  the  fall  of  1891  he  formed  the  Red  Wing  Ice 
Company,  of  which  he  has  since  been  general  manager.  The 
company  does  a large  business.  Mr.  Wiggen  votes  the  Republican 
ticket  and  belongs  to  the  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Elks.  He  was 
married  at  Red  Wing,  in  the  fall  of  1885,  to  Annie  Anderson 
of  this  city,  daughter  of  Andrew  Anderson,  a native  of  Swreden. 
Both  parents  are  deceased,  having  never  come  to  this  country. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wiggen  have  been  born  three  children.  Char- 
lotta  A.  graduated  from  the  state  university  and  now  teaches 


1038 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


school  at  Herman,  Minn.  Christopher  is  employed  in  Red  Wing 
by  the  Wells  Fargo  Company.  Henry  is  a clerk  in  the  store  of 
Sylvander  Bros.,  Red  AVing. 

Orrin  I.  Hall,  M.  D.,  Avas  for  a period  of  thirty-four  years  one 
of  the  leading  physicians  of  the  southern  part  of  Goodhue  county. 
Few  men  who  have  come  to  the  county  to  make  their  homes  here 
have  been  better  beloved  than  he,  and  his  death  was  mourned 
alike  by  old  and  young,  high  and  low,  rich  and  poor,  so  univer- 
sally felt  was  the  respect  and  esteem  in  which  he  had  been  held. 
Orrin  I.  Hall  Avas  born  in  Wales,  New  York,  September  11,  1843, 
and  received  his  earlier  education  in  the  schools  of  his  neighbor- 
hood. Later  he  entered  the  Buffalo  Medical  College,  which  is 
now  a part  of  the  University  of  Buffalo.  He  graduated  from 
that  institution  in  February  of  1873,  and  Avas  married  shortly 
afterAvard,  April  13  of  the  same  year,  at  Buffalo,  to  Anna  J. 
Holden,  Avho  still  survives,  having  been  a most  able  and  sympa- 
thetic helpmeet  of  her  husband  in  all  his  varied  undertakings. 
Later  in  the  same  month  they  left  Buffalo  and  came  to  Goodhue 
county,  he  taking  up  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Pine  Island. 
In  July,  1874,  they  moved  to  Zumbrota,  which  has  since  been  the 
family  home.  Dr.  Hall  died  June  25,  1908.  At  the  time  of  his 
death  it  was  Avritten : “Dr.  ITall  has  always  been  an  energetic  and 
actUe  man,  both  mentally  and  physically,  giving  liberally  of  his 
time,  labor  and  sympathy  in  the  homes  of  illness  and  distress. 
Lie  Avas  an  enterprising  man,  interested  in  the  upbuilding  and 
advancement  of  the  community  and  the  betterment  of  humanity. 
He  never  craved  for  piddic  office,  but  neArertheless  Avas  several 
times  elected  a member  of  the  local  school  board  and  Avas  presi- 
dent of  that  body  at  the  time  of  his  death.”  Dr.  Hall' had  three 
children:  Sarah  P.,  born  July  7,  1877,  is  iioav  principal  of  the 
high  school  at  Hutchinson,  Minn.  Alice  D.,  born  March  11,  1883, 
Avas  married  August  11,  1909,  to  J.  W.  Spencer,  and  they  now 
make  their  home  in  Chicago.  Orrin  L,  Jr.,  Avas  born  May  11, 
1885,  was  graduated  from  Minnesota  State  University  in  1906, 
and  is  uoav  employed  in  St.  Paul.  Ira  and  Phoebe  (Taber)  Hall, 
parents  of  Dr.  Hall,  were  natives  of  NeAv  York  state,  where  they 
spent  their  lives  in  farming,  the  father  passing  away  in  1885  and 
the  mother  in  1889.  James  and  Christina  (BreAv)  Ilolden,  par- 
ents of  Mrs.  Hall,  Avere  natives  of  England,  Avhere  their  daughter 
Avas  born  February  5,  1846.  There  the  father  died  in  1847. 
Mother  and  daughter  came  to  America  together  and  located  in 
Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  the  mother  dying  in  1883. 

Ulysses  Tanner,  early  pioneer  and  respected  citizen  of  Can- 
non Falls  toAvnship,  is  a native  of  the  Empire  state,  born  at  Madi- 
son, Madison  county,  New  York,  December  28,  1832,  son  of  Ralph 
and  Laura  A.  (Pierson)  Tanner,  substantial  residents  of  that 


0.  I.  Hall 


' 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1039 


st'ate.  His  parents  were  believers  in  education,  and  while  design- 
ing Ulysses  for  agricultural  pursuits,  gave  him  the  best  oppor- 
tunities that  the  schools  of  the  county  afforded  and  then  sent 
him  to  the  academies  at  Hamilton  and  Randolph,  where  he  had 
several  classmates  who  have  since  become  prominent  in  New  York 
affairs.  He  came  west  in  1855  and  on  October  20  of  that  year, 
landed  in  Cannon  Falls.  Soon  afterward  he  pre-empted  land  in 
Stanton  township,  but  did  not  settle  on  it.  Subsequently  he 
located  on  the  land  he  now  occupies  and  where  he  carries  on  gen- 
eral farming  and  stockraising,  using  advanced  methods  fn  all 
his  agricultural  pursuits.  In  the  early  days  he  purchased  land 
in  Dakota  county,  but  afterward  disposed  of  this  to  his  brother, 
who  in  return  relinquished  his  interest  in  the  home  farm.  For 
fourteen  years,  Mr.  Tanner  was  town  clerk  of  Cannon  Falls  town- 
ship, and  has  also  occupied  school  office.  He  was  married,  July 
14,  1871,  to  Anna  Louisa  Johnson,  born  in  Sweden,  June  10,  1836, 
who  has  proven  an  able  helpmate  in  all  his  undertakings. 

Herman  0.  Naeseth,  manager  of  the  Farmers’  Elevator  Com- 
pany, of  Wanamingo,  was  born  in  the  township  of  Wanamingo, 
March  9,  1879,  son  of  Ole  Iv.  and  Rachel  Overby  Naeseth.  He 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  the  township  and 
completed  his  studies  at  the  Lutheran  College  at  Decorah,  Iowa, 
graduating  in  1902.  He  returned  home  and  remained  on  the 
farm  for  one  year,  after  which  he  taught  school  for  a time.  He 
then  rented  137  acres  of  land  and  engaged  in  farming  for  him- 
self, and  also  raises  stock.  He  was  married  on  August  31,  1904, 
to  Maria  Sevareid,  daughter  of  Erick  and  Caroline  Sevareicl,  na- 
tives of  Norway  and  Sweden,  respectively,  who  came  to  America 
and  engaged  in  farming  in  Wanamingo  township,  where  the 
father  died.  The  mother  is  still  living.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Naeseth 
have  one  son,  Olaf  Erick,  born  August  31,  1905.  In  February, 
1909,  Mr.  Naeseth  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Wanamingo. 
He  has  been  treasurer  of  the  township  for  three  terms  and  is 
now  serving.  He  was  appointed  manager  of  the  Farmers’  Ele- 
vator Company  hi  July,  1909.  In  politics  he  is  Republican  and 
attends  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church. 

Thomas  Robinson,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Roscoe  township, 
was  born  in  Yorkshire,  England,  August  5,  1830.  He  received 
his  education  in  England  and  worked  in  the  weaving  factories  in 
the  winter  and  at  stone  masonry  in  the  summer.  Later  in  life  he 
was  married  to  Martha  Jackson  and  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  in  18.60,  arriving  at  Red  AVing  in  May.  Hearing  there  was 
government  land  in  Roscoe  township  he  went  there,  and  found 
a man  by  the  name  of  Doyle  (settled  on  forty  acres  of  govern- 
ment land)  who  had  just  lost  his  wife  and  wished  to  sell.  There 
was  a frame  house  and  a good  spring  of  water  on  the  place,  which 


1040 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Mr.  Robinson  bought  and  later  pre-empted.  They  raised  a family 
of  six  children:  Thomas  F.,  now  of  West  Concord,  Minn.;  Sarah 
A.,  died  in  1882.  Reuben  J.  lives  in  Pine  Island.  Caroline  J.,  of 
Fairfield,  Wash.;  Wendell  P.,  of  West  Concord,  and  Wilber  F., 
who  lives  at  home.  Mr.  Robinson’s  health  failed  soon  after 
coming  to  this  country  and  he  became  a great  reader.  Among 
his  favorite  works  were  Shakespeare  and  Robert  Burns,  from 
which  he  often  quoted.  He  was  a man  of  whom  it  could  be  truly 
said,  “His  word  was  as  good  as  his  bond.”  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robin- 
son Ifoth  died  in  Roscoe  in  1896,  the  former  March  30  and  the 
latter  August  4. 

Peter  A.  H.  Kempe  is  another  one  of  Red  Wing’s  progressive 
business  men.  AVell  educated,  far-seeing  and  genial,  he  has  kept 
his  hand  upon  the  pulse  of  the  city’s  commercial  activities  for 
many  years.  Born  April  3,  1856,  in  Westergotland,  Sweden,  he 
had  excellent  home  advantages,  being  the  son  of  Aaron  and  ITed- 
wig  (Lunden)  Kempe,  the  former  of  whom  was  a Swedish  Lu- 
theran clergyman  of  devout  character  and  great  learning.  The 
father  died  in  1885,  the  mother  having  preceded  him  to  his  grave 
in  July,  1866.  Peter  received  some  of  his  tuition  at  home,  at- 
tended the  public  schools  and  graduated  from  the  college  of 
Skara  in  1874,  after  which  he  was  engaged  for  one  year  as  a 
tutor.  Desiring  to  see  something  of  the  world,  he  went  to  Ham- 
burg, Germany,  where  he  acted  as  clerk  in  a ship-broker’s  office. 
In  1878  lie  came  to  America,  landing  at  Red  Wing  in  September 
of  that  year.  His  career  in  this  country  began  with  a clerkship 
in  the  grocery  store  of  John  Kempe  & Co.,  where  he  was  em- 
ployed until  1883,  when  he  embarked  in  a grocery  business  of 
his  own.  Prosperity  crowned  his  efforts  in  this  establishment, 
and  in  1894,  he  became  vice  president  of  the  wholesale  grocery 
firm  of  Friedrich  & Kempe  Company,  Inc.,  a position  which  he 
still  occupies.  Mr.  Kempe  votes  independently,  and  being  a 
great  reader,  thoughtfully  considers  the  issues  of  each  campaign 
before  casting  his  ballot.  Mr.  Kempe  was  married  in  Belvidere 
township,  this  county,  June  22,  1882,  to  Mary  PI.  C.  Dablow, 
daughter  of  George  and  Augusta  (Grosse)  Dablow.  natives  of 
Germany,  who  settled  in  Goodhue  county  In  the  early  days.  The 
father  is  still  living.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kempe  has  been  born  one 
son,  AValter,  born  June  13,  1892,  now  a pupil  in  the  Red  Wing 
high  school.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church. 

Peter  0.  Finstuen,  of  Roscoe  township,  was  born  in  Minneola 
township,  August  14,  1868,  son  of  Ole  P.  and  Annie  (Joranlid) 
Finstuen,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  this  country  in  1868 
and  located  at  Red  AVing,  where  the  father  worked  at  his  trade 
of  tailor,  remaining  until  1874,  when  he  purchased  80  acres  of 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1041 


land  in  Roseoe  township.  This  land  he  broke  and  improved, 
later  adding  forty  acres  more.  He  carried  on  a general  line  of 
farming  and  stock  raising  until  his  death,  October  27,  1905.  The 
mother  is  still  living  in  Roseoe  township.  Peter  0.  received  his 
education  in  the  common  school  of  the  district  and  completed  his 
studies  with  a course  at  a business  college  at  Decorah,  Iowa. 
After  finishing  his  studies  he  returned  home  and  took  up  farm- 
ing. In  1898  he  went  to  North  Dakota,  where  he  only  remained 
sis  months,  after  which  he  came  back  to  the  home  farm,  where 
he  lias  since  remained  and  carries  on  general  farming,  and  rents 
eighty  acres  together  with  his  own  120.  He  was  married  June  1, 
1889,  to  Ida  Goplin,  of  Roseoe,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Ella 
(ITastad)  Goplin,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  and 
located  in  Roseoe  township,  where  they  were  farmers  and  where 
they  both  still  live.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Finstuen  have  had  five  chil- 
dren: Carl  F.  AY.,  born  June  24,  1900;  Mabel,  born  November, 
1901;  James  AY.,  born  April  30,  1903;  Ole  H.,  bom  January  9, 
1908 ; Oscar  A.,  born  August  10,  1899,  and  died  in  infancy.  Mr. 
Finstuen  is  a Republican  in  his  politics,  and  has  held  several 
offices  in  the  township.  He  has  been  treasurer  of  the  school 
board  of  nine  years,  and  in  1903  was  elected  clerk  of  the  town- 
ship, which  office  he  still  holds.  He  has  held  the  office  of  man- 
ager and  secretary  of  the  AYanamingo  and  Farmer’s  Mutual 
Telephone  Company  for  two  years,  and  is  agent  for  the  AYana- 
mingo  Farmers’  Fire  Insurance  Company.  The  family  attend 
the  Lutheran  church. 

Dr.  Charles  H.  Libbey,  a rising  young  professional  man  of 
Red  AYing.  has,  during  the  short  period  of  his  practice,  attained 
a full  measure  of  success  which  may  well  be  envied  by  many 
older  men  in  the  profession.  His  clientele  includes  not  only  a 
large  list  of  prominent  people  in  Red  AYing,  but  also  in  the  coun- 
try, and  even  in  the  neighboring  AYisconsin  towns  and  villages 
across  the  river.  His  office  in  the  Goodhue  County  National 
Bank  building  is  the  scene  of  busy  activity,  and  is  eciuipped 
with  the  latest  appliances  for  the  practice  of  dental  surgery.  Dr. 
Libbey  was  born  in  Featherstone,  this  county,  June  5,  1881,  son 
of  Howard  and  Fanelia  B.  (AVhitnack)  Libbey,  natives  of  Illi- 
nois. Howard  Libbey,  the  father,  came  to  Red  AYing  with  his 
parents  in  the  early  days,  and  attended  both  the  public  schools 
and  Hamline  University,  afterward  taking  a course  in  the  Ab- 
bington  College,  of  Illinois.  After  marrying,  he  went  to  Coffe'y- 
ville,  Kan.,  and  farmed  for  a short  period,  after  which  he  took 
up  agricultural  pursuits  in  Featherstone  township,  this  county. 
On  this  farm  of  312  acres  he  cultivated  the  usual  crops,  and 
raised  stock  on  an  extensive  scale.  He  died  August  14,  1908, 
and  his  widow  still  resides  on  the  old  homestead.  Charles  H. 


1042 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


attended  the  schools  of  his  neighborhood,  the  public  school  of 
Red  Wing  and  from  1899  to  1901  studied  at  Ilamline  University. 
Later  he  took  a complete  course  of  three  years  at  the  Chicago 
College  of  Dental  Surgery,  graduating  in  1904.  Since  that  date 
he  has  practiced  his  profession  in  Red  Wing.  He  is  an  independ- 
ent voter  and  an  active  worker  in  the  Methodist  church,  also 
affiliating  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Yeomen,  the  Modern 
Woodmen,  the  Red  Wing  Commercial  Club  and  the  State  Dental 
Association.  Dr.  Libbey  owns  a pleasant  new  home  on  Third 
street,  this  city.  He  Avas  married  June  14,  1906,  at  Winona, 
Minn.,  to  Lulu  Belle  Rule,  of  that  place,  daughter  of  Dr.  Frank- 
lin M.  and  Mary  (Smith)  Rule,  the  former  of  whom  is  district 
superintendent  of  the  Winona  district  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  Mrs.  Libbey  graduated  from  Ilamline  University  in  the 
class  of  1904  and  during  the  following  tAvo  years  Avas  engaged 
as  a high  school  principal. 

Ole  A.  Strand,  a sturdy  old  Norse  pioneer,  Avas  bom  in  Nor- 
Avay  and  came  to  the  United  States  as  a young  man,  locating  on 
section  34,  Minneola  township,  where  he  pre-empted  eighty  acres, 
which  he  broke  and  improved,  carrying  on  general  farming  and 
stock  raising  the  remainder  of  his  life.  In  August,  1862,  he  en- 
listed in  Company  G,  Seventh  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served 
with  that  regiment  until  the  close  of  the  Avar,  displaying  courage 
and  valor  in  a number  of  important  engagements.  He  met  an 
untimely  death  in  Zumbrota,  September  28,  1906,  as  the  result 
of  bursting  a blood  vessel  during  a runaway.  Mr.  Strand  Avas 
married  to  Brethea  Lysne,  daughter  of  Ole  T.  Lysne,  a native 
of  Norway.  Mrs.  Strand  was  born  in  Nomvay  and  came  to  this 
country  Avith  her  parents  in  1855,  being  one  of  thirteen  children. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Strand  had  eleven  children,  five  of  whom  are  dead. 
The  living  are:  Matilda  O. ; Alfred;  Annie,  Avife  of  P.  A.  Hen- 

ning, to  whom  she  has  borne  one  child,  Orrin ; Selma,  noAV  Mrs. 
Woodbury;  Oscar  B.,  a graduate  of  the. law  department  of  the 
Minnesota  State  University;  Carl  I.,  a graduate  of  the  Zumbrota 
high  school.  Mrs.  Strand  is  still  living  on  the  home  place,  which 
is  managed  by  the  son  Alfred.  During  his  life  Ole  A.  Strand 
served  many  years  on  the  school  board  of  district  138  and  Avas  a 
thorough  believer  in  education.  He  served  some  time  as  super- 
visor  and  Avas  chairman  of  his  township  at  the  time  of  his  death. 
He  Avas  a hard  working  man,  thoroughly  respected  and  Avell 
liked  throughout  the  county  and  toAvnship. 

A.  E.  Steberg  was  born  in  NorAvay,  January  30,  1837,  son.  of 
John  and  Mary  Steberg,  both  natives  of  that  country.  The  father 
OAvned  a large  farm  and  carried  on  general  farming  until  his 
death,  which  took  place  in  1880.  The  mother  died  when  A.  E. 
was  cpiite  a small  boy.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  his 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1013 


education  in  the  public  schools  of  Norway,  and  then  took  up 
farming  on  the  old  homestead  with  his  father  until  leaving  for 
this  country  in  1866.  He 'located  in  Minneola  township  and  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  of  improved  land,  to  which  he  has  since 
added  different  pieces  of  property  until  he  now  owns  416  acres. 
He  is  still  engaged  in  active  work  and  manages  his  farm,  raising- 
general  crops  and  breeding  horses,  cattle  and  sheep.  Mr.  Ste- 
berg  was  married  in  December,  1870,  to  Charlotte  Olson,  daugh- 
ter of  Ole  and  Inger  Thorson,  who  were  married  in  Norway,  be- 
ing natives  of  that  country.  They  came  to  America  in  1866  and 
located  at  Minneola,  where  they  ended  their  days.  A.  E.  Ste- 
berg  has  five  children:  Oscar,  living  at  Minneola,  engaged  in 

farming;  Minnie,  married. to  S.  0.  Swenson;  Alfred,  farmer  and 
stock  buyer,  living  in  Minneola,  and  Charles,  living  at  home. 
Mr.  Steberg  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  has  been  a member  of  the 
school  board  for  two  years,  and  has  filled  the  positions  of  road- 
master  and  road  overseer.  While  in  the  old  country,  he  served 
two  years  in  the  militia.  The  family  worships  at  the  Norwegian 
Lutheran  church. 

B.  Paulson,  Zumbrota  township,  was  born  in  Norway,  April 
14,  1851,  received  his  education  in  that  country  and  came  to 
America  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  locating  - in  Minneola 
township,  where  he  resided  for  three  years.  He  then  went  to 
Wanamingo  township  and  purchased  120  acres,  which  he  farmed 
and  improved.  Later  he  sold  this  farm  and  moved  to  Zumbrota 
township,  purchasing  168  acres  in  section  19,  where  he  made 
many  improvements,  building  a farm  house  and  a large  barn 
40  by  70  feet.  He  now  follows  general  farming.  Mr.  Paulson 
was  married  November  4,  1875,  to  .Julia  L.  Foss,  daughter  of 
Lars  and  Mary  Hendricks,  by  whom  he  has  eleven  children : 
Matilda,  born  July  23,  1876,  married  to  John  Liebracht,  Morris, 
Minn.;  Paul,  born  November  1,  1878,  living  in  Zumbrota;  Martin, 
horn  August  6,  1880,  living  at  Park  City,  Mont. ; Joseph,  born 
January  23,  1882,  living  at  St.  Paul;  Herman,  born  March  20. 
1884,  living  at  Park  City,  Mont. ; Louis,  born  February  28,  1886, 
living  in  Montana;  Gustave,  born  November  22,  1888;  Melvin, 
born  November  1,  1890;  Minnie,  born  February  2,  1891;  Thina, 
born  October  2.  1892,  and  Stella,  born  May  5,  1894.  The  five 
youngest  live  at  home.  Mr.  Paulson  is  Republican  in  his  political 
views,  but  he  has  never  sought  public  office.  He  is  a hard  work- 
ing, industrious  man,  having  acquired  all  his  property  by  his  own 
efforts. 

Philip  Storkel,  a well-to-do  farmer  of  Featherstone  township, 
owns  230  acres  in  sections  20  and  29,  and  has  a model  farm  in 
every  particular,  with  a comfortable  home,  commodious  build- 
ings, modern  machinery  and  other  appliances  for  carrying  on 


i 


1044 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


up-to-date  agricultural  operations.  He  was  born  in  Germany, 
November  7,  1823,  and  was  brought  to  America  by  his  parents 
at  the  tender  age  of  ten  years.  After  living  in  Cincinnati  a few 
years  they  went  to  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  where  the  parents 
became  prominent  farmers.  In  1854,  they  came  to  Red  Wing, 
and  later  Philip  took  a claim  which  is  embraced  within  the  limits 
of  his  present  farm,  being  one  of  the  early  settlers  in  that  town- 
ship. He  broke  the  land  which  for  ages  had  been  an  untrodden 
wilderness,  erected  buildings,  and  began  the  cultivation  of  the 
soil.  Since  that  time  he  has  continued  to  carry  on  general  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising  with  much  success.  While  in  Illinois,  Mr. 
Storkel  was  married  to  Matilda  Freeborn,  born  in  Richland 
county,  Ohio,  in  1825.  She  shared  with.her  husband  the  joys  and 
sorrows  of  pioneer  farm  life  and  passed  to  her  eternal  reward, 
January  28,  1900,  leaving  a sorrowing  husband  and  a bereaved 
family.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Storkel  were  born  eight  children : 
John,  William,  Freeborn,  Richard,  Hannah  and  Charles  are  liv- 
ing. Joshua  and  Carrie  are  dead. 

John  McNamara,  with  his  partner,  T.  AY.  Lally,  conducts  a 
large  hardware  store  in  Goodhue  village,  owning  an  establish- 
ment which  many  merchants  in  much  larger  places  would  be 
proud  to  possess.  Fie  has  the  distinction  of  being  a native  born 
son  of  this  county,  having  first  seen  the  light  of  day  in  Belle 
Creek  township,  August  4,  1862.  In  that  township  he  received 
his  education,  and  after  leaving  school  took  charge  of  the  home 
farm  until  the  fall  of  1906,  when  he  entered  his  present  business, 
buying  out  the  interest  of  Parkins  and  Chalmers.  Mr.  McNa- 
mara is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  has  served  on  the  village 
council  three  years.  He  is  a member  of  the  AVoodmen,  the  Catho- 
lic Foresters  and  the  Red  Men,  in  which  latter  lodge  he  is  an 
officer.  June  27,  1882,  he  was  married  to  Susan  Dally,  by  whom 
he  has  seven  children;  John  Joseph,  who  is  in  the  store  with  his 
father;  Daniel  Francis,  who  works  in  a clothing  store  in  Good- 
hue  village ; Mary  Rowena,  Thomas  Sylvester  and  James  Fran- 
cis, Avho  are  twins ; Leo  and  Francis.  John  and  Ann  (Malloy) 
Lally,  parents  of  Mrs.  McNamara,  lived  on  a farm  in  Belle  Creek, 
the  former  dying  December  23,  1868,  and  the  latter  November 
16,  1879.  John  and  Mary  (Kane)  McNamara,  parents  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  came  to  America  from  Ireland  in  1849  and 
after  remaining  in  New  York  state  for  a while  went  to  LaSalle, 
111.,  where  they  lived  four  years.  In  the  middle  fifties  they  came 
to  Belle  Creek  township  and  there  the  father  purchased  160 
acres,  to  which  he  added  from  time  to  time  until  he  owned  480 
acres,  upon  which  he  carried  on  general  farming  until  within  a 
short  time  of  his  death,  when  he  retired  and  enjoyed  a period 
of  pleasant  rest  until  May  26,  1906,  when  he  died.  His  wife  is 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1045 


still  living  on  the  old  homestead  at  the  age  of  73  years.  To  this 
union  were  born  six  children:  Margaret  (deceased),  Michael, 
Johanna,  Edward  (deceased),  John  and  James.  The  family 
faith  is  that  of  the  Catholic  church. 

George  F.  Meyer,  one  of  the  hard-working  and  industrious 
German  citizens  of  Hay  Creek  township,  is  still  hale  and  hearty 
at  the  good  old  age  of  eighty-one  years.  He  was  born  in  Prussia, 
Germany,  in  May,  1828,  his  parents  being  Casper  and  Caroline 
Meyer,  who  lived  and  died  in  that  country.  George  F.  grew  to 
boyhood  and  manhood  in  his  native  kingdom,  working  on  the 
farm  and  attending  the  common  schools.  With  frugality  and 
hard  work  he  saved  enough  money  to  come  to  America,  and  in 
1856  made  his  venture  to  America,  bringing  with  him  his  bride, 
Mary  Tebbe,  Avhom  he  had  married  the  year  previous.  The  trip 
from  St.  Louis  to  Red  Wing  was  made  by  boat,  after  which  they 
hired  a conveyance  to  take  them  to  Hay  Creek,  where  George  F. 
Meyer  homesteaded  160  acres,  he  and  his  brother  William  being 
among  the  first  settlers  in  that  township.  He  broke  and  im- 
proved the  land,  erected  buildings  and  for  many  years  carried 
on  general  farming.  In  3866  he  built  a water-power  flour  mill, 
and  in  1891,  when  the  railroad  came  through,  changed  the  motive 
.power  to  steam.  The  mill  is  now  managed  by  his  sons.  He  also 
rents  out  his  200  acres  of  highly  improved  land.  During  the 
Civil  War,  Mr.  Meyer  was  drafted,  but  provided  a substitute. 
He  has  been  treasurer  of  the  township  at  different  times  and  has 
served  several  terms  as  chairman.  To  George  F.  and  Mary 
Meyer  have  been  born  six  children : William,  Mary,  Kate,  Henry, 
Annie  and  Louis. 

Alex  McKinley,  of  Stanton  township,  has  seen  a larger  part 
of  the  progress  of  modern  times  in  Goodhue  county,  and  has 
reclaimed  his  land  from  the  rocky  prairie  wilderness.  When  he 
first  came  to  this  state,  he  landed  at  Hastings  and  walked  to 
Stanton  township,  where  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  and 
began  to  clear  a farm.  He  built  a log  cabin  out  of  such  timber 
as  was  standing  in  the  neighborhood,  and  kept  house  for  himself, 
hauling  his  grain  to  Llastmgs  with  oxen.  Near  the  close  of  the 
Civil  War  he  enlisted  in  Company  II,  First  Minnesota  Heavy 
Artillery,  and  was  stationed  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  from  shortly 
after  his  enlistment,  February  1,  1865,  until  October  of  the  same 
year,  when  he  was  discharged  with  the  regiment.  After  return- 
ing home  he  at  once  resumed  farming,  which  is  still  his  occupa- 
tion. In  1877  he  wooed  and  wed  Mary  Yan  Guilder,  daughter 
of  Frederick  and  Harriet  Yan  Guilder,  natives  of  New  York 
state,  who  came  to  Stanton  township  in  1865,  at  the  close  of  the 
Civil  War,  and  have  since  continued  to  live  here.  A short  time 
ago  they  celebrated  their  golden  anniversary,  at  which  time 


1046 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


their  friends,  both  near  and  far,  gathered  to  wish  them  many- 
more  happy  years  together  in  the  afternoon  of  life.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  McKinley  have  been  born  three  children : Mary,  the  eldest, 
attends  Hamline  University  and  will  graduate  in  1910 ; Fred  and 
John,  the  two  younger  children,  live  at  home,  and  assist  their 
father.  The  family  conducts  general  farming  on  the  place,  about 
three  miles  out  of  Cannon  Falls  village.  Some  of  their  eighty- 
six  acres  is  wild  land  and  pasture,  but  sixty-five  acres  are  under 
the  plow,  giving  an  excellent  opportunity  for  general  mixed 
farming.  They  also  do  some  dairying  and  sell  considerable  but- 
ter. As  a father,  Mr.  McKinley  has  naturally  been  interested 
in  education,  and  has  served  as  school  trustee.  He  votes  the 
Republican  ticket,  and  affiliates  with  the  G.  A.  R.  post.  Mr.  Mc- 
Kinley has  reached  the  honorable  age  of.  sixty-two  years,  having 
been  born  November  1,  1847.  Ills  parents,  John  and  Mary 
(Dunn)  McKinley,  came  from  Scotland  and  located  first  in 
Maryland,  where  the  father  worked  in  a cotton  factory.  He 
came  to  Goodhue  county  in  1863  and  remained  until  January, 
1864,  when  he  returned  to  Maryland.  In  1867  he  took  up  his 
permanent  home  in  Stanton  township  and  here  ended  his  days. 
His  wife,  mother  of  Alex,  died  many  years  before. 

Oscar  F.  Peters,  seven  times  member  of  the  village  council 
of  Cannon  Falls,  has  assisted  greatly  in  mantaining  the  financial 
and  business  integrity  of  the  village.  He  is  a native  born  son, 
having  first  seen  the  light  of  day  in  this  township,  November 
18,  1861,  son  of  one  of  the  earliest  settlers.  After  completing  the 
usual  branches  in  the  district  schools,  he  came  to  the  village  and 
worked  as  a clerk  in  a hardware  store,  and  then,  in  company 
with  Peter  Prink,  purchased  the  business,  this  partnership  con- 
tinuing from  1889  to  1891,  when  Mr.  Peters  purchased  Mr. 
Prink ’s  interest  and  became  sole  owner  and  proprietor.  Since 
then  the  business  has  grown  greatly  in  volume  and  magnitude, 
the  straightforward  methods  employed  in  the  establishment  mak- 
ing it  a favorite  trading  place.  A few  years  ago  Mr.  Peters 
erected  a $12,000  two-story  brick  block  on  the  corner  of  Fourth 
and  Neill  street's,  assisting  in  giving  to  the  village  its  modern 
appearance.  In  addition  to  owning  this  block,  and  the  stock  in 
the  store,  Mr.  Peters  is  interested  in  the  Cannon  Falls  Canning 
Company,  and  the  Cannon  Falls  Farmers’  elevator.  He  was  mar- 
ried September  10,  1893,  to  Ella  Brookner,  daughter  of  Charles 
Brookner,  a native  of  Rochester.  The  Peters  home  has  been 
blessed  with  five  children:  Leigh  B.,  Georgia  IT,  June,  Leona 
and  Bernice.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a staunch  Republican, 
a communicant  of  the  Episcopal  church  and  a member  of  the 
Masonic  order  and  the  United  Workmen.  John  and  Christine 
(Johnson)  Peters,  parents  of  Oscar  F.,  were  born  in  Sweden, 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1047 


came  to  America  in  1852,  lived  three  years  in  Iowa,  and  then 
located  in  Cannon  Falls  township,  purchasing  160  acres  in  sec- 
tions 3 and  10.  In  1881  they  rented  the  farm  to  their  son,  John 
A.,  removed  to  Cannon  Falls,  and  lived  a retired  life  until  the 
time  of  their  decease. 

Henry  McLain  Johnson,  overseer  of  the  county  poor  farm  in 
Burnside  township,  has  won  much  praise  from  the  citizens  of 
this  county  for  his  capable  management  of  that  institution.  He 
serves  well  the  interests  of  those  who  taxes  support  the  place, 
and  at  the  same  time  is  considerate  and  gentle  with  the  homeless 
and  friendless  who  find  in  the  almshouse  that  refuge  which 
Providence  has  denied  them  elsewhere.  Mr.  Johnson  was  born 
in  Frontenac,  this  county,  September  5,  1877,  a son  of  Hans  and 
Gurine  (Peterson)  Johnson,  who  were  the  parents  of  nine  chil- 
dren: Mary,  John  (deceased),  Lesa,  George,  Henry,  Maude, 
Elizabeth,  Edith  and  Florence.  The  father  and  mother  came 
from  Norway  in  1866  and  soon  afterward  purchased  a farm  in 
Frontenac,  where  they  raised  their  large  family  of  children.  The 
father  died  October  18,  1908.  Henry  M.  received  such  education 
as  the  district  schools  afforded,  and  then  took  a short  course  in 
a business  college.  With  his  father  as  instructor,  he  thoroughly 
mastered  farming,  and  remained  on  the  home  place  until  1893, 
when  he  was  offered  his  present  position.  The  poor  farm  consists 
of  164  acres,  and  here  Mr.  Johnson  carries  on  general  farming. 
Before  taking  county  office,  Mr.  Johnson  held  several  township 
positions  in  Frontenac.  Fie  is  a Republican  in  politics  and  a 
popular  member  of  the  United  Workmen. 

Albert  and  Alfred  Olson,  known  as  the  Olson  Brothers,  have 
a well-cultivated  farm  of  eighty  acres,  in  Hay  Creek  township, 
about  five  and  a half  miles  from  the  center  of  Red  Wing.  They 
have  erected  some  good  buildings,  and  carry  on  general  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising.  Being  progressive  young  men,  they  are 
on  the  high  road  to  prosperity  and  success.  Both  were  born  in 
Sweden,  and  in  that  country  were  educated.  They  came  to  this 
country  and  after  a stay  in  Red  Wing,  they  located  on  the  place 
where  they  have  since  remained.  Alfred  is  not  married.  Albert 
was  married  in  1895  to  Annie  Hanson,  by  whom  he  has  four 
children:  AY alter,  Karl,  Agnes  and  Ernest,  The  Messrs.  Olson 
both  vote  the  Republican  ticket,  but  have  never  cared  to  run 
for  public  office. 

Erick  J.  Helle  was  born  on  the  homestead  in  Holden  town- 
ship, October  28,  1875,  son  of  J.  J.  and  Carrie  (Trove)  Helle, 
natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  America  and  located  in  Wis- 
consin, later  coming  to  Minnesota,  locating  at  Cannon  Falls,  and 
subsequently  at  Holden,  where  they  purchased  160  acres  of  land, 
which  the  father  improved,  built  a stone  house  and  later  a barn 

ft 


1048 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


and  other  outbuildings  and  carried  on  general  farming  until 
1904,  when  he  retired  from  active  life,  hut  still  lives  on  the  home- 
stead. Erick  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Holden 
and  took  a short  course  at  a seminary  in  IoAva.  He  then  took  up 
farming  at  home  and  in  1904  rented  the  farm  and  raises  horses 
and  stock.  Erick  is  one  of  seven  children ; Carrie,  married  to 
Christopher  Otterson,  living  in  North  Dakota;  Edward,  now  of 
North  Dakota;  John,  now  of  Richland,  N.  D. ; Nettie,  married 
to  M.  O.  Stancly,  of  Richland  county.  North  Dakota;  Andrew, 
living  at  home;  Peter,  of  North  Dakota,  and  Erick,  the  spbject  of 
this  sketch.  Mr.  Ilelle  is  a Republican  in  his  politics.  He  is  a 
member  of  a literary  society,  and  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran 
church. 

Timothy  E.  Perkins,  living  on  section  16,  Featherstone  town- 
ship, has  gained  a national  reputation  as  an  apple  grower,  his 
seedling  apples  having  taken  first  prize  at  the  annual  meeting 
of  the  American  Pomelogical  Society,  held  at  Boston,  Mass.,  as 
well  as  the  gold  medal  at  the  St.  Louis  Exposition  in  1904.  He 
was  born  in  Franklin  county,  Maine,  December  7,  1833,  his  par- 
ents being  Timothy  F.  and  Thirza  (Ellsworth)  Perkins,  both  na- 
tives of  Maine.  They  came  to  Minnesota  in  1862,  and  purchased 
land  in  Featherstone  township,  where  the  father  engaged  in  gen- 
eral farming  until  within  a short  time  of  his  death,  when  he  re- 
turned to  Maine  and  ended  his  days  at  the  age  of  eiglity-two 
years,  having  been  a farmer  all  his  life.  The  mother  took  up  her 
residence  with  her  son,  Timothy  E.,  and  died  at  the  age  of 
seventy-two  years.  Timothy  E.  attended  the  schools  of  his 
neighborhood,  and  there  grew  to  manhood,  remaining  in  his 
native  town  until,  about  thirty  years  of  age.  April  13,  1864,  he 
came  to  Featherstone,  and  for  three  years  farmed  in  partner- 
ship with  his  father,  afterward  purchasing  his  present  farm  of 
266  acres.  On  this  place  he  has  put  many  improvements,  includ- 
ing a good  house,  well-kept  barns  and  other  buildings,  and  here 
he  carries  on  general  farming,  stock  raising  and  pomelogical 
pursuits.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics  and  has  served  as  treas- 
urer of  his  township  one  term.  He  affiliates  with  the  Methodist 
church  and  at  one  time  was  a member  of  the  Odd  Fellows.  Mr. 
Perkins  was  married  March  26,  1861,  to  Rlioda  A.  Boston,  also  a 
native  of  Franklin  county,  Maine.  From  this  union  eight  chil- 
dren have  resulted,  six  being  now  alive.  Charles  E.  is  an  orange 
grower  in  Porterville,  Cal. ; Fred  0.  is  assistant  general  agent 
of  the  International  Harvest  Company  at  Sioux  Falls,  S.  D. ; Wil- 
liam J.,  like  his  brother,  Charles  E.,  is  an  orange  grower  in  Por- 
terville, Cal. ; George  A.  is  a physician  and  surgeon  at  Dickens, 
N.  D. ; Timothy  L.  works  the  home  place  and  Thirza  Etta  is  the 
wife  of  Britton  G.  Featherstone,  of  Featherstone  township. 
* 


1 


Harrison  Miller 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1049 


Laura  died  at  six  years  and  Bertha  at  nine  years  of  age.  All 
the  children  except  Charles  E.  were  born  in  Featherstone  town- 
ship. He  was  born  in  Maine  before  the  family  came  west. 

Peter  and  Andrew  Peterson,  two  well  known  farmers  of  Leon 
township,  are  estimable  citizens  in  every  respect  and  are  well 
thought  of  by  their  large  circle  of  friends.  They  are  both  natives 
of  this  state,  born  in  Nicollet  county,  the  former  in  1859  and  the 
latter  in  1861.  Their  parents,  Abraham  and  Margaret  Peterson, 
came  from  the  old  country  in  1857  and  settled  in  the  county  where 
their  sons  were  born,  remaining  there  six  years.  Then  they 
came  to  Leon  township,  where  he  purchased  the  farm  which  is 
still  in  the  family  and  where  the  boys  went  to  school.  The  mother 
is  dead,  but  the  father  is  still  living,  having  reached  the  ven- 
erable age  of  90  years.  Besides  the  brothers  there  was  in  the 
family  one  sister,  Anna,  now  the  wife  of  John  Anderson.  The 
Peterson’s  farm  consists  of  160  acres,  upon  which  the  brothers 
carry  on  general  mixed  farming.  Both  vote  the  Bepublican 
ticket,  but  neither  has  cared  to  seek  the  duties  of  public  office 
holding. 

Harrison  Miller,  another  sturdy  old  pioneer,  died  at  his  home 
in  the  township  of  Stanton  August  21,  1909.  He  was  born  in  Ver- 
mont in  February,  1828,  and  in  January,  1854,  was  married  to 
Harriet  Ellis,  daughter  of  Noah  Ellis  of  Thedford,  Vermont.  He 
then  bought  a farm  in  Wisconsin  near  Beaver  Dam,  where  they 
lived  four  years.  In  the  spring  of  1858  they  moved  to  Stanton, 
having  purchased  the  farm  the  fall  before.  On  this  place  they 
have  lived  for  fifty-one  years.  He  carried  on  general  farming 
and  became  one  of  the  substantial  residents  of  the  community. 
Mrs.  Miller  died  on  the  farm  in  April,  1906.  Four  children  sur- 
vive : Alvin  Miller,  of  Seaside,  Ore. ; Nelson  Miller,  a prosperous 
farmer  of  Stanton ; Mrs.  Cora  Whitson,  who  is  still  living  on  the 
old  farm,  and  Dr.  F.  C.  Miller,  who  resides  in  Olivia,  Minn.,  and 
has  an  extensive  practice.  Mr.  Miller  was  a Mason  and  a member 
of  the  United  Workmen.  As  a neighbor  he  was  liked,  as  a father 
and  husband  he  was  loved,  as  a citizen  he  was  respected,  and  as  a 
friend  he  was  held  in  truest  regard.  It  is  such  men  as  he  who, 
from  the  beginning,  have  made  Goodhue  county  a place  of  peace 
and  quiet,  and  saved  it  from  the  disorderly  years  which  so  often 
mark  an  early  settlement  in  a wild  territory. 

John  Collins  Applegate,  the  gifted  editor  of  the  Cannon  Falls 
“Beacon,”  and  widely  known  for  his  fight  in  behalf  of  the  small 
shipper  against  the  monopolies,  was  born  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  July 
22,  1860,  son  of  James  P.  and  Mary  Elizabeth  Applegate,  the 
former  of  whom  was  born  in  New  Jersey  and  died  in  1868  and 
the  latter  of  whom  was  born  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  and  is  still  living. 
John  C.  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools,  in  Poland 


1050 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Union  Seminary  (Ohio)  and  in  Oberlin  College  (Ohio),  taking 
the  scientific  course.  In  December,  1903,  he  purchased  the  Can- 
non Falls  “Beacon”  and  in  the  spring  of  1904  inaugurated  the 
campaign  for  regulation  of  railroad  rates  and  traffic  practices. 
He  led  this  fight  through  the  “Beacon”  and  by  personal  appeal 
to  business  organizations  throughout  the  state,  and  became  a 
recognized  authority  on  this  question.  The  fight  which  he  in- 
augurated and  assisted  in  conducting  accomplished  a reduction 
of  rates  of  thirty  per  cent  on  all  interstate  traffic  and  the  correc- 
tion of  many  other  abuses.  It  also  resulted  in  the  passage  of  the  de- 
murrage law,  the  two-cent  passenger  rate  law,  the  anti-pass  law 
and  other  reforms  along  the  same  line.  Mr.  Applegate  is  recog- 
nized as  an  editorial  leader  in  the  anti-saloon  fight  for  clean 
politics  and  independent  party  action.  He  is  also  a strong  advo- 
cate of  tariff  revision  downward  and  has  exerted  some  influence 
along  this  line  in  the  “Beacon.”  He  is  a strong  supporter  of  the 
Roosevelt  policies  and  has  condemned  without  qualification  the 
Payne- Aldrich  tariff  law  and  the  forces  and  methods  that  en- 
acted it.  Aside  from  his  interest  in  the  “Beacon,”  Mr.  Apple- 
gate  holds  stock  in  the  Cannon  Falls  Creamery  Company  and  is 
an  advocate  generally  of  all  that  tends  toward  the  civic  and  in- 
dustrial improvement  of  Cannon  Falls.  Being  of  a sociable 
nature,  he  has  taken  an  active  part  in  the  Masons,  the  Samari- 
tans, the  Elks,  the  Cannon  Falls  Commercial  Club  and  the  State 
Editorial  Association.  April  23,  1888,  Mr.  Applegate  was  mar- 
ried to  Harriett  L.  Van  Campen,  a native  of  Cannon  Falls,  daugh- 
ter of  an  old  pioneer  family.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 'Applegate  have  three 
children : Roszella  Charlotte,  born  April  30,  1891 ; John  Collins, 
Jr.,  born  December  10,  1906  and  died  August  21,  1909,  and  Mary 
Adelia,  born  July  5,  1908. 

Conrad  Schaffer  is  the  son  of  Adam  and  Catherine  (Steitz) 
Schaffer,  pioneer  residents  of  Minnesota,  natives  of  G-ermany, 
who  came  to  America  in  1848  and  located  in  Wisconsin  for  a 
short  time  and  then  moved  to  Stillwater,  Minn.,  where  they  were 
among  the  first  settlers.  Here  their  son  Conrad  was  born  March 
13,  1855,  and  when  he  was  but  a child  they  moved  to  New  Trier, 
Dakota  county,  Minnesota,  where  his  parents  resided  until  death 
called  his  father  in  1895 ; his  .mother,  who  is  ninety  years  of  age, 
now  resides  with  her  above  named  son.  It  was  at  the  village  of 
New  Trier  that  Mr.  Schaffer  received  his  education,  in  a little 
log  school  house.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  started  out  to  fight 
life’s  battle,  coming  to  Welch,  Goodhue  county,  on  a farm  his 
father  had  given,  of  160  acres,  which  was  then  all  timber  and 
wilderness.  He  set  to  work  and  cleared  the  farm,  which  is  now 
all  under  cultivation,  and.  besides  all  the  modern  buildings  which 
he  erected  he  also  lias  one  of  the  largest  orchards  in  Goodhue 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1051 


county.  In  1875  lie  was  married  to  Annie  M.  Gerlaeli,  daughter 
of  Godfred  and  Teresa  (Seufert)  Gerlach,  also  natives  of  Ger- 
many and  pioneer  residents  of  Minnesota,  living  at  New  Trier  at 
the  time  of  their  daughter’s  marriage  to  Mr.  Schaffer.  He  took 
his  wife  to  his  home  in  Welch,  where  they  still  reside.  Here, 
with  their  children,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schaffer  worked  and  saved  un- 
til they  had  acquired  about  110  acres  of  land,  all  of  which  is 
worth  about  $100  per  acre  now.  Eleven  children  were  born  to 
them,  six  boys  and  five  girls,  ten  of  whom  are  still  living,  Mary, 
the  third  child  born  to  them,  dying  at  the  age  of  ten  years.  The 
two  oldest  daughters  are  married,  Teresa  to  Phillip  Pasch  of  Car- 
los, Minn.,  and  Catherine  to  Charles  Diederliolt  of  Welch,  Minn.; 
and  the  three  oldest  sons  are  also  married,  George  to  Lucy 
O’Roark,  Louis  to  Lizzie  O’Roark  and  August  to  Clara  Ruhr,  all 
residing  on  farms  of  their  own  adjoining  their  father’s  farm; 
his  daughter  Caroline  is  stenographer  for  the  Charles  Betcher 
Lumber  Company  of  Red  Wing,  Minn.,  and  Joseph,  Matilda, 
William  and  Frances  are  still  residing  with  their  parents.  A 
school  office  is  the  extent  of  Mr.  Schaffer’s  public  career,  and 
he  is  not  allied  with  either  political  party,  being  an  independent 
voter.  Mr.  Schaffer  and  his  family  are  all  members  of  the  Roman 
Catholic  Church.  He  is  a stockholder  of  the  Welch  Creamery, 
where  he  furnishes  several  hundred  dollars’  worth  of  cream  each 
year,  being  the  owner  of  about  one  hundred  head  of  fine  blooded 
cattle. 

Adolph  Grosse,  Hay  Creek  township,  vcas  brought  to  this 
county  by  his  parents  during  the  early  rush  of  German  immigra- 
tion. He  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany,  August  21.  1848,  son  of 
Frederick  and  Mary  (Herder)  Grosse,  also  natives  of  Prussia. 
The  family  came  to  America  in  1857  and  in  the  city  of  Chicago, 
for  two  months,  the  father,  Frederick,  followed  his  trade  of  stone 
masonry.  September  27,  1857,  they  landed  at  Red  Wing,  then  a 
small  village,  and  lived  in  Red  Wing  until  the  spring  of  1858, 
then  went  to  Hay  Creek  township  where,  after  the  proper  pre- 
liminaries, they  homesteaded  160  acres  of  land.  In  connection 
with  breaking  the  land,  improving  the  place,  erecting  farm  build- 
ings, etc.,  Frederick  Grosse  followed  his  trade  as  a mason  until 
1868,  and  died  in  October,  1879.  Adolph  was  nine  years  of  age 
when  he  came  to  America.  He  was  sent  to  the  neighborhood 
schools,  and  grew  up  on  the  farm.  Upon  his  father’s  death  he 
inherited  the  home  farm  of  160  acres,  but  makes  his  home  on  a 
place  of  40  acres  adjoining  the  village  of  Hay  Creek.  He  owns 
in  all  200  acres  of  good  land,  upon  which,  until  1907,  he  carried 
on  general  farming.  He  has  now  turned  the  management  of  the 
place  over  to  his  son  Edward.  Mr.  Grosse ’s  public  record  has 
been  one  of  honor  and  distinction.  For  twelve  years  he  ably 


1052 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


served  the  county  as  a commissioner  and,  aside  from  this,  has 
been  chairman  oi  Hay  Creek  township  several  terms,  town  clerk 
seventeen  years  and  a justice  of  the  peace  for  a long  period.  At 
the  present  time  he  is  secretary  of  the  Hay  Creek  Mutual  Fire 
Insurance  Company.  In  fraternal  circles  he  is  a member  of  the 
Odd  Fellows,  the  United  Workmen,  the  Foresters,  the  Sons  of 
Herman  and  the  Bed  Men.  Mr.  Grosse  was  married  September 
27,  1868,  to  Minnie  Aiders,  daughter  of  Charles  Ahlers,  an  early 
settler  of  this  county.  To  this  union  have  been  born  thirteen 
children  of  whom  the  eight  living  are  Edward,  Emma,  William, 
George,  Arthur,  Fred,  Clara  and  Laura.  Mrs.  Grosse  died  April 
3,  1893. 

George  W.  Fulerut,  progressive,  prosperous  and  well-informed 
farmer  of  Belle  Creek  township,  is  a native  of  Pennsylvania,  born 
April  21,  1829.  Upon  leaving  school  he  learned  the  carpenter 
trade,  which  he  followed  after  moving  to  Bed  Wing  in  1856,  en- 
gaging also  in  contracting  and  building  and  making  sash  and 
doors.  In  1860  he  purchased  130  acres  of.  land  in  Belle  Creek 
and  at  once  moved  on  the  place,  taking  up  general  farming.  From 
that  time  he  made  various  purchases  until  his  retirement  in  1901, 
when  he  owned  a farm  of  320  acres  of  highly  cultivated  land.  Fie 
now  rents  the  place  and  is  enjoying  a well-earned  rest  after  years 
of  toil,  sacrifice  and  frugality.  A fine  old  gentleman  in  every 
respect,  he  enjoys  the  confidence  and  admiration  of  the  younger 
generation,  being  often  sought  for  advice  and  counsel.  Fie  still 
votes  the  Republican  ticket,  and  in  his  more  active  days  served 
the  township  as  supervisor  and  school  district  No.  39  as  di- 
rector. By  his  good  wife,  Mary  E.  Bush,  whom  he  married  Octo- 
ber 20,  1853,  he  has  had  seven  children:  Bose  L.,  born  August  12, 
1854,  lives  at  home  with  her  parents;  Charles,  born  July  1,  1858, 
met  with  a sad  death  by  drowning  in  Dakota;  Frank  C.,  born 
January  9,  1861,  is  a merchant  in  Norton,  Ivan.;  Clara  Ellen,  born 
May  16,  1864,  is  the  wife  of  J.  T.  Warwick  of  Belle  Creek;  Bessie 
Marie,  born  December  14,  1866,  married  Patrick  Bowles,  a farmer 
living  in  Belle  Creek;  Samuel  Guy,  born  July  19,  1869,  is  a travel- 
ing salesman  out  of  Minneapolis ; George  Daniel,  born  February 
2,  1872,  is  a farmer  living  in  Belle  Creek  toAvnship.  The  family 
faith  is  that  of  the  Episcopal  Church. 

Mrs.  Fulerut  is  the  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Lucretia  (Put- 
nam) Bush,  and  granddaughter  of  John  Bush,  who  fought  under 
Braddock  in  the  Revolution.  The  father  was  a native  of  Con- 
necticut and  the  mother  of  Great  Barrington,  Mass.,  the  former 
dying  in  August,  1841,  and  the  latter  June  7,  1840. 

Michael  and  Sarah  (Coleman)  Fulerut,  parents  of  George  W., 
spent  their  entire  life  in  Pennsylvania,  the  father  being  a lum- 


HISTORY  OF  GOODITUE  COUNTY 


1053 


berman  of  German  parentage.  He  died  in  1886.  The  mother  was 
of  English  parentage  and  died  in  1891. 

Lars  E.  Larson  has  served  as  chairman  of  the  town  of  Min- 
nepla  three  years,  as  supervisor  six  years,  as  school  director  of 
District  No.  92  twelve  years,  and  as  clerk  of  the  school  board 
twelve  years.  He  has  been  treasurer  of  the  Minneola  Norwegian 
Lutheran  Church  and  Parochial  School  twenty-five  years  and  is 
a member  of  the  building  committee  of  the  church.  He  is  also  a 
director  in  the  elevator  and  creamery  companies.  Mr.  Larson 
was  born  in  Norway  August  8,  1846,  son  of  Filing  and  Solva 
(Peterson)  Larson,  who  came  to  America  in  1856,  located  in 
Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  until  1860.  In  that  year  they  came  to 
this  county  and  located  in  Belle  Creek  township,  where  the  father 
purchased  160  acres  of  land,  which  he  broke  and  improved,  erect- 
ing several  buildings  and  establishing  a home.  Father  and 
mother  are  both  deceased.  Lars  E.  was  trained  in  the  schools 
of  Norway  and  for  a short  time  after  his  arrival  in  America  at- 
tended the  schools  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  parents’  farm.  He 
remained  on  the  home  farm  until  1868,  when  he  purchased  80 
acres  in  Minneola  township,  to  which  he  later  added  120  acres, 
making  in  all  200  acres.  He  built  a house  and  barn  (personally 
superintending  the  building,  doing  considerable  of  the  work  him- 
self), improved  the  land  and  carried  on  general  farming  for 
many  years.  In  late  years  he  has  rented  his  farm.  He  was  mar- 
ried, December  30,  1868,  to  B.  Furan,  daughter  of  -John  and 
Ingerburg  Furan,  natives  of  Norway  who  came  to  America  in 
1865,  located  in  Belle  Creek,  took  up  160  acres  and  there  remained 
until  1870,  when  they  sold  out  and  moved  to  Murray  county,  this 
state,  where  they  purchased  170  acres.  They  then  moved  to 
Tracy  Lyon  county,  and  still  later  to  Canby,  Yrellow  Medicine 
county,  where  the  father  died  in  1899.  The  mother  is  still  living. 
Mrs.  Larson  died  March  28,  1909. 

Michael  Doyle  is  one  of  the  grand  old  men  of  Goodhue  county, 
his  name  and  that  of  his  father  and  brothers  being  inseparably 
connected  with  the  early  history  of  Belle  Creek.  A thorough 
Prohibitionist  in  politics,  he  has  been  county  commissioner  six 
years,  representative  two  different  times,  town  clerk  fourteen 
years,  chairman  of  supervisors  one  term,  constable  two  years, 
clerk  of  school  district  No.  41  eight  years,  and  internal  revenue 
collector  at  St.  Paul  four  years,  having  also  served  on  many  im- 
portant Democratic  and  Prohibitionist  county  and  state  commit- 
tees. Since  1890  he  has  been  secretary  of  the  County  Alliance ; 
he  is  a prominent  member  of  the  Old  Settlers’  Associations  of  the 
county  and  state,  and  for  many  years  was  master  of  the  Grange. 
He  also  belongs  to  McKinley  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Cannon  Falls. 
Mr.  Doyle  was  born  in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  April  29,  1837,  and  after 


1054 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


moving  with  his  family  to  LaSalle,  111.,  in  1852,  came  to  Belle 
Creek  in  1854  with  his  father  and  mother  and  four  brothers,  and 
preempted  160  acres  of  land,  which  he  cleared  and  broke.  Later 
he  purchased  160  acres  more,  and  now  carries  on  general  farm- 
ing, raising  the  usual  crops  and  breeding  horses  and  stock.  In 
1865  he  enlisted  in  the  53rd  Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry  and 
served  until  the  fall  of  that  year  under  Captain  A.  A.  Wood, 
holding  the  position  of  corporal.  For  several  years  previous  to 
this  he  was  captain  of  the  Home  Guards.  Mr.  Doyle  was  mar- 
ried, October,  1859,  to  Sarah  E.  Gilbert,  also  a native  of  Troy, 
N.  Y.,  daughter  of  Lyman  and  Caroline  (Gregg)  Gilbert,  the  for- 
mer of  whom  was  a railroad  contractor  who  helped  build  one  of 
the  first  railroads  in  America,  called  then  the  Camden  & Amboy. 
He  also  had  a contract  on  the  Croton  aqueduct  in  New  York  City. 
They  came  west  in  1850  and  to  Belle  Creek  in  1855,  taking  up 
a farm  of  160  acres,  on  which  they  conducted  general  farming 
until  the  father’s  death  in  1876.  The  mother  died  two  years 
later.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Doyle  have  been  born  fourteen  children: 
Lillian  is  the  wife  of  Henry  O’Neill  of  Belle  Creek  township; 
Helen  is  the  wife  of  Thomas  B.  Edward,  of  Idaho ; Gilbert  W. 
also  lives  in  Idaho ; Carrie  L.  is  the  wife  of  J.  E.  Ford,  of  Idaho ; 
Charles  is  now  a farmer,  living  in  Belle  Creek  township;  he  was 
formerly  employed  as  a railway  mail  clerk  on  the  Northern  Pa- 
cific ; Edmund  died  in  1884;  Henry  lives  in  North  Dakota;  Jose- 
phine E.  is  the  wife  of  J.  P.  Pearson,  of  Goodhue;  John  V. 
lives  in  Washington;  Vincent  C.  lives  in  Idaho;  Ambrose  A.  lives 
in  St.  Paul;  Frederick  It.  lives  at  home;  Ebba  E.  is  the  wife  of 
Daniel  O’Reilly,  of  Goodhue;  Virginia  R.  is  the  wife  of  Jesse 
Herrick,  of  Minneapolis.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Catholic 
Church. 

Walter  Doyle  and  his  wife,  Johanna,  were  natives  of  Ireland. 
The  former  came  to  America  in  1829,  landing  at  Montreal,  Canada, 
where  he  remained  three  years.  He  next  moved  to  Troy,  N.  Y., 
and  engaged  in  teaming  and  draying  until  from  there  he  moved 
to  Montgomery  county,  and  then  took  his  family  to  LaSalle,  111. 
He  later  came  up  the  river  and,  July  18,  1854,  landed  in  Red 
Wing  with  his  wife,  five  sturdy  sons  and  one  daughter,  Mary  Ann, 
who  died  in  February,  1874.  He  at  once  came  to  Belle  Creek  and 
preempted  160  acres  of  land,  upon  which  he  carried  on  general 
farming  until  his  death  in  1888.  His  wife  died  in  1877.  Of  the 
five  sons  of  this  union,  four  served  in  the  Civil  War  and  one, 
Richard,  furnished  a substitute.  Henry  M.  and  John  are  now 
dead,  Henry  Mathias  dying  in  1893  and  the  latter  being  killed 
by  lightning  September  6,  1872;  Richard  died  May  13,  1900; 
Michael  and  Walter,  Jr.,  are  still  alive.  The  part  taken  by  the 
Doyles  in  the  upbuilding  of  the  township  and  the  names  of  some 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1055 


of  the  famous  men  whom  they  entertained  at  their  home  in  the 
early  days  is  related  in  the  general  history  of  Belle  Creek  which 
appears  in  this  volume. 

Mrs.  Julia  Bidlard  Nelson,  of  Red  AVing,  educator,  author,  lec- 
turer and  a prominent  worker  in  the  cause  of  women  and  tem- 
perance, has  taught  in  Texas,  Minnesota,  Tennessee  and  Con- 
necticut, and  lectured  in  almost  every  state  in  the  union  in  the 
interest  of  the  AY.  C.  T.  U.  and  woman’s  suffrage.  She  was  born 
at  High  Ridge,  Conn.,  May  13,  1842,  daughter  of  Edward  and 
Angeline  Raymond  Bullard,  who  came  to  this  country  from  Eng- 
land in  1836  and  settled  in  High  Ridge,  her  father  later  being  one 
of  Minnesota’s  pioneers.  She  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
of  Iowa  and  in  an  academy  at  Denmark,  Iowa,  later  completing 
her  studies  at  the  ITamline  University,  when  that  institution  was 
located  at  Red  AVing.  From  1861  to  1866  she  was  engaged  in 
teaching  in  Connecticut  and  Minnesota,  being  the  first  woman 
to  hold  a first  grade  certificate  in  Goodhue  county.  September 
25,  1866,  she  was  married  to  Ole  Nelson,  a soldier  of  the  Civil 
AYar,  who  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Sixth  Minnesota  Volunteer 
Infantry  August  1,  1862,  and  served  until  June  27,  1865,  when  he 
was  honorably  discharged.  He  was  born  in  Norway  and  his 
parents  came  to  America  in  1848,  his  father  having  chartered  a 
ship  and  brought  a ship  load  of  emigrants  over  to  settle  in  the 
new  country.  Air.  Nelson  died  January  9,  1869,  and  after  the 
death  of  her  husband  and  child,  Airs.  Nelson,  who  was  then 
achieving  note  as  one  of  the  early  advocates  of  woman’s  suf- 
frage, decided  to  consecrate  her  life  to  work  among  the  lowly 
and  downtrodden.  She  was  sent  by  the  American  Alissionary 
Association,  in  1869,  to  teach  the  freedmen  in  Texas,  where  she 
labored  until  1873.  During  the  years  1875-77  she  taught  a school 
for  colored  children  at  Athens,  Tenn.,  and  for  the  next  four  years 
was  principal  of  the  AVarner  Institute  at  Jonesboro,  Tenn.  Airs. 
Nelson  preached  from  1883-88  and  organized  the  Congregational 
Church  at  Jonesboro  during  that  time,  after  which  she  engaged 
in  Prohibition  work  in  eastern  Tennessee.  From  1889  to  1890 
she  was  the  vice  president  of  the  Alinnesota  AY.  C.  T.  U.,  and  lec- 
turer, and  from  1890  to  1896  was  president  of  the  Alinnesota 
AVoman’s  Suffrage  Association  and  lectured  for  the  National 
Association  of  AVoman’s  Suffrage.  For  four  years  she  edited  the 
“AAThite  Ribbon,”  a AY.  C.  T.  U.  paper,  and  during  all  this  time 
has  written  both  prose  and  poetry  for  the  press.  She  lectured 
on  temperance  before  there  was  a union,  and  led  in  a debate  on 
the  question  of  woman’s  suffrage  in  Red  AYing,  in  Good 
Templars’  hall,  in  1869.  Airs.  Nelson  has  financially  assisted  in  ob- 
taining education  for  many  young  people  who  have  since  attained 
prominence  in  educational  and  religious  endeavor.  Although  noAV 


1056 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


retired,  she  takes  an  active  interest  in  everything  that  tends  to 
the  betterment  of  city,  county  or  nation,  and  her  newspaper  com- 
munications, in  which  she  champions  the  cause  of  righteousness,  a 
square  deal  and  the  working  people,  have  now,  as  in  the  past, 
an  important  influence  on  local  affairs. 

Ralph  Waldo  Holmes,  the  talented  editor  of  the  Pine  Island 
“Record,”  has  made  an  excellent  reputation  for  himself  during 
his  period  of  service  at  the  head  of  that  paper.  He  combines 
business  with  literary  ability,  and  is  well  suited  by  nature  for 
the  post  he  occupies.  His  paper  exerts  considerable  influence  on 
the  affairs  of  the  community  and  his  opinions  on  all  questions 
of  the  day  are  listened  to  with  respect.  Born  in  Roscoe  town- 
ship, November  1,  1870,  he  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of 
Big  Stone  county,  later  studied  for  three  years  at  the  Upper 
Iowa  University  at  Fayette,  Iowa,  completing  his  education  with 
a year  at  Hamline  University.  After  finishing  his  studies  he  re- 
turned home  and  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  in  the  summer 
and  taught  school  in  the  winter.  In  1895  he  leased  a large  farm 
in  Big  Stone  county,  which  he  conducted  for  a time.  After  sell- 
ing out  he  moved  to  Pine  Island  and  in  March,  1901,  bought  the 
Pine  Island  “Record,”  which  he  still  publishes.  He  has  been  a 
member  of  Company  D,  Third  Regiment  M.  N.  G.,  since  March, 
1905,  and  holds  the  office  of  sergeant.  During  his  residence  in 
Big  Stone  county  he  held  the  office  of  constable  and  was  jus- 
tice of  the  peace  and  clerk  of  the  school  board  at  different  times, 
and  is  now  clerk  of  Pine  Island  village,  having  served  three  years. 
Fraternally,  he  affiliates  with  the  I.  0.  O.  F.,  the  M.  W.  A., 
U.  O.  F.  and  E.  F.  U.  Mr.  Holmes  has  been  twice  married.  Octo- 
ber 23,  1895,  he  was  married  to  Emma  B.  Hartkopf,  who  died 
August  20,  1900  leaving  him  two  children,  Estelle,  bom  Novem- 
ber 10,  1896,  and  Alice,  born  April  2,  1898.  On  December  28, 
1902,  he  was  again  married  to  Myrta  B.  Jewell,  by  whom  he  has 
one  child,  George  Henry,  born  August  29,  1901. 

John  Henry  L.  Holmes,  father  of  R.  W.  Holmes,  was  the  son 
of  John  Holmes,  a Methodist  circuit  rider  in  Ohio,  and  came  to 
Illinois  with  the  family  in  the  early  fifties,  settling  on  a farm  in 
Pine  Island  in  1857.  He  served  for  three  years  during  the  Avar  in 
Company  II.  Eighth  Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry.  The  mother, 
Emmeline  E.  Holmes,  daughter  of  James  Parker,  was  also  born 
in  Ohio,  came  with  her  parents  to  Minnesota  in  the  late  fifties, 
lived  on  a farm  near  Pine  Island  and  afterwards  moved  to  the 
Arillage.  The  father  died  in  Hopkinsville,  Ky.,  in  1907. 

Andrew  Ellingson,  retired  merchant,  living  at  828  East  ave- 
nue, Red  Wing,  is  one  of  the  men  who  were  instrumental  in  hav- 
ing the  Red  AVing  Seminary  located  in  this  city.  He  was  boim  in 
Norway,  January  9,  1840,  son  of  Lasse  and  Jerrine  (Nelson) 


HISTOEY  OF  GOODHUE  COURT! 


1057 


Ellingson,  who  came  to  America  in  1845  and  located  in  Boone 
county,  Illinois.  In  that  county  the  family  was  saddened  by  the 
death  of  the  mother,  in  1848.  The  father  continued  farming  on 
his  160  acres  until  1865,  when  he  came  to  Warsaw  township,  this 
county,  after  which  he  retired,  taking  up  his  residence  with  his 
children,  from  whom  he  received  loving  care  and  attention  until 
his  death  in  South  Dakota  in  1875.  Left  motherless  as  a young 
lad,  Andrew  received  his  early  education  in  the  schools  of  Boone 
county  and  farmed  with  his  father  until  1857.  He  came  to  Good- 
hue  county  in  1860  and  worked  by  the  day  and  month  until  1864, 
when  he  commenced  to  improve  his  own  farm.  He  moved  to 
Red  Wing  in  1867  and  his  first  employment  was  as  clerk  for 
Charles  Betcher  in  the  hardware  business  for  about  four  years. 
Thomas  Wilkenson  then  became  his  employer  until  1876,  when 
he  became  interested  in  a clothing  venture  with  A.  G.  Henderson, 
the  firm  name  being  Henderson  & Ellingson.  This  company  did 
business  on  Plumb  street  until  1899,  when  the  partnership  was 
dissolved,  Mr.  Ellingson  going  to  the  village  of  Goodhue,  where 
he  carried  on  the  clothing  business  until  1904,  the  date  of  his  re- 
tirement from  active  business.  Mr.  Ellingson  was  a member  of 
the  Red  Wing  city  council  for  two  terms  and  served  as  justice 
of  the  peace  in  Warsaw  township  for  one  term.  In  politics  he  is 
a Republican'.  Mr.  Ellingson  was  married  in  1865  to  Margaret 
Hoyland,  of  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  and  to  this  union  were 
born  three  children.  Louis  Martin,  the  only  one  who  survives, 
was  born  March  25,  1866.  He  has  taken  to  himself  a wife  and 
makes  his  home  in  this  city.  Josephine,  born  at  Warsaw,  this 
county,  in  1867  died  in  1885.  Henry  Philip,  born  at  Warsaw, 
died  in  1871.  Mrs.  Margaret  Ellingson  died  October  23. 
1873.  Mr.  Ellingson  was  then  married.  May  23,  1876.  to  Signe 
M.  Lindas,  daughter  of  Hans  and  Carrie  Lindas,  of  Marshall, 
Dane  county,  Wisconsin.  Six  children  have  brightened  this 
union.  Carrie  was  born  in  1877  and  died  in  1878;  Amanda,  born 
in  September.  1879,  married  the  Rev.  0.  A.  Anderson,  of  Dell 
Rapids,  South  Dakota.  Clarence  IT.,  born  in  May,  1880,  is  a 
Chicago  dentist.  Lydia  B.  was  born  in  1881  and  died  in  Decem- 
ber, 1908.  Arthur  M.  was  born  in  1883  and  died  September  17. 
1893.  Evelyn  E.  was  born  in  1895.  Mrs.  Signe  Ellingson  died 
January  20.  1904.  The  family  faith  is  that  of  the  Norwegian 
Lutheran  Church.  Andrew  Ellingson  has  two  brothers  and  two 
sisters : Elem  is  married  and  lives  in  Capron.  Boone  county, 
Illinois;  Nels  is  also  married,  and  lives  on  a farm  in  Warsaw 
township,  this  county.  Mrs.  Sjure  Holman  lives  at  Deerfield, 
Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  and  Mrs.  C.  O.  Peterson  lives  in  Cam- 
rose,  Alberta.  Canada. 

Joseph  A.  Thacher,  of  Zumbrota,  the  “farmer  statesman”  of 


1058 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Goodhue  county,  was  a central  figure  around  whom  the  rural 
population  of  the  county  were  wont  to  rally.  He  had  many  of 
the  characteristics  of  the  New  England  puritan,  but  a long  resi- 
dence in  the  West  had  modified  their  asperities.  He  had  well  de- 
fined views  upon  all  public  questions,  and  did  not  lack  ability  or 
inclination  to  vindicate  his  opinions  when  occasions  offered  for 
their  expression.  He  served  in  the  legislature  of  the  state,  and 
would  doubtless  have  represented  his  district  in  Congress  but 
for  his  rigid  views  of  political  ethics,  which  restrained  him  from 
adopting  the  methods  in  vogue  and  practiced  by  aspiring  poli- 
ticians in  his  time.  He  early  realized  the  substantial  character 
of  the  resources  and  capabilities  of  the  new  country  in  which  he 
had  made  his  home,  and  hence  had  unlimited  confidence  in  the 
possibilities  of  its  future.  He  did  much  to  advance  the  material 
interests  of  his  immediate  locality,  and  is  gratefully  remembered 
as  one  of  the  founders  of  that  delightful  community,  cosily 
nestled  in  the  charming  valley  of  the  Zumbro. 

Martin  Spencer  Chandler,  now  deceased,  many  years  sheriff 
of  Goodhue  county,  and  a man  of  prominence  in  the  state,  was 
born  at  Jamestown,  Chautauqua  county,  New  York.  Feb.  14, 
1824,  son  of  AYoodley  W.  and  Phebe  Winson  Chandler,  both  of 
New  England  ancestry.  The  maternal  great-grandfather  of  Mar- 
tin S.  Chandler  was  an  officer  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  and 
his  grandfather  on  the  same  side  was  in  the  AA^ar  of  1812.  The 
father  was  a woolen  manufacturer  and  an  extensive  farmer,  be- 
ing one  of  the  leading  men  of  Chautauqua  county  for  many 
years.  An  uncle,  Spencer  Chandler,  from  whom  Martin  S.  was 
named,  was  city  marshal  of  Nashville,  Tennessee,  for  twenty- 
three  years,  and  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out  was  one  of  the 
few  men  in  that  city  who  stood  nobly  by  the  old  flag.  Martin 
was  educated  at  the  Jamestown  and  Fredonia  academies,  and 
learned  the  tanner  and  currier’s  trade,  but  preferred  farming, 
which  he  followed  in  his  native  town  until  the  fifties,  when  he 
came  to  Goodhue  county  and  opened  a farm  in  Pine  Island.  Dur- 
ing the  first  year  he  was  in  the  state  he  was  elected  one  of  the 
three  county  commissioners,  serving  until  1858;  in  the  autumn  of 
which  year  he  was  elected  sheriff,  taking  office  Jan.  1,  1859,  in 
which  position  he  served  for  nearly  three  decades.  He  was  a 
stanch  Republican  and  from  the  earliest  days  of  the  county  was 
a leader  in  the  party  councils.  He  was  a presidential  elector  in 
1872  and  was  elected  messenger  to  carry  the  vote  of  the  state 
to  Washington,  but  declined  in  favor  of  AYilford  L.  Wilson,  of 
St.  Paul.  Mr.  Chandler  was  several  times  urged  to  become  a 
candidate  for  Congress  and  other  honors  were  offered  him.  but 
many  of  these  he  declined.  He  served  the  state  two  terms  as 
United  States  Surveyor  General  for  Minnesota  and  in  1888  was 


Martin  S.  Chandler 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1059 


delegate  at  large  to  tlie  Republican  National  Convention.  Mr. 
Chandler  was  a fine  type  of  pioneer,  stanch  of  character,  un- 
swerving of  principal,  and  at  the  same  time  a man  of  the  people, 
well  liked  and  highly  respected.  He  was  married,  on  February 
14,  1849,  to  Fannie  F.  Caldwell,  of  Jamestown,  New  York.  To 
this  union  were  born  three  children.  Two  died  in  infancy,  and 
Florence  C.  became  the  wife  of  Ira  S.  Kellogg.  Mr.  Chandler 
died  February  24,  1893,  and  his  death  was  mourned  as  a loss  not 
only  to  his  family  and  friends  but  also  to  the  county  he  had 
served  so  well,  and  whose  peace  and  law  he,  had  assisted  in 
establishing. 

Prof.  H.  B.  Wilson  was  born  in  Hingham,  Somerset  county, 
Maine,  March  30,  1821.  He  came  from  that  splendid  English 
stock  which  at  the  very  outset  of  the  colonization  of  America  es- 
tablished those  principles  of  liberty  and  freedom  of  action  which 
are  today  the  priceless  heritage  of  America.  He  traced  his  line- 
age hack  to  the  Mayflower.  His  parents  were  natives  of  Maine. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  district  school  and  afterward 
attended  the  Wesleyan  Seminary  at  Kent’s  Hill,  at  that  time  one 
of  the  strongest  academies  of  learning  in  New  England.  lie  con- 
tinued his  studies  four  years  in  this  institution,  paying  his  own 
way  by  teaching  and  during  the  vacations  doing  other  work. 
Shortly  after  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  in  1841.  he  graduated 
from  this  institution.  Born  with  that  Anglo-Saxon  spirit  of 
wanderlust,  which  has  back  of  it  the  personal  desire  to  make  the 
most  of  one’s  self  and  therefore  seeks  the  newer  country  where 
man  can  be  a larger  factor  in  the  development  that  goes  on  about 
him,  he  went  to  the  new  AVest  and  at  Cincinnati,  began  teaching. 
From  here  he  went  to  Lawreneeburg,  Inch,  and  took  charge  of 
Dearborn  County  Seminary,  remaining  tAvo  years,  during  Avhich 
time  he  studied  law  and  Avas  admitted  to  the  bar,  although  he 
neArer  practiced  his  profession.  In  1844  he  removed  to  NeAv 
Albany,  Ind.,  and  organized  the  first  graded  public  school  system 
in  that  city.  He  continued  to  teach  and  superintend  schools  until 
1850,  and  in  1858  came  to  Red  "Wing  and  took  up  the  duties  of 
professor  in  mathematics  and  civil  engineering  at  Hamline  Uni- 
versity, which  Avas  then  at  Red  Wing.  In  July,  1858,  the  Asbury 
University  of  Indiana  conferred  upon  him,  unsolicited,  the  hon- 
orary degree  of  Master  of  Arts.  In  June,  1862,  he  enlisted  in 
Company  F,  Sixth  Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  serATed 
until  he  Avas  mustered  out  in  the  fall  of  1865,  He  was  captain 
of  Company  F,  and  took  part  with  General  Sibley  in  the  cam- 
paign against  the  Sioux,  following  the  terrible  massacre  at  Wood 
Lake,  Camp  Release,  witnessed  the  hanging  of  the  thirty-nine 
Indians  at  Mankato  and  took  part  in  the  long  march  to  the  Mis- 
souri river  in  1863.  At  the  battle  of  Wood  Lake  he  received  a 


1060 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


severe  wound  in  the  shoulder,  from  which  he  never  fully  recov- 
ered. After  the  Indian  campaign  had  closed,  in  the  spring  of 
1864,  he  was  sent  with  his  regiment  to  Helena,  Ark.,  and  after- 
ward transferred  to  the  Sixth  Minnesota,  and  attached  to  the 
Sixteenth  Army  Corps,  and  participated  in  the  siege  of  Spanish 
and  Blakely  forts  and  the  capture  of  Mobile.  After  the  war  he 
returned  to  Ked  Wing,  where  he  made  his  home  until  his  death. 
He  was  elected  superintendent  of  schools  for  Goodhue  county  in 
1866  and  continued  to  serve  until  in  1870  when  he  became  State 
Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction.  He  was  a member  of  the 
city  council  and  served  one  term  in  the  state  legislature  in  1877. 
lie  was  an  ardent  Republican,  allying  himself  with  that  party  at 
its  inception  and  voting  for  Freemont  and  every  subsequent  can- 
didate of  the  party.  He  was  a member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and 
the  G.  A.  R.  Professor  Wilson  was  married  in  1844  to  Mary 
Jane  Chandler,  of  Lawrenceburg,  Inch,  who  died  February  2,  1888, 
in  Red  Wing.  The  children  by  this  marriage  are : Hon.  Frank 
M.  Wilson,  and  Alice,  wife  of  Hiram  Howe,  of  Red  Wing;  Oliver 
and  Mattie,  of  Minneapolis.  In  1892  he  married  Flora  M.  Sar- 
gent, of  Denver,  Colo.,  who  is  still  living.  Professor  Wilson  also 
had  one  brother,  Ovid  T.,  to  whom  he  was  much  attached  and  who 
resides  in  Cincinnati.  Professor  AVilson  died  January  31.  1908. 

Carl  F.  Hjermstad,  Red  AVing  banker,  was  born  in  Norway, 
May  4,  1865,  son  of  Lars  II.  and  Beatlie  N.  (Elstad)  Hjermstad. 
He  was  educated  in  the  private  and  high  schools  of  his  native 
place  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years  became  clerk  and  afterward 
manager  of  a general  store,  remaining  from  1880  to  1884.  during 
which  latter  year  he  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in 
Red  Wing,  being  employed  as  bookkeeper  for  T.  K.  Simmons  & 
Son  from  1884  to  1888.  In  1888  he  entered  the  Bank  of  Pierce, 
Simmons  & Co.,  and  remained  until  1897,  when  he  became  man- 
ager of  what  was  then  the  Red  Wing  Gas  and  Electric  Co.  In 
1899  he  became  cashier  of  the  Goodhue  County  National  Bank 
and  on  June  1,  1906,  was  promoted  to  his  present  position  of  vice 
president  and  manager.  Among  the  offices  which  Mr.  Hjermstad 
holds,  aside  from  his  position  in  the  Goodhue  County  National 
Bank,  are  the  following : Director,  vice  president  and  manager 
of  the  Goodhue  County  Savings  Bank;  director,  president  and 
treasurer  of  the  Goodhue  County  Abstract  Co. ; director  and  treas- 
urer of  the  Red  Wing  Linseed  Co.;  director  and  treasurer  of  the 
Reel  Wing  Brick  Co. ; director,  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the 
Reel  AAHng  Boat  Manufacturing  Co.;  trustee,  treasurer  and  chair- 
man of  the  building  committee  of  the  Red  Wing  Lutheran  Ladies’ 
Seminary;  trustee,  secretary,  treasurer  and  manager  of  the  Red 
AYing  Old  People’s  Home;  director,  treasurer  and  member  of  the 
board  of  managers  of  the  Minnesota  Scandinavian  Relief  Asso- 


\ 


Adolph  Remmler 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1061 


ciation;  chairman  and  treasurer  of  the  legacy  committee  of  the 
Evangelical  Lutheran  Synod  of  America;  trustee  of  Trinity 
Lutheran  Church;  trustee,  treasurer  and  member  of  the  building 
committee  of  the  city  cemeteries ; chairman  of  the  executive  com- 
mittee of  the  Civic  League;  member  of  the  board  of  regents  of  the 
Red  Wing  Automobile  Association  ; member  of  the  executive  com- 
mittee of  the  Minnesota  State  Abstract  Co. ; vice  president  and 
director  of  the  Red  Wing  Cigar  Manufacturing  Co.  and  director 
of  the  Commercial  Club.  Mr.  Hjermstad  was  married  in  January, 
1889,  to  Sigrid  Ness,  by  whom  he  has  seven  children:  Nora  C., 
born  in  1892;  Sigurd  L.,  born  in  1896;  Solveig  M.,  born  in  1898; 
Carl  F.,  Jr.,  born  in  1900;  Borghild  S.,  born  in  1903;  Otto  C.  T., 
born  in  1905  and  Lars  B.,  born  in  1909. 

Adolph  Remmler  was  one  of  those  sturdy  and  substantial  Ger- 
man pioneers  whose  sound  common  sense  made  his  advice  highly 
esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him,  and  whose  good  fellowship  en- 
deared him  to  scores  of  faithful  friends.  He  was  born  May  28, 
1838.  in  Baden,  Weiler,  Schwartzwald,  Germany,  son  of  Landolin 
and  Mary  (Kramer)  Remmler;  received  his  education  in  Baden, 
and  came  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  "when  a young  man,  obtaining  a po- 
sition in  a wholesale  house,  vrhere  he  remained  from  1854  to  1858, 
when  he  became  a traveling  salesman  for  the  same  firm.  He 
enlisted  in  Company  A,  Third  Missouri  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  afterward  resuming  his  former 
employment.  He  was  married  April  18,  1867,  to  Helena  Len- 
shaner,  who  died  October  20,  1871,  aged  thirty-seven  years,  one 
month  and  ten  days,  leaving  one  son.  Otto,  born  February  10, 
1869.  In  the  middle  seventies,  Adolph  Remmler  came  to  Red 
Wing  and  January  15,  1877,  married  Mrs.  Christine  Heising.  Mr. 
Remmler,  ably  assisted  by  his  wife,  took  charge  of  the  Heising 
Brewery,  changed  its  name,  and  made  many  improvements,  alter- 
ations and  additions.  He  served  as  alderman  of  the  city  and  in 
other  ways  participated  in  many  public  movements  for  the  benefit 
of  the  community,  the  interests  of  which  he.  had  deeply  at  heart. 
He  belonged  to  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  the  B.  P.  O.  E.  His  death, 
October  29,  1908,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years,  five  months  and  one 
day,  was  sincerely  mourned  by  a wide  circle  of  friends.  Mrs. 
Christine  Remmler  was  born  in  Ritberg,  Prussia,  May  5.  1S35. 
daughter  of  Christoph  Batsher  and  his  wife,  Agnes  Von  Horst, 
her  maiden  name  being  Christine  Batsher.  She  came  to  this 
country  at  the  age  of  seventeen  and  one  year  later  married  Will- 
iam Heising.  at  Cincinnati.  To  this  union  were  born  three  chil- 
dren : Mrs.  Frank  M.  AVilson,  of  Red  Wing;  Mrs.  Henri  DeWitt, 
of  Red  AA7ing,  and  Dr.  Albert  Heising,  of  Menominee,  Wis.  After 
living  in  Cincinnati  for  a short  time,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Heising  moved 
to  Rochester,  Minn.,  and  shortly  before  the  Civil  War  came  to 


1062 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Red  Wing.  Here  they  purchased  the  old  Minnesota  House  from 
John  Friedrich,  and  remodeled  the  hotel  into  a brewery.  After 
Mr.  ITeising’s  death,  December  12,  1874,  at  the  age  of  fifty-four 
years,  his  widow  conducted  the  place  for  several  years,  showing 
shrewd  business  ability.  January  15,  1877,  she  was  married  to 
A.  Remmler.  Otto  Remmler,  son  of  A.  Remmler,  and  now  man- 
ager of  the  brewery,  was  born  February  10,  1869,  and  on  May  27, 
1891,  married  Rosie  Bremer,  born  May  27,  1873,  by  whom  he  has 
one  daughter,  Elsie,  born  November  23,  1892. 

Benjamin  Briggs  Herbert  was  born  May  3.  1843,  on  a farm 
near  Cuba,  Fulton  county,  111.  With  his  parents,  he  moved  to 
Henry  county,  Iowa,  and  from  there,  in  1856,  to  Minnesota.  He 
was  educated  at  Hamline  University,  completing  the  classical 
course  in  1865.  While  attending  school,  he  still  lived  upon  a farm 
two  and  one-half  miles  from  Red  Wing,  and  walked  that  distance 
every  morning  and  night  and  never  missed  a class.  At  the  age 
of  sixteen  years,  he  joined  the  M.  E.  Church  at  Red  Wing.  For 
a year  after  graduation  he  was  principal  of  the  Rochester  Sem- 
inary (M.  E.)  at  Rochester;  Minn.;  then  he  entered  the  law  de- 
partment of  Michigan  University.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
1868  at  Red  AVing,  and  practiced  law  there  for  five  years. 

In  1871  Mr.  Herbert  was  married  at  Red  AVing  to  Mary  E. 
Sweney  of  that  city.  She  was  enrolled  as  a student  in  Hamline 
University  on  the  first,  day  of  the  opening  of  that  institution  at 
Red  Wing. 

In  1873  he  organized  the  first  Red  Wing  Flour  Mills  and  be- 
came the  first  secretary;  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year  he  entered 
the  newspaper  business.  He  organized  the  Red  Wing  Printing 
Company  in  1877,  and  was  president  of  the  company  until  1890, 
and  editor  of  the  papers  published  thereby  until  1888.  For  five 
years  he  remained  secretary  of  the  Red  Wing  Building  and  Loan 
Association,  which  he  organized  in  1877.  With  the  clay  in  a horse 
pail  he  solicited  $25,000  with  $10,000  cash  paid  in  in  ten  days  to 
start  the  Red  Wing  Pottery. 

In  addition  to  the  work  in  connection  with  the  Minnesota  Edi- 
torial Association,  Air.  Herbert  conceived  the  idea  of  a National 
Editorial  Association,  and  in  the  winter  of  1885,  effected  such  an 
organization  at  New  Orleans,  where  he  was  chosen  as  its  first 
president. 

In  addition  to  his  editorial  work,  Air.  Herbert  was  always 
greatly  interested  in  educational  affairs.  He  served  for  many 
years  as  a member  of  the  BoarcJ  of  Education  at  Red  AVing,  and 
was  a member  of  the  first  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  State  Public 
School  of  Alinnesota,  at  Owatonna.  In  his  new  home  at  Evanston 
he  became  president  of  the  Board  of  Education,  and,  with  his 
associates,  carried  to  completion  a new  and  one  of  the  finest  school 


B.  B.  Herbert 


111 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1063 


building's  in  the  city.  For  many  years  he  has  served  as  a mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Lincoln  Memorial  University 
at  Cumberland  Gap,  Tenn. 

Mr.  Herbert  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Red  Wing  Mills, 
Red  Wing  Building  Association,  Red  Wing  Stoneware  Company, 
Red  Wing  Furniture  Company  and  the  Red  Wing  Printing  Com- 
pany. Mr.  Herbert  resides  in  Ravenswood.  Chicago,  where  he  is 
actively  engaged  in  the  publishing  business. 

Tams  Bixby,  while  not  at  the  present  time  an  actual  resident 
of  this  county,  nevertheless  retains  his  interests  here  and  is  de- 
cidedly a Red  AVing  man.  He  was  born  December  12,  1856.  at 
Staunton,  Va.,  son  of  Bradford  AY.  and  Susan  J.  Bixby,  who, 
being  in  moderate  circumstances,  were  able  to  supply  their  son 
with  none  of  those  advantages  which  money  can  give.  The  family 
settled  in  Stillwater  in  1857.  coming  to  Red  Wing  in  the  fall  of 
1862.  Here  Tams  spent  his  boyhood  and  early  manhood,  receiving 
his  early  education  in  the  parish  schools  which  he  attended  until 
reaching  the  age  of  thirteen  years.  Beyond  that  his  educational 
advantages  have  been  such  as  an  active  mind  can  derive  through 
reading,  experience  and  observation.  Possessed  of  a remarkable 
degree  of  energy  and  enterprise,  he  was  not  slow  to  employ  his 
talents  in  whatever  offered  a held  for  his  abilities,  whether  in  the 
field  of  intellectual,  moral  or  industrial  endeavor,  and  more  par- 
ticularly the  first  two.  The  result  in  a business  and  official  way 
has  been  that  he  has'  been  engaged  as  news  agent,  hotel  keeper, 
baker,  editor  and  publisher  and  in  high  state  and  governmental 
positions,  while  in  those  lines  that  are  purely  in  the  realm  of 
altruism  he  has  taken  no  less  an  active  part,  his  Y.  AI.  C.  A.  en- 
deavors being  well  known.  He  was  still  scarcely  more  than  a 
youth  when  he  made  his  first  venture  into  newspaper  work,  and 
it  is  humorously  told  that  at  one  time  when  he  edited  the 
“Argus”  for  several  weeks  in  the  absence  of  the  real  editor,  he 
conducted  it  in  so  up-to-date  a manner  that  the  editor  upon  his 
return  found  two  live  libel  suits  pending  against  the  paper.  Air. 
Bixby  established  the  Red  AATing  “Sun”  January  17.  188J,  and 
conducted  that  paper  until  its  consolidation  with  the  “Advance” 
and  the  “Republican”  since  when  he  has  been  connected  with  the 
“Republican,”  although  for  many  years  past  his  duties  have  been 
of  an  official  rather  than  of  an  active  capacity.  Since  early  youth 
he  has  taken  an  active  interest  in  politics,  and  his  public  career 
was  started  as  chairman  of  the  Republican  county  committee  of 
Goodhue  county.  His  excellent  work  in  that  capacity  attracted 
the  attention  of  Republicans  in  other  parts  of  the  state  and  when 
the  Republican  League  of  Minnesota  was  organized  he  was  made 
its  secretary.  Subsequently  he  filled  the  office  of  secretary  to  the 
Republican  State  Central  Committee,  from  which  position  he  was 


1064 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


promoted  to  that  of  chairman.  In  this  capacity  he  managed  some 
of  the  hardest  fought  political  battles  in  the  annals  of  Minnesota 
and  never  failed  to  lead  the  party  to  victory.  He  has  been  secre- 
tary of  the  railroad  and  warehouse  commission  of  Minnesota. 
From  1888  to  1889  he  was  private  secretary  for  Gov.  W.  R.  Mer- 
riam ; from  1889  to  1892  for  Knute  Nelson;  from  1892  to  1896  for 
David  M.  Clough.  At  the  election  of  United  States  senator  in 
1901  he  was  urged  by  many  friends  to  become  a candidate  and 
had  he  accepted  their  offers  at  the  proper  time  it  was  freely  as- 
serted that  his  chances  of  success  would  have  been  of  the  best.  As 
it  was  he  received  a handsome  complimentary  vote.  Mr.  Bixby 
had  charge  of  the  senatorial  campaign  of  Knute  Nelson  which  he 
conducted  in  his  usual  vigorous,  honorable  and  effective  manner. 
Mr.  Bixby  was  at  one  time  prominently  mentioned  in  connection 
with  a cabinet  position  as  secretary  of  the  interior,  an  appoint- 
ment which,  according  to  the  newspapers,  Avas  practically  within 
his  grasp  had  he  cared  to  take  it.  Probably  Mr.  Bixby ’s  most 
distinguished  Avork,  however,  has  been  done  in  connection  with 
the  Five  Civilized  Tribes,  so  called,  in  the  Indian  Territory. 
These  tribes  are  the  richest  people  in  the  world,  and  Avhen  condi- 
tions became  such  that  immediate  supervision  and  adjustment  of 
their  affairs  by  the  United  States  government  Avas  necessary,  Mr. 
Bixby  Avas  named  as  a member  of  the  so-called  DaAves  Indian 
Commission,  of  which  he  Avas  either  acting  or  actual  chairman 
from  May  2,  1897,  when  he  Avas  appointed  by  President  William 
McKinley,  until  July  1,  1905,  when  that  commission  Avas  abolished 
and  President  Theodore  Roosevelt  appointed  Mr.  Bixby  as  com- 
missioner, a position  he  retained  until  July,  1907,  when  the  affairs 
of  the  Five  Tribes,  having  been  reorganized  and  placed  on  a satis- 
factory basis,  their  supervision  Avas  vested  in  the  Department  of 
the  Interior.  The  stupendous  task  which  Mr.  Bixby  performed 
only  those  who  Avere  with  him  in  the  Avork  can  fully  realize.  Op- 
posed by  all  kinds  of  clever  men  and  poAverful  interests  Avho, 
without  sanction  of  laAV,  had  secured  control  of  mineral  and  other 
valuable  rights  belonging  to  the  Indians,  he  adjusted  matters 
where  several  millions  of  dollars  were  concerned,  with  an  honesty 
and  fearlessness  that  Avas  as  unswerving  as  it  Avas  intelligent. 
During  this  period,  Mr.  Bixby  came  back  to  Minnesota  for  a 
couple  of  months,  gathered  up  the  tangled  threads  of  a Repub- 
lican political  campaign,  which,  nearly  over,  seemed  almost  hope- 
less, and  carried  it  to  a successful  conclusion.  Upon  his  return 
from  the  South  in  1907,  Mr.  Bixby  and  a number  of  friends  pur- 
chased a controlling  interest  in  the  “Pioneer  Press”  of  St.  Paul, 
and  Mr.  Bixby  became  the  general  manager.  He  at  once  devoted 
his  energy  and  ability  as  a neAvspaper  man  and  organizer  to  mak- 
ing the  “Pioneer  Press”  the  best  paper  in  the  Northwest,  and  this 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


1065 


effort  bore  fruit  in  the  “Pioneer  Press”  as  it  is  today.  The 
“Evening  Pioneer  Press”  is  one  of  the  children  of  Mr.  Bixby’s 
thoughts.  A few  months  ago  the  “Pioneer  Press”  was  purchased 
by  the  St.  Paul  “Dispatch,”  but  Mr.  Bixby  remains  as  general 
manager.  In  Red  Wing  he  is  president  of  the  Red  Wing  Print- 
ing Co.,  and  his  business  interests  include  all  the  leading  indus- 
tries of  this  city,  in  most  of  which  he  is  either  an  officer,  stock- 
holder or  director.  At  the  present  time  he  is  a member  of  the 
Minnesota  Club,  of  St.  Paul;  the  St.  Paul  Town  and  Country 
Club;  the  Red  Wing  Commercial  Club  and  the  Muskogee  (Indian 
Territory)  Town  and  Country  Club.  He  is  a Knight  Templar,  as 
well  as  a member  of  other  Masonic  bodies ; also  of  the  Elks,  the 
Odd  Fellows  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  April  27,  1S86.  he  was 
married  to  Clara  Mues,  and  has  three  sons,  Edson  K.,  born  April 
9,  1887;  Joel  PI.,  born  November  30,  1888;  and  Tams,  Jr.,  born 
September  12,  1891.  Mr.  Bixby’s  record  bespeaks  his  merit.  He 
is  a man  of  untiring  energy  and  unswerving  patriotism  and 
loyalty,  always  ready  to  give  his  best  effort  and  his  money  to  the 
upbuilding  of  the  community  at  large  and  particularly  his  home 
town  of  Red  Wing. 

Baker  C.  Grover  was  born  in  Bethel,  Oxford  county,  Maine, 
November  18,  1840,  son  of  James  and  Amelia  Baker,  natives  of 
Massachusetts  and  Maine  respectively,  the  former  of  whom  died 
in  1865  and  the  latter  in  1840.  He  received  an  academy  educa- 
tion in  his  native  town,  and  followed  farming  until  April,  1868', 
when  he  came  to  Zumbrota  and  engaged  in  farming,  also  being 
interested  in  several  other  enterprises  including  a cheese  factory 
and  a livery  barn.  He  still  owns  the  livery  stable  in  partnership 
with  his  son,  James  D..  having  been  in  this  business  thirty-three 
years.  He  also  deals  in  lands  and  stocks  and  owns  a quantity  of 
local  stocks  including  shares  in  the  Zumbrota  Clay  works.  He 
is  now  practically  retired.  In  addition  to  his  local  interests  he 
owns  a stable  in  Grafton,  N.  D.,  which  is  now  conducted  by  his 
son,  H.  B.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics,  served  in  the  legis- 
lature in  1876-77;  was  town  clerk  eight  years;  member  of  the 
village  council  ten  years;  postmaster  eight  years  and  eleven 
months  and  member  of  the  school  board  nineteen  years,  seventeen 
of  which  he  was  its  president.  Mr.  Grover  was  married  August 
27,  1863,  at  Bethel.  Me.,  to  Lizzie  Rose,  daughter  of  Duane  and 
Maria  (Clark)  Rose.  To  this  union  have  been  born  seven  chil- 
dren: Frank,  who  died  in  infancy;  H.  B.,  now  a liveryman  in 

Grafton,  N.  D. ; Howard,  who  died  in  infancy;  Lillian,  Avho  died 
in  1901:  James  D.,  who  is  his  father’s  partner  under  the  firm 
name  of  B.  C.  Grover  & Son ; Charles  L.,  of  the  firm  of  Wedge  and 
Weiss  and  Luella,  now  Mrs.  William  Bevers,  of  Alberta,  Canada. 
Mr.  Grover  is  a Mason  and  attends  the  Congregational  church. 


1066 


HISTORY  OF  GOODHUE  COUNTY 


Frederick  R.  Anderson,  general  manager  of  the  Farmers’  Ele- 
vator Co.,  at  Cannon  Falls  village,  is  a native  son  of  this  town- 
ship, born  August  31,  1861.  In  addition  to  attending  the  district 
school  he  received  a thorough  education  in  the  Red  Wing  Sem- 
inary, graduating  in  1882.  After  leaving  School  he  had  the  dis- 
tinction of  being  the  first  station  agent  at  Welch,  subsequent  to 
which  he  engaged  in  the  grain  business.  From  1883  to  1894  he 
engaged  in  the  milling  business,  later  erecting  an  elevator  at 
Cannon  Falls,  which  he  conducted  until  1902,  when  he  sold  out 
to  the  Farmers’  Elevator  Co.,  still  retaining  his  position  as  man- 
ager. He  is  considered  an  expert  grain  judge  and  has  twice  been 
awarded  the  state  prize  for  uniform  grading  by  the  Brewers’  and 
Maltsters’  Association  of  Minnesota.  He  always  has  his  principals’ 
interests  at  heart  in  all  his  transactions.  Some  years. ago  Mr.  An- 
derson bought  stock  in  the  Hauser  Malting  Co.,  in  which  com- 
pany he  is  now  a director.  Being  of  sociable  nature,  he  has  joined 
the  Modern  Workmen  and  the  United  Workmen.  Mr.  Anderson 
Avas  married  February  25,  1886,  to  Ida  Louisa  Peterson,  born  in 
Hastings,  July  6,  1865,  by  whom  two  sons  A\rere  born  : Carl  Vic- 
tor Winnefred,  born  February  7,  1888,  died  August  14,  1888;  and 
Frederick  Lincoln  Everett,  born  January  4,  1890,  a graduate  of 
Cannon  Falls  high  school,  class  of  1908.  Mrs.  Anderson’s  parents 
Avere  Johannes  and  Ellen  (Wilson)  Peterson.  Johannes  Peterson 
Avas  born  in  Smaaland,  Ivronober'gs  Lan,  Sweden,  February  16, 
1828.  Ellen  (Wilson)  Peterson  Avas  born  in  Kristianstads  Lan 
Skone  Sweden,  June  4,  1838.  They  Avere  united  in  marriage  at 
Superior,  AVis.,  in  December,  1860.  In  the  spring  of  1868  they 
moved  to  Vasa,  Avhere  they  acquired  some  six  hundred  acres  of 
land  and  were  considered  as  very  progressive,  both  socially  and 
financially.  Johannes  Peterson  died  December  20,  1888.  Ellen 
(Wilson)  Peterson  died  April  1,  1877.  F.  R.  Anderson’s  parents 
came  from  Sweden.  The  father,  Johannes  Anderson,  was  born  in 
Skone,  Province  Norra  Osbo  Flarad,  Kristianstads  Lan..  Ljungby 
lied,  October  24,  1830.  The  mother,  Maria  Christina  (Johnson) 
Anderson,  Avas  born  in  Smaaland  Province,  Kronobergs  Lan., 
Hynneryd,  December  21,  1830.  They  came  to  the  United  States 
in  1859  and  were  married  at  Red  Wing.  Soon  afterwards 
they  purchased  160  acres  of  Avilcl  land  in  Vasa,  which  they  later 
increased  to  350  acres,  on  Avhich  they  did  general  farming,  the 
father  dying  July  12,  1904  and  mother  June  10,  1905. 


INDEX 


Anecdotes  and  Adventures,  458 

Associations  and  Clubs,  591 

Augustana  Synod,  417 

Banks  and  Banking,  597 

Baptist  Church  of  Zumbrota,  456 

Beginning  of  the  County,  97 

Belle  Creek  Township,  144 

Belvidere  Township,  146 

Burnside  Township,  150 

Burning  of  the  Galena,  491 

Business  and  Professional,  600 

Calamities,  490 

Cannon  River  Church,  418 

Cannon  Falls  Township,  167 

Cannon  Falls,  159 

Central  Point,  157 

Cherry  Grove  Township,  155 

Christian  Science,  457 

Church  of  the  Redeemer,  Cannon 

Falls,  454 

Colvill ’s  Charge,  519 
Congregational  Churches,  440 
County  Officers  and  Population,  478 
Cyclone  at  Yasa,  490 
Dale  Congregation,  406 
Dennison  Village,  231 
Early  Days,  33 

Eidsvold  .Norwegian  Methodist  Church 
of  Leon,  416 
English  Lutheran,  4_ 

Evangelical  Lutheran  Trinity  Church 
of  Red  Wing,  409 
Evidence  of  Mounds,  18 
Featherstone  Township,  169 
Ferries,  588 

First  English  Evangelical  Lutheran 
Church.  420 

First  English  Evangelical  Lutheran 
Church  of  Zumbrota,  421 
First  Baptist  Church  of  Red  Wing, 
455 

Florence  Township,  172 
Forts  at  Frontenac,  62 
Free  Church,  414 
Frontenac  Village,  173 
Geologic  Ages,  1 1 
German  Industries,  376 
Germans,  The,  365 
German  Churches,  425 
German  Lutheran  St.  John’s  Church 
of  Minneola,  382 

German  Lutheran  Christ  Church  of 
Zumbrota,  382 

German  Lutheran  St.  Peter’s  Church 
of  Belvidere,  382 


German  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
of  Red  Wing,  380 

German  Lutheran  St.  John’s  Church 
of  Red  Wing,  380 
Gol ’s  Congregation,  408 
Goodhue  County  Churches,  404 
Goodhue  Village,  181 
Goodhue  Township,  179 
Grace  Church  of  Pine  Island,  452 
Grace  Church,  German  Lutheran,  of 
Goodhue,  382 
Hamilton  University,  279 
Hauge ’s  Synod,  412 
Hauge ’s  Evangelical  Lutheran  Con- 
gregation of  Kenyon,  414 
Hay  Creek  Township,  189 
Hegre  Congregation,  416 
Hoff  Congregation,  408 
Holden  Township,  185 
Hospitals  and  Charities,  612 
Immanuel  Evangelical  Lutheran 
Church  of  Aspelund,  413 
Immanuel ’s  Church,  German  Lutheran, 
Hay  Creek,  383 
Indian  Treaties,  74 
Indian  Troubles,  89 
Kenyon  Congregation,  408 
Kenyon  Township,  199 
Kenyon  Village,  200 
Land  Office  Records,  384 
Lands  and  Minneola  Congregations, 
405 

Leon  Township,  191 
Little  Cannon  Congregation,  411 
Methodist  Episcopal  Churches,  437 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Can- 
non Falls,  450 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Zum- 
brota, 455 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Pine 
Island.  450 
Military  History,  507 
Minneola  Township,  196 
Minnesota  State  Training  School,  290 
Molancl  Congregation,  408 
Modern  Red  Wing,  645 
Natural  Phenomena,  1 
Norwegian  Synod,  409 
Norwegian  Methodist,  416 
Old  Settlers  ’ Association,  592 
Orphans’  Home,  287- 
Physician,  The,  315 
Pine  Island  Village,  203 
Pine  Island  Township,  206 
Police  Officers  Killed,  502 


1067 


1068 


INDEX 


Postal  History,  298 
Prairie  Island'  Church,  419 
Presbyterian  Churches,  444 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  of  Red 
Wing,  446 

Red  Wing  Civic  League,  582 
Red  Wing  as  a Hamlet,  529 
Red  Wing  Collegiate  Institute,  291 
Red  Wing  Fraternities,  605 
Red  Wing  Fire  Department,  583 
Red  Wing  Fires,  503 
Red  Wing  Industries,  616 
Red  Wing  Lutheran  Ladies’  Semi- 
nary, 288 

Red  Wing  Seminary,  283 
Red  Wing  Township,  575 
Red  Wing  Through  Fifty-Two  Years, 
550 

Red  Wing  Water  Works,  585 
Roman  Catholic,  429 
Roscoe  Township,  209 
Schools,  County,  271 
Sea  Wing  Disaster,  495 
Sons  of  the  Vikings,  333 
Spanish-Ameriean  War,  521 
Spring  Garden  Church,  418 
Stanton  Township,  212 
Stordal  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church, 
Roscoe  Center,  414 
St.  Ansgar’s  Churc-h,  419 
St.  John’s  Hospital  and  Training 
School,  373 

St.  John’s  Evangelical  of  Frontenae, 
382 

St.  John’s  Church,  German  Lutheran, 
of  Goodhue,  383 


St.  Luke’s  English  Evangelical  Lu- 
theran Church,  422 
St.  Peter ’s  Evangelical  Lutheran 
Congregation  of  Red  Wing,  412 
St.  Paul’s  Church,  420 
Swedish  Baptist,  456 
Swedish  Evangelical  Churc-h,  359 
Swedish  Mission  Evangelical  Luther- 
an Church  of  Red  Wing,  424 
Swedish  Methodist,  428 
Swedish  Lutheran,  417 
Swedish  Settlement,  340 
Svveney’s  Narrative,  120 
The  Desirable  City,  579 
Township  System,  110 
Townships  and  Villages,  142 
Under  European  Kings,  71 
Urland  Congregation,  407 
Vang’s  Congregation,  406 
Vasa  Township,  214 
Villa  Maria  Convent,  292 
Wacoota  Township,  216 
Wagon  Bridge,  590 
Wanamingo  Congregation,  414 
Wanamingo  Township,  219 
Wanamingo  Village,  225 
Wangen’s  Prairie  Congregation,  407 
Warsaw  Township,  230 
Welch  Village,  233 
Welch  Township,  232 
Welch  Church,  419 
Zion  Church,  419 
Zumbrota  Congregation,  411 
Znmbrota  Township,  258 
Zumbrota  Village,  234 


BIOGRAPHIES 


Aadahl,  Bortinus  J.,  813 
Ackerman,  Michael,  839 
Agnew,  Thomas  A.,  1006 
A grey.  Lewis  L.,  1007 
Ahlgren,  Axel,  853 
Akneman,  Frank,  815 
Ahneman,  Henry,  801 
Albers,  John  H.,  867 
Alberts,  Jr.,  Hiram,  842 
Alberts,  Sr.,  Hiram,  842 
Alexander,  Lewis  P.,  701 
Allen,  Arland  H.,  748 
Allen,  Hans,  289 
Anderson,  Andrew  M.,  962 
Anderson,  Anton  V.,  963 
Anderson,  Frederick  R.,  1066 
Anderson,  G ive  K.,  789 
Anderson,  Walfred,  965 
Applegate,  John  C.,  1049 
Aslakson,  Peter  S.,  917 
Aslakson,  Sam  O.,  814 
Bakko,  O.  J.,  839 
Ballard,  Abbott  L.,  989 
Bang,  Otto  H.,  903 


Banitt,  John  N.,  867 
Banks,  John,  976 
Bargsten,  Henry,  785 
Barlow,  Foster  D.r  918 
Barry,  Michael  J.,  988 
Barnett,  John  H.,  443 
Bareness,  J.  A.,  832 
Beck,  Willis,  423 
Beekmark,  Charles  E.,  744 
Beekmark,  Gustave  C.,  745 
Behrens,  Edward,  938 
Belin,  Charles  P.,  747 
Bender,  Christian  J.,  742 
Bender,  Christian,  425 
Benrud,  Carl  P.,  853 
Berg,  John,  907 
Berg,  Andrew  O.,  987 
Berg,  Ole  N.,  785 
Berg,  Ole  T.,  833 
Berg,  Olive,  799 
Berven,  Sven.  412 
Botcher,  Charles,  641 
Betc-her,  Charles  A.,  640 . 
Betcher,  Charles  E.,  642 


INDEX 


1069 


Bevers,  William  F.,  268 
Biorn,  L M.,  405 
Bird,  Herman  M.,  745 
Bixby,  Tams,  1063 
Black,  Charles,  906 
Blaker,  Eugene  L.,  831 
Blanchard,  Henry,  762 
Blackstad,  Peter  J.,  892 
Blinco,  Louis  F.,  914 
Blodgett,  Elijah,  H.,  8 
Belles,  Charlotte  H.,  440 
Bolles,  Sias,  440 
Bollum,  Henry  E.,  854 
Bonlius,  John  A.,  897 
Bonde,  T.  O.,  941 
Boothroyd,  William,  746 
Boothroyd,  Frank,  906 
Boraas,  Julius,  294 
Bcraas,  Johannes,  964 
Bovv,  John  J.,  631 
Brandvold,  B.  P.,  977 
Brennen,  James,  905 
Bringgold,  Sr.,  Jacob,  808 
Brock,  J.  S.,  838 
Brooks,  Edmund  W.,  669 
Brown,  Charles,  688 
Brown,  Henry,  742 
Bryan,  Thomas  J.,  743 
Bryan,  A.  C.,  987 
Bryan,  J.  H.,  876 
Brynildsen,  H.  L.,  1002 
Bye,  C.  0.,  913 
Bullis,  S.  A.,  827 
Bullis,  Timothv  E.,  827 
Bunn.  T.  H.,  989 
Burkard,  A.  A.,  939 
Busch,  William,  1003 
Busch,  Friedrich,  969 
Bygd,  Ole,  897 
Callister,  William  B.,  997 
Callister,  George  E.,  834 
Campton,  John,  753 
Carlson,  Julius,  751 
Carlson,  Frank  A.,  751 
Carlson,  John  H.,  915 
.Carlson,  Alfred,  751 
Carlson,  Aaron,  729 
Cate,  F.  W.,  799 
Cavanaugh,  John  A.,  1004 
CeDulski,  John,  752 
Chandler,  John  W.,  749 
Chandler,  Martin  S.,  1058 
Chellson,  Martin,  914 
Chelgren,  Peter.  91 6 
Chinlund,  E.  G.,  362 
Clark,  Elija  L.,  943 
Clementson,  Cornel,  802 
Clifford,  Arthur  T.,  926 
Closner,  J.  B.,  801 
Cobb,  Henry  E.,  660 
Comstock,  Thomas  T.,  833 
Conley,  H.  E.,  910 
Collinge,  Alfred  E.,  786 
Colvill,  William,  520. 

Cook,  cieorge,  750 
Cook,  Hart  N.,  734 
Cooledge,  Henry  W.,  783 
Cornwell,  Leon  L.,  805 


vjOx,  James,  108 
Cram,  James,  764 
Croxford,  William,  784 
Crump,  James  L.,  959 
Cutshall,  Warren  W.,  802 
Dack,  Edward,  1013 
Dahl,  Axel  H.,  996 
Dam,  Andrew  M.,  756 
Dahl,  Herman,  1013 
Dalbotten,  Knute,  841 
Dana,  Charles  S.,  754 
Danielson,  Charles,  909 
Danielson,  Dan,  917 
Danielson,  Arthur  D.,  755 
Danielson,  Hans  H.,  868 
Davidson,  Carl  J.,  845 
Davidson,  David,  997 
Davis,  Edgar  F.,  1026 
DeKay,  Wm.  W.,  667 
Deline,  W.  F.,  886 
Densmore,  Sr.,  Orrin,  757 
Deriekson,  J.  G.,  703 
Dickey,  J.  C.,  798 
Dieke,  A.  H.,  902 
Doely,  Owen  E.,  916 
Dorn,  Eiehard  EL,  1012 
Dow,  James  O.,  761 
Doyle,  Michael,  1053 
Drew,  Joseph  H.,  755 
Edstrom,  Frank  F.,  950 
Edstrom,  Charles,  949 
Edstrom,  J.  A.,  948 
Ekblad,  Gust,  937 
Elcoek,  John,  830 
Elcock,  George,  828 
Elder,  John  H.,  759 
Ellingston,  Nels,  1008 
Ellingson.  Andrew,  1056 
Eugstrom,  August  E.,  1025 
Enderson,  Ingwel,  943 
Engersetter,  John,  942 
Emery,  O.  E.,  886 
Erb,  Edward  C.,  670 
Erbar,  Peter  J.,  758 
Erickson,  Elling  M.,  996 
Ericson,  William  M.,  736 
Ericson,  Gustaf  E.,  873 
Erickson,  Charles  A.,  736 
Erickson,  Thor,  735 
Erickson.  Erick  P.,  965 
Erstad,  Albert  A.,  846 
Erstad,  Cornelius  A.,  815 
Esterby,  K.  K.,  949 
Harwell,  Albert  B.,  784 
Harwell,  James  H.,  784 
Felien,  Andrew,  882 
Ferrin.  John  J.,  738 
Finstuen,  Albert,  846 
Finstuen,  P.  P.,  843 
I’instuen,  Andrew,  829 
Fiustuen,  Peter  O.,  1040 
Fisk,  Gustaf  S.,  739 
Fitsehen,  Henry,  855 
Follingstad,  Ol'e,  S92 
Foot,  Silas  B.,  626 
Fordahl,  Arnt  J.,  898 
Forssell,  Charles  O.,  740 
Fox,  M.  D.,  911 


1070 

Freeborn,  William,  1028 
Freeman,  Gustaf  E.,  741 
Freeman,  €.  H.,  842 
Freeman,  George  F.,  844 
Frenn,  P.  J.,  946 
Frenn,  Andrew  J.,  739 
Friedrich,  Charles  E.,  1027 
Fvoiland,  Gander  S.,  976 
Froyum,  Gunder,  816 
Gulcrut,  George  W.,  1052 
Fulkerson,  Frank  W.,  786 
Garrard,  George  W.,  179 
Garrard,  Israel,  176 
Gates,  Philander,  715 
Gates,  Irving  R.,  719 
Gates,  Geo.  £.,  720 
Gates,  Joseph  A.,  829 
Gaylord,  Nelson  B.,  855 
George,  Perry,  856 
Gerlaeh,  Bernard,  637 
Gjemse,  Lars  J.,  900 
Glardon,  William  P.,  1017 
Goodhue,  James  M.,  732 
Goudy,  Robert,  885 
Goudy,  Sr.,  Francis,  882 
Graham,  Christopher  C.,  68 
Grannis,  Sidney  S.,  670 
Graves,  Amherst  F.,  716 
Green,  Fred  O.,  718 
Gregoire,  Michael  H.,  1014 
Grendahl,  Carl,  998 
Greseth,  Seber  R.,  1035 
Gress,  Cliff  W.,  1014 
Gresseth,  Gunder  S.,  847 
Grondahl,  Jens  K.,  658 
Grossbeck,  Anton,  780 
Grosse,  Adolph,  1051 
Groven,  Halvor  P.,  899 
Grover,  Baker  C.,  1065 
Grover,  James  G.,  1021 
Grow,  Enos  F.,  717 
Gunderson,  Gunder  H.,  824 
Gunderson,  Nels,  899 
Hack,  John,  668 
Hadler,  Jacob,  872 
Haggstrom,  August,  950 
Hagman,  Erick  O.,  962 
Hall,  Charles  P.,  1003 
Hall,  Osee  M.,  1002 
Hall,  Orrin  I.,  1038 
Haller,  Axel,  721 
Haller,  Andrew  B.,  981 
Hallgren,  Joseph,  723 
Halvorson,  Sr.,  Martin,  229 
Halvorson,  Martin,  889 
Halvorson,  Henry  M.,  889 
Hammer,  Edward  G.,  765 
Hamre,  Ole  J.,  1011 
Hancock,  David,  732 
Hancock,  Joseph  W.,  138 
Hancock,  William  B.,  139 
Hanisch,  Herman,  726 
Hanson,  Oesten,  414 
Hanson, 1 Ole  J.,  814 
Hanson,  John  0.,  690 
Hanson,  Martin,  722 
Hanson,  Martin  G.,  285 
Hardy,  A.  H.,  947 


INDEX 

Harlow,  George  M.,  1009 
Hartman,  George,  725 
Hasler,  Sarah  E.  P.,  295 
Hastau,  Gustav  L.,  845 
Haugen,  Hnute  S.,  901 
Haugen,  Sever  K.,  900 
Haugen,  Olai,  1011 
Haugen,  Ole  A.,  1010 
Haugen,  Nels  K.,  901 
Haugen,  Sivert  O.,  928 
Haugen,  Iver,  841 
Haugen,  Ole  I.,  893 
Haustein,  Joseph  A.,  727 
Hawkins,  George  W.,  726 
Hawkinson,  Ole.,  694 
Hayward,  F.  E.,  794 
Hayward,  Giles,  794 
Haywood,  George  W.,  803 
Haynes,  Samuel  H.,  691 
Heiie,  Erick  J.,  1047 
Ilelmeke,  Albert,  937 
Heltne,  Erick  C.,  835 
Henderson,  A.  G.,  10,22 
Hennum,  Bernt,  928 
Henning,  Lars  J.,  787 
Hennings,  William,  1022 
Herbert,  Benjamin  B.,  1062 
Herder,  Hugo  J.,  692 
Hickman,  1 rank  G.,  689 
Hill,  Charles,  321 
Hill,  Daniel  C.,  118 
Himmelman,  Charles,  1001 
Hjermstad,  Carl  F.,  1060 
Hjermstad,  John  M.,  728 
Hjermstad,  Hans  M.,  895 
Hjermstad,  Albert  L.,  928  * 

Hobart,  Mrs.  Harriet  A.,  1024 
Hobart,  Chauncey,  1024 
Hodgman,  Jesse  M.,  106 
Holman,  Peter  O.,  995 
Holmes,  Ralph  W.,  1056 
Holter,  C.  C.,  414 
Holton,  John  M.,  891 
Holton,  Hans  H.,  891 
Hommedahl,  Sever  S.,  927 
Hoorn,  Frederick,  720 
Hostager,  Nils  A.,  929 
Hostager,  Martin  A.,  1011 
Ilougo,  K.  K.,  951 
Hoven,  Henry  G.,  848 
Iloven,  Gunder  H.,  848 
• Hovland,  Toger  J.,  783 
Huneke,  Joseph,  1010 
Humphrey,  George  W.,  724 
Hubbard,  Lucius  F.,  730 
Hudson,  Luther  B.,  804 
Ihrke,  John,  807 
Ingebretson,  Jorgen,  1008 
Irish,  Loomis  F.,  806 
Irish,  R.  W„  994 
Irvine,  Samuel  T.,  723 
Isensee,  Julius  H.,  857 
Jacobson,  John  C.,  966 
Jacobson,  J.  A.,  417 
Jackson,  Swan  G.,  960 
James,  Henry,  902 
Jefferson,  Peter,  907 
Jewell,  Moses,  806 


INDEX 


1073 


Jewell,  W.  W.,  805 
Johnson,  F.  I.,  1031 
Johnson,  Henry  M.,  1047 
Johnson,  Andrew,  1006 
Johnson,  'William,  695 
Johnson,  J.  C.,  697 
Johnson,  Julius  C.,  801 
Johnson,  Peter  M.,  817 
Johnson,  Christian  B.,  871 
Johnson,  Lauritz  Z.,  896 
Johnson,  J.  E.,  921 
Johnson,  John  C.,  695 
Johnson,  Edwin  O.,  995 
Jordal,  James,  929 
Jorgensen,  Peter,  696 
Kalass,  Christian  F.,  991 
Kappel,  John  6.,  760 
Ivellso,  H.  ,T.,  937 
Kellett,  A.  Henry,  992 
Kempe,  Peter  A.  H.,  1040 
Kittleson,  Ole,  788 
Kjos,  A.  T.,  840 
Kohn,  F.  W.,  971 
Kolbe,  Benjamin  A.,  788 
Koester,  William,  991 
Koerner^  Wm,  F.,  428 
Kolshorn,  Otto  W.,  1036 
Kopplin,  Louis  H.,  811 
Kyllingstad,  Giles  J.,  702 
Labbitt,  William  H.,  859 
Lally,  Thomas  W.,  980 
Larson,  Lars  E.,  1053 
Larson,  David  A.,  859 
Larson,  Gustav,  904 
Larson,  Lewis  A.,  858 
Larson,  Otto^  A.,  858 
Larson,  Ammon,  858 
Larson,  J.  F.,  922 
Larson,  John,  879 
Larsen,  Oscar  O.,  789 
Larson,  Henry  E.,  993 
Lauver,  Isaac,  700 
Leavitt,  Charles  H.,  796 
Lee,  John  J.,  921 
Lee,  Oliver  J.,  931 
Lee,  Andrew  E.,  930 
Lewis,  E.  N.,'838 
Lewis,  Benjamin,  800 
Lexvold,  Andrew  S.,  766 
Lexvold,  Christian  A.,  812 
Lexvold,  Halbert  A.,  818 
Lexvold,  Sivert  A.,  817 
Lexvold,  Ole  A.,  823 
Libbey,  Charles  H.,  1041 
Lidgerding,  Henry,  1029 
Lien,  Carl  1ST.,  699 
Lilleskov,  John  S.,  885 
Lillyblad,  Gust,  634 
Lind,  John,  731 
Llewellyn,  William  T.,  698 
Longeor,  William  J.,  693 
Lothrop,  Josiah,  974 
Lowater,  Wallis  S.,  971 
Lowater,  Elias  P.,  970 
Lovgren,  Carl  A.,  701 
Lueijk,  Ernst,  993 
Luchan,  John,  993 
Luhman,  Henry,  874 


Lund,  Bollof  O.,  972 
Lunde,  N.  B.,  835 
Lunde,  Iver  J.,  973 
Lunde,  Bernt  J.',  849 
Lunde,  Enar  B.,  930 
Lunde,  Bottolf  B.,  931 
Lundquist,  P.  J.,  1030 
Lykken,  Christopher  T.,'  955 
McCord,  Theron  B.,  706 
Mclntire,  Jesse,  703 
McKinley,  Alex,  1045 
McNamara,  John,  1044 
MeWaters,  William  J.,  790 
Maley,  Thomas,  864 
Mark,  John  P.,  966 
Marshall,  Guy  C.,  822 
Marvin,  Frederick  L.,  779 
Martens,  John,  860 
Matchan,  George  W.,  194 
Matchan,  Edward  M.,  1037 
Mattson,  Hans.  968 
Mathews,  Bobert  E.,  999 
Melin,  Bennett  I.,  877 
Meland,  Ole  S.,  413 
Meyer,  Conrad,  864 
Meyer,  George  F.,  1045 
Meyers,  Charles  H.,  1031 
Miller,  N.  J.,  8£3 
Miller,  Harrison,  1049 
Miller,  A.  J.,  780 
Miller,  Otto  F.  C.,  779 
Mills,  James  B..  990 
Mix,  Daniel  J.,  905 
Modin,  Bernhard,  354 
Mogaard,  Peter  J.,  999 
Money,  John,  849 
Monson,  Charles,  959 
Morgan,  Miner  C.,  791 
Mosher,  Arthur  E.,  781 
Mosher,  William  E.,  781 
Muus,  B.  J.,  408 
Naeseth,  Herman  O.,  1039 
Naeseth,  Ole  K.,  888 
Neill,  David  M.,  1019 
Nelson,  Mrs.  Julia  B.,  3 055 
Nelson,  Peter,  363 
Nelson,  Oscar  F.,  871 
Nelson,  John,  878 
Nelson,  J.  G.,  923 
Nesseth,  Peder  N.,  818 
Nerhaugen,  Andrew  J.,  778 
Nibbe,  J.  H.,  866 
Nickerson,  Balph  C.,  777 
Nilan,  M.  T„  908 
Nordvold,  Olaf  O.,  768 
Norelius,  Eric,  354 
Norsving,  John  E.,  940 
Norstad,  Joseph  A.,  931 
Nylen,  Charles  A.,  909 
Oakland,  Halvor  O.,  932 
Odden,  Lars  O.,  961 
Odden,  Ole  O.,  960 
Ofstie,  Ole  E.,  811 
Ofstie,  Ludwig,  850 
O ’Gorman,  Frank  T.,  982 
Olmstad,  John  A.,  923 
O’Neill,  Sr.,  James,  961 
O’Neill,  Jr.,  James,  961 


INDEX 


1072 

Olmstad,  J.  M.  R.,  9S3 
Olson,  Alford,  1047 
Olson,  John,  991 
Olness,  Nels  J.,  972 
Olson,  Albert,  1047 
Olson,  Swan,  704 
Olson,  Thore,  778 
Olsen,  John  0.,  791 
Olson,  August  P.,  687 
Olson,  John  M.,  906 
Olstad,  John  G.,  932 
O ’Reilly,  John,  863 
Oredalen,  Edward,  894 
Otterness,  John  H.,  836 
Otterness,  Edward  G.,  954 
Otterness,  Jens  H.,  955 
Otterness,  E.  L.,  952 
Palmer,  Herman  H.,  773 
Parker,  Y.  E.,  994 
Paiilson,  B.,  1043 
Paulson,  Paul,  792 
Pengilly,  Henry  L.,  792 
Perkins,  Timothy  E.,  1048 
Perkins,  Alfred  H.,  706 
Perkins,  Marshall  T.,  707 
Person,  George,  776 
Perry,  Charles  W.,  800 
Persig,  Joseph,  946 
Peters,  Oscar  F.,  1046 
Peters,  J.  A.,  924 
Peterson,  John  W.,  1034 
Peterson,  Peter,  1049 
Peterson,  Sr.,  John,  709 
Peterson,  Christian,  822 
Peterson,  Otto,  844 
Peterson,  Julius  P.,  843 
Peterson,  Peter  A.,  912 
Peterson,  W.  Edwin,  819 
Petterson,  Petter  O.,  850 
Pfeiffer,  John  C.,  708 
Phelps,  William  W.,  729 
Phillips,  Wellington  J.,  705 
Pierce,  Dwight  C.,  869 
Pierce.  Arthur  P.,  1018 
Pierce,  Joshua  C.,  9 
Pierpont,  Charles,  985 
Pirius,  Herman,  819 
Pollard,  James,  884 
Powers,  Mark  H.,  776 
Powers,  H.  B.,  775 
Pratt,  Albert  W.,  1022 
Purdy,  S.  H.,  979 
Putnam,  William  H.,  673 
Putnam,  Robert  W.,  706 
Quain.  .John  J.,  836 
Quast,  John  H.,  874 
Rasmussen,  Christian  A.,  313 
Rebevg,  Ole  R„  809 
Rebrud,  John,  845 
Rehder,  Ernest,  711 
Reiter,  A.  F.,  796 
Remmler,  Otto,  1023 
Remmler,  Adolph,  1061 
Rich,  John  H.,  624 
Rich,  Harrison  P.,  742 
Ring,  John,  952 
Ring,  Carl  0.,  820 
Risch,  Herman,  712 


Robinson,  R.  J.,  803 
Robinson,  Thomas,  1039 
Rockne,  Anton  J.,  770 
Roe,  Charles  O.,  975 
Roltseng,  Iver  I.,  957 
Romo,  Hogen  G.,  824 
Rothe,  Paul  W.,  919 
Rygli,  Theodore  T.,  933 
Sandberg,  N.  G.,  878 
Sandforrt,  Philander,  666 
Santelman,  William  C.,  1029 
Sargent,  G.  A.,  978 
Sargent,  Charles  J.,  1020 
Satren,  Martin  H.,  793 
Sawyer,  Herbert  P.,  870 
Schach,  John  H.,  676 
Schaffer,  Conrad,  1050 
Schafer,  John,  875 
Schafer,  Anton,  861 
Scherf,  Albert  G.,  1033 
Schmidt,  Edward  W.,  1025 
Sehweiger,  John  P.,  967 
Scofield,  Henry  M.,  765 
Scofield,  Lewis,  798 
Scofield,  James  L.,  925 
Scott,  Samuel  B.,  774 
Scott,  Wilbor  S.,  677 
Seovell,  Howard  M.,  862 
Seager,  Foster  B.,  913 
Seebaeh,  Fred,  675 
Senkpiehl,  G.  F.,  936 
Senkpiehl,  H.  W.,  936 
Sexton,  Jared,  713 
Sheldon,  Theodore  B.,  31 
Sherman,  Watts,  1030 
Sieg,  Jacob,  678 
Sigmond,  Rasmus  R.,  772 
Simmons,  Alfred  K.,  1017 
Simmons,  Thor  K.,  16 
Skaar,  Osten  E.,  S37 
Skillman,  Lambert,  1015 
Slocum,  Harrison  M.,  925 
Smith,  C.  J.  F.,  731 
Smith,  James  E.,  679 
Smith,  George  E.,  679 
Soderholm,  Henry,  425 
Spilman,  William,  1015 
Stageberg,  Nels  A.,  810 
Starz,  Louis,  797 
Starz,  John,  820 
Starz,  John  J.,  774 
Starz,  Edward  H.,  820 
Steberg,  A.  E,,  1042 
Stehr,  Henry,  1016 
Sterling,  George  R.,  674 
Stonedahl,  Ole  A.,  1000 
Stone,  Eugene  D1.,  924 
Storkel,  Philip,  1043 
Strand,  Knudt  O.,  813 
Strand,  Ole  A.,  1020 
Strom,  Eimar  I.,  411 
Sturtevant,  Thomas,  714 
Sudheimer,  Edward  L.,  983 
Sundry,  Tollef  O.,  851 
Svee,  John,  798 
Svein,  Henry  H.,  940 
Swan,  Harry  S.,  934 
Swan,  Alfred,  851 


INDEX 


10 


Swanson,  J.  Albert,  967 
Swanson,  Andrew,  603 
Swanson,  John  F.,  605 
Swee,  Martin,  981 
Sweney,  Sr.,  William  M.,  140 
Sweney,  William  M.,  61 
Swenson,  Erick  0.,  1016 
Swenson,  Swen  L.,  1000 
Swenson,  Sam  J.,  894 
Swenson,  Swen  O.,  825 
Swenson,  John  E.,  824 
Swenson,  Sven  E.,  821 
Swenson,  Carl  A.,  981 
Swenson,  Joseph. J.,  933 
Swenson,  Bernt,  954 
Tanner,  Ulysses,  1038 
Tether,  George  S.,  875 
Thatcher,  Joseph  A.,  1057 
Thompson,  Thomas  J.,  683 
Thornberg,  Nels,  825 
Thoresou,  Haagen,  895 
Thompson,  S.  A.,  877 
Thoresou,  Otto,  852 
Tiller,  Richard  A.,  1005 
Tillman,  A.  W.,  1005 
Tiller,  John  J.,  896 
Tome,  Henry,  795 
Tongen,  Andrew  H.,  890 
Tonseth,  Martin  O.,  772 
Tripp,  Timothy  B.,  682 
Tripp,  Merritt,  681 
Tubbesing,  Peter  H.,  680 
Tucker,  Ezra,  437 
Tucker,  M.  A.,  715 
Turner,  W.  H.,  826 
Ulvin,  Otto  A.,  734 
Underdahl,  Ole  J.,  956 
TJrevig,  Mons  S.,  953 
Vanberg.  Frank  J.,  945 
Van  de  Bogart,  W.  Scott,  771 
Van  Campen,  Henry  A.,  915 
Van  Guilder,  Fred,  879 
Van  Guilder,  Alvin,  880 
Van  Guilder,  Wallace,  881 
Vangsness,  Andrew  J.,  1007 
Vangsness,  Carl  E.,  1003 
Van  Voorhis,  A.  H.,  887 


Veek,  Carl,  939 
Vollan,  John  O.,  821 
Vollmers,  Fredrick,  869 
Voxland,  Lars  H.,  935 
Walsvik,  Lars  A.,  935 
Walter,  Edward,  994 
Wangen,  John  I.,  957 
Waiigen,  John  T.,  958 
Warren,  Ira  D.,  767 
Warren,  Mrs.  Ellen  M.,  684 
Watts,  Lafayette  H.,  809 
Webster,  William  L.,  674 
Weiss,  Henry  E.,  770 
Weiss,  Henry  J.,  769 
Welles,  Edward  R.,  448 
Wellner,  George  C.,  331 
Wennuth,  Oscar  R.,  984 
West,  Charles  H.,  808 
West,  George  R.,  807 
Westman,  Gustav,  920 
Westerson,  August,  908 
Westermo,  Marten  C.,  944 
Whipple,  Charles  J.,  985 
Whitney,  Alonzo  D.,  687 
Whittier,  Frank  A.,  291 
Whiton,  John  H.,  883 
Wiggen,  Olaus,  1037 
Wilder,  Eli  T.,  96 
Wilkenson,  George,  685 
Williston,  William  C.,  88 
Williamson,  William,  920 
Williams,  George  V.,  945 
Willard,  Swante  J.,  667 
Wilson,  H.  B.;  1059 
Wilson,  Frank  M.,  1018 
Wing,  Osmund  J.,  978 
Wing,  John  G.,  978 
Wolfe,  George  F.,  1004 
Woodbury,  Edwin,  764 
Woodbury,  Levi,  761 
Wyman,  George  W.,  685 
Young,  G.  V.,  953 
Zander,  Charles,  987 
Zemke,  Herman  W.,  986 
Zemke.  Charles  J.,  793 
Zignego,  John  B.,  938 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


Betcher,  Charles  A.,  640 

Betcher,  Charles,  641 

Biorn,  L.  M.,  405 

Blodgett,  Elijah  H.,  8 

Boraas,  Julius,  294 

Bringgolcl,  Sr.,  Jacob,  808 

Bunn,  T.  H„  989 

Busch,  Friedrich,  969 

Chandler,  Martin  S.,  1058 

Chandler,  John  W.,  749 

Charles  Betcher  Memorial  Chapel,  446 

Colvill,  William,  520 

Cox,  James,  108 


Cram,  James,  764 

Deline,  W.  F.,  886 

Dickey,  J.  G.,  798 

Dow,  James  O.,  761 

Farwell,  James  H.,  784 

Foot,  Silas  B.,  626 

Foot,  Mrs.  Silas  B.,  613 

Fox,  M.  D.,  911 

Gralram,  Christopher  C.,  68 

Grannis,  Sidney  S.,  670 

Goodhue  County  Court  House,  97 

Grondahl,  Jens  K.,  658 

Hall,  Orrin  T.,  1038 


1074 


INDEX 


Halverson,  Sr.,  Martin,  229 
Hancock,  Joseph  W.,  138 
Hancock,  William  B.,  139 
Hasler,  Sarah  E.  P.,  295 
Hayward,  Giles  and  family,  794 
Henderson,  A.  G.,  1022 
Herbert,  Benjamin  B.,  1062 
Hill,  Daniel  C.,  118 
Hodgman,  Jesse  M.,  106 
Hovland,  Toger  J.,  and  family,  783 
Jewell,  W.  W.,  805 
Kalfahs,  F.  W.,  365 
Longcor,  William  J.,  693 
Matchan,  George  W.,  194 
Matchan,  Mrs.  George  W.,  195 
Miller,  Harrison,  1049 
Naeseth,  Ole  K.,  888 
Nelson,  Peter,  363 
Palmer,  Herman  H.,  773 
Peterson,  John,  709 
Pasmussen,  Christian  A.,  313 
Red  Wing  City  Hospital,  613 
Remmler,  Adolph,  1061 
Rich,  John  H.,  624 
Robinson,  R.  J.,  residence,  803 


Robinson,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas,  804 

Seager,  Foster  B.,  913 

Schmidt,  Edward  W.,  1025 

Sheldon,  Theodore  B.,  31 

Simmons,  Thor  K.,  16 

Smith,  C.  J.  F.,  731 

Strand,  Ole  A.,  1020 

Swanson,  Andrew,  603 

Sweney,  Sr.,  William  M.,  1 

Sweney,  William  M.,  61 

Tucker,  Ezra,  437 

Wedge,  Franklyn-Curtiss  Frontis 
piece 

Welles,  Edward  R.,  448 
Wellner,  George  C.,  331 
Westman,  Gustav,  920 
Wilder,  Eli  T.,  96 
Willard,  Swante  J.,  667 
Williston,  William  C.,  88 
Williston,  Mrs.  William  C.,  89 
Woodbury,  Levi,  761 
Woodbury,  Edwin,  764 
Wyman,  Geo.  W.,  residence,  685 
Zumbrota  Clay  Mfg.  Co.,  237 


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